Golden color; nose has ripe tropical fruits, pineapple, slight butteriness; palate is slightly sweet, well balanced, good tropical fruit, not too much oak; finish is medium length. This is a wonderful entry-level california chardonnay. 87
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
From magnum. Deep ruby color without much bricking; nose of deep black and red fruit, blackberry, cherry, slight spice, slight earth, early secondary notes; palate is full bodied, soft and plush, tannins are fully integrated and give it good structure, red cherry fruit, slight leather; finish is medium length. A very good Saint-Emilion, though perhaps a bit softer on the palate than I would like. At peak now, but I have lots more of these left. 92
Moderate ruby color with very little bricking; nose has complex mature nose of moderate intensity, red cherry, slight woodiness, cedar; palate has full body, integrated tannins that still provide plenty of structure, blackberry fruit throughout; finish is medium length and flavorful. Very good, ready now but with a long plateau. 92-93
Medium ruby color with only slight bricking; nose of moderate intensity, rich black fruits, blackberry; palate is full bodied, structured tannins throughout that are not obtrusive, juicy black fruits (juicier fruits than in the 95, which is slightly more austere but still excellent), almost young on the palate; finish is medium length, black fruits. Excellent, tastes younger than the 95 (could use more time, whereas the 95 seems at peak), more promising but actually a little less complex on the nose at this time. The juiciness on the palate gives this a slight edge. 92-93 Update: Some slight eucalyptus comes out on the nose with a bit of swirling.
Red fruit, balanced, medium intensity, slight earthy; palate is very well balanced, juicy red fruit, good time, good midpalate; finish is slightly tannic, medium length. A good wine, but maybe not as distinctive or unique as I might like. 89-90
2010 Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay Vintner's Collection 87 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Golden color; nose has ripe tropical fruits, pineapple, slight butteriness; palate is slightly sweet, well balanced, good tropical fruit, not too much oak; finish is medium length. This is a wonderful entry-level california chardonnay. 87
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1999 Château Monbousquet 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
From magnum. Deep ruby color without much bricking; nose of deep black and red fruit, blackberry, cherry, slight spice, slight earth, early secondary notes; palate is full bodied, soft and plush, tannins are fully integrated and give it good structure, red cherry fruit, slight leather; finish is medium length. A very good Saint-Emilion, though perhaps a bit softer on the palate than I would like. At peak now, but I have lots more of these left. 92
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1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Moderate ruby color with very little bricking; nose has complex mature nose of moderate intensity, red cherry, slight woodiness, cedar; palate has full body, integrated tannins that still provide plenty of structure, blackberry fruit throughout; finish is medium length and flavorful. Very good, ready now but with a long plateau. 92-93
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1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Medium ruby color with only slight bricking; nose of moderate intensity, rich black fruits, blackberry; palate is full bodied, structured tannins throughout that are not obtrusive, juicy black fruits (juicier fruits than in the 95, which is slightly more austere but still excellent), almost young on the palate; finish is medium length, black fruits. Excellent, tastes younger than the 95 (could use more time, whereas the 95 seems at peak), more promising but actually a little less complex on the nose at this time. The juiciness on the palate gives this a slight edge. 92-93
Update: Some slight eucalyptus comes out on the nose with a bit of swirling.
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1994 Château Troplong Mondot 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Nose is a bit flat, subtle; palate is medium bodied, a bit of red fruit, good structure. Mediocre, but enjoyable. 86-87
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2010 O'Brien Estate Merlot 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Red fruits, oaky, flavorful, ripe; palate is full bodied, ripe red fruits. Excellent crowd pleaser, but not my style of wine. 88
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2006 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Red fruit, balanced, medium intensity, slight earthy; palate is very well balanced, juicy red fruit, good time, good midpalate; finish is slightly tannic, medium length. A good wine, but maybe not as distinctive or unique as I might like. 89-90
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