| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2006 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ReserveNapa Valley more |
4/1/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 96 points17th Annual Central Carolina Food and Wine Festival (Medallion Center, Columbia, SC.): This is as good a wine that has ever crossed my lips. From the very start, there is a balanced, focused and intense plethora of fruit and non fruit components. The nose is spectacular. There are violets with graphite minerality. There are ripe herbs, fruit, and some earth. There are layers of flavors, starting with blue and black fruits, continuing to a chocolate and licorice, and then a spicy earthiness. Seamless silky tannins. All this flavor requires some oak, which softens the edges and brings a creamy richness. Everything evolves in the mouth into a rich graphite and blackberry pie finish, with a touch of vanilla. |
| Red |
1997 Caymus Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
8/21/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 96 pointsThis is one of the best wines I have ever tasted. Purchased at the winery and stored in the best possible condition we have here in South Carolina. We opened and decanted 2 hours before drinking. To get to 96 points, you need layers, depth, and concentration. No disappointment here. There is just a hint of flowers on the nose, with a thick rich aroma of ground and plenty of blue fruit. At 11 plus years, the what must have been powerful oak has stepped into the background, helping reveal all the good stuff. Still young, dark and vibrant, could use another hour in the decanter. Heavy, mature, dark, focused blueberry and blackberry fruit. On the palate we are getting some of those secondary flavors like leather and licorice. I think there is a bit of eucalyptus near this vineyard. The finish is starting to show some graphite and road tar with the fruit. Seamless silky tannins. It was a shame to have to share this. No spitting. |
| Red |
1990 Maison Bertrand Ambroise Corton-Le RognetCorton Grand Cru Pinot Noir more |
1/25/2010 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 96 pointsConsidering that this Pinot Noir was 19 years old when I tasted it, and I thought it was a 5-7 year old Syrah from the Rhone, that means we have something here. It fooled a dozen people in a decent wine bar. Extremely youthful. The fruit had faded a bit, it must have been a monster in it's youth. Not particularly complex, but extremely vibrant, this may be the best wine I have ever tasted. How did it last so long? There was no browning on the rim. The balance was exquisite. There were not any noticeable tannins, or oak, it was just silky seamless. None of the secondary and tertiary flavors had even considered to start developing yet. I have never tasted anything like this. Words don't work here. |
| White |
2011 Chanson Père & Fils Corton-Vergennes BlancCorton Grand Cru Chardonnay more |
9/17/2015 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 96 pointsThis is as good a white wine that has ever crossed my palate. The surprisingly shy nose gives little notice of the pure hedonistic pleasure soon to follow. The nose has butter, lanolin and oak. The flavors kind of sneak across the lips, very subtle and delicate, Then, suddenly there is a cascade of fresh, perfectly ripe peach, honey and pineapple. The flavors are extremely delicate, but so precise. This wine literally melts in your mouth. There are all kinds of subtle enhancing, secondary characteristics like, minerals, chalk, ginger and lemon zest, Big oak is always present, but really appears as it warms in the glass and gets some air. Superb balance, especially the acid. Don't think this is has even started to think about reaching it's optimal tasting window, but still shows complete and fine this early in it's life. |
| White - Off-dry |
1983 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives Cuvée ChristineAlsace Gewürztraminer more |
2/7/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 95 pointsThis may be the best tasting wine that ever crossed my lips. Over 27 years old at opening, it still tasted fresh and vibrant. Heavy golden color. Still floral on the nose. What complexity! Only 11% alcohol, and quite off dry, it felt like syrup in the mouth. Honey, melon, ripe, ripe grapefruit. Perfect acidity. 10 minute finish. I almost did not want to share this wine. |
| Red |
2008 Orin Swift SaldoCalifornia Zinfandel more |
4/2/2010 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 95 pointsI really liked this wine. With only a little imagination, I can taste, smell, visualize, (I've done extensive personal research in all these areas) and almost feel the various grape components used in this wine. For example, the intense, and unique aromatics and richness of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, the pure, bright brambly fruit from Dry Creek, the unique volcanic influence from Amador County, the freshness from the sandy soils in Contra Costa, the almost Cabernet qualities that Napa grown zin has, and more. Almost every description ever used for a zin can be employed here. The key word is intensity. Complexity is a given. I really like the smokiness on both the nose and the palate. There is a ridiculous amount of fresh dark fruits. There is a balanced peppery spiciness. And of course 15.5% alcohol. It all works into a delicious package with a fantastic finish. |
| Red - Fortified |
1994 Dow Porto VintagePort Blend more |
4/9/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThis is the first time I've attempted to review a port. I know how to make a port in a winery, but I don't know much about evaluating vintage port. What I do know is that this was entirely seductive. It snuck up on us. It was not particularly powerful. It was not all that dark in color. Most of what I got on the nose was alcohol. But on the lips and palate, was sheer elegance. The natural body of this product spread the alcohol all the way to the finish. It was fruity, but only to a point, like frosting on a cake. The other flavor components layer upon each other, teasing the palate all the way to the finish, and made you want to take another sip. Did not smell any oak, but there was some vanilla, especially on the finish. Only a hint of tannin. Could get real used to tasting this every day. |
| Red |
2003 Dusinberré SyrahSolano County more |
9/2/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThere are times when Syrah makes the most heavenly wines on earth. This 2003 from Jeff Smith is one of those. From the time it was first hand bottled for friends, to the time it won double gold at the San Francisco Chronicle tasting, anyone who got close to this wine knew it was a winner. I have had the privilege of drinking this wine on many occasions both in Napa, and here at home in South Carolina. At almost 6 years old, this bottle tasted a little tired, maybe because of shipping and less than perfect handling. There was so much, almost perfect, in your face red fruit with exquisite balance that aging is close to a disappointment. This is as pure as fruit gets for a red wine. Rich is not a strong enough word, maybe lush is These wines are almost hand made with practically hourly supervision by the winemaker. Very judicious use of oak. Perfectly ripe tannins. You don't even notice the alcohol. Very berry finish. |
| White |
2013 Merry Edwards Sauvignon BlancRussian River Valley more |
12/12/2015 - Mike Kopanski Likes this wine: 94 pointsThis is a very special white wine. There is just as much distinction between this Sauvignon Blanc and your typical California offering as there is between a Grand Cru Burgundy, and a village offering. This about as refined and elegant as Sauvignon Blanc can get. The entry of the fruit is totally pure, there is nothing to distract the pleasure and harmony. You take a sip and marvel at the quality. Smooth, subtle, complete. By the finish you notice some appropriate, integrated herbal and grassy notes. The finish is honey and nectarine with perfectly balanced citrus. |
| Red |
2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakvillemore |
5/4/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThis is a really big wine. I'm a little surprised it has been released, as the tannins are so pronounced, no amount of decanting, or pouring through the vinturi could soften them The only option is to buy some and lay it down for several years. Who ever does gets to look forward to an outstanding drinking experience when the wine matures. I still consider myself fortunate to have tasted a couple of glasses. I can even envision how some people would enjoy drinking this wine now. Totally full bodied, and full throttled. The color is extreme purple. The nose has that intense concentration that reminds me of being in a winery during fermentation, it overpowers all the senses. This may be the most intense Cabernet that has ever crossed my lips. The youthful tannins immediately coated the roof of my mouth, dominating the fruit, and non fruit flavors. There is plenty of raw blackberry, dark cherry, currant, and all kinds of softer, dark fruits. Some secondary flavors, like mint, tree bark, and some herbal tones are just starting to emerge. They used tons of new oak, as they should have, which is surprisingly integrated now, and can only vastly improve. The alcohol is also relatively refined and hidden at this time. The tannins are huge to say the least. The finish is long, and all over the place with awesome tasty stuff just starting to come out and express itself. I have to rate and review what is in the glass today, but this could easily gain a few points upon maturity. |
| Red |
2007 Larkmead Vineyards LMV SalonNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
8/16/2014 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsLet's be bold here and give this wine as much critical acclaim as possible. First off, this wine is not for everyone. It is a throwback to when Cabernet blends needs extended cellaring to show their true potential. The majority of the blend is Cabernet, and, the clone that has a lot of the flavors and aromas of eucalyptus by nature. This wine also has huge new French oak, that even 7 years off the vine and about 5 years in the bottle is still very young. The color is almost purple. The nose has big French oak, eucalyptus, and some dark fruit. The palate has the viscosity of a wine with lots of French oak. Still very youthful, this wine could easily age 10 more years. This producer has a very nice touch with balancing the acid, alcohol and tannins, and this blend of the 5 Bordeaux varietals, though still way too young, shows exceptional balance. |
| Red |
2006 Château MontroseSt. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend more |
11/26/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsI don't get that much opportunity to taste high end Bordeaux, but this may be one of the most elegant, smooth, and silky young wines I've tasted in a while. It also has the most dominant nose of new French oak of any French wine I have tasted. The color is very dark. The silky fruit is amazingly concentrated, more cherry than strawberry. A big dose of blackberry. Full bodied. Impeccable balance and tannins. A nice mineral character on the somewhat oakey finish. Tastes very good now, but would love to this in a few years. |
| Red |
2006 Ramey Syrah Shanel VineyardSonoma Coast more |
1/7/2010 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThis may be the most expressive, complex and layered Syrah I have ever tasted (not tried Guigal's La La's). At 3 this is very young. There is such an explosion of aromas and flavors, it is hard to know where to start. The color is almost ink. For the aroma, in the background, hovering over everything is the smell of a pig being roasted underground, when you stand maybe 25 feet downwind, like lightly smoked fat, but you are standing next to a blooming lilac bush also. There are layers of spicy, almost cinnamon dusted black fruit. Not the least bit flabby, you hardly know there is any alcohol. Plenty of still young oak just beginning to harmonize with the abundant, still evolving tannins. Incredible long heavy duty finish. |
| Red |
2013 Odette Cabernet Sauvignon EstateStags Leap District more |
5/25/2016 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsWe got a chance to taste this at the winery tasting room just before closing after a full day of tasting in Napa. The atmosphere was very festive, one of the partners and some of the crew were in attendance, and the staff was relaxed. This bottle had been open a while, and we were lucky enough to get a coule good pours. Needless to say, though just released, this wine exhibited all the exuberance expected considering it’s Napa, Stags Leap pedigree. This is a Bordeaux blend of 80 Cab, 10 Merlot, 4 Cab Franc, 4 Malbec, 2 Petit Verdot. Superb dark color. Expressive menthol, cedar and ripe dark fruit nose. The concentrated, intense entry is the pure essense of well concieved, well made Napa Cabernet with a little help from the supportin varietals. Loads of cherry, blueberry and currant with secondary chocolate, mocha, graphite and road tar. Completely balanced acid, tannin, fruit and alcohol.The oak is suprisinly well integrated at this young age. No doubt there is some serios alcohol. Some tertiary flavors like red licorices and tea with the fruit on the finish. |
| Red |
2007 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special SelectionNapa Valley more |
5/9/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsInky black color. Pure silk in the mouth. Pronounced, concentrated plum flavor and aroma. We drank this from a Magnum that had been open over nite. Super concentrated, but still very smooth and civilized. More plum than typical for a Cabernet. After the plum, blueberry, then blackberry, and finally black cherry work their way across the palate in layers. The secondary flavors are many, like toffee, caramel, tobacco, leather, and licorice. The tannins are already rounded and smooth. Not quite full bodied, and surprisingly light on it's feet. No doubt about plenty of new French oak. Although quite ready to drink, I think the secondary, non fruit flavors, and the oak integration could benefit from some bottle age. The finish has cassis, leather, black cherry, and tannins. Rarely do we have this intense a package that remains so elegant from nose to finish. |
| Red |
2005 Orin Swift PapillonNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/14/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThis is the epitome of a new world 15.1% alcohol, in your face fruit forward wine. Super big dark cherry, blackberry, currant, and plum. Complex nose with all kinds of fruity, spicy, dusty minerals. Great job with the oak. So balanced, it is almost refreshing. Smooth tannins. Nice mouth feel. Lip smacking finish that last until tomorrow morning. Intense and focused. Unforgettable. |
| Red |
2009 L'Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon EstatePaso Robles more |
12/28/2013 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsHaving had the privilege to compare this mostly Cabernet offering with their blends; Estate Cuvee, Optimus, and Cote a Cote, this was easily the most distinct. Before opening the bottle, I expected, to taste what I have discovered over time, to be a pattern with Paso Robles Cabernet tasting more like Alexander Valley Cabernets. Generally speaking they lean a little more towards the red fruit spectrum, and show more elegance than power. This wine easily fits that description. This wine is much softer and more elegant than it's blended cousins. This is still a big alcohol, highly extracted, heavily oaked California Cabernet. The inherent ability of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape to shine on it's own with a little (9%) help from Petit Verdot is on display here. The color is full dark red. The nose has a savory, meaty influence to some rose petals mixed with red raspberry, black cherry and blackberry. The palate is nicely layered with red raspberry leading to lots of cassis, mulberry, and black cherry. There are all kinds of subtle, continuing layers of cola, tea and licorice. Plenty of oak. Medium maturing acidity. Surging toward the finish are some not quite, but close to mature, chalky tannins that work greatly with the other structure components to make a really fantastic wine. |
| Red |
2004 Burly Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
3/22/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 94 pointsThis is a special wine. Given to me by a California friend who is in the business, I had no idea from the label about the pedigree of this wine. When I popped the cork, I knew we had something going on here. This is a big Napa Valley Cabernet with very well integrated oak. Surprisingly approachable, I think we have a good percentage of Davis clone grapes. The good score comes from a combination intense, focused dark fruit, especially blueberry, and all sorts of other favors like cocoa, tobacco, graphite, and other spices. Of course some vanilla from serious oak treatment. The finish doesn't end. I had 2 bottles and wish I had 2 cases. This is good stuff. |
| Red |
2003 Whitehall Lane Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
2/22/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsSo I've tried this wine several times, from the barrel at the winery, at friends in California, and at friend's houses in Columbia, SC, who don't even know each other. This time. I knew what to expect, eucalyptus. Either it is present near the vineyard (which I suspect) or they have those Cabernet clones that exhibit hints of eucalyptus. Regardless, this wine is tremendously preserved considering it's age. Very vibrant, young and expressive. No hint of browning on the rim. Explosive nose of violets and blue fruit. Concentrated layers of fruit, black licorice, and moderate brown spice. Totally integrated oak working with balanced acidity. The tannins only hit you on the finish. Blackberry pie and lingering leather, graphite, and cigar box on the finish. One of my favorite wineries. |
| Red |
2011 Hunt Cellars Grenache Let it Be Destiny VineyardsPaso Robles more |
5/23/2016 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsAs is typical for this producer, this 2011 is a current release. Also like most of their offerings, produced in limited quantities with extreme attention to detail. This is just a stellar, incredible wine. Though barely medium bodied, the intensity and concentration are superb. The extended bottle age at the winery in pristine conditions has integrated the fruit, alcohol, and enhancing flavors in a way only those lucky few who purchase and cellar wine get to enjoy. What makes this wine special is it's exuberant expression of ripe, mature cherry from the nose through the finish. Already showing some browning of color. We are tasting it at the epitome of fruit evolution and supporting flavor development. The alcohol, oak, tannins and acid are in harmony. By the finish some Christmas spice with even a bit of chocolate join the still lively almost stewed red fruit. Lingering, memorable, integrated finish. |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Jean Laurent Champagne Blanc de Blancs BrutChardonnay more |
1/11/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsDistinct, dry, fresh. Super explosive little bubbles. You can tell this is Chardonnay. The dosage tastes like brown spice with ginger and honey. Very clean. Minerals, flinty, maybe even some steel. Expressive. Earthy. Words barely work describing this. One of my all time favorites. Try some. |
| Red |
2003 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Taylor Lane VineyardSonoma Coast more |
12/7/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsAn expression of bold winemaking that we don't see enough of. Very dark in color, more like a petit sirah. Nice candy cherry with smoky mustiness on the nose. Refined, complex, almost roasted red fruit. Big flavor, but medium bodied. Cinnamon. Must be heavy toast oak, that is quite different, but it works. Must have been a bruiser in it's youth. I'm sure bottle age has mellowed the tanin and acid. Lively, oaky finish |
| Red |
2009 Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir JaysonSonoma Coast more |
11/15/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsPremium California Pinot Noir Tasting (WineStyles Columbia, SC): This may be the biggest Pinot Noir I have ever tasted. Even bigger than a Siduri. Some of the people tasting with me thought they might not be able to identify this as Pinot if it were tasted blind. It may not be the textbook Pinot, but all that aside, this is a really, really, good bottle of wine. Most likely from the cold maceration before fermentation, it is sort of like Pinot on steroids. Almost every flavor and aroma characteristic is enhanced in some way. You can tell that this was grown in a cold, and possibly elevated area, during what must be a pretty good year. The color is dense and dark, kind of like a Petit Verdot. You can tell it is Pinot on the nose, but there are some special nuances that bring this to another level, more on the wild, brambly side, like in a Zinfandel, with lots more blueberry than we normally expect from a Pinot. The fruit jumps right out of the glass with dark cherry, blackberry, and plum. There are all kinds of enhancing non fruit items like road tar, sandalwood, and other flinty minerals. Of course, there is some big oak, but this type of depth and concentration can handle it. There is also big alcohol, which I am sure will integrate with some bottle age. There is an unusually big amount of refreshing acid, more on the Granny Smith apple side than usual for a red wine. Marvelous, elegant, and fruity finish for a wine this big. Almost perfect tannins, that with the oak should develop some of those mocha/cocoa flavors with some bottle age. |
| Red |
2009 Hunt Cellars Pinot Noir InspirationSanta Barbara County more |
5/23/2016 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsIt is hard to put words on how much I enjoyed tasting this wine. It is really “out of this world”. Fortunately we caught it just at the peak of its maturity. The color is rich almost opaque purple, but maturing obviously browning rim. The dark cherry fruit has an enticing baked quality telling us time to drink up. The secondary and tertiary leather and kitchen spice flavors are exerting themselves equal to the fruit on the finish. |
| Red |
2004 Swanson MerlotOakville more |
8/21/2009 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 93 pointsThis is my favorite Merlot, 2004 is probably my favorite year for it. The secret to me is the medium heavy toast oak, possibly some American which jumps out at the nose. This works brilliantly. complimenting the mocha, expresso, and smokey concentrated cherry and dark blue fruit components. Ripe silky tannins. Easy on the palate. Not a hint of any green pepper flavors or aromas. The very best item is the finish, which is almost pure chocolate. |
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