5/3/2024 - seethree Likes this wine:

Spanish style bdx blend. Medium to short finish. Personally enjoyed it. Pop and pour. Drink now until maybe 2027?

5/8/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

1 hour decant, drank over 2 hours. Medium ruby. Dark cherry on the nose, tertiary notes at the fore, with prominent leather and a touch of vanilla. Fair amount of body and quite juicy, flavors are well-integrated despite its youth. There’s a lot of complexity here, nice long length and finishing with spice and tobacco. Drinking great now, will only get better. Incredible value. Even better day 2, calmed down and more in balance. Paired nicely with pepperoni pizza.

5/4/2024 - bookert wrote:

Bright and sunny fruit, almost masculine body. Curiously lacking in minerality, felt a bit new world.

5/3/2024 - brianngibson wrote:

Clearly drinking at the beginning of its prime. Really, can it get any better than this? I’ll leave that one last point just in case my last bottle, which I will probably drink in another four or five years, manages to surpass this one.

5/15/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Pale straw color, quite aromatic with white flowers, peaches and green apples on the nose. Despite aromas leaving an impression of sweetness, this wine is bone dry, with delicate acidity, lemons and grapefruit on the palate. It’s got decent body due to the alcohol, length goes on and on with a dry, peppery finish which adds to the complexity. Nice QPR here.

5/22/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium straw, quite aromatic. Notes of honeysuckle (almost mead-like) and tropical fruits on the nose. Wonderfully balanced with a bit of sweetness and nice acidity, lemons and Granny Smiths on the palate. Nice length, leaving a citrusy impression with a hint of minerality on the finish. This wine is soft and smooth, very easy drinking. Delicious summer wine. QPR is very high.

5/3/2024 - msktime wrote:

Taste whatever

5/29/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium ruby, ripe blackberries and plums on the nose. Soft on the palate, medium-low acid with faint hint of sweetness in the form of dark fruit, pomegranates, chewy tannins. Medium length, some pepper and mineral notes on the finish, with a dry impression.

5/3/2024 - jrgraham Likes this wine:

Agree with Isaac D. Heaps of fruit. Absolutely delightful. Drinking beautifully now.

5/3/2024 - NY Wino Likes this wine:

Massive wine. Purple color, huge nose, lots of alcohol but well integrated. Peppery, chewy and a bit syrupy but pretty damn delicious. Super long finish.

5/3/2024 - Rudolph Schmidt wrote:

Leans very heavy Sancerre than traditional BC Sauv Blanc. Aged in 30% neutral French Oak barrels & 70% stainless steel for 7m.

Lime, minerality, salinity, herbaceous, Asian pear, straw, yellow apple.


Fun fact is that Haywire (Okgn Crush Pad) use to source from this vineyard.

6/6/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Pale straw, quite aromatic with sweet floral notes and lime zest on the nose (Wet stone? Wonderful aroma). Semi-sweet lemon tart and white peaches on the palate, on the dry side but the sweetness is not shy. Length goes on and on. Wonderfully balanced, complex and harmonious interaction of flavors.

5/3/2024 - Nfmds wrote:

Black cherries in nose, with leather and subtle herb/tobacco
Big fruit in flavor, with medium body, subtle acid/tannin in finish
Great pizza wine!

5/3/2024 - jdrosen Likes this wine:

Superb. Even after 12 years this was still holding its tannin and needed an hour to fully shine. Immense complexity without the sweetness.

7/25/2020 - eric12@ptd.net wrote:

Pale straw, quite aromatic with white flowers and stone fruit aromas. Medium acid and a small bit of sweetness, low tannin. Light body (no oak here), medium length with a lemon-lime, almost saline finish. Much better on day two (without having eating ice cream beforehand, bad idea). Simple, easy-going summer wine.

5/3/2024 - Robij Likes this wine:

Very dark color. Intense concentration of blueberry, plum jam and black fruit in general. This carries into the flavor. Medium body, elegant style. There is a little oak and leather in the finish. I’m not getting much tannin, but also feel that this has a few more years to go.

7/31/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Pale yellow with a tinge of green, mildly aromatic with ripe citrus and apricots on the nose. Medium body, very flavorful, fresh and vibrant. Fine, plush tannins with a creamy texture but with enough acid and ripe fruit flavor to make it wonderfully balanced. Flavors linger on the palate and leaves a warm, fruity impression. Excellent wine.

5/3/2024 - NY Wino Likes this wine:

Been holding this btl for a long time! Was nervous when I cut the foil, as there appeared to a small amount of seepage. The cork opened with a pop and the wine was pretty much a rockstar after 25 years. mature fruit and smooth tannins, nice acidity and long finish. Glad I opened it when I did but a good example of a fully mature burgundy.

8/7/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Pale yellow, light, sea breezy aromas of limes and green apples. Subtle notes of salty grapefruit on the palate. Gives a sensation akin to effervescence, hits the tip of the tongue. Medium-light body, acid-driven, mostly dry, no discernable tannin. A very nice length with a tangy finish. Certainly drinkable, may be a bit tight yet, potential for aging.

5/3/2024 - whits wrote:

Pale yellow appearance, pleasant aroma of peaches and white flowers, dry and super crisp, refreshing, palate showing mineral and lemon, with apple notes as well, freshly fresh, great match with a white cheese pizza

8/14/2020 - eric12@ptd.net wrote:

Pale straw, light, zesty aromas. Fresh and fruity taste with green apples on the palate. Easy drinking, plenty of sweetness to add some body and a bit of acidity with some mineral notes in this wine. Has a very nice length and leaves an almost dry impression, adding some complexity. A very laid-back summer Riesling and Müller-Thurgau blend.

8/21/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Does not like this wine:

Pink, smells sweet and musky, of “foxy,” actually tastes like grapes. Cloyingly sweet, no tannin and very little acidity. No. Leaves a lingering sugary impression. Simply sweet, made distinctive by its trademark “foxiness.”

8/28/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium yellow, quite aromatic with vibrant scents of tropical fruits and ripe stone fruit. Elegant, medium bodied with upfront fruit flavors of pineapple and strawberry with a pleasant acidity. The fresh fruit is prominent, but softer subtleties of vanilla and butterscotch at the fringes add to the complexity of this wine (result of French oak aging). The flavors linger here with a bright, sunny finish.

9/4/2020 - eric12@ptd.net wrote:

Light magenta, quite aromatic with cherry blossoms and black currant on the nose. Medium body, medium acid, bone dry with savory notes of cranberry and sour cherry. A bit herbaceous. Medium length with a warm, sharp finish. A little unbalanced with the alcohol taking prominence.

4/28/2024 - VinoAddict wrote:

I will miss these wines. It was a great journey to watch the MacPhail portfolio develop and ultimately sell off to Hess. Even though this final vintage was completely out of the hands of the original team, the vineyard site is so well represented. This is terroir at its finest backed by some solid wine making. Agree with the other comments that this is a bigger Pinot, but it has aged very well.

5/3/2024 - dlu wrote:

As noted by previous tasters, this is an agreeable, well-balanced BdM drinking well now. Just a bit cloudy on the initial pour, but overall clear with ruby hues and moderately active legs. Nose of red fruits. More red fruit on the palate, with sufficient acid to make it food friendly, smooth tannins, and overall a great balance. Would definitely buy more at the WL price.

9/11/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium ruby, ripe dark fruit aromas of plum and blackberry, more reserved on the palate; soft and savory herbaceous notes, black pepper, medium-bodied, with a marked acidity and a touch of saline, plush tannins. The flavors are nicely balanced, medium length, leaving a mildly phenolic and citrusy impression. A lovely, easy-going pizza wine.

5/3/2024 - Hiker4life70 Likes this wine:

I had this with Marin French Breakfast Brie aka magic cheese. This wine was oaky/buttery with a round mouthfeel. Apple and honeydew melon notes with a balanced acidity to it. Overall a nice wine. Maybe not the best QPR for me since I do prefer a Riesling and usually that is quite a bit cheaper.

9/18/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium purple, pleasant aromas of dark fruits and bramble, black pepper on the nose. Very relaxed flavors, savory, plum, low acid with soft tannins. Smooth, easy-going red.

5/3/2024 - Jetmandan wrote:

Excellent wine. Needs to breathe

9/25/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium straw, lemons, apricots, herbaceous notes on the nose. Tangy and slightly sweet, bright citrus flavors. Not a long length, with a tart finish. Simple, easy-going, very drinkable white. Nice QPR.

4/30/2024 - VinoAddict wrote:

The first bottling of this vintage that I opened was one-dimensional and lacked structure/depth. So glad I had another in the cellar. This wine is stellar. The aromas are vibrant. The body is textured and has good weight. The secondary flavors are coming alive and this wine is drinking so very well.

10/2/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Light straw, bursting with fruity aromas, passionfruit, subtle herbal notes on the nose. Sweet and tangy on the palate, almost like a sour patch kid; melons and lime, upfront flavors, wonderful balance of sweet and sour. Flavors don’t hang around very long, leaves a slightly tart finish. A beautiful expression of Sauvignon Blanc, simply delicious. Good QPR on this wine.

5/3/2024 - BottleScholar Likes this wine:

Soft restrained ripe boysenberry, blueberry, cinnamon, and underbrush. Very little oak, maybe only neutral. Likely partial carbonic. M+ tannins are a touch high and grippy for the lighter fruit. Very Good.

4/28/2024 - Grangelady Likes this wine:

Opened at a restaurant- Cork crumbled - needed to decant and filter out cork pieces. It is clearly an old cab and should be drank now. I enjoyed it and thought it was very good. I shared it with friends who are not familiar wirh older wines and they also appreciated it.

10/23/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium straw, white flowers and peaches on the nose, off dry, nice balance of sweetness and acid on the palate, tastes like stone fruits, sour apples, and limes. Medium body, bright fruity flavor, the balance lingers on and leaves you with a slight tang on the finish. Pleasant, smooth, simple fall wine.

5/3/2024 - Nutty08 Likes this wine:

Drank very well. More of a black cherry profile with dense concentrated fruit. But there’s plenty of structure and freshness here. Sturdy stuff.

5/3/2024 - GrandeSerataFuori wrote:

Light. Real wine. Easy. Olives, tobacco, cedar, great sage acidity. Wish this was what most wines tasted like.

10/30/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium yellow, quite aromatic, pears and honeysuckle on the nose, dry and crisp on the palate, fruity and buttery. Medium body, high acidity, saline notes. Finish is fresh and satisfying.

11/20/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium yellow, herbal and mineral notes on the nose, grassy and yeasty (Brett? Bâtonnage?). Off-dry, medium body, lemons and grapefruit on the palate, with a fresh and clean finish. Nicely balanced and quite complex; old vines, old puncheons, and 9 months of sur lie aging all add to the richness of this wine. Excellent QPR.

5/3/2024 - Brian Glas Likes this wine:

Sweet plum fruit with balancing tannins. Some spice.

5/3/2024 - rbfleming wrote:

Dark color, dark fruit. Someone else said "refined." Indeed. Also subtle, excellent, balanced. Really beautiful.

Cocoa, plums, texture.

5/3/2024 - fluffy drinker Likes this wine:

We liked it. Light, crisp, with hints of sweetness but not sweet. Pears and green apples.

11/13/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium yellow, popping aromas of green apple, lemons, minerals. On the palate, round flavors, bright lemons with an unctuous quality. Medium boded, nice length with a tart finish. Not without some complexity. Delicious and refreshing.

5/3/2024 - Oberhau wrote:

Lighter in color than the 2022 but the body is full and nose is fragrant with red fruit. Taste is mouth-filling and not acidic. Enjoyed with chicken tomatillo enchiladas.

5/3/2024 - Elpaninaro Likes this wine:

rich young purple red color, generous on the nose from the start settling into an elegant beauty after 4 hours in glass, cassis, plum, blackberry, a nice framing of spicy oak, relaxing and familiar, classic, on the palate young but surprisingly generous, primary blackberry and cassis fruit with firm spice notes from the oak, cloves, a bit of cedar, perfectly ripe but still with some classic restraint, abundant velvety tannins, excellent depth and a fine long finish with crushed berries on the tail end, this is somewhat reminiscent of the great 1985 and will hopefully have a similarly long life and generous drinking window.

(****)+, 2029++

11/21/2020 - eric12@ptd.net Likes this wine:

Medium ruby, leggy wine, dark fruit aromas of plum, bramble, woodsy and mineral (leather?). Supple tannins, only slightly astringent, fruity with plums and blackberries on the palate, with some spicy notes. Medium-full body, Low-medium acid, low sugar, alcohol in balance. A nice length with a fruity, soft tannic finish. Excellent highlight of a bold yet polished tannin structure, very enjoyable wine.

5/3/2024 - GBaar Likes this wine:

A very smooth wine. Flavorful with dark berry notes.

5/3/2024 - bf94 Likes this wine:

Green apple, bruised apple, baked apple, bread (yeast), mineral (wet gravel, asphalt), very faint floral quality

very faint bitterness at warmer temps.

if you're looking for a champagne with a strong apple character this will satisfy you

5/3/2024 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine:

Quite youthful for a 46-year-old wine; ruby all the way to the rim. Seems to have quite an herbal component to it, including dill. Still, it is impressive given how old it is. Amazing how well Riojas age. 5-11-15-8: 89/100.