2/19/2018 - clmtgr wrote:

One of the best wines I have ever purchased. Got at Costco for a song three years ago and Cellared, perfectly balanced...ate with prime rib...highly recommend. Silky smooth.

12/25/2016 - clmtgr wrote:

Excellent...notes of berry, licorice, and earth. Tannins not overly pronounced. Wish I had another bottle. Will buy again!

12/16/2016 - clmtgr wrote:

Very good...but ready to drink...my last bottle of the vintage in the cellar and not as good as earlier. Either was an off night for me or this guy is starting to go the other way...was very enjoyable but was better last year. Drink up!!

11/24/2016 - clmtgr Does not like this wine:

Spicy, earthy, pepper, slight berry long finish...not my style.

10/31/2016 - clmtgr wrote:

Opened my last one from the cellar and knew this was going to be a special treat. Wonderful bouquet, chocolate, cherry, and perfectly oaked. Just wanted to hold it in my mouth and savor...but when I paired it with steak it was so heavenly I drank my first glass entirely within 5 minutes of sitting down for dinner...was ready to drink so glad we opened, was worth the 11 year wait.

5/6/2016 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Well within the drinking window. Exclllent as always. Last bottle a year ago was prob a little better so likely on start of decline but I have no complaints. Drink up!

4/4/2016 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Opened up and poured a sip...could tell it needed some serious air as it about knocked me over after 13 years on its side. After decanting an hour opened up nicely...very powerful wine, tannins quite subdued. Notes of licorice, berries, and tobacco. Needed a heavy food and paired nicely with NY Strips, Caesar Salad, and potato. Had about a glass left in the decanter next day...was even better after a day of air. Long story short it was good...not outstanding. I am just as Happy with Heitz Cabernet without the Martha's Vinyard label for a lot less $$. Still one more of these in the Cellar will come back and open next year.

12/26/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Tasted upon opening this was a total fruit bomb...expressed to my guests it wasn't ready to consume, an hour later it was not remotely the same wine. Developed into an excellent deep and complex blend with a bit of fruit and chocolate upfront, perfectly Oaked...silky smooth tannins and paired phenomenally with red meat. Is it really ready to drink...no it's still a baby...I will drink my next one next year same time and post another review as I have an allocation of 6 and this was bottle #1..this could go higher next year...overall very good...could become amazing with time...this may have been one of the best buys I have made this year...could see this getting close to Opus with time...we will see.

12/25/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Very Good but not great...certainly ready to drink now but a bit too fruity almost non existent tannins. Feels like it could use more time...and has improved since I first drank two years ago, but not disappointed this is my last of 3 bottles.

10/9/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Dark red almost purple. Quite tannic for a wine this old, loads of flavor. Chocolate, berries, licorice and leather. Chewy. Decanted for an hour. Went well with prime ribeye acorn squash and sautéed zucchini.

7/24/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Always a favorite of ours. Again did not dissappoint. My favorite Pinot.

7/24/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Yum. just yum.

7/24/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Currant...blackberries and pepper. Good but not what I was expecting. Smooth on the palate. I have one more bottle in the cellar and will let that one go a little longer. Liked it but preferred the Kosta Browne Pinot tonight.

7/18/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Decent Pinot...nothing special...but at the same time drinks nicely and no surprises. Would buy again for a weeknight drinker.

7/10/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Excellent fruit forward blend with subdued tannins. Currant and light tobacco. Went very well with fillet mignon, corn and grilled asparagus.

7/3/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

A solid Pinot. Prob should have sat a little longer but hey it's the 4th of July and looked like a good one to open. Very fruity, blackberry and spice. Not overly Tannic. Easy to drink and went well with burgers. Can wait for some more to arrive from the wine club!

6/26/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Second and last bottle from my cellar and I am sad it is gone. Smooth wine with notes of currant, black raspberry, and earth. Tannins not overly pronounced. Enjoyed with a bone in ribeye and Quinoa. I think this wine is in a peak state right now drink it, it's fab!

6/21/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Bought upon a recommendation, drank with pizza. Was not a memorable wine. had 1/2 a glass and asked if anyone else liked it because it was not for me...I'll stick with Decoy or H3 for the same or less money.

6/13/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Cakebread is always solid. Still had some decent fruit upfront for a wine of this age, inky, blackberry and cherry, tannins subdued. I enjoyed this with tenderloin kabobs, roasted potatoes and salad.

5/28/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Light fruity and smooth with a hint of cocoa and spice. Beautiful color really nice light red that reminded me of some decent bottles of Pinot Noir with a bit more body. Paired nicely with baked Chicken on a warm late spring evening. Great QPR would buy again. This could be an everyday drinker at the price.

5/24/2015 - clmtgr Likes this wine:

Solid Pinot for the price. Drinks well right now. Light and fruity with hints of licorice and white pepper. Smooth finish and very light on the tannins. Paired well with Tandori Chicken and Lamb Kabobs. I enjoyed this wine.

5/23/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Fruit is mostly gone. Very smooth but just kind of blah. Good wine, not great. Drinks like a much cheaper bottle. Drink now it's in decline.

5/9/2015 - clmtgr Does not like this wine:

If you have some drink it. This bottle is likely to end up as cooking wine as I am contemplating even finishing my first glass. It's drinkable but past peak and rapidly declining. Either that or my bottle got warm at some point.

5/7/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Very light and fruit forward, maybe a little too much so for my taste. Quick and to the point, light tannins. My third bottle in a flight and I would say that this drinks like a cheap Pinot. Not bad but not great just ok.

5/3/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Needed about 45 mins to open up but holy cow, off the hook good once it saw a little air. Vanilla, blackberry and a hint of spice..smooth like butter. Should develop nicely over the next 5-7 years. Quite impressive

4/26/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Tobacco, cherry and citrus. Tannins a bit more pronounced than expected. Citrus lingers a bit in the finish. Overall decent but prob not the best bottle of Chappellet I have ever had.

4/23/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Decanted 40 mins. First taste was harsh, spicy. Mellowed nicely after decanting. Has a leathery spicy nose, mild blackberry and spice. Overall not bad but sat too long in the cellar.

4/18/2015 - clmtgr wrote:

Not much left on this one...should not have held this long, still drinkable.