11/29/2023 - Pcrage wrote:

Inviting nose followed by a thin unimpressive expression of Bordeaux. Finish astringent and flat unfortunately. Not a Barton problem but more the reality of the vintage and its development or lack thereof

2008 - bad spring, bad summer, bad wine regrettably

11/28/2023 - Pcrage wrote:

Completely shut down. While a touch of fruit on the front, the mid and finish lack anything discernible.

While one can never predict with certainty I suspect it will integrate at some point. Revisit in a few years with high hopes.

2/20/2021 - Pcrage wrote:

1 hour decant maybe needed more maybe not.....Has not developed as well as I expected. Now at year 12 it is completely unresolved and quite “sharp” on the front and mid palate. Almost a “dessert” wine with a syrupy texture, more than grippy tannins and sadly an off-putting edge which persists to the front of the finish. Back end of finish is lovely.

Reasonably palatable but not a wine to search out unless you like heavily extracted juice

1/26/2020 - Pcrage wrote:

1 hour decant. Lovely nose, somewhat austere but pleasing nonetheless. Of course more an expression of old world which I like. Young, needs at least a few more years cellar time and longer decant.

12/31/2019 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

After 3 hour decant a lovely soft and full Bordeaux. Mid palate round and finish that lasted a full 45 seconds. Impressive for this chateau. In a good place and would expect several more years if not a decade of enjoyment. From a 1.5l.

1/6/2020 - Pcrage wrote:

Bad bottle.

11/24/2019 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

Just lovely. At a perfect point to consume. Two hour decant.

11/15/2019 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

Showed very well but not like I remember my last bottle. This particular bottle seemed to lack the fullness and depth of flavor I experienced a few years ago. Decanted two hours and drank over another two. Somewhat monolithic. Perhaps it’s fading or maybe just an off bottle or me. Have several more so will be interesting to see next time I “stand this juice”.

2/4/2019 - Pcrage Does not like this wine:

Expected more. Decanted over an hour and softened a bit but still Harsh and edgy. Plenty of stuffing to arrive at something great but disjointed. Others agreed Maybe more time in bottle?

2/4/2019 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

In a perfect place. Decanted an hour plus. Mouth filling and tanins fully integrated. Several years left for this vintage in my estimation. Glad I have a few more bottles.

2/19/2016 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

At Robert Parker "Matter of Taste" Latour vertical dinner at Daniel in NYC. '03, '01, '00, '96, '82, '61 ex chateau. And the food wasn't bad either!!

What an evening. This vertical was about as good as it gets and enjoyed the evening with old friends and some new ones too. Robert Parker was as gracious as ever as was Daniel Boulud.

Of course each of these wines was outstanding I was particularly impressed with the '01 (for an off year) and the '82 was mind bending. But when '61 was served and compared it was an emotional experience to say the least. As Parker put it "this is an immortal wine". The only sad part of the experience is knowing that there is less of this in the world today and I wonder if it will ever be duplicated. You must search this out.

1/17/2016 - Pcrage wrote:

Although a fan of Dominus, I was disappointed with this bottle. Two hour decant and drank over next hour revealed little. Nose muted, very thin across the palate and a non existent finish. Little fruit and flat. Tried with a few bites of prime rib as well but again nothing remarkable. Perhaps it was a bad bottle. My thoughts were confirmed by two others as well.

Will try my other two over time. Hope

12/22/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

First let me say that I am a big fan of Insignia and have a case vertical from 1997 though 2012. It is one of my favorite California blends and I always look forward to a special occasion to open this fine wine...except in the case of the 2011.

It pains me to say this but the 2011 is a real disappointment. Tasted out of bottle upon decant and it gave little indication of anything exciting. Aired for over an hour and then drank one glass (that's all I could take) over the next hour. Restrained nose, a bit of fruit up front then flat mid palate and nothing but a watery descent on the finish. This saddened me.

I realize this is a young wine but it has limited depth and tannin let alone fruit right now to hope for anything better.

I have had no less than 60 bottles of insignia over the years and this was a major bummer.

12/5/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

A very interesting wine. My second from a case. Intoxicating nose. Graphite notes up front and a lovely front and mid palate. Long finish with still very present tannins. Somewhat improved over past year but this has many years ahead of it. It will be interesting to see how this develops. I am very pleased with this wine. I'd give it at least 3 if not 5 years to reach early maturity.

10/31/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Drinking very well right now. Lovely.

7/5/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Way to young but oh so very lovely nonetheless. Great fruit profile and remarkable balance so early in its life. After several years cellared this should really shine. Could be a 100 pointer someday.

7/5/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Very nice and promising but still primary. Decanted 2 hours but seems to still be closed down. Showed a bit one dimensional. Improved more so after 4 hours in glass. I'd give it another few years relaxing.

4/5/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Lovely bouquet, soft and silky...long persistent finish with no hard edges. Few years left to enjoy but beautiful right now.

3/21/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Decanted 4 hours and drank over two. Lovely nose and very pleasing. Agree that it has recently hit it's drinking window and has several years of life ahead. I wonder though if, as well integrated as it is now, will it improve measurably from here. Very nice representation of Bordeaux. Anthony Barton always seems to get it right.

2/25/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Decent representation of burgundy. Decanted 3 hours. Lovely floral nose with a supple front and mid palate. Finish lingered but a bit hard edged. Certainly not at their 2005 vintage but reasonably pleasing nonetheless.

2/13/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

This wine continues to evolve and impress. 5 hour decant then consumed over a 2 hour dinner. Wonderful bouquet and silky smooth, good complexity and tannins although not fully resolved very close. Just hitting its maturity window. Mid palate and 45 second finish exemplary. Have several bottles so it will be a real joy following this wine for the next decade or so....bravo.

2/12/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Very nice. Decanted and drank over 2 hours. Opened up somewhat over this time. Still needs time in cellar but all the stuffing seems to be there for this wine to develop nicely over next several years and likely a few more points. If it is going to shut down it has not yet and revealed good fruit along with reasonably grippy tannins. Solid mid palate and long if not a touch tight finish after hour 2. I am glad I have a case left.

1/20/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Very nice wine. Certainly drinkable at this time and I generally agree that this will age well for a few years but not a long life. Smooth and lively fruit with a supple finish. Not incredibly complex or deep but a pleasing wine all around. Very California.

1/15/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Heard so much about this wine purchased several bottles and popped one last weekend. Completely agree with last review. Upon opening it smacked me in the face (not necessarily a bad thing) but after a four hour decant and then back in bottle for another two before served with dinner it began to calm down considerably. Fully agree it has the stuffing for age and it will be fun experiencing this wine's "ontogeny" over the next several years.

12/24/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

3 hour decant then sipped over 2 more. Very nice wine. I believe it has hit its maturity plateau. Supple with lovely mid palate. Finish was a bit choppy for my liking but overall a fine example of PL and Bordeaux. A softer and longer finish would have garnered this a 95 easily.

1/2/2015 - Pcrage wrote:

Seems to be shut down completely. Unyielding in every respect. No discernible bouquet, flat front and mid palate and very little finish to speak of. Given the solid recent reviews I was expecting more at this point. Now let's be clear, I am a hack at best at identifying great structure but I couldn't get a bead on this at all. And all others who tasted agreed.

Will wait a couple more years to be fair. Hopeful but not excited.

12/28/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Drinking nicely. I would consume over next couple years.

12/24/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Lovely wine. 2 hour decant then consumed over next 2 hours. Initially a delightful nose which became more muted as the evening progressed. Excellent structure and fruit but still a touch hot. Firm tannins softened a bit in hour 3. I suspect a few years more cellaring will reveal a wine worthy of higher 90's. Very very nice.

11/28/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

This is why Montrachet is widely considered the finest white wine in the world. Ethereal.

11/28/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Lovely. 2 hour decant revealed an expressive nose of roses. Lovely mineraity and a round long finish. Not a blockbuster but a fine example of why burgundy is so wonderful.

In fact I had an "anti-burgundy" wino try this and they loved it.

Wish I had another bottle

11/23/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Somewhat disappointed. It almost felt shut down. Very thin at outset and seemed to be holding back much of heretofore mentioned qualities. The mid plate improved a touch but the finish was almost non existent. Have several more bottles so will wait another year and see what happens. I will keep the faith.

11/14/2014 - Pcrage Does not like this wine:

Expected much more. Off putting astringent finish. Lovely nose and mid palate but finish lacking across the board. Maybe a bad bottle. Disappointing.

10/31/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

drank at my daughters 21st birthday dinner, purchased this bottle for this moment many years ago... a lovely bottle of wine to go with a joyous occasion. i wish i could rate this with a number but that would be impossible to do...the wine was but an accompaniment to a wonderful evening shared with my first born and the rest of my wonderful family.... here is where wine is not a number but an experience shared... perhaps the way it should be after all....

10/22/2014 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

An outstanding wine, just premature to open such a lovely example of haut brion. 2 hour decant and 2 hour consumption allowed the wine to open a bit but it remained relatively tight. Wonderful nose that expanded as the evening progressed. Superb fruit and sweet tannins that of course are not yet fully resolved. This will certainly warrant a higher score once it is ready. I estimate at least another 3 to 5 years relaxing in the cellar. Thankful I have more bottles.

8/24/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Decent wine....consistent notes from December 2012. From 1.5L decanted 2 hours but changed little. cassis and graphite but a touch hot and a sharp edge that did not dissipate with time. Essentially the same from 18 months ago so I wonder if this will ultimately integrate. Decent value and paired nicely with ribeyes.

7/15/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Agree with cullens...cola plus some must on nose. Flat finish. Mediocre at best but drinkable.

6/17/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Very nice but was handicapped as a follow up to an '82 les forts... Loads of Fruit up front and a wonderful nose but needs more time to integrate. I am sure with more cellar time and a more reasonable comparison this will score mid 90's.

6/17/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Lovely. Drinking beautifully with several more years life remaining. After a 3 hour decant harmonious, beautiful nose and soft. Held up nicely to grilled sirloin rare.

5/29/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Not my favorite tapestry vintage. After an hour decant and then sipping for the next two hours stayed fairly flat. Beautiful upfront Nose actually shut down a bit a couple hours in. Nevertheless pleasant overall. Subdued fruit and still some tannins to be resolved so may continue to improve in cellar, time will tell. A nice basic wine though.

4/9/2014 - Pcrage Does not like this wine:

Although a big fan of CVV this was a big disappointment. Thin, tart and lacked any complexity. Not sure it has anything that will make it come together in the future.

3/29/2014 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

Very nice. 3 hour decant. Certainly in its drinking window. Lovely dark fruits and fully integrated. Nice mid palate and long finish. Had first glass with grilled pork...great compliment. The next two glasses by themselves. Got better through hour 5. Buying a few more.

2/13/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Needs time. Very nice structure, good fruit but heavy tannins evident after a 1 hour decant. I suspect this will improve with a few more years relaxing. Could be a 94-95 if it comes together. Time alone will tell.

1/27/2014 - Pcrage wrote:

Corked.

1/6/2014 - Pcrage Does not like this wine:

Double decanted. Pleasing nose and lots of fruit but mid palate and especially finish almost syrupy sweet and very edgy. Expected a touch more finesse. It may need a couple more years.

12/29/2013 - Pcrage wrote:

Tried another bottle last night with a 2 hour decant. Much better after must blew off. Very nice but another year cellared will do it well.

12/27/2013 - Pcrage wrote:

Still very young. After a 4 hour decant still tight and noticeable tannins that have not resolved yet although not harsh by any means. Will be a beauty when integrated, ample fruit and complexity...but for now will wait a couple more years before opening more.

12/27/2013 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

Very nice classic Bordeaux. In its drinking window and after a 3 hour decant was wonderfully soft with medium body and a superb nose that held together nicely. Beautiful finish. Sad it's my last bottle of '01.....

12/24/2013 - Pcrage wrote:

3 hour decant. Still incredibly young but filled with promise. Lots of Depth, firm tannins and superb fruit. Give it at least 3 years maybe more. Should be a winner.

12/22/2013 - Pcrage wrote:

PNP. Musty nose that was a little off putting. May decant for an hour or so next time. Otherwise decent with good fruit. Needs more time.

12/22/2013 - Pcrage Likes this wine:

Excellent QPR. Tapestry has been my go to wine for casual events and "when i dont know what i am in the mood for" for several years. Consistency is its hallmark. Decanted 2 hours, very elegant old word style without the barnyard that turns some off (I am more an old world lover). This strikes a nice balance between calif and Bordeaux. A wine that your non wine loving guests would certainly enjoy.