4/9/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Beautiful light gold appearence.

Still restrained somewhat on the nose- green apple, some honeyed citrus and white flowers. Very elegant.

Medium body with excellent acidity and flavor concentration and a medium plus finish.

Tasted at a dinner in Vancouver with the winemaker about a month ago. The wine seems to be holding a bit back now so I asked him about aging potential.

His honest response "this is a new cuvee so no one really knows"- fair enough!

3/16/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

This is the "les Deux Chenes" cuvee 2010.

I have tasted many wines from this estate including a number of the 2010 cuvees which have all been great. This bottle was purchased on release and was stored perfectly thereafter.

Unfortunately this bottle was in a weird dumb phase- very little aromatic development and not showing much on the palate.

Still drinkable, but just barely.

This things happen so will chalk it up to bad bottle....

3/16/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium ruby appearence.

Evolved and pronounced nose of black fruits (blackberry, blue berry), cassis and some nice spice and vanilla notes.

Medium to medium plus in body with plenty of structure remaining at age 14 plus.

Drink now, but this style seems to last for ages in a cold cellar. Not sure it will improve though.....

3/16/2024 - Vancouver wrote:

Beautiful medium golden color. I always find this cuvee to have great color intensity.

Bright and fully evolved nose of green apple, citrus and a touch of sweetness.

Medium bodied with plenty of zippy acidity and and a medium plus finish.

Delicious as always and I would opt to drink these up over the next 2-3 years.

2/18/2024 - Vancouver wrote:

Classic fruit forward Washington State Cab- what's not to love with a rare NY Strip!

Lots of black fruit, vanilla and some smoke (they were obviously not shy with the oak).

Full bodied with great flavor concentration and a delicious finish. Bottles of this don't last long which is always a great sign.

Not sure if its worth aging these wines, but this will easily hold for another decade.

2/18/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

No information on the label re disgorgement etc and no QR code (that I could find anyway).

The medium golden color suggested some age.

Pronounced nose of green apple, citrus and some pastry and honey notes. Nothing spectacular but a lot more than expected from this "entry level" cuvee.

Medium bodied on the palate with acidity on the medium side ( so much lower than many NV cuvees). Lots of flavor concentration with a dry medium plus finish.

Overall an excellent bottle- clearly to drink now.

2/18/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Still medium ruby at age 19 or so with very little lightening.

Classic rioja aromas of black fruits, balsamic notes, violet and spice. Very precise and fresh aromatics.

Medium bodied with plenty of structure and flavor concentration. The finish is long and savory.

I don't have a lot of experience with these wines but this showing suggests another decade of life if stored properly.

2/11/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Wow, just a wonderful bottle that seems to be cruising after 10 or years in the cellar.

Just starting to lighten in color.

Lots of cherry liqueur, baking spice, melted liquorice and herbal elements (thyme etc.) on the fresh and pronounced nose.

Full bodied with plenty of structure and a long and delicious finish.

Drink now or hold for another 5 years (I wouldn't push it further than that).

1/2/2024 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Still deep purple and opaque.
Very forward on the nose with tons of blue fruit, blackberry liqueur, violets and spice. Nose still very fresh in spite of how forward it is.

Full bodied with moderate acidity and structure and a medium plus to long finish. Just delicious.

I would opt to drink over next five years given how evolved this bottle was.

12/17/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Excellent Oregon Chardonnay. Lots of citrus, green apple, white flowers and even a touch of honey.

No rush on this one- has the stuffing to go another decade in a cold cellar.

12/17/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Excellent mature CDP lots of Kirsch, candied raspberry, melted liquorice and baking spice. Still plenty of freshness and structure. Will hold for another 5 years easily, but why wait...

10/15/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Purchased at the winery 10/2022 (WSG Bordeaux trip).

Beautiful wine.

Nice medium golden color, lots of Semillon personality and just delicious.

Drink now or hold for another 5-10 years.

9/26/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Drinking amazing at year 27+ !

Still a nice medium ruby appearence.

Textbook aromas of black fruits, lead pencil, vanilla and even some violets and baking spice.

Medium bodied still super fresh on the plate with surprising structure and acidity. The finish is medium plus to long, savory and delicious.

This will not likely improve, but who knows how long it will last in a cold cellar....

9/24/2023 - Vancouver wrote:

The back label indicates that this was disgorged in September 2016 after 50 months on its lees. So a bit of backward math- this is likely a 2011 base? And a total of 11 years or so in bottle we drank....

Beautiful pale "pink" color.

Evolving and pronounced nose of cherry liquer (almost kirsch) honeyed citrus, cut flowers and some toasted bread.

Medium bodied with great flavor concentration . High acidity and a long and delicious finish.

Excellent bottle. Drink now or age another 5 years plus in a cold cellar

9/24/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Decided to pop open a young one. Decanted 30 mins before this note.

Medium to deep ruby in appearence.

Youthful nose that needed a bit of coaxing. Plenty of black fruits, baking spice and even some violets.

Medium plus in body with lots of structure, acidity and flavor concentration. Forget about this for the next 8-10 years and then drink for another 10 plus.

9/24/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium ruby in appearence. Surprising color intensity for a Nebbiolo at age 16 +.

Evolved and pronounced aromas of rose petal, black fruits, violet baking spice and road tar. Very impressive.

Medium bodied on the palate with plenty of structure and acidity. Delicious medium plus to long and savory finish.

Drinking great now- no reason to hold further- but this will last another decade plus in a cold cellar.

8/6/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Deep ruby in appearence. Almost opaque at age 15 plus.
Pronounced and fully evolved nose of plum, blackberry pie , baking spice, vanilla and herbs. Hard to describe, but this would be picked correctly as high end sangiovese 100% of the time in a blind tasting based on the nose.

Fully bodied with excellent flavor concentration and balance with a long and delicious finish.

This one took some time to come around in the cellar- but worth the wait ! Has the stuffing to list another decade in a cold cellar.

8/6/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Great example of a grand cru cote des blanc grower..

This bottle seems to be based on the 2016 vintage and was disgorged in early 2019 after 2 years on the lees. So aged 4 plus years post disgorgement. 100% Chouilly Chardonnay dosed at 6g/l.

Excellent depth of color (lemon/green).

Gorgeous aromas of citrus, white flowers , candied green apple and some brioche. Just a hint of oxidization on the nose.

This wine really shines on the plate - medium bodied , mouth watering acidity, lots of flavor concentration and chalky mineral laden finish.

Drinking well now and for those with the 2016 base year- I would opt to drink up.

8/6/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Going to the South tonight.
Very youthful color at age 13 or so- still almost opaque. Lots of candied cherry, kirsch, baking spice , raspberry etc. some herbal notes starting to develop.

Palate matches the appearance- super fresh with lots of acidity and structure. This wine seems built to last.

Matched with some seared rib eyes on the grill.

8/6/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Full bodied with lots of black fruits, blueberry liqueur, lavender , garrigue and even some Northern Rhone pepper notes.

Plenty of structure to suggest this will last another 5 plus years.

An exceptional bottle!

8/6/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Just a beautiful example. Lots of black fruits, spice and balsamic notes.

Medium plus body with lots of structure and acidity. The finish is medium plus and savory.

Drinking great now but will last 10 years ++ if stored properly.

7/12/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Deep purple and still opaque at age 13 or so .

Pronounced and still evolving nose of cassis, blackberry liqueur, vanilla and bright blue fruits. Very impressive.

Full bodied with a ton of flavor concentration , plenty of structure and a long and delicious finish.

This cuvee is obviously not shy with the oak and extraction (which may turn off "terroir" snobs) , but for the style this wine is delicious and I'm happy to have a few more bottles in the cellar.

Drink now or hold for 15 + plus years if stored properly.

7/12/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Just a stand out BBQ wine on a warm early July night.

Still opaque with a nose of candied cherry, kirsch and baking spice.

Plenty of structure and freshness with a medium plus finish. Not a "blockbuster" version but goes very well with food.

Based on my (long) experience with this house and cuvee this should easily last another decade plus in a cold cellar.

Very well done!

6/4/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Brilliant 2006.

Disgorged 02/2017 and dosed at 2.7g/l.

Gorgeous medium golden appearence at age 16 +.

Lots of buttered citrus, honey and autoltyics on the fresh and classy nose.

Medium bodied on the palate with high acidity and a long finish.

Just delicious and this stuff will last for a long long time in a cold cellar....

6/4/2023 - Vancouver Does not like this wine:

Unfortunately this bottle (purchased on release and stored perfectly) was cooked. Rare occurrence with this producer so will consider it a one off....

6/4/2023 - Vancouver wrote:

Deep ruby in appearence -still opaque at age 13 or so.

Finally some evolution on the nose after a decade plus in the cellar- blueberry liqueur, vanilla, herbs (garrigue) and even some cut flowers. Very impressive and fresh.

Lots of structure , acidity and flavor concentration on the palate. Atypical for a CDP of this age. The finish is long and savory.

Overall-drinking very well but this has the stuffing to last for another decade if stored properly.

6/4/2023 - Vancouver wrote:

Full bodied with lots of white flower, stone fruit and honey. My wife commented that this one is like biting into a honey covered peach ... and I can't argue. Just delicious. This can age, but why wait!

PS- this bottle has gained weight and complexity compared to a bottle drunk about 2 years ago.

4/16/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Beautiful medium gold appearence that reflects the age and time on the lees (7 years on the lees per the back label).

Pronounced aromas of baked apple, poached pear and some honey and brioche. Although pronounced the the nose still appears to be evolving and has maintained its freshness.

Medium bodied with excellent flavor concentration. This wine really shines on the plate! the finish is long and mouth watering.

this should easily last another decade if stored properly.

4/16/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Great wine from a relatively obscure appellation. Lots of upfront fruit, but with the structure to go for 5 years in the cellar. Great Q/P ratio.

3/25/2023 - Vancouver wrote:

Medium ruby in appereance - very little lightening at age 12 or so.

Pronounced and fully evolved nose of cherry liqueur, baking spice, rosemary and thyme etc. Very impressive and fresh on the nose.

Full bodied with fully integrated tannins, medium acidity (for a 12 year old CDP) and a long savory finish.

Drink now for sure and this is likely to hold another decade if stored properly.

3/4/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Still opaque at age 12 and I mean opaque- deep purple. Very impressive for a CDP of this age.

The aromas are pronounced and quite possibly still maturing at what is an advanced age for many CDPs (but maybe not so much with 2010). Lots of black and blueberry liqueur, cut flowers (violet?) damp earth and charcuteries.

The wine is full bodied with intense flavor concentration and a long, savory and delicious finish.

The color intensity, freshness and and structure suggest another decade plus of drinking and this may even be conservative. In revisiting many 2010's over the last few months it seems clear that this vintage, for many cuvees, was built to last....

3/4/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Textbook 2010 CDP.

Lots of crushed dark fruits, baking spice, garrigue and some smoked meats.

Full bodied with plenty of structure and acidity to keep the wine fresh (seems to be a hallmark of this vintage) . The wine finishes medium plus. Just delicious.

Drink now or hold for another decade.

3/4/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

This cuvee is always a roll of the dice with plenty of bottle variation- not sure why though. This bottle was a winner!

Still almost opaque at age 11 plus (deep ruby).

The nose is pronounced and gives up kirsch, strawberry pie, baking spice, herbal elements , smoked meats and who knows what else. Very impressive.

Full bodied on the palate with enough structure and acidity to suggest further aging is possible. The flavor concentration is off the charts with a long and delicious finish.

One never knows when pulling a bottle out of the cellar and this one hit all the right notes. Seems like it has the stuffing to age a bit longer, but I am not taking any chances and will start drinking up...

PS- this bottle once again proves that the greatest terroir in the world for mono varietal Grenache is in CDP.

2/24/2023 - Vancouver wrote:

Still opaque at age 18 or so. Deep ruby and just a touch of lightening at the rim.

Text book St Julien on the nose- black fruit (cassis), lead pencil, vanilla , baling spice and maybe a hint of chocolate coated cherry. Fully mature , but no signs of fading.

Medium bodied with plenty of structure. Definitely more "austere" than in a warmer vintage, but still fresh and delicious. The finish is medium plus.

In summary a great example of food friendly Bordeaux and a reminder not to sleep on so called off vintages. Drink now, but this stuff will last forever in a cold cellar....

2/24/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Perfectly opaque and deep purple at age 5 plus.

Pronounced and evolving nose of all things black and blue fruit (think blackberry and boysenberry pie), baking spice , violet and some black pepper. Super impressive nose that is still holding something back.

Medium plus to full bodied with impressive flavor concentration. At present the flavor profile on the palate is much more on the fruit than savory side. Great structure and a medium plus finish.

Just delicious now and will keep another decade plus.

2/7/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

text book new world Syrah.

Still opaque at age 10 or so and bursting with juicy black fruits, pepper and some meaty notes. Medium plus finish.

Nothing fancy but very well made and delicious. The structure suggests another decade of life if stored properly.

1/15/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium ruby in appearance. Almost opaque. Very little lightening.

Pronounced and fully evolved aromas of red fruits, cherry liqueur, baking spice and herbal elements (thyme etc.). Very impressive and fresh nose.

Full bodied with wonderful mouthfeel and and excellent flavor concentration. Long and savory finish.

Not that much structure and acidity remaining, so likely time to drink up.

1/15/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Deep ruby in appearance. Still opaque, with just a touch of lightening at the rim. Very impressive color at age 12 plus.

Pronounced and evolving aromas of black fruits, cassis, vanilla and some baking spice and vanilla. Definitely more evolved than a bottle drunk about 13 months ago.

Full bodied on the palate with very impressive mouthfeel and flavor concentration. The finish is medium plus to long .

There is still noticeable tannic and acid structure suggested another decade plus of life in a cold cellar.

1/15/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

This bottle was based on the 2015 vintage, was disgorged on May 01, 2021 and was dosed at 2.4 g/l . Five percent of the blend is still red red wine from Grand cru parcels.

Just a gorgeous extra brut rose- very impressive light ruby color.

Medium bodied with lots of red fruit, spice and pastry aromas. High acidity with a long zippy finish.

Very well done with the stuffing to last another decade if stored properly.

1/15/2023 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Great well made wine with lots of acidity and varietal character.

Not sure I understand the point of these 100% sauvignon blanc dry cuvees though. Nothing to suggest Bordeaux or the great terroir this wine comes from. Some semillon please!

12/24/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Wine purchased on release in 04 or so and stored properly ever since.

medium to deep ruby with just a hint of lightening at the rim. The wine is still opaque with 20 plus years of age!

Pronounced and fully mature nose of cassis, lead pencil, vanilla and even a chocolate covered cherry note. No sign of fatigue on the nose.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and a hint of tannic structure. The flavor concentration and mouthfeel are excellent. The wine finishes medium plus.

Just a delicious wine for fans of " classic" St Julien (whatever that means....) . Drink now or hold for another decade plus in a cold cellar. This style of St Julien seems to last forever.

As a final comment- the wine should be decanted carefully- this bottle threw off a huge amount of sediment.

12/24/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium ruby in appearance. No real sign of lightening at age 18 or so.

Fully mature nose of cherry fruit (on the confected side) ,baking spice and a bit of vanilla. The aromas are still very fresh but are slightly less pronounced than on a bottle drank three years ago and purchased at same time( based on tasting note).

Medium bodied with plenty of acidity and structure. On the palate this wine has barely evolved in three years! The finish is medium plus.

Overall very well done and a great food friendly Bordeaux. This will last another decade easily but no need to wait.

12/24/2022 - Vancouver wrote:

Seriously flawed bottle. Color of prune juice, barnyard aromas, no structure or acidity and totally shot.

Just goes to show that you never know when a wine hits 20 years old or so.

Another bottle drank a year ago and purchased at the same time was worth a 93 rating....

12/16/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Last of a 1/2 case purchased on release and stored properly since.

Medium ruby in appearance with some definite lightening at the rim. Less color than a bottle drunk about 18 months ago.

Fully evolved nose of kirsch, baking spice, herbal elements (thyme etc.) and some tobacco. Just a hint of fatigue on the nose.

Medium bodied with excellent flavor concentration and a long savory finish. Very little acidity and structure compared to the last bottle drunk which suggests its time to drink up.

In summary very well done, but also very surprising that this has evolved so much in less than 2 years. Maybe some bottle variation at play here.....

11/21/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Deep ruby in appearance- still opaque.

Pronounced and evolving aromas of lead pencil, cassis, earth and vanilla. Text book Pauillac aromas at age 12 or so.

Medium plus in body with plenty of structure and freshness. There is excellent concentration (this was slightly more concentrated than a bottle drunk about 3 months ago) and a long finish.

Drinking great now but don't worry about holding for another decade plus in a cold cellar.

11/19/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Purchased recently after visiting the estate about a month ago. Lovely estate that is really trying to raise the bar in this "modest" appellation.

Deep ruby in appearance.

Plenty of red fruit, black olive and some mineral elements on the nose. Surprisingly evolved though for a 6 year old wine.

Medium to medium plus in body with plenty of acidity and tannic structure. The flavor concentration is excellent and the finish medium plus.

Overall well done and certainly punches above its weight in this appellation. Some notes of evolution suggest that this should be drunk up in next five years though.

11/5/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium ruby in appearance .

Pronounced and evolved nose of confected red fruit, cherry liqueur, charcuteries and herbal elements. Gorgeous nose.

Medium plus in body with a plenty of structure at age 11 or so. Excellent flavor concentration with a long and delicious finish.

I would opt to drink up
over the next 5 years.

11/5/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

With these 20 year plus wines- "there are no great wines , only great bottles"-and this as a great bottle!

Very impressive deep ruby color - still opaque at age 21 or so!

On the nose this is classic St Julien that instantly transports you to the Medoc- Black fruits, creme de cassis, lead pencil , tobacco and vanilla. Just gorgeous and no hint of fatigue.

Medium bodied with fully resolved tannins and off the charts flavor concentration for a wine this age. The finish is long and savory.

Drink now, but this type of stuff will keep "indefinitely" in a cold cellar.

11/5/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Deep ruby in appearance.

Youthful aromas of bright cherry fruit, cherry liqueur, and some herbal and vanilla elements. Still holding a lot back, but aromas did develop with some air.

Full bodied with lots of structure, acidity and flavor concentration. The finish is just short of long.

Overall very well done - hold for another 5 years and then enjoy for another decade plus.

10/2/2022 - Vancouver Likes this wine:

Medium golden in appearance.

Pronounced and evolving nose of stone fruits (peach, apricot), honey, white flowers and some baking spice. Very classy nose that is still very fresh.

Full bodied with an unctuous mouthfeel and enough acidity to ensure the wine stays very fresh. Lots of flavor concentration with a medium plus to long finish.

I know this is drinking great now, but no clue how this will age...