11/4/2023 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Spectacular Rioja. Drank over two days. Lovely restrained fruit, balsamic notes, orange rind, smooth finish. Just lovely.

6/29/2023 - ccsargent Does not like this wine:

Tasted over three days. Never lost its confected, caramel aromas and overly sweet taste. Very different from the Paris Cornas Granit 60 I had recently. Not my cup of tea, and not what I look for in Northern Rhone Syrah.

6/29/2023 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Really tasty Cornas... lovely nose, complex and funky... check out the IWC review, they really nail the flavors (berries, floral, cola). Not anywhere near the end of its life.

6/9/2023 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Not particularly complex, but delicious. Still some tannins there, so no rush. Nice to reap the rewards of a long cellaring!

5/5/2023 - ccsargent Does not like this wine:

Not sure what happened to this... not corked, but just very prematurely over the hill. Port-y notes and roasted fruit. Not enjoyable. Tasted over two days and professionally stored since release.

1/4/2023 - ccsargent Does not like this wine:

Not enjoyable. Another disappointing 2008. Tasted over three days. Very little fruit, too tannic and nothing very interesting going on.

10/30/2022 - ccsargent wrote:

Brick red/orange at the rim. Very very earthy on opening. Too earthy… but with air it’s now much more balanced, with tar on the nose, full-bodied mouthfeel, and the tannins are still fairly grippy. I think it could go another 5 at least. Enjoyed this very much.

11/29/2021 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Still young, but delicious! I was struck by the wonderful acidity that balanced out the lush fruit. The first sip made my taste buds say “oh, alright then!”.

9/19/2021 - ccsargent wrote:

Just a great St. Emilion from the 2009 vintage. Still quite youthful. There’s a wonderful “zing” that lingers on your palate. This bottle went quickly. With lamb shawarma.

9/15/2021 - ccsargent wrote:

I echo the sentiment of recent notes. What a wonderful wine just entering its drinking window!

5/3/2020 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Decanted for a couple hours. Really enjoyable tonight. Expressive nose of red fruits, menthol, beef blood... just gorgeous. Very smooth on the mouth with no heaviness. Will look forward to my final bottle in 5-10!

4/4/2020 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

I wish I had more of this. A LOT more. It rocked our world over two nights, the first with pork ragu, the second with ribeye. Went well with both.

3/10/2020 - ccsargent wrote:

Tasted alongside the 2009 Smith Haut Lafitte. Immediately open nose of cherries, herbs (mint and maybe rosemary), medium-bodied, a little more linear than the SHL but absolutely delicious and held its own against the 100-pointer.

3/10/2020 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Tasted alongside the 2009 Lagrange. Exotic, ripe, full-bodied but balanced. So much going on. I look forward to it’s evolution. Absolutely stunning!

12/26/2019 - ccsargent wrote:

Do not touch. This was a tannic beast. I will wait 10 years to open my remaining bottle. I look forward to that date, though!

11/19/2019 - ccsargent wrote:

Corked. But I could tell the fruit underneath was of great quality. I look forward to trying a fresh bottle.

8/8/2019 - ccsargent wrote:

What a delicious bottle. Had very pronounced tomato vine on the nose at first, but then it changed to beautiful dark fruits, still tannic but not unpleasantly so on the palate. Full bodied, nice acidity, and so obviously I wish I had a few more to follow over the next 5 years. Last bottle, and it was really good.

7/24/2019 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

This bottle was drinking great. Nothing over the top or overripe here. Decanted for a couple hours. I'm glad I have one left!

2/10/2019 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

I love when a QPR like this comes along. Really juicy, just a bit of vanilla oakiness, grippy, not heavy or over-extracted, and exactly what I look for in a young, budget-priced Bordeaux. Delicious... I kept going back for more.

10/8/2018 - ccsargent wrote:

Just phenomenal. The fruit is so present, but the minerality, earthiness, and complexity put this wine above many others.

6/8/2018 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

This wine is killer. Pop and pour... expressive nose, delicious on the palate, tannins really smooth. Still very primary but so pleasurable. This is an absolutely rockin' wine that will only get better.

5/22/2018 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Blackberry on the nose, and a bit of vanilla that blew off. Really nice smooth mouthfeel. I can only see this getting even better over the next 10 years.

2/2/2018 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Really fantastic wine. BIG wine. But all was in balance - I didn't notice the 15% alcohol (until this morning...). Wish I had more than one bottle left.

1/31/2018 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

After opening a few duds, I wanted to drink something that would remind me why I go through the trouble of cellaring wine. This wine delivered! Beautiful color with no sign of age, great nose, wonderful on the palate with a little more complexity than the last bottle. Tannins are still grippy but not obtrusive. Just awesome at 17 years old.

1/30/2018 - ccsargent wrote:

Corked.

1/10/2018 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Really fantastic now, and will be for years to come. Traditional Barolo nose, but very supple and smooth on the palate at this young age. Very drinkable at this point. Nice complexity throughout. Wonderful accompaniment to Alba style risotto with beef, Rosemary, sage, and Barolo. I'm glad I have a few more!

9/13/2017 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

I can only imagine what heights the grand vin will reach! This is beautiful - pure raspberry on the nose, elegant medium bodied mouthfeel... a joy to drink now.

9/5/2017 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours... beautiful open nose of berry fruit and a bit of pepper. Absolutely delicious on the palate - great acidity and juiciness. Worth the price of admission!

8/29/2017 - ccsargent Does not like this wine:

I did not enjoy drinking this. Seemed overripe, hot, with coarse tannins. I hope it gets better - will check in again in 5 years or more.

5/16/2017 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

This was a pleasant surprise (having had a few previous vintages). Gorgeous fragrant nose, delicious on the palate and with no heaviness or overt oakiness, for such a young wine. Wonderful balance! I will definitely buy more.

11/15/2016 - ccsargent wrote:

I agree with CWILLIAM below but score it a point higher. Delicious.

6/6/2016 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Still so young... deep blackish red color. Fruit on the nose with lots of fruitcake and mint as well. Full bodied. Packs a serious punch!

5/9/2016 - ccsargent wrote:

Corked.

11/2/2015 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Not quite as great a wine-drinking experience as the first bottle I tried, but was excellent when it decided to show itself. Seemed to be in an awkward stage and took forever to open up. I'm not going to open another for five or so years. For now, try the 2001 - it's phenomenal.

5/22/2015 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

No detailed notes, but this was great and came across as still youthful. I'd guess it had at least another 5+ years ahead of great drinking.

12/27/2014 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Just so delicious. Similar to previous notes, but a hair better this time. Double decanted for 2 hours. Rockin'!

11/9/2014 - ccsargent wrote:

Although I don't think it's quite a 90-pointer, I agree with the descriptors that Botto used. For me - spicy red fruits on the nose, and buttery oak and a slightly charred aftertaste accompany some nice bright fruit flavors.

7/31/2013 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

94+. Great bottle of Barolo... Nice dark ruby color... nose of cherries, tar and pine, spices, slightly oaky, lots of fruit on the palate, pretty tannic and honestly probably too soon to drink this. But I wanted to try my very first Clerico and this did not disappoint.

6/15/2013 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Consistent with previous bottles. Beautiful nose of herbs, mint, mushrooms, flowers, berries. Full-bodied, not heavy though, lush mouthfeel and smooth finish. Excellent w hanger steak!

5/14/2013 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Dark translucent ruby, seems very dark for Sangiovese. The nose took a while to open up, but then I got cherries and herbs, maybe rosemary and mint. Quite earthy on the palate, with restrained red fruit. Pronounced acidity. Tannins are soft. Tasty bottle of wine!

4/16/2013 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

Very dark, opaque color. Flavors of restrained dark fruits, lots of espresso, with substantial tannins. Hits you immediately on the palate and then fades. I'm going to hold my other bottle for a few years. Was an interesting and pleasurable drink.

3/19/2013 - ccsargent wrote:

Earthy, pungent, delicious Bordeaux. This is in a really good place right now, but there's no hurry. I love this house!

3/9/2013 - ccsargent wrote:

Shows promise, although it seemed closed over the two days I drank it. Elegant, silky, medium-bodied.

3/1/2013 - ccsargent Likes this wine:

I agree with everything the previous reviewer said. Translucent ruby color... took a while to open up in the decanter... beautiful subtle red fruit aroma w/ cedar, cola, and a wonderful exotic note (turmeric?) that I've only encountered in other Pauillacs... quite austere on the palate, dry, refreshing and a welcome change from all the bruising 09/10 Bordeaux I've been trying lately.

1/14/2013 - ccsargent wrote:

Delicious young merlot! Dark, transparent red. Dark fruits on the nose, medium-bodied plush mouthfeel, obviously very primary, but not overdone in any way and a joy to drink, even this young.

1/12/2013 - ccsargent wrote:

Earthy, restrained fruit. Took quite a while to open up. Best after a few hours in the decanter. Nice elegance, but not for oak-a-phobes. But for me, the oak was not too much. This will improve for sure.

10/31/2012 - ccsargent wrote:

Similar to my last experience, but this bottle loses a point - it didn't quite blow me away like the last bottle, but was still the delicious, balanced Bordeaux I remember. I'm glad I have some left.

8/24/2012 - ccsargent wrote:

Translucent ruby color... Nose of pure cherries and a hint of tobacco, smooth on the palate, medium to light-bodied, spicy, with unobtrusive tannins. Delicious and refreshing to drink!

7/10/2012 - ccsargent wrote:

Similar to my previous note but I didn't have as much time to focus on the wine. Delicious but young.

7/4/2012 - ccsargent wrote:

Great black/red color, nose of berry compote, graphite, full-bodied on the palate, juicy, powerful, you can tell its packing a wallop at 14.5 but it's not overpowering. Will be good for a while. Serious super-Tuscan. Could be Bordeaux but has a warmth that says it's from elsewhere.