11/17/2023 - Cow Town Likes this wine:

Drank alongside the regular 2014. Interesting comparison, which showed the Wight is the better wine - color, nose, fruit, depth. But, this wine. A bit thin upon opening, but gained depth with a couple hours of air. Lovely wine, if on the lighter side. Silky, if not velvety. Great color, good fruit, and a long finish. Just a lovely wine.

1/6/2022 - J @ y H @ c k Likes this wine:

Forgive me, for I have sinned. I killed an infant today. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS! MAYBE 10. Decanted at about 6:30 and followed for about 4-1/2 hours. At first, the wood treatment was too strong, although the other flavors held a Forman versus Lyle knock down drag out punch fest to see who was stronger. At first, the oak was winning, with basic wood flavors, coffee and chocolate. After a while, the fruit took the lead and the nose developed a floral component with a tiny whiff of what they add for aroma in fancy nail polish - but no petro-chemical overtones. There is spice component, still fierce tannins, and I think the acid level is a bit above average. I have asked Will for a tech sheet and will report back.

11/13/2021 - Loathesome wrote:

One of the weaker versions of Musar I have had. Yes it is still youngish but at 11 years old one does get near full development but there is little weight or structure here. A nice currant/raisiny fruit but all too easy, two dimensional and rather short. As with the 2013 there was an irritating spritz running through it which did not help. I cannot see how this can put weight and structure on and I hope this is not a modern change of style.

6/8/2018 - ek49 Likes this wine:

Cellared since release from the winery. Popped and poured. In the glass, golden yellow with fluorescent green tinge. Nose reticent at first, then giving way to pear and still traces of oak, but not overly so. On the palate, just a gorgeous wine with elements of ripe pear, marshmallow, citrus and floral notes. The best Three Sisters that I have had - while not as profound as the Estate, an incredibly enjoyable experience.

5/6/2018 - Willi Vinotti wrote:

And another one done by cork.

5/28/2018 - *Vine* wrote:

Popped and poured, youthful ruby purple, deep. Floral aromas are filled with crunchy black & red fruits, ruby grapefruit zest, unlit cigar and other herbaceous complexities. Moderate-plus body, fairly substantial for the producer. On the palate, this shows uncomplicated flavors of bright, sappy fruits plus a subtle impression of minerals. Well-balanced, with moderate acidity and subtle, somewhat chalky tannins. Although outstanding (and yummy), this is still a bit too young...will be "Dy-no-mite!" in 2-3+ years.

11/2/2017 - *Vine* wrote:

Popped and poured, standard "Marcassin" Chard hue of hazy brilliant yellows. Explosive aromas of ripe apples, Meyer lemon, baked slices of pear, hints of pineapple, smoky flint, spice from oak and an impression of minerals. Medium body, smooth as silk and deceptively concentrated. Total "Wow!" in mouth...think multi-faceted, nearly undefinable notes of fruit which coat the palate in pure delight and are perfectly complimented by jolts of acidity on an endless close -- did I say "Wow!" yet?? Wow.
And while this 2012 might not be one to bury in your cellar, it's epically divine juice that epitomizes everything that's great about CA Chardonnay made in this style; drink now-2027.

Quick comment: Imo, best vintage of Marcassin Chard since 2010 and one that equals or even surpasses the amazing 2008

4/10/2016 - Chris Likes this wine:

Sadly my last bottle and my last of Napa 2006 vintage. This was #6 of WS Top 100 in 2009 and deservedly so. Only $60 on release, you can't find these bottles for under $125 now, more in a restaurant. From Pritchard Hill, I do love the Mountain, deep, heavy Napa Cabs and this one was one of my best. Loved it.

2/4/2016 - *Vine* wrote:

Popped, vigorously shaken and chilled slightly below cellar temp. Pale straw, quite cloudy. Lively aromas of nectarine, grapefruit zest, tropical fruit juice, honeysuckle, beeswax, rainwater and a touch of green. Deceiving presence with a smooth mouthfeel, the plus acidity enhancing a peculiar, if not completely odd flavor-set of lime, under-ripened cherry, gooseberry, almond, raw carrot, the tropics, sweet tart and...? Kinda crazy.
Great with or without food, this unique CA white is delicious, fun and full of complex nuance.

1/15/2016 - MindMuse Likes this wine:

Wow! Five years since my previous bottle of this, which may have been my favorite Cru Beau bottle ever at the time. There is no doubt at all on this one, as on pop and pour I was stopped in my tracks by this immediately. Magnificent Morgon, heck just magnificent period. Amazing depth of spiced, minerally focused red fruit nose. After a bit, underbrush tones emerge to add another dimension. On the palate the above are vibrantly in play and carried with a rock solid powerful structure. The structure in fact is fascinating, as the tannins are modest to less than moderate, but there is a Rock of Gibralter backbone presence in a tablespoonful of this that is hard to comprehend (and I've had more than a bit of experience with wine). This bottle literally has me dumbfounded as to the possibilities to achieve something like this with an underappreciated, but still modest grape, Gamay. Seven minutes since my last sip and it is still with me. This is no Tokaji Essenzia, but a bottle I paid $20 for and I truly am at a loss to comprehend how it is achieving what it is doing organoleptically.

Okay, ultimately I drank one measured spoonful and timed a full hour, at which time I could still taste this wine as if I had swallowed 30 seconds ago. Mind bending bottle of Lapierre.

At the end of the night, having about 300ml remaining, I decided to transfer it to a 375 bottle and squirt it with a bit of Private Preserve. Stored in the fridge.
I had a splash in the late morning and it was still fine, and the second night I poured some more, and as it has come to serving temp it was again exploding with sexy Asian spiced mineral cherry iron and crushed rock. Every single sip of this would just stop me in my tracks.

This was a one of the sulphured bottles, but there is known considerable variation bottle to bottle for this wine (though not usually much "bad" variation). Last time I had this was a little over 5 years ago, in its release year. I scored it 92-93 and part of my tasting note said, "Initially, and for a good 2-3 hours this was good, but fairly closed and range-bound. Then things started rocking like Keith Richards suddenly showed up at the party." Well this party was in full swing when I pulled the cork, with, I don't know who, Caruso maybe, front and center. The finish is like the ending chord of the Beatles "A Day in the Life". Absolute lightning-in-a-bottle.

10/7/2015 - *Vine* wrote:

Popped and poured, moderate lemon/straw hue. Pronounced aromas of grapefruit, lime and gooseberry with touches of flint and minerals. Bit of heat too. Medium-plus body, excellent concentration and great acidity. On the palate, this shows uncomplicated flavors of assorted citrus, stone and tropical fruits...truly a fruit basket! There's also a decent smattering of green, an impression of saline minerals and subtle vanilla spice from oak, the latter of which isn't overdone in any way. The only detractions are the volatiles and element of heat from alcohol, both of which give this a slightly booziness on the lingering close. Still, such a plush, smooth mouthfeel...
This is bold, brash California white wine at it's non-spoof finest -- not one to serve the AFWE or faint of heart but great for all those who appreciate the style!

Quick comment: There's more than a decent amount of acidity in this...perhaps some have been deceived by the plus concentration and lush mouthfeel?

9/26/2015 - *Vine* wrote:

Popped and poured, light yellow/gold. Nose of lemon curd, stone fruits and light florals is tinged by a hint of petrol and reductive funk. Moderate-light body with moderate acidity. On the palate, this pleasant Chardonnay shows flavors of citrus, apples and a subtle impression of minerals. Although there isn't much complexity of flavor or structure, there's great transparency and the easygoing nature makes it quite charming.
Ready to go now and over the next 1-2 years.

Quick comment: After tasting a bottle of 2011 White Hill a few weeks ago it's pretty noticeable how much less distinctive the 2012 is in most every aspect.

8/1/2015 - *Vine* wrote:

Quick update, opened another bottle of this one tonight. Notes largely similar to 5/16, a very tasty bottle of Chablis. This time the nose shows an additional note of candied ginger along with all the briny citrus and flinty aromas. So great on a hot summer.

Quick comment: I've been told Droin is quite known for incidences of premox, which definitely sucks...but when the wines drink this good at a young age, who the f cares?? ;p

1/26/2013 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:

pale onion skin colour
n - distinctly herbal, lively
p quite full-bodied, rich, intensely herbal, citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, lemon), vivid acidity
full-flavoured, long, complex but also hugely drinkable
lovely

1/19/2013 - Screameagle wrote:

Major disappointment for me. Very one dimentional. I've loved many of the other vintages of this wine even other bottles of this vintage but this one doesn't do it for me.

1/19/2013 - JonathanP wrote:

After an hour of air this showed excellent integration and subtle evolution since my previous bottle, from about 17 months ago. Beautiful red fruit - with a hint of darker fruit too - but this is contrasted by wet earth, undergrowth, leaves/stems and a spine of granite/minerals. Very good complexity. Medium intensity and weight on the palate, it is balanced, silky and relatively long. A beautiful bottle.

1/10/2013 - jtinto Likes this wine:

Spectacularly expressive, floral nose. A mid-weight, elegant, nuanced expression of zinfandel. Tart berries both dark and red. Note of citrus. Silky smooth tannins which did become more pronounced and evident after a couple of hours. Purity of fruit. Pronounced minerality. Loved it. Drink over next two years.

12/26/2012 - manonthemoon wrote:

Notes from day 2.
Dark purple in color.
Nose of red raspberry, funk, ashes, olives.
Palate of red raspberry, pomegranite, funk, ashes, green olives, a little tar.
The finish was long in length, really nice mouthfeel.
Overall the wine was really good, only knock was the lower acidity due to the warm vintage.
Still very enjoyable and if you like the house style you'll like the wine.
Hold or Drink: 50+5+13+18+7
4

12/27/2012 - Rollerball wrote:

Ripe water of the darkest red rose, deepened by mossy complexity but not by weight or density, at all. Attractively textured and surprisingly satiating.

6/23/2011 - etherscreen wrote:

anyone who believes this to be drinking well now, really needs to do themselves a favor and wait a min of 7-8 years. arcadian sleepy hollow with 10 years of age is really something special.