Wine Reviews

Domaine des Senechaux Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004

90: "This is a very fine effort from this well-known estate in Chateauneuf du Pape, which was recently sold to Jean-Michel Cazes, the proprietor of Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux. The blend at present remains 65% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and the rest Cinsault and Counoise. A strong effort for the vintage, the 2004 Senechaux has a peppery, garrigue, Provencal aromatic and flavour profile. It is medium to full-bodied with silky tannins in an undeniably sexy style meant for drinking in its first decade of life." (Robert Parker — The Wine Advocate — February 2007)

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2003

96: "One of the first, if not the first, of the proprietarily named Napa Bordeaux blends, Phelps Insignia has been one of California's greatest cabs for decades. This is their 30th anniversary bottling, and it's worthy of the tradition. Ultrarich and smooth, with a mouthfeel that's pure velvet, it's fairly thick in tannins now, suggesting cellaring. But it's huge in blackberry, dark unsweetened chocolate and spicy plum fruit, and will easily hold for a very long time. Best now, if carefully decanted, and through 2020." (Wine Enthusiast — March 2007)

Ironstone Chardonnay Reserve 2004

87: "Held back for an extra year longer than the winery's regular Chard, this bottling shows a smokey richness and fuly mature, dried fruit flavours of apricots and pineapples. It's quite a complex wine whose zingy acidity adds balance and life." (Wine Enthusiast — February 2007)