3 P's In A Vine

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

It’s been open about 3 days and airing about 4 hours in the bottle. The nose is musky barnyard with wet oak, damp forest floor, wet leather and dark red fruit. There’s still some chalky tannins with acidity that rushes down the sides of your mouth and tongue. The red fruit carries forward, but more underripe with skins intact. It’s cleaner on the palate with a bit of damp cellar and dry earth, with notes of leather and red plum skin. The red plum and leather hang on into the finish. It’s a solid showing that I’d like to see where it develops over the next 3-5 years. — 6 years ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Very young. Needs 3-5 years to round the tannins. High acidity. Fruit is very nice. Lots if bing cherries. Will be very good in a few years or with a long decant. — 7 years ago

Valravn

Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel 2015

A fruity zin; less jammy than many from CA. Some acidity in the middle and tannin late; a touch of char to finish. — 7 years ago

Amanda Thomas
with Amanda
Carolyn liked this

Kistler

Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2010

Mersault-like in age, albeit a bit richer. Steely stonefruit and citrus notes, developing a nice light butterscotch and melon note at 8 years of age. Plenty of toasty oak and spice... but not overpowering. Perfect with risotto. — 8 years ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Somm David T
9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 8 years ago

Severn, Sofia and 34 others liked this
Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly Anderson

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@TheSkip I've also make 11 market trips to Bordeaux.
David From The 504

David From The 504

Will read this on my next flight

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1980

MH
9.4

Lots of life left in this wine. What a treat. From 3 liter. #josephphelps biased review — 10 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
with Joseph
P, Richard and 14 others liked this
P A

P A

A classic wine from a classic vineyard. Enjoy

Klinker Brick

Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2012

Dark cherry in the first taste, finish is a peppery Coca-Cola. Could drink this all day. — 10 years ago

Stefan liked this

Château Brane-Cantenac

Grand Cru Classé en 1855 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1970

High shoulder fill, extra long cork completely soaked. By some happy coincidence this is the 4th time we have had this in the last 5-6 years. 3 times (including this) very very good and once just good. At this point the secondary leather and cedar aromas and flavors dominate the remaining fruit. Still a fun drink and a good match for roast chicken. Another Winebid bargain! — 11 years ago

Bogle Family Vineyards

Essential Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend 2012

A soft and smooth red blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Dark fruit, with mocha, vanilla and spice. Great length and more complexity then a close-counterpart in McManis. This is yummy. 2012. — 11 years ago

Once Upon a Vine

The Big Bad Red California Red Blend 2010

Lucious! A party in your mouth!! — 13 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Deep Ruby with youthful aromas of blue and black fruits with sweet spice and slight mineral character. The wine is a blend of 86% Cab Sauv, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec & 2% Cab Franc from their estate-owned Napa Valley vineyards, aged 18 months in French (62%) & American oak (38%) (48% new). On the palate complex flavors, blackberry, plums and ripe cherry with sweet spice, oak and eucalyptus notes. Well balanced with good acidity and tannins still developing. Full-bodied, long finish ending with cacao and wood spice. Delightful! Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Paul, Shay and 4 others liked this

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Taking one for the community trying this top vintage Talbot @ £58 to see if it’s worth buying more & computer says Hell Yeah 😍👍 Drinking great already but in 10-40 years Boomshakalaka 💥 a tad too youthy at the mo so let it 😴 💤 the 05 & even 10 are drinking well already 😉

📍 Chateau Talbot 2015

🏵 92 points moving to 94+ in time

🍇 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot & 3% Petit Verdot

🍷 Ooaque blackened ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Sweet damson plum & rich blackcurrant w/ smoke, liquorice, cocoa, blueberry, raspberry, light gravel, broken pencil, spice & minerals

👄 Med+ body of rich ripe deep blackcurrant w/ a red liquorice, mocha & mineral undertone

🎯 Long touch dry mineral infused blackcurrant, blueberry & red liquorice mocha kiss
— 7 years ago

Chris, Daniel and 22 others liked this

Roy Piper

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Needed 2-3 hours in the decanter to open, then was in a great spot. Holding my other bottle for at least 2-3 yrs, though — 8 years ago

Shay liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2005

Had this at a Tapas Bar! The pillars on which the 5 founding families erected a winery in 1890 built a way of living, feeling and producing wines of the highest quality that continue to evolve. Not released until 2015, bright Ruby, complex aromas of fruit, spice and oak. 90% Tempranillo from 3 villages & 10% Graciano from 2 villages. Cherry & blackberry flavors, with a feel of currants around the core, espresso & spicy notes on mouthwatering tannins. Wow! Lingering finish. Will get better over next 15 years — 8 years ago

Daniel P. and JJ liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 9 years ago

Cynthia LangstaffChris Langstaff
with Cynthia and Chris
Chris liked this

Bogle Family Vineyards

Phantom Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend

A monster. Jammy and perfect with a spit roasted beef tender. Chucked it in the decanter for good measure, the right choice — 9 years ago

Arnot-Roberts

Old Vine Heinstein Vineyard White Blend

13% alc.
3 barrels made. $35/btl.

From AR note sheet:
"61 year old dry-farmed white field blend of Sylvaner, Riesling and an assortment of other obscure varieties planted in fluffy white volcanic soils at the base of the western flank of Mount Veeder in the Sonoma Valley. Whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeast in stainless steel, and aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 months."
— 10 years ago

Anthony and Steve liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Perhaps the best bottle of wine I have ever had! Pure perfection! Elegant, rich, perfectly balanced, huge aromas, still tons of fruit, and a finish that's still lingering. Better still, I enjoyed this bottle at Martin Berasetegui in San Sebastián, a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Outstanding!! — 10 years ago

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1999

Tasted 3/15.
Decanted. Beautiful balance, only slight greenness. Non-offensive sulfer blew off in 30 minutes. Reticent nose with leather and cherry. Integrated tannins, great acid. Growth over dinner to reveal rich fruit, cocoa over tones. A wonderful wine, underrated IMHO.
— 11 years ago

Ravenswood Winery

Vintners Blend California Old Vine Zinfandel 2011

Smooth cherry notes with a touch of spice in the nose and palette. Pairs well with pizza tonight! — 11 years ago

Michael David Winery

7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2010

B N
9.6

Deadly sins my ass... But then I'm not Catholic!!! This Zinfandel is like a psychotic dwarf, wielding a fruit edged axe, leaping around the inside of your mouth. Fat fruit, teeth staining character... But limited complexity. Price in Canada makes me think it should take me hours to drink a glass... US prices would make this a deeply satisfactory bottle, something that Oakenshield would quaff with deep satisfaction. Buy in the US and pay the import fees... Then get your dwarf on!!!! — 12 years ago

B, Jonathan and 2 others liked this
B N

B N

Debbie loved it!!!!

Wind Gap Wines

Sceales Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2014

After a couple of days in the Finger Lakes tasting cold-climate wines, I craved something Mediterranean in style. This is a terrific Grenache, picked early enough to keep some zing. Nose has fresh raspberry, stone dust, and rhubarb. Transparent and athletic in the mouth. Nice acids and purity, has some tannin for structure too. Great pasta wine. — 6 years ago

Severn, MaJ and 13 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

To celebrate 15,000 followers on Instagram, here's a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Extremely fruity on the nose with blackberries, blueberries, raisins, figs, vanilla, cedar, toast, graphites, earth, spices, peppercorn, leather, smoke, chocolates, mocha, coke and coffee.

Full bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherry pie, raisins, vanilla, cedar, leather, chocolates, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, spices, earth, mocha and dark roast coffee.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a wonderful Napa Cabernet. Still young, but drinking very nicely now, with lots of fruits and nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours). After 3 hours, big tannins come in.

This should lay down for another 10 years, to be appreciated even more. At this point it might be too fruity for some. Aging it for 7 to 10 years will do the trick.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

Drunk from a 1 liter bottle.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$80.
— 7 years ago

David, Paul and 26 others liked this
Brandon T

Brandon T

Great notes! I was pleasantly surprised by this a few months back.
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Always enjoyable @Brandon Thurber
Edmond Bordelon

Edmond Bordelon Influencer Badge

One of my favorite go to wines of all time! Crowd pleaser with the velvety feel from the Rutherford dust. Always good to read your notes!

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Since this is the last Friday of the year, my Cabernet fix is going to be a little different this time.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick /orange rim.

Earthy nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, earth, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, forest floor, leather, pencil lead, light barnyard, licorice, light vanilla, bell pepper and vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry and earthy on the palate with blueberries, cherries, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, wet leaves, vegetables, herbs, beef jerky, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, green pepper, black tea and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

What a wonderful Cabernet based red from Saint Estephe. Nicely balanced and very complex with a great mouthfeel. Earthy and still young, but drinking very nicely now.

Not a great vintage, but so enjoyable by itself or with food. The nose is so complex, that it's so nice just to sniff on.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show some tannins.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

13% alcohol by volume.
— 8 years ago

"Odedi", Trixie and 26 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Thanks @Phil A happy new year 🍷

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Of the 2 Bordeaux drinking the best tonight, but long term the Brane-Cantenac 2005 will outlive this wine by 10 years easy. While very complex, a fine touch a green is traceable.

A classic currant and forest floor nose, fall leaves abound with a spike of spice and a barely there green that while subtle is apparent.

The pleasure here is higher for its more mature tasted and feel, while the brawny 2005 is a better wine it was not as enjoyable to me and feel it will be another notch enter in 3 years, and likely 2 notches better in 5.

The elegance and feel on this wine is ready to go and will easily go another 5+ years.
— 9 years ago

Keith, Anthony and 5 others liked this

Seghesio Family Vineyards

Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel 2012

You're right, Ted. There is a texture, flavor and complexity that only comes from old vine zins. And you've captured a great expression in this bottle. One of my favorite pairings with grilled prime steaks. — 9 years ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

M
9.4

2006 From winebid at 35. For half bottle. Drank may 2016. Absolutely tops. Needs 2-3 hr decant and still opens in glass. Excellent harmony and deep finish 2000 $125 from winebid. Less impressive. Needs at least 2 h breathing. Complex and sophisticated finish but still has some dusty tannin. This one would rate 9.1. I had the 2000 again in Aug 2017 and would rate it 9.4. Sophisticated but definitely needs a lot of breathing. — 10 years ago

Patricia Green Cellars

Estate Old Vine Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2013

In a challenging vintage, these guys made an exceptional Pinot! Went so well with my pork chop! — 11 years ago

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Fred Dex
9.2

Classic Napa. Juice. Big, delicious...will make a lot of friends...if you're in right circle! — 11 years ago

Predator

Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2012

One of our favorites.... Pretty much a staple in this house. — 11 years ago