A Coroa

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Poured into a Boa decanter several hours prior to dinner. The 2022 Zinfandel pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of bright brambles: blackberries and raspberries, cherry (some candied, think Cherry Blow Pop), pipe tobacco, black pepper, dry organic earth and gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with some notes of mocha added to the mix. The finish is long and delightful. Fun to try in its youth however I expect these will show even better after a few years in the cellar. Best after 2027 and through 2042. — a month ago

Tom, Marc and 9 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Just got mine last week! Appreciate the sneak preview!

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2020

I felt guilty drinking such a young wine, but it was exceptional. Beautifully balanced and fresh right out of the bottle (no time to decant since we were in a restaurant). Tasted a lot of raspberries and blackberries. — 8 hours ago

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2002

Medium lemon yellow , persistent fine perlage . At first quite shy , needs a bit of time to get going . Then buttered pastry , confit lemon and roast nuts , quite bold and rich , just a hint of chalky minerality . On the palate the richer , deeper theme continues , those pastry and buttery notes , confit lemon and a creamy mouthfeel . Long balanced finish , the chalky acidity really helping to cut through richer , mouth filling profile . Coming back to this at the end of the meal , having sat 6 hours in the glass , this still shows remarkable freshness and life. This seems young to me still , certainly has everything for a long life ahead , better in 5 years perhaps and will show well a further 10-15 perhaps . — 14 days ago

Jeroen, Andrew and 14 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Deep and quite opaque , narrow ruby rim . Quite a lot of wood spice though with time in the glass there is a lot underneath that oak , dark cassis , ripe blackberry and a mineral undertone . Quite round and ripe on the palate , almost ‘new world’ in style compared to some of the preceding vintages , rounded but gritty tannin , balanced acidity . Generous and round, but with balanced alcohol , good length. Dark cassis , blackberry dark cherry notes. A strong oyster shell , saline component after a while in the glass . Needs time obviously , even though this is quite round and ripe. Intense with great potential. Better in 10-15 years will last well a further 10-15. — 2 days ago

Jan, Jeroen and 8 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1993

Elegance, finesse and restraint. Always a pleasure to drink! — 14 days ago

Paul, Dick and 21 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Drinking well can’t see this getting better with a long life ahead showing red fruit, graphite, spice, earth, mint & tobacco — 9 days ago

Juan, Bob and 13 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 1999

The 99 is a favorite vintage for the sweetness of the fruit and the intense Mediterranean notes but this bottle was a little short on the finish. — 8 days ago

Lyle, Freek and 1 other liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2008

OMG…!
This wine is already so unbelievably tasty and juicy and creamy and harmonious…. Breathtaking.
Destined for a perfect score in a few years’ time.
— 9 days ago

Bob, Tom and 3 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

I’m tasting a bit of greenness and it’s faded but for what it is and its age - nice — 3 days ago

Shay, Bob and 4 others liked this
Shay A

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Always get the green streak on Lalande.

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Dark and brooding with great rich fruit. Dark plum, leather, cedar, a whiff of iodine. Still tight and pure. Very good. Years ahead. — a day ago

Garth AncierMatt Lichtenberg
with Garth and Matt
Shay, Jan and 9 others liked this