A. Christmann

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2012

Dang, this high alcohol ripe fruit wine has really held up in the decade since bottling. The nose is subdued in terms of fruitiness compared to younger wines yet the layers of rich black fruit leather and spice come through as the wine opens up. Suggest opening and enjoying soon. — 3 months ago

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2001

Beautiful wine. Slightly prefer the 1999, which I had last night. The ‘99 was musty and tasted lots of mushrooms. The ‘01 is still earthy, but fruitier. Dark fruits, with a bit of tobacco and cedar. — 3 months ago

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1990

a near perfect bottle—slightly oxidative, creamy, nutty, layered with lovely texture. — 3 months ago

Severn, Jan and 6 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2005

Opened and poured into a decanter about four hours prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and some sediment. One the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, cool spices, leather, licorice, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and sapid. A wine of pedigree and yet, has a rusticity that gives a nod to its origin. Drink now through 2035+? — 4 months ago

Andrew, Raun and 13 others liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Nice for a steak dinner at a restaurant for a reasonable price. Pop and pour Zinfandel blend. Deep color, fruit and spice aroma. Palate is heavily red Zinfandel with dark berries, plum, and spice - pepper with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla. Balanced tannins and acidity. Short but pleasant finish. — 5 months ago

Thomas liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Paul J
9.3

1hr decant but probably could have PnP’d. Nice dark red color. Some cedar and dark cherries on the nose. Easy to drink. Nothing remarkable or off putting, just a solid wine. Fades pretty quick with medium depth and finish. — 9 months ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
John, Tom and 12 others liked this

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2014

This Pinot is one of the best I've had. It surprised me with a fuller body that your typical Pinot, almost like a Cabernet! — 9 years ago

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1976

Very elegant and distinguished. Bold but no rough edges. Organic bark and wet forest floor. Soft graphite and pencil lead. Smooth finish - a little Smokey. — 2 months ago

Ira and Ericsson liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir

Pinot at a wine bar with Ryan and Colby in Livermore — 3 months ago

LaShondra liked this

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Zinfandel Blend

I live this! This is my favourite sip and socialise wine. Probably not for pairing with a meal more for dessert as it is lovely and sweet. Pairs nice with I icecream or cheesecake. — 4 months ago

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Usually not a fan of this winery but this was excellent — 5 months ago

Shay, Ted and 8 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 6 months ago

Thomas and Ken liked this

Folie à Deux

Ménage a Trois California Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

My old chap cried a single tear of gooey joy drinking this beauty. — 5 years ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 3 months ago

David, Martin and 17 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Wonderfully balanced wine; deep ruby in color, dark fruit and cedar notes on the palette and perfectly integrated tannins (after 1-2 hours to open!). Moderate acidity with a long fruit-centered finish. This wine is in its prime! — 3 months ago

jesus, Andrew and 9 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Blend

David T
9.3

My go to N/V Rosé. Haven’t had in sometime…been on Blanc kick.

Paired w/ a plum/pear tart topped off w/ pistachios from the Adorable French Bakery.
— 4 months ago

Shay, Scott@Mister and 13 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007

Finally had my a-ha moment with this wine (after opening a 16 too early). 07 was just beautiful - kept growing in stature over the 3 hour meal. Drank in Venice to celebrate our anniversary. — 5 months ago

Eric, Joe and 8 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2010

what a nose 👃🏽…!! 93+ — 5 months ago

Ivor, Dick and 4 others liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 7 months ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Ira, Pinotman and 8 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..