Tasted blind. Dark reddish brown color, port-like in color and in the nose. Notes of raisins, molasses, tobacco. What is this? While it seems like it could be Madeira, the impact in the mouth and the tastes in no way resemble that. Someone threw out the guess that it could be really old Bordeaux. Yep. Drinking some history tonight! — 5 years ago
Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.
The 13 was a brutal tannin vintage when I tasted it at En Premier. The tannins are still bitty but, nothing like they were out of barrel.
The fruit in the 13 shows the difficulty in the vintage. They are duller and it’s really stands out from other vintages and not in a good way.
It’s lean and there is nothing that really draws you in. Fruits are; dark cherries, rhubarb, blackberries, some blueberries@and the strawberries show some ripeness the other do not. Lots of dry earth, dry stones, some herbs, dark withering florals, decent acidity and a uneventful dry finish.
Photos of; Clyde and Alfred at the bar, their Amphora style cement tanks they ferment part of each vintage now, road signs of the good neighbors they keep and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago
2013 Disgorgement. Great way to start 2019. — 6 years ago
Oh so yummy and smooth. Savour it in front of a fire on a cold night — 9 years ago
Yeasty, lots of apple on the palate at first, although with air gave way to a richer more bready flavour. Tinge of oxidative notes — 10 years ago
Great way to finish a tasting a nice champagne blend. Opens very well, in a beautiful pale salmon color. Chalk full of fruit fresh wild strawberries, pairs, apple, and lots of cherries. — 10 years ago
Wow! 14.5% full of punch... Very jammy. All berries. My kind of vino. — 12 years ago
Aroma is uncanny; a perfume of rose petals and coconut cream wafting from the glass. Totally beguiling. Vanilla and marzipan lead the way with fresh and dried red berries, red cherries, dried flowers and orange peel. So polished, but this needs more time for the oak and fruit to integrate. The 2010 Ardanza remains my favorite now for its classical balance. — 4 years ago
A great balance between fruit and funk. In my opinion, this one is right at the peak of drinking, because it is only going to get Bordeaux funky from here. On the nose and entry, lots of black cherry in fig, baking spices give way to haymore weedy and herbaceous sign that turns to a hint of Brett and funk towards the finish. Although this wine is very good, someone who likes this style a little bit more may have rated this a couple of points higher than I did. Very enjoyable wines, and definitely belonged on the table next to a high-profile Napa cab, high profile Australian Shiraz, and twenty-year-old CDP. — 5 years ago
1986 Chateau Margaux CS. Drank at DR concert. Wow! This wine kicked ass. We loved this so much. Even without decanting, this wine drank so well. Super balanced, long smooth finish. Dark fruit, leather, earth, and mineral notes. Not super chewy, and coated the mouth in a really pleasant way. This was the hit of the night by a long shot. — 9 years ago
Gorgeous as always. It's no longer a good value (in any way) but it's damn fine. — 9 years ago
This 2008 was cellared for almost five years after purchased in 2012. Consumed Nov 2015, the best way to describe this delight is that "it melts in your mouth". You do not even feel it as it goes down, the taste begins with its scents as soon as it hits your palate. Delightfully fruity with cherry, blackberry and jam. — 10 years ago
1985 Sassicaia. Second red wine at Redd Wood lunch w A, S, and K. This wine was perfect. Epic. We could not believe how perfect this wine was drinking. Thoroughly enjoyed it- it was enjoyable the way truffles are- hard to describe, but pleasing to all relevant senses. — 10 years ago
Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.
These can be polarizing wines due to their massive and rich profile, but they are certainly decadent, delicious and approachable young. That being said, this was probably at peak 3-5yrs ago. It didn’t seem tired, but the fruit has started to show some sappy qualities, as well as baked fig and cherry liqueur. Stewed black cherries, dark chocolate dipped blueberries and ripe blackberries. It drinks with good acidity and tannin, as well as cinnamon, graham cracker and more liqueur type notes at the finish. Still hedonistic in style. — 5 years ago
Top 5 for me. Let it open up, so good! Way better than regular Caymus. Drinks like a big boy wine — 6 years ago
Leathery and red floral nose. After 1 hour decant, opulent, lightly spiced and earthy-red palate infused with dried mushrooms, iron and throughout with notes of garrigue. Punching way above its weight in a meh vintage...just entering a window that will last 10+ years. — 7 years ago
First Coche ever. Technically perfect in every way though no particular wow factor. Similar experience over three hours. While not reductive in any fashion and oak didn't stick out, perhaps it needs more time to blossom into its legend... Stellar pricing btw and fantastic meal at Lameloise. — 9 years ago
Almost on its way out but not bad — 9 years ago
Nice way to ring in the new year! — 9 years ago
Fall has finally arrived in Texas and no better way to enjoy it than sitting outside, watching football, grilling and drinking some amazing Champagne from one of my favorite Houses — 10 years ago
Still way too young...needs time to integrate the tannins! — 10 years ago
Tom Kobylarz
Too young, should get to 90-91 with more time...classic. Way better on night 2 under Coravin but cork pulled night 2. — 4 years ago