As If Wines

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2018

Splash decanted immediately before service; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of blackberry, fig, black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, aromatic wood resin, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is already an absolute banger and hides its 15% alcohol as well as any wine I have ever encountered. I almost gasped when I saw the ABV on the label because I couldn’t believe it. This is beautifully balanced, and I feel privileged to try this wine in its relative youth. Drink now with a splash decant and through 2052+. Bottle No. 15902. — 5 months ago

Douglas, Jan and 8 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1996

Opened to finish off a wine night with friends. Totally delivered on the hype. Beautiful, fun, and memorable as great wines are meant to be — 7 months ago

Paul, Pooneet and 4 others liked this
Pooneet K

Pooneet K

Very nice!!

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cooked cherries, light green vegetables, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old red blend from California is still drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting. Nice to see that it aged nicely.

Showing slight RS on the palate, but I can live with that.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 9 months ago

Andrew, Ted and 9 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Big Cheers dear Winefriend 👌🍷

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — 2 years ago

Shay, Jan and 14 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Very good Rosé champagne. Not as Brut as a typical white version- has a touch of sweetness but still dry. Very smooth, softer bubbles, strawberries & maybe even raspberries. — 7 years ago

Gordon GoldingPeggy Cohen
with Gordon and Peggy

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Shay A
9.3

Needless to say, we slayed some dragons tonight. Let the birthday week continue!

Believe it or not, after all the wine we had, this was my wife's favorite. Took us a while to identify the main component of the nose, but I figured it out...shaved coconut! Never had a wine with a nose like this. It was mixed with vanilla on the palate. If you have these, open them!
— 10 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Mark, Brian and 31 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Nice
Matt Duncan

Matt Duncan Influencer Badge

One of the last vintages at the original winery before the fire!
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Matt Duncan : We really enjoyed this. I need to seek some out!

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

If you have to drink a 2011 Napa Cabernet, this is the one. Overcomes the flimsiness and off-centered taste of many of its peers. Blueberry, suggestive of Alexander Valley cabs, is present in spades, and wonderful, smooth, and satisfying midpalate and finish. — 11 years ago

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 1966

Jeffrey Bencus
9.5

Still very alive. Great focused acidity and a surprising amount of gas even if it does look like rosé at this point. Delicious! — 11 years ago

Michael and Roy liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2012

Paul Einbund
9.0

Tight and young but perfect as evah — 12 years ago

John and Scott liked this

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011

I am not a fan of Pinot Noir but this one is delicious. Almost as bold and big as my favorite Washington reds. — 13 years ago

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

1982 vintage. Last tasted 6.1.24 (9.4) and nearly 9 years ago (9.0). Courtesy of Monsieur @Bill Bender. Sweet fill. Opened with a Durand. Cork 95% saturated. A little reticent in the early going and decanted a third of the bottle to see if that would pull the juice out of a sullen funk. It did, so the remainder got decanted whilst throwing much less sed than expected. Medium body still. Slightly brickish and plenty fleshy with well-integrated complexity. Very pleasant and lingering finish. A great bottle with more than could reasonably be expected at this juncture. Thank you, Bill! 4.24.26. — 6 months ago

Bill Bender
with Bill
Douglas, Tom and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Tom Casagrande @Bill Bender said he tried but the app was down (as it has def been challenging in the last few months).
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego @Bill Bender : Bravo on the Prevost and the Mouton!
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

😱FOMO

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Better than expected as the last few assorted vintage Artemis bottles I’ve had have been less than good. Medium-heavy body. Decent spice and tea flavors on the caboose. 2.12.26. — 9 months ago

Somm, Dave and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I thought 2018 was very good. You?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave 2018 a great vintage along with 2019. 2019 is more approachable tho. Can't remember if I had the 2018 but this steady producer/effort had lost my trust. This example semi-restored my faith.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Marchesi Antinori ownership now.

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

This was a gift from a close friend who worked for Silver Oak as a garden manager until they eliminated that part of their business. Beautiful color in the glass. Ruby with a hint of rust on the edge. Aroma is complex with berries and flint. Also just a hint of pine needles. Christmas trees. Flavors are full and fine. This is BIG BOY wine. Delicious. — 9 months ago

Douglas, Tegan and 10 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

So elegant Montrose. It builds up an epic journey in the aftertaste. Rich and opulent as usual but with a fine touch of incredible level.
Softer extraction resulted on a fruitier, more sapid and rounder wine than usual. It feels it’s going to be approachable in its youth.
— 3 years ago

Peter liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Top year 904 @ £75 that was drank in Zalto burg glass as its like an aged burgundy

🐽 Paired w/ Iberian Ham 😍

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick

👃 Smoked burnt oak, soggy earthy leaves, leather, dark cherry & figs w/ balsamic & damson

👄 Med body of creamy stewed cherry w/ earthy balsamic & slight mocha

🎯 Med finish of above w/ earthy balsamic linger

Reaching peak but I preferred the 95 904 over this but the 890 94 was better than the 95!
— 9 years ago

Chris, Ellen and 15 others liked this
P A

P A

@Chris England Chris the total package sounds great Cheers 🍷
Chris England

Chris England

@Phil A especially as we brought them both back from Barcelona 🎉🍷

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

I think this is my 4th Cheval Blanc. 73, 80-something, 98, and this one. This was my favorite. Needed to open up a bit. Was still very youthful. I'm sure you could age this for another 20+ years, but why would you. If not, why not? If not now, when? — 10 years ago

Alison Gile
with Alison
Giacomo liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

Bordeaux in style, but apparently my wife disagrees so not sure if I had the right wine. Didn't pick up on much fruit on this one but heck maybe i grabbed one of the Bordeauxs. — 11 years ago

Janet CarabelliJorge CarabelliIlida Alvarez
with Janet, Jorge and 1 other
Jorge, Riccardo and 13 others liked this
Jorge Carabelli

Jorge Carabelli

Very good wine, well balanced but starting to fade.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

2002 vintage which has been a maligned Rioja vintage. This is the perfect example of producer being the trump card. Excellent as always! — 12 years ago

Marc, Anya and 41 others liked this
Kuan Lim

Kuan Lim Influencer Badge

I have some 1981 Tondonia and Bosconia grand reserva that we need to compare side by side ...
Let me known when you are conning ??
Anthony Lombardi

Anthony Lombardi

I actually brought 1981's to a dinner at the Corson Building here in Seattle a few years ago. The Bosconia was the winner by the slightest margin. Actually everybody won who drank them.
Tom Kobylarz

Tom Kobylarz Influencer Badge

Great way to say vintages mean less when you have a great producer!

If You See Kay

Lazio Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent offering from ifyouseekaywine.com. — 13 years ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 6 months ago

Jeroen, "Odedi" and 12 others liked this
Jose Lorenzo

Jose Lorenzo

One of the finest California vineyards. Especially to sit on for a while. Cheers
Joshua Fisher

Joshua Fisher Influencer Badge

This is a top producer for Napa Valley.

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A striking medium purplish garnet color with bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of dried red fruit, currants, pencil shavings, floral, stewed meat, milk chocolate. Taste: fully mature, savory, silky wine with dried plum, ground coffee, earth, minerals, tobacco, and a sour cherry/green bell pepper/graphite long finish. YUM!! Drink em if you got em. — 8 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Sharon and 10 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Delicious. Decadent. Still full of life as an almost 30 year old should be! — 9 months ago

Bryan Heath
with Bryan
"Odedi" liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+.
— 10 months ago

Pooneet, Jason and 23 others liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Fabulous. Paired with lobster. Fresh and refreshing. Right up there with Cristal and Pol Roger Winston Churchill as my favorite champagne. — 3 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Drinking with some serious wine lovers in Westchester. This one rocks as hard as the crust across the top. — 9 years ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1997

Entering yummy phase. If there is such thing as shouting in a restrained tone "BORDEAUX" — 10 years ago

Carla liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Vintage 1986. not good as LLC from same application — 10 years ago

Serge liked this

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Neck fill and good cork. Immediate nose of cedar, anise, of course eucalyptus and even some hibiscus. It's deep in the glass and core was still tight, even bit tannic and firm acids. This vintage is drinking better now than the legendary 74's as some of that bigger vintage is falling apart. A real beauty! — 11 years ago