Back Door Cellars

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Was handed a glass of this and without even knowing anything was incredibly impressed. Thought it to be a French wine too, had no inkling it was Napa Cab. Beautiful purple colors that showcases a robust and complex bouquet of blackberries, dark cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. Has some spices too but they are pinned back by the fruit. Medium tannins with medium+ acids, super smooth and well balanced. Vanilla cola, cedar, black currants and more tobacco and chocolate give it a robust and lively blend. Great finish! — a year ago

Andrew, Vin and 2 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Again soft tannins, medium back — 4 years ago

Daniel, Paul and 8 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2004

Ron R
9.3

Visually, bricking has begun. The nose presented a hint of musty cardboard, at that point, my sphincter started twitching - had I left this too long?
Palate displays spice notes initially, followed by anise, cinnamon and cloves. Mature cherries are also in the foreground with moderate tannins. Finishes with leather, olives notes and moderate sweetness. This is perched on a plateau, and should be consumed now.
The story behind the label is a broken bottle of a 2003 Leoville Las Cases, which pissed it’s pants (so to speak) in my eurocave, back in the day...
— 5 years ago

Eric, Bob and 53 others liked this
Laith A

Laith A

There’s nothing worse than a twitching sphincter!! 😂
Timothy Lynch

Timothy Lynch

“...perched on a plateau...” Beautifully descriptive.

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Dark red fruits, charcoal and rosemary. Tannins have melted away and acidity is well balanced. Not as deep and complex as the magnum I had a couple months back. Good but not great. Perhaps just an “off” bottle?? — 6 years ago

Ira liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Somm David T
9.3

After a long week of heavy Napa & Bordeaux Cabernet tastings, I need my, baby back...baby back, BSR 375ml! Ahhhh! 🍾🥂 — 7 years ago

Mark, E and 25 others liked this
Ryan Vento

Ryan Vento

@David T I hear you. I’m sure your palate is gasping for something more refreshing and crisp.
TheSkip

TheSkip

Baby back ribs at chili’s?
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

No. But I am making my own parody of it with Billecart Salmon Rosé.

Turley

Juvenile California Zinfandel

¡Feliz día de los muertos!
Time to scare the dead back to the beyond.
A wine from gnarled Vince’s should do the trick.
Smells of gun powder tea.
decanted for 4 hours, and the fruit is lush with dark ripened berries, and heavy handed spices. the burn will not blow off so one must integrate it into the tasting. High octane.
Expensive for a Zin, yet so well crafted, as we know Turley does.
The lingering acids seething with the alcohol burn. Enjoyable still.
— 7 years ago

Ted, Trixie and 3 others liked this
Ted Boydston

Ted Boydston Influencer Badge

Oh, I love me some Juvi Turley!
Trixie

Trixie

Cheers!☠
Riddley Walker

Riddley Walker

On my wishlist for such a long time

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

What a great cab; structured yet fruity; minimum tanins in the back end; loved it — 8 years ago

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Great, bold, heavily spiced Napa Cab. that stood out like the arrogant American tourist with the European elegance of the flight. Being American, it made me smile. Let it breathe, it settled down and showcased why it deserved a seat at the table. (I may have enjoyed listening to the gentleman across from me have to take back his initial thoughts) — 3 years ago

William Douglas
with William
Paul and Ericsson liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

I still decant the 05 for 4 hours,

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Birth year Bordeaux and this has been excellent. Very old school nose of copious tobacco, forest floor and dark berries. Medium bodied but gaining intensity over the course of 2 h - tannins completely melted. Bricking is apparent on first pour but the color grows darker with time. Perfect bottle that is a little past it’s prime but fun to step back in time. — 5 years ago

Vino, Jim and 6 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

2016 vintage opened December 2020. Leather and minerals on the nose. Not much happening on the front—no fruit to speak of, but there are some soft tannins that follow through to the back of the palate quite nicely though. The finish is quite unique, though.Without looking at the label I suspect this was aged in American oak, which gives it some leathery hi notes and some bite as you swallow. I wouldn’t give it the scores that the pros are giving it, a 9.3, only because this wine is kind of weak on the front of the palate. But it’s very drinkable, indeed! — 5 years ago

Shay, Daniel P. and 12 others liked this
Wulf Losee

Wulf Losee

Are you associated with the Vineyard, @Matt Duncan? If so, I’ll take you up on your offer. I finally remember Silveroak wines, but I don’t think I’ve tried any in about a decade.
Wulf Losee

Wulf Losee

Fondly remember, not finally. Damn iPhone!
Matt Duncan

Matt Duncan Influencer Badge

Yes @Wulf Losee! Email me next time you are in Napa or Sonoma md@silveroak.com

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Spectacular fruity back finish with lovely tannins. Soft and velvety throughout! — 7 years ago

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

166 with base of 2010 back to 1998 — 7 years ago

Shay, Riddley and 4 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Just beginning to get to the drinkable age with tannins starting to soften and mellow. The wine is still quite rigid though the balance has come back into play. BlackBerry and plums finish with green bell peppers and spicy peppercorns. Five more years and it’ll be great. — 7 years ago

Eric Bennett
with Eric

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 3 years ago

Andrew, Andrew and 6 others liked this

Ferrari-Carano

Prevail Back Forty Rock Rise Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Medium tannins, full bodied, balanced Cabernet .Nutty , earthy paired with a prime rib.
— 4 years ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1980

Alex Lallos
9.6

My last bottle of 1980 Yquem. Don’t mind the label (I broke another bottle in the case a few years back). Showing beautifully. Lovely golden color. Aromatically explosive. Typically Yquem. Buzzing with sweetness and minerality. Excellent bottle of wine!!! — 4 years ago

Lee Lightfoot
with Lee
Jonathan, Shay and 4 others liked this
Lee Lightfoot

Lee Lightfoot Influencer Badge

A beauty. Rich honeyed mineral complex. Not over the hill brown sugar yet.
9.5

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

After a long day at the mall with the wifey I deserve a nice,jammy, fruit forward wine with notes that take you back to the Napa vineyards. Not to mention more 1on1 time with my queen. I’m truly blessed. Oh yeah, this wine is a winner. Definitely will add to the list of favs. — 6 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Somm David T
9.4

I corvined this last weekend and put it back in storage for tonight. I had a very different experience & thoughts on this wine last weekend un-decanted. This is wine comes from a period when I loved Caymus. After 2011 when they started picking later and at higher brix’s, they lost me but, got higher Parker scores and rave words from people that like sweeter Cabernet that drinks young.

Last weekend without a decant, very dominate bright cherries and vanilla.

Tonight, the nose reveals, dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominate, baked strawberries, black licorice, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets.

The body is full, sexy, gorgeous and voluptuous. The structure, tension, length and balance are at the start of its high point with another 7-10 years of good drinking ahead. Dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominating, baked strawberries, black licorice to deep anise, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, dark spices with just a touch of palate heat, underbrush, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets. The acidity is like a needed waterfall shower. The long finish is, deep, dark, well balanced, elegant, ruby, ripe, polished and persists endlessly.

It’s been awhile and I’ve missed it. This is a very good example of why I used to adore Caymus.
— 7 years ago

Ron, Paul and 23 others liked this
P A

P A

@David T David you have a good weekend as well. Regarding the basketball game I am from Canada. Cheers 🇺🇸🇨🇦
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@P A Yes, that thought popped into my head after hitting send. It just might be their time/year.
P A

P A

@David T All good, according to the sports news 4 million Canadians watched the game on TV. But our real sports are hockey 🏒and drinking Canadian Beer 🍻 Have a great weekend Cheers 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend

Geoff Troup
9.0

The most generously fruity of Ridge Zins. Black berry and stewed fruit in the front, young and opulent at first compared to their other wines. More resolved and firm in the back with a near perfect juxtaposition of acidity and tannin. White pepper in the finish. A bit hot and jumpy at this time. Great potential but needs some softening time still. — 8 years ago