Back Door Cellars

Hill Family Estate

Red Door Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Excellent Napa blend that’s not a typical fruit bomb of cab and merlot. The Malbec really shows through. Very nice acidity and probably has a decade or more of time. Excellent cedar, spice, plum, and a hint of raspberry jam. — 6 years ago

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Great wine in the making. Come back in 10 more years. — 6 years ago

Sequoia Grove

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ron R
9.3

I’ve always had a sweet spot for this producer. When I saw the WS rating, I had to try it.
It’s my sort of Napa cab, without the nosebleed at the checkout. Rich, plush nose of coffee and maple syrup. Presents with depth and texture on the palate. Tannins are ripe, indicating longevity. I’m going back to the well!
— 7 years ago

Mo Salem
with Mo
Rob, Severn and 32 others liked this
Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik Influencer Badge Premium Badge

In the USD30-40 range?
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Yes @Jörgen Lindström Carlvik. $33 here in NJ!

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. — 7 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Dare I say we went back to Seasons 52 for another round of $10/glass Caymus? Yes...we did, and it won't be the last round, I can tell you that. — 8 years ago

Krystal Vento
with Krystal
Shay liked this

Louis M. Martini

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Strong acidity but excellent body. Complex notes off the palate. Cherry off the back of the tongue. Great with steak. — 9 years ago

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Had this back-to-back with the 02 CCB. Bouncing from the Franc to the Sauvignon was kind of like getting off a crazy MV Augusta test ride and back on to your reliable, familiar, well worn BMW R. You love that R. But my god the MV.... — 9 years ago

Alison Gile
with Alison
Giacomo liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1994

all fruit, some herbal on the back, pyrazine, big tannin and acid — 9 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2010

Very pleasant - slight jamminess on the front berries on the back. Paired nicely with the food — 10 years ago

Alexander liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

First Napa wine to be given a name back in 1974 and the very first Bordeaux blend. — 10 years ago

Joseph liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1995

Carried this back 8 years ago when i visited Bodega the first time. This wine is traditional classic old school Rioja- earthy and fully developed primary nose, soft acid n tannin, haunting finish... 🍷💃 — 11 years ago

Jon Sillno
with Jon
Jon liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paul K
9.4

@Ryan Mullins and @Jeff Loo are spot on. This needs 10 years. I double aerated back into bottle for 12 hour corked decant and after two hours open in glass this is still closed. You can still taste the potential though. There is a density and purity of fruit behind it that I’m excited to open up one day. Was still a great experience. 94 for now. Will hold remaining bottles for at least 5 years. Please yell at me if u see another post of this wine before then. — 6 years ago

Paul, Shay and 24 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Nice. I bought for years but got too pricy. Have a couple of cases in basement. I’m afraid to drink it.
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Never buy on release,, I only buy on Auctions. Haven’t had a bad bottle yet,
Down to two 05, two 12’s & two 13’s plus one 06.
The 11 is great for the price if you can find it for $175.00 or less, one of the few 2011 which were actually good
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Thanks, good tip!

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

Shay A
9.4

Wonderful evening at the City Club courtesy of Jeff’s hosting at the Friday group. Cellar guessing Jeff is a dangerous game as he’s the type who plans to throw curveballs! All wines served blind.

Ageless. Based on color, I immediately thought Napa but the palate had me second guessing. Some rose petal, spice and tart cherry. Cedar. This tastes so much younger than the ‘88 I opened a few months back. Wonderful wines.
— 7 years ago

Dan Fitzgerald
with Dan
Jason, Rob and 56 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Great wine

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1987

When we open from 1987, we expect everything. One thinks of its conservation in cellar, the risk that it is passed or incredible, with the tannins having evolved in this vial ... The cork pulled-out, in perfect state and one knows in advance that one hit the jackpot and that it will be phenomenal. A coppery robe, a complex nose with aromas of black and floral fruits. In the mouth, an explosion of flavors that take the length and makes us go back in time. A very large estate for an incredible wine, to fall 😍🍷 — 7 years ago

Shawn liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Barrel sample. Montrose is back on point with this release. Amazing wine! 94-96pts — 8 years ago

Ron liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2007

If there were ever an archetypical Syrah, Jamet's Cote-Rotie would be a strong candidate. To me this is a pure expression of a classic Northern Rhone Syrah. It is not a single site, but a blend of terroirs, encompassing over 20 sites mostly from hard rock schist bedrock with little to no topsoil. There is NO Viognier in this wine like one might expect from most Cote-Rotie that might have 1-5% co-fermented.

Importantly, there is also a lot less of the oak character that can dominate and overwhelm many Northern Rhone wines. The oak maturation, while not short at 22 months, only uses 15% new oak with no trace of it on the palate as it is perfectly integrated. Grape bunches are whole cluster fermented and macerated for up to 3 weeks.

The 2007 we have here was drinking superbly for a young wine, showing lively and racy layers of peppercorn spice, roast beef, and warm blackberry and currant fruit from the hot 2007 vintage. While from a warm vintage, not a hair is out of place. Density and purity exude from the nose and hint at what a brilliant future this wine has. Perfect acidity and fleshy ripe tannin provide the backbone structure for father time to peel back the layers of this beauty. I will be chceking back in 5 years at the earliest.
— 8 years ago

LM, Jim and 11 others liked this
LM Segal

LM Segal Influencer Badge

Nice note. 🍷
Tom Kobylarz

Tom Kobylarz Influencer Badge

Thanks! 🍷

Michael Pozzan Winery

Back Barn Oakville Cuvée Zinfandel 2012

Loved this Zin. Hubby and I drank the bottle in one sitting. — 9 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

At Redstone w/Shelly. Just back from Orlando w/Rettke. #pro — 10 years ago

Rick ZJeff HennikeKirk F
with Rick, Jeff and 2 others

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

I was disappointed with my last Caymus Special Selection vintage, but this beauty brought me back to a bottle that won Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year ... Twice!! Incredible fruit and balance. This can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. Cheers!! — 10 years ago

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2010

Austin Ferrari
9.6

Real wine! Lapierre takes me back to the chez days! — 11 years ago

Aran Healy
with Aran
David, Beau and 9 others 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! 🍾🥂 — 6 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

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

2006 -lighter , dry. A little dry and light for me. When coming back to this it’s quite nice. 9.0. $260 — 7 years ago

Eric liked this

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

What a great cab; structured yet fruity; minimum tanins in the back end; loved it — 7 years ago

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Back upstate and starting with a quick split and caviar to get things back on track. The softest bubbles, brioche, yeasty, toasted almonds. Yum. Great balance to the brine. Christmas Carols have switched to George Michael. Can this year please end already?!?!? — 8 years ago

Eric, Shay and 15 others liked this
Carl Fischer

Carl Fischer Influencer Badge

@LM Segal well-played 😂
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Brilliant . It's also top three NV period. @Carl Fischer

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

A little over the hill but considering it was in the back room of a crappy liquor store...ill take it! — 9 years ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2011

After 2 hour decant still kind of smelled like a bag of balloons. Put it back in the bottle and on day 2 it's singing. Woodsy black cherry, black tea, baking spices and some of that classic tar thing. — 9 years ago

Anthony liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah

Ray Isle
9.6

From magnum. Kept changing every time I went back to it. Spectacular wine. — 10 years ago

Charles, Devrim and 14 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

Twelve years in and this wine is so damn perky. Let me get back to you in another hour. Maybe it will be a tad less exuberant and a bit more relaxed. No matter what happens it's still gonna be delicious. These folks are so delightfully reliable. 13.0 abv — 10 years ago

Tony and Anthony liked this

Mountain Door

Mendoza Malbec 2012

Great tastes of plum, cherry, and spice! — 11 years ago