Back Door Cellars

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

This wine had some tobacco and earth FUNK after it was opened up. The herbaceous and tobacco ash note on the nose was almost identical to the 1980 Beringer State Lane cab. This did blow off after an hour, but the wine was less fruit than I thought it would have been. Lots of dark figgy jam. Tobacco and cigar box. I'm sure the fruit came back after I left, but this would have been 2 hours after opening and just didn't have the time to see this one though, hence the "NR" rating. Impressed by this wine, and probably one of the older Monte Bello wines I've been able to drink. — 8 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. — 10 years ago

Anthony liked this

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

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 — 11 years ago

Tony and Anthony liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

2000 Cheval Blanc with a blend of almost 50:50 Merlot & Cabernet Franc, even though some reports say 53:47 dominate Merlot (not all CB are dominate CF). Tasted with 03, 05, 05 and I had this vintage a few years back, and I must say the tannins have come a long way- lush, almost melts into the wine. Explosion of blueberry and cassis with tarragon, smoked meats, and bark. Even though it is such a pleasure now I have a feeling it has a lot more to give. — 11 years ago

Anthony, TC and 3 others liked this

Mountain Door

Mendoza Malbec 2012

Great tastes of plum, cherry, and spice! — 12 years ago

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2005

Hints of menthol and eucalyptus on the nose. Loads of anise and black tea flavors with portobello and grilled game. Fruit flavors taking a back seat to earth but wow, does it have life. Forrest floor and tobacco on the finish. — 8 years ago

JJ and Andrew liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

15 Vintages of Montrose dinner. Herve Bertrand flew in from the Chateau for this dinner and all wines came directly from the Chateau cellar except the 1989. A phenomenal dinner with some great back stories about the various vintages by Mr. Bertrand. Served in 5 flights: '12, '08, '95 / '10, '09, '03 / '05, '90, '89, '76, / '00, '86, '85 / '98, '82, and ''70. Food and service at Ripple was off the charts good. If you enjoy Bordeaux from the Medoc, St. Estephe then Chateau Montrose deserves a spot on your cellar. — 9 years ago

James, Brian and 9 others liked this
Martin G Rivard

Martin G Rivard Influencer Badge

@James Cahill That's weird., I follow you but did not get this post until David tagged me? Absolutely mind boggling vertical tasting. Montrose is one of my favorite Bordeaux's!!!! WOW!!! Epic tasting!!
James Cahill

James Cahill

Martin, these are great wines and become epic after 15+ yrs in btl.

Michael Pozzan Winery

Back Barn Oakville Cuvée Zinfandel 2012

Loved this Zin. Hubby and I drank the bottle in one sitting. — 10 years ago

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Lovely, reserved wine. blackberry and dark fruit nose, and then nice and round in the mouth with great acidity. Graphite and minerals in the back of the throat smooth on the way down. Elegant. — 10 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2005

Wow - you know I had my biggest wine disappointment with a 1998 Beaucastel and this 2005 brings me back on why i pay so much for Grenache. It was an amazing experience and it is still so very young. I unfortunately broke my decanter with this wine but it was worth it. I am glad i still have 2 in my cellar. See you in 6 years brother. — 11 years ago

Anthony, Yannik and 1 other liked this

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

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

Opened 1998when power went back on in Sonoma! Wow this was solid. Well kept with mid neck ullage, dark plum no brick colors of oxidation. As you would expect a earthy woody old Bordeaux nose, soft tannins but still strong 19 years on. After an hour open and decanted this was wonderful. — 8 years ago

Anna and Susan liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2004

I kept coming back to this wine. Usually stands out in a lineup like this because it's a BDB, but tonight it fits right in and is drinking beautifully. The best Comtes I've had to date, I need to find some of these with more age. — 9 years ago

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 La Nerthe

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2011

Damn good. Heavy, sweet on the back end. Pretty awesome. — 10 years ago

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!! — 11 years ago

Shafer Vineyards

Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah 2004

loving the tapas at this place. we feel like we are back in madrid. the shafer is solid. — 11 years ago

Cortney Danner
with Cortney

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Oh. My. Goodness. What a wine! Tight as a drum but opened up after a few hours... All the charm of 09 with more serious structure and back-bone. An iron fist in a velvet glove... — 11 years ago

Eric PoteetWill Trow
with Eric and Will
Eric and Beau liked this