Balance

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2002

Gorgeous. Perfect balance of ripeness, acidity, and clarity. Delicate yet powerful. Just gorgeous. — 10 days ago

Bex Green
with Bex
Ira, Juan and 8 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Beautiful fragrance and on the palate after 20 minute exposure to air. Dark cherry but nice balance. After 14 years, awesome. October 2025. — a month ago

Dave and Rob liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1999

Medium deep garnet core , medium wide garnet rim . This shows very well still with some sous bois , dried herbal hints and cherry . On the palate this shows good freshness , red cherry again, freshly cut herbs , touch of tobacco and black tea . Balanced acidity and lightly dusty but resolved tannins . Good length and presence on the palate , with enough fruit still , good balance and a black tea stained finish. This is at peak , and will probably stay here for a few more years , so no immediate rush, but is unlikely to improve further . — 2 months ago

Tom, Rob and 13 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2002

Beautifully resolved. Soft edges. Brioche, soft peach, hints of dried apricot, corn. Great balance and perfectly resolved. Excellent — 3 months ago

Joe, Jeroen and 9 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2021

Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon and floral. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. The ‘21 is a real insight for what the Riservas will taste like. Rated #7 wine of 2025 by spectator. — 3 days ago

Juan, Dave and 13 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I think this is just always good.

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

My first Palmer and it is a delight. Opulence, elegance and balance in a bottle. — 2 months ago

Tom, Peter and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Noice. The 2009 isn't too shabby currently either. Helluva 1-2 punch.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego i agree Scott. The 2009 Palmer is an absolute classic.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Bob McDonald Hell yes. Actually think I need to reorder 3 btls since I’m down to a single bottle or completely 86’d. So good.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Artemis is the gateway wine of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one of Napa’s most iconic producers, remembered for its Judgment of Paris triumph in 1976. The 2014 vintage sits in a sweet spot: accessible, polished, and still carrying the hallmarks of Napa’s valley-floor fruit. This blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot layered in for balance.

Aromas & Flavors
Inviting notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, and black cherry lead the way, accented by cedar, vanilla, and hints of graphite. Subtle secondary notes of mocha and baking spice emerge as it opens in the glass, showing both freshness and depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and balanced acidity. Polished, silky textures glide across the palate, finishing with a long echo of dark fruit, oak spice, and a touch of savory herb.

Winemaking Notes
Aged around 15–20 months in French oak, Artemis strikes a balance between power and approachability. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ style is always about elegance over sheer force, and this vintage highlights that philosophy.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, or hearty mushroom risotto. Its elegance also makes it a great match with aged cheddar or gouda.

Verdict
A graceful Napa Cabernet that proves why Stag’s Leap remains a benchmark. The 2014 Artemis is in a perfect drinking window now—refined, approachable, and still true to the estate’s legacy of elegance.
— 2 months ago

Ted, ESF and 1 other liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2002

Gorgeous. Soft lemon, corn, fresh wet stone, great sizzling acidity. Perfect balance- great length. Perfect time to drink now for my palate. — a month ago

Bex GreenWalker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Bex, Walker and 1 other
Bob, Jan and 10 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai
— a month ago

Paul, Scott@Mister and 20 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Yes, amazing the Emirates lounges are an entire floor of all their terminals. Always a great experience. Cheers! 🥂
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

My first bottle of Musar was purchased in the Duty Free at DXB back in 2012. I think it was the 2001 or 2002 vintage.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Some of their prices aren’t bad.

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Vintage 2094 | Still powerfull and with good balance | paired with filet. — 3 months ago

Eric, "Odedi" and 9 others liked this