Balance

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1969

Slight brackishness, firm tannin on initial finish, pencil lead, burnt cherry, nice balance on finish, many more years remaining. — 3 years ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

David T
9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room.
— 5 years ago

Eric, Sharon and 18 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004

Small vintage great wine type of story here. Really good length and balance on a very typical Lynch Bages. Wont make old bones but its great wine for the price. Instant gratification. — 6 years ago

Adriana Pagliano
with Adriana
Severn and Anthony liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1992

Love the he nose. Great balance with leather, spice and cigar box. This sill has some life — 7 years ago

Jim BradyAllison DubinChristopher Tracy
with Jim, Allison and 1 other
Jeff liked this

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Pretty awesome Bordeaux blend from Justin. Nice balance of flavor and the Cab Franc comes though clearly even though it is only 3%. — 8 years ago

David, Ashlee and 8 others liked this
Vanessa McCaffrey

Vanessa McCaffrey

Blah blah blah, wine. Are you going to San Diego?

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2005

.
9.1

Great nose on this wine, and it has excellent balance. Terrific. — 9 years ago

Gary, Anthony and 1 other liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

This is what Napa Cabs should be! Great balance, great fruit, good acidity and doesn't taste like a toothpick. Love this wine! — 10 years ago

Jim liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2010

Aroma is uncanny; a perfume of rose petals and coconut cream wafting from the glass. Totally beguiling. Vanilla and marzipan lead the way with fresh and dried red berries, red cherries, dried flowers and orange peel. So polished, but this needs more time for the oak and fruit to integrate. The 2010 Ardanza remains my favorite now for its classical balance. — 3 years ago

Jan, Dan and 31 others liked this
Will Stanley

Will Stanley Influencer Badge

Strongly agree with this Josh. The Ardanza is drinking so well now and I had a hard time with the 904 at this stage.
Josh Morgenthau

Josh Morgenthau Influencer Badge

@Will Stanley read your notes and yes, couldn’t agree more! This wine is great. But the Ardanza ‘10 is just out of control good and probably one of the greatest values I’ve ever come across in wine.
Will Stanley

Will Stanley Influencer Badge

Totally with you on that Josh. Ardanza is crazy good!! I’m still v glad I have a couple of cases of the 904 - just won’t touch them for a few years. Reassuring to hear similar notes from a fellow drinker!

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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.
— 5 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 🇺🇸🇨🇦
David T

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 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend

This is a 61 and albeit not great in Sauternes that year this wine was in perfect balance of fruits, acids with lengthy backbone. Not as intense as 67 or 59 of course but beautifully elegant. Color as dark golden with touch of hazelnut brown. Neck fill. Perfect cork. — 8 years ago

Greg, Aaron and 1 other liked this

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!! — 9 years ago

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1984

Robert Cunningham
9.1

Blanc. Lovely balance. Good acid and structure. — 9 years ago

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1959

Top shoulder. Got the cork out in one piece. Absolutely perfect bottle with a lot left to give. Thick balsamic fruit, soft tannins, integrated oak, fresh acidity, everything in absolute balance. In a way almost perfect on the verge of lacking a bit of personality, but only almost. This has 10 years of life ahead of it but No reason to wait. — 4 years ago

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2009

This is a wonderful wine there is a sense of reserve and depth the fruit and acidity and power all balance wonderfully — 5 years ago

Severn, Ted and 34 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine amazed me, I’ve had it before and it’s never shown this well, maybe just hitting it’s stride? Beautiful perfumed floral nose ( never thought I would say that about a Dunn), exquisite balance, the fruit is slightly sweet, the tannins are fully integrated and refined, with just the right amount of acid in the finish. I would never guess mountain fruit or let alone Dunn if tasted blind. Can’t wait to try it again in a couple of years. — 6 years ago

John, Eric and 33 others liked this
Billy L.

Billy L.

@Mike Davila -Great Vintage for Napa! Dunn normally takes bottle age to show it’s stuff with mellowed tannins. Kudos on waiting! Cheers 🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Drank in 2017, starting to get ready after good recanting. Elegance and balance, lots of wood — 7 years ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Outstanding purity and balance. Prime window now. — 8 years ago

Ron liked this
Ron R

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And the vintage is?
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Thanks @Richard Adams I have the 06 in magnum, so I was interested.

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Amazing balance a little young still with a tight finish. — 8 years ago

Ray KerceMallory WilsonCaitlin Wilson
with Ray, Mallory and 3 others

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

One of my favorite of the appellation. Spice is perfectly balance with red fruit. It´s earthy, complex and refined. A piece of beef tenderloin on barbecue, fleur de sel and a glass of Beaucastel, what else?! — 9 years ago

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2011

Super drinkable - aawesome fruit nose, dry finish. A hint of heat but fantastic balance. — 10 years ago