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Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2011

Paul K
9.3

I think this may be my first ever Barbaresco. Decanted for four hours. Having alongside short rib bolognese home made all the way.
Medium body. Transparent garnet with tawny edge. Lots going on with the nose! Strawberries, spice, flowers, dusty stone, just a hint of leather, and cedar. On the palate pomegranate, cherry, strawberry, cranberry, and sweet tobacco. Will not be my last Barbaresco!
— 4 months ago

Tom, Daniel and 21 others liked this
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K P.S. An insanely good QPR can also be found with Nebbiolo Langhe wines, made with the same grape, but in a more youthful, early-drinking style at a fraction of the price. For example GB Burlotto’s Nebbiolo Langhe is stunning!! 😍 Cheers, friend!! We look forward to hearing what you think on this journey! 🍷🍷
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

@Paul K also my best wishes to you! I recommend: Produttori del Barbaresco, Moccagatta, Pelissero, La Ca’ Nova, Ca’ del Baio
ESF

ESF

I second Moccagatta

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1966

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted to be served several hours later. The 1966 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core. This is red fruit heavy and sanguine with ferrous earth, leather, and old wood. The tannins are firm still. An almost evergreen St-Estèphe that’s iron clad and tough as nails. Better than good but at nearly 60 years old, will it ever relax? Hard to say. It would likely survive another 60 years but it’s hard to imagine it evolving a lot considering where we’re at today. So...drink now, I guess? — 5 months ago

Lyle, Jan and 14 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Ain't getting better. Tasted two bottles in 2023. Holding up more than expected but time's a ticking...
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

👏 👏

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2015

Light straw , very young looking . Constant very fine perlage . Quite closed at first then crushed rocks , lemon peel , ginger , white flowers , brioche . On the palate good richness and intensity , lemon , orange rind , buttered bread , touch of roast nuts . Very fine mineral tinged , intense finish . This needs time and will improve over the next 10 years or so and last well a further 5-10 . A good follow up to the 2014 , this shows more backward and will take even longer to reach its peak. Perhaps a little less detailed and precise than the very mineral 2014 but that might just be a question of needing more time in bottle. — 8 months ago

Ira, Tom and 15 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1979

Jasmine Hirsch
9.4

Proof that 40 can be downright youthful. — 5 years ago

Shay, Alex and 77 others liked this
Jason Brater

Jason Brater

Omg yes!
Farzin E.

Farzin E.

Yummmmmm

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Might be the bottle but just a bit past its prime. Still good - sweet core, good acid, dark fruits. — 6 years ago

Keith liked this

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Of the 2 Bordeaux drinking the best tonight, but long term the Brane-Cantenac 2005 will outlive this wine by 10 years easy. While very complex, a fine touch a green is traceable.

A classic currant and forest floor nose, fall leaves abound with a spike of spice and a barely there green that while subtle is apparent.

The pleasure here is higher for its more mature tasted and feel, while the brawny 2005 is a better wine it was not as enjoyable to me and feel it will be another notch enter in 3 years, and likely 2 notches better in 5.

The elegance and feel on this wine is ready to go and will easily go another 5+ years.
— 9 years ago

Keith, Anthony and 5 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

It was a bit lighter than expected, but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. Was still great, just wasn't big enough for my meal — 9 years ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1970

Not a perfect bottle. Lowish fill... A touch of madeirization and a drying finish. But a nice heft of clear, intense fruit. Would be excellent if a bit fresher — 9 years ago

Larry FriersonDan Fredman
with Larry and Dan
Anthony, David and 8 others liked this
Larry Frierson

Larry Frierson

A bit tired and drying out. Still a bit of that Palmer mulberry hanging on.
8.9

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1961

I have tasted many 1961 over the years, this continues to be one of my favorite wines...The strange thing is that this bottle with its high necklinewas the youngest 1961 that I had ever tried, wine had an great Providence - One owner and one incredible cellar.

1961 was a magical year on the right bank; now over 50 years of age it has lost some weight but picked up elegance on the nose - wet clay, graphite/lead pencil, umami/truffle - nose candy for sure.
— 10 years ago

Anthony, Mark and 4 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 4 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Bit more lightening on the rim , more garnet . Touch more herbal on the nose with cedar , and grafite, much more lean and mineral on the palate. This takes quite a while to find its feet and benefits from quite a lot of air . In some ways a little unfortunate to be served between the 2000 and 1990 , which are a fuller , and more showy in style . However after a while this does show quite good length and balance , refreshing acidity . This is quite lean and mineral , focused and still pretty young . From now over the next 10 years. A little austere in style , reminds me a little of the 2005 in that aspect , though without that vintage’s intensity or density . — 5 months ago

Daniel, Jan and 8 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Beautiful “entry level”-wine from SLWC - however it’s very very young. Decanted for 4 hours and really opened up but shouldn’t be opened until 2026 earliest. Cassis, bramble, dark cherries, dusty tannins, mocha, mint and spices! Very bold and yummy — 6 months ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Red & black fruit with notes of cedar, leather & tobacco. Open & seems to be at its prime — a year ago

Severn, Shay and 7 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1945

Tasted blind. Deep purple color. Looks very young, compared to the 45 Margaux next to it. Almost opaque. Notes of black fruit, cracked walnuts, sweet fruit, raspberry and some cedar desk. Super rich in the mouth. Seems young and is firm, but tannins are softened and the mouthfeel is velvet touch. Long finish. It peacocks all night. The walnuts thing leads my guess to Latour, but can this be the 45? Is it a 61 or 82? Could be... I go with it being a 59 given how young it seems. Just an amazing bottle of wine, open for ~9 hours by the time we left, it seemed to effortlessly power along. Thanks Stan! — 3 years ago

Shay, Andrew and 28 others liked this
Brent Young

Brent Young Premium Badge

Wow 😯. Fantastic. 9+ hours is impressive 👍

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1980

Shocked by this...Could be a Dunn Howell from the same time period. — 8 years ago

Joe TuckerDoctor NoAlicia Cypress
with Joe, Doctor and 3 others
Tom, Mike and 16 others liked this
Doctor No

Doctor No Premium Badge

Bright, with perfect deep complexion and mix of still fresh red fruit and tertiary nuances. A great wjbe
9.3

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Black currant, leather, and pencil shavings. I know 1998 was meant to be a tough year for Napa, but not apparent here - truly gorgeous. — 9 years ago

Lynne K
with Lynne

Caymus Vineyards

40th Anniversary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Excellent caymus... Huge fruit forward.. Delicious .. Just drink it and you won't be disappointed — 10 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 1990

Birth year magnum. No other super Tuscan does it quite like this. And the current stuff just shouldn't be opened yet — 11 years ago

Tyler liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2021

Okay this wine was amazingly delicious but was undoubtedly quite young in this present moment.

There is so much more potential to unveil over time.

It has concentrated plum, fig, red currant, pomegranate, boysenberry notes next to licorice, meat, earth, peat, clove notes. Tannins and acidity are firm.

With time, we anticipate edges will be soften and complexity will be deepen with more tertiary notes and we cannot wait to revisit this wine down the road again.
— 4 months ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ira and 19 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

2021 was such an outlier from the previous seven vintages in the Rhône, which were all warmer and made fairly powerful wines. For the record, I love the ‘21’s as they remind me of the 2014 vintage which I found to be more Burgundian and showed more of the rotundone I adore in Syrah.
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Jay Kline Thank you for your note! We can see what you mean. It was elegant, refined, with classic spicier notes. We are fans! We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for the 2014s, too. 👀 Cheers!

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

2002 vintage. Last tasted 10.06.22 (9.4). Similar "gliding along" impressions with feminine characteristics. This bottle (nice fill, cork and decent sed) was a goody. Decanted and tasted after 5 mins, 30 mins and 2 hours. Bit more structure evident after two hours open as to be a different, yet fantastic, wine. Funny how some of these underwhelming, less than aggro wines can take on another life of their own, on their terms, by gently removing all doubt. Still another 5-7 years-easy. 11.21.24. — 5 months ago

Tom, Jan and 20 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1995

For my palate, exactly where I would want an aged CdP to be. Still has fruit and grip, but with secondary elements supporting and adding complexity. Really fantastic. — a year ago

Daniel liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2012

Still on the way to be matured. Powerful Gamey from Morgan. Red fruits. 2012 @, Fruit, 231217 — a year ago

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Oak and leather on nose. Bold, mild tannins, dry. Plums, blackberries, black cherries. Long satisfying finish. Outstanding! This is going to be a monster in 5-7 years. — 6 years ago

Michael SeelyJoe Roth
with Michael and Joe
Eric, Iwan and 3 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Show me what not to like about this overall product. Let's talk about the variables. In my owns company I may be able to find fault. In the company of others I'm always happy with this. Bcart does what they do. And they do what they do well!! — 8 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

First taste reminded me of Firenze in that the leather belts and purses were on the nose. Lots of floral arrangements now, solid round, very nice as always. Shout out to my 1 follower @Bill Bender ... it's my birthday and my goal is to be drinking at your level next year!

94 points
— 9 years ago

Bill, Kimberly and 9 others liked this
Lundmark Kvarnstrom

Lundmark Kvarnstrom Influencer Badge

Happy birthday, mate!
M. Christopher Roebuck

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@Bill Bender by the way, my friends call me by my middle name Chris. So I changed my profile. Nice to meet you!

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 1991

Another one. In good condition even if the cork was impossible. Opened up well as it shed all the meaty, coffee age to be a elegant and assertive speaker. — 9 years ago

Andie Moody
with Andie
Ryan, Nelson and 4 others liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Everything it's cracked up to be. What an amazing red blend. Delicious. — 10 years ago

Noella, Stevie and 13 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2013

If you don't like this wine, we can't be friends any more. — 11 years ago

Clayton, Nick and 2 others liked this