Joe Lucca

9.3

@Bill Bender Bringing my kinda wine as always. Pretty tight right now with spice coming on in the early mid palate through the finish. Needs time and patience. — 7 years ago

with Martin, Mike and 2 others

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Medium ruby core with garnet edges. Aged characteristics on the nose with damp earth, a little espresso, a touch smoky, cinnamon and stewed plums. Medium tannins (6/10) and plus medium body. Dark cocoa on the attack of the palate intermingled with plums, black currants, black cherries and lots of spices. A bit of anise and the Petit Verdot coming through in the medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
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Starting today we are partnering with Vinlumin in order to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Northern California earlier this month. Until November 15th or for the first 200 units, Vinlumin will be donating $100.00 per unit to three different Northern California based charities: Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and Mendocino Community Fund. Go to www.vinlumin.com to learn more and to grab one while supporting those affected in Northern California.
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@David L @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Martin A. Cody @James Cahill @Carl Fischer @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Bill Bender @Eric S @Isaac Pirolo @TheSkip @Mike R @Lori Mike @Jody Scharf @Jo Anne B @Kim Stanbro @Roman Sukley @Greg Gregory @Sean Smith @Shay Aldriedge — 7 years ago

with India and Sean

Steve Anderson

9.6

@Bill Bender - not an'84 but something I thought would pair well with the first half of an 11-course tasting menu. So far through course 6, Home Run. A hint of sweet, a ton of savory, minerality and lemon. Great pairing. — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.5

Thanks for the recommendation Martin @Martin G Rivard @David L @Ron R @Eric Shanks @Vanessa D @Paul T @Jim Trobaugh @Bill Bender @Warren Sapp @TheSkip — 7 years ago

TheSkip

9.1

One of my favorite dinners was on the menu here at Chez Skip - cassoulet! And my knowledge of wine pairing is as sophisticated as a toddler eating spaghetti, I said to myself - hey I am eating French food and I like this French wine, so hey why not? And that was that. But as wine can be, it evoked its memory of when I had it first. I remember sitting out in the patio and being impressed with it. I thought to myself I could really enjoy French wines, but as history has shown, that was clearly a short lived notion.

Knowing it had been some time, I had an odd feeling, so I checked my Delectable history. Indeed, this was the very first wine I had rated!

So, to my friends, do you remember your first wine on here? Was it anything memorable? @philip Angino @Martin A. Cody @Shay Aldriedge @Anthony Lombardi @Sharon B @Bill Bender @Bob McDonald @dan boedeker @Brian Tuite @Greg Ballington @Matthew Beninati @Carl Fischer @Ryan Carey @MaJ CappS @Roman Sukley @Daryl Calhoun @David L @Palmer Emmitt @Eric Shanks @Evan Bienstock @Fraser McKinley @Jean-Francois Pelletier @jesus g @Martin G Rivard @Henrik Poulsen @Christanna Honer @Isaac Pirolo @Rob Brobst III @Jim Trobaugh @Jody Scharf @Joe Lucca @Kim Stanbro @Rafael Landestoy @Ryan M @Mo Salem @Mike Smith @Mike R @"Odedi" @Paul T @Ron R @Shawn R @Janet Ross (and anyone else I accidentally left off!) — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

I have known for years that Paso Robles makes great wine. This is an excellent example of what perfect weather, abundant water and great soils can produce. Deep rich dark fruit and extremely fine silky tannins! @Paul T @Ron R @Jim Trobaugh @Bill Bender @Jacqueline @Eric Shanks @Connor McMahon @Martin G Rivard — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.7

So toasty with a frame of mocha and black tea. Drinks very well with a long decant. @Bill Bender awesome pull! — 7 years ago

with Martin, Kirk and 4 others

Martin G Rivard

9.7

Stellar and it was firing on all cylinders. Absolutely stunning 😘🍷🍷😘Thank you Bill!!! @Bill Bender @Shawn R @David L — 7 years ago

with David and Shawn

Joe Lucca

9.6

Talk about sexy! And the wine was great as well. My first post after a bit of a hiatus from Delectable. In San Diego for a meeting and was able to sneak away for a few sips. Thanks so much to @Bill Bender for generously making time to host me at his lair, perched high above the city looking down on the harbor, for great friendship, conversation, and of course, killer juice. The initial notes of stewed plums and spice blew off after a bit of time in the decanter, revealing layers of deep, rich voluptuous fruit and earthy minerals. Almost surprisingly youthful and powerful at 15, this will continue to evolve for a long time. One of my favorite Burgs. Thanks again, Bill!!! — 7 years ago

with Bill

Steve Anderson

9.3

2008, 09, 13 vertical of BdM Corton Charlemagne courtesy of @romo. The '09 was my favorite, but all showing well. View courtesy of @Bill Bender. — 7 years ago

Mike R

9.6

Got to exercise to handle big boy wines - @Bill Bender and @Shawn R can't wait to finally enjoy some wine together and you meet the WNH gang

Love my Napa cab Colgin - decanted 3 hours - just big bold and beautiful - dark fruit - great explosion of tastes - I going to crack open the 12s soon - hint FL

All SMILES — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.6

@Ron R @Mike R @David L @Howard Greenfield @Kirk Alexander @Joe Lucca @Carl Fischer @Paul T @Bill Bender @Ted Mandes @Jim Trobaugh @Monica O @Terri Walker @Steve Colanero My amazing friend Steve Colanero is a retired chef. We enjoyed an amazing dinner in his home this evening and opened these 2 beauties. Becklyn Reserve and a private propriety blend called "M" by Ted Mandes.
I opened and reviewed the Becklyn Reserve last night as well. You all know how I felt about it. Extremely solid and I rated accordingly. My opinion hasn't changed. It's an awesome wine. Thanks again David for introducing me to this Beauty!! — 7 years ago

with Ted, Steve and 1 other

Michael Meyer

9.0

Focused tannins, a ripe plum/fig palate and some tea leaf. Throwing a bit of heat on the long finish but perfect with pork, Gorgonzola, and fig reduction. Hey @Bill Bender, how do you like the label? — 7 years ago

with Chuck

Rob Brobst III

9.3

This is a good wine with ripe fruit, flowers and a BEAUTIFUL NOSE. Well done for $20 bucks. I'm so glad Patrick Chapman (Screaming Eagle) has landed here. Call him and stock up now for spring. This one doesn't disappoint. @Paul T @Ron R @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @Jim Trobaugh @Eric Shanks @David L @TheSkip @Jade Moore @Warren Sapp — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.6

One of the best ever made??? @Bill Bender thank you. — 7 years ago

with Kirk, Martin and 2 others

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Opening up after 2 hours. Rockstar pull.
Badass in a glass! @Bill Bender @Shawn R @David L — 7 years ago

with David and Shawn

Shay A

9.4

Got to take advantage of another Wednesday Wine Committee and boy was it worth it. Wow! Killer wines brought by Glenn for his 60th! As always, wines tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine.

As @Bill Bender says, "lunch bags for the win!" Absolutely gorgeous. Well crafted and refined. Almost elegant at this stage. Hardly any bricking. Great color. Hard to imagine this wine being any better than it is now. Total harmonious package of dark fruit, medium bodied palate, and a great nose that keeps you guessing between Napa and Bordeaux. — 7 years ago

with Will and Benjamin

Carl Fischer

9.7

"Bad Ass in a Glass" is quite accurate here. Poured from a double magnum, this was a big wine that had people smiling and buzzing (in every sense of the word!). Globs of dark fruit, silky smooth, a touch sweet, but so well integrated.

Thank you @Martin G Rivard and @Christine for an epic 48 hours and for opening your home last night for the Super Bowl of wine tastings (and for the four different types of grilled cheese sandwiches that magically appeared toward the end of the night!).

While the wines shared last night literally were the best of the best, so too were the folks I had the pleasure of seeing again and meeting for the first time. Thank you all for making last night so memorable. I look forward to staying in touch and sharing a glass (bottle?) with you all again in the near future.

@David L @Mike R @Ron R @Joe Lucca @Shawn R @Bill Bender @Daryl Calhoun @Ryan M @leon egozi @David Goldfinger @David From The 504 @Monica O @Ira Shapiro @Jeffrey Lew @Mo Salem @"Odedi" @Kirk Alexander @Gina Sabean (tag anyone I may have missed!). Your generosity and enthusiasm in sharing wine was greatly appreciated. — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Holy tall green giants Batman! This is the real reason I drink wine. @Bill Bender @Warren Sapp @Neal Schaffer @Vanessa D @Eric Shanks @Jim Trobaugh @David L @Eric LaMasters @Paul T @Jade Moore @Doug Davidson @Ron R @Connor McMahon @TheSkip — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

All this and no one around. Man I really need a few friends right now and the 3L needs a party to attend tonight. 95's n 98's @Paul T @Vanessa D @David L @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @Neal Schaffer @Terri Walker @Jim Trobaugh @Eric Shanks @Warren Sapp @Eric LaMasters @@Jade Moore @TheSkip — 7 years ago