Better Half

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2016

Can this get better? Difficult to imagine but not implausible. — 6 months ago

Brian, Ted and 9 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Medium deep garnet ruby , quite thin garnet terracotta rim . This is quite classic and more austere on the nose after the 1990s , grafite , cedar, sweet spice , earthiness and mint. More dry and four square on the palate compared to the 1990s but enough stuffing to fill out. Cassis , plum and blackberry , coffee , grafite . Refreshing acidity , slightly grippy drier tannin. Sous bois , grafite , herbal character with good length and earthy cassis finish . This got better with time in the glass and probably should have been decanted . This shows there is some upside , from now , with time in the glass, and over the next 10 years. The wine that improved the most during the dinner , quite impressive . — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 12 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

A previous, all-time fave. Haven't had it in a larger format in the last decade which I feel would yield a 9.5-9.6 now. Out of a 750ml package currently, feel like the 1996 (difficult to source) is the superstar right now.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Yes @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego I would imagine in large format this would be spectacular, in regular bottle still needs a little time to show its full colours . I remember having this at my 21st birthday party in 2001 …. Everyone complained it was too young and tannic , typical 1986 , though in 12 people (and pretty light drinkers I might add) we still managed to struggle through 7 bottles !

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021

Bright medium ruby , quite thin violet rim . Quite discreet and fine, reserved on the nose . Red cherry , cassis , mineral tinged blackberry, after a while pomegranate. On the palate this is very detailed and precise , great freshness and with more red fruit, cherry , red plum , blackberry , wet slate , saline oyster shell with very fine tannins . Long mineral finish . Very young obviously but incredibly elegant and fresh . Will need time , this closed up quite a lot after time in the decanter . Better in 10 -15 years , will last well a further 10-15 . Incredibly promising . — 8 months ago

Tom, Vino and 16 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow! 👀
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Andrew Cullimore You’ve certainly had many of the Tuscan stars Andrew.

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2003

2003. Last bottle was 3 years ago, and this one I liked better. Starts out austere with evidence of a difficult hot year. But after hours in the decanter it cycled thru some almost port like caramelized tapenades and ended the evening with a somewhat strange but delicious red crème brûlée thing. So if you have one… I suggest patience thru the awkward opening hours to get to the awkward good part. Cheers. — 4 years ago

Jason, Andrew and 11 others liked this
Trixie

Trixie

Like the sippy cup! 🥤 Cheers!

Corison Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Holding up very well. Magnum helps. Keeps getting better with time. Not even beginning to fade. Wine Tasting at Andy and Elaine’s. — 7 years ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

As usual, the blend is a better buy than the single clones. This wine is too young but still shows ok. Deep ruby color, black fruits, nice tannins and good balance on acidity. — 8 years ago

Eric Bennett
with Eric

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay

Really delicious. Even better as it opened up. — 10 years ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1996

Showing terrific now. Better than last bottle opened 2 years ago. Honeyed richness, good length. Shows class joy would expect from the house. — 10 years ago

Erin RyanNed Gray Creed
with Erin and Ned
Eric, Ira and 2 others liked this
Ned Gray Creed

Ned Gray Creed Premium Badge

I don't get much Yquem in my life. Had some older bottles but this was right in the pocket for my happiness.
9.5

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

The first bottle my wonderful hubby and I shared all those years ago. Great then. Better now. Smooth and slightly tanen with a touch of dryness. — 11 years ago

George M Wood
with George
Lee liked this
Lee White

Lee White

Go Nury and George! Better with time!

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

We had to the 2019 Vintage on 11/22/25. A very good full bodied wine. The bouquet and flavor profile are darker and more subdued fruit compared to a Napa floor wine. There is some mocha and minerality. This wine would be better in five years. — 6 months ago

Bob, Serge and 6 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Better few years ago — 7 months ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020


Deep opaque core, thin ruby rim. Deep slightly spicy creme de cassis , blackberry , charcoal embers , grafite . On the palate this is quite intense but has good freshness , and ripe but firm , quite dry tannins . Creme de cassis , blackberry , grafite , crushed rocks , quite saline and fresh in style , oyster shell and sea breeze hints . Well balanced alcohol and good length grafite , saline tinged finish . This is actually quite enjoyable , though obviously way too young , fresh and detailed with cool fresh dark fruit and grafite nuance. Better in 10 years and will last well a further 10-15 maybe more . Really enjoyed the style and balance of this .
— 8 months ago

Tom, Tom and 23 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

My first Bordeaux producer love back in the day. Still great.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

One of mine too @Somm David T , had a few vintages quite recently , all have shown really well

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend

One of my favorite Ridge Wines, drinkable now or will only get better. — 2 years ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Birth year vintages are a roll of the dice but luckily I landed on a pretty solid classic - 1978. So for my birthday this year, we opened an LLC and wow was this perfect. The sommelier was surgical in removing the cork which split in half but he managed to extract it. The nose on this wine was a 10 - loads of cassis, licorice, dusty library and leather. Palate was extracted cassis, leather and great acidity and liveliness, just like my 44 year old self. It’s just pure magic when bottles this old perform - happy Friday everyone. — 4 years ago

Ira, Jan and 6 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1967

Decanted and really opened up in little more than half an hour. 54 years and still has vitality. There’s still some fruit but it is mixed with subtle acidity and soft tannins. A delight to drink and share with friends. Our friend was given the wine and wanted to share it. We all were quite happy.👍🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Joe Becerra
with Joe

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

166th much better than 167 — 7 years ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1999

Will get even better with 5 years of age. Drinking beautifully now. So why wait. — 9 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

I love how in Spain you can go to a restaurant order a half bottle of Rioja and a 14 year old wine comes out aged perfectly. This is drinking great right now and can't imagine it's going to get any better. — 10 years ago

Anthony liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2012

I like this wine but wasn't so good with holiday meal PN was better! — 10 years ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Getting better with decanting time — 11 years ago

Rob Sternthal
with Rob

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2015

Sweet and Smokey. Loved this. Perfect mix of ripe dark fruits and kick. Great length. Half bottle. Awesome! — 7 months ago

Dave, Jean-Philip and 22 others liked this
Audrey Nadeau

Audrey Nadeau

Wine Glory!

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2014

Medium light lemon straw colour , very fine constant bubbles . Quite restrained and mineral on the nose , with some light toasty notes , white flowers , lemon oil . Quite closed . On the palate this is really quite intense and mineral , oyster shell , chalky , limestone hints . Some lemon pith and a lightly toasty with a saline hint , fresh acidity , long and detailed , refined and very balanced . Really young still , needs time to open and will be long lived . Better in 5- 10 years and will last well a further 5-10 years — 8 months ago

Ira, Jan and 17 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

jesus g
9.4

Way better from large format — 2 years ago

Shay A
with Shay
Shay, Vanessa and 32 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

This makes me want to cry.

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Deeper ruby , narrower rim , just touch of garnet . Quite deep and rich , deeper darker fruits , quite mineral. More cedar and dark cassis , grafite , iron fillings , touch of mint quite ripe rounded but present tannins . Good balanced acidity, robust but very long on the palate . Also needs more time really though is surprisingly enjoyable now because of the roundness of the fruit and ripe tannins , better in 10 years and will last well over the next 20- 25. Bigger boned , fatter and more robust and powerful than the Lafite 2000, though still hugely complex and satisfying. — 3 years ago

Severn, Tom and 19 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

👌🍷👌

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Somm David T
9.3

The White Burgundy was excellent but, still have to have my BSR 375ml. It’s been awhile for us.

It is a little better tonight following the Burgundy & soft white cheese.

The nose on this bottle really flows out of the glass tonight. Beautiful lean fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp volcanic minerals, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals.

Everything on the palate sings just a little louder tonight as well. Fruits are even a little richer than normal. Ripe & slightly gummy not as normal leaner fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp and grippy, volcanic minerals, beautiful softer, powdery chalkiness w/o quite the sharper edge it normally has, soft, hints of Provence herbs, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals. The acidity is crisp, lively and dead on as alway. The long, rich, well balanced finish is deliciously refreshing and persists minutes.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru Vineyards at sunset & inside and the Estate grounds of the House of Billecart,
— 6 years ago

Daniel P., Paul and 28 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Top year 904 @ £75 that was drank in Zalto burg glass as its like an aged burgundy

🐽 Paired w/ Iberian Ham 😍

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick

👃 Smoked burnt oak, soggy earthy leaves, leather, dark cherry & figs w/ balsamic & damson

👄 Med body of creamy stewed cherry w/ earthy balsamic & slight mocha

🎯 Med finish of above w/ earthy balsamic linger

Reaching peak but I preferred the 95 904 over this but the 890 94 was better than the 95!
— 8 years ago

Chris, Ellen and 15 others liked this
P A

P A

@Chris England Chris the total package sounds great Cheers 🍷
Chris England

Chris England

@Phil A especially as we brought them both back from Barcelona 🎉🍷

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2008

Lighter body. Fresh, spicy, kirsch, and leather. Better than expected — 10 years ago

Giancarlo liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah

Darn. Not showing tonight. Dominated by acid and tannin. Fruit just isn't ripe enough to hold up. Did better with food — 11 years ago

Jon MaxwellMichael OchsnerJon Robinson
with Jon, Michael and 1 other
Anthony liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

Love is blind tasting. A much better showing than the 89. Pleasant and smooth. Pleasant for $169 is just not worth the special occasion price. — 11 years ago