Black Marquis

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2013

On point. Lithe but dense. Black tar compote. — a month ago

Peter, Chris and 7 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Deep ruby; medium plus aromas of new leather, coconut, cocoa nibs, ripe red and black plums; high alcohol, high tannins — a month ago

Juan, Dave and 1 other liked this

Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2023

2023 vintage. Super easy to drink and not as opulent as some previous vintages. 09.10.25. — 2 months ago

Ted, Bob and 14 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008

Youthful showing mostly black fruits with cedar, graphite, mocha, spice & tobacco — 2 months ago

Somm, Jan and 16 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

😍 my fav!

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Another great drinking older Cali showing red, black fruit, plum with cedar, leather, sweet, savory spice & tobacco leaf — 2 months ago

Paul, Mario and 9 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2005

Great vintage that is drinking well at 20 yrs with many more yrs ahead. Dark, inky, polished showing red & black cherry, berry fruit, mineral driven with sweet spices, graphite & violet. — 3 months ago

Tom, Shay and 10 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2024

Clear, deep ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of black currants, black plums, and cedar. On the palate, it's dry, medium acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and a pronounced intensity of primary and secondary flavors. It tastes like blackberries, eucalyptus, graphite, and black cherries with a long finish. This wine is a little off balanced (the eucalyptus flavor is a little too intense), complex, and intense. Overall, I would rate it as very good. Nellie liked it with steak. — 3 months ago

Nellie Bauman
with Nellie

Black Stallion Estate Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Another vintage - still very good. Fruity with some leather and smoke. — 4 months ago

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
— 14 days 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.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Drinking very well now. Black fruit, great mouthfeel. — a month ago

Neil, Dave and 5 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow 👀

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Opus One 2011
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A Bordeaux-style blend from one of Napa’s most iconic estates, co-founded by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The 2011 vintage was a challenging, cool year in Napa, producing wines of lower alcohol, more restraint, and higher acidity compared to the opulent, sun-soaked vintages before and after. Blend typically centers on Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with blackcurrant, cassis, and dried cherry layered with graphite, violets, tobacco leaf, and hints of cedar and espresso. As it evolves in the glass, notes of leather, savory herbs, and cocoa powder emerge.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied compared to more powerful Opus vintages, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Elegant and balanced, showing more finesse and structure than richness. The finish lingers with red and black fruits, spice, and a touch of earth.

Winemaking Notes
Aged in French oak for 18 months. The cooler season resulted in smaller yields, but a style closer to classic Bordeaux restraint rather than plush Napa ripeness.

Food Pairing
Beautiful with herb-crusted lamb, grilled duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses like Comté.

Verdict
A vintage that divided critics due to its lighter profile, but for those who enjoy elegance and classical structure, the 2011 Opus One is a refreshing outlier. Drink now, though it still has a few years of graceful life ahead. Cheers!
— 2 months ago

Ira, Ted and 9 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

1st Growth Bordeaux comparison. Mind blowing. I mean, from a weak Bordeaux vintage comes this masterpiece which can be enjoyed now or saved for decades to come. Beautiful nose and almost perfumed with roses and black cheery and blueberry, cedar, and pencil shavings. The palate is pure bliss full of complexity, intensity yet balanced and the finish just goes on and on. Cheers. — 3 months ago

Andrew, Severn and 10 others liked this

Wynns Coonawarra Estate

Black Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

A classic Coonawarra Cabernet nose of mint, herbs, blackberry and leafiness. Very vibrant and energetic for a 15 year old wine. Most of that carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. One of the icons of the Australian wine scene, first produced in 1954 and one of the most collected wines in Australia. Very underpriced for its quality and pedigree. I might leave my last bottle for 5 years in its 20th year. It will easily travel the journey. — 4 months ago

Pooneet, Douglas and 20 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Still have fond memories of the 2001-2004 vintages, which I purchased and we consumed over 6-8 years. Don’t see this in the U.S. much any more.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

It’s interesting that Treasury Wine Estates who own both Penfolds and Wynns choose to push Penfolds over Wynns in the USA.

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (19%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Dark garnet/ruby/purple/black color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, rose petals, cigar box and smoked meat. Flavors of blackberry, black currant and black plum fruit with additional hints of tobacco, black olives and cloves. Long lasting velvety finish. Full bodied with noticeable (but well integrated) tannins. Beautiful freshness. Rich and powerful but so well balanced. Consistently outstanding vintage after vintage. Could continue to age for decades! — a month ago

Dave, Bob and 8 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

This seemed to be in a perfect spot showing red & black fruit, graphite, cedar, sweet savory spice, leather & tobacco — a month ago

Dave, Jean-Philip and 12 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Awesome

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 . — a month ago

Tom, Rob and 13 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Youthful, full bodied that is drinking well showing red, black fruits, spice box, graphite, leather & tobacco — 2 months ago

Jeroen, Andrew and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

This is the gold standard.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Diamond Collection Black Label Claret California Cabernet Sauvignon

Excellent qpr! Upon opening, it’s somewhat subdued but half an hour later, wow! What happened?! And with food, roasted red meats, hard cheeses, grilled vegetables, it really comes alive! This is as good or better than cabs costing 2-3 times as much. Great daily drinker!! — 3 months ago

Stella Rosa

IL Conte Black (L'Originale) Semi Sweet Red Blend

I really enjoyed this wine. It was the bottle that introduced me to wine drinking. A nice beginner one for me at least. — 3 months ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml.
— 4 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 18 others liked this