Blind Spot

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

@"Odedi" comments below are spot on. Gave this bottle 2 hours decant and it was drinking very well. Very approachable, a lighter Napa cab, very well balanced with just ripe dark fruit, medium plush tannins, med acidity. Drinking very well. Really enjoyable. Can’t wait to watch this evolve with many more years left. — 7 months ago

Douglas, Ira and 5 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

@"Odedi" is the man! Always great reviews!

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2019

The back label says 15.5% but I am digging this nonetheless. Nose has spiced dark berry fruit of pristine purity. There’s also a bit of crushed rock and fresh green herbs. In the mouth it’s so deep and flavorful. I don’t think I’d be able to say it’s over 15 if served this blind. Length for days. Delicious. — 9 months ago

Angelo Casagrande
with Angelo
Angelo, Pooneet and 20 others liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2016

In a delicious spot. Just needs one hour decant. Love this wine. Smooth as a baby’s butt. Drinks like a Burgundy. — 2 years ago

Peter, Tom and 6 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2005

Popped and poured from my cellar. The cork was absolutely perfect. The 2005 pours a rather turbid, deep garnet at nearly 17 years old. There's quite a bit of fine sediment that clings to the edge of the glass with each swirl. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this was initially a bit grumpy but within minutes, it relaxed and started to show some real charm. A fully developed wine, this is becoming a bit of a Leather Daddy, full of leather (obviously), bruised and desiccated red, black and blue fruits, Christmas spice fruit cake, coffee, damp earth, and candied nuts. On the palate, the fruit remains quite stunning and confirms the mix of bruised and desiccated fruit with a sort of sherried character. Loads of salmiakki (salted licorice), spiced nuts, pepper, coffee and, you guessed it, leather. The wine was dry, technically, but almost gives the sensation of some RS with all of the over-ripe fruits and the texture was almost sappy, in some ways. However, while this was absolutely rich and well-endowed, it was not cloying. Tannins have fully integrated (though still present) and the acid was like a girdle keeping everything held together. This remains a rather large personality even if it's showing its age. Definitely in a lovely spot...but how much longer will that last? If this wasn't my last bottle, I would probably be drinking these over the next five years unless you want the full Leather Daddy experience...which is okay if that's your thing. — 3 years ago

Jason, Alex and 13 others liked this
Jason Brater

Jason Brater

Ooh 05! Nice.

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paul K
9.4

@Ryan Mullins and @Jeff Loo are spot on. This needs 10 years. I double aerated back into bottle for 12 hour corked decant and after two hours open in glass this is still closed. You can still taste the potential though. There is a density and purity of fruit behind it that I’m excited to open up one day. Was still a great experience. 94 for now. Will hold remaining bottles for at least 5 years. Please yell at me if u see another post of this wine before then. — 6 years ago

Paul, Shay and 24 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Nice. I bought for years but got too pricy. Have a couple of cases in basement. I’m afraid to drink it.
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Never buy on release,, I only buy on Auctions. Haven’t had a bad bottle yet,
Down to two 05, two 12’s & two 13’s plus one 06.
The 11 is great for the price if you can find it for $175.00 or less, one of the few 2011 which were actually good
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Thanks, good tip!

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

The cork appeared slightly dried out, but bottle was sound. Dusty and delicate aromas of dried rose petals and cedar. The tannins have softened and the black cherry, cracked pepper, gravel flavors give a very classic flavor profile. The alcohol seemed touch on “hot” side (13%). Good bottle, in good drinking spot — 8 years ago

Trixie and Chris liked this
Chris Longua

Chris Longua

The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean 😀

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Jeremy Shanker
9.5

This was in a great spot tonight. — 7 months ago

LM, Severn and 11 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Fantastic Napa cab that’s in a beautiful spot right now. Well balanced. Notes of Blackberry, Cassis, Pencil Shavings, Mint, and that ever present Rutherford Dust. — 7 months ago

Ted Miller
with Ted

Green Spot

Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

S
9.3

Wow. Smooth. Paris Louvre — 9 months ago

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 👍

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1990

Tasted blind. Reddish tawny. Nose is closed and not yielding much. I get cranberries, some cherries, iron and stones, some wood. Has a high pitched character to it. Has some pucker in it yet. Tight with ample acidity. I guess 97 Vogue Bonnes Mares. In my experience this wine has had some variations in its performance. Today it was better than most, but suffered by not getting ample air before it was served. — 5 years ago

Martin, Tom and 20 others liked this
Alan Weinberg

Alan Weinberg

too Cabernet-like. Not a fan past 30 years.
Mike Saviage

Mike Saviage Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Alan Weinberg Try the 98... Their harvest was well timed that year and the juice is great

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

GPL is probably the best Pauillac you can get for the money & at £60 paid this top vintage is still improving lovely in a great spot already 😉

📍Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2009

🏵 95 points

🍇 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc

🍷 Opaque blackened deep ruby

👃 Minerals, gravel & broken pencil through soft smoked oak infused blackberry w/ damson plum, red liquorice, soggy earth, mocha, herbs, black tea, purple flower & blackcurrant - get that lot up your nose & snort like a little piggy wiggy 🐷 😍

👄 Med smooth silky body of black berry & currant in crushed rock mineral w/ a plummy mocha raspberry liquorice follow through

🎯 Long blackberry driven dark fruit creamy plump kiss bathed in choc mocha, liquorice & red cherry peekaboo
— 6 years ago

Chris, Severn and 31 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2003

🎉Celebrating today’s hot news of 3 Years Cancer Free!!!

Lou said “F#££ me that hits the spot” 🤣 my classy wife ha ha 🤣

We can best this thing 👊💥

Apologies for no notes but we’re a little too happy drinking right now 😍

💗 Love, health & happiness to you all my friends 😘
— 7 years ago

Chris, P and 41 others liked this
Chris England

Chris England

@Dawn Emory thanks 😘🥂
Chris England

Chris England

@Peter van den Besselaar an excuse will do sir 😁🍷🍷🍷
Chris England

Chris England

@Seba Stian thanks 😎🍷🥂

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

When the weather gets colder sometimes I drink Bordeaux. Probably one of the best vintages for the Château along with ‘82, and it’s in a great spot. Classic mature Paulliac with terrific complexity, an alluring sweetness and long, balanced finish with fully resolved, silky tannins. Fully open and giving. — 7 months ago

Mario, Bob and 5 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Tasted blind. Everyone was at least 5-10 years off. Hard to believe a 1986 could taste so fresh. Library release. — a year ago

Daniel and LM liked this

Colgin Cellars

IX Estate Napa Valley Red Blend 2005

Open the Bottle night(last Sat of Feb.) and thought I would sacrifice this bottle tonight.

+1 hour decant(chunky/fine sediment). A fabulous dark purplish garnet color with little bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating savory perfumed notes of dark red fruit, forest floor, cigar ash, stewed meat, smoke, soil. Taste: dark cherry/plum, espresso, leather, dark chocolate and a smokey/spiced/earthy long dry finish. YUM! Some slightly kickin still there tannins, but in a good spot for me with time to go at 19 years.
— a year ago

Paul, Billy and 15 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Pristine bottle. Great sweet spot now! — 3 years ago

Lyle, Severn and 2 others liked this

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Riserva Rancia Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend

Vin
9.3

Medium body, and another reviewer was spot in with the sour cherry comment. Refreshing. — 4 years ago

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 2016

No. 4 in the Vosne Romanee Grand Cru bracket. Tasted blind. As I mentioned earlier some tasters picked the 2 x DRC wines at #1 and #4 and this was indeed La Tache. My notes:- “Stalky peppery spicy nuances - more peppery than I recall from these previous tastings. On the palate earthy sweet black cherry but not as opulent as in prior years. Savoury. Brilliant - lives up to its reputation. “ — 5 years ago

Severn, Shay and 21 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1955

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 7 years ago

Shay, Eric and 16 others liked this