Block No. 45

Fairchild Estate

Stones No. 3 Perrarus Block 3-Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Somm David T
9.5

Excellent entry to start the 3. This is easy to drink elegant, well made elegance without the deep and characteristics of the other two. Hard not to open and decant now but patience will be rewarded. — 13 days ago

Jay, Dawn and 6 others liked this

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards

Papa's Block Russian River Valley Syrah 2016

Inky darkness in glass, no bricking…wonderful aromatics of dark fruits and violets…beautiful dark fruits on palate and texture with nice finish…neither noticeable tannins nor heat… — a year ago

Ghost Block

Pelissa Vineyard Zinfandel 2021

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red berries, cedar and chocolate notes.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, blueberries, oak, licorice, cola, coffee, peppercorn, light earth and herbs.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

This Single Vineyard Zinfandel is elegant and not 'in your face' kind of wine, which is nice to see out of Napa. Tasty and easy drinking.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and would pair nicely with a burger.

100% Zinfandel grapes were aged for 14 months in American and Hungarian oak barrels. Only 25 barrels produced.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45.
— a year ago

Tom, Shay and 12 others liked this

Optik Wines

Block No. 49A Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah

Kos P
9.0

Cherry, leather and almond on the nose, with hinds of spice and some acidity. On the palate the sweetness of the cherry is followed by notes of vanilla, acidity and some chocolate. Well balanced, medium acidity and medium integrated tannins. — 3 years ago

Bindi

Block 5 Pinot Noir 2015

One of the best Pinots I’ve had from anywhere this year. Also I should state the only note I’ve been able to put on Delectable out of 4 attempts. The previous 3 have disappeared. Light in colour and a beautifully fragrant wine with Medium + intensity. 98 points from Huon Hooke and he made this comment, “A mesmerising wine - surely one of Bindi’s best ever “. I can only agree. This is a top quality Pinot Noir no matter the origin and will probably reach the end of HH’s drinking window of 2034. This Is easily of Premier Cru and in some cases Grand Cru standard. — 2 months ago

Somm, Tom and 15 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Great note as always @Bob McDonald , yes I have experienced something very similar with Delectable , infuriating when it happens !
David White

David White

@Bob McDonald same issue last 10 days
Ray Vanderhoff

Ray Vanderhoff

Same issue here as well. Hate to hear you are all having issues but glad I am not alone.

L'Ecole No. 41

Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Showing a beautiful nose, once it opens up.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, herbs, cola, peppercorn, vegetables, spices and black tea.

Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley is drinking very nicely now.

Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years. I had it 3 years ago, and it is drinking very similar.

Needed 30 minutes to open up, and remove some of the bitterness.

The nose is very complex at this point. Really beautiful.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 18 months in (35% new) French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45 (current vintage).
— a year ago

Ted, Nicole and 11 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Shay A
9.5

I brought this to a big 2012 retrospective tasting of Napa Cabernet but wasn’t able to stop by my offsite in time to get a ‘12.

Cork came out terribly. Double decanted 30-45 mins. 100% Cabernet. Sporting a deep purple color even at 15yrs. Just shy of explosive aromatics…ripe red and black fruits, mocha, cocoa powder. Sheer To-Kalon power on the palate with the velvet glove approach…layered dark fruits, black currant, cassis, charcoal and graphite. Mid-palate here has great depth and the finish is beautiful. This has evolved wonderfully. Pop now but no rush.
— 3 years ago

Joseph, Jason and 29 others liked this

Grey Stack Cellars

Dry Stack Vineyard Rosemary's Block Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Ron R
9.3

At $23 per, there is no better domestic or international SB on the market…

On the bubble and could be 94.
— 5 months ago

Paul, Somm and 19 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Great QPR on this bottling @Somm David T gave me the 411 on these a few vintages back
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

That’s great, @Paul T HB That’s the value of having friends who know…

Saxum Vineyards

Paderewski Vineyard Zinfandel Blend 2014

Happy holidays, everyone! Drinking beautifully now but no rush still plenty of life to go...opened about 45 min before drinking. — a year ago

Shay, Jonathan and 1 other liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

1986 vintage, Above average fill. Excellent cork with bottom quarter fully saturated. Decanted with respectable sed. Dark cherry skins color. Tasted after 15 mins. Light-medium body. Nose the usual aged/faintly cigar box intro. Flavors melded together nicely but ever so slightly tart. Delicate, long finish. Thinking the tartness would buff out after 45 minutes open but no chance to prove that theorem. 6.1.24. — 2 years ago

Ted, Jan and 23 others liked this