Bodegas As Laxas
Krug
Brut Champagne Blend 2006
Last night’s “Evening With Krug” event, where they officially released their 2006 vintage. Beautiful evening with many different Krug offerings paired with a delicious meal.
The reason for the occasion. Loved trying this next to the ‘04 as they are completely different beasts at the moment. This is strutting Krug’s classic style of round, rich and opulent profile. The warm vintage has this totally open for business now, but obviously only getting better. Bakers yeast, toffee, and lemon pastry aromatics. Very fresh and inviting on the palate revealing golden caramel dipped apples, honeysuckle and nougat. Delicious. — 6 years ago
Château Léoville Barton
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1959
Translucent color; sour cherry notes. Then intense cherry fruit in mouth. As it airs has richer iron flavors. — 9 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1980
Another magnum. Pristine shape. All guessed this as a Cali Cab. Wonderful wine! — 10 years ago
Shafer Vineyards
Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 1988
Still vibrant as hell #bombassvintage — 11 years ago
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Fantastic, as always. — 11 years ago
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
La Tâche Pinot Noir 1978
About as good as it gets! Pristine bottle. — 12 years ago
Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011
It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!
I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.
In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035. — 2 years ago
Bodegas Rafael Palacios
As Sortes Val do Bibei Valdeorras Godello
Haven’t had this in years and missed it like crazy — 4 years ago
Beaulieu Vineyard
Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1981
Happy birthday J. Fantastic at 38 years. Not showing any ill affects of age. Velvety with nice juicy fruit and secondary notes of leather, bitter chocolate, forest floor and only soft thread of tertiary notes on the finish. Still had tannins. This was 2 of 2 and this drank as good, if not better, than the one last year. A pleasure.
Paired with A5 NY strip. — 6 years ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1926
Label was very very new looking. Questionable as to real or not. Cork is correct. Wine us correct. On the way out but just won't leave. Brown to rust color. Better as it went on. Light fruit. Amazingly long Finish. Wow. — 9 years ago
Bodegas As Laxas
Rías Baixas Albariño 2013
Thought it was Condrieu. Elegant! — 11 years ago
Belle Glos
Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011
I am not a fan of Pinot Noir but this one is delicious. Almost as bold and big as my favorite Washington reds. — 12 years ago
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Hermitage Syrah 1983
Reddish tawny. Youthful nose. Notes of black currants, blackberries, herbs and spices and some menthol. Silky in the mouth, although at first it comes off as delicate. With more air, some spice and white pepper notes develop, and this goes full on Chave and Hermitage power on you... Not bad for Syrah that's pushing 40 years in age! — 4 years ago
Krug
Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1966
Super-weird bottle. Mid-shoulder, crumbly cork, and the colour of freshly pressed strawberry juice - extremely pale as slightly cloudy! The immediate scent was quite off-putting but after 30 minutes it stormed back! Scents of autumn mulch, burning vine roots, sour cherries, and raspberry compote. A weird sourness and heady acidity on the front of the palette but it still keeps together well. Clearly badly kept but still really interesting to drink! A true testament to The quality of Mouton under the stewardship of the late Baron. I wonder if this is what some of the better kept bottles might be like in 100 years' time!? — 10 years ago
Château Cheval Blanc
St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
High as is reputation but it doesn't worse this price — 11 years ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1979
Contrary to other wines, D'yquem is in a class of it's own in terms of Sauternes. There is rarely, if ever, a bad year, although some years, like the 2001, stand out more than others. The disparity in quality from a GREAT d'yquem to a mediocre one & so on isn't as drastic as one might imagine. While the older vintages seem to age VERY well, it isn't as discernible from a recent vintage as other wines. Sauternes, in general are consistent, & none more than d'yquem. — 11 years ago
James Naphen
**Wine Review: 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Opened November 2024)**
The 2008 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, opened today, showcases an impressive balance and complexity, affirming its status as a finely aged wine. Its deep ruby hue remains vibrant, with exceptional clarity that invites exploration.
On the nose, ripe aromas of blackberry syrup and dark fruits are prominent, complemented by elegant notes of dried ginger and a subtle floral undertone. These aromas suggest both maturity and freshness, creating a captivating bouquet.
The palate offers a bold, full-bodied experience, featuring flavors of graphite and pencil lead that add intrigue and depth. The oak is beautifully integrated, enhancing the wine's harmony without overshadowing the fruit. The tannins, while still present, are soft and smooth, allowing the wine’s fruity core to take center stage.
Despite its 16 years of aging, this wine retains a youthful vibrancy, with its primary fruit flavors shining through. The finish is balanced and moderate in intensity, leaving a lasting impression of refinement.
Enjoyed today, this wine is a testament to the careful craftsmanship of Silver Oak. While it has clearly benefited from its time in the cellar, it remains dynamic and will continue to develop nuances for years to come. — a year ago