#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a wide red/brick rim.
Pretty nose of currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead, light vinaigrette, olives, peppercorn, leather, tobacco leaf, earth and dark coffee.
Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cooked black plums, ripen cherries, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vanilla and black pepper.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Tuscany. Smooth with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
This 19 year old is Interesting and tasty. Not from the best vintage, but still very yummy, and at its peak right now.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.
Thank you Judy for sharing this with me.
Robert Parker 92 points. Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in oak barrels (30% new).
14% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$350. — 4 years ago
If Sassicia is 💯 points for 2016 you had to figure their other wine was good as well, give it another 5-10 years without any issues. 2016 was a great year over-there. This at $45 or 2016 Sassicaia at $400.00 if you didn’t buy at $175.00 early
Wine Advocate 94+ review as follows,
This wine is showing exceptionally well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Guidalberto (Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller percentage of Merlot) opens to a full and generous bouquet and a beautifully rich and velvety appearance. This edition of Tenuta San Guido's mid-level wine offers a bigger aromatic profile, more texture and more volume as well. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, leather and sweet fruit at the end. The mouthfeel is elegantly shaped, silky and nuanced. This may well be the best vintage of Guidalberto I have yet to taste—and you can get this wine at a great price too.
Just south of Livorno, Tuscany, lies the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, and the Tenuta San Guido estate, where Sassicia is produced. The estate was originally owned by Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, and has been managed since WWII by his son, Niccolo. A true pioneer in the Italian wine industry, his experimenting with the introduction of non-native varieties to Italy, resulted in the world-famous Sassicaia. In Italian, Sassicaia means "the place of many stones" and is used as the proprietary name for the estate's Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The vines of the Sassicaia vineyard were originally planted with cuttings from the prestigious Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. The wines of Sassicaia were so instrumental in creating the "Super-Tuscan" sensation that 1994, the Italian government granted Sassicaia its own DOC status in a sub-zone of the Bolgheri DOC. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and the wines are then aged in French oak barrique for 18 to 24 months prior to release. Sassicaia produces a second label called Guidalberto and recently released a third wine, Le Difese, that is virtually unavailable in the U.S.
— 4 years ago
A rich crimson in colour with a little bricking developing - a tawny rim. Aromas of cassis, plum and dark chocolate on the nose. Smooth and silky with black currant - totally balanced with resolved tannins. The proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove - great density. See previous notes - I’ve never seen this for sale in Australia. Bought this from Vinfolio in San Francisco and was immediately impressed. A world class new world Cabernet - just gorgeous. 100 points from Robert Parker and also Jeb Dunnuck - tempted to do the same - I settled on 99. The best wine I’ve had this year. — 5 years ago

Nicely done. Another year. Blue black. Nice full fruit, Well paired with tenderloin. Oldest son's birthday (17) in lockdown. Making the most of it. Thanks to @Antonio Galloni for the zoom meetings this week they were great.
93 points — 6 years ago
This is a delicious Cabernet from Napa Valley. Showing black currants, blackberries, chocolates vanilla, cedar, light earth, light alcohol and espresso.
Tangy finish with nice tannins.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.
Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature, but already very yummy. Still hot on the long finish.
15.1% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$53. — 6 years ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, spices, oak, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, light earth, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and black pepper.
Medium finish with grippy tannins and raspberries.
This 15 year old, Fifth Growth Bordeaux, is still young and tight. Needs 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.
I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter, but it probably was not enough.
Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Grippy and rich.
Definitely needs food at this point, like a big piece of steak.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
13% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$125. — 2 years ago
Another great vintage in Margaret River - see previous notes. Ripe grapefruit notes on nose and palate. After some hours peaches and cream on nose and palate. A characteristic of the gin gin clone. Oak is totally integrated. Enough citric acid to last a year or so more but this is essentially at its wonderful peak. Art series Chardonnay is always impressive. Have the last one towards the end of next year. 97 points from HH. — 3 years ago
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from Mount Veeder.
Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black plums, black currants, dark coffee, oak, spices, pencil lead, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, earth, light herbs and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, coffee, vanilla, spices, cola, licorice, mint, black pepper, bitter herbs, vegetables and earth.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins, cranberries and peppercorn.
This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely now, although it needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.
Showing nice complexity, elegant and spicy, with lots of earth notes.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.
Smooth, elegant and tangy. Feels like a young Bordeaux, and will age nicely in the next 10 years.
Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. I paired it with a Brie cheese and crackers.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 30 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A tiny production of only 125 cases.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$95. — 4 years ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, vegetables, cinnamon and vinaigrette.
Medium plus in body, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and nice legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, blackberries, oak, vanilla, earth, wet leaves, light vegetables, black tea, peppercorn, leather, tobacco, coffee and dark chocolates.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
What a great Left Bank Bordeaux from the great 2005 vintage this is.
This Fifth Growth is nicely balanced with lots of dark fruit notes. Delicious and yummy. Fabulous and better than I expected.
This 16 year old is Drinking very nicely now. Showing great complexity with a great mouth feel. Powerful and rich.
Thank you John for sharing.
Needs 90 minutes to open up properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
Loved smelling on it for a long time.
Great nose. Great palate. Tasty and gorgeous.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, but good all by itself too.
A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit verdot.
13% alcohol by volume.
95 points.
$280. — 4 years ago
OMG... Sorry it's my first time...
Visually, this presents as a few years older with a pink to red brick rim. On the nose, the open releases red cherry... With time it mellows to black cherry... If you could elegantly bottle Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia it would start you on the path of creating this wine. The blanket of milk chocolate is like a King's robe. There is a vague hint of baking spices up front. Custardy throughout. Tannins are on on-guard and alert waiting ready, willing, and able to withstand the darkness of the caverns until brighter days. Probably my favorite bottle to date.
96 points — 5 years ago
This is a very tasty and spicy Napa Cabernet. Big and bold with a great mouthfeel and nice complexity.
Needs time to open up properly.
Showing black fruits with chocolates earth, cedar, vanilla, licorice, coffee, tobacco, spices and peppercorn chocolates.
Still young and needs longer time in the bottle to mature, but already yummy.
Interesting and delicious.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$70. — 6 years ago
It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Strong nose of black plums, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, earth and peppercorn.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, oak, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and black pepper.
Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a young Merlot from Bordeaux. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.
A good food wine that I paired with pizza.
A blend of 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.
15% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$55. — 4 years ago
Celebrating 20K on Instagram with this beautiful wine!
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim. Doesn't show age at all.
Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black currants, figs, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, chocolates, mocha, caramel and black pepper.
Full bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, mocha, coke, light earth, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a great Napa Bordeaux blend. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. Nicely balanced and fruit forward.
A fantastic wine from a great vintage. I've had a few different vintages of this, from older to younger, and this 2012 vintage is so nice right now. Will be even better in the next 10 to 15 years.
Thank you John for sharing this with me.
Rich yet elegant. Opulent and luxurious. Delectable and delicious.
Robert Parker 96 points.
Good right out of the bottle and much better after 3 hours of airtime. Fun wine for parties if it's in the budget. 😉
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in New French oak barrels for 24 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
97 points.
$250. — 5 years ago
Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.
Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth and pencil lead.
Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, raisins, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Nice length on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon is always enjoyable. Drinking nicely now as a 3 years old.
Fruit forward with nice balance. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows the tannins (45 minutes).
Nice enough to drink by itself, but pairs nicely with food too.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$17. — 6 years ago
"Odedi"
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Full bodied, smooth and soft, with medium acidity.
Showing black fruits with cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, black pepper, dark chocolates and light herbs.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a really nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak in Napa Valley. Fruit forward and spicy. Rich and elegant.
Still very young, but already delicious. A good quality wine that will continue to improve in the next 10 years.
Tangy and entertaining with nice complexity. A good sipping wine.
Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.
A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in (40% new) American and French oak barrels for 15 months. Only 900 bottles made.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$80. — 2 years ago