Burgundy, France

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

I’m tasting a bit of greenness and it’s faded but for what it is and its age - nice — 14 days ago

Shay, Bob and 5 others liked this
Shay A

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Always get the green streak on Lalande.

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — a month ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Ira, Pinotman and 8 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
Peter Sultan

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I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — 25 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 12 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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Lean doesn’t sound so good.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I personally have mostly felt that 1986 Bordeaux reds have always shown super tight and structured, but without the riper, rounder fruit of other vintages like 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990) — so, my use of “lean” is really intended to convey that the fruit never completely overcomes the harsh tannins and structure. I would say that after a few hours in the decanter, I’d be pretty confident that it will easily last another 10-20 years, or more. Ultimately I like my Bordeaux to show a little more elegance and charm. Hope that helps.
Bob McDonald

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@Doug Powers Thanks for your thoughts Doug. I recall Jancis commenting on this wine “wondering if the tannins would ever resolve”. Obviously built for the ultra long haul. I might try my first one in the next year or so.

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1992

Thoroughly integrated tannins in an aged wine that has started its decline. Dark fruit, vanilla oak and cedar on the palette. Classic Bordeaux on the nose. — 17 days ago

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah

Imprecise, rustic and truly arteasanal. Despite this I have the feeling it will improve a lot with time. Perfect wine for food pairing. 93-93+ — 14 days ago

Paul and Peter liked this

Jacques Selosse

Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Clean. Nice balance of brioche notes and airy fruit — 8 days ago

Ira liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1997

Jeremy Shanker
9.2

Very good, but not the best ‘97 Chapelle bottle I’ve had. — 3 days ago

Juan, Bob and 4 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1983

Amazing wine as always — 3 days ago

Joseph, Ed and 7 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

This one was up there for me. — 14 days ago

David, Shay and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Dark dark ruby. Tannins holding strong, a bit tight at the open, but loosens up to a wonderful silky mouthfeel. Black fruit in balance with minerality. Lovely wine but tonight I preferred the Pape Clement. — 21 days ago

Joe, Ira and 5 others liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Medium ruby , slighter narrower ruby / pink rim , a little less bright . Slightly deeper , darker fruits , blueberry, violets , with scorched earth , mineral and grafite . On the palate , more intensity and power perhaps , more noticeable though still velvety tannin , dark fruits , mineral , saline , fresh cigar. Lovely fresh acidity , balanced alcohol . Long saline , mineral tinged, slightly toasty finish . Needs time obviously , but will be one of the great wines from a great vintage in 20 years, just wait — 25 days ago

Jan, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Wifes birth year wine was so impressive. Smoke and leather, very polished. Reminded me of a great Pinot. Great experience — 25 days ago

Paul, Ted and 6 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Age is this bad boys friend. Rich black fruit on the nose. Smooth and buttery tannins. Blackberry is dominant Macerated black olive on the mid palate with eucalyptus on the longer finish.  — 21 days ago

Shay, Bob and 9 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

This should cellar longer. Maybe another 5 yrs before I try again. Decanted over 3 hrs. Tight in first hour. It needs a lot air now. Many layers and complex fruit. It lingers. Meaty after taste. Dark fruit. Earthy. I liked it very much and look forward to the next one. — 17 days ago

Tom, Tom and 23 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1998

When Jamet with age is on it’s really on. ‘98 is showing beautifully tonight, fully open and giving wafting seductive and perfumed aromatics of ripe blackberry fruit, smoked meats, camphor and exotic spices with an elegant, satiny palate with melting tannins and a stunningly long finale. Beautiful wine, and for my tastes at its peak. — 10 days ago

Jan, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2011

Almost perfect. Stewed fruit, great bitterness, extremely round and perfect tannins. Close to a grand cru burgundy in a good year with 10-15 years of age. — a month ago

Jan, Brecht and 1 other liked this

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1999

Второе вино того же вечера! Урожай 1999 года. Фурор!🍷 — 14 hours ago

Neil and David liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2008

OMG…!
This wine is already so unbelievably tasty and juicy and creamy and harmonious…. Breathtaking.
Destined for a perfect score in a few years’ time.
— 20 days ago

Bob, Tom and 4 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Drinking well can’t see this getting better with a long life ahead showing red fruit, graphite, spice, earth, mint & tobacco — 20 days ago

Juan, Bob and 14 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2008

Excellent 08. Chave and Allemand really nailed the difficult vintage in Northern Rhône, and 2008 Hermitage is showing beautifully tonight, fresh, elegant and detailed with aromas of juicy red berry fruit, bacon, roasted herbs and smoky minerals. While not an exceptionally deep and concentrated rendition in 2008, it’s really a considerable success, and it’s fully open, giving and ready to drink. — 25 days ago

Russ, Jan and 14 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Wow!! 🤩