Cellar Notes

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

Double decant for sediment and pour. A splendid still dark tawny red color. On the nose: expressive notes of stewed blackberry/plum, worn leather, musty forest floor, truffles, mint. Taste: silky, elegant, savory wine with dried strawberries, leather, cedar, earth, and a peppery chocolate espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering like a champ at 45 years and glad to have a couple more bottles — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 16 others liked this
Shay A

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Wow! Very nice.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Have had this several times and really enjoy the style made from that era.

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1984

still hitting sour cherry notes. incredible. — a month ago

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

Slightly medicinal notes. Dark fruit, leather, cedar, plum and bitter cherry. Soft and long. — a month ago

BOT Paul WoollsMatt Lichtenberg
with BOT, Paul and 1 other
Jan, Ceccherini and 7 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

Mo
9.2

WS: 93. Baked cherry, raspberry ganache and warm fig flavors are ripe and expressive, with a pleasing counterpoint and added detail from rich notes of loamy earth and leather, plus accents of bay leaf, vanilla and red licorice. There's a supple generosity on the palate, trimmed nicely by fine-grained tannins and a tang of orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2032. 35,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported.

Alison Napjus
Issue Date: Aug 31, 2024
Release Price: $45/750mL
— a month ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1978

Great btl that had the classic LB character showing mostly red fruit, cedar, leather, spice box & tobacco notes — 2 months ago

Tom, Somm and 11 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Vivid pinkish-salmon hue with a fine stream of bubbles. Notes of strawberry, citrus peel, green apple, and brioche. Crisp acidity, a creamy mousse, and perfectly balanced dosage. Refreshing, elegant, and succulent, with a long, zesty finish. — 5 months ago

jesus liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — 3 months ago

Rob, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Double-decanted earlier in the day; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1995 pours a perfect garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cassis, black cherry, mixed flowers, tobacco, earth, menthol and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, integrated tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Classy. This is an elegant expression of Bordeaux and showed so well tonight. Thanks Andy! Drink now through 2040. — a month ago

Peter, Tom and 24 others liked this
Somm David T

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There is a lot to like about St. Julien producers. But this one might be my favorite.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T I think so too. But then I have a bottle of Gruaud Larose and I second guess myself

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 1985

Perfection! This 40 year old champagne was sublime! Small delicate bubbles, brioche and citrus notes on the palate. — a month ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 9 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

From mag. Gorgeous soft plum and red cherry. Floral notes, hints of iodine and violets. Excellent. In great shape. — a month ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Jan, Ceccherini and 6 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

From MAG

2 hour decant. A striking purplish dark garnet color. On the nose: beautiful notes of dark fruit, pencil shavings, herbaceous, vanilla, cloves. Taste: creamy, polished, structured wine with blackberry, dark chocolate, minerals, bell pepper, leather, and a decent herbal/potting soil finish. Drinks surprisingly well with the decant at this age, and of course a few more years it will improve. YUM!
— 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Tom and 18 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Only about 10-15 years too soon

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021

Decant and pour. Restrained notes of dark fruit, smoke, leather, tobacco, grilled bell pepper. Taste: cherry, blueberry, currants, crushed granite, truffles. A young wine that I would luv to drink again in 15 years. — 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Somm and 20 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Still bright and fresh with notes of strawberry, plum, and cranberry. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, "Odedi" and 3 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak, deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, cedar, floral and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry, cherry and blackberry with vanilla, licorice, tobacco and toasty oak notes. Long rich finish on fine juicy tannins, drinking ok now but has room to age. Very Nice! — 4 months ago

Paul, Tom and 8 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish.
— a month ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ted and 18 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Vanessa way to celebrate in style!
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K Thank you for the bday wishes! It was an auspicious and delicious way to start my next trip around the sun ☀️ Cheers! And we hope to reconnect with you guys soon! 🍾🥂
Paul K

Paul K

We will absolutely figure out something this summer!!!

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2002

Birthday weekend bubbles! 🥂🍾

With notes of candied pear & orange peel, yellow apple, lemon curd, nectarine, yellow cherries, raspberry coulis, fruitcake, toast, smoke, brioche, pastry, biscuit, dried rose petals, anise, nougat, roasted almond, wet stones.

A creamy mousse and mouthfeel — stunning. 😍
— a month ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Tom and 17 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

That a good way to celebrate! Cheers! 🥂
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Oh…happy birthday!🎂 🎉🎈🎊
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Somm David T Thank you very much! ☺️🥂🍾 Cheers!

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2004

A hint of oxidative notes and a really pretty, quite intense nose. Lanolin, lemon oil, slate. Very clear and pretty with a splash of salinity on the finish. Good texture. Excellent. — 2 months ago

Amanda CrawfordSteve Pollack
with Amanda and Steve
Juan, Jay and 6 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Vintage?

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

A gorgeous entrancing nose. Roses and plum, floral notes. Quite subtle and polished. Glossy. Really delicious. Classy stuff. — 2 months ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Ceccherini, Tom and 15 others liked this
Alan Weinberg

Alan Weinberg

I remember buying 3 bottles of this in 1985 after tasting at Dennis Overstreet. I had to steady my writing hand with my other hand as I had never paid $42.50 for a bottle of wine!
Conrad Green

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Those were the days! A superb wine
Ira Schwartz

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@Alan Weinberg scary that the sales tax today exceeds your cost of purchase in 1985

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Lots of tertiary notes like cedar chocolate. Dark fruit in a distance — 3 months ago

Berry liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Deep Ruby with aromas of blue & black fruits, sweet spice & slight mineral character. A blend of mostly Cab Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot & Cab Franc from their estate-owned Napa Valley vineyards, aged 18 months French (62%) & American oak (38%) (about 50% new). Palate, complex flavors, blackberry, plums & cherry with sweet spice, oak & tobacco notes. Well balanced with good acidity & developing tannins. Full-bodied, long finish ending with pepper & wood spice. Nice! — 4 months ago

Neil, Joe and 5 others liked this