Cellar Notes

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 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

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

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2005

An extremely well-cellared bottle with pristine cork. Deep, complex, full-bodied and tasting like it still has many good years. Notes of black cherry, currant, leather and spice. Comparable to the best left bank Bordeaux. — 4 months ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with cacao, baking spice and vanilla. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and tobacco notes. — 4 months ago

Veronika, Tom and 5 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2013

Popped and poured. We enjoyed this as an apéritif so no formal notes but this was absolutely delicious. So easy to love; phenomenal balance. Like so many 2013’s, this is great on the pop and pour and easier to appreciate than the 2012’s which simply need a lot more time. — 5 months ago

Jan, Billy and 15 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Opened and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing and loaded with currants, pencil lead, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and super grippy; slightly bitter and earthy. A lovely, classic expression of Bordeaux and drinking well in its prime. Drink now through 2046. — 6 months ago

Jakub, Tom and 14 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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You've been hitting all my favorite Léoville lately, so jealous
Jay Kline

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@Severn Goodwin I catching up on some notes from a night with a line-up of bangers from Bordeaux. It was pretty awesome, ngl

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2007

Bit mixed on this wine and to be honest super Tuscans in general. This Tig has some serious secondary shoe leather notes at this point. Still has some quite nice fruit and just barely enough acid, but overall was hoping for a bit more verve. — 7 months ago

Jason, Severn and 2 others liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2017

Clear blackberry, cherry, and other dark fruit notes. — 6 years ago

Amr liked this

Kim Crawford

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Definition of refreshing!
Nose: Stone fruit, minerals, lemon grass
Notes: same with a hint a pineapple and orange peel.
All around impressive Sav Blanc, can't believe I waited this long to try it.
— 10 years ago

Denis liked this

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

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

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! — 3 months ago

Paul, Tom and 8 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

Enjoyed with a Cantonese beef stew, dad's recipe. Decanted 3 hours before dinner and it still held tight graphite, cedar, and black fruit notes. A touch closed up or young right now, will revisit my next bottle in 5 to 10 years — 4 months ago

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and half a % each of Malbec and Merlot, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak, 51% of fruit from Atlas Peak District, deep Ruby with aromas of vibrant dark fruit, sweet spice and herbs. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with tobacco spice, toasty oak, cinnamon and floral notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, cedar, mocha and mineral character, Nice, should age well. — 4 months ago

Juan, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ruby with cherry, plum, cedar, and spice notes. On the bud, it’s full bodied and smooth with dark fruit and spice notes. Great with our Lamb chops! — 5 months ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013

Working is always better with Champagne. Deep acidity, bright citrus notes, racy on the palate, and a lasting finish. Cheers. — 6 months ago

Andrew, Ted and 16 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left. — 6 months ago

Ericsson, Ron and 28 others liked this
Vino Joe

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Good to know! How long was your decant? And over how long a window did you enjoy it?
Jay Kline

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@Vino Joe great questions; I have answers. Note updated!

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 1986

Great color in the decanter... medium gold with an enticing perfume. Notes of sweet Meyer lemon, apricot, gravel stone, tan clay, some mint, a little ginger and some sweet marzipan. Has an exotic and slightly musty (desirable) funk. Huge weight with great fruit and solid acidity in the mouth. Decanted for 2 hours before drinking. Awesome juice! If you Google “why should I age white burgundy?”, an image of this 35 year old bottle should be shown... — 4 years ago

David, Severn and 19 others liked this
David L

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What a pull. Bravo to you. @Mike Saviage
Mario Vaillancourt

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Awesome, glad it was not too oxidized
Alan Weinberg

Alan Weinberg

It’s been great for decades. A bit of botrytis makes it exotic. I’ve got just one left.

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

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

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2012

This is still youthful with notes of dark fruits, floral, meat, lavender, underbrush, & spice — 4 months ago

Severn, Shay and 8 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1986

Flight 2 , wine 1 . Quite deep garnet , less terracotta rim . This had a whiff of oxidation about it at first which seemed to somewhat dissipate with time . Some dark spiced fruits , liquorice and menthol hints , cedar and sous bois . On the palate good ripeness and spiced dark cherry hints . Good acidity and rounded tannin . Nice length also , offering some spiced black fruits and menthol hints . Don’t think this is a pristine bottle but was enjoyable none the less , I was unsure at first if this was Napa , but coming back to it … and reading my notes , it became quite obvious . However I had this down as the Ch Montelena , not the Dominus — 4 months ago

Anthony, Jan and 8 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium ruby . Bit more coffee and roasted character at first , touch of oak perhaps. Quite rich and rounded on the palate at first, good acidity , good length . More red fruit , more delicate after a while , mineral , oyster shell , mineral and leaner on the long finish . Very classic , grafite tinged . This improved with air and really gained in complexity with time . I would be tempted to leave this a little longer or give it a longer decant . No rush here , will continue well for a further 10 years . Tied as my favourite wine of the flight with the Latour. — 5 months ago

Anthony, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2018

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2018 is a fairly classic expression of Beaucastel with a mixed bramble fruit set, underbrush, herbs and spices in lovely balance. Good structure. While still on the youthful side, the 2018 is already showing well and was an awesome accompaniment with a wagyu burger. Drink now through 2038. — 5 months ago

Juan, Vanessa and 16 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Somm David T
9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds.
— 7 months ago

Vanessa, Daniel and 16 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1978

From Mag. An absolute wow of a bottle. The nose is crazy intense, lucid and profound. Dark plum fruit with a whiff of band aid, iron, black pepper, a tangy meatiness. Loads of delicate floral notes floating around, but a soulful and pristine bottle. As fresh as an early 2000’s bottle but so much age and precision going on. Wonderful. Just spectacular. — 9 months ago

Jan, Andrew and 13 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1955

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 7 years ago

Shay, Eric and 16 others liked this