Central Valley Merlot

Masseto

Toscana Merlot 1995

Elegant and at 30 years really starting to show its age with a bit too much oxidation. The finesse and elegant structure, the valve between fruit and acidity is still there but the wine is showing mainly tertiary elements now - lots of dried herbs, mint, mushroom and earth with just hints of the plum, black cherry and blueberry that were once there. Very long finish ands very much for those who appreciate aged wines. — a day ago

Paul liked this

Colgin Cellars

IX Estate Napa Valley Red Blend 2014

1.5 hour decant (decent fine/cloudy sediment). A fabulous deep ruby red color. On the nose: dark red fruit, leather, sandalwood, floral, and nutmeg. Taste: power and depth with dark cherry, dark chocolate, spice, leather, and an earthy espresso long finish. YUM! — 8 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 21 others liked this

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2022

Purchased in Thailand and drank with Nune, Melon, & Michelle (the best company!) — 8 days ago

Serge liked this

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Blend of about 73% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Semillon, aged in oak for 8 months. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with biscuit and floral notes. On the palate flavors of peach, golden apple and melon with white floral and herb notes. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, herb and yeasty notes, lively acidity with slight smoky mineral character. Small production, nice, good now! — a month ago

Andrew, Tom and 3 others liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.1

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Overrated and overpriced. 1+hr decant, probably needed more. Very hot nose with plums. Massive tannins and hits the palate like a razor blade. Earthy with plums and prunes. Not my style. Medium depth and finish.

Anyone want my last bottle?
— 2 days ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Tom and 6 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Paul J : Just checked my CT notes and I opened this ‘12 almost two years ago and it was corked. Was hoping I could give you some hope but my only experience was flawed!
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Yeah, the Continuum's always run lean and spicy. Like zero percent body fat. Nothing to grasp...a sheer red/Cabernet cliff that few can climb.
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

My experience with this wine was the complete opposite. I have a few 07’s kicking around and they were plush and dense when I last took a look…

Alban Vineyards

Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah 2002

2002 vintage. Decanted and tasted 15 minutes and 1 hour after decanting. Slight amount of sediment. Cedar, cinnamon and traces of bacon fat in the nose along with a splash of VA. The VA blew off and wasn’t there after 1 hour but was hanging out at the onset. Medium heavy body with another 5-7 years likely dropping this to medium body. Smoked meats, bigg dark plum and roasted nuts still part and parcel during. No rush to crush. 10.28.25. — a month ago

Paul, Somm and 17 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Always such a pleasure w/ this kind of age.
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

The VA/ethyl acetate is, to me, a calling card for Alban’s Syrahs. I find it there 9/10 times
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Shay A Totally agreed.

Saxum Vineyards

Broken Stones Red Rhone Blend 2013

Day one too tight,
Day 2 with a 2-3 hour decant is just about right.
Saxum may not be Napa but they know what they are doing,
Best winery in Paso.
Parker Review

RP96 Incorporating more Petite Sirah than normal, and the first time there's been less than 50% Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Broken Stones is made from 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre the rest Tempranillo and Roussanne. Its deep, inky color is followed by a structured, seriously mineral-laced and full-bodied red that offers lots of fruit (cassis, black cherries and raspberries), smoked earth and chocolate aromas and flavors. The tannin is front and center, yet they're beautifully ripe and polished. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2028
— 21 days ago

Somm, Andrew and 12 others liked this

Château Lascombes

Margaux Merlot Blend 2022

A little too young at this point. Maybe in another 5yrs — 18 days ago

Dave, Ron and 4 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021

From makers of Sassicaia, Deep Ruby color with aromas of fresh red & black fruits and earthy floral notes, 55% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot & 18% Cab Franc. On the palate flavors of cherry, plum & blackberry with floral, licorice, cacao and earthy notes, well integrated. Fine tannins, a wine with a solid structure, elegant and smooth, long finish, great mouth feel ending with fruit and oak. Will age well over next 5+ years. Nice! — a month ago

Andrew, Tom and 4 others liked this