Cherry On Top

Pio Cesare

Barolo Nebbiolo 2020

John W
9.1

Maroon coloration. On the nose, cherry, florals, leather, minerals, and vanilla. On the palate, cherry, red berry, earth, minerals, stronger acidity and tannins present but not overpowering. A Barolo with more finesse than power. — 3 months ago

Dave and Jay liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Classic color, fragrances, and dark cherry on the palate. If you drink this wine at less than 5 years old, you might be disappointed. But at 7 years old, it is amazing. August 2025. — 3 months ago

Dave liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml.
— 4 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 18 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep 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 and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 5 months ago

Ely, Lyle and 15 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010

Somm David T
9.3

This 2010 is in tip-top form.

Beautiful, ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum/black plum for days, cherries, strawberries, raspberries & some pomegranate highlights. Cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg & soft vanillin, black teas, mid berry cola, both licorices, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped black tea, limestone minerals, some charcoal, pepper, grilled meats, dark spice w/ heat, sandalwood to cedar, dark, withering flowers with violets, grand acidity and a balanced, well tensioned/structured, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on spice.

Even adding the plum reduction sauce, the 2011 Burnello is still the better pairing.

Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, founders-Dan Kosta & Mike Browne and their barrel & tasting room.
— 5 months ago

Daniel, Andrew and 11 others liked this

G.D. Vajra

Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2021

My first time trying this and it deserves the hype. Black cherry, tar, rose, whiff of anise on finish. Wonderful density and concentration. Tannins are burly but pleasant. Decant 1 hour at this age. — 6 months ago

Dave liked this
Dave

Dave

One of my go-to's. Cheers!

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2021

Wow! So glad I bought a bottle of this. Funky on opening. After 2 hours it is so good. Violets, roses, cherry, baking spice is in background, there’s an earth/herbal component I cannot pinpoint. It is so drinkable but evolves with almost every sip. Need more Pinots like this in my life. — 8 months ago

Vanessa, Austin and 9 others liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2022

🍷Cheers to this compelling Morgon crafted by one of the region’s luminaries!✨

We’re talking about the ‘Côte du Py’ Morgon (Gamay Noir) by the revered Jean Foillard.

This Gamay hails from Morgon – a “Cru” within the broader appellation of Beaujolais – with a reputation for producing structured & age-worthy wine.

👁️ This wine is medium ruby in color, like a gemstone with the delicate haze you’d expect from an unfiltered wine.

👃 The aromas & flavors are perfumed with ripe red and black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, blood orange, mulberry, rosehips, hibiscus, lilac, black tea, rooibos, black licorice, star anise, potting soil, gunflint, & clove.

👄 On the palate, it’s dry with vibrant acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body, fine, ripe tannins, followed by a persistent finish.

In sum, this is a captivating, soulful, & expressive wine; a beautiful representation of Morgon, so deliciously drinkable now, with its layers of lush fruit, florals, & spice, while demurely holding the spine, structure, & intensity to age…

I can imagine it gaining mushroom, earthy, leather, & cured meat dimensions with time.

It offers power and elegance; a wine to sip, savor, & appreciate.
— 3 months ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Dave and 18 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

One of my absolute favorite producers of Grand Cru Gamay. Cheers! 🍷
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Somm David T Jean Foillard is an icon! And this wine 🍷 was a beautiful example of his deep talent & craft. 😍 Cheers!

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1995

Garnet core , wide terracotta rim . Quite aromatic with sous bois , floral hints , spiced dried cherry, iodine , earth and leather . On the palate this has high acidity , fine tannins , orange rind , wet earth, sous bois , dried cherry . Good length . Ready drink now and over the next 5 years , just starting to run out of steam after a couple of hours . Elegant and refined in style — 4 months ago

Dave, Jeroen and 11 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2017

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 (S) pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with pretty notes of mostly red, tart fruit: strawberry, raspberry, Montmorency cherry, licorice, dried green herbs, menthol, and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and just a touch mousy but within the acceptable range. Refreshing and a lovely pairing with burgers on a warm Spring evening. Drink now through 2032. — 5 months ago

Ceccherini, Lyle and 14 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.

This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.

This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy.
— 5 months ago

Rob, Vanessa and 14 others liked this

Domaine Serene

Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021

Elegant Ruby color with red fruit aromas and gentle floral spice, aged for about 12 months in French oak, signature blend of grapes from Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, and Yamhill-Carlton AVA's. On the palate flavors of cherry and black raspberry with notes of herb, licorice and wet stone notes. Soft dusty tannins on a long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy notes. Very Nice! Drinking well now! — 8 months ago

Tom, Ira and 5 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

1 hour decant(lots chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: dark fruit, forest floor, smoked meat, floral, cigar wrapper, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, rich, creamy mouthcoating wine with blackberry/dark cherry, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, baking spice, and a cedar/graphite medium plus finish with some slight dusty tannins. Had this 2 years ago, and it's improved. In the beginning of its drink window at 18 years? Wow — 8 months ago

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

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Love this JP vintage!

Domaine Drouhin

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2022

[Tasted on August 9, 2025 at answer in Nashville with Linda]

Cherry and cranberry fruit, with black tea and spice.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Douglas and 4 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe jammy fruits, spice and tobacco notes, resulting from a warm dry growing season. On the palate flavors of ripe plum, blueberry and ripe cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine big rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and leather notes. Nice! — 3 months ago

Tom, Andrew and 3 others liked this

Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese Blend 2023

Medium Ruby with aromas of berry fruits and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry and red plum with pepper spice, burnt toast and herbs. Fine tannins, medium finish ending with raw fruit, spice and earthy character. Nice now! — 4 months ago

Rob, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Opened and decanted hours prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1989 appears a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and dried fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed dried flowers, some cocoa, pencil shavings, dried green herbs, a touch of leather, some organic and gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Fabulous stuff with plenty of fuel left in the tank. Drink now through 2039. — 5 months ago

Zach, Jan and 18 others liked this
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

This is one of the bottle that changed everything for me. I met it by chance nearly and it was my game changer for Bordeaux. What a memory. Amazi g pull mate!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ceccherini Cristiano love hearing these stories. I’m happy to report it is still stunning
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline I had it in 2007 in a beautiful location on the hills of Rome when my first son was just born. I reckon it must have been my first wedding anniversary too cause the restaurant was the one were we had got married in 2006. On a terrace with view on Rome😍

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

Started out shaky but rose to an eclectic dinner. Wine after decanting had the right tannins and a dried cherry linger that worked well on my palate. — 6 months ago

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! — 8 months ago

Rob, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2022

Blend of 65% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 14% Petite Sirah & 5% Mataro. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, oak and spicy and scents. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with pepper, cacao, espresso, floral and smoky oak. Well balanced, fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, smoke and dried spice. Will age. — 9 months ago

Andrew, Paul and 6 others liked this