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. — 9 months ago

Dave and Jay liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

John W
9.4

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, jammy berries, oak, vanilla and cassis. On the palate, dark berries, vanilla, cherry, nice finish. Tannins still strong. Very nice wine. — 4 years ago

Yianni, LM and 5 others liked this

Tenuta Il Poggione

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2007

[Tasted on July 25, 2022 at Santo in Nashville with Rachel]

Red plum and cherry fruit with iron, licorice, spice, chalk and leather. Fuller style of Brunello. Well balanced and integrated.
— 4 years ago

Sagee liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

ESF
9.3

Yeah yeah, I know this is not considered a great vintage, but this is a Cracking Claret! Leaner in style and not a verbose powerhouse, it still delivers an elegant rendition of traditional Pauillac flavors. The cherry was more like kirsch liqueur, the cassis, graphite, leather, gravel, tobacco, the bay leaf... all beautifully delineated and intense. The mid palate was polished to perfection. Tannins are sturdy enough but seamless & integrated. The finish persists and invites another drink. Got these on a great deal from K&L back in the day and glad I did! In a great drinking window right now. — 5 years ago

Severn, Aravind and 10 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice to hear & know

Domaine Serene

Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Delectable Wine
9.4

Shimmering ruby. Expansive aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, potpourri and exotic spices; vanilla and espresso notes emerge as the wine opens up. Sweet, fleshy and seamless in texture, offering palate-staining black raspberry, cherry liqueur, vanilla and spicecake flavors and a sexy violet pastille nuance. Velvety tannins build slowly on the finish, which hangs on with impressive, floral- and spice-dominated persistence. (60% new French oak) (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 7 years ago

P, Robert and 1 other liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1979

Just love these old Lynch Bages as they made so many great wines in off vintages. The 79 from an owc is sweet on the palate showing red cherry, cassis, cedar, earth, leather, mineral & tobacco. — 7 years ago

Eric, Ira and 14 others liked this
Martin Sher

Martin Sher

Just had the ‘85 LB the other day. Brilliant stuff and all your notes applied. Cherry, cedar and a good dose of leather.
Ron Siegel

Ron Siegel Premium Badge

The 85 is a real beauty! Glad you had a good btl. Cheers!

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

Classic Rioja. Dark cherry and blackberry nose with cigar box in the background. More dark cherry, plum, leather and mocha on the palate. Chewy tannins and lingering acid through the finish. Powerful but balanced from start to finish. — 9 years ago

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2011

Purple/red flower on the nose, candied cherry, tiny touch of black pepper, thyme, mint, cinnamon, nutmeg, medium plus tannin, a touch of tobacco, cocoa powder, beautiful and velvety. A very nice Chinon. Had pasta asparagus/mushroom pasta with anchovy garlic butter sauce with it. It's a wonderful pairing. — 10 years ago

Anthony liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2005

Opaque red w slight orange rim. Iron, earth, funk, dried herb, black cherry, rose. On palate red apple peel, more metal/funk; good acid, mild tannin, slightly bitter. Mourvèdre dominant. — 10 years ago

Kim Reisman McKee
with Kim

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

BEAUTIFUL color on this wine, just stunning.

The nose gives off delicate red and pink flower notes, along with cola, cedarwood and white chocolate.

This is one of the prettiest wines I've ever tasted. Pure velvet luxury on the palate with candied red cherry and balanced acidity.

Compared to the Belle Glos Dairyman pinot noir I had last month this was a good deal better. Now onto Las Alturas!
— 11 years ago

Adolfo MunozHolly lee
with Adolfo and Holly

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2007

Beautiful aromas of milk chocolate covered cherries with a cherry liquor note. Undertones of leather and vanilla. The palate is soft, juicy. Dry on the finish and showcases the ripe black fruits, creamy oak and fine grained tannins. — 12 years ago

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.
— 9 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!

Concha y Toro

Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Waiting a long time on this one. Brought back from Chile in 2005. Not a huge cab fan but this is impressive. We’ll structured and complex. Tobacco, black pepper, dark cherry, caramel apple, spice and almost a tawny port finish and color. — 5 years ago

Tenuta Sette Ponti

Oreno Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1999

Happy Father's Day 2020 to all; I'm posting pictures of our fur-kids, an independent and somewhat self-interested bunch. Two boys (9) and two girls (3), all rescued from various locations across the East Coast of the US. They generally bring the utmost of joy to my life on a daily basis.

Nose has blackberry jam on moist leather, minor cedar, very light barnyard notes, grilled blackberry,
blueberry compote, brewed dark roasted coffee, wet garden soil, chocolate vines candy and dried orange peel.

Palate has over-ripe blackberry, wet tanned leather, dark chocolate syrup, dehydrated black cherry, chocolate covered blueberry and moist cedar.

Silky smooth, intense finish running +2m, still showing tannins. Expect this bottle to easily hold another 10+ years without concern, in proper storage.

Decanted ~5h. Paired with well salted (in advance), medium-rare, grilled NY strip steaks from my favorite, local farmer in Columbia Co. NY (Kinderhook Farm) and sauted, early season, baby squash in ozro with our garden herbs.

INAUGURAL vintage on this wine, I certainly didn't realize that fact when we bought it in September 2005! This has been in storage for the prior 15 years, just coming back home in January 2020.

Merlot 50% / Cabernet Sauvignon 40% / Petit Verdot 10%
— 6 years ago

Ryan, Somm and 48 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

He defended me like a wolf hound. Never get between me and Rascal.
Muralee Murugesu

Muralee Murugesu

This thing is deadly good.
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Hugh O'Riordan You sent me a pic of him previously.
@Muralee Murugesu I hope not too deadly, we still have more of the same to drink down the road, I'd like to get to them 😬

Michael David Winery

Freakshow The Strongest Man on Earth Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Color of dark purple, ruby, and a bit brown note on the rim. Nose of dark fruits, tobacco leaves, spice, and indeed some strawberry. Taste is sweet! Zest, cherry, , spice, marginal tannins come next. Quite milky. Aftertaste is also a bit spicy, tobacco leaves, and just a bit too watery. Too sweet for me but may be a good one in the party. — 7 years ago

Dawn, David and 3 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Frank Kuo Cheers! I have always enjoyed this wine! 🍷

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Somm David T
9.2

A redo after that disappointing 2002 Pichon Lalande two weeks ago on #steakandclaret night. While this is not again what I expect from this producer, it is better than the 02. Nose of cedar, fresh tobacco, stones and dry soil, quiet baking baking spices, ripe & lean; blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, hues of blueberries, light mushroom, soft leather, black licorice cola and fresh red florals. The body is leaner to medium and well resolved. The fruits are fresh & bright. Dark cherries, cherries, lean blackberries, strawberries, cherries, pomegranate & cranberry juice, hues of blue fruits, saddle-wood, sweet suede leather, fresh tobacco leaf, cedar, dry stones, top soil & rich turned dark earth, limestone minerals, dry stems, slight touch of dry herbs, round, mouthwatering acidity and lean, long, well balanced fruit & earth, good structured finish with length. Finish lasts a full minute. Still 8-10 years of good drinking ahead. 9.3 with the ribeye. — 9 years ago

Julie, Sofia and 15 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2013

Well balanced fruit with cherry and leather. Nice tannins on the finish. Overall, a great value wine. — 10 years ago

Askly JawsCharlotte FreiAndreas Frei
with Askly, Charlotte and 1 other

Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese Blend 2014

Spring flowers and dried herbs on the nose. Tart cherry, black plum, and raspberry. Tons of minerals!!!! Himalayan salt, crushed slate, wet river rocks. A trip beneath the earth's crust in the shadow of Etna. This has the grip and saline acidity to cut through richness. Might be a good match with grilled sausages. Or a foil to long simmered tomato sauce. — 10 years ago

Diana L
with Diana
Ron liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice expressive note, @Joe Lucca

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

What Rioja should taste like - classic strawberry, cherry, hint of vanilla - and plenty of earth tones on the nose. — 12 years ago

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.
— 9 months ago

Dave, Douglas and 4 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Blend of mostly Tempranillo with a splash of Graciano, deep Ruby with dark edges, aromas of berry fruit, complex spice, oak with earthy notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with cacao, leather, cinnamon and pepper spice. Fine tannins, good balance, medium+ finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak and spice. Very Nice. Consistent quality. — 3 years ago

John, Paul and 4 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019

Medium Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and sweet cherry, espresso, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Dusty fine tannins on a long finish ending with cacao and earthy herb character. Very nice! — 5 years ago

Alex, Jonathan and 9 others liked this

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Riserva Rancia Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2006

Wow. Fourteen year-old Chianti that retains the liveliness of youth. Tart plum and sour cherry fruit, but a more sophisticated nose of leather and earth, with subtle floral notes in the background. Sufficient acid and tannic backbone to be an excellent food wine but balanced and quite enjoyable on its own. Enjoyed the 2006 vintage with a heaping plate of freshly baked ciabatta, Taleggio, Gorgonzola, cherries and dates. I am so glad there is a second bottle of this in my wine fridge. — 6 years ago

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2013

Lyle Fass
9.3

What a nose. Spice, ripe and overflowing mid season cherries, pine resin and sap. Wow. Huge sweetness as well. Smells like 1er Cru Côte de Nuits. Stunning. Palate is nervy and engaging with huge mid season semi sweet cherry fruit. Juicy and prickly acids with wonderful juicy and ripe tannins with a citrus twang on the finish. In the zone right now. So elegant and yet so flavorful. — 7 years ago

Aaron, Severn and 7 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I love this stuff I just had the 15

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Top year 904 @ £75 that was drank in Zalto burg glass as its like an aged burgundy

🐽 Paired w/ Iberian Ham 😍

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick

👃 Smoked burnt oak, soggy earthy leaves, leather, dark cherry & figs w/ balsamic & damson

👄 Med body of creamy stewed cherry w/ earthy balsamic & slight mocha

🎯 Med finish of above w/ earthy balsamic linger

Reaching peak but I preferred the 95 904 over this but the 890 94 was better than the 95!
— 8 years ago

Chris, Ellen and 15 others liked this
P A

P A

@Chris England Chris the total package sounds great Cheers 🍷
Chris England

Chris England

@Phil A especially as we brought them both back from Barcelona 🎉🍷

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinkable now or lay down. Plum, leather, dark cherry. Jordan cabs are classics and always reliable. What got me hooked on wine. — 9 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

On the nose, I smell cherry and vanilla. Tasting wise, it's very smooth. Not super tannic, more juicy. Notes of blackberry and cherry. — 10 years ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Decanted 2 hours. A fantastic Tuscan IGT that will impress even the most discerning wine lovers. Nose of herbs meat and subtle cherry. On the palate dark fruits, herbs, meat, and loads of spice. Very complex. — 10 years ago

Chris, Jonathan and 2 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012

Dark ruby color with dried herb, raspberry, cherry, and a bit of spice aromas. On the palate it approaches medium-bodied, with a harmonious, elegant character and silky texture with dark chocolate covered cherries, pomegranate, and a bit of cola flavors. Med long finish. — 11 years ago

Anthony and JJ liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Clear deep purple colour with watery rim. Clean medium intensity aroma with minty black cherry and black currant with hint of oak smokiness and vanilla. Dry on the palate full bodied medium alcohol with medium acidity and high but smooth velvety tannin. Flavours of earthy black currant, black cherry, and vanilla. Flavours last through into its long pleasant finish. Very good quality, drink now but can age for another 3 to 5 years for a even more balanced complexity. — 12 years ago