Coastal Black
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days and showed very well throughout. The 2012 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some browning towards the rim; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with secondary characteristics just starting to show themselves. Also, the solar nature of 2012 is showing through with loads of truffles and overripe and desiccated red and black fruits: tartufo bianco d’Alba, dried cherry, bruised raspberries, red roses, leather, Fig Newtons, dried herbs, and some dusty and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, drying and savory. I’ve been a vocal fan of the 2012 vintage of Produttori since release and this might be the best showing yet. This is my last 750mL. My remaining bottles are magnums and I’ll look forward to enjoying those over the next 10-15 years. No rush, but this is a fun time to drink these as the truffle character is starting to peak through. — 25 days ago
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Diamond Collection Black Label Claret California Cabernet Sauvignon
Very nice with lasagna — 15 days ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1964
Short decant. Amazed at the quality after seeing an almost black cork and a very low fill level. Wouldn’t be craving a glass, but for a wine this old it was consumable with a few in the party really enjoying it. Garnet, almost brown in color. Leather and stewed fruit dominate. — 8 days ago
MAN Family Wines
Free-Run Steen Coastal Region Chenin Blanc
Dirt cheap and good. — 2 months ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
Just entering its drinking window. It has 40 years ahead of it. Excellent with Ribcap from Costco.
Interesting that there are some vegetable notes on the nose.
Very good evolution. Medium plus tannins. Juicy, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, darkest cherries, black plum/ with skin, ripe strawberries, some blue fruit hues, cedar, black licorice/cola, dark rich earth w/ leaves, sandstone, steeped sun tea, light limestone powder, ripe, light, dark spice, clove, light cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, vanillin, moist volcanic clay, fresh red, dark flowers, framed in violets, round acidity with polish/balance, softly tensioned, elegant that falls on mineral & clay that lasts two-minutes. — 6 days ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003
After 20 years, it still took extensive decanting to soften the initially gripping tannins. Once it did, beautiful dark fruits came through. Black currants, stewed prunes, delicious and full on the palate. Outstanding. Paired well with Brie and beef chow fun!!  — 19 days ago
Steven Beishuizen
Really, an earthy nose here... Cherry, yes... But in a way that I'd characterize as savory black forest cake if it was made of compost instead of sweet chocolate... On the palate, the dominant note I think would be graphite, but with the fuzzy tannins in there, it's not in a precise sense... A dull pencil in need of sharpening? At this point I'd probably need to also describe some green here... Green pepper? Tomato plant? Going back to the nose, I get the aroma now too... Gardening... This wine isn't lightweight... A sausage dish is I think where I'd go as far as pairing as there's some acidity here that could be useful for taming fat. We had this one paired with a flank steak, but really I might go to a fattier cowboy steak next time. The longer I enjoy this wine, the longer the finish seems to get... These tannins are a heck of a drug... With every sip, I actually want to savor more and more... A viscious cycle... — a month ago