Contentious Character

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Slightly bricking with a savory dried red fruit, earthy, cedar, and cigar box character. Delightful! — 9 years ago

Chris, Eric and 8 others liked this

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 2005

Andrew Lampasone
9.5

This wine spends 9 years on the lees 70/30 Pinot noir and Chardonnay. This is all grand cru. A good amount of nutty a character with rich tree fruit. A big and rich wine with a good amount of pear and a host of nutty any yeasty character. Finish 50+. Most excellent+ — 10 years ago

Anthony, Richard and 2 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2007

My final bottle of red wine for 2014 paired with ribeye. Absolutely delicious, changing in character with almost every glass. I woke up this morning to read the sad news that Serge passed away yesterday. Rest in peace Mr Hochar. — 11 years ago

Anthony, Lindy and 3 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2000

Crazy youthful energy despite its intense, complex toasty and nutty character. A standout amongst a lineup of standouts — 10 years ago

Anthony liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2004

2004 vintage. This is not a champagne I thought worthy of the hype when I last drank this about 9 months ago. Maybe I was too quick to write it off. It seems to have grown in weight, concentration and complexity in that short period of time. The apples have become more precise, there is some stone fruit coming to the fore and even hints of minerality. There's some richness on the back of the palate now that adds character to the impression of the wine. The finish is more exact and there's depth of fruit missing last time round. The length is long and fairly persistent. Although a way off outstanding, it's become very good and clearly might improve further. — 11 years ago

Château Doisy-Védrines

Sauternes Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1996

Half-bottle. The wine was medium amber in colour and offered orange peel, apple, honeycomb, caramel, smoke, spices, sherry and a mouldy note on the nose. On the palate the wine showed orange, peach, apple, cane sugar, caramel, smoke, spices, creamy honey, some coffee, a hint of chocolate, sherry, mild black tea and a mouldy note, paired with medium-plus acidity, a creamy honey mouthfeel and very good length. Judged by this half-bottle the wine has just passed its plateau and started its slow journey on the downward slope. A good, medium-bodied Sauternes with lots of botrytis character. Drink now. 89 — 11 years ago

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2003

2003. Warm vintage perhaps created a slight raisiny character — 10 years ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1984

1984 Opus slightly browning but very good ruby. Opening up nose of cedar cassis Tabacco slight vanilla. Taste is definitely showing some age but expressing power of Napa. Med acid med + body. Tannins mature long finish! Very balanced!! A touch of Brett but only enough to give level of character! — 10 years ago

Jowai Lee
with Jowai
Jimmy and Alex liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1978

Thomas Pastuszak
9.2

Smokey, Briney, intense with olive, saline, mineral character: swoon — 11 years ago

David, Cyrus and 23 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1966

Robert Cunningham
9.2

Classic CUNE Riserva. Showing very well for a year that is not an excellent vintage. A lovely wine with food. Shows good balance and fruit and character. — 12 years ago

Greg liked this