Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Deep Ruby with concentrated aromas of ripe black fruits and earthy floral spice. The palate shows rich blackberry and tart raspberry, complex, good acidity, balance and depth with ultra-smooth tannins. The long finish ended with an earthy and woody spice, cacao, and mushroom, very smooth. I am guessing that this wine is at its peak, so if you are lucky enough to find a bottle, get the corkscrew! — 5 years ago

Krista

10

Really great. Had at corkscrew Blackstone. Would purchase. — 6 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

This incredibly unique semi-carbonated Lambrusco is all about Red Delicious apples. Pretty crimson murky red with a tinge of copper on the brim. It’s completely dry with a bitter note reminiscent of apple skin. Tart cranberries and spiced cherry flavors formulate into a Dr. Pepper and nutmeg elixir. So unusual and so perfect for this time of year.

And more surprises - an odd cone shaped knobless Champagne cork that requires a corkscrew. It comes wrapped in a personal paper note from the winemaker about wine quality. — 7 years ago

Eric

9.3

This is the Old Vines Petite Sirah. Finally found a B & H that was ready to drink 😂. Cherry cola, leather, blood, and varnish. Little hot on the finish or would have rated higher. Plastic cork? Almost blew out my spleen trying to pull it out with a $2.00 gas station corkscrew. — 7 years ago

K R

9.1

Very crisp, apple and citrus. Tried at Corkscrew Wine & Cheese. — 8 years ago

TheSkip

10

So, I came home yesterday and there was a package at the door. I wasn't expecting anything and looked at the sender. @Martin G Rivard ! Well then! I knew santa was over, but perhaps Easter Bunny Rivard had struck?

I opened the box with haste. Surely anything from @Martin G Rivard would be of high quality. I saw a flash of orange and though, oh my! But there was only one bottle and it was oddly shaped. This must be the limited edition, double magnum of @Jason Chang's Nine Suns cuvée! I ripped open as if it were Christmas and out came Carlo Rossi.

I'd never heard of this producer but I trusted Martin. This bottle came with a very handy pour handle at the top. I was excited. Although it was only 4pm, I remembered what @Bill Bender said about 3pm so, I thought to myself, why not?

Hurriedly, I came into the kitchen and got my favorite Zalto glass, as inspired first by @Roman Sukley. I retrieved my corkscrew and opened the knife only to discover that this was a convenient screw cap! How thoughtful of Martin!

Open it went and the room filled with a lovely sweet grape must. I knew this would be special. I grabbed my winestop given to me by @Ron R and inserted to to insure there would be not a drop wasted.

Into the glass and my excitement prevented any thought of a decant.

What a wine! Those Concord grapes - what has Welch's been thinking? They've missed out on one of the finest varietals I've ever encountered. I knew I was truly lucky to try this rare wine.

But something felt...off. And I realized, I had nothing to pair with this! Thankfully there was a full 4L in this bad boy. And the screw cap allowed for prompt resealing.

Away I went in the car. What oh what to have? Aih! Exactly! @Paul T told me about the heaven of pairing McNuggets. Off to Ol' McDonalds I went.

Twenty McNuggets and sweet and sour sauce please!

I scurried to the back, and carefully withdrew my Zalto from my backpack. Opening the McNuggets, I knew this would be special. And indeed, I am with words to describe the experience. Yet, again, I knew something just wasn't right. The wine wasn't presenting itself. So I thought, how can I classy this up? And then I remembered all of @David L's posts with the classy silver wine coaster.

I had to have one. I asked the chap at the counter of McDonalds, but the response I received was less than satisfactory. I had to solve this issue myself. Thankfully , while returning to my table, I spotted a HomeGoods store immediately next door. I ran across and found a lovely silver charger.

And finally, returning to my table, I was now all smiles! More smiles than @Mike R !

What a special evening. I really wanted to end this off right. I grabbed a dozen roses and rushed home to the wife. Half a bottle Rossi still intact!

I showed her the bottle and wow! You should have see her eyes. I then suggested we retire to the bedroom and this was met with prompt approval.

And with such a great night, I wanted a lovely memento. I gently placed the bottle against her and snapped a lovely shot that is sure to be on the cover of the next issue of BBB with @Bill Bender !

Thanks for thinking of me @Martin G Rivard ! — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Founded in 1820, Graham’s produced some great Ports of the 20th century. In 1970 the company changed ownership from the founding family to the Symingtons. Reddish amber color with aromas of ripe red fruits with a classic Tawny nuttiness. On the palate sweet cherry and raspberry flavors with some cacao, vanilla and oak notes. Lingering finish, fresh and vibrant. It has a t-cap closure, means no corkscrew to open & will stay fresh for 2 to 4 months if stored in a cool, dark place. Nice! — 6 years ago

Nick

9.0

Bordeaux prep. ~45$ at corkscrew — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Global Champagne Day 2018...Why not?

@Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew I'm not going to sabre this one, maybe another time. Nice post/feature today.

Seemed excessively frizzante when we opened the bottle, more mellow after an hour, quite nice. Lightly brioche, the Chardonnay is more prominent tonight. Light caramel on under-ripe peach, delish. At hour two, lightly saline, red fruit arrives, the terroir is making an appearance. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The 86 is still in fine shape. One the nose, the fruit are slightly stewed & mashed. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, creamy black raspberries. Tarry notes, bay leaf, dark chocolate, dark spice, black turned earth, dry stones, eucalyptus and fresh & dry red flowers. The tannins are completely resolved. The body is medium and mouthfeel clean, lush & ripe. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, creamy black raspberries & strawberries-blue fruits come on late. Tarry notes, bay leaf, dark chocolate, mocha, dark spice with heat that intensifies and rises off the palate as it sets, mixed berry cola, black tea, rich, moist black turned earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, used leather, dry stems, old tobacco, mint, eucalyptus, violets, fresh & dry red flowers. There is still sound structure, great length, balance and nice complexity. The acidity is like a waterfall and the long, beautiful finish goes on and on and on. If you have the 86, it’s beautiful, but drink them now or very soon as they will start to slip going forward. The cork was in decent shape. However, I used “The Durand” corkscrew just to be safe. Always use it on 25 year plus wines just to be safe...100% removal rate getting them completely intact. Photos of, our bicycle Santa towing his wine & our color changing Christmas candles. Merry Christmas to the Delectable Community! 🎄🎁⛄️❄️🥗🎅 — 8 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.4

Feb 25, 2017. Dinner w/ Jack D, Cello, & J2. Jack D brought the wine. Cork deteriorated (use cork pull, not corkscrew), but wine excellent! Lovely Rhone blend w/ 50% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, 15% "Mataro," + 5% Cinsaut. Yum! — 9 years ago

Emmoni Arder

8.9

I've bought at least four bottles of this since the first time I tried it. I really thought I would favor white wines more but this was the start of me opening to reds more. Definitely a good price as well for such a good steal. Added bonus: screw off top for those without a corkscrew. — 9 years ago

N R

8.9

Very smooth. Lots of fruit on the nose and palate considering the age. Magnum bottle. Be gentle with the cork. It doesn't like peer pressure and crumbles at the mercy of the corkscrew. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark inky in color with a short and cloudy, deep brick rim.

Fruity nose of plums, cherries, wood, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, herbs, light vegetables, vinaigrette, tobacco and diet cola.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, vinaigrette, vegetables, tobacco, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice Syrah blend from Sonoma County. Tangy and spicy with lots of black fruits. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel.

This 8 year old is not from the best of vintages, and over the hill by now, but very tasty nonetheless.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (2 hours).

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier.

13.6% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35. — 6 years ago

Janell

9.2

welcome to captiva 🌴 island! surprisingly good random pick on the way to the “villa” ... the only thing missing was the corkscrew...relieved that housekeeping brought one up!! — 6 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2003 Vintage in Magnum. 14.1% Alcohol. Took a while to soak up some air and settle down but once it did, smooth palate and aged fruit flavors and resolved tannins. Not Gail’s style but nothing wrong with this over several days. Slight sediment but no bottle coating. Tried to have it opened iat a restaurant for a friends retirement party but I forgot bring the Ah-so. Waiter with corkscrew destroyed the cork and I gave up and opened a 2003 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum instead which was perfection. No problem with using the Ah-so at home and the corkscrew has not penetrated the bottom or the cork. Purchased at a ZAP silent auction in 2004 or 2005 so it has the three owners signatures on the label. — 7 years ago

Peter James

9.0

Happy 4 Years Corkscrew Wine! — 8 years ago

Matt D

9.4

Had the 2014 was great — 8 years ago

Rachna Sehdev

9.6

A very tasteful intense rose. Has good peach notes. Easy to smell. Does hit you strong at first but then mellows out into a cool flavoring. It has a glass top (no corkscrew). — 9 years ago

Andy Dobson

9.6

Corkscrew delicious — 9 years ago