Corsica, France

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

2003 vintage. Last tasted 10.16.22 (9.1) and a relatively disappointing showing then. This time round, decanted and tasted multiple x's after 1.5 hours-3 hours. Decent sed yet less than expected. Good fill but cork seemed a tad dry. The blueberry, cocoa powder nose was there with the quintessential, P-L hallmarks. Light-medium body. A billowing, smoky initiation, then plum along with graphite and touches of cedar + espresso crema. Left me wanting just a little more and thinking a different bottle of this same P-L vintage just might yield a 9.5. This and La Mission Haut-Brion fave two red BDX producers and this did nothing to change that. Hopefully, another P-L 2003 cycles through soon enough to prove my theorem. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 8 days ago

Vino, Ted and 15 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and through 3 hours. Great fill/appropriate aging cork. Medium sed. Noticeably dark color. Any trace of the usual Cos baby fat for the first decade+ after release long gone geek. Interesting. This was a lean, mean, street-fighting machine with "minerality" to spare. Intense. Compact. Unsure if it will continue to menace in the next decade of life or retreat into a reclusive, "turtling" period. Best guess? Street-fighter par excellence. Regardless of taking the high or low road, it's not devolving into a drink 'em if you got 'em any time soon scenario. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 8 days ago

Ted, Severn and 17 others liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2016

Too young I know but was hoping with a 5h+ decant this would still deliver. It did, though I’m not sure it showed as distinctively as I was hoping. On cork pop a medicinal note that blew off. Lots of dark red fruit and purple flowers. Tannins are there but alongside a ribeye weren’t overbearing. Quite nice but was hoping for something more. — 10 days ago

Ted, Joseph and 7 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Blend

David T
9.3

15 person Champagne tasting with friends.

We inserted what we all feeling is more or less the gold standard of n/v Rose’ to pair with duck and goat cheese on crostinis.
— 12 days ago

Paul, Shay and 16 others liked this

Jacques Selosse

Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Wonderful nose, toasted almond, sherry, lemon, ripe pear. Oxidation is just right- not overwhelming, but adds to complexity and character. Slightly orange color, full bodied. Would love to know actual alcohol, label says 11-14%, but tears indicated higher alcohol, but very well balanced. Disgorged 14 November 2019. — 8 days ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1995

1995 vintage. Nice fill. Cork good. Decanted and tasted immediately, after 15 mins and at the 2 hour mark. Threw less sed than expected. Vibrant color. Medium body. Pencil shavings and chocolate-covered blueberries nose and flavors segued to graphite, cedar closet and the ole L-B mint chocolate chip ice cream standard. Not improving but holding steady here for the next 4-6 years. Good stuff. 11.16.23. — 15 days ago

Shay, Severn and 22 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Crazy how youthful this was at 34 years young! Still some vibrant fruit and nice layers. What a wine. Thx to Pauli for sharing! — 3 days ago

Doug, Eric and 14 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Still remarkably youthful, it’s rich, dense and dark fruited, layered with classicism of cigar box, cedar and spices. The palate is concentrated and powerful with a silky texture and incredible length. 95 is nowhere near its peak. Many more years to go. And while I’ll never be a real Bordeaux lover, it’s clear what makes these first growths special. — 6 days ago

Severn, Douglas and 11 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

This was opened and we enjoyed a few glasses before recorking and reapproaching 24 hours later, at which point it was really singing. Yellow peach, pear and medley of orchard fruit, layered with pressed yellow flowers, dried persimmon, and notes of vanilla and bourbon. So delicate. Such fine bubbles. Saltwater taffy and some caramel and rock salt on the palate. Subtle tannic echo. Mesmerizing. — 20 days ago

David, Ira and 23 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

24 hours air? Can you explain, Josh.
Josh Morgenthau

Josh Morgenthau Influencer Badge

@Peter van den Besselaar better to rephrase- it was good but reticent upon opening, so we recorked it and then tried again after 24 hours, at which point it was really amazing.

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1967

never been a fan but I’m told it was an amazing bottle. I have trouble with the bitter burned apricot pit finish I always find. Give me a TBA. — 13 days ago

Shay, Andrew and 5 others liked this