Float like a butterfly sting like a bee — 7 years ago
Mmm this is gunna be good. It's tight and shut down at the moment, but this has a dark purple hue to it - way more color than previous vintages of d'Armailhac that I've had. Some cedar and graphite mixed with herbs and black fruit on the nose. Palate isn't as tannic as expected, but definitely needs more time to hit its stride. Very well-made however - I bet with a 3-hr decant it'd be fab. Good value as most of the '14's have been. — 8 years ago
£99 Magnum that RP said "one of the most disappointing St.-Juliens I tasted 84pts" well I think he should retry the great numpty 😜 Still could do w/ 2-5yrs 👍 Great nose but palate still a little tight
🍇 63% Cab S, 25% Mer, 9% Cab F & 3% Pet V
🍷 Opaque ruby
👃 Smokey oaky earthy farmyard through shy blackcurrant & spiced plum w/ minerals, leather, musky cellar & wet leaves - fab nose 👍
👄 Med earthy mocha blackcurrant body w/ dry tannins & touch of tart cherry
🎯 Med dry earthy blackcurrant finish — 8 years ago
A spicy Rioja. Dense and delicious. — 9 years ago
Neck fill and cork tight and sweet sounding when you pull it. You almost can tell if a bottle will be good by how the cork comes out. Juicy still with dark cranberry notes, pure of fruit and melted tannins and acid backbone. Love it as not sure how these 75's would have aged. — 10 years ago
Intensely aromatic. Black tea, rose petals, red cherry and tar. Every component feels accentuated but in a very balanced way. Lots of fruit, good amount of acid, solid tannic grip and long finish. — 10 years ago
A little stewed on the nose but tell tale pure finish... — 11 years ago
This was a vertical of 38 vintages to celebrate Joseph Phelps Insignia 40th anniversary! The 74' and 77' were the wines that came on top from the 70's vintage. — 12 years ago
like a Barolo, aged very well after 11y, Nose very attractive and attack and mid palate very firm and full — 7 years ago
A bit reddish golden color; peach and apple on the move with hint red gooseberry; some tannins. Great surprise for Italian sparkling. — 8 years ago
I under estimated this wine last weekend as I didn't decant it. Some concern over a 20 year old CA Cabernet. However, this wine is still all there. There's something special when the right wine hits 20 years of age and there is simply no shortcut or substitute. The evolution in this wine is spectacular. Ripe plum, blackberries, dark raspberries, cooked strawberries, amazing baking spices, sweet dark earth and minerals, swede and soft leather, tobacco leaf, great balance, an amazing elegant finish and perfect acidity. I would have not expected this much from a Tapestry but there you go!!! Holding my 07's for much longer than I expected based on this 96. — 9 years ago
Acidity balanced with fruit. Not overpowering. Wonderful with fish. A lovely wine. Best to drink now. — 10 years ago
Everything could ask for from a Chianti. — 11 years ago
Great Greek wine — 12 years ago
Not much of a tier above Les Ongles in 2014 but cool stuff — 8 years ago
1985 Sassicaia. Second red wine at Redd Wood lunch w A, S, and K. This wine was perfect. Epic. We could not believe how perfect this wine was drinking. Thoroughly enjoyed it- it was enjoyable the way truffles are- hard to describe, but pleasing to all relevant senses. — 10 years ago
Very good little limoux and impressive for the price — 11 years ago
From S J vineyard very dark with blackberry coulis fruit violet floral and dark spices very big and brawny with sweet sappy fruit dark spices and a fresh finish excellent — 11 years ago
Clearly one of my favourites from Bordeaux. A very under rated vintage under the shadow of 2000's. Iron fist in a velvet glove is what I think of this lovely wine. Spherical, sexy and very serious.18,5 ++/20 — 12 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The Seasonal Grand Opening of the D&S Lounge. That’s going to require some BSR to celebrate.
As well, going to detail notes of this with my new Riedel Vintage Sommelier flutes, center picture. I’ve been wanting to write notes on this Champange in the new flutes as I wanted to do it one I am very well acquainted. As @Paul T- Huntington Beach & @Severn Goodwin have pointed out the many times I have posted it.
The nose is definitely more vibrant. Tangerines lead where they haven’t in my previous notes now using the new flutes. More pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, lemon/lime aid, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses.
The body is round with some gummy or gluiness. Everything about the mouthfeel is more delicate and softer. The bubbles smaller & more refined. Pink rose petals, blood orange, pink grapefruit, leaner; strawberries, watermelon, warmed, creamed raspberries, apricots & cherries, liqueured marmalade, hints of scorched rhubarb, almost a date presence on the long set, chalky powder, delicate, grey volcanics, sweet, sea spray, lighter intensity of white spices but, still has the heat & palate penetration, bread dough, baguette crust, touch of brown sugar/molasses light, haunting, dry herbs, limestone and bouquet of; white, red, pink & orange roses. The acidity is all fresh & lively with this cuvée. But, even that seems better. The finish is as always; well knitted & balanced, polished, fresh, persistent and never disappoints.
Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 5 years ago