Dark Side Winery

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2018

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2018 is a fairly classic expression of Beaucastel with a mixed bramble fruit set, underbrush, herbs and spices in lovely balance. Good structure. While still on the youthful side, the 2018 is already showing well and was an awesome accompaniment with a wagyu burger. Drink now through 2038. — 4 months ago

Juan, Vanessa and 16 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2020

Ming L
9.3

Quite approachable at this young age. 30 minutes decant and it’s open for business. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, cocoa, and lightly roasted nuts. The depth of flavors and elegant medium to full body show the pedigree. If blinded, I would not be able to tell this is a Sangiovese dominant blend. Would prefer a bit more acidity. But who am I to complain. — 6 months ago

Tom, Bob and 7 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

Dark fruit. Sweet edges. Great fruit given the age. Oak softened. Very good — 8 months ago

BOT Jean-Francois PelletierMatt Lichtenberg
with BOT, Jean-Francois and 2 others
Jan, Jay and 9 others liked this

19 Crimes

The Banished Dark Red Blend

Ritch oily smoothness😉 — 6 years ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo

Violets and peppercorns on the nose, it needs some air to open up, dark wood and some earth on the background. — 7 years ago

Carnivor

California Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Full bodied, dark, and smooth. Semi-fruity with subtle tannins. Very drinkable. — 10 years ago

Belle Glos

Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Really tasty. Perhaps the first Cali Pinot noir that I’ve enjoyed, also probably because it drinks more like a zin. Dark opaque red. Slightly smokey. Full bodied. Bought it on sale for $35. Would love to have again. Had with apps on New Year’s Eve, but would be great with food and could even hold up to a heartier meal (steak, etc). — 4 months ago

Ethan HeyboerPeter HeyboerDiane Heyboer
with Ethan, Peter and 1 other
"Odedi", Andrew and 1 other liked this

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Big fruit forward Napa cab. Ripe dark fruit, on the edge of overpowering. Tannins are rounded and quite soft. — 6 months ago

Joe, Billy and 1 other liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — 7 months ago

Ira, Jan and 21 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Nice long description!

Sine Qua Non

Dark Blossom Syrah

Not too much to say....power in a silky glove...close to perfection. — 7 years ago

Ira, Jeroen and 8 others liked this

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Bolgheri Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

07' Ornellaia Bolgheri ( Bordeaux blend). Predominately Cabernet. I'm also guessing it's mostly all new oak. Slightly tannic & a little heavy on the oak. That absolutely subsides with a decent decanting . Must decant, so the fruit can move forward in the wine. Layers of elegant & beautiful black fruit, with hints of tobacco & dark chocolate. It just lays on the back of your palate for 30+ seconds. A little more patience/time?? I would love to try this again in 3-5 years. Recommend highly!

I've got to get some more of the great vintages of this! My better half..."We need to get some of this" 😉
— 9 years ago

Paul, Meg and 59 others liked this
Jim Trobaugh

Jim Trobaugh

Like this a lot have 3 of the 04'
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jim Trobaugh That's going to be a treat. I've got to also get some. Looking at getting the 25th anniversary "BLACK" label also. I'm also looking at getting the 06' 07' again, 13'. Cheers!
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jim Trobaugh Let's not forget the 09'

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Surprisingly good blend that is dark & full of flavor. — 11 years ago

The Prisoner liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

Medium-dark-red color, very little browning at rim, this shows a little of the “overripe” notes I’ve found in 1990 Bordeaux (and CdPs), nice concentration and depth, long finish, the ripeness carries into the finish and detracts just a little. — 5 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Chris, Ira and 9 others liked this

Michael David Winery

Petite Petit Lodi Petite Sirah Petit Verdot 2021

Ming L
9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure.
— 6 months ago

Tom, Bob and 1 other liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged 32 months in 100% new 60-gallon French oak barrels. Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of dark fruits, with hints of cedar, floral, oak, herbs and spice. On the palate flavors of concentrated ripe blackberry, cherry and blackberry, pepper, tobacco, leather and earthy cacao. Fine savory tannins, well balanced, long finish, great structure ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy mineral character. Outstanding! — 9 months ago

Vino, Joe and 15 others liked this
Rob Brobst III

Rob Brobst III Influencer Badge

Well done and happy sipping!

Apothic

Dark California Red Blend

Great for dessert, chocolate. Somewhat sweet. — 6 years ago

Folie à Deux

Ménage à Trois Midnight Lot 369 Dark Red Blend 2015

Very rich with flavor. More flavor then the regular red ménage a trois. Both are great! — 7 years ago

Dark Horse Wines

The Original California Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Pairs well with Netflix and a blanket — 10 years ago