Durou Exception

Beaulieu Vineyard

Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

Somm David T
9.4

Every time I have an older BV Tapestry, 15-25 yrs, I am always impressed with their better vintages. 2007 the rule rather than the exception. This when released in 2009-10 was between $35-$40 depending on when & where you purchased it. Having stated the above, these have proven to better than some to many Napa Cabernets costing $125 to $175 with the right long age. Bought in the last six months on the secondary market for $55 if my memory hasn’t failed me.

Tonight from a corvined bottle over the weekend still shows youthfulness but has excellent integration & evolution. Still has 12-15 years of good drinking ahead.

Ripe & lush, touch candied, dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, soft, wet herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets.

The palate shows lush, ripe with M+ velvety rounded tannins. Lush dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry leather, used tobacco with ash, lead pencil shavings, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, moist & dry herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon stick, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets, pretty acidity and a finish that is; well balanced/structured/knitted, elegantly polished that last two-minutes and lands evenly on fruits, soft earth notes & deep spices as it sets.
— 16 days ago

Jay, leon and 15 others liked this

Drappier

Millésime Exception Brut Nature Champagne Pinot Noir 2016

Light lemon yellow . Quite serious and complex on the nose , lemon oil , brioche , pastry , mineral , sea spray notes . In the mouth very young , lots of brioche and pastry notes along with yellow fruits and a real mineral , saline finish . Good body of fruit to stand up to the large backbone of acidity . Pretty good length , slight toastiness at the end . This is a successful wine for the vintage , will need time to settle down , but the extra balance should come with time . Better in 5 years , will last another 5-10 — 3 years ago

Byron, Severn and 2 others liked this

Cade

Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

2012!! 🕰 A marvelous year; the year @deked1 and I reconnected. Two years later we exchanged vows and began our adventure in life together. Tonight, we’re celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. 💕💕 The honeymoon vibes are still going strong! 🙌

We’re excited about this 2012 Cade that was bottled on June 13th, 2014, just over a month before our wedding. It’s comprised of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. It comes from Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley, California. ⛰ 🇺🇸

Howell Mountain AVA is known for producing fuller-bodied and well-structured wines with vines planted at an elevation ranging from 1600 to 2200 ft above sea level and good sun exposure. ☀️ This wine is no exception with its firm tannins, medium acidity, and high alcohol (15.2%); also, its opulent, ripe black fruits such as juicy blackberry bramble, black cherry, crème de cassis, also black licorice, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso, clove, and forest floor. It has a long, elegant finish. 👌👌👌

It also underwent 20 months of barrel aging in 100% French Oak 80% of which was new, which explains the noteworthy secondary aromas and flavors that add to the complexity of this wine.👏👏👏👏

Here’s to cherishing the moment with the people you love. Cheers!
— 4 years ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Milissa and 25 others liked this
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Shay A Thank you and Happy Anniversary to you, too!! Excited to see what you’ll pop to celebrate 🎉 🥂🍾
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Big congrats to both of you.
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Ron R Many thanks!! 🙏🙏 Cheers!

Mailly

Exception Blanche Grand Cru Brut Champagne Chardonnay 2016

An Outstanding Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2016 vintage champagne from Mailly in Reims. Zesty and zingy and compelling acidly, super balanced, slightly but beautifully yeasty. Potentially to age another +10 years. Fine bubbles and very elegant and crazy smooth. — 7 months ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

Somm David T
9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute.
— a year ago

Shay, Paul and 18 others liked this

Terres d'Avignon

Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2019

If I learned only one thing about wine, if it was selected by Kermit Lynch it is a quality wine. This Cotes du Rhône is no exception. Smooth and excellent. Wonderful with a meal or just as a stand-alone. I’ll get me some more. — 4 years ago

Shaw and Smith

Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2018

A medium bodied cool climate Shiraz with spice and a little pepper. A nice wine but I feel the district is better suited to the previous varieties tasted. The Balhannah Shiraz may be the exception. — 4 years ago

Aravind, Simon and 17 others liked this

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

2022 vintage. Cantemerle is always about elegance, and this exceptional vintage is no exception. Cassis, blackberries, subtle floral hints, and very delicate oak. Exemplary purity of fruit, velvety tannins and serious length. Hard to resist young, but this should age effortlessly for a few decades. The best Cantemerle I have ever tasted, and incredible value too. Abv. 13,5%. — 10 months ago

Hermes, Peter and 4 others liked this

Mommessin

Les Caves Grandes Exception Moulin-à-Vent Gamay 2020

In 1865, Jean-Marie Mommessin founded winery. In 1889, Mommessin acquired La Grange Saint-Pierre, ancient buildings in Macon, originally belonged to Abbey of Cluny. Its key, the Key of St. Peter, became famous house emblem. Ruby color with aromas of dark berry fruit with notes of oak and floral. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with oak, floral, spice and earthy notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 2 years ago

Tom, Juan and 3 others liked this

Hubert Lamy

Les Chataigners Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2018

Bwah! What can I say? Olivier just makes wines that I’m incredibly fond of and this was no exception. For me, the Lamy Bourgogne punches assuredly above its weight class (though proper AB comparisons are still in order to validate this). It’s just the detail and intensity that gets to me. Soars in the glass with aromas of citrus, green apple, iodine, and a touch of herbaceous elements. The flavours follow through to the palate with mind-boggling delineation. Pure, bracing, weighty, long, and so so chalky that even the most seasoned of taster might call this a Chablis. Damn it, I need more! I certainly put the entire table onto these wines with this pull - the perfect gateway drug to the world of Lamy. — 3 years ago

Jan, Andrew and 11 others liked this