Engine Room
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1995
Long Shadows Vintners
Poet's Leap Columbia Valley Riesling 2017
This is my second favorite food & wine pairing. The two together are a perfect 10. It is simply my favorite pork chop and there isn’t a close second.
This is the Mustard’s Restaurant in Napa recipe which, they have sold over a million.
There are a dozen different seasoning/spices to this two-day pork chop marinade that brings such depth of flavors & complexity to it. The spices penetrate deep onto the palate. The wine marries and complements all those seasonings & spices perfectly with just the right amount of restrained sweetness and texture.
The nose reveals; stone fruits, Meyer lemon, lemon meringue, lime candy, pineapple juice, green melon, applesauce, just a touch of petroleum, honey notes, waxy notes, touch of beeswax, light white spice, chalky saline notes, mixed greens, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers.
The body is thick, rich, lush and waxy. Stone fruits, Meyer lemon, lemon meringue, lime candy, pineapple juice, green melon, applesauce, just a touch of petroleum, honey notes, waxy notes, touch of beeswax, light white spice, chalky saline notes, light, powdery minerals, mixed greens, yellow lilies, jasmine and spring flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is; rich, lush, ripe, well balanced, delicious and persists nicely for minutes.
@Shay A Am I tempting you yet?
Photos of; the Long Shadows tasting room (just voted a top ten tasting room), the amazing glass blown artwork all over their tasting room and our dinner with this amazing American Riesling pairing. Green beans from our garden. — 6 years ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
This wine has all the makings of being great one day. It’s just about 8-10 years more years away.
The wine is just staring to round out, integrate and show its elegance. Ruby, creamy currants, earth, graphite, tobacco leaf, stones, dark most soil, round acidity and a very well polished finished.
This is my favorite Ribeye wine and it didn’t disappoint...only that is still too young. 95-96 in another decade.
Photos of, the Chateau & grounds, newer tasting room & barrel room and Estate vines that are adjacent to Chateau Latour. — 7 years ago
Domaine Tempier
Bandol Rosé Blend 2016
It’s officially Summer! Time for Rosé. Tempier is one of my favorite Rosés. They’re even better when you let them round out a year in bottle before enjoying. The color darkens to a slightly rustic orange color.
On the nose, some sour notes with a little funk. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, unbelievably just a touch of petrol, gummy character, chalkiness and fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses.
The body is round and full for Rosé. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, oranges, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, well ripened rhubarb, just a touch of petrol, gummy character, spice, chalkiness, perfect intensity of crushed volcanic minerals with fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses. The acidity is like a waterfall. The length, structure, tension and balance are excellent. The long, rich, elegant finish is beautiful and lasts minutes. It’s delicious!!!
Photos from our 2016 visit. Domaine Tempier tasting room and cellars, shot of our barrel tasting w/ their assistant Winemaker (a sweetheart), the digging for their additional cellar; which I imagine is now complete and the view from the Domaine entrance — 7 years ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1991
Is there any meal better than steak (Ribeye) and well aged Claret? This is another 1991 Bordeaux experiment of mine. 1991 was a vintage with horrible frosts and a less than favorable growing season, right? A vintage critically panned. This is my 3rd recent 91 from a good producer. And again, it didn’t disappoint. Like 97 and 07, it’s better with the right bottle age than young. Magic evolution happened in the bottle way down the road. This 91 is in great form with a fair amount of life ahead of it. On the nose; a little ripe fruit funk, wonderful dark & lighter red cassis, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries, vanilla, light cinnamon, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs and fresh & dry red flowers. The body/palate is medium, round, ripe & still fresh. The tannins nearly completely resolved. Ripe, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries & half cooked rhubarb. Vanilla, light cinnamon, touch of clove & nutmeg, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs, a little band-aid and fresh & dry red flowers. The acidity drips over the palate and the long, well balanced, still structured, nice tension, good length finish lasts over a minute. Again, love & appreciate the 12.5% alcohol. What a beauty with and without the steak. Next time you’re in your fine wine retail shop and see a quality producers 91 that’s been well stored, buy it and have it with a Ribeye. Photos of; their exotic Estate, Chateau interior, newer barrel room and their vines as viewed from the front of the Chateau that are across the road. Producer notes and history...Cos d’Estournel has a long distinguished history in the St. Estephe. Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, gave his name to the estate after founding in 1811. It did not take long before Cos d’Estournel became famous with wine lovers and royalty all over the world. In those early days, Cos d’Estournel did not sell through Negociants. The owner preferred selling his wine directly to his customers. In fact, Cos d’Estournel was exported to numerous countries across the globe, with a large portion of the production being sold to India. It was that connection to India that inspired much of the unique, east Indian design we see at Cos d’Estournel today. Cos d’Estournel was one of the first Bordeaux Chateaux’s to bottle, label and sell their own wine. This practice continued until the death of Louis Gaspard d’Estournel in 1852. If you’re at the property, the statue on the bench in the front courtyard is of the founder, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel. The Estate was then purchased by an owner that sold their wines on the Place de Bordeaux using the negociant system. If the Chateau was not selling their wines through the negociant system, it would never have been included in the 1855 Classification. Imagine that! So, it turned out to be a fortuitous decision. Cos d’Estournel was sold to the Charmolue family owners of the neighboring Estate of Chateau Montrose. They continued to own the estate until 1917, when it was bought by Fernand Ginestet. This purchase was the beginning of the next major step in the development of Cos d’Estournel. Decades later, the grandchildren of Fernand Ginestet, Jean-Marie Prats, Yves Prats and Bruno Prats took over ownership and management of Cos d’Estournel. In 1995, Bruno Prats sold the property to the Merlaut family, owners of the Taillan Group. The next era in the development of Cos d’Estournel took place in 2000, when Cos d’Estournel was bought by the industrious and wealthy Michel Reybier, who earned his fortune in the food industry. Michel Reybier hired the son of Bruno Prats, Jean-Guillaume Prats to manage Cos d’Estournel. Things further improved with the efforts of Jean-Guillaume Prats who helped design the most modern wine making at that time. A complete renovation of Cos d’Estournel took place in not only the wine making facilities and cellars, but in parts of the Chateau as well. While the wine making facilities are completely modern with their 100% gravity design, the outward appearance retained the original design and feeling that has always been a part of Cos d’Estournel. On October 15, 2012, Jean Guillaume Prats announced he was leaving Cos d’Estournel to join LVMH (Pichon Baron). Jean Guillaume Prats was replaced by Aymeric de Gironde. Following the departure of Aymeric de Gironde in 2017, the owner, Michel Reybier took over managing the Estate. What makes the remodel special is that the cellars of Cos d’Estournel are entirely operated by gravity. There are no pumps of any kind to force the wine. The purpose is to allow a gentleness to the wine and improve its purity and allow for the expression of their terroir. It set a new benchmark for cellars not only in the Left Bank, but in all of Bordeaux. Perhaps, the most inventive part of the cellars is the four 100 hectoliter lift tanks or wine elevators that replace the pumps used in the traditional pumping over and the racking off processes, which introduce air and often destabilize the marc. From the moment the grapes arrive, everything travels by the flow of gravity. Jean Guillaume Prats called this process a “pumpless pump over.” The 91 hectare vineyard of Cos d’Estournel is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is located extremely close to the border between Pauillac and Saint Estephe at the southern tip of the Saint Estephe. The Estate has very old Merlot vines as well, which date back more than 100 years. Part of the terroir is situated on the hill of Cos, which is at a high elevation for the Medoc at 20 meters. They also make a second wine called Pagodes de Cos. This is a great wine to buy in very good vintages. Especially, if your budget prohibits you from purchasing their first wine. — 8 years ago
Harlan Estate
The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 1998
Gorgeous ruby, purple color. Knockout nose of cocoa, blackberries and cassis. On the palate, black currents, melted chocolate, espresso, graphite as well as an earthy quality. Supple tannins and a wonderful richness. This Harlan second label is probably better than most producer's primary. I don't drink much Cabernet as I've been driven from the market because of ever increasing costs (I only have room for a couple high end wines, and who in their right mind would ever say no to Mr Krankl?), but I always feel regretful whenever I open a great one and see what I'm missing. — 10 years ago
Long Shadows Vintners
Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2011
One of my favorites from Long Shadows. Thick and rich in nose and flavor. Great tasting room in Woodenville WA. — 11 years ago
Château Palmer
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.
The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.
The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜
Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 6 years ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.
What a great vintage. Its tannin structure will outlive the 09 and anyone 45 and older. The 2010 is a forever vintage and while different than 09, it will undoubtedly be just as great. It’s just going to take a lot more bottle age than the 09.
The body is full and round. The tannins have rounded but are still big and chewy. It’s more concentrated than 09. The fruit is really beautiful and again perfectly ripe. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum, poached strawberries with hints of raspberries. Soft soil structure; dry top soil, moist clay, medium intensity dark spice, fresh tobacco, dry herbs, crushed rock powder, with dark, withering florals with violets. The texture is velvety. The structure and tension are big. The length and balance are worthy of its perfect score. For me, it’s just not there, yet! The acidity is really good. The long, lush, ripe, well balanced, polished finish is deliciously persistent.
Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite.
Saskia told me they are buying an existing property or starting one in China.
The nose reveals; ripe and slight stewed fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid=VA, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, crushed rocks, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers.
The body is full and thick. This wine is just coming out of its infant stage and just starting to stretch it arms & legs. The tannins are firm, rounded and powdery. The structure, tension, length and balance show the beauty of the vintage but, the drinking window on their 2000 is somewhere between 2035-2080. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, lots of graphite, crushed rocks, limestone, dry crushed rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, dry herbs, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is very good now but, if you don’t cellar it 35 years from birth, you are cheating yourself out of something truly special. Its well balanced, rich, ripe and persists for days. 95 now with more to come in 16-25 plus years.
All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.
Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 7 years ago
Merus
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Dark inky color.
On the nose; big dark floral fruits of; mulberry, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark liqueur style cherries, faint strawberries, spice, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets.
The body is big, full & lush. The structure, length, tension and balance are just starting to hit its stride. The wine is seamless beginning to end. Ripe; blackberries, dark style liqueur style cherries, mulberries, stewed plums, black plum, black raspberries & strawberries & creamy raspberries on the glass edges. Dark spice with some lifting palate heat, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, dry herbs, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets. The acidity is round and nicely executed. The long, big, rich, lush, ripe, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.
It’s delicious tonight but, it’s still early. Give it 5 more years and will drink well for another 5-8 years after that!
Photos of; Merus with a beautiful sunset, dinning/Private tasting room, entrance into their cellars and their main tasting room. — 7 years ago
Heitz Cellar
Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Many panned the 98 Napa vintage. Tasted young, it wasn’t all that good. However, never lose site that in all difficult vintages, good wines are made. Especially, with the right bottle age. They are generally from good producers who have experience, good facilities and the financial fortitude to thin crop. On the nose; floral cassis, ripe, ruby blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, sugar plum, blue fruits, dark cherries, strawberries in jam style, eucalyptus, soft spices, baking spices, dark soils, fruit tea, loamy dry soil, black moist earth, light herbaceous, used, soft leather, dry crushed rocks powder, black cherry cola, fresh red florals and violets for days. The body is full and tannins 65-70% resolved. The mouthfeel is round and glides beautifully & elegantly over the palate. Harmony in the; structure, tension, length and balance. The fruits are ripe, ruby; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, sugar plum, blue fruits, dark cherries, raspberries, strawberries in jam style, eucalyptus, soft spices, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dark soils, fruit tea, loamy dry soil, black moist earth, light herbaceous, used, soft leather, dry crushed rocks powder, black cherry cola, fresh red florals and violets for days. The acidity is round and like a waterfall. The finish is beautifully ripe & elegant and lasts well over a minute. Beautiful wine. Photos of; Martha’s Vineyard, Heitz Winery, tastings room bar on Hwy 29 and sitting area outside their tasting room. — 8 years ago
Phifer Pavitt
Date Night Sauvignon Blanc 2015
It been hot on the west coast...even in places it's not normally. Today is no different and you can add humidity; which is something we almost never have here. Time to bust out the Sauvignon Blanc. This beauty is loaded with tropical madness. Plenty of crystalline sugar in the bottom of the bottle. The green apple, ripe pineapple, lime, lemon, mango, green melon, guava, saline minerals, dry grassy notes, and spring flowers leap out of the glass. The palate matches the nose with beautiful, round, acidity and round rich long finish. Photos of, their tasting room and Calistoga vineyard. Delicious tonight! — 8 years ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2009
On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 9 years ago
Corison
Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Drank a little too chilled. Curious to taste at room temp. Very smooth. Complex — 9 years ago
Dominus Estate
Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992
Davis Estates
Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014
It has been awhile since we’ve had the 2014 and it’s evolving nicely.
My suggestion is you chill down the Davis Chardonnay, take it out of chill mode a half-hour to forty-minutes prior to enjoying. Then, get this soft white cheese from Harbison Cellars - Spruce Bark Wrapped Bloomy Rind and the Firehook crackers and enjoy them all together. They are a Heavenly pairing together.
As for the 2014 Davis Chardonnay, the nose reveals, more honey notes, overripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens.
The body is full, thick, lush and rich. The texture is gorgeous and sexy...beautifully delicious over the palate. Lots of honey notes, over ripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, more green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, caramel, a touch of toffee, butter, cream, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & crushed, grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice with a touch of heat, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens. The acidity is excellent, round and phat. The long, rich, lush, gorgeous, sexy, well balanced finish persists nicely for minutes.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better CA Chardonnay for the money. $36 member price and $48 non-member price.
You want to enjoy this just below room temperature to get all it has to offer.
Photos of, the right side view from their terrace with their signature windmill, the center direct view of the valley floor through to the other side, the Harbison soft white cheese & Firehook crackers to a pair with the Davis Chardonnays.
Their Chardonnays show varying nuisances year to year but, are very consistent in quality year to year. — 6 years ago
Long Shadows Vintners
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Saturday night pre-bday. Nice dry finish, strong dark fruits, and lovely for a brisk evening sunset at the Fog Room. — 7 years ago
Ochota Barrels
The Green Room Grenache Noir Syrah 2016
Mid Crimson in colour with a slight cloudiness. Fresh plummy skinnsy aromas - also notes of freshly cut Guava said the wife. Stems and stalks have been included in the ferment with 88 days on Skins. A 92/8 Grenache/Syrah Blend. Light to medium bodied palate of jubey fruit pastilles - like grape juice. Medium intensity with almost zero tannins. Designed to be drunk young with gusto.! The Green Room being a surfing term for being under the lip in the Barrel - Taras Ochota being a keen surfer would have been in the Green Room many times in Barrels off Mexico. A delicious natural wine - no need to cellar. — 7 years ago
Hope Family Wines
Treana Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2015
Hope family began their planting’s in 1978 & sold wine under the Hope Family label directly from the winery's tasting room. In 1990 the Hope ranches became the sole source of fruit for Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1996, they founded Treana Winery. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon & 25% Syrah. Aromas of sweet berry & spice notes. Flavors of currants and ripe berry with cacao, pepper and vanilla spice. Full body, rich tannins, good balance ending on the spicy side. — 7 years ago
Alban Vineyards
Patrina Alban Estate Syrah 2011
Alban Vineyards, the original Rhône Ranger. Of all the CA producers that try to emulate the Rhône style, I believe, Alban Vineyards emulate it best!
On the nose; ripe fruits of mixed berries, savory meats, pork & bacon fat. Mocha, dusty dry brown top soil, powdery volcanic minerals, dry underbrush, vanilla, cherry/raspberry cola, dark, rich black soil, beautiful spice, fresh red & dark florals.
The body is medium to full, round & ripe. Tannins are nicely soften with plenty of life ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, creamy raspberries, plum, boysenberries & some blue fruits. Savory meats, pork, bacon fat, dry brush, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, cola, some dark moist soil, limestone, some black licorice, touch of spice & black pepper, red & dark florals with violets, great round acidity and a rich, round, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts & lasts.
Photos of, the Patrina Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker-John Alban, nice Syrah fruit bunch and their barrel room. — 8 years ago
Château Calon-Ségur
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Got to take advantage of another Wednesday Wine Committee and boy was it worth it. Wow! Killer wines brought by Glenn for his 60th! As always, wines tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine.
En mag. Possibly WOTD for me. I don't know if it was due to it being in a sweet spot or what, but this was firing on all cylinders. Room was split on Bordeaux or old Napa cab. A jamminess trait to it, but the finish had a great plum note that lingered. Some cocoa and blackberry pie, too. So good! — 8 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Sanjay dinner at the marine room may 2017 — 9 years ago
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
From the legends that have a west coast marthas vineyard, japanese comic books about Heitz, and a tasting room that accommodates their visitors very well. Amazing throughout. Strawberry notes, mellow. Let it open for 5 hours and enjoyed this great wine w peppered rib eye and sauteed mushrooms. — 9 years ago
Marqués de Murrieta
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004
Lots of developed aromas. Leather, tobacco, vanilla, coconut, cooked fruits. Med + body, long finish. Still kicking 11 years later with some room to go. — 10 years ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994
I need to get a room with this wine. — 11 years ago
Ira Schwartz
Flashback 20+ years ago to the Wine Library in New Jersey. Walking with my 14-year-old niece she was drawn to a double magnum sitting in the corner of the cold room. She exclaimed, “ Uncle Ira , that is the biggest bottle of wine I have ever seen.” Excited by her enthusiasm I told her I would buy it and we would drink it at her wedding. That opportunity presented itself this weekend. I decided this was best consumed at the rehearsal dinner. As one would expect the bottle drew its share of oohs & aahs. The cork was pristine. I should have decanted as the bottle had a ton of sediment. On the nose; earth, hints of leather, and tobacco. In the mouth a textbook example of an aged California Bordeaux blend. Concentrated flavors of red and dark fruit, herbs, vanilla, and graphite flow into a stunning finish that still has a tannic structure. An elegant and seamless wine that has years of life remaining . I have been fortunate to taste wines that could bring you to tears. This bottle brought me to tears before a drop of wine touched my lips — 6 years ago