French Libation

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Tasted blind. Medium deep garnet ruby and medium garnet ruby rim . Quite cool and restrained , again lots of grafite and mineral , dark fruits . This is quite deep and dark spicy cassis , blackberry and sea spray , saline . Quite dense and robust on the palate again , lots of fine but ripe tannins. Very long , dense , cassis , cedar grafite saline finish . This is a complete and great example of 2005 , great balance and enormous length , the longest of all on show here. Drinkable now , but surely it’s best days are in the future , wait another 5 -10 years , will last well a further 20 - 25 if not more . The apex of 2005 ? For me this had to be the Latour , and an archetypal example of Latour no less . 1st place and the gold medal . — a month ago

Tom, Tom and 9 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2008

Jeremy Shanker
9.7

A baby but so good — 3 days ago

Jay, Juan and 4 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

It’s nice to be born just inside of a great vintage across Europe. Sound and fim, still. at Laurelhurst — a month ago

Brian, Tom and 2 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2004

slightly oxidative, but really maintained its acidity. marzapan and a little vanilla — a month ago

Joel, Grant and 3 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2010

Anti-roast, all tart cherry and white pepper, gentle tannin, faint horse hair. Wow. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 4 others liked this
romo

romo Premium Badge

Anti-roast, all tart cherry and white pepper, gentle tannin, faint horse hair. Wow.

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Somm David T
9.5

Took a little coaxing in the decanter but became my wine of the night. Happy birthday to me. — 2 months ago

Jay, Ira and 20 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T ahhhh…so the Barolo was your birth year wine 😊
Sage Shimoda

Sage Shimoda

Always enjoy your reviews. HBD!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Sage Shimoda Thsnk you. Cheers!

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2023

Very nice choice by the Sommelier at Pastis in Nashville to pair with both grilled Branzino and Boeuf Bourguignon. (I know.). Bright, a bit astringent, fruit forward, with some structure but not too much. — 2 months ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Paul K
9.7

This is incredible. Such great balance of so many parts. It’s dense, savory, smoky, floral, and juicy with great acidity. The fruit is there but not pronounced, blackberry and cassis- just a balanced part of the whole. I could drink this every night. — 2 months ago

Tom, Dave and 15 others liked this
Rick Phillips

Rick Phillips Premium Badge

Down to 3 bottles but still one of my favorites!
Paul K

Paul K

@Rick Phillips I’ll trade u one of my kids for a bottle. I have an extra…. 😏

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 (S) pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, red and purple flowers, red rope licorice, rocky earth and cool spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This vintage of Lapierre shows the warmth of the vintage and oozes generosity. In some ways, this reminds me of the 2015 vintage. Drink now through 2033+. — 3 months ago

Zach, Jae and 14 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Top three producer.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T They’re up there. Certainly Top 6 for me. Foillard, Metras, Guy Breton, Thivin, Roilette and a few of the new comers are all right up there for me
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I have some vintages of Metras. Honored 5th to the Gang of Four. Need to open one soon. Definitely, on the list.

Pierre Péters

Cuvée de Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Crisp, citrusy and with great acidity and freshness. This is one of the best and finest blanc de blancs from an independent grower we know: Rodolphe Peters does truly great champagne. — 8 months ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Adriana, Dave and 2 others liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 1990

Golden in color. Soft with apricot and peach. Unlike most Rav this is like aged spatlese. Delicate with tea etc. Pretty — 25 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Juan, Jay and 3 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Deep garnet, dark fruit - plum, black cherries, blackberries. Organic forest floor, some river stones, mushroom. Slight tobacco. — 18 days ago

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 2012

#AgedWineTuesday

Very pretty color of peach with a salmon hue.

Strong nose of apples, citrus, peaches, yeast, light bread and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and tiny bubbles.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, over ripen strawberries, apples, limes, yeast, sea salt, brioche, spices, minerals, light earth and cardamom.

Long spicy finish with limes and grapefruits.

This 14 year old Rosé Champagne is drinking beautifully already, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Elegant, spicy and rich. Fruity and nicely balanced, complex and engaging.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Wine Advocate 95 points.

Good right out of the bottle, and better when not too cold.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Tuna Avocado Tartare.

A blend of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, with 5% red wine. Disgorged in 2020.

12% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200.
— a month ago

Jose, Daniel and 9 others liked this

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 1999

This is gorgeous. Lemon and stone. A touch of orchard fruit and a bit of salinity. Very balanced with acidity rounded into the palate. Great — 25 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Bob, Juan and 5 others liked this
Jay Kline

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🔥

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2023

Ok hands up...far too young. Bad planning from me 🙌. That being said...what a wine and I'm so glad I have more!!! Concentration and flavour for days...insane levels of concentration. There is also balance and acidity but oh my what a wine! — 2 months ago

Jan, Ruud and 21 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

The start to an exciting journey! 🙌
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

The start to an exciting journey! 🙌
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Yes…but it’s always fun to check into them when they are fresh and then follow the journey.

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2012

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over several hours. The 2012 pours a light ruby with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red brambles, red rope licorice, leather, red flowers and purple flowers, and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose the finish is medium+. Textbook, Grenache forward CdP that’s showing quite beautifully. Drink now through 2032. — 2 months ago

Ira, Andrew and 20 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2015

Fantastic! — 2 months ago

Andrew and jesus liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Release date May 2012. Strong showing. Gaining a bit of color — 3 months ago

Andrew liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2007

Stunning bottle - showed really well after 3 hours or so. Maturing, integrated tannin, structured, a nose you wanna swim in… — 6 months ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Dave, Brian and 11 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

‘You wanna swim in’ 👌🤭

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

The purity is great. Lovely clarified fruit. Glossy and perfectly balanced. Wonderful stuff. — 25 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Bob, Juan and 7 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Whoa.

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996


Evolved & aromatic
Cedar wood, cigar box and a touch of cassis with some earthy, gravelly undertone.
Evolved and yet very pure. And very enticing.
Beautiful, simply beautiful on the palate. Firm yet polished and ultra fine tannins, juicy acidity, juice creamy black fruit on the mid palate. Elegant with nice depth and great length.
Beautiful juicy austerity. Classic benchmark left bank Bordeaux. And delish!!!
— a month ago

Tom liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Might have guessed it was Californian but captivating aromatics and great concentration without being over the top. — a month ago

JiaMin Dierberg
with JiaMin
Ira, Dave and 11 others liked this

Bollinger

Special Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Half bottle — a month ago

Roman, Ruud and 5 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1988

1988 vintage. Medium body. Lighter Sauternes color. Plenty of golden/ripe notes along with exquisite caramel influence but it was the acidity that stole the show. Didn’t even have to cross the fingers, hold my breath or “pretend” it was still alive. Fully mature and raring to go. Not improving but not declining either. So much life ahead. I think “Woof!” accurately sums it all up. 3.20.26. — 2 months ago

Andrew, Doug and 8 others liked this
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

Wow! Would love to try this.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Yellow Label Brut Champagne Blend

Ming L
8.9

The nose shows fresh apple and pear, with a subtle, fleeting hint of brioche. The palate is defined by a crisp, direct attack that yields to a somewhat firm, fruit-driven structure. Fine lively bubbles.

Not my favorite entry level NV Champagne, but it’s quite pleasant.
— 2 months ago

Joel, Tom and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Wonderful left bank Bordeaux from Saint Julien. Balanced, polished, flavorful with good tension. — 2 months ago

Chris DixonTammy de Weerd
with Chris, Tammy and 2 others
Ericsson, Bob and 10 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Beautiful left bank Bordeaux from Saint Julien. Balanced, polished, and flavorful with great tension.
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Beautiful left bank Bordeaux wine from Saint Julian. Balanced, polished, and a flavorful tension that guided the wine to a satisfying finish. 

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2015

New Years Eve dinner - which red wine to drink?! 🤔
Finally settled on an old favorite - Paul Jaboulet Hermitage.
Did not disappoint - smooth, concentrated fruits, with a hint of earthy, charcoal, tobacco.
Nice way to end our wine drinking for 2025, here’s to more great wines in 2026! 🥂
— 5 months ago

Neville Weston
with Neville
Joseph, Dave and 10 others liked this