From Sunday

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Boom! From the first sip - this wine was explosive and delicious.

Dark and black fruits come out and then lend to some red fruit and while it has good depth, this wine is very smooth.

Seems like it’s in the drinking window
— 2 months ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2014

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — 3 months ago

Lyle, Daniel and 15 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas
— 4 months ago

Peter, Paul and 23 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

The Montrose stuff is a true force of nature. That'90 vintage will outlive us all combined. Ridiculously fresh once you get past the brett.

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Even more fantastic than the previous bottle of 2010 I enjoyed a year ago. Decanted and enjoyed over 7 hours. This was good from first pour but became great and then magnificent over the next 3.5 and 7 hours. It was still full of verve on the last sip! Early only it was more dark fruit but over time the wines softened and became a bit sweeter and rounder. Tremendous length and complexity. — 5 months ago

Tom, Shay and 20 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and half a % each of Malbec and Merlot, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak, 51% of fruit from Atlas Peak District, deep Ruby with aromas of vibrant dark fruit, sweet spice and herbs. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with tobacco spice, toasty oak, cinnamon and floral notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, cedar, mocha and mineral character, Nice, should age well. — 7 months ago

Juan, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

From Magnum. And very good. — 2 years ago

Sarah, Milissa and 2 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2007

Shay A
9.4

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

My contribution for the evening. I’m posting my previous review of this wine below as it’s been consistent the few times I’ve had it over the last 12-18 months. Love these wines!

Youthful. Icredibly perfumed with typical sweet dill and coconut American oak on the nose. Gosh, I could smell this stuff all day. Aside from needing time away, it needs roughly an hour of decanting to hit stride. Tobacco, cherry tart, and great herbal nuances on the finish.
— 6 years ago

Jack ThompsonRyan GWill Adams
with Jack, Ryan and 4 others
Mark, Dr. and 39 others liked this
Eric

Eric Influencer Badge

Thanks @Shay A . That makes great sense.
Philip Ficarra

Philip Ficarra

The 2009 is Spectacular!!
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

Between this and the 05 Cimarossa Ponente, these were my wines of the night. Love these bottles from La Rioja Alta. Dark black fruit, hint of sweet fig, chocolate, tobacco, herbs, spiciness on the finish. Elegant on the back end, yet had just enough grip and jagged edges that it makes you keep coming back for more. Nice. I'd really like to buy cases of these and just put them away and forgot it existed for 25 more years or so. Fat chance.
9.5

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

At Redstone w/Shelly. Just back from Orlando w/Rettke. #pro — 10 years ago

Rick ZJeff HennikeKirk F
with Rick, Jeff and 2 others

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011

This Pinot is a blend from three California counties. Tons of fruit and a bit of pepper made this an instant delight. — 13 years ago

Drew Stiles
with Drew

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

Special occasion wine (Father’s day and William shooting level par for the first time! 🏌🏼‍♀️)
Smooth, rich dark chocolate, nutty, leathery and blackberry (feedback from the table).
Solid. Didn’t disappoint.
— 3 months ago

Neville Weston
with Neville
Dave liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1953

From mag. gorgeous glossy fruit. Intense and fresh still. Packed with savory flavor and great texture. Remarkable. — 4 months ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Ceccherini, Bob and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Bruh… 🤤

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1975

From mag. Lovely supple fruit. Tangy marmalade and lemon honey with toasted notes. Mellow and intense with lovely acidity. In a great place — 4 months ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Ceccherini, Bob and 12 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1988

From a Napa vintage that I recall as being so-so, this wine shows the Howell Mountain terroir without the normally harsh tannins that were characteristic of Dunn HM wines in the 1980s. But, honestly, this is really lovely, suave, red fruited, with a medium-long finish, and seems way younger than I expected from a 37-year-old Napa Cabernet!! — 4 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, ESF and 9 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Somm David T
9.5

The last of the 2002 in mags brought from the property. Delicious. I would have thought these would have been saved for their member parties. So, a nice surprise.

From The Cellar event at Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
— 5 months ago

Jay, Neil and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Looks like fun! Hope you had a great time.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Ron R it’s a good event even worth the effort to travel from the other coast. Cheers! 🍷

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1998

Special birthday gift from a generous friend. This 375 is 🔥 with cola, cherry, sous bois, no alc showing on the energetic finish. Wow. — 8 months ago

Joey, Daniel and 10 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, cedar, earth, dark chocolates, licorice, cola, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 17 year old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing great complexity and delicious, but I expected more from this great 2007 vintage. I had the 2001 not too long ago, and it was so much better.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good food wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350.
— 9 months ago

Paul, Juan and 15 others liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

From Costco... recommended. Very good — 9 years ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

From last night- stellar, wonderfully balanced — 9 years ago

Leila Reeder-Esparza
with Leila

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Young, red and black fruits. Wonderfully balanced. Brought a smile to my face and a 'wow' to my mouth. Splendid from such a difficult vintage, and can't wait to taste it again with a few more years on it. — 10 years ago

Tim Herrmann
with Tim

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1998

Last bottle. Time to drink is now, don’t think this will improve from here. Needed a bit of air to come together, but overall remained somewhat muted. — 3 months ago

Ira liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

This was actually the first wine we had at the Bordeaux first growth lunch last Saturday (which wasn’t a First Growth). No notes taken but it did show the quality of the 1982 vintage particularly from Paulliac, and was still going strong. — 4 months ago

Serge, Ceccherini and 23 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

From mag. Gorgeous soft plum and red cherry. Floral notes, hints of iodine and violets. Excellent. In great shape. — 4 months ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Jan, Ceccherini and 6 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

Mo
9.2

WS: 93. Baked cherry, raspberry ganache and warm fig flavors are ripe and expressive, with a pleasing counterpoint and added detail from rich notes of loamy earth and leather, plus accents of bay leaf, vanilla and red licorice. There's a supple generosity on the palate, trimmed nicely by fine-grained tannins and a tang of orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2032. 35,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported.

Alison Napjus
Issue Date: Aug 31, 2024
Release Price: $45/750mL
— 4 months ago

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

From magnum — 4 months ago

Peter, Jan and 3 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2022

Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — 5 months ago

Andrew, Lyle and 15 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008

A wonderfully balanced Cabinet blend from Bolgheri. Definitely Cabernet notes but so balanced that nothing stands out. Sassicaia is definitely Bordeaux First or Second Growth standard. Understated but irresistible nonetheless. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Cabernet Franc. Probably one of the best non Bordeaux Cabernet blends. — 8 months ago

Ira, Jeroen and 26 others liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

2001 vintage? Please. Only Krug could produce a wine this good from such a bad vintage. It has massive strength, minerality, a finish that dances on your palate. Tastes 20 years younger. You almost forget how wimpy the mousse is. — 6 years ago

Craig Williams
with Craig
Larry, Craig and 6 others liked this
Craig Williams

Craig Williams

This was amazingly great!

Ca' del Grifone

From Old Vine Zinfandel Primitivo

Raj
9.3

I drank this after using an aerator. Immediately scent of braised beef and fresh rubber on the nose. Meaty flavor on the way down. Truly is best wine under $5 at TJ's — 9 years ago

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Peter Marks
9.6

From magnum. From my daughter Adrienne's birth year and beautifully crafted by my buddy Rob Davis. Good luck to Adrienne as she starts a new page in her life in Atlanta! — 11 years ago

Gary, Tom and 3 others liked this