Front Row

Robert Mondavi Winery

Private Selection Aged in Bourbon Barrels Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Balanced but fruit is front and center through to the finish with a soft velvety tongue. The bourbon barrels come through with a deliciously harmonious, and unique surprise. — 7 years ago

Row Eleven

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013

Cherry berry very nice. A little on the hot side but good. — 8 years ago

Paul liked this

Pezzi King

Row 26 Reserve Zinfandel

Good! O's special — 9 years ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Somm David T
9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 9 years ago

Severn, Sofia and 34 others liked this
Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly Anderson

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@TheSkip I've also make 11 market trips to Bordeaux.
David From The 504

David From The 504

Will read this on my next flight

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2006

Geoff Troup
9.4

Such beauty and elegance. I'm sure some of it is the age, but an AOC known for power emitting such elegance...Wow. Anyhow, jammy raspberries and a whole garden of vegetables on the nose. Palate is quite refined with white pepper, rock and all the trademark CDP flavors. Im never a huge fan of that fruit in the front, but the mid and back arr gorgeous. What's truly remarkable is the balance...The ability to isolate any single flavor to ruminate on, how each nuance to perfectly morphs into the next. Still some pronounced tannin in this guy! — 9 years ago

kasimir liked this

Old Cannery Row

Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2014

Love this stuff! Unabashed big bright fruit along with big toasty oak! — 10 years ago

Adam and Steve liked this

Stratton Lummis ( Row Eleven Wines )

The Riddler Red Blend

Fruity start with a dry finish. Delicious! I'd buy again for $18! — 11 years ago

Nelson Family Vineyards

Top Row Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I've never had the 2009, but the smokey 2008 is sitting in my closet waiting for a special occasion.❤️ — 11 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Big flavor up front with a dry finish. Another good one with steak. — 12 years ago

The Prisoner and "Odedi" liked this

Bogle Family Vineyards

Essential Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend 2011

Cherry and blackberry hints up front, soft tannins in the finish — 13 years ago

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2013

That was really good.

89 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The 2013 Three Valleys is a plump, juicy and expressive Zinfandel-based red. Dark cherry, kirsch, sweet spices, dried flowers and tobacco are front and center in a soft, supple red to drink now and over the next handful of years. Once again, the Three Valleys delivers superb quality for the money. Drink: 2015-2020. (Jul 2015)
— 8 years ago

Kongsgaard

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2012

Although this one did tend to have a citrus rich body, it is definitely a malo mouthfeel and more of a buttery chard. This wine was still quite delicious, and it's not really even my style. I was getting some lemongrass on the front, with a peach and mango note in the middle. The finish is more on the buttery side for my taste, but still went lovely with cheese and meat. Probably would have gone very well with Italian spiced nuts or with an herbal chicken dish. I believe this wine probably would have been more comprehensive if served with food. I think this one definitely has the longevity to age, but I'd put more stock in the Judge chard to do that most effectively. — 9 years ago

Eric, Shay and 7 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the night. This wine had EXCELLENT fruit, and showed NO VISIBLE SIGNS of decline. Great powerful blackberry. I was guessing 01 Stag's Leap or Rutherford. Turns out it was Caymus SS 01, but I was second guessing myself on the year because it was a very purple color into the decanter and showing well. The wine had great vanilla on the front, blackberry on the front, and a more youthful middle and finish with some herb. This wine has 10 years left in it no doubt. Whoever cut this one off at 2017 has no idea. This one literally showed no signs of decline whatsoever. Drink by date 2007 - 2030. — 9 years ago

Bodegas Numanthia

Numanthia Toro Tempranillo

Deep red color. Dry up front with a light sweetness. Had plum notes. — 9 years ago

Flora Springs

Trilogy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Greg Ballington
9.3

Super deep and dark ruby red with an almost black core. Dark baking spices in the front of the nose followed by dark fruits, especially dark dark cherries. With some air there were some purple floral notes and more vanilla. Moderate tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Initially a little tight so we gave it a splash decant. Around an hour or so in, tons of cinnamon and other dark spices. Strong undertone of puréed dark berries and light herbs too. Long body but this needs a little more bottle age. Cannot wait to try it again at the release party next month. Drink till 2028. — 9 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Jeff, Kim and 13 others liked this
Greg Ballington

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@Shay Aldriedge Completely agree, the 14 isn't as good as the 13 which we thought had more complexity and roundness, the texture is crazy good on the 13. But the 14 definitely has potential to be another solid vintage
Ron R

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So @Shay Aldriedge @Greg Ballington, so you guys know, my very first visit to Napa, my first stop was FS tasting room. I was a lost, overwhelmed limey, and they made me feel at home - I'll never forget it. If they are back in the saddle, I'm onboard...
Shay A

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@Ron R : Give the '13 Trilogy a try. If you don't seem impressed, then we can chalk it up as a loss, but I think it's worth your time. If you have a hard time finding a bottle, let me know.

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2011

So tasty we had it 2 nights in a row! A little young but full of flavor with a nice earthy nose. — 11 years ago

Row Eleven

The Magician Lot 11 Petit Verdot Blend

Paired nicely with cheese — 11 years ago

Maddy Beckmann
with Maddy
Maddy and Lundmark liked this

Fox Creek

Short Row Shiraz 2005

Juicy. Plump and juicy. Delicious fruit nose and palate. Some spicy vanilla and pepper to round things out. Yummy. — 12 years ago

Cantina Zaccagnini

Il Vino Dal Tralcetto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009

Very nice! Still young but drinking very well already. Sweet, fruity, and floral on the front of the tongue, but rich and complex at the finish. Notes of earth and spice, and a hint of tannin. Will drink well later too. Great! — 14 years ago

Jim liked this

Row Eleven

Viñas 3 Pinot Noir 2015

Wow. Doesn’t taste like a Pinot!! Great spicy notes, easy to drink but complex — 8 years ago

Orin Swift

Mercury Head Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 opened June 2018. Lots of red fruit and some black pepper on the nose, but not much fruit on the front of the mouth, but it has a jammy mouth feel all the same. Smooth tannins the rest of the way down with just a hint of pucker on the end. Personally? I like a wine that challenges me a little, but this is a very nice Cab. — 8 years ago

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984

Still some fruit left but the tannins are front and center. This is throwing off a lot of sediment. Classic old Jordan even as it is on it's way out--tobacco, bay leaf, soft red fruit. — 9 years ago

Bill, .:;2):’kicndnebxhjd and 31 others liked this

Domaine de la Janasse

Chaupin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2012

2012 Donaine De La Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone blend. Omg I am drinking a French wine from the Rhone. Im not sure what this is supposed to taste like, but for a 14.5 % it sure is light in color and thin on the palate. The bouquet is black cherry pie. The initial palate is Boysenberry and Black licorice.I almost taste cinnamon and oak. The finish is dry on the front part of the tongue. There is a desire for more. Not bad For FRenchia — 9 years ago

Trixie, Ellen and 15 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2001

01' Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay. Color- Light golden. By looking at it, I would've never guessed it's 16 years old. BIG Nose...Green apple, floral. Palate...stone fruits, melon, peach & pineapple. A slight bit of creamy notes on the front & mid palate. A light backbone of acidity. Stone fruits minerality & soft pineapple carry through to a nice finish. Drinking at it peak now. @Ron R Thank you for this simply amazing bottle. Can't wait to tip a glass with you soon. Cheers to you and Anne-Marie! — 9 years ago

David, Eric and 51 others liked this
Ron R

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So glad you enjoyed it @David L. One of my most fave French whites. Cheers!
David L

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@Ron R What a great bottle of wine. Thanks for this treat!

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

It's pretty solid and certainly a big juicy flavor up front. For the price it's excellent but the only downside is the fact that it's gets just a little chalky at the end. I'm nitpicking... — 10 years ago

Michael Spall

Michael Spall

Excellent value - drinks like a $20 + Cab

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Double trouble. Short decant, tight and reluctant first 30 minutes with not much depth, then opened beautifully and put on weight and complexity. A front load of cassis, then bruised plum and warm wet earth. Suggest 3 hour decant to let it strut. — 10 years ago

Sammie Vega
with Sammie
Bill, Sammie and 19 others liked this
Matt Trader

Matt Trader Influencer Badge

I may be taking home a 2010 vintage of the Leoville Barton soon! 100 pt rating too.
Bill Bender

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Lay it down for a while @Matt Trader
Matt Trader

Matt Trader Influencer Badge

That's the plan!

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Quintessential 19 year old Bordeaux, with barn yard bouquet mixed with wet leather on the front palette. Very long finish. Enjoy this wine and vintage on its own! — 11 years ago

Bill liked this