Full Pull & Friends
Long Shadows Vintners
Pirouette Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016
It is Friday night and during this time of being shut in our home a group of us had a Zoom chat to try and help in keep some assemblance of normalcy with socialization through Zoom chat. During our gathering I opened the 2016 Pirouette Long Shadows Vintners Bordeaux Blend. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. A wine from Walla Walla, Washington produced by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka. A beautifully blended wine that will stand the test of time and only get better.
On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, red currant, vanilla, baking spice, cigar box and rich soil.
On the palate ther is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, red currant, green bell pepper, creamy chocolate, graphite and crushed rock.
This wine is full bodied with a smooth creamy mouthfeel, medium + acidity and medium + smooth rounded tannins that lead into a long black fruit finish. What a wonderful wine that all would enjoy. I just wish on our video chat I would have been able to share this with my friends. Maybe some day when we come through this. Please everyone stay healthy and safe. We will come through this. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001
2001 in Nov 2019 with old friends. Lovely full, deep texture, had it before a salmon dinner and really served as an appetizer, so complete and satisfying. Slight cinnamon with absolutely no edge. — 6 years ago
Pago de los Capellanes
Joven Roble Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2017
Great young wine full of estructure, great with a piece of beef and a great view .. definitely a wine to drink with true friends ! — 6 years ago
Orin Swift Cellars
Abstract Grenache Blend
What was meant to be a casual dinner with friends over homemade BLTs ended up turning into a full-blown wine dinner.
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This is a solid blend that is sure to please most red wine drinkers who appreciate depth, power, and value. — 6 years ago
Château Kirwan
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1999
Oh, what a treat to enjoy a 1999 #Margaux with some close friends. This was full of earthy forest floor, mushrooms, violets, soft spice and tannins that just melt away with such nicely balanced acidity. Here you see the amazing age potential of a #bordeaux. This is an outstanding wine. — 7 years ago
Rochioli
Rosé of Pinot Noir 2011
Thank you to our friends Jeff & Hedy for bringing this 2011 Rochioli Rosé of Pinot Noir.
Dark for a Rosé and has developed really nice in bottle. The body round and full vs. most Rosé wines. Really nice layered textures. The fruits were deep and ripe, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries and pomegranate, excellent medium spice & bright red florals.
Photos of; Rochioli Vineyard with an amazing sunset, Winemaker Tom Rochioli, the entrance to their tasting and tasting room patio. — 7 years ago
Hall Wines
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
It is Sunday evening and the first wine we have opened is the 2012 Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a gift from one of my life long friends that is here in Palm Springs.
The nose has notes of black fruit, black cherry, blackberry, cassis, oak and a mineral note although a bit on the weak side.
On the palate the black fruit is prominent with black cherry, blackberry, some licorice, vanilla, smoky oak and earth notes.
The wine is medium to full bodied with medium acidity, medium smooth tannins, a very drinkable wine right now.
The weekend is at an end and the workweek is upon us. Have a great week and please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago
Zlatan
Crljenak Crljenak Katelanski
2010 vintage. A totally unknown winery to me given to me by a grateful neighbor. I noted that the bottle quality portended a high-end wine. So I decided to wait to have it with a group of friends who'd appreciate something like this— a good decision. Upon opening, the nose struck me as a fine French Bordeaux with a big of age. The palate was fine and smooth with medium tannins. It's got a lovely full body and a nicely aged fruit that shows a sweet leather note. My friends loved it, as did I. What a treat to subsequently find out (through Charine Tan's review here) just what a special wine this was to have been given. — 8 years ago
Harlan Estate
Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2001
Cheers to my 6,000th review on Vivino. A Big milestone deserves a big wine. This was on my wishlist for a while now. Go big or go home!
Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Unbelievable. Not showing age at all.
Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, leather, earth, Mediterranean spices, beef jerky, peppercorn, cedar, leather, vanilla and licorice.
Full bodied, bold, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet plums, vanilla, cedar, light vegetables, spices, smoke, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon based, Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Showing great complexity and a great mouthfeel. Big with bold tannins. Delicious and yummy.
This 19 year old is drinking very nicely now, and really shows like a young wine. Has at least 15 years in it.
After 3 hours of airtime, forest floor notes come in on the nose. Tasting like an aged left bank Bordeaux.
Wine Advocate 100 points.
This is a Fabulous wine to share with good friends. Very enjoyable by itself or with food. I paired it with BBQ ribs.
Thank you John, for sharing this phenomenal wine with me.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
97 points.
$1,200. — 5 years ago
Château La Vieille Cure
Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The wine I have opened tonight is the 2016 Château La Vieille Cure. 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.
On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, bell pepper, black pepper, licorice, violets, oak and earth.
On the palate I am getting nice dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, green bell pepper, leafy herbs, cassis, black pepper and earth.
The wine is medium to full bodied with mouth watering medium + to high acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads right into a long dark fruit finish. This is a very nice Right Bank Bordeaux. I hope everyone is having a great weekend with family and friends? Please be safe and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago
Pizzato
Reserva Merlot 2014
A special wine shared with our favorite couple!
Muito obrigado Luciano e Kelly!! @Luciano Silva
Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Oakville Red Wine 2011
Pure Delight- I have tremendous sapidity for the depth of flavors in this pour. Each sip preeminent of the one before-demanding with an erotic breath to finish. Full bodied layers graced with sultry elegance. An incredibly tight powerful and lasting coat on every sip.
Here’s to nights we’ll never remember and friends we’ll never forget — 7 years ago
De Toren
Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2014
Always trying to spread the love and give a little bit of knowledge about South African wines. We decided to bring a solid Bordeaux Blend to share with some new friends at Hatchet Hall in LA.
Deep and dark ruby red with purple hues. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel, cassis and dark black cherries. Medium plus dry tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Definitely benefited from the short decant. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, minerality, and some sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (92+) — 7 years ago
Andrew Will
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Franc - Merlot Blend 2010
Last night with friends our second wine was another beautiful Bordeaux Blend a Right Bank Blend this time also from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. The 2010 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Red Blend 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc. Andrew Will from Vashon Island, Washington is one of my favorite producers. Chris Camarda since 1989 has blended wine and his wine he says "I am not interested in the similarities of my winesbut the differences. The different identities of our vineyards and varietals which explore the identity of Washington State as distinct as California or Bordeaux." I think he does this very well.
On the nose I got black cherry, red raspberry, cassis, fresh herbs, violets and fresh earthy soil.
On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, green bell pepper, iron and rich tolled soil.
The wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity, medium + soft velvety tannins that lead to a long excellent complex finish. Have a great coming week, be safe and continued well wishes. Nostrovia!🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago
Château Verdignan
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.
We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.
While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.
Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.
I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.
He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.
So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.
Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.
As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.
The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.
Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 5 years ago
Brand
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Wanted to see if my friends who say they prefer new or old world could tell the difference. They actually could.... they loved both. Even though they were the same vintage, Brand was more full bodied and youthful, but did have a hint of age on it. If I didn’t know the two wines we were blind tasting, I would have thought both were old world. — 7 years ago
Château Phélan Ségur
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
Over this past weekend we had good friends over and I opened the 2014 Château Phélan Ségur Saint Estèphe. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot.
On the nose is rich black fruit, black cherry, Blackberry, black plum, black currant, violets, licorice, vanilla, oak, graphite and loamy soil.
The palate has notes of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, green bell pepper, black pepper, licorice and violets.
This wine is full bodied with a velvety mouth feel and medium + acidity, medium + firm tannins that lead to a long enjoyable finish. Have a wonderful 4th of July tomorrow and please take extra care to be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 7 years ago
Kosta Browne
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Scandinavian Christmas dinner with friends. Ribbe, medisterkaker, medisterpølse, julesaus, potato gratin, lingonberry and filled cucumber salad. Not as big as the hype, but a full bodied Pinot that matched well with the winter spices (cardamom, clove, allspice, ginger). — 8 years ago
Bodega Dehesa de Los Canonigos
Tempranillo Blend 2010
New RdD find @ €36 that's a fab one 👍 Olé friends 😎 this is a lip smacking full on annihilator 💥
🍇 85% Tempranillo, 12% Cab S & 3% Albillo
🍷 Opaque ruby
👃 Deep rich dark cherry covered in thick oozing cocoa w/ a sherry infusion, dark berries & raspberry gateaux grenache gooyness
👄 Full bodied thick creamy ripe & rich dark cherry & black berries bathed in chocolate w/ raspberry liquorish
🎯 Long dark fruit & chocky mouth spanker w/ a sherry cherry raspberry gateaux linger - Yum 💃🕺 — 8 years ago
Jeff Orlowski
Broke this out for some friends who came over. Dry, full bodied. Classic, outstanding Napa Cab from nose to finish. — 5 years ago