Great Raft Brewing

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1996

The final bottle for our annual Valentine’s Day and carbonara tradition (this time one day early). We skipped last year as my wife was pregnant, nice to be back. Very good, but definitely in an advanced stage - the nuttiness really comes through. There is still great acid, lemon curd, crispness, soft bubbles.

After the full case, I’d say the ones from 2021-2023 were the best.

On to Krug 2004 next year!!
— 5 months ago

Lyle, Somm and 15 others liked this
Somm David T

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Definitely 96 color these days. Cheers! 🥂

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Marc S
9.4

Smooth pleasant full tasting CNdP. Granberries, cocoa and ripe strawberries intertwined with almond bitter at the end; great wine! — 6 months ago

Remco liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021

Bright medium ruby , quite thin violet rim . Quite discreet and fine, reserved on the nose . Red cherry , cassis , mineral tinged blackberry, after a while pomegranate. On the palate this is very detailed and precise , great freshness and with more red fruit, cherry , red plum , blackberry , wet slate , saline oyster shell with very fine tannins . Long mineral finish . Very young obviously but incredibly elegant and fresh . Will need time , this closed up quite a lot after time in the decanter . Better in 10 -15 years , will last well a further 10-15 . Incredibly promising . — 9 months ago

Tom, Vino and 16 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow! 👀
Bob McDonald

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@Andrew Cullimore You’ve certainly had many of the Tuscan stars Andrew.

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2004

Stunning nose of brambly dark red fruit and black tea. Bacon fat and scorched clay on the entry followed by a broad beam of melted tannins and fig, iron, Provençal spices and lavender. 45+ second finish. Outstanding, another great bottle though now at its apogee (but likely to stick around and turn to burgundy over time). — 5 years ago

Tom, Severn and 31 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@LM Segal “ Turn to Burgundy” spot on.

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1975

Another great old LB that is fresh & drinking well. This had notes of red fruits, cedar, leather, earth, underbrush & tobacco leaf — 7 years ago

Eric, Shay and 23 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2005

Elegant, silky and very easy to drink. 2005 is a very good vintage with a great value for money — 8 years ago

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

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2013

Vanilla covers the fruit, great with chocolate. — 10 years ago

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This a great pizza night wine. Loved the berry deliciousness of this cab. — 11 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Great blend! Tried it a few times - pairs well w/ steak & also went well with Italian dishes (pizza, veal or meat based pasta dishes w/ red sauce). Tried 2011 and 12: I prefer the 11 but both are great! — 12 years ago

The Prisoner liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

Gorgeous pear and bright lemon. Minerals and salinity. Great focus. Excellent — 5 months ago

David Schachter
with David
Douglas, Jay and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

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This is only going to get better

Joel Gott Wines

815 California Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Great with Longhorn on Mom and Dad’s Anniversary! — 6 months ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Drinking very well now. Black fruit, great mouthfeel. — 9 months ago

Neil, Dave and 5 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow 👀

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

What a great refined wine. The 2018 Insignia opens with aromas of dark fruit, florals, and spice. On the palate, blackberry, mocha, and plum come through with a nice texture and tannins. The finish is long, savory, and elegant. Wow! — 10 months ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Ira and 2 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha

I grab my wines by random out of the fridge. I grabbed it from the cheap zone and we really pleased with the quality as it is excellent.

Turns out it is not cheap, it's like $35-40. It's still good just not a great value
— 6 years ago

Kim Crawford

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Loved this. Affordable from Costco and great to drink with many different meala — 8 years ago

Michael David Winery

Petite Petit Lodi Petite Sirah Petit Verdot

Dark fruits, intense colour, great legs. A real bargain. — 8 years ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo

Great fruit with excellent structure. — 10 years ago

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

The first bottle my wonderful hubby and I shared all those years ago. Great then. Better now. Smooth and slightly tanen with a touch of dryness. — 11 years ago

George M Wood
with George
Lee liked this
Lee White

Lee White

Go Nury and George! Better with time!

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Another great btl that improved with air showing mostly black fruits, full bodied with notes of currant, mocha, cedar, leather & tobacco — 6 months ago

Ira, Tom and 14 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2004

Crisp and bright. Lemon and limestone. Sharp edges and great definition. Very refined. Excellent — 8 months ago

Bex Green
with Bex
Ira, Juan and 7 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

One of those great treats. And yes. Ridge is all about the acid. — 9 months ago

Joe, Tom and 17 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

2011 not as great year but well made, plenty of depth despite poor fruit. My go to Bordeaux — 4 years ago

Ted, Aravind and 22 others liked this

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Thanks to the random guy at the store who recommended this one. It’s delicious! Very smooth from the beginning with notes of dark fruit. Will definitely buy again. Another great wine from Paso Robles! — 6 years ago

David, Severn and 24 others liked this
Sharon B

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@David L I hope to make it out that way one day! I absolutely love their wines!
David L

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You must go to Daou. The place is stunning. Sitting outside on a clear day is something you won’t soon forget. The pictures don’t do it justice. You’ll have to go see for yourself. Plan on spending at least two hours there. Grab some lunch and a bottle. Trust me. 
Sharon B

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@David L sounds wonderful! I love their wine too!

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

Robert Cunningham
9.0

Still showing reasonably well. Great color. Nice red fruit still showing — 9 years ago

Keith liked this

Bogle Family Vineyards

Essential Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend 2013

Great everyday wine. I love California wines! — 10 years ago

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Zinfandel Blend 2013

An incredibly smooth and flavorful California blend, fantastic value and a great showcase for what California can do. — 11 years ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Smelled great looked great tasted great but it was thin on the palate for a Howell mountain cab. Everything else was in perfect harmony. — 11 years ago