Jay Kline

9.4

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

A very pretty color of dark ruby with a very wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of red and black fruits, light cedar, tobacco leaf, earth, licorice, spices, herbs, peppercorn, eucalyptus and dark chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, currants, light wood, coffee, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, licorice and black tea.

Long tangy finish with fine grained tannins and raspberries.

This is a delicious Cinsault based blend from Lebanon. What a great surprise. Elegant and spicy. Complex, smooth and well balanced.

This Single Vineyard feels much older than it actually is. Feels like a red Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

This 4 year old is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to drink nicely over the next 5 to 7 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient. Easy drinking and very pleasant, once it opens up.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with game meats or lamb dishes.

A blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French Oak barrels for 6 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$40. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Splash decanted and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 1999 pours a deep, turbid ruby color with an opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with lovely perfumed notes of tart and ripe red and dark fruits: brambles, kirsch, tobacco, purple flowers, green bell pepper, cigar box, leather, cocoa, dried green herbs and inorganic earth. On the plate late, the wine is dry with medium, well integrated tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. To my palate, this is in a great place right now and I would expect it will hold in this drinking window for many years to come. What a lovely treat to enjoy one of Silvia’s wines with some age. Drink now through 2034. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!

I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Splash decanted and served immediately; enjoyed over the next four hours. On the nose, it smells like 2015…gorgeous and giving with fresh, ripe cherry, dry earth and green herbs. The bouquet opened up over time and just seemed to gain power and intensity adding blood orange and red flowers. On the palate, this is bone-dry with silky texture and huge structure which also seemed to go from strength to strength. The finish is long and ever so satisfying. Drink now with a lot of patience or enjoy through 2040. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a beautiful one from Bordeaux.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, wet leaves, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee, dark chocolates and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.


This 7 year old, from the great 2015 vintage, is drinking very nice right now.

This Fifth growth Bordeaux is showing nice complexity, with a soft and elegant mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours in the decanter.

Young, but already delicious, and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

Robert Parker 97 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and good with food too. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A Delicious wine that drank better than the 1996 I had 4 years ago.

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak barrels (50% new) for 16 months.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$130. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2005 vintage. From magnum. Open 3.5 hours. Top of the bell curve but years to go at that summit. Great, aged Bordeaux nose of leather, brick, earth and dried cherry. Medium body. All that along for the ride with some big cigar/tobacco notes on the expectedly lengthy finish. This will hold steady in this fantastic phase for at least a half-decade. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

The 2018 Lapierre Morgon is a spark plug bursting with energy. Even six hours in the decanter wasn’t enough to get this to uncoil but it started to give a glimpse of things to come. In the glass, it pours a hazy, garnet color. On the nose, it’s all raspberries and apricots. On the palate, it’s raspberries, apricots, rhubarb, dry earth and minerals. Medium tannin. Medium acid. Best to let these sit for a few years in my opinion and could potentially be at their best around 2025. I really like where this is headed. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a delicious one from Israel.

Inky in color with a short reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, light cedar, spices, cola, tobacco leaf, black tea, alcohol, coffee, milk chocolates, light herbs and black pepper.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with cooked plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, spices, earth, milk chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn and light vinaigrette.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a wonderful Merlot blend from Israel. Showing nice complexity and well balanced with a great mouthfeel. Really enjoyed the nose here, even after a few minutes out of the bottle.

This four year old is already yummy right out of the bottle, but better after a couple of hours in a decanter.

I've had this before, and this time I decided to give it a slight chill, and boy it was delicious.

Nice buttery mouthfeel, even looks buttery when poured. Drinking very nicely now.

Very tasty and fruit forward. Dark, extracted and rich. Feels like a Napa Bordeaux blend.

A blend of 42% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit verdot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and Kosher. Mevushal.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$65. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is one of my more interesting Bordeaux stories. I attended the 14 Bordeaux En Primeur largely through the kindness of Clyde Beffa the owner of K&L Wine Merchants. For those of you that aren't familiar with the En Primeur, it's a professional event where you basically barrel taste the new Bordeaux vintage. The 13 vintage we tasted was one of the most difficult vintages in recent times. Perhaps, even more difficult than the 97. Time will certainly tell...it always does! Over the 5 to 6 days I was there, we tasted somewhere between 1000-1500 wines. Not for the faint of heart. Nearly all the 2013 wines we tasted that week were brutally rough tannic wines. It was like coarse sandpaper on the sides of your cheeks, gums and palate. So much that when we went to the Negotiant Joanne and tasted 250 wines over 3 hours, I brushed my teeth at least three times without toothpaste as the tannin build up on the gums etc. was more than one can handle. However, when we went to Chateau Palmer and tasted their second wine (Alter Ego), it was elegant heaven on the palate. We asked ourselves, what had the other producers gotten so wrong that this second wine had gotten so right. It stood out above & beyond the first & second growths wines we tasted that week. Not that those wines in the long haul won't be better in the years to come over the Alter Ego. However, the Alter Ego was elegant relief after so many brutally tannic red wines. It was so soft, elegant and beautiful. Tonight is the first time I've had it since then. It's not as fresh tonight as it was in the Spring of 14 but delicious none the less. This is the only 13 I purchased in futures. Tonight it's showing everything I expected back in the Spring of 14 except the freshness. This is not a wine that will cellar 20 plus years but it will certainly cellar 10 years plus. This 13 would fool many as a new world wine as the fruits are so ripe. The fruits run ripe to dry and are; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, pouched strawberries, spice, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, milk & dark chocolate, dry florals, lavender, dark soil with crushed dry rocks, volcanic minerals, leather, dry stems, The acidity is a little lean. However, the structure & tannins are fairly smooth and the length is beautiful for such a young wine. It still needs some cellaring time to bring forth the complete balance of fruit and earth into harmony. The finish is still a bit dry but at the same time rich and complex. Quite impressive with food and or on it's own. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, black currants, stewed plums, sweet cherries, dried fruits, light cedar, chocolates, spices, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, chocolates, light earth, herbs and spices.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7-year-old Merlot from Bordeaux is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Elegant and approachable right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity with a tangy finish.

I've had this vintage a few times before and it is very consistent.

Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Kosher and not Mevushal.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nice nose of blue and black fruits with light wood, spices, licorice, light earth, vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and dark coffee.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, tobacco leaf, earth and black pepper.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins, raspberries and peppercorn.

This 7 year old Merlot from Bordeaux is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years. Complex and interesting.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and it hasn't changed much, except that the nose has become noticeably prettier.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly so be patient.

Good by itself and better with food. I paired it with grilled picanha.

A blend of 71% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened several hours prior and decanted off sediment and a portion of the cork that had broke and crumbled before returning to the bottle. The 2007 “Howell Mountain” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and very slight rim variation. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of dark fruit: black currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is firing on all cylinders right now and the structure suggests the power of the 2007 vintage is not slowing down anytime soon. Drink now with a decant and through 2037 with ease. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Here is a delicious 100 point wine from Australia.

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Not showing age much.

Strong sweet nose of black fruits with tobacco, raisins, dried fruits, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, light vinaigrette and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and dark chocolates.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Rich and elegant, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 27 year old is still drinking very nicely. Past its prime, but still very enjoyable.

Robert Parker 100 points.

Good by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

100% Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 3 years.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.6

#AgedWineTuesday

Deep Inky in color with a short purple rim. This 12 year old is not showing age at all.

Fruity nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried fruits, cedar, licorice, earth, vanilla, light herbs, tobacco, chocolates, cola and black pepper.

Full-bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, cooked raisins, dried figs, tobacco, peppercorn, cedar, vanilla, leather, light earth, fennel, dark chocolates and spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.

Showing great complexity with a smooth mouthfeel. Elegant and fruity. Rich and extracted, yet elegant.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and even better after 3 hours of airtime.

A great wine to pair with a nice piece of steak, but good by itself too, as a sipping wine.

Showing great balance between the fruits, acidity and tannins. High alcohol is well integrated by now, so watch out. I would love to try it next to the Insignia.

Robert Parker 95 points.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

This 2010 was a great vintage in Napa and it is definitely showing.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. I love these Napa Bordeaux blends.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$150. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a short brick rim.

On the nose black currant, black cherries, black plums, wet leaves, vanilla, earth, wood, vegetables, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates, espresso and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, earth, vinaigrette, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable red blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Nicely aged with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Needed a couple of hours to open up properly. Spicy and interesting with lots of earth notes. Delicious.

This 19 year old is peaking now so drink up.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with fresh pizza.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$70. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

This is a nice Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara.

Showing black fruits with tobacco, earth, wood, vanilla, chocolates, barnyard, smoke, spices, coffee and mocha.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and very fruity.

Tangy finish with soft tannins.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime. Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.

Drinks more like a Syrah blend from California. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. After 3 hours in the decanter, it really feels like a Syrah.

This 5 year old is peaking now.

Aged in French oak barrels for 9 months.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.7

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. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

A beautiful color of ruby with a wide brick/orange rim.

Wonderful nose of baked black cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, earth, eucalyptus, prunes, raisins, leather, light alcohol, spices, light vegetables, vinaigrette, beef jerky and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs, smooth and elegant.

Dry and fruity on the palate with raisins, cherry syrup, prunes, dried figs, oak, spices, chocolates, earth, tobacco, leather, alcohol, vinaigrette, graphite and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Amarone. Well balanced with great complexity and a smooth and elegant mouthfeel.

This Amarone is still young, and still showing some alcohol notes, both on the palate and nose, which will go away in years to come.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Drinking very nicely now, and will be better in the next 5 to 10 years.

Yummy and Delicious 😋

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60. — 7 years ago

Jimmy Hayes

Estate Director Mayacamas Vineyard

9.3

Sweet little half bottle. Lovely detailed nose from the beginning, but hard and metallic on the pallet out of the gate. Opened and softened considerably. Sweet tannins, nice plump middle. Red currant.. Was good in he glass for 2 hours. Pas mal for a 375. #bordeaux — 10 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about three hours prior to service for color check and make sure the wine was sound since I was taking to a tasting. It was subsequently decanted about an hour prior to service. The 1998 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some slight signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing still, with notes of tart and ripe red fruits: Bing cherries, ripe raspberries, underbrush, new leather, spices, minerals, dry rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Everyone was stunned how young this came across. The fruit is still so fresh and the structure remains impressive. An evergreen wine and a perfect example why Priorat is so special. Drink now with some air and through 2038. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Deep ruby in color, almost inky, with a reddish rim.

Nose of blueberries, black currants, black plums, light oak, earth, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Very dry on the palate with black currants, plums, stewed cherries, spices, oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and sour raspberries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley is still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature.

Fruity and interesting. Spicy and entertaining. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.
Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux at this point. Very Interesting.

A good quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years. Showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and it definitely needs time to show its capabilities.

A good food wine that will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and a touch of Merlot. Aged for 18 months in (65% new) French Oak barrels.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$60. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Good fill. Excellent cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and throwing a tad extra sediment…a nice mix of chunky and powdery sed. Tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours open and decanted. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and earth in the nose. These transferred over and slapped on a fudge chocolate note on the finish. In a good place now and not improving. Would seem to hold steady in this standing for another 3-4 years. 6.6.24. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Poured into a Boa decanter several hours prior to dinner. The 2022 Zinfandel pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of bright brambles: blackberries and raspberries, cherry (some candied, think Cherry Blow Pop), pipe tobacco, black pepper, dry organic earth and gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with some notes of mocha added to the mix. The finish is long and delightful. Fun to try in its youth however I expect these will show even better after a few years in the cellar. Best after 2027 and through 2042. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Thought it would be fun to check in on the 2017 "Classico" while I patiently wait for my 2017 Riservas to arrive (long story). Popped and poured; enjoyed over several hours out of Burgundy glasses. In the glass, the wine is deep ruby color with a transparent core. Medium+ viscosity with no obvious staining of the tears. On the nose, ripe cherrys with tar, herbs and organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium++ tannins and medium+ acid. The fruit set is confirmed and despite the firm structure, comes across almost round and chewy. She thicc. Long finish. The 2017's are drinking well right now and noticeably better than my last note. Have confidence these will drink well through 2032. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a nice one from Red Hills.

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, raspberries, black plums, oak, light vanilla, licorice, herbs, tobacco leaf, earth, spices, chocolates, dark coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cinnamon, earth, spices, light vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County in California. Fruit forward with lots of coffee and chocolates notes.

Needs a few hours of airtime to open up, but drinkable right out of the bottle too. Big tannins come out after a couple of hours of air.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel, but still very young, and needs five years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years. Will age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2017 vintage a year ago and it is very consistent.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$75. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color, almost inky, with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, cooked plums, sweet cherries, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, coffee, light cocoa powder and peppercorn.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, earth, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and tobacco.

Tangy finish with round tannins and raspberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Tangy and interesting.

Spicy, rich and extracted, yet elegant. Nicely balanced with a nice mouth feel.

I had the 2018 not too long ago, and it is very consistent.

Very young, but already drinking nicely, after a couple of hours of airtime. A good quality wine that will age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

A good sipping wine that doesn't necessarily need food, but will be great with a big piece of steak as well.

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Aged in mostly French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It’s time for some Merlot on this#MerlotThursday.

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose, plums, black currants, strawberries, sweet cherries, light cedar, licorice, vanilla, earth, herbs, chocolates, tobacco, spices, dark coffee and black pepper.

Medium plus in body and soft, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with currants, black plums, cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, light vegetables and herbs.

Medium finish with fine tannins, tangy raspberries and peppercorn.

This young Bordeaux from Saint Émilion is already showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Tasty and interesting. Tangy and rich. Needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

Still young, but starting to drink nicely now. I am surprised of how approachable it is already. Still a little unbalanced, and needs another few years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

This 2018 vintage is showing a lot of potential. A little lighter than the 2016 I had a couple of weeks ago.

A good quality wine that will age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years.

I paired it with Brie cheese and crackers.

A blend of 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$55. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.7

For my 5,000th review on Vivino, it's time for a special bottle. Here is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.

Gorgeous nose of blueberries, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, smoke, eucalyptus, black pepper, tobacco, herbs, leather, wet leaves, earth, vegetables and graphite.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Smooth and elegant.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, figs, licorice, wood, vanilla, sweet cherries, graphite, spices, earth, wet leaves, herbs, light vegetables and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

What a great surprise. This Bordeaux blend is drinking so beautifully right now. Well balanced and very complex. Gentle with lots of fruits and earth notes.

This 14 year old from Knights Valley needs a couple of hours to open up properly and really show up. Delicious.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 95 points.

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit verdot.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$200. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby in color with a thin purplish rim. Teeth staining color.

Great nose of blackberries, black currants, blueberries, figs, raisins, oak, vanilla, cooked cherries, licorice, cola, spices, coffee, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Full-bodied, bold, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and gorgeous legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, sweet plums, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cinnamon, licorice, earth, tar, spices and lots of peppercorn.

Long finish with firm and round tannins, spices and black pepper.

What a great Petite Syrah from Rutherford Grove. This 7 year old, Single Vineyard, is Enjoyable by itself or with a big piece of steak.

Nice and balanced, showing great complexity and layers of flavors. A great sipping wine. Drinking nicely now, and will be good in the next few years too.

Needs 4 hours to open up properly.

14.3% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago