David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Whenever I have a really older bottle of wine, I think, what was I doing in this case 1989?

About this time of year, I was walking into Candlestick Park for the Bay Bridge World Series while this wine was fermenting. I was walking through the parking lot when the 89 earthquake hit. It was like Godzilla was a Gopher tunneling under my feet. The stadium erupted with a resounding cheer. Earthquake during the World Series...yeah! It wasn’t until an hour later that hard reality set in.

This Chateau Lynch-Moussas is a recent direct purchase from the Negotiant. 89 was a pretty good Bordeaux year. So, why not see how a 5th Growth producer wine evolved over 30 years. It’s a treat to enjoy wine with this much age.

While Lynch-Mousses has improved vastly in more recent vintages, back in the day, they made some nice wines but, not great. This wine shows beauty & elegance but, it lacks fundamental elements of high quality. However, its fruit and structure have held up nicely over the years.

The nose reveals a fair amount of; barnyard, mushrooms, ripe; blackberries dark currants, dark cherries, black raspberries & strawberries on the edges of the glass. Black plum skin, dark chocolate, raspberry cola, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, burnt cinnamon, tarriness, graphite, leather, old tobacco, dark spice, dry herbs, dark, rich, black earth, stones, dry brush, steeped tea with withering red & dark florals.

The body is still full and round. The fruits are still ripe & slightly candied. The wine is still holding an interesting drinking window, it’s on the decline. While that sounds not good, I find them in this phase infinitely more interesting. Ripe; blackberries dark currants, dark cherries, black raspberries & some strawberries. Black plum with skin, dark chocolate, raspberry cola, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, burnt cinnamon, vanillin, tarriness, graphite, leather, old tobacco, dark spice, dry herbs, dark, rich, forest floor, mushrooms, stones, touch of limestone minerals & crush rocks, dry brush, steeped tea with withering red & dark florals with violets. The acidity is round & excellent. The long finish is; rich, ripe, well balanced & intergraded with long drier but, very floral persistence.

Excellent with our steaks. Still has another 5-7 years of good drinking ahead with excellent storage. I also miss the 12-13% ABV of the 80’s Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the entrance view of Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Count Jean-Baptiste Lynch of Ireland and Chateau founded in the 1800’s, the owner/operator since 1961 - Emile Casteja and their barrel room.
— 5 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s usually a good sign when the winemaker can articulate what the wine is about like this: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest.”

Her 2013 Ceras is yet another example of Maggie Harrison’s sorcery over the vines at Antica Terra. The focus and intensity of flavor is off the charts, yet it maintains an almost ethereal weightlessness, only emphasizing the layer of silk that separates you from the wine. The pungent rock is so on point and distinctive it instantly reminded me of the scent of lichen growing on rocks, which I experienced in Colorado when I was 7 or 8 years old. This sets the stage for the level of complexity exhibited. The fruit has both an extraordinarily high level of purity and yet the woven tapestry of herbs and spices and even fruit blending are impossible not to notice. The key being that nothing is forced.

The nuance of complexity only being noticed when desired is nearly an impossible feat. I can’t help but recall James Conaway quoting Andy Beckstoffer in his recently released book: Napa at Last Light: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity. “If a wine was a model with a chipped tooth, you’d have to give her something to compensate with. If she needs better shoulders, better breasts, give her some. But her real charm is in how she carries the defect.”

After reading his book, I can tell you I’m definitely not certain whether you can accept his quotes verbatim. One thing is certain, though, Maggie Harrison’s Antica Terra wines carry the defect like no other. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Grabbed this from the wine list at 150 Central Park on the Allure of the Seas, great price at $80.00 ($48.00 with drinks package) a bottle, yes 750mL.

Given a three and a half hour decant but might have needed more. Deep purplish red. Insanely tight on the nose with a touch of baking spices, black cherries, petrol, tobacco and a touch earthy. Heavy tannins (7/10) and solid acidity. Medium plus to full bodied with notes of red cherries, black currants, herbs, gravel and cinnamon. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2025.

This is the Cabernet Sauvignon led bottling by Blackbird Vineyards, led with 81% and followed by 13% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Aged in 75% new French oak for 21 months. Only 40 barrels produced and release price is $135.00. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Very light color. Complex, Burgundian nose. Sappy slightly sour cherry, warm brioche, moist humus, and loads of limestoney minerals. Lean, with lots of clingy sour cherry fruit and limestone. High acidity makes it seem more youthful than a typical 7 year old Cali PN. Very unique style for New World. Compares well to an Auxerrois or Sancerre Pinot. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Sample from #CapeClassics.
Deep ruby red with high intensity. Nose was slightly dirty to start with a little barnyard or wet hay funk (good South African funk, don't be scared). This aired out to some classic chalkiness with tobacco, light bell peppers and a little charred note at the end. Moderate tannins (7/10) with a medium plus body. This was very tight and softer than expected when we opened it, but started to sing after a few hours in the glass. Very well integrated, no sharp or harsh edges. Layered palate with some red cherries and savory notes on the front end. With the air time came a few more notes of black berries and raspberries, some dried berries too. Also seemed to have a few rustic characteristics. Beautiful wine with a dry and lingering finish. Definitely one of the great wines out of South Africa. Give it some good air time and let it get to just below room temperature before enjoying. Drink till 2028. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Shil Kothari

9.5

Definitely a favorite of mine. Big bold and very well balanced. This 2009 is a great example of great mountain fruit. Dark red color, high viscosity mild tannins and dark roasted oak. blueberry, cherry and blackberry flavors and hints of young wood, black pepper , nutmeg and clove. 2/7/2015 — 9 years ago

with Kim

Michael Callahan

8.9

Bordeaux blend. Full body, high alcohol. Smooth finish. Very rich. 7. — 10 years ago

Chris A

9.0

An interesting blend of tastes here - like a classic naval battle on the high seas, but played out on your palette: Big, luxurious oak as you might expect on an Californian red, but on a delicate Sicilian red. Well balanced, fruity and a great oaky meets plum and ripe red fruit finish. Pair with an Italian dish and your passport is stamped without the flight. Good stuff, this! — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix . Here's a beautiful one from Israel.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Nice nose of black currants, blackberries, cherries, vanilla, earth, wood, vegetables, dark coffee, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, black tea and spices.

Long finish with fine tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon is always enjoyable. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity. Tastes like a blend of old world and new world.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show its tannins and complexity, but good right out of the bottle also.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

This 6 year old is very tasty now, and will age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Grapes are grown at a high elevation and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Kosher for Passover.

14.5 % alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$35. — 5 years ago

Michael Spall

9.0

When they sell a high quality hamburger blend at the local grocery market, you want a red wine that will make you feel like you are eating the finest porterhouse steak. This Argentina Red aged for 7 years fit the bill. Happy Summer 2018 everyone! — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

First of the blind white wines for our South African blind tasting. This bottling by Keermont Vineyards is still just a baby that needs some time to fully open up and needs to be around cellar temperature to be enjoyed. Light pale yellow with a muted nose. A touch of floral notes and a little bit of stone/tropical fruits. High acidity (7/10) with a slow attack moving towards a medium to medium plus body. Notes of lemon zest, peaches, and solid minerality on the palate. Really pulls nicely together with the acidity in the long finish. Drink till 2027.

I think @David L can attest to the value and deliciousness of this bottling! — 7 years ago

with India, Sean and 1 other

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Day five on the cruise and this night at Giovanni's the Italian restaurant aboard the Allure of the Seas. We decided to open up two South African beauties for this.

Deep mix of ruby and garnet red. Very earthy on the nose with savory and slightly stinky characteristics. A touch green as well. Heavy tannins (7/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Dark berries on the attack of the palate with some dark cocoa and cinnamon notes. Long finish with some cedar notes. Drink till 2028. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

On the nose; ice tea, citrus peel, roasted blood orange, touch of oxidation, decayed roses and medium intensity volcanic soils. The color is orange and you definitely pick up the clay pot influence. The body is lean to medium. ice tea, citrus peel, roasted blood orange, orange peel, a touch of oxidation, decayed roses, delicate minerality, chalkiness, high round acidity, soft warm spices, savory notes with a really nice round finish. Producer notes; the winery is high up in the hills of the Asureti Valle...4200 feet above sea level. Asureti is an ancient village in the foothills of Georgia, about 30 minutes away from Tbilisi. Some of their wines are made with no skin contact and others with skin and stem contact for as long as 7 months. They also farm organically. Photos of; their vineyards, Beka Gotsadze and the qvevri clay fermentation pots. Pairings; sautéed fish to chicken mole tamales and take out Chinese. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Light golden in color with a yellow hue.

Fruity and sweet nose of lemons, melons, tropical fruits, minerals, citrus, tangerine, ripe bananas, mangoes and white pepper.

Medium plus in body with some effervescent, crisp with small bubbles and high acidity.

Sweet on the palate with melons, red apples, peaches, mangoes and citrus.

Long finish with sweet mangoes.

A delicious sweet dessert wine from Italy. Crisp, engaging and not Cloying. Nicely balanced with enough acidity for the residual sugar it contains.

A Great sipping wine, and also good with desserts like cheesecakes, but not the very sweet ones.

7% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago

Jerod

8.9

High alcohol
Great pairing-Spiced food
Thanksgiving dinner. — 9 years ago

Laura Hodges

9.7

93% syrah 7% Viognier. What an incredible bottle of wine. Last I had it was in barrel. Beautiful silky structure with influences of calcareous soils and limestone. Beautiful aromatics. Viognier is prevalent on nose with Monterey fruit. High elevation and above the fog line — 9 years ago

Maciek Gontarz

9.6

Malbec 93%, Cabernet Franc 7%. Dark as ink. Amazing nose, I'm speachless. Cooked ripe red fruits. Multidimensional. Tar with earth and flowers and eucalyptus. High extraction, very aggressive. Need food. Love food. Complexed, stunning! — 10 years ago

Tracy Wu

9.0

High acidity and freshness, citrus and passion fruit with a touch of yeast. 7/10 — 11 years ago

Melanie Taylor

9.0

Sweet, cherry flavours, floral secondary aromas of violet, also tertiary leather, smokiness. Long lasting smooth finish. Medium to high acidity.

Provencal and mountainous, sunny yet cool, the quality of this superb terroir is thanks to 5 key elements that give their names to the 5 cuvees of Saint Jean du Barroux: La Source (spring), L'Argile (clay), La Pierre Noire (black stone), Le Microclimat (microclimate) and La Montagne (mountain).

Red Grenache - Carignan - Cinsault - Organic wine
Yield 30 hL/ha - hand picked - de-stemmed: 100% - maceration: 7 days - maturation: concrete and enameled tanks - corks: diam 5
Cellaring potential: 10 years - decant when young

14.5%

Gift from Robert and Tanis Gray — 5 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

9.1

Chenin from high altitude vineyards on calcareous soils in Catalunya. Pours a hazy copper, with vivid energy apparent from the nose. Structured and mineral, with clear varietal definition, complimented, not obscured by microbial character, all with baffling stamina after 7+ years of bottle age. — 6 years ago

Lucas Medola

9.8

A piece of art!! Dark purple with dark/ripe berries, herbs, pepper and subttle mineral aromas. In the mouth, full bodied, crispy with high acidity, well balanced tannins, complex, fresh end and very well rounded tannins. Amazing bordeaux blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere, 12% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. — 6 years ago

Mark Juckeland

9.2

First bottle of a vertical ‘12 ‘13 ‘14. High alcohol on the nose. Hint of black licorice. Well balanced on the palate with no real fruit. Spices are present — 6 years ago

Lawrence Asrikin

9.2

Mas de Boislauzon has been my go to wine when I'm craving for a glass of full bodied, contemporary styled, affordable CdP. Although I think it usually peaks at around 5-7 years, it is more than drinkable young. Fruit forward without being overly jammy. Blackberry, pine tree, oak on the nose. Full bodied with medium to high tannins on the palate. Some floral notes on the finish, perhaps violet. Perfect wine for the upcoming holiday season. — 7 years ago

Susan Verdin

10

Real Sangria by Cruz Garcia.
Imported from Spain.

When you first open this bottle, you can smell all of the different fruit aromas, and is even more prevalent when you pour yourself a glass. It's like a battle of the fruits, each of them trying to win you over. It won me over when I opened the bottle. In the smell specifically, was different kinds of berries. I could smell a little citrus but the berries might have overpowered that particular sent. I'm not a flamboyant person, but the taste made me feel that way. It is also balanced as it is not too sweet, and not too acidic. The body of the Sangria was a little smooth, a little watery. The color in particular was that of a bluish, and reddish which makes for a nice appearance. The alcohol content is 7% which is not too high so it won't be too strong. Overall I really enjoyed and and would recommend it to anyone who loves Sangria. — 7 years ago

JKT

9.3

CVed 3/16/17 Nebbiolo comp. Cork seemed a bit high and will need to check. Great balance and complexity of earth and dark fruits and long finish. Opened at Frog Hollow 7/9/18 final move-in date. Great wine. Same score. No deterioration. — 7 years ago

Richard Portes

9.0

17+. 2009. Still deep ruby, 7 years on. Lovely fruit on nose and palate. Might say high-end Burgundy, but it's clearly Gamay. Long. Not v complex, but just delicious. — 7 years ago

David Podhaskie

9.6

This gets extra points for being high in alcohol content, but not losing any complexity. Incredibly smooth with a great spice and floral finish. — 8 years ago

Winn Roberton

9.5

High elevation cab. Oh yeah good. 2010 vintage. — 9 years ago

Chris Borges

9.1

Juicy, spicy, medium but smooth tannins. Awesome paired with grilled pork. High abv, but not noticeable while drinking. — 9 years ago

Melissa Boon

9.6

50 garnacha, 27 carinena, 16 Syrah, 7 Cabernet, maybe a lil merlot, 93 Parker, 12 meses barrica francesa nueva. $204 cost 6 packs, sell for $50. 700 cajas produccion, 80 a 100 anos vinedos. Nose: some dried fruit, red fruit, cocoa. Mouth: nice tannins, high acidity, heavy body, calls for food, chewy. 8/10 — 11 years ago