Higher Ground
Vieux Château Certan
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 12. This has a perfumed and quite floral bouquet with blackberries and violets. It shows lovely definition and mineralité, that hint of wild heather coming through but none of the previous menthol scents. The palate is exceptionally well-balanced with chiseled tannins, which are a perfect bead of acidity. I adore how this gathers momentum towards the lightly spiced, persistent finish. This shows better than when I tasted it just after bottling six years ago, hence my higher score. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— a year ago
Hall Wines
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
2018 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 2.5 hours. It’s easily been a decade+ since tasting their entry level stuff. Medium/medium heavy body. A bit riper than expected. Haven’t come across those levels of ripeness on their higher end stuff in the last few years. Can see why some would absolutely love this tho. Missing structure that usually accompanies Hall reds. For such a big *ss vintage, thought there would be mas. Sadly, no. 11.7.24. — 10 months ago
Lucchetti
Guardengo Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Lacrima 2017
Deep purple and an amazing floral nose. tv14%, higher in alcohol than I’ve seen with Lacrima, but u can’t taste it. This wine is so unusual- no other grape that I know of ( my brother will correct me?) has a nose and taste like this. Tannins are there but in check. Went great with pappadelle and pancetta/ tomato sauce. — 5 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989
It's Open That Bottle Night(last Sat in Feb), and thought this would be a nice pull to celebrate the occasion.
1 hour decant(decent sediment). A striking still dark garnet with some bricking. On the nose: perfumed stewed cherry/plum, smoked meat, worn leather, cigar ash,milk chocolate, rich soil, some band-aid(brett) Taste: smooth, polished, vibrant wine with plum, tobacco, bitter chocolate, worn leather, earth, and a long graphite coffee ground finish. YUM!!!! — 6 months ago
Jacques Selosse
Lieux Dits Ambonnay Le Bout Du Clos Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend
Disgorged Feb 2021. The first sniff is the all knowing Selosse oxidative hallmark. Multiple scents scrambling to take the lead like the horses coming out of the starting gate in the Kentucky derby. Very fresh in the mouth with spice , nuts and orchard fruit . The only reason my score is not higher was the oxidative note that grew in intensity. — 2 years ago
Epoch Estate Wines
Paderewski Vineyard Sensibility Red Rhone Blend 2017
@Epoch Estate Wines nails it. Singing Grenache. Big florals on the nose. Crushed raspberries. The mouthfeel drives a long finish with higher acidity. Macerated raspberries and hints of eucalyptus. Just awesome juice — 5 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
Bevan Cellars Ontogeny – Napa Valley Red Wine, 2022
🍷 Power. Precision. Prestige.
A serious heavy-hitter in the triple-digit arena, this bottle punches way above its price point and is flat-out hard to beat.
Crafted as a bold Bordeaux-style blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc), the grapes are sourced from Napa’s top-tier sites, including Tench Vineyard (next to Screaming Eagle), Sugarloaf Mountain, and Sage Ridge. This is next-level winemaking that showcases the best of Napa’s diverse terroirs.
Expect opulence in every sip:
🍇 Blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, ripe plum
🍂 Layers of tobacco leaf, cocoa, and sweet earth
🔥 Ripe, chewy tannins and a velvety texture lead into a monster of a finish that lasts and lasts.
💪 Full-bodied. Explosive. Built to age 10+ years, but honestly, it’s already drinking beautifully now.
⚠️ Pro tip: grab it before the price inevitably catches up with Bevan’s higher-tier labels that fetch double or triple the cost.
If you want a bottle that blends raw Napa power with precision winemaking, Ontogeny delivers.
Don’t sleep on this one. 🍷💥
— a month ago