I Balzi

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Ron R
8.9

I can’t remember the last time I tasted this brand, and while it’s very approachable, it’s a total construction site. Vanilla and over-sweet brown sugar with resolved tannins. Not my cup-of-tea, but will be enjoyed by others. — 5 months ago

Andrew MooreRick K
with Andrew and Rick
Tom, Jay and 22 others liked this
Jay Kline

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🇺🇸 🪵 💣
Ron R

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@Jay Kline, I have older vintages of Napa and Alexander Valley, and they are nothing like what I tasted here. Just so you know, the 94 Silver Oak Napa cab was the wine that actually helped to create my current, measly credit score… Silver Oak has certainly sh!t the bed (in my opinion) since the late 90’s.
Jay Kline

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@Ron R I agree. I’ve had some vintages from the early 80’s that were really good but man…the oak has been overbearing for probably 20 years

Caymus Vineyards

40th Anniversary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I was surprised it was in a clear glass bottle. Still very young but surprisingly light. Very vanilla with fresh cherry’s. Not a big Cabernet at all. — 8 months ago

"Odedi" and Dave liked this

Raventos i Blanc

de Nit Rosé Cava Blend

Tart pomegranate, crisp acidity with some minerality. Underappreciated. Incredible for the price. Great way to start off dinner at Vicia. — 3 years ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

A bit disjointed and not the balanced velvet powerhouse I remember when I had the 2003 vintage. — 6 years ago

Sharon, Michael and 7 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2004

Yeast, green apple, heavenly. Will only get better but I don't think I will have the patience to hold my few remaining bottles. — 8 years ago

David and Ron liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1970

Fruit has gone mostly, but some dark baked prunes and figginess remains. Nice old Bordeaux, on its last legs I think. Stood up really well for the last 45 years though... — 10 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! — 11 years ago

The Prisoner liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004

Sure. I mean, I guess.. like, ok. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister, Peter and 8 others liked this

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Zinfandel Blend 2013

I asked for a jammy red and that’s what this is !! Not super into these “commercialized” wines, but it does the job for easy drinking. Yum — 6 months ago

Serge liked this

Bodegas Roda

Reserva Roda I Rioja Red Blend 2019

Great wine in a great vintage. Dark fruit, well handled oak, plums and cherries, great acidity and fine tannins and length — 8 months ago

Ira liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2019

Paul K
9.5

Got a great deal on 6 pack of these two Bordeaux greats. Both got scores of 99, but the range of scores was pretty wide for both as well. I know I have to lay them down for 10 years+ but I wanted to try both for a baseline.
The Palmer is showing a lot more than the Ducru. It’s very enjoyable now! Nose is fantastic if a touch muted but still get nice cedar, black cherry, hint of floral, and something herbal. The palate is slate, cherry, blackberry, and currant. Not muted or closed in the least, but the slate thing overlays the fruit. Does that make sense? Help me describe that.
All in all I love this wine. Can’t hardly wait for 10 years from now. Guessing I won’t!
— 3 years ago

Joel, Eric and 31 others liked this
James K

James K

I just picked up some of these two as well! Thanks for taking the hit and doing the early research. Much appreciated.
Deborah M

Deborah M

Beautiful 🤩!!
Paul K

Paul K

Thanks @Deborah M ! You’ve been on a tear lately!!!

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2013

Drinking very well in youth. Very dark fruited & tannic. I suspect more MVD & less Grenache. Consistently excellent & the living embodiment of producer over vintage. — 9 years ago

P, Chris and 63 others liked this
Anthony Lombardi

Anthony Lombardi

@Ron R - I hear you. They've had assorted experiences with Brett which really corresponds to how much an individual can or cannot tolerate. 2003 in particular was a tough one with the heat.
Pete Contaldi

Pete Contaldi

I'll take all the '98 you'd like to discard please and thank you.
Bob McDonald

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Anthony. Had a vineyard visit in 2013 and can confirm Beaucastel is using more Mourvèdre in the blend. They are putting it down to climate change with warmer longer summers and Mouvedre better able to handle those conditions than Grenache. Other CDP producers are following their lead.

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

Deep ruby , thin pink rim . Fresh cassis , blackberry , quite spicy with a touch of vanilla, red plum . Quite open and enticing . On the palate this is somewhat linear with cool dark fruits , cassis , red plum , grafite and saline touch . Fills out well with quite grippy , cool tannins , fresh acidity , and good length with grafite , cassis finish . This is obviously not ready , however it was an enjoyable wine to drink over dinner , the freshness and cool fruit character are quite apparent , and the tannins though gritty are somewhat in the background . Though it was worth the experience , I would leave bottles a further 10 years before trying another. This is an elegant and well judged wine . — 6 months ago

"Odedi", Shay and 15 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

this is really nice! i notice some floral and strawberry notes — 6 months ago

Raul Puga
with Raul
Raul, Joshua and 5 others liked this
Raul Puga

Raul Puga

Ridiculously delicious 😋
9.5

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 8 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Krug is always most welcome, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This is edition 169. A bit more yeasty and slightly less acidic than previous versions, to my taste. But if you like the Krug style - which we do very much - it hits the spot per usual.

My wife used to work with Fritz Hatton, proprietor of Arietta wines and auctioneer for Zachys. Fritz always says to have a half bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge in case you need a “midnight snack”, and I have to agree with him!
— 5 years ago

Severn, Michael and 13 others liked this
Severn G

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Reminds me, I need a Krug split in the fridge!

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Solid vintage but didn't age as well as I hoped Still very enjoyable — 9 years ago

Andrew liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2004

Awesome! Everything I love about VT and CDP. Earth and fruit in perfect balance. — 11 years ago

Anthony, Sasha and 1 other liked this

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011

Dark Pinot, med to heavy body, slightly smokey, smooth, I like it. $18 — 13 years ago