Iron Side Cellars

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Yes. Very correct and young. Error on the side of age-ing. - at AR Valentien — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister, Chris and 2 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Did you give aeration and how long?
romo

romo Premium Badge

Opened at the table and decanted outdoors 30-45 mins. To your point, last sip was the best.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Wedding Cuvée Sparkling Blend 2007

Always worthy of a celebration. — 5 months ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1997

The pinnacle of Syrah.

It opens with smoked meat, dried black olive, leather, and stone.

The palate is graceful and savory, where fading dark fruit, iron, and earth glide on silken, fully melted tannins.

Legendary Hermitage!
— 6 months ago

Juan, Sagee and 7 others liked this

Iron + Sand

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Really tasty! Juicy and a bit tart. — 8 months ago

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2013

Really lovely and punchy. Vivid fruit, loads of savory tangy fruit. Iron and iodine and a hint of strawberry sweetness. Excellent — 8 months ago

Bex GreenDavid Schachter
with Bex and David
Dave, Douglas and 10 others liked this

Iron Horse Vineyards

Brut X Chardonnay - Pinot Noir Sparkling Blend 2021

T’is good, but definitely a little sharp on the apple…. I have another bottle, and I will definitely drink it. But, I prefer some of their other offerings. — a month ago

Jeannie Epps
with Jeannie
Bryan and Shay liked this

Iron Horse Vineyards

Unoaked Chardonnay 2019

Stainless Steel Sleek and pure. — 6 months ago

Tom, Brent and 3 others liked this

Thierry Allemand

Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2012

Shay A
9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point.
— 6 months ago

David, Paul and 22 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Sounds fantastic!!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Last tasted 12.11.22 (9.6) and 8.20.16 (9.2-slightly off bottle). Tasted side by side with the 1989 (9.4) version of this wine. Ridiculous 1-2 heavyweight punch. Opened but not decanted. Tasted at the conclusion of lunch after an hour open. Not much in the nose but bringing it in the flavors. Still heavy bits of ripe plum and cherry with a substantial mid-palate. Larger format of this wine likely clocks in as a 9.6/9.7 but this was a 750ml. In the 750ml format, not improving and it's drink now and until 2028. Still, most likely, the best wine this producer has ever made. The 1989 has a case as well. Like the Lebowski rug, this one just tied the late-80's/early-90's BDX room together. 10.10.25. — 8 months ago

Daniel, Jeroen and 24 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Our anniversary year. I need to get a bottle

Iron Horse Vineyards

Blanc de Blancs Green Valley 2020

Normally a huge Iron horse bubbly fan but this was more average than fantastic. Still a bottle I’d recommend but I will likely go to other bottles. — 2 years ago

Ron liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Lots going on here as the nose unwinds but unfortunately in a tasting scenario it's hard to see it evolve. There's a surprising amount of red fruit and subtle florals that are fully enveloped in sandalwood and cigar box. The oak shows up prominently but elegantly, like smelling the inside of a very nice guitar. On the palate, acidity and red fruit dominate with plenty of freshness, signaling longevity and less velvety tannins than I expected. They still hit the side of the mouth. — 2 months ago

Tom, Douglas and 4 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1981

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a dull purple/garnet color with a translucent core and significant rim variation, moving towards a rust color. The wine has medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, dried red and purple flowers, old leather bound books, tobacco, a touch of menthol, some earth, old wood and a sprinkle of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Super high quality but a touch thin.

Initial conclusions: Due to the observable characteristics of color, rim variation, sediment, smell and flavor, I think this wine has significant age; 30+ years. However, this is still very alive and showing more than enough markers to give an indication of place. Subsequently, this could be a Cabernet-based blend or a Tempranillo-based blend from the United States, France, or Spain. For me, I’m getting new French oak vibes instead of American so I’m eliminating Spain. I also think this leans more towards its fruit than its structure and since this comes across a little on the thin side, I’m going to say this comes from a tougher vintage. My final conclusion is this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the USA, Napa, 1981. Wow! This showed really well.

It never ceases to amaze me how analogous the 1981 vintage was in both Napa and Bordeaux. I find it equally amazing how well that vintage has held up; particularly when considering its poor reputation, mostly based on the prevailing thought at the time. From my perspective, well stored examples are not going to fall off of a cliff but I would drink now through 2031.
— 5 months ago

Lyle, Pooneet and 17 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Frankly find Latour more "interesting" in lesser vintages with subtleties/nuances often lost in the bigger vintages. The big vintages amply feature the power and the lesser vintages feature the glory. Probably in the minority here tho.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego personally, I don’t have enough experience with Chateau Latour to have a feeling, one way or another. That being said, I’ve had enough experience with 1st growths in general (including Latour) to more or less understand your take. And logically, I have no reason to doubt your position

Iron Horse Vineyards

Classic Vintage Brut Sparkling Blend 2020

More residual sugar than I remembered. Brioche finish, delicate bubbles — 7 months ago

Dave liked this

Pierre Gonon

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2015

This was open & drinking beautifully with notes of meat, iron, dark fruits, sweet, savory spice, mineral, violet & tobacco notes. — 8 months ago

Andrew, Juan and 7 others liked this

Nickel & Nickel

Branding Iron Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Dark cherry, boysenberry upfront with a long finish with tobacco and chocolate notes. — 9 months ago

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2022

Finally got to drink one of the famous #morgon producers. Sappy red fruit, touch of enticing funk, purple floral notes and some sous bois aromas. Lushly textured on palate, iron, lofty acidity. Sure it’s a bit young but had to seize the day on this occasion. #foillardftw — a year ago

Daniel liked this