Karl May
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010
A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!
Had the 2012 Odette Reserve or 2012 Bryant Family not been on the table, this may have won the night. Whereas the other two were drinking deliciously, this displayed more youthful notes than I expected. The fruit here was really bright...candied black cherries, fresh blueberries and blackberries, baking spices, toasted oak, and savory charcoal. Nicely compact on the palate...bing cherries dusted in dark chocolate shavings, Black Forest cake, sandalwood, and smoked meat. If opening now, decant for a few hours. — 6 years ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
2014. Just really good. May have aged a little longer, but definitely drinkable right now. — 6 years ago
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983
Just had this in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Like most wines of this vintage it took a bit of imagination to fully appreciate. It is clearly time to drink this wine, it may be on the downhill side of life. Overall a good experience for what was not noted as a premium vintage, but is a very solid wine. — 7 years ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
The 1988 d'Yquem is almost identical to the bottle I tasted in 2016. This is almost Barsac-like in style on the nose with scents of barley sugar, complemented by marmalade and mandarin, fresh and vibrant with a palpable sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous texture but it is not, and has never been, as unctuous as either the 1989 or 1990. However, what the 1988 does possess is a surfeit of vitality and tension. There are layers of blood orange, quince and marmalade towards the finish that as the aromatics suggest, comes across as quite Barsac in style. Superb. Tasted at Château Batailley. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2018) — 8 years ago
Rocca di Montegrossi
Toscana IGT Sangiovese Rosato 2019
The 2019 Rocca di Montegrossi Rosato is gorgeous, both spicy and floral, with zesty bright cherry and a hint of grapefruit. On the palate, silky, soothing textures usher in ripe red fruits offset by vibrant acids, as hints of sweet spice and salty minerals buzz on the senses. The finish is medium in length and remarkably fresh. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1945
The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago
Karl Schaefer
Sonnentropfen Wachenheimer trocken Riesling 2018
Surprisingly energetic and sharp for a Pfalz Riesling with steely, spicy lemons and a whiff of peach in the background. Great juiciness & purity, this has the drinkability if a clear mountain spring. Brilliant for sipping solo, but will hold its ground with light food. A cracker entry level wine & brilliant value! — 6 years ago
Weingut Karl Haubs - Barzen Erben
Bernkasteler Graben Kabinett Riesling 1998
First wine home from a Ireland trip. Another surprisingly fresh and lively wine for its age and classification level. Got that grassy straw almost cheesy notes from this producer. — 7 years ago
Tenuta San Guido
Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2014
May 16, 2019 in Tucson w/ Karen. Her wine for “a special occasion”. The occasion was special because of this wine. Wow. Just an awesome Bolgheri. — 7 years ago
Weingut Karl Haubs - Barzen Erben
Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett Riesling 1998
Drinking up my stock of these as the previous bottles were past their prime. But my final one goes out with life still in it! Apple, pear, ripe and juicy lemon, maybe even a little pineapple on the long finish. — 8 years ago
La Spinetta
Il Rosé di Casanova Prugnolo Gentile - Sangiovese Rosé Blend 2019
Spinetta’s 2019 Il Rosé di Casanova is stunning in the glass, wafting up with a seductive bouquet, mixing lime and ripe melon with crushed strawberries. It floods the palate with spicy red fruits, complemented by juicy citrus and brisk acids, which keep the expression wonderfully fresh. The finish is long, as an air of minerals and fresh florals hover above salty minerals which beg you to take another sip. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2020) — 6 years ago
Karl Lawrence
Reserve Gary Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
This wine is hitting on all cylinders. Full bodied, fruit forward, lots of cherries and no more tannins. Wish I had more. — 6 years ago
La Rioja Alta
Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2010
Has too much presence in relation to the structure but authentic and authoritative aroma makes it compelling. The flavor could dig deeper into the core and bit more continuous but that may happen down the road. Conventional but true classic. — 7 years ago
Glenelly Estate
Lady May Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2010
Great left bank Bordeaux blend from South Africa. Dark fruits, pencil lead...Cabernet Sauvignon taste....actually this is all Cab Sav. Made by a Bordeaux lady who moved to South Africa — 7 years ago
Far Niente Winery
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
It Was the battle of the 1999’s tonight!
I believe this came in second place. Very light and somewhat Bordeauish in style.
The tannins are gone, the dark opulent fruit is gone, I’m getting forest floor, Dark cherry, Graphite and a medium to long finish. I think I may prefer it to drinking young!
— 8 years ago
Château Talbot
Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1975
Loved this. Lots of depth. We tried the 1971 as well which may have had some heat damage. But this was herbal silky wine brought a smile to my face with each sip. — 8 years ago
Delectable Wine
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Bright, deep ruby. Ineffable scents of dark berries, graphite, minerals, licorice, violet, dark chocolate and sage. Wonderfully suave, fine-grained and plush but light on its feet, and every bit as complex in the mouth as on the nose. Really impeccably balanced, classy wine with uncanny precision and inner-mouth aromatic lift and a resounding, endlessly building aftertaste that leaves the taste buds quivering. A wine of great finesse and energy, not to mention noble palate-saturating, fully ripe tannins. This is more about subtlety than weight, but is still hard to scrape off your palate. This already coats every square millimeter of the palate but may yet expand further. All of this fruit was harvested in October. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago