Life's A Pudding Full Of Plums

Silverado Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Dark inky in color with a short purplish rim.

On the nose black currants, plums, cherries, earth, light oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, dust and black pepper.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, oak, spices, vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, light alcohol, espresso, chocolates, earth and light herbs.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature, but drinking nicely now. Already showing some complexity, especially on the palate.

I've had an older vintage of this wine a few years ago, and it has great potential to get a lot better. Would be great to revisit this in 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so give it time.

90 points Wine Enthusiasts.

Good to by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon,
14% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged in mostly French oak barrels (48% new) for 18 months.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$46.
— 5 years ago

Shay, Martijn and 29 others liked this

Shiloh

Mosaic Merlot Blend 2016

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a delicious one from Israel.

Inky in color with a short reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, light cedar, spices, cola, tobacco leaf, black tea, alcohol, coffee, milk chocolates, light herbs and black pepper.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with cooked plums, black currants, coffee, cedar, vanilla, spices, earth, milk chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn and light vinaigrette.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a wonderful Merlot blend from Israel. Showing nice complexity and well balanced with a great mouthfeel. Really enjoyed the nose here, even after a few minutes out of the bottle.

This four year old is already yummy right out of the bottle, but better after a couple of hours in a decanter.

I've had this before, and this time I decided to give it a slight chill, and boy it was delicious.

Nice buttery mouthfeel, even looks buttery when poured. Drinking very nicely now.

Very tasty and fruit forward. Dark, extracted and rich. Feels like a Napa Bordeaux blend.

A blend of 42% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit verdot and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and Kosher. Mevushal.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$65.
— 5 years ago

Josh, Daniel P. and 20 others liked this

The Standish Wine Company

The Relic Shiraz Blend 2004

Somm David T
9.6

Happy Valentines Day!

If you have not looked for this wine on WineSearcher.com or other, you should. Dan Standish has no American Importer. However, you can mail order off his list. Good luck with the Australian/United States import costs. Very prohibited.

Most quality Barossa wines take 15 years in bottle to show their ultimate beauty. Dan’s wines are no different. His Estate vines are 100 years old and produce 500 pounds of fruit per acre...very concentrated. Contrast that to extremely expensive & high quality Napa fruit, those Napa producers are at 2,000-2,500 pounds per acre.

We visited Standish in April 2017. We found Dan to be extremely talented & definitely marches to his own drum. He is salt of the earth and has traveled & worked in many of the world wine regions honing his craft and landing as Torbreck’s Winemaker in Barossa before starting, “The Standish Wine Company.”

As good as the 04 is tonight, it has 15 years of good life ahead...properly stored of course.

The nose is very intoxicating. It is a nice blend of purple, black & blue fruits. Mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, black plums, plums, blackberries, dark cherries, deeply extracted raspberries, some baked strawberries, black licorice to anise, dark fruit cola, black olive skin, medium dark spice, black pepper, charcoal, graphite, dry tobacco & underbrush, some bay leaf, alluvial soils, grey volcanic minerals/limestone with fresh & only slightly withering, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets & lavender.

The body is full, rich, ripe, lush and creamy on the palate after a two-hour plus decant. The structure, tension, length and balance are a little short of its peak and will hold there for 5-8 years. It’s a glorious glide on the palate. The fruits are ripe & lightly baked. Mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, black plums, plums, blackberries, dark cherries, deeply extracted raspberries, some baked strawberries, cherry kirsch, red & black licorice to anise, dark fruit cola, black olive skin, the dark spices are heavier on the palate & bring just the right amount of heat, sweet, dark tarriness, black pepper, used, dark expresso roast grounds, charcoal, graphite, dry tobacco & underbrush, some bay leaf, alluvial soils, grey volcanic minerals/limestone, moist clay, with fresh & only slightly withering, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, flush & perfect. The long finish is a unique even balance of; lush fruits, spice, herbs and earth that persists on the palate for minutes.

Photo on the left of Sofia’s 2 dozen long stems. Love you so much!

@Oswald
— 6 years ago

Eric, P and 28 others liked this
Sofia Jalilie

Sofia Jalilie

Great compliment to the rib eye- lovely Valentine’s dinner with my one and only ❤️

Château Monbousquet

Saint-Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Ken Z
9.4

Drank 12/26/18. 2 hour decant. Excellent with a Ribeye.

Nose of blackberry, earth, coffee bean, and black cherry. Flavors of cassis, earth, leather, ripe blackberry, plums, and mocha backed by medium, well integrated tannins. Full bodied black fruit on the finish, which glides on for around a minute. Exquisite balance. Can drink now and over the next 10+ years. An impressive showing for an average year.

3/22/9/5/5 + 50 = 94 pts.
— 7 years ago

Ken, Mark and 6 others liked this

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Indian Wells Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a great Cabernet from Washington State.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, sweet cherries, figs, light oak, vanilla, spices, licorice, pencil lead, black pepper, dark chocolates, dark coffee, earth and leather.

Medium to full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blueberries, cherries, plums, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, herbs, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, dark chocolates and pencil lead.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Cabernet from Columbia Valley. Nicely balanced with great complexity and mouthfeel. Smooth, elegant and very tasty. This 4 year old is peaking now.

This is not an expensive wine, but with proper short term aging, it drinks wonderfully. Worth giving it a try.

Good right out of the bottle and so much better after 2 hours in a decanter.

I paired it with cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and light appetizers.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$15.
— 7 years ago

Craig, James and 16 others liked this
"Odedi"

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Thanks for the kind words @Shawn Thompson 😊😊
"Odedi"

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Thanks for the kind words @Shawn Thompson 😊😊
"Odedi"

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Much appreciated @Shawn Thompson 😊

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot 2013

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Great fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, sweet plums, cedar, vanilla, leather, licorice, cola, light vegetables, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, spices, mocha and black pepper. Reminds me of a Napa Cabernet nose.

Full bodied, rich and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherry pie, dried fruits, cedar, leather, chocolates, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This delightful Single Vineyard Merlot from Washington State is well balanced with nice complexity. This 2013 was a great vintage and it is showing wonderfully.

Easy drinking and good for parties or as a sipping wine. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. Good by itself or with food, like a nice piece of grilled steak.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of Meats and cheeses.

92 Wine Spectator, 91 Wine Advocate.

A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 16 months in French and American Oak (60% new).

14.5% alcohol by volume.


$28.
— 8 years ago

Casey, Doug and 17 others liked this

Markham Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2013

My Mid week sanity. This time it is in a form of a very enjoyable Napa Merlot.

Deep purple in color with a purple rim.

Nice fruity nose with blueberries, plums, black currants, sweet cherries, vanilla, oak, licorice, cola, light vegetables, peppercorn, earth, cloves, nutmeg, spices, chocolates, sage, eucalyptus, pencil lead and smoke.

Full-bodied and bold, with medium plus acidity and long long legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, blackberries, currants, earth, vanilla, licorice, pine, chocolates, dark coffee, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm, green tannins and cherries.

A very nice Napa Merlot. Still young, but already enjoyable, and needs an hour to open up. A good sipping wine, once it is opens up, and also good with food. Paired very nicely with grilled meats on the barbecue.

Would be much better in 3 to 5 years, once more complexity comes in. Not fully balanced, but shows nice complexity potential.

I enjoyed it just by itself. A good sipping wine. The nose is not intense enough yet, but the palate is very rewarding. Alcohol is still noticeable at this point, but time will make it all better.

14.2% alcohol by volume.
— 9 years ago

DAD, Trixie and 21 others liked this

Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Merlot 2008

Opaque color. Intense nose of black cherries, plums and chocolate. Full and smooth body with completely integrated tannins. Long finish. This is in a good place to drink now. (Drank on 5/29) — 9 years ago

Matt LichtenbergStanley BarriosMichael Lasky
with Matt, Stanley and 4 others
Doug and Mike liked this

Bodegas Alto Moncayo

Campo de Borja Garnacha 2012

Wow. What great wine. Beautiful big nose of plums and pears and dark berries. Deep purple and dark red color. Semi-sweet cherries are the immediate tongue burst, and it slides into a full fruit berries, plums and a earthy tone in the back. After 30 minutes or so, the tang of cherries calms to more fruit and a softer, rounder flavor with soft spicy feel on the end. Very nice. Will definitely get again. — 10 years ago

Bodegas Juan Gil

18 meses Jumilla Monastrell Blend 2013

Dark inky color with a purplish rim.

Oaky nose with plums, blackberries, wood, vanilla, vanilla, vanilla (did I say vanilla?), earth, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied, smooth and bold with nice legs.

Fruity on the palate with blackberries, figs, cherries, plums, earth, oak, vanilla, dirt and peppercorn.

Nice finish with big tanning and black pepper.

Awesome wine with a great mouth feel, that can be enjoyed by itself. I paired it with Parmesan cheese, crackers and great company. Drinkable now, but will be even better in 3 to 5 years.

A blend of 60% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah. Each was fermented individually, and then aged for 18 months separately, in new French and American oak barrels. After blending, it sat for over a month in steel tanks before bottling.

15.5% (Wow!) Alcohol by volume.
— 10 years ago

Andrei, Riddley and 13 others liked this

Langmeil

Valley Floor Barossa Shiraz 2017

Dark purple. On the nose there is ripe plums, blueberry, pepper and wiff of oak. On the palate it's full of sweet dark fruits, some vanilla, pepper and mix of granberry and lingonberry that comws up towards the end. Tannins are fine if a bit drying and wine has nice structure and acidity that keeps it fresh. This could be from southern france. Great qpr — 5 years ago

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2017

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of eating out in Chicago on the river and enjoyed this 2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot. From Napa Valley this blend is 88% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Everything is all outside, no dining in and social distancing is a must, though masks are optional out doors and waitstaff has to wear the masks.

On the nose was black cherry, raspberry, black plums, tobacco, chocolate, rose petals and dusty earth.

On the palate there is beautiful fruit, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, cocoa, licorice, red currant, vanilla, spice and dusty earth.

The wine is medium to full bodied that has a creamy, silky smooth mouth feel with medium to medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit finish. A very enjoyable bottle of wine that went very well with my NY Strip. I hope everyone is well and healthy? Please stay safe and continued health. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Severn, Paul and 26 others liked this
P A

P A

@Daniel P. Drake Daniel it’s hard to go wrong with a Duckhorn Merlot Cheers 🍷

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013

Deep Ruby with red and black fruit aromas and herb spice. A blend of 60% Cab Sauv and 40% Merlot the palate shows ruch fruit, cherries, plums and blueberries with tobacco, cacao and earthy/peppery spice notes, a real powerhouse of integrated flavors. Tannins are firm but approachable, a wine with a solid structure, yet elegant and smooth. This full-body wine’s finish was long, had a great mouth feel and was enjoyable ending with earthy character. Nice! My last ‘13. — 6 years ago

Alex and Daniel P. liked this

Peju Province Winery

Napa Valley Merlot 2015

It’s time for #MerlotThursday. Here is a delicious one from Napa Valley.

Dark inky in color with a short purple rim.

Strong nose of blackberries, black plums, figs, dried fruits, cooked raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, light vegetables, cola, earth, chocolates, tobacco, mocha and black pepper.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, cedar, earth, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha and coke.

Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cherries.


This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Big bold and beautiful.

Showing a great mouthfeel with nice complexity, once it's opened up. Intense, rich and extracted. Teeth staining color. I've had it many times and it is very consistent.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins. So give it time.

I've had this vintage 6 months ago and it is showing nicer now.

Good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$40.
— 6 years ago

Ted, Daniel P. and 14 others liked this

Elderton

Command Single Vineyard Shiraz 2004

After a brief decant this wine produced a lovely perfume redolent of ripe plums ( almost pruney) Earth, minerals, black fruits and a little crushed ant. Also espresso notes A lot going on from this premium Barossa Cuvée On the medium to full bodied palate prunes plum and earthy meaty characters. This was an exceptional Shiraz. The fruit for the Command comes from a vineyard planted in 1894. — 6 years ago

Jonathan, Severn and 18 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@David T I have never actually been to the Cellar Door but 25 weeks ago at the Downs Club Cameron Ashmead hosted an Elderton Dinner featuring a 2010 6 litre Methuselah which he had kindly brought.
Bob McDonald

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The Methuselah was also The Command
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Nice event.

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Indian Wells Columbia Valley Merlot 2014

It's time for #MerlotThursday. Here's a great one from Columbia Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, cherries, cooked plums, wood, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, smoke, dark coffee, mocha, earth, leather, coke and black pepper. What a great nose.

Full bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, spices, espresso, chocolates, peppercorn, earth sweet vinaigrette, dark coffee and light mocha.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This 4 year old Merlot from Washington State surprised me.
Well balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel.

Soft, spicy and smooth. Peaking now, and better now than a year or two ago.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (1 hour).

I paired it with a filet mignon and grilled asparagus.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$20.
— 7 years ago

Craig, Shay and 14 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Enjoy Odedi 🍷
"Odedi"

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I agree, Kirk. The only thing is hard to find it's a bit aged at a restaurant
"Odedi"

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Thanks, Dick

Barnett Vineyards

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Rich, full bodied fruit forward Cabernet from Spring Mountain. Fantastic notes of dark fruit and spice on the nose. Wonderful flavors of blackberries, dark plums, currants and a hint of anise on the palate. Super sleek tannins and beautiful structure make this a great wine, especially for the price. — 8 years ago

Lisa Mayer
with Lisa
Lisa, Shay and 22 others liked this

Château La Tour du Pin

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

After the amazing 2010 I had to try the 09 @ £30! Owned by & next door to Cheval-Blanc on old Figeac land 👍 & it's a fab buy to drink now to next 5yrs

🍇 80% Merlot & 20% Cab F

🍷 Opaque deep ruby

👃 Dark plum, blackcurrant & dark cherry through rich smoked oak w/ crushed minerals & farmyard then choc cherry gateaux

👄 Med+ creamy body of ripe chewy black plums/cherries/berries w/ a warm cocoa & gravelly backbone

🎯 Med+ full fruity dark fruity creamy coating w/ a mineral & melted chocolate wallop
— 8 years ago

Bill, Tom and 14 others liked this

Groth Vineyards & Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

My Friday's Cabernet fix. Here we go...

Beautiful dense purple in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose of blackberries, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, alcohol, cola, leather, light green vegetables, herbs, chocolates, earth, smoke, peppermint and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity, smooth and elegant, with long long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cola, cedar, vanilla, licorice, earth, bell pepper, spices, peppercorn, leather, smoke, chocolates, bitter vegetables, tobacco and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins, black pepper and spices.

What a Delightful Napa Cabernet this is. Balanced and elegant with Nice complexity. A Great sipping wine, but also great with food, like BBQ Meats.

A little hot at the back of the throat and needs a few years in the bottle.

I would have enjoyed it more with firmer tannins and less of the vegetable notes on the palate.

Needs a couple of hours to open up, to show some tannins. I had the 2011 before, and this vintage is better.

14.5% alcohol by volume.
— 9 years ago

TheSkip, Bob and 34 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Scorewine
9.4

Amazing wine , it seems 2003 is at its peak, full elegant and complex. Deep dark color, lovely complex nose, plums, black current, chocolate, mushrooms, coffee, sweet cedar, full body, sweet round rich tannins, great acidity and a long chewy delicious finish. My score agird for once with RP at 94 points, drink to 2020. I am planning to secure more of this vintage . — 10 years ago

Derek, P and 35 others liked this
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Thanks !!
MaJ CappS

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Beautiful wine, never have I had a bad vintage! Nice chili oil as well.
Scorewine

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Oil was for the Japanese hot pot that went well with the wine

Lake Sonoma Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Dark Ruby in color with a gorgeous burgundy rim. This is a teeth staining red wine.

Georges Napa Cab nose with vanilla, oak, blackberries, ripe plums, cherries, alcohol, wet rocks, licorice, wild flowers and black pepper.

Full bodied, smooth and elegant with medium acidity and great legs.

Dry on the palate and fruity, with cherries, blackberries, blueberries, figs, vanilla, cola, licorice, cedar and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm, round tannins, peppercorn and some acidity at the end, to make it interesting.

This is a Great wine from Alexander Valley. A cheaper version of a Napa Cabernet. Drinking nicely now, Balanced, elegant, tasty and delicious.

A Great surprise at a Good price level .

14.3% alcohol by volume.
— 10 years ago

David, Kent and 19 others liked this
"Odedi"

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Thank you, David
Ron R

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I've never heard of this, @"Odedi". I need to go find some 🏃🏿💨
"Odedi"

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Definitely worth it, Ron

Patland Estates

Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

It's time to get my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon.

Inky in color with a nice reddish/purple rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, cooked cherries, raisins, black currants, vanilla, light cedar, Mediterranean spices, tobacco leaf, earth, sweet tea, light cinnamon, turmeric, coffee, curcumin, graphites and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked strawberries, spices, pencil lead, tobacco, coffee, earth, vanilla, oak, dark chocolates, herbs, light vegetables and black pepper.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a young and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity.

Rich, extracted and elegant. Spicy with a great balance of earthiness and fruit.

This 4 year old Single Vineyard, is drinking very nicely now, and will age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. A good quality wine with good potential to get to 95+ points.

Needs 2 hours to open up properly and show the tannins.

This is one you want to have with good friends, and talk about. Really enjoyed the nose, and kept smelling on it for a long time.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

An interesting blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Malbec. Aged in French Oak barrels for 20 month (80% new). A small production of 4,800 bottles this is bottle number 1,354.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$155
— 5 years ago

Ted, Bob and 14 others liked this

World's End

If Six Was Nine Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Somm David T
9.4

I have been fairly critical of the 2010 Napa Cabernet vintage. This 2010 World’s End is one of the Napa producers that breaks with the many others I’ve had that were leaner, lacked structure, tannins & complexity.

This wine was just under $45 when I bought it upon release. Tonight, it is far out delivering that price point. In fact, as good as it is with tri-tip tonight, I wouldn’t open my next bottle for five more years.

The nose shows; some smoke & char, ruby, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, candied/ruby, candied, perfumed, brilliantly, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plums, plums, blueberries, sour strawberries & raspberries. Dark berry, liqueured cola, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, steeped, black fruit tea, mellow, dark spices, dry crushed rocks, clay, dry, top soil, mint/eucalyptus, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, tobacco, dry leather, graphite, bright limestone with fresh & just withering/candied; dark, purple, black, red, blue florals framed in violets and lavender.

The body is; full, ripe, lush & juicy. The palate guide is that of a very well made & expensive Cabernet. Tannins are; dark, tarry, chewy, sweet with baby to adolescent teeth. This 2010 has 15-20 years of good drinking ahead with proper storage. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting their singing lessons. It is very Bordeaux like; moist, forest floor with dry leaves, truffles, mushrooms, candied/ruby, candied, perfumed, brilliantly, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plums, plums, blueberries, sour strawberries & raspberries. Dark berry, liqueured cola, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, steeped, black fruit tea, mellow, very, dark Indian & Asian spices with just the right amount of palate heat, saline, smoke & char, black, cracked, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, clay, dry, top soil, dry, river stones, mint/eucalyptus, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry stems, tobacco, dry leather, graphite, bright limestone with fresh & just withering/candied; dark, purple, red, blue florals framed in violets and lavender. The acidy is good to very good but, could be a little better. However, it does hold the alcohol level just in check. The long, complex finish is; ripe, well balanced fruit & earth, nicely knitted & balance which; slides into earthy, dark spicy, dry, dusty, tarry tannins on the long set that persist for several minutes.

Still needed a two to three hour decant.

One of the more complex wines I’ve had in some time.

Cuvée note, “If 6 Was 9" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded on his Jimi Hendrix Experience LP in 1967.

Photos of; World’s End Winery, staff at the sorting table, the famous & picturesque Napa Valley sign and their barrel room.
— 6 years ago

Paul, Stephen and 34 others liked this
Ming L

Ming L

Had the 2103 Rebel Rebel Chard and loved it. Have a wonderful weekend @David T !
Somm David T

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@Ming Liang You as well. Cheers! 🍷

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend

Outstanding. Delicate but bold and beautiful red color. Impressive complexity with red fruit and blue fruits expressed at different times and levels as it opened up. Plums. Dark ripe cherries. Great med+ to full body. Velvety wonderfulness. Great integration between fruits and earthy smokey goodness. Nice short bite of pepper at times too. Slightly tart at open but just a thoroughbred after a few minutes. Lovely acidity and pleasant grippiness. This was outstanding and I hope to be back for more. Had in memory of my brother in law MJN. — 6 years ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estéphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here's a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Bordeaux.


Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.

On the nose, black currants, plums, cherries, chocolates, wood, earth, vegetables, graphite, spices, bitter herbs, wet leaves, river rocks, peppercorn, tobacco, dark coffee and light bell pepper.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, sweet strawberries, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, light vanilla, vegetables, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, wet leaves and earth.

Long finish with fine-grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet blend from Bordeaux. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel and great complexity.

This great vintage is already enjoyable, although it could use some additional time to mature properly, 5 to 10 years.

This Second Growth is good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (4 hours).

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with smoked meats. Delicious and yummy.

A blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$75.
— 7 years ago

Casey, MaJ and 37 others liked this
Somm David T

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@"Odedi" Very good second wine from Cos d Estournel in a grand Bordeaux vintage! 👍 Oh, I just saw the CS Cabernet at my Costco for $12.99. It’s like stealing at that price. Cheers and enjoy the weekend. 🍷
"Odedi"

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That's a great price @David T .I'm going to try my Costco

Austin Hope

Troublemaker Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend

Dark Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, ripe figs, wood, spices, licorice, chocolates, mocha, caramel, light vanilla, tobacco, light alcohol and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, coke, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with very soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This California Red Blend is always enjoyable. Well balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food. Still showing nice acidity and complexity.

It's a non vintage, but I held it for a couple of years so it must be 4 or 5 years old by now.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.

14.5% alcohol by volume.



$17.
— 8 years ago

Jason, Jim and 16 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Greg Ballington
9.5

First red on the cruise and given three hours in the decanter. Beautiful wine. Still semi-young in appearance with a deep purplish ruby red core and a touch of garnet on the edges. Complex nose with layers of cassis, dark spices, purple floral notes, tons of dark cocoa, and a touch of aged characteristics like forest floor. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Well integrated and rounded. Layered palate with dark cocoa, soft dark fruits, plums, sweet spices and cinnamon. Long and lingering finish. Excellent wine with rib eyes. Drink till 2025. — 8 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Eric, Bill and 29 others liked this
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

I would've thought a guy called the Skip would've experienced a cruise 🤔
TheSkip

TheSkip

Curling ol boy!
Greg Ballington

Greg Ballington Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@TheSkip disappointed....need you to get on a boat haha

Fonseca

Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Porto Port Blend 2008

Inky in color with a purplish rim.

Beautiful sweet nose of blackberries, alcohol, blueberries, cherries, oak, licorice, figs, raisins vanilla, cloves, smoke, earth, leather and black pepper.

Full bodied and buttery, with medium acidity and soft legs.

Sweet on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, leather, chocolates, tobacco, spices and peppercorn.

Nice sweet finish with spices and round tannins.

This is a great dessert wine. Balanced, smooth and enjoyable by itself.

After 5 years of aging in oak barrels, it was bottled Unfiltered, so now it is rich and concentrated. Just delicious.

I Paired it with a chocolate cake.

20% alcohol by volume.

93 points Wine Spectator.
— 9 years ago

Jonathan, Trixie and 25 others liked this

Paloma

Napa Valley Merlot 2012

Let's welcome the weekend with this wonderful Merlot.

Deep red in color with medium intensity and a pink/ red rim.

Fruity on the nose with blackberries, blueberries, plums, cherries, oak, vanilla, green pepper, licorice, black pepper, chocolates, light smoke and spices.

Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with great legs and medium acidity.

Fruity on the palate with blueberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, chocolates, tobacco, wood, vanilla, coffee, licorice, cloves, spices and peppercorn.

A very long finish, with cloves, firm tannins and black pepper.

This is a Great Merlot from Spring Mountain, Napa Valley. Had it blind, and I called a 2012 Napa Cabernet. I was off by varietal, but that is what one can expect from it, a Napa Cab.

Needs a couple of years to tone down on the green pepper, Otherwise, nicely balanced and enjoyable by itself or with a big piece of steak.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing.

14.8% alcohol by volume.
— 9 years ago

Ron, David and 26 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice note @"Odedi". I like some Merlots because they masquerade as a cab...

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Alicante Monastrell

This is a great introduction wine into monastrell. Beautiful dark rose color, sents of ripe black fruits, leather and some floral notes. It hits with a full bodied mouth feel, high in alcohol with strong tannins and a medium to high acidity. On the palate it presents plums , black cherries , black raspberries and black licorice. I paid $10 for this but would easily pay $20. Delicious! — 10 years ago