Little Black Dress

Casella Wines

The Black Stump Durif Shiraz 2019

Nice dark red colour. Blackcurrant on nose.
Ripe berries little bit too much acidity then pepper taste in the middle and silky creamy finish
— 5 years ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

A great balance between fruit and funk. In my opinion, this one is right at the peak of drinking, because it is only going to get Bordeaux funky from here. On the nose and entry, lots of black cherry in fig, baking spices give way to haymore weedy and herbaceous sign that turns to a hint of Brett and funk towards the finish. Although this wine is very good, someone who likes this style a little bit more may have rated this a couple of points higher than I did. Very enjoyable wines, and definitely belonged on the table next to a high-profile Napa cab, high profile Australian Shiraz, and twenty-year-old CDP. — 5 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldBradley Davisjoe leatherwood
with Dan, Bradley and 2 others
Jason, Severn and 34 others liked this
Somm David T

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The 2000 Bordeaux vintage is proving to be stubborn in a number of cases. It might be 25-30 plus years before they show their real grace & beauty.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2005

A really interesting wine. Even though I know these can be everything from black fruit dominated to more of an ash dominated type of wine, the notes here were a little bit tart and even a little on the sweeter side. Dates, sweet plums. Had a hint of tobacco, very ashy in the middle and finish. There is suggestion that this one may even be on its way down, and I definitely question that now. Left remaining 25%of bottle for 12 hours later and although the nose had markedly improved, the wine had not. This doesn't seem to be a good ager. — 6 years ago

Serge, Ryan and 30 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1955

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 7 years ago

Shay, Eric and 16 others liked this

De Toren

Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2015

Greg Ballington
9.3

Third wine with Charles at De Toren. Set to be release in early 2018 similar to the Z.

Darker than the Z, deep and dark ruby red. Needed to open up a little bit on the nose. Gained some dark cocoa on the nose with minerality, pepper and dusty notes. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Darker berries on the palate with some black cherries, cassis and a touch savory in the backend. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2030.

Made up of around 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and around 16% Malbec, the rest is made up of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
— 8 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Shawn, Ron and 10 others liked this

Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2014

Open. Cassis on nose. Dig and vanilla mostly back of the palate. Fat. Little more tannin would be a plus. But very little dark chocolate flavors and plum/prune. Good little expensive — 8 years ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

When you have to travel on a Sunday, and that Sunday happens to be Mother's Day, you're not exactly psyched. This little oasis in the Delta Sky Club afforded me the opportunity to smile. Not a bad pour, regardless of the price. Typical Lynch-Bages cigar tobacco and leather with some luscious and velvety black fruit. Finished a little flat, most likely due to being open for a while in the fancy automated pour gizmo. But still smiling! — 8 years ago

David, Eric and 24 others liked this
Daryl Calhoun

Daryl Calhoun

Joe's wife NOT smiling due to him traveling on Mother's Day
Sharon B

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Nice little perk!

J. Rochioli

Little Hill Pinot Noir 2005

Beautiful black cherry nose with deep translucent red color to the edge. Incredible fruit on entry and throughout the palate. Awesome wine with great finish! — 9 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Very nice nose of deep, dark fruit--plum, prune, blackberry. Taste is amazingly smooth. No pepper or spice, but a nice thick taste of black cherry and prune, with a long lasting aftertaste of caramel toffee. A very nice wine, but wish it had a little more spice. — 9 years ago

Jason liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2012

A beautiful dark inky garnet color. Well-constructed, yet fruit-forward with ample blueberry and black cherry to go along with toasty vanilla. A little spice comes through on the reasonably long finish. I also got tobacco, tar.
— 12 years ago

Agharta Wines

Black Label Syrah Blend

Alder Yarrow
9.0

Picked this up for a song a little while back - some library liquidation going on no doubt - and for what I paid, I probably should have bought an entire case. Gorgeous black olive and bacon fat umami going on here along with cassis and blackberry and chopped herbs. Faint, taut tannins hang at the edge of perceptibility. Hints of plum ski. In the finish. Slurp!!!! — 5 years ago

Shay, Martin and 10 others liked this
Greg

Greg

I have more bro!

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992

Last night in MT at the lake. Gave this several hours of air. Nice dark tawny color. Vibrant in the glass. The nose is great right away and stayed on point through the evening. Notes of black cherries, warm raspberries, old cedar, some plums and a little leather saddle. Rich and silky in the mouth. Velvet glove. Long finish. Great wine. — 6 years ago

Ron, Shay and 17 others liked this

Michael David Winery

Petite Petit Lodi Petite Sirah Petit Verdot

This Petite Sirah from Lodi is always enjoyable. Big and bold, spicy and tangy.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins.

Showing black fruits, chocolates, coffee, wood, vanilla, licorice, mocha, caramel and peppercorn.

Full bodied with a nice finish. Might be a little sweet for some.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.
— 6 years ago

Dawn, Kirk and 15 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Somm David T
9.5

The nose reveals, perfume floral, dark, ripe cassis. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, strawberry flesh, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped, dark, fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry stone, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark spice, rich, moist dark soil, just a hint of herbaceous notes, mint, leather, fresh tobacco, graphite, dark berry cola, fresh, dark red, blue and purple florals with violets.

The body is; rich, lush, gorgeous, sexy, and full. The tannins are; round, velvety, still a little firm and sticky with tarriness. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting harmony. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, plum, strawberry flesh, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped, dark, fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry stone, wet clay, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark spice with heat, rich, moist dark soil, dry crushed rocks, just a hint of herbaceous notes; mint, bay leaf, thyme, leather, expresso roast grounds, cigar with ash, graphite, dark berry cola, fresh, dark red, blue and purple florals, lavender with violets. The acidity is a fresh water stream. The finish is unbelievably; elegant, well balanced & polished, lush, rich, ruby, gorgeously sexy and lasts minutes.

Warm, ripe Bordeaux’s vintage with roughly two decades of good drinking ahead of it.

Photos of, my favorite Chateau in Bordeaux, their newer barrel room that sits under the bottom photo, field hands harvesting their Estate fruit and the outer building that is their barrel room.
— 6 years ago

Severn, Hermes and 30 others liked this
Sofia Jalilie

Sofia Jalilie

Was an amazing add to our lovely meal tonight at Alderwood in SantaCruz
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

The Chateau is beautiful if I ever go to Bordeaux I’m definitely visiting this place!

Cloud Break Wines

Black Cloud California Red Blend 2015

Chris really likes this. Pris thought it was just ok. A little bitter. — 8 years ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Ken Z
9.2

Tasted 1/20/2017 At UGCB 2014 Vintage tasting in Miami. At the Biltmore.

Mixed black and red fruits on the nose, with a firm palate of cassis, earth, and and some wood. Nose a little more subdued, and lacking some of the richness of the Beychevelle at this stage, but this seems built to age and will likeley develop with time.

3/22-23/9/4/4 + 50= 92-93 pts
— 8 years ago

Bill liked this

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Diamond Collection Black Label Claret California Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Smooth integrated fruit on day one today day two more Tannic more prune -cherry flavors and a little anise kick — 8 years ago

David, Shay and 9 others liked this
Rob Brobst III

Rob Brobst III Influencer Badge

Nice pull. Decanted??
Rochelle

Rochelle

@Rob Brobst III it had its best flavor on day one I left the wine in the bottle and preserved it I wouldn't decant I have a little left we will see how that is today the wine really changes day to day I know wine does but this is so drastic it's interesting

Flora Springs

Trilogy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Greg Ballington
9.3

Super deep and dark ruby red with an almost black core. Dark baking spices in the front of the nose followed by dark fruits, especially dark dark cherries. With some air there were some purple floral notes and more vanilla. Moderate tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Initially a little tight so we gave it a splash decant. Around an hour or so in, tons of cinnamon and other dark spices. Strong undertone of puréed dark berries and light herbs too. Long body but this needs a little more bottle age. Cannot wait to try it again at the release party next month. Drink till 2028. — 8 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Jeff, Kim and 13 others liked this
Greg Ballington

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@Shay Aldriedge Completely agree, the 14 isn't as good as the 13 which we thought had more complexity and roundness, the texture is crazy good on the 13. But the 14 definitely has potential to be another solid vintage
Ron R

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So @Shay Aldriedge @Greg Ballington, so you guys know, my very first visit to Napa, my first stop was FS tasting room. I was a lost, overwhelmed limey, and they made me feel at home - I'll never forget it. If they are back in the saddle, I'm onboard...
Shay A

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@Ron R : Give the '13 Trilogy a try. If you don't seem impressed, then we can chalk it up as a loss, but I think it's worth your time. If you have a hard time finding a bottle, let me know.

Little Black Dress

California Merlot 2011

I'm not always a fan of Merlot but this was delicious! Very smooth — 12 years ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1984

1984 vintage. Cork difficult to extract, ended up in several pieces. Beautiful deep color, little to no bricking even at this age. Seductive at one hour+ of air with black cherry, raspberry, some vanilla, green pepper, graphite. 12% ABV. From the FIL’s collection. — 5 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Somm David T
9.1

Main course is a Beef Tenderloin Roast with Rosemary, Crispy Duck Fat Potatoes, Sautéed Greens. The beef is among the most tender (cut it with a fork) & flavorful we’ve had.

From magnum. The nose shows; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, anise, dry soils, dry crushed rocks, some graphite, cigar, dark, rich earth, blue/purple fruit cola, very soft dark spice with blue and purple florals set in lavender.

The body full, lush & thick. The tannins, rounded, tarry and velvety chewy. The structure & tension have hit its stride but, a little leaner than I’m used to in a Phelps Cabernet. The length and balance are exactly what I expect from them. It’s elegant, ripe & juicy. Dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, anise to black licorice, cinnamon, soft clove, vanilla, nutmeg, dry soils, dry crushed rocks, moist clay some graphite, cigar, leather, limestone, dry herbs, dark, rich earth, blue/purple fruit cola, very soft dark spice with blue and purple florals set in lavender. The acidity is a gentle rain shower. The long finish is delicious and persists into a dark spice.

Perfect with Hedy’s Boeuf.

Wine is peaking in Magnum with another 5-8 years ahead.

The “Truth” which, is the very bottom, concentrated part of the bottle is a 9.3.

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅🤶🎁🦌❄️⛄️🍷
— 6 years ago

Deborah, Brandon and 32 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Tasted blind. Dark reddish purple color, opaque. Looks and smells rich. Notes of black berry fruit, tobacco, some cassis and a little anise. Chewy in the mouth. Powerful fruit and structure - this is still young. Easy to guess as a young Cal Cab, althought it wasn't that young. — 6 years ago

Severn, Patrick and 10 others liked this

Little Black Dress

LBD California Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Tall grass. Smooth, little sweet. Crowd pleaser. Easy to drink on its own. Would buy again — 7 years ago

Gnarly Head

1924 Limited Edition Double Black Lodi Red Blend 2016

Nice red blend, but a little “jammy.” Had in Gvl, with Dad over steak — 7 years ago

Jesse liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1996

Classic, if a bit foursquare. Subtle meaty notes, slightly faded black fruit, hints of white pepper, a little soil. — 8 years ago

Shawn, Eric and 9 others liked this

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Somm David T
9.2

On the nose, stewed fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, plum and blueberries. Mocha, chocolate, mixed berry cola, sweet spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, loamy mineral soils and dry dark florals. The mouthfeel is less concentrated than other vintages of Corison but that's indicative of the 10 Napa vintage generally. The tannins are nicely resolved with another 5-8 years before they are completely resolve. The fruits are; dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, blackberries with strawberries that dance around the rest of the fruit. There's nice barrel toast, vanilla, nutmeg, light clove, cinnamon, touch of wood shavings, liqueur notes, caramel, mocha chocolate, mix berry cola, loamy soils, dry crushed rocks, bramble, dry stems with nice soft round acidity. The finish is a little lean but tasty. Good balance of fruit and earth with long, rich elegance. Cathy slightly overachieved the 10 vintage as a whole. Photos of; her estate building, Cathy in her vineyard, grapes coming in at night (better to harvest when the fruit is cooler) and her estate vineyard in all it's glory. Producer notes and history...Cathy Corison grew up in Riverside, California. She studied biology at Pomona College and was on their men's diving team, because the school didn't have a women's team. In 1972, she had to take an extracurricular class. She signed up for a trampoline class, but changed her mind upon seeing a sign-up sheet for a wine tasting class. This class was the catalyst that sparked her interest in winemaking. After graduation in 1975, she moved to Napa Valley in California. She received her Master's degree in Enology from University of California, Davis. Upon moving to Napa, she started working in the tasting room at Sterling Vineyards and at a wine shop. During this time, she was getting her Master's degree at the University of California, Davis. She was told by her professor that she would not get a job in Napa Valley because of being a woman. However, if she wasn't the first Napa Valley female Winemaker, she was certainly one of the first. She tried to get a job at Freemark Abbey and was denied because they believed she could not work in the cellar. She almost took a job at Christian Brothers in the enology lab. However, she decided not to take the job and in 1978 she became an intern at Freemark Abbey and eventually became their Winemaker. She joined Chappellet in 1983 and was their Winemaker for nearly ten years. She founded Corison Winery, in 1987. The winery is located in St. Helena, California in a barn built by her husband, William Martin. Corison makes Cabernet and Gewürztraminer. They produce about 3,500 cases a year depending on the vintage. The winery makes a Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Kronos is an estate wine that is made from organic grapes. The vineyard is dry farmed. The grapes come from one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Cabernet comes from Rutherford. The Gewürztraminer is called Corazón and comes from the Anderson Valley. — 8 years ago

Eric, Trixie and 40 others liked this
Eric

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Checking this out later this month
Somm David T

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@Eric S Corison is a pleasant visit. They also do a nice harvest party on Sunday afternoon in September.
Severn Goodwin

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@David T Nice write up again David. I'm intrigued to find her connection with one of my favorite producers, FAW. I'll drink vintages crafted under her care with a renewed perspective. Thank you.

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Tawny reddish rims. Almost opaque. Deep nose of Violet's black cherry and a little dirt. Huge structure in mouth with round and chewy fruit. Still mostly primary. Good finish. Beat expectations. Needs more time. — 9 years ago

Steven and Chris liked this
Steven Haal

Steven Haal

That's great! Where on earth did you find this?

Little Black Dress

California Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Big fan. Good price. Great taste! — 10 years ago

Little Black Dress

California Pinot Noir 2010

Love the name and the taste! — 12 years ago