Long Neck

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Dark ruby/ inky in color with a short purple rim.

Red and black fruits on the nose with cedar, chocolates, spices, tobacco, coffee and black pepper.

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

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, black currants, black plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, coffee, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf and light pencil lead.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is starting to drink beautifully now. Rich and easy drinking.

Fruit forward and complex, soft and smooth. Spicy and entertaining, powerful yet refined. Showing good balance albeit a little hot at the back of the throat, at this point.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years and shows good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$250.
— 3 months ago

Dawn, Paul and 15 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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@Doug Powers - You’d be surprised how many Napa Cabs have broken the 15 barrier these days.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I understand with Zinfandel, but my recent experiences with those 14.5%+ inexpensive Bordeaux made me realize I just don’t care for Canernet or Merlot pushing 15%! 🤔🤷
Tom Casagrande

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@Doug Powers - I’m with you. Hard stop at 15 for 95% of wines (exception if I ever get a shot at a Rayas or the like)

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Deep cherry red. Black currant berry and cherry. Leather. Dried herb. Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Silky Bitterness M Body M++ Finish M++ Highly Balanced. Powerful robust structure. Always ready to drink but still have solid impression. It means it still has a potential for long term aging. Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Stag Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 17 @60000, Kayab, 260417 — 6 months ago

Somm liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Pirouette Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Big alcohol wine. — 7 months ago

Brian, Andrew and 10 others liked this
"Odedi"

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Vintage?

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2007

I had been worried how these CdP would show after previous bottles from the case showed poorly. These were superb. Dark fruit, silky tannin, long finish. Perfect with roast lamb and pommes à la Montagne! I fine way to finch the case bought en primeur when I was first getting into wine 👌🏼 — 8 months ago

Long Shadows Vintners

Sequel Columbia Valley Syrah 2004

Lovely, deep, rich Syrah. Plums, Raisins and blackberries. — 9 months ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Somm David T
9.4

I’ve had a number of PC 96’s over time, none quite this good. The fill line & cork perfect. Very little sediment. Some bottle neck tannin burn. For me, Pontet Canet didn’t really hit its consistent, quality stride until 2005. Doesn’t mean they didn’t make a few beauties before then. Pontet Canet is proof that the 1855 Bordeaux Classification needs to be redone. Unlikely it will in my lifetime.

This 96 maybe just short of its precipice. Stylistically a little better than 94.

The nose reminds me of everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola. Sweet forest floor w/ leaves, sweet mushrooms, sweet led pencil shavings, steeped tea w/ hints of fruit, charcoal, dry tobacco/leather, some dry herbs, withering dark, red flowers, red roses with violets.

The palate is also everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola/red vines. Everything I understood the first time standing in the estate vineyard of Pichon Baron. Tasting limestone, dry river stone, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, dry stems. In fact, I’ve tasted vineyards soils everywhere I have been in every world wine region. Basically, everywhere in the wine world that has reliance. Many multiple times. Sweet graphite, steeped tea w/ hints of dark fruit, understated, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanillin, dark cocoa, dark exotic spices, some anise to black licorice, charcoal, dry tobacco with ash/leather, some dry herbs-safe/bay leaf, limestone, dry river stone, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, dry topsoils, dry stems, withering/dry dark, red flowers, red roses with violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with an extremely well balanced/structured/tensioned, great length and an elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls nicely on dry earth and dark spices.

A very, very slow roll with my Ribcap. Definitely better with the steak than on its own.

This bottle tells me this 96 has plenty of good drinking ahead, another 8-10 yrs+.

ABV is 13%. Disappointing it ever changed.
— 9 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 7 years ago

Bruce F Taub
with Bruce

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1996

Incredible. Jaboulet family apparently inconsistent in final years of ownership, but this one had everything. So dense still, with lots of kalamata olive, olive brine, cherry, blackberry, black pepper, leather, cured meat, earth. Savory, sweet, powerful, elegant, hit every end of the taste spectrum. Super long. In magnum — 10 years ago

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1961

Ex-Chateau bottle. Testament to perfect storage. Light Amber edge with a darker core. Started off full of toast and just a whiff of brett. Slow ox for 2 hrs then poured. Amazing life for a 54yr old wine still in its stride. Light and dark fruit with seamless integrity and polish. Classic old BDX. After the initial funk blew off it kept developing in the glass. I could drink this all night long. Awesome — 11 years ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2022

first time dining at Chef Vola. 22 is incredible , a really powerful and complex food wine with a noticeably long finish. — 3 months ago

Bob, Jay and 7 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

In perfect condition and drinking much more youthful than nearly 40 years!! Paired with grilled chicken thighs which went very well given the tannin structure has mostly receded. Acid still very much keeping things together and in check. Nice balance - still some good fruit, great earth, long finish. Hard to argue! — 6 months ago

Tom, Joel and 11 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light cedar, earth, cola, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, black tea and light garigge notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, cola, herbs, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is already drinking beautifully. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Elegant and complex, spicy and tangy.

Delicious now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

The alcohol is nicely integrated already, although not as high as typically from this region.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and this is not my favorite, by far.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450.
— 6 months ago

Jay, Stephen and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

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These wines, to my palate, are not particularly interesting this young. After 15+ years from vintage? Way more interesting.
"Odedi"

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@Jay Kline not a great vintage too
Jay Kline

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Personally, I think many have overreacted regarding 2022. Yes, Mother Nature threw some challenges late in the harvest but some made outstanding wines and when you consider the fruit source for Opus One, I’m sure they were on the winning side.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 8 months ago

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2021

Built for the long haul, still a toddler now. Open it a day early. — 9 months ago

Tom, Juan and 9 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2015

2018. Decanted for about an hour and improved with more time. — 10 months ago

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Medium deep garnet core with slightly wider terracotta rim . Quite exuberant nose , more dark fruits than the Barton , spicy , cedar notes , touch of funk , swimming pool note also . On the palate quite spicy more intense black fruits , cassis , sous bois , coffee , saline , mineral tinged sea spray notes . Balanced acidity and quite rounded but noticeable tannin . Long and denser on the finish than the Barton . Showing well now but can go another 10 years no problem — 2 years ago

Tom, Shay and 9 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2002

Mellow lemon oil. Very fine and detailed and long. Gorgeous — 4 years ago

Lindsay Lee
with Lindsay
Shay, Eric and 16 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2013

Full bodied velvety tannins. Black fruits on the nose and almost chocolatey balanced finish. Paired with Beef Wellington. — 6 years ago

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

4h decanting
Dark ruby color, creamy
Dark berries, leather, tobacco at nose. Earthy notes
Medium long at palate, good acidity, full body
— 8 years ago

Agnese liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Poet's Leap Columbia Valley Riesling 2006

M+ acid, ripe tropical fruit, Mod alcohol, off-dry. Nice WA example. — 10 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2016

This is lovely wine and 10 years later, it’s still not quite ready for prime time. It’s a long runner so no real hurry. The cassis and cocoa will integrate with the dark berry eventually but I’m gonna let this rest another 5-10 years to enjoy as this vintage and this wine deserves. It’s very good now. Don’t get me wrong and it’s perfectly approachable but greater potential lies Ashe’s — 4 months ago

Bob, Dave and 5 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2023 pours a deep ruby/garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with heady notes of tart cherry, mixed brambles, spearmint, red and purple flowers, old school permanent marker, licorice, tomato, green herbs, clove and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the body is, ooof…very nice. Another delicious vintage of Cuvée Réservée. Drink now through 2043. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister, Sagee and 12 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2004

Medium lemon straw , some fine lightly persistent perlage . Quite steely and minerally on the nose , some lemon pith , orange rind , white flowers , buttered brioche . Quite classic and lean in style. This has drive and persistence on the palate , electric acidity , with intense mineral , lemon rind , chalky depth . Still pretty young , taught , with good freshness and long length . With time drinking well but will improve over at least the next 5 years and last well a further 5 - 10 — 6 months ago

"Odedi", Jeroen and 9 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer.
— 8 months ago

Andrew, Rick and 9 others liked this
Joe DAscoli

Joe DAscoli Premium Badge

The 07 such a great wine

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Beautiful tempranillo led wine with 10% graciano from one of the benchmark vintages in the past 25 years. This Gran Reserva has legs for the long run but perfectly approachable now! — a year ago

Theodore, Jan and 2 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Cigar box, pencil lead, also some lovely spicy redfruit aromas, still pretty structured, but showing a deep core of lovely dried redfruits, some sweet fruit notes in the long, lingering finish, very fine LLC!! — 3 years ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Paul, Ira and 8 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Boysenberry and blueberry, some tannins, very rich. — 5 years ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

$80 for this compared to $125 for Napa is a good deal, even if it doesn’t age as long. You’ll get your reward more quickly. I’m getting lots of twigs and wet bramble, cassis and mint. Medium bodied raspberry and super delish. — 5 years ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian
LM and Matt liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Greg Ballington
9.3

Dark garnet red with a ruby hue. Aged characteristics on the nose with some tobacco leaves, anise, damp leaves and dark berries. Medium tannins (6/10) and full bodied. Quite earthy on the palate with some dried cherries, cigar box and some light leather. Long finish with solid acidity. Drink till 2023. — 8 years ago

Shay, Clive and 14 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Good review