Mid Day

Day Wines

Hock & Deuce Mae's Vineyard Syrah Blend

Bought in Oregon.
Both Loved! Smooth, fruit fwd more complex finish, easy drinker
— 2 years ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1996

One of the best bottles of champagne I’ve ever had. Annual one for Valentine’s Day - 2 left from a case we bought years ago. Getting better each year. Has a bit of a caramel apple mixed with lemon curd thing developing now. Very fine bubbles. Just fantastic. — 2 years ago

Severn, Andrew and 15 others liked this
Jason Gelman

Jason Gelman

looks like my schedule just cleared up for valentine’s day next year ! 💘💝

Matthiasson

California Rosé Blend 2016

Paul J
9.3

Always lovely, especially on a hot day with great friends! Same as previous notes. — 4 years ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Shay, Tom and 4 others liked this

Ameztoi

Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Hondarrabi Beltza Hondarrabi Zuri Rosé Blend

Amazing!
Dry, effervescent, tart. Everything good
Birthday present from Jerry from Tessa's Office
2020 Rosé All Day w Jen
— 5 years ago

Jenni and Linda liked this

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines.
— 5 years ago

Eric, Daniel and 31 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

I could of got you 2 Austin Hope for that price🤷🏼‍♂️
P A

P A

@David T David good post Cheers 🍷
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Paul T- Huntington Beach How very nice of you. @P A Thank you! Cheers! 🍷

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Umami, tea leaves, leather, bright and focused mid palate of umeboshi plum, celery salt and sweet pipe tobacco. Looong and memorable. — 8 years ago

Serge, Paul and 1 other liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1983

JKT
9.5

What a nose! Fruit but strongly tinged with spice and hints of cigar? Medium body with fruit and acid but latter lingers into finish which RC says should note be for Napa cab and sign of post prime by 5+ years. But still great to drink. Next day under agon the nose lost that spicy note but the palette holding very nicely. More rounded today. — 9 years ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Given the price this wasn't bad. Not terribly well integrated, but still seems like it could age a bit. Will see how it is on day 2. — 9 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Wow... So many flavors in this wine. It's quite a treat to your mouth. Smooth with a great mid taste and a long finish — 9 years ago

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Fuckin good. I'll drink this shit all day — 12 years ago

TC liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!

I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035.
— 2 years ago

Ira, Brian and 18 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Happy Mother’s Day! Smooth and drinking very well. — 3 years ago

Matua

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Always a go to with seafood and for a nice summer day. — 4 years ago

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Somm David T
9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 5 years ago

Neil, Sofia and 37 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Paul K
9.4

@Ryan Mullins and @Jeff Loo are spot on. This needs 10 years. I double aerated back into bottle for 12 hour corked decant and after two hours open in glass this is still closed. You can still taste the potential though. There is a density and purity of fruit behind it that I’m excited to open up one day. Was still a great experience. 94 for now. Will hold remaining bottles for at least 5 years. Please yell at me if u see another post of this wine before then. — 6 years ago

Paul, Shay and 24 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Nice. I bought for years but got too pricy. Have a couple of cases in basement. I’m afraid to drink it.
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Never buy on release,, I only buy on Auctions. Haven’t had a bad bottle yet,
Down to two 05, two 12’s & two 13’s plus one 06.
The 11 is great for the price if you can find it for $175.00 or less, one of the few 2011 which were actually good
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Thanks, good tip!

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 9 years ago

Cynthia LangstaffChris Langstaff
with Cynthia and Chris
Chris liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1962

I suspect this didn't get quite enough air. Not quite pop and pour but it was only open for 45 mins before we drank it (we were perhaps over-concerned about the mid shoulder level). Lovely (and lively) russet core with long legs as a ruby rim; nose of pencil shavings, cigar tubes (hint of metal with lots of tobacco), blackberry stalks, and lingering aromas of compté cheese rind and venerable (on-the-edge) rose petals; long and satisfying - persistent tannins and well integrated but still present acidity. From half bottle - need to give the next one more time!!! — 9 years ago

Ira, lessrof and 5 others liked this
Sasha Agapov

Sasha Agapov

Baller wines.

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2003

Jennifer Brown
9.5

Opened and drank a day later-glorious, robust, lush. — 10 years ago

Paul and Dan liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Paul K
9.1

Glad I picked up a bunch of these from Costco a few years ago. Great value! Looking forward to enjoying for the next few years. Don’t think this is a long term lay down but over next five years a great mid week bottle. — 2 years ago

Vanessa, Severn and 27 others liked this

Ruinart

Brut Rosé Champagne

Jeremy Shanker
9.3

New Year’s Day Champagne Rose! — 2 years ago

Juan, Severn and 10 others liked this

Château Miraval

Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend

This was really excellent, smooth, light delicate with hints of strawberry and citrus on an incredibly hot day. Enjoyed by all. — 4 years ago

Dawn and Norman liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Krug is always most welcome, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This is edition 169. A bit more yeasty and slightly less acidic than previous versions, to my taste. But if you like the Krug style - which we do very much - it hits the spot per usual.

My wife used to work with Fritz Hatton, proprietor of Arietta wines and auctioneer for Zachys. Fritz always says to have a half bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge in case you need a “midnight snack”, and I have to agree with him!
— 4 years ago

Severn, Michael and 13 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Reminds me, I need a Krug split in the fridge!

Day Wines

Mamacita Mae's Vineyard Sparkling Malvasia 2018

63/25/12 blend of Vermentino, Muscat and Malavasia Bianca, and yes, pet-nat. Still Applegate Valley AVA but no vineyard designation on this one. Pale yellow white, good foam on pour but light carbonation, bubbles disappear relatively quickly. Slight sulfite in nose, but not much else. In the mouth, creamy, slightly bubbly, lemon-lime flavor with a touch of Muscat, followed by a tangy largely lemon-lime finish. Easy to love, especially on a warm day. Fun and sure to prove popular. Not a wine to overthink, just drink... — 6 years ago

Trixie, P and 3 others liked this

Founders Brewing Company

All Day IPA Session Ale

Typical IPA. Nothing special. — 6 years ago

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 1993

Incredible vintage. Lush and generous. Slightly oxidative in the best way, honeycomb, hazelnut brioche, lemon chiffon cream, hints of tropical fruits, mousse was still fine, great mid palate and never ending length and finish. — 6 years ago

Brian and Peter liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Christmas Day 3 Litre 12 years old and a lot left — 8 years ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

I have to toot my own horn a little on the cork removal gymnastics I performed here. Magyver would have been proud. Big wet earth component, nose of Genoa salami and tobacco. A touch of spice and cherry. Plenty of fruit but tannins dominate. Still nice on day 2. — 9 years ago

Derek, DAG and 29 others liked this
Bill Bender

Bill Bender Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Yes @Jody Scharf this is the second '66 I've opened this week and everything is still there. It is impressive.
Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly Anderson

Nice celebration @Bill Bender and happy birthday to you! Hope it was a great day🎁
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

Not suprised. I was born in 58. Everything also still there. And Happy Birthday Bill. All the best !

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2014

That will bring sunshine to a rainy day. — 9 years ago

Sean Castorani
with Sean
Marc and Chris liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2008

Gamay all day, every day! With some aging on it. Good to drink, still good to keep. — 11 years ago