"Odedi"

9.4

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Pretty nose of blueberries, cooked black cherries, blackberries, figs, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs, coffee, tobacco, licorice and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, currants, black cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Feels like a Napa Cabernet with a Bordeaux touch. Fruity and rich, yet elegant.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter, but it definitely needs longer than that.

What a great mouthfeel. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.

Still young and would be better in 5 to 10 years. Could be a 97+ point wine in 10 years. Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$500. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Having had the coveted 2005 vintage just a few months ago, ‘04 is far more open and rewarding today. So seductive and captivating. Smoked meats, black fruits, balsamic glaze and hints of roasted sage leaves and tobacco. The tannins are integrated beautifully and the finish shows wonderful finesse, elegance and length. Gorgeous now but will continue to improve over the next 8-10 years. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid to dense Ruby. Herbaceous aromas with graphite and black currant. A sweet fluid palate showing black currant of medium plus intensity and partly resolved Tannins. Oak has been absorbed. In a great spot at the moment - excellent balance. Drink remaining 4 bottles in next few years but it is essentially at its peak. A really good wine but from an Aussie point of view tasting more South East than West Australia. Had another bottle 25 weeks later on the 6th October 2020 with consistent notes. The main feature was that it was less herbaceous than it usually is for Margaret River. Showing more ripe berry fruit and cassis in this warmer year. More McLaren Vale in style. Still very good. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

From the wine list at EMP bought by a new friend at the table next to us to go mano a mano against the 88 La Turque I shared. Slightly darker red and more pure in color. Amazing aroma that is more linear than the animalistic La La but in the same league. Hit its stride right out of the pop and pour gate. Lovely perfume with a more briary nose but speaks Cote Rotie from the get go. Perfectly integrated fruit and structure. Best Jamet I've had. Thanks to Danny for this treat. — 8 years ago

David Langstaff

9.4

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. — 8 years ago

with Cynthia and Chris

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

First taste reminded me of Firenze in that the leather belts and purses were on the nose. Lots of floral arrangements now, solid round, very nice as always. Shout out to my 1 follower @Bill Bender ... it's my birthday and my goal is to be drinking at your level next year!

94 points — 9 years ago

Rob Mondavi

Owner/President of Winemaking Folio Fine Wine Partners

9.9

Drank with my buddies Geoff and Danny. It's amazing. Here is the thing when drinking next to a 70 R Mondavi CS you really see the Bordeaux wooly aromatic thing. Napa is so clean and offering of florals and fruits, yet the Bordeaux had the forest floor and wooly thing. Both awesome but night and day. — 11 years ago

Vinny Brooklyn

9.1

Bottled in 2020. Label says more complexity over next 15 years. One more bottle so will find out. Still best of the best in this grape. — 3 years ago

Martin Mazner

9.0

Lovely smooth cab. Mellow, full bodied wine just made for a perfect medium rare filet. I’d bet it has a bit of merlot blended in. Would love to taste it with 5 years of aging but probably give in and drink it with my next hunk of red meat. Very enjoyable! — 3 years ago

with Jeremy

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

78% Cab Sauv, 12% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, deep Ruby, concentrated youthful aromas, ripe black fruit, subtle nutty spice & creamy chocolate. Aged 24 months, 85% new & 15% 1-yr American oak. Palate fresh fruit flavors, sweet plum, blackcherry & dried blackberry, bits of oak & cacao peeking through. Tannins present, but a tad persistent. Long & elegant finish with vanilla & slight mineral tang. Drinks well now continue to develop over the next 15+ years! Outstanding! Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Wine Nerd Herd a week ago in Iowa with gracious host @Eric LaMasters on Thursday night for paired tasting - the herd delivered some amazing wines — 6 years ago

with David, Aaron and 3 others

Chris England

9.3

The latest newly released 904 vintage 🎉

What do you folks think of the new more modern label? Personally I find it too modern for an old world wine 😁 but the great news is the contents are still superb 🎉

We killed 3 bottles of this at the weekend & alas I didn’t take notes, so will do so next time, but it had the typical old world LRA 904 nose with a fab well balanced yummy body that should match the 04/05 in quality given a few years 👍

LRA does it again 👏
Incredible quality @£38 ✅
93 going 94-96 — 7 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.4

An excellent example of French Syrah Well integrated. A slight chocolate nose. Slightly dry on the palette but well balanced and enjoyable. Finish is medium to long. Well executed. Lots of life left. Fun to drink over the next 10 years and see it evolve. — 8 years ago

with Michael and David

Eric Linderman

9.5

No 4 in magnum — 8 years ago

with Jill and Stephen

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Final red wine of the night. Moving more towards bold fruity forward wine to cap the night. Dessert wine next. — 8 years ago

Nathaniel Jones

9.1

A classic Aussie Cab Sauv with no fruits bombs! — 9 years ago

John Lin

9.1

Had with prime rib at Christmas dinner. Decanted 2 hours. Opened up and was quite tasty. Fine bouquet of round, lush Cabernet fruit. Holding up well but I will not be keeping the remaining 10 bottles for more than the next five years or so. — 9 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.4

Crazy good paired with dipping into gamba al ajillo (emphasis added), at Napa's groovy/real Zuzu, catching a classic deeply dirty nose while still sporting sun-drenched fruit that initially reworks one's first blush front mouth with an iodine edge that morfs into red and black fruit edgy with acid/tannin slow dancing to the depths and begging for another pinch of broth soaked chewy freshly baked bread and the associated next swig of this sweet juice...rhythmically stellar by day or by night😎🌌👣🍷🌀🎼

PS hit Zuzu (friendly, delicious and real...

— 10 years ago

Jay Miele

10

A nose of dried prunes, 30 second finish with minimal tannins. Nice bouquet. Drink within the next few years. — 12 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Strong nose of black plums, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, earth and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, oak, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and black pepper.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Merlot from Bordeaux. Showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

A good food wine that I paired with pizza.

A blend of 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$55. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from Mount Veeder.

Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black plums, black currants, dark coffee, oak, spices, pencil lead, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, earth, light herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, coffee, vanilla, spices, cola, licorice, mint, black pepper, bitter herbs, vegetables and earth.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins, cranberries and peppercorn.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely now, although it needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Showing nice complexity, elegant and spicy, with lots of earth notes.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

Smooth, elegant and tangy. Feels like a young Bordeaux, and will age nicely in the next 10 years.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. I paired it with a Brie cheese and crackers.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 30 months in French oak barrels (50% new). A tiny production of only 125 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$95. — 3 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

My friend graciously shared his 1979 Robert Mondavi Winery ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon(WWB, 92), a wine I had not visited since I was at the winery several years back. The nose is highly Bordelaise with layers of red currents and red bell pepper with shades of dusty terroir that all mingle in the glass. The wine still has a good degree of freshness and a core of dark fruits with red bell pepper, damp earth and sandalwood tones. This now forty one year old wine has aged very gracefully. While not in its prime, it will provide drinking enjoyment over the next five to ten years — yet another resounding success from this Oakville estate. Drink 2020-2025- 92 — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; consumed over four hours. This was a beautiful wine from the start. Loads of currants and sweet tobacco with some baking spices and graphite in the mix. On the palate there were layers of dark fruits with just the slightest a touch of leather and kalamata olive peeking through. However, this gives an overall impression of being fresh and full of vigor. Tannins are firm yet silky in their delivery. I thought there was adequate acid to give it some lift too. The finish lasts for well over a minute and there is a savory element that is simply beguiling. This is a lovely wine that's drinking so well right now but has the balance and pedigree to suggest it will gracefully see the latter part of the next decade. This bottle was already throwing a good amount of very fine sediment but it's nothing that interferes with the experience. — 7 years ago

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.3

Definitely one of the best Napa Cabs of the vintage. Dark cassis and blackberry combine with sweet herbs and a hint of oak spice. Long, savory finish ensures this will only get better over the next 15+ years. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose; dark cassis, blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, caramel, dark, rich soil, dry stones, caramel, dry stems, fresh violets & dark, fresh & dry florals. The body is full, round, lush, thick with nicely resolved, soft, velvety tannins. It glides in the over the palate. Creamy, lush, thick; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum and poached strawberries bring up the rear of the fruits. Mocha chocolate, caramel, dark soil, stones, steeped tea, crushed rocks, bramble, suede leather, liquid violets, fresh dark florals & acidity is soft and perfect. The finish is flat out pure elegance. Creamy fruits and beautiful complimentary soft, semi-sweet earthiness. This is my first of bottle of 10. I'll have another each year for the next nine years. Enjoy noting the changes in the bottle. It's drinking beautifully and has at least another 10 plus years of good drinking ahead. Photos of; Clerc Milon, their barrel room, private tasting room and our friend Jean who is their Winemaker since 09. Prior to that he was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus One for 10 years. He is perhaps the nicest person we've met. We are not the only ones to say that. He was nice enough to allow us to work the 12 Clerc harvest and scheduled a dinner for us at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. An amazing dinner accompanied by 76 Mouton out of 6L. Andy Warhol did the label. He also managed for us to have lunch with the Baroness the next day where 82 Mouton was served. May she RIP. Sadly, she passed away just short of two years later. The Clerc vineyards are adjacent to Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Love the two Baffoons on their label. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! Cheers. 🍷 — 8 years ago

with Cari

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby color with aromas of black fruit, chocolate and spice. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel aged for 24 months and another 15 months in the bottle before release. The attack on the palate was rich ripe berries and cherries, a hint of sweetness and the right touch of oak. The wine has nicely integrated tannins and medium plus length finish which should give way to let this wine age for the next decade, especially the 1.5 liter which can last longer that the standard 750ml bottle. — 9 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.6

1985. Tasting this was like sitting next to a WWII vet on a train...some respect for an old school gentleman...they don't make wines like this any more: herbal, pencil shavings, cigar, tea, lots of acid, grainy tannins, light body, refreshing...let's bring cab like this back! — 10 years ago

Nitin Khanna

10

Over the next 6 days of our road trip we will be drinking 6 top napa wines from 2009. This one's nose and perfume explode from the bottle. Fragrant in the mouth. Excellent. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

50-100 years old 3500kg per liter very small under2tons per acre 100% new barrels better for barrel fermentation deep dark earth soy espresso dark berry and plum fruit meaty dark and wild animal very aromatic black licorice 2010 the best vintage ever2008amaxing next to 2005and of course 2004 very rich and well endowed on the palate very round and silky tannins a big but well balanced wine lots of dark spices and fresh on the finish dark spices and some wild animal like but has lots of fruit earth and dark earth with layers of everything here and in balance. Finish 50+ most excellent — 12 years ago