Off Piste Wines

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

Not the best vintage but this was very impressive. Decadent but refined and elegant. Rounded off the red wines beautifully — 6 months ago

Tom, Pooneet and 12 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Andrew McIntyre, hey, Palmer is “Palmer”, no apologies are EVER necessary when you’re lucky enough to drink some. I only have some bottles of 1983 left in my cellar (a nearly perfect wine), but was blessed enough to have some NYC friends when I was “learning” back in the 1980s who graciously shared some 1961/66/70 Palmer with me!!
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

@Doug Powers Kind of have the feeling that there are no bad Palmer. Was really surprised how good this was!

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Thanksgiving with relatives. Brother-in-law never has had an Opus One so I dug into the cellar and found my last one; a 1989 half bottle. I thought it was passed its prime but the brother-in-law thought it was wonderful! I’m not remembering where this vintage rated. Some people just like the funkiness of old wines but I just like them much younger. It was time for this one to go away and am glad some got some enjoyment out of it. His rating, not mine. I gave up on the brand several years ago, sold off my collection at a profit and haven’t looked back. I’ll try it if it is presented to me but don’t have a desire to purchase anymore. — 4 years ago

David, Milissa and 4 others liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2011

This bottle was a lovely gift from our friend Tim who visited Omaha this past Spring. Our only instructions were to enjoy it together with food; challenge accepted! While I have experienced many wines produced by Foillard, this was my first with his “Cote du Py”. The wine pours a deep ruby color; slightly hazy in the glass. On the nose, at least initially, there are signs of some Brett giving a barnyard characteristic but that sort of blows off (or at least becomes less obvious) with cherries, earth, blackened poblano, underripe plum, and purple Sweet Tarts taking a more central role. On the palate, it’s mostly dark cherry and blackberries showing very little in the way of evolution. Medium+ acid, medium- tannin. The finish was super long. I was really impressed how young this wine was coming across; hardly an indication of anything that would indicate ten years of age. Yet more proof that Beaujolais can cellar quite gracefully. We loved how this paired with grilled rack of lamb and a light salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, mozzarella and prosciutto. Grazie Tim! — 5 years ago

Andrew, Daniel and 16 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

A favorite!
Daniel M

Daniel M

A favorite!

Ovum Wines

Off The Grid Riesling

Maybe the best expression of Riesling I’ve had from Ovum, certainly Oregon. Off-dry, orchard fruit, tropical fruit, minerality and slight petrol — 6 years ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Dark red fruits, charcoal and rosemary. Tannins have melted away and acidity is well balanced. Not as deep and complex as the magnum I had a couple months back. Good but not great. Perhaps just an “off” bottle?? — 7 years ago

Ira liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1996

Fruit, acids and tannins faded into the background, initially lost (and thought off and nearly tossed!) due to extreme undergrowth funk. That blew off in 30 mins and what remained was Syrah turned all burgundy, fleshy but light. Not best example, but delicious. — 9 years ago

Eric, Jody and 25 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Last tasted 3 years ago (9.6). Nice fill. Durand used to open. Cork 95% saturated with extensive bottle rim cleaning involved before pouring. Not decanted. Tight, minty nose throughout along with a decided, lingering zinc note under the tongue at the finish line. Tasted 2 hours after opening. Power but without delineation. Just a consistent, forgettable push. Nothing wrong with the wine...it just needed more air/time and a decant but it wasn't my call. Feel like the zinc flavor would have dissipated/blown off with more time. Good but more memorable for what it wasn't vs what it was. Pity and an entire wasting of what could have been. 11.21.25. — 6 months ago

Tom, Paul and 16 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Very interesting and diplomatic note.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas Had to bite my tongue.

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2007

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little.
— 4 years ago

Douglas, Bob and 16 others liked this
Willie Carter

Willie Carter

@Trixie It’s my favorite glass for sure
Willie Carter

Willie Carter

@Brent Young Appreciate that!
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Holding on two a few bottles of this vintage for my kids.

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Always a great choice for a 2nd btl off the list to finish lunch. Lots of berry fruit, citrus, pastry dough in a creamy finish — 5 years ago

Jan, Josh and 11 others liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Andrew Holod
9.1

ID 314057 (just off one digit from pi)
Golrious balance. Cork was compressed and showing age, though I stored this in my cold cellar. Nose of yellow fruits and flowers. All of a piece, though feeling a bit spendy.
Happy Mother's day to my wife, paired w almond croissants and truffled eggs.
— 6 years ago

Iwan, Keith and 11 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2001

Haha... just wrong. One of the most well integrated wines I have ever had. Thrown off not getting the typical smoked meat/ olive tapenade characteristics of northern Rhône. Dark red fruits, slate, gamy, fresh pepper and the right amount of funk. Simply sublime — 7 years ago

Jack Thompson
with Jack
Jack, Shay and 11 others liked this

Fausse Piste

Fish Sauce Pet Nat Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Joel Pennington #❤️🐢🍷
9.4

Too good. Dry, full of life, tight effervescent. Categorically unique - and refined - Muscat Blanc from Willamette Valley, OR. — 9 years ago

Jordan and Susan liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2010

Jeremy Shanker
9.3

2016 is firing off rn — 7 months ago

Tom, Juan and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Mid crimson with a tawny rim showing its age. Just as impressive as the 2000 vintage which tends to get the accolades. This blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromatics of an old flower arrangement that had dried off with mature black fruits and cedar. My last bottle at 24 years of age but many say this could carry on until the mid 2030s. A classic Bordeaux living up to its “Super Second” standing. — 10 months ago

Doug, Tom and 32 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Ooooh. . . .
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

2001's were so overlooked given the 2000 hype.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Paul K
9.4

Wrapping up a long weekend in Miami celebrating with friends.
Really good. The fruit is round. Get the Malbec and Petit Verdot. Classy finish that shows off the Cab Franc. This will improve with time as fruit settles down.
— 5 years ago

Daniel P., Tom and 31 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2001

Such a dense and youthful nose - brett of course, which gradually blows off to reveal smoked cherry, cranberry, blackberry preserve, cedar, clove and a balsamic edge. It’s exotic, and unmistakably Musar.

The palate is actually very sweet, with an immediate hit of liquorice, followed by plum compote, blackberry jam, fresh tobacco and vanilla. Not the Musar for me, but it’s hard to deny the wine’s complexity. The wine has high acidity and fine tannins, and I’d say in ten years the 2001 will be a beauty.

92+
— 5 years ago

Ira liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Had friends over for lunch on Saturday and had a match off with this 1997 Dominus with a 1997 Wynns John Riddoch - both from magnum. This Dominus I first tried at TriBeCa Grill in New York about 8 years ago and it was a wow wine for me. In fact the best Cabernet I had ever had outside of Bordeaux. No detailed notes but this was more savoury and less fruit driven than I remember. The consensus around the table was in favour of the Riddoch with me as the sole vote for the Dominus. No detailed tasting notes. — 7 years ago

Clive, Anthony and 16 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992

At first i picked up a lot of acetyl in this relative to the other wines. After an hour that had blown off and this blossomed. Everything you hope for in Monte Bello. — 9 years ago

Shay, Bill and 1 other liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

And this is supposed to be an off vintage? — 9 years ago

Trent, Keith and 1 other liked this
Trent Fletcher

Trent Fletcher Premium Badge

So if I can get this locally for $90 would you so it's a no-brainer buy?
Jordan Franceschini

Jordan Franceschini Premium Badge

Not sure about a no brainer but it's a treat