On The Rocks Cocktails

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.
— 6 years ago

Eric, Daniel and 31 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

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! 🍷

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Old world on the nose and the pallet. Crushed rocks, herbs, fruit, graphite and one of the Classics of California! — 7 years ago

Château Thivin

Côte de Brouilly Gamay

2016 vintage. Great typicity and very aromatic. Lilac, rose petals, blackberry, strawberry, tart cherry, black rocks, incense, graphite. So delicious. Great with a little chill on it. — 8 years ago

Ira and Peter liked this

The Standish Wine Company

Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006

Somm David T
9.6

This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.

On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.

The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.

Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room
— 8 years ago

Paul, Julie and 18 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2006

In 775 the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, bequeathed his ownership of the Hill of Corton to the Abbey of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu. Corton-Charlemagne is the only grand cru in Cote d'Or that faces west. Since 2008, when Romanée-Conti’s cuvée Duvault-Blochet changed to include 1er crus, Bonneau du Martray has been the only domaine in Burgundy to produce only grand cru.
Opening with a perfumed and mouthwatering toasted sesame oil note that when you prompt yourself to think about what crushed rocks smell like, it instantly changes to it. Mindblown... Next up, imagine the combination of lime oil, juicy peach, and tangerine peel, and then imagine the ‘cream of’ that blend. Lastly, juxtapose that against the racy, minerality-filled finish, that’s really long on energy and focus. It could make a case for the most complex wine I’ve ever tasted, but certainly, Bonneau du Martray’s 2006 Corton-Charlemagne is the best white wine I’ve ever tasted.
— 8 years ago

Eric, Jason and 24 others liked this
P A

P A

@Isaac Pirolo Isaac informative review Cheers 🍷
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Sounds great

Edmunds St. John

Rocks and Gravel Dry Creek Valley Grenache Blend 2014

One of the best GSM's I've had. Lighter bodied than expected, killer fruit. Tart cherries and earth. Gulpable, yet there's much to ruminate on. — 9 years ago

Brooke Barnett
with Brooke
Anthony liked this

Domaine Servin

Les Pargues Chablis Chardonnay 2014

Bargain quality Chablis @ £12 & it's hard to beat on price - 88-90 every vintage & my go to @ this price 👍 a true ☀️ glugger 😎

🍷 Light golden yellow w/ lime hue

👃 Fresh wet rock mineral mist, citrus, green tart & sweet apples, melon & white flowers with a touch of fuel, grapefruit & pear

👄 Crisp refreshing med bodied full fruit palate of slight creamy sour green apples, citrus & touch grapefruit w/ medium tart acidity

🎯 Long dry finish of citrus & sour green apples smashed over wet mineral rocks
— 9 years ago

Chris, Connor and 4 others liked this
Connor Sturt

Connor Sturt

Will give this a try!

Passopisciaro

Passopisciaro Sicilia Nerello Mascalese 2013

Sean K McNeely
9.2

Like you just tripped and spilled your sour cherry icee on a bunch of lava rocks and started licking it up. Unbelievably delicious and incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairings. Bottle went way too fast...definitely need to try those single vineyard wines ASAP. — 10 years ago

Rene Rostaing

La Landonne Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1998

Yotam Sharon
9.5

WOTN. Amazingly fresh, yet evolved into fascinating complexity. Leathery and meaty/smokey at first, then red fruit sprinkled with lots of black pepper is revealed. There's good fruit presence on the palate too, with obviously-once-brooding tannins nicely softened by time. A long, satisfying finish. Rostaing rocks! — 10 years ago

"Odedi" and Ron liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

This must have been huge?
Yotam Sharon

Yotam Sharon Influencer Badge

@Ron R sure was. A kind friend shared it with our tasting group.

Wine on the Rocks

Finkus Collection Milf Red Blend

Miam peut encore vieillir — 12 years ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room.
— 7 years ago

Eric, Sharon and 18 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Somm David T
9.5

Last night, my second favorite pairing. Tonight, my favorite! An older Pichon Lalande and a ribeye. Counting it down.

While this 03 is delicious tonight, I won’t touch another bottle until 2028 for the way I’ve learned to enjoy em. However, a good time for a check in given I have several more bottles.

The nose reveals; thick, rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, older tobacco, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers.

The body is creamy, lush and full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting themselves together nicely. The tannins are round, dark and only 45-50% resolved. She’s an elegant beauty that will deliver so much more at 25 years and later. Rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, cigar box with ash, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, coco powder, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers & violets on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The creamy, elegant finish is balanced fruit & earth and persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande,
General Manager-Nicolas Glumineau, Pichon Lalande’s tasting room and their Estate vineyard at twilight and is adjacent to Chateau Latour.
— 7 years ago

Stephen, Shay and 30 others liked this

Purlieu

Teucer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Somm David T
9.4

The nose reveals dark ruby, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries & plum. Nicely layered and soft baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark medium intensity spice, star anise, volcanic minerals, soft leather, underbrush, violets, lavender and very dark fresh floral bouquets.

The body is full. The tannins are round, tarry and sticky. Their wines drink so easily young. Dark ruby, ripe fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, nicely layered and soft baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark medium intensity spice, anise, volcanic minerals, crushed dry rocks, some mint & dry herbs, soft leather, underbrush, violets, lavender and very dark fresh floral bouquets. The acidy round & beautiful. The long finish is ripe fruit with balanced earth, elegant, juicy and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Teucer vineyard in Coombsville, Lobby of their new facilities on the southern border of Napa, tasting bar and winemaking facility.
— 8 years ago

Jason, Shay and 15 others liked this

Château Brane-Cantenac

Grand Cru Classé en 1855 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.4

I have a six-pack of this 05. I thought after 10 years in bottle, it would be interesting to check in on its evolution. While tasty, I’ll wait another 8-10 to open another. Even after 2-3 hours in the decanter, it’s still a very young adolescent. On the nose, slightly sour blackberries & dark cherries, dark currants, baked black plum, haunting blue fruits, anise, whiff of spice, steeped tea, dry stones, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, caramel, vanilla with fresh & dry red florals. The body is thick & full. Tannins are starting to round out. It’s velvety on the palate. The fruits are; bright, fresh & ripe and really show the greatness of the 05 vintage. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, baked black plum, haunting blue fruits, baked strawberries, cherries, raspberries on the long set, dark spice, clay & loamy dry top soil with crushed rocks, dry stones, cigar with ash, graphite, dry stems, slight herbaceous character, mint, used leather, clove, caramel, vanilla, fresh & dry red florals with violets. The round acidity is about perfect. The structure and length are still strong. The balance is in harmony. As for the long finish, it’s lush, ruby, rich and well polished. Photos of; Chateau Brane Cantenac, large wood vats, Henri Lurton and Estate vines. Producer notes and history...Chateau Brane Cantenac began in the early 17th century. At the time, the estate was known as Domaine Guilhem Hosten. Even that far back, wine was produced from the property. In fact, the wine was so highly regarded it was one of the more expensive wines in Bordeaux. It sold for almost as much money as Brane Mouton. This is interesting because of who went on to buy the vineyard in the 1800’s. The Baron of Brane, also known as “Napoleon of the Vineyards”, purchased the Chateau in 1833. At the time of the sale, the estate was called Chateau Gorce-Guy. To get the funds needed to purchase the Margaux vineyard, the Baron sold what is now called Mouton Rothschild, which was at the time of the sale, known as Chateau Brane-Mouton. Not such a good move with hundreds of years in hindsight! In 1838, the Baron renamed property taking his name and the name of the sector where the vineyards were located and called it Chateau Brane Cantenac. The Chateau later passed to the Roy family, who were well-known in the Margaux appellation in those days, as they owned Chateau d’issan. Moving ahead to 1920, the Societe des Grands Crus de France, a group of merchants and growers that owned several chateaux located in the Medoc including; Chateau Margaux, Chateau Giscours, and Chateau Lagrange in St. Julien, purchased Chateau Brane Cantenac. Five years later, M. Recapet and his son-in-law, François Lurton, took over Brane Cantenac along with Chateau Margaux. Lucien Lurton (the son of François Lurton) inherited Brane Cantenac in 1956. Today, the estate is still in the hands of the Lurton family. Brane Cantenac is owned and run by Henri Lurton. After being given the responsibility of managing Brane Cantenac, it was under the direction of Henri Lurton that large portions of the vineyard were replanted. Vine densities were increased, the drainage systems were improved and the plantings were also, slowly changed. The vineyard of Brane Cantenac is planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Carmenere. Carmenere was used for the first time in the 2011 vintage. The only other Chateau I know that still uses Carmenere is Clerc Milon. The 75 hectare Left Bank vineyard of Brane Cantenac is essentially unchanged since it earned Second Growth status in the 1855 Classification. At least that is the case with the 45 hectares used to produce the Grand Vin of Brane Cantenac. Those 45 hectares are planted surrounding the Chateau. Those vines are located just in front of the Cantenac plateau and are the best terroir that Brane Cantenac owns. They have other parcels, which are further inland and much of those grapes are placed into their second wine, Le Baron de Brane. Those additional hectares can be divided into 3 main sections. Behind the Chateau, they have 15 hectares of vines on gravel and sand, 10 hectares across the road with sand, gravel and iron and a 13 hectare parcel with gravel called Notton, which is used for their second wine. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,666 vines per hectare on the plateau and up to 8,000 vines per hectare for the vines located behind chateau, in their sandier soils. The higher levels of vine density are always found in the newer plantings. The terroir of Brane Cantenac consists of deep gravel, sand and clay soil. Experiments in the vineyards are currently looking at becoming more organic in their vineyard management. Today, more than 25% of Brane Cantenac is farmed using organic farming techniques. It is expected that over time, the amount of hectares farmed with organic methods will be increased. Brane Cantenac has gone through 2 relatively recent modernization’s in 1999, when they added began adding the first of their smaller vats to allow for parcel by parcel vinification and then again in 2015 when they completed a much more complete renovation of their cellars and vat rooms. While Brane Cantenac is a traditional producer, they are no stranger to technology as they were one of the first estates to embrace optical grape sorting machines. In very wet vintages, they can also use reverse osmosis. To produce the wine of Chateau Brane Cantenac, the wine is vinified in a combination of temperature controlled, traditional, 22 oak vats, 18 concrete tanks and 20 stainless steel vats that vary in size from 40 hectoliters all the way up to 200 hectoliters, which allows for parcel by parcel vinification. 40% of the fermentation takes place in the oak vats. The oldest vines are vinified in vats that are selected to allow for separate parcel by parcel vinification. The younger vines are vinified more often together in the same vats. However, the Carmenere is entirely micro-vinified, meaning that those grapes were completely vinified in barrel, using micro-vinification techniques. This can also happen because the amount of grapes produced is so small. Some vats can be co-inoculated, meaning they go through alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation simultaneously. At Chateau Brane Cantenac, malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of French oak tanks and barrels. The wine of Brane Cantenac is aged in an average of 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. The initial 2 months of aging is done with the wine on its lees, which adds more depth to the wine. There second wine is Le Baron de Brane. Le Baron de Brane is not new. In fact, previously, the second wine went under the name of Chateau Notton, which took its name from one of the main parcels where the grapes were planted. During the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s, having a second wine was important as the estate declassified 3 vintages, due to extremely poor, weather conditions in 1956, 1960 and 1963. Production of Chateau Brane Cantenac is about 11,000 cases per year. — 8 years ago

Eric, Jason and 39 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Great write up, when I first saw this you were only one paragraph in. Thanks.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Severn Goodwin Thank you. I thought it was particularly interesting he sold Mouton to buy Brane Cantenac. Too bad he did have a magic 8 ball to predict the future.
Chris England

Chris England

Had this over the weekend - must post soon - love this wine 👍😎🍷

Domaine les Alexandrins

Intuition Vin De Pays Des Collines Rhodaniennes 2013

Lyle Fass
9.1

Always terrific. Always Gamay and always shows the terroir of St. Joseph so well, where these vines are grown. Huge granitic nose, spice, mineral and and overall impression of rocks. Palate is so juicy on this darker interpretation of Gamay. Big, ripe, fiercely tannic, yet fresh deep and balanced. Terrific tannic bite full of granite and fruit. Great wine. — 10 years ago

Tom, LM and 5 others liked this

Château Potensac

Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

One of Delon family's finest, this is one of 3 main labels they own, next to Chateau Nenin in Pomerol, and the famed Leoville Las Cases in St. Julien. It is a beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, delicate, but bright and youthful, and beautifully colored. There is an abundance of black fruits and earth on the nose, and a bit of barnyard in the form of what reminds me of the rind of cheese, or mushrooms, followed by dry crushed rocks. The pallet is balanced and elegant, exhibiting intensity in blackberries,red apple skin, dark cherries, dried herbs, and a gorgeous finish. This was a wonderful wine to be enjoyed, and one that will attest time. I can't wait to have a 2010 in another 5-10 years.

Cheers!

$29.99
— 10 years ago

Chris liked this

Philippe Alliet

Chinon Cabernet Franc 2013

Tart black & red fruit, green herbs, spice, earth, rocks, lots going on 2013 — 11 years ago

Nat GunterJodi BronchteinFemi Oyediran
with Nat, Jodi and 1 other
Nat, Beau and 3 others liked this

Valentin Bianchi

New Age Torrontés Sauvignon Blanc

Great summer wine! On the rocks with a little lime! Amazing! — 13 years ago

Koehler-Ruprecht

Kallstadter Saumagen R Spätlese Trocken Riesling 2009

@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂

What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me.
— 7 years ago

P, John and 16 others liked this
John Howard

John Howard Influencer Badge

You know the producer is good when people you are doing harvest with from Germany race over in the wine shop to buy their wines.
Aaron Tan

Aaron Tan Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@John Howard Haha. It was more like I came by their winery to disturb their harvest. Incidentally, the KR guys do run a wine shop/import company, bringing in some Cali wines to Germany.
John Howard

John Howard Influencer Badge

Very cool!

Rasa Vineyards

Primus Inter Pares Grenache 2015

This stunning Grenache was sourced from Monette's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks region. Prior to bottling the wine was left on the lees for 18 months in neutral French oak barriques. This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, white flowers, Mandarin orange rind and potpourri. This leads to flavors of red cherry, strawberry, orange zest and strawberry jam. This is pretty, downright sexy wine and absolutely irresistible at this juncture. While less acid-driven than the ’14 bottling, this outstanding wine is just as good and even more impossible to put down as the gorgeous aromatic and flavor range shines through. Only 103 cases made of this absolutely stunning Grenache, which is one of the best of its kind in Washington state. Drink 2019-2029- 95 — 7 years ago

Shay, P and 15 others liked this

Regusci

Estate Bottled Stags Leap District Zinfandel 2012

Somm David T
9.2

The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with lavender & bright red florals.

The body is medium and lush. The tannins are nicely resolved with dust. The fruits are bright and ripe; slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Raspberry cola, baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with candied lavender & bright red florals. Beautiful round acidity like a rain shower. The long, rich, lush, round, elegant, balanced, polished finish is delicious.

Photos of, Regusci Winery shot from the Silverado Trail, tasting bar, entrance and Estate vines.
— 8 years ago

Isaac, Paul and 21 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum Hopefully, not after the 13 vintage. Charles left midday through the 14 vintage.
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Oh wait! It was Caterwaul Regusi Vineyard

Flora Springs

Reserve Rutherford Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Greg Ballington
9.3

Third blind red for my father’s 53rd birthday. We tried four 2014s, two were Cabernet Sauvignons and two were Bordeaux Blends.

Purplish ruby red. Layered nose with anise, cinnamon, earthiness, black fruits and even a little plums. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Well rounded with a nice amount of complexity on the palate. Notes of black fruits, solid backbone, cinnamon, vanilla and dark rocks. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030. (93+)
— 8 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Shay, Martin and 17 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

One of my favorites from FS. We’ll miss you at the Trilogy Release Party this year...I’ll have to do my best to make up for your empty glasses!

Domaine Laroche

Les Blanchots Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay

Beautifully ripe golden apple, asian pear, kiss of quince. Zippy ripe citrus, orchard blossoms, crushed rocks and salt. A lot of presence on the finish and back palate. The wine has lift coupled with leesy weight — 9 years ago

Retro Cellars

Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2012

Greg Ballington
9.3

Always love these Petite Sirahs from Mike Dunn, and this 2012 seems to be especially special. Dark purplish red. Overall lots of dark characteristics on the nose with tight bramble berries, black currants, spices, dried violets, a little cinnamon and even coriander. Even got a little gamey and savory with an hour or two in the glass. Heavy tannins (7/10) but smooth and full bodied. Kept beefing up as it sat open, currants on the attack, iron, smokey and a bit meaty. Larger in the mid-palate with some dark crushed rocks. Dark fruits coming through at the end after day one. Insanely dry and long with a nice little spice kick in the finish. Will drink well for the next decade or so. Drink till 2027. — 9 years ago

India Okoh
with India
Jason, Eric and 20 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1999

Gorgeous light brick in color with medium intensity and a wide orange/ ruby rim.

Great nose of black currants, black plums, vanilla, licorice, oak, spice box, coffee, dark chocolates, caramel, wet rocks, earth, vinaigrette, alcohol, graphite, black pepper and spices.

Medium-bodied with medium acidity, velvety, elegant, soft and smooth with long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, earth, forest floor, coffee, caramel, tar, milk chocolates, vinaigrette, spices, graphite and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and black pepper.

What a great and enjoyable wine this is. Drinking very nicely now and still has a long time left in it.

Well-balanced with great complexity. Velvety mouth feel with nice, enjoyable tannins. A Great food wine as well.
This 18 year old will be still good in the next 5 to 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up, but drinks nicely right out of the bottle too. As it opens up I get lots of barnyard notes, and even some barnyard aftertaste.

91 points Wine Spectator.

14% alcohol by volume.
— 9 years ago

Ted, Greg and 25 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Love VT!!

Distilleria Quaglia

Vermouth del Professore

Great on rocks. Really nice in mezcal cocktail with Combier and orange. — 10 years ago

Domaine de l'Ecu (Guy Bossard)

Expression d'Orthogneiss Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Melon de Bourgogne 2011

Grapefruits spiked with gneiss rocks and sea shells, a tweak of spice and a lingering stone fruit note pushes through on the long minerally finish. Brilliant producer, highly recommend. — 10 years ago

Steve, Daniel P. and 8 others liked this

Domaine du Collier

Saumur Blanc Chenin Blanc 2011

Wow. Basket of apples and pears along with a brioche bun and a mouthful of rocks all in a really really good way with a nice pucker on the finish to boot. — 11 years ago

Terra liked this

Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau

Silex Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc

A special wine. Juicy bright lemons, wet rocks, freshly mown hay. Elegant mouthfeel, almost luxurious. A finish that goes on forever. Gonna be sad this when it's gone. — 11 years ago

Tony, Bill and 4 others liked this
Tom Riley

Tom Riley Influencer Badge

Gonna miss... Can't wait for the edit function.
Ivy Hover

Ivy Hover Influencer Badge

sounds delicious (we had crab tonight too) but label is rather off-putting.
Tom Riley

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It's a rock! A very friendly rock. The wine was, indeed, quite delicious.