Open Secret

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium deep ruby . This seems a bit more advanced . This is a bit harder and more structured on the palate , more tannin , less velvety and a bit more astringent . More spicy , drier on the palate . This needed more time to open . This was quite difficult to judge , I wasn’t 100% convinced about this bottle as it just seemed a little oxidative, however it did actually seemed to come together better after an hour or so , but still quite hard and astringent in comparison to the others (especially La Mission) . Showed a touch more mineral and grafite on the finish too after a while. This needed time , and I would imagine another bottle might tell a different story . — 10 months ago

Anthony, Andrew and 6 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Seemed like the right time to open this. The candy like flavor that I see people complain about had blown off this wine and it just had this incredible purple inky color and rim to it. Very enjoyable. Still had good fruit and sweetness without losing too much luster. Caymus used to age forever but I would drink these up by 10th bday. — 5 years ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2013

Those who follow me will know that this is a rare one for me, but I don’t have too many half bottles and my alcoholism took over late tonight and made me open something. This is one of the lightest Cabernet Merlot blends I’ve ever had. It’s still quite tannic but the winemaking is there. Seems to open a little over time and you can taste the French terroir. — 5 years ago

Eric, Shay and 19 others liked this
David L

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I get it. Longing for an extra glass.

Pott Wines (Aaron & Claire Pott and Daughters)

Stagecoach Vineyard Her Majesty's Secret Service Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Even at 2 hrs after cork pop and a lazy man's bottle decant, quite a bit of this wine still taste like a barrel sample. The nose is youthful blackberry, blueberry, pencil shavings. Entry is a ton of youthful and herbal blackberry cassis. Graphite. The middle has a hint of dark baking chocolate and spice. Toasted youthful berries. Finishes with a lot of toasty oak tannin. Probably one of those integrated wines I have had from Pott. Just delicious. — 6 years ago

Joshua, Ryan and 25 others liked this
Bryan Kesting

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@Mark Flesher : Had the 2012 about a month ago and it took the entire evening before it came around. Wish I would have held onto it a little longer. The 2009 sounds fantastic.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@Bryan Kesting it was really just dumb luck and fortunate positioning at Classic. This was behind another wine in the tube that I thought was something else. When I pulled it out and saw it, I thought it would probably be drinking rather well. Did not disappoint! :)
Bryan Kesting

Bryan Kesting Premium Badge

@Mark Flesher : Nice. See you Friday!

Santa Rita

Secret Reserve Maipo Red Blend 2015

I believe I've had this one before. It's 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Carmenère. Excellent blend that I love. Pairing with a bread and cheese board. Happy Friday! — 8 years ago

Shawn, Velma and 11 others liked this
Trixie

Trixie

Happy Friday! 😁
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Nice spread with the vino. Looking forward to both Chile & Mendoza soon.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991

Pam Starr
9.2

Good time to open! Graphite and plum — 10 years ago

Norm LarsenGreg Gregory
with Norm and Greg
Cody, Eric and 41 others liked this
Greg Gregory

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Getting that old CA Cab about to turn into Bordeaux funk, but time to drink up.
9.0

Beringer Vineyards

Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

N M
9.2

Needed about 2.5 hours in decanter to open up. Could use more time in bottle. A classic big, bold, chewy California Cab. — 10 years ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Sam Coturri
9.5

That perfect balance between bright red fruit and dark aromatic herbs. Ready to drink now (after being open for an hour or so) — 11 years ago

Anthony, Matthew and 1 other liked this

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 2013

2013 vintage. Both excellent fill and cork. Decanted with infinitesimal sed. Slightly silvery color. Tasted after 1.5 and 2.5 hours open. Medium body. Nose slightly reticent during both tastes. Black tea and eucalyptus prominent first go round with both those still present but minimized second pass. Sprinkle in some cracked black pepper and white sage for round two and we have a winner. Finish lasted over a minute and the concentration was as expected given the decent street cred. No rush to crush but open waay early/decant this if enjoying in the next handful of years. 10.24.24. — a year ago

Ira, Bob and 24 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1976

This bottle of 1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was cellared in a wine cave part of its life and a modern cellar the more recent part of its life. The fill for this bottle was mid-shoulder and the label had been tattered from back when it was in the cave. Using a Durand, I was able to pull the cork intact and it was saturated but seemed to have done its job. The color was good and the wine was sound; in fact, it was very much alive and full of character! Opened about four hours prior to service and decanted for sediment (of which there was plenty). No formal notes. At this stage in its life, the 1976 Lafite pours a garnet color with an orange rim. The nose is straight up old-money. Classy aromas of desiccated red cherries & red currants, dried tobacco leaf, graphite, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, leather and dried baking spices. On the palate, the structure was still quite palpable with tannins till present and acid doing its job with aplomb. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and graceful with some nice stoney minerals. Drink now but well cellared examples could hold longer if you wanted…but if you’re even thinking about it, just open it! — 2 years ago

Andrew, Shay and 15 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1987

Home alone for 24 hrs! The perfect time to open something older. Fully mature Bordeaux... I mean Napa! Dried fruit and tobacco, there is still a frame of tannins but they are well integrated and slightly chalky in texture. Enjoyable but more mature than I prefer. — 5 years ago

Paul, Eric and 2 others liked this

Vietti

Castiglione Barolo Nebbiolo 2015

Surprised by the generosity, drinking quite well for how young it is. Open-knit, true to place, moderately framed with some true charm to it. Really enjoyed over a few days. Deep red fruit, almost succulent, soaked cherries and lots of licorice root, cedar, cinnamon, flowers and tar. There’s a undertone of earth. From a tannin perspective these appear ripe, with moderate intensity relatively speaking. — 6 years ago

Keith, Chris and 15 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2004

A very enjoyable Zinfandel from Sonoma County, California.

Showing dark berries with earth, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, graphite, dark coffee, tobacco and beef jerky.

A long tangy finish with firm tannins and tangy cranberries.

This still has 5 to 10 years in it.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show tannins. Wasn't that great right out of the bottle, so be patient.

A blend of 79% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah and 3% Carignan. All from Dry Creek Valley. Aged for 13 months in American oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.
— 7 years ago

David, Angelo and 17 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Aged Ridge Zin! A treat!

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend

Rich though lacked some oomph. May have been open awhile (by the glass) — 8 years ago

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2005

This red took a full 2 hours to open up, but the cedar, spice, raspberry and young leather aromas are growing, gradually, in intensity. Now (2 hrs later) the spice and vivacity are off the freakin chart! Very youthful, well-balanced, nuanced. Old school Bordeaux-like, but seems higher in acidity. However, while the acidity is medium+, it is tempered by full, red fruit, 13.5% abv, present but non-intrusive tannins, and a medium-bodied texture with excellent length (over 1 minute). The other factor is the one that says "Wow!", and that is definitely true here. Memorable and unique, I must get more for the wine fridge. — 9 years ago

Josh, Marc and 1 other liked this

Francoise Bedel

Dis Vin Secret Brut Champagne

Sour Apple jolly ranchers, pencil shavings, lilac and honeysuckle on the nose with and butterscotch and barley on the palate. — 10 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Way too early to open, but it's Christmas, so why not. — 11 years ago

Patrick and Craig liked this
Patrick Derdeyn

Patrick Derdeyn Influencer Badge

Nice. Had the '89 a couple months ago and it was killer. Bury a few of these in your cellar and drink them when your kids graduate from college.

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Just wow! Let it open, and then drink! — 2 years ago

Peter, Ted and 4 others liked this
Joe Lyons

Joe Lyons

Good juice!!!

Secret Squirrel

Columbia Valley Syrah Blend

Dark cherry chocolate and sweet undertones of figs — 2 years ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend

Agree with those who describe the finesse in this reserve. Long open but worth the wait every time. apparently higher in sangiovese than other vintages and it works just fine. Really nice Antinori offering! — 5 years ago

Logan Edwards
with Logan

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Full-bodied with acerbic bite, beginning to open up splendidly. — 6 years ago

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Fantastic. Lots of structure that benefits from time open. Packed with fruit and depth. — 6 years ago

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2009

Alex Jones
9.0

Was tight and needed at least an hour to begin to open, dried cherry, strawberry and good acid. Initially was high toned but as opened became very elegant and wish had more in the bottle when finished. — 6 years ago

Château De Leoube

Secret de Léoube Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend

KBM
9.1

This goes down way too easy. Tastes like I'm wrapped in silk, getting sprinkled with diamonds, and making bad decisions. Into it — 8 years ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Took a really long time to open up, but ended up being pretty damn good. Not as good as some late 80s/early 90s Dunns I've had though. — 9 years ago

Pott Wines (Aaron & Claire Pott and Daughters)

Her Majesty's Secret Service Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Young. Soft. Supple. — 9 years ago

David, Daniel and 8 others liked this
David L

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A mag. Sweet
Eric

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Nice. Never had Pott. Waiting for the right moment.
Eric L.

Eric L. Premium Badge

Pott's magnums are such gorgeous etched bottles!

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

What a difference a day makes...initially barnyard funk, tight and unapproachable. Next day open for business with kirsch and dark cherries with a long finish. A baby that has a great future — 10 years ago

Richard Steinberg

Richard Steinberg

It's called decanting for a few hours.
Robert Rothfield

Robert Rothfield Premium Badge

Haha....8 hr slow oz and 2 hr decant with no appreciable improvement.....day 2....completely evolved

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1947

1947. Can't actually believe I have rated this in my lifetime. Although it had a significant amount of leakage and oxidisation, it was still bright, still had bags of fruit, tannins, acidity. What am incredibly generous wine to open to celebrate our new little company. Thx guys xxx — 11 years ago

Pierpaolo Petrassi MWChris Rowe
with Pierpaolo and Chris