Opus One

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Still shows some lovely primary redfruits, cassis, currants, quite tannic as well (characteristic of the 1986s I cellared), long, lingering finish, should show even better after my wife’s grilled lamb and my grilled steak come off the grill. I will say I was nervous when the final 1/8-inch of the cork severed off my old Ah-So cork puller, but not a problem!

Interesting sidebar — I purchased this upon arrival in 1989 at K&L in SF — by that time there were widespread reports of bad corks in Ducru from (at least) 1985 and 1986, so when I visited the shop I explained the situation and committed to purchasing 6 bottles, but only if I knew this batch didn’t have the cork problems — so, I said I’d pay for another bottle and we could open it together in the shop, I’d pay and also buy the other 6 bottles if it was NOT corked, and said if it was corked, then they’d pay for the opened bottle and I wouldn’t take the 6 other bottles — they agreed, we mutually tried the bottle then and there, no cork taint so I paid for 7 bottles total.

Telling the story in part because K&L has always been, IMHO, one of the classiest wine shops in the U.S., and they deserve credit agreeing to my deal (BTW, Wine Advocate had written about the cork taint issue within the preceding 3-6 months, so they were aware of the potential for it) — anyway, they’ve gotten a lot more of my business in the past 35+ years since!!
— 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Severn, Bob and 13 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@David T, I cannot disagree!!
Jay Kline

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@Doug Powers great story. Thanks for sharing!

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001

Alex Lallos
9.5

Excellent. Still has some primary fruit but the red plum, smoked meats and dried herbs are really what’s screaming. This was one of the best 20 + year old cdp’s I’ve had. Lovely — 5 months ago

Shay, Ira and 3 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2020 Dominus is one of the wines of the vintage in this crazy year marked by drought and fires. There's plenty of upfront richness and fruit, but the mid-palate and finish taper off faster than they would in a higher-quality vintage. Here, too, the balance is notable, even if there is no escaping the reality that the 2020 is a relatively small-scaled Dominus. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
— 5 months ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Excellent blend. Bold, complex body and smooth finish. Great for the price point. Enjoying with ocean in the back at One Ocean Resort and Spa. — 7 months ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

2016 vintage was deep purple color. Intense berries, cherries. Smooth as silk. Grey with steak. One of the good years. I could sip it all day. — 8 months ago

Layer Cake Wines

One Hundred Percent Hand Crafted South Australia Shiraz 2015

like a neighbor with a seductive surprise...
like strawberry on a summer evening...
its like wow, where did you come from...
is that juniper is smell...oh who cares?
great wine...
— 4 years ago

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

1978 vintage. Okay fill with trashy cork. Decanted and tasted after two hours. Medium body. Fantastic, fresh mint powerhouse with plenty of backup fruit and one helluva tannic rhythm section. This was swinging. If the provenance is/was good, no rush to crush. Absolutely dynamite. 3.5.24. — 2 months ago

Ira, Jan and 11 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Wowza is right!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

Very interesting wine this. Lots of leather with cassis and a hint of menthol. Very easy to drink and very smooth. This could develop in the coming years to an amazing wine...one to watch.
Paired with lamb shanks
— 3 months ago

Austin, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this
David T

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Looks delicious.
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Great temporanllo led blend that , to your point,, will only get better over there next 20 years. But she's ready now. This is one of the best values in wine

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Beautiful, deep, rich, bold, and deep and complex; this one was a treat — 4 months ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

Timothy Eustis
9.0

2003. But not the stewed fruit one might expect. Should have had some years ago. But it’s held up. Nice cigar box and dark fruit. — 5 months ago

Severn, Pooneet and 3 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

2003 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and after two hours. Medium body. Grippy on the finish and plenty of espresso flavors encircling graphite, mineral and concentrated plum notes. Tasted a different bottle very recently on 9.26.23. That bottle was fresher (9.5) and the quintessential Cos style. This one was leaner and meaner but still delicious. 10.14.23. — 7 months ago

Ted, Bob and 18 others liked this
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

10...wow!
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Revised. I don’t score anything above a 9.7.
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

Hahaha 🤣🤣🤣

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

One of my favorites Pinots. Full bodied, sis better a couple of hours later. Rich raspberry and chocolate flavors! — 3 years ago

Arietta

Variation One Red Blend 2010

Lovely Syrah / merlot blend from the fine folks at Arietta. Doesn’t need more time, quite well balanced and integrated at this point. Surprisingly good acid. Inky dark with nice black fruit. Surprisingly good pairing with a variety of Vietnamese grilled meats. — 3 months ago

Severn, Tom and 3 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2004

Never a fan. I always get bitter apricot pit but this one is not bad. — 4 months ago

Shay, Ira and 10 others liked this

Littorai

One Acre Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2021

Fantastic Pinot from one of my favorite producers. Very small vineyard from the Anderson Valley area. So elegant, enjoy now or hold for a few years, both will be amazing. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister and Eddie liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2014

Sassicaia is a masterpiece of a Tuscan wine. 2014 vintage (Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Not the Merlot), opened up and filled the pallette with fruit, spices and depth of complexity unmatched...Nose to finish one of the best Tuscan's ever. — 5 months ago

Anthony liked this

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1979

1979 vintage. Not the biggest Jordan fan but this one hit before the mass California hysteria. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins-2 hours. Plenty of cedar, tannins and otherwise, structural components. Solid showing. May pick up a few of these for the holidaze. In best Darth Vader/James Earl Jones voice..."Impressive." 9.20.23. — 8 months ago

Severn, Paul and 12 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

The legend! En Magnum! Amazing wine. Just profound. One to remember… — 8 months ago

LM, Tom and 13 others liked this
Sharon B

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Wow!!

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Blend

This is just a delicious brut rosé, really one of the best out there that isn’t four figures...beautiful fruit that melts on your tongue, just excellent — 5 years ago