Out Of The Box

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

I don‘t know. This has so much oak it overpowers everything. Might need another 10 years to be approachable. Cigar box, black berries. Deep, big and profound. I am not sure I would spend 70$ on this. It needs much much more time. Probably needs to be open for 2 days. Out of the machine at the Wine House in LA. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister, Zach and 5 others liked this
Vin d’Ottawa

Vin d’Ottawa

We have a 2007 Magnum and plan on holding for a few more years. Well-aged Rioja is a treasure

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

Quite deep ruby and , garnet terracotta rim. Quite spicy nose , slightly green touches , mix of red and dark fruit . On the palate fills out quite well , good acidity , slightly gritty tannins still with mineral , tobacco notes on the finish . Ok reasonable length . This comes across a bit greener than I remember it , so not sure how representative this bottle is , fine to drink now and over the next 10 years . 91

Second bottle medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Took a bit of time to open up , but very good definition , red and dark fruits, truffle , undergrowth, cigar box and grafite. On the palate quite charming sweet red fruits, red plum, cassis , dried spices, undergrowth , elegant for las cases , grafite and tobacco stained finish . Well balanced acidity and quite gritty but ripe tannin . This is lovely now with time in the decanter and over the next 10 -15 years . Completely different from first bottle .
— 3 years ago

Daniel, Tom and 13 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

Joe Ho
9.2

Smells of ripe summer berries on the nose. Raspberries mixed with a bit of spice. Full mouth blast of berries refined tannins with more raspberries and a bit of tartness. Had this with a dry aged ribeye and the fat rounds out the tartness into a full bodied velvety finish. Had the 2001 in 2020. — 6 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008

Jesus says this is the bomb. Tar and rose petals on the nose. Red fruit, bit of tobacco and graphite round it out. — 7 years ago

Gregory MellisChad AndersonMargaret Crow
with Gregory, Chad and 1 other
David, Eric and 33 others liked this
David Racich

David Racich

LOL!! Great picture!!
WC Fields

WC Fields

Quintana man, creep can roll…

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 1966

DP66
Pristine condition bottle. Cork flew out revealing surprising amount of retained fizz. Roast peach/rust colour. Oxidised nutty, orange peel, caramel notes with long length.
— 8 years ago

Hetty ForsythNick OxleyAntonia Edwards
with Hetty, Nick and 1 other
Hetty and Antonia liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

This wine had some tobacco and earth FUNK after it was opened up. The herbaceous and tobacco ash note on the nose was almost identical to the 1980 Beringer State Lane cab. This did blow off after an hour, but the wine was less fruit than I thought it would have been. Lots of dark figgy jam. Tobacco and cigar box. I'm sure the fruit came back after I left, but this would have been 2 hours after opening and just didn't have the time to see this one though, hence the "NR" rating. Impressed by this wine, and probably one of the older Monte Bello wines I've been able to drink. — 9 years ago

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2007

Filled out after an hour and some.. Losing some of those desirable morgon characteristics But interesting nonetheless — 10 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Charlie Beatty
9.6

2013 out of a MAGNUM that is very Rare. The 13 has more structure and body. Fruit and tannin levels also are much bigger, overall I believe this 2013 will outlive the 12's. CB 96 — 11 years ago

Karen Beatty
with Karen
Chris, Velma and 9 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Very cool

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984

Goes beautifully with lamb and beef, Lots of Red currant flavors up front with a soft finish and a bit of tang. Make sure to let it breath. black berry flavors comes out. — 12 years ago

Joseph liked this

Flora Springs

Trilogy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994

Before I get into the notes, Flora Springs “Trilogy” is one of those wines from my formative years in this wine journey. Subsequently, it holds a special place in my heart. You can probably imagine how excited I was to enjoy the 1994 a vintage I likely drank long ago, out of a double-magnum no less! Giddy.

Popped and poured from double-magnum into red Solo cups and enjoyed her the course of an hour. The 1994 “Trilogy” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: brambles, currants, plums, tobacco, old leather, dusty earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is silky. The large format has no doubt had an effect on this wine’s nearly evergreen properties but what a treat! Drink now regardless of format and enjoy this in its full maturity.
— 10 months ago

Lyle, Tom and 8 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2003

2003. Last bottle was 3 years ago, and this one I liked better. Starts out austere with evidence of a difficult hot year. But after hours in the decanter it cycled thru some almost port like caramelized tapenades and ended the evening with a somewhat strange but delicious red crème brûlée thing. So if you have one… I suggest patience thru the awkward opening hours to get to the awkward good part. Cheers. — 5 years ago

Jason, Andrew and 11 others liked this
Trixie

Trixie

Like the sippy cup! 🥤 Cheers!

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

Tonight I thought I would open this LMHB as the 2019 was released on futures yesterday. It may be a better wine but you are going to have to wait a long time to find out. The 66 is a wine where I have opened more than 6 cases in the last 5 yrs & consider it one of the great vintages for current drinking showing black fruits, cassis, saddle leather, smoke, tar, graphite, licorice, soy, tobacco & violets. This has been fully mature for 10 yrs & perfectly stored btls will continue to drink well for many years. One of the wines that keeps me searching & drinking old Bordeaux! — 6 years ago

Eric, Severn and 30 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay 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 — 7 years ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1990

Rich and exotic ripe but not over the top flat out delicious . Out of magnum for Heaven my Assistants b-day! — 8 years ago

Brendan, Steve and 12 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

1990, perfection. Wonderful boutique of cedar box, clay, and sage. Medium bodied evolved tannins great depth w long finish — 9 years ago

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1959

How'd the 375ml of '59 Chevy w mid-shoulder fill show?
#LIKEABOSS!
Nose of crushed leather furniture, cigar box, fig, Christmas cake, plum & hints of a red cherry cordial
Still a pop of acidity with the fruit, but richness dominated adding raisin to the flavors along w feral animale & shaved dark chocolate taking over on the lengthy finish
— 9 years ago

David, Ira and 7 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Amazing

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

perfume of fruit & diaper funk ~ fruit currently surrounded by cigar box & cedar tannins — 11 years ago

"Odedi", Hermes and 4 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1985

This is the 1985 Napa Cab and was tasted out of 5 liter. This wine was excellent! Herbal notes with a touch of saddle. I was so surprised by how much red fruit was on the pallet with a wine this old! Amazing! — 11 years ago

MH liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1996

Out of magnum. Holy crap!! — 12 years ago

Bo, Alex and 1 other liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Special Selection is Caymus’ flagship bottling, the only wine to twice earn Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.” The 2013 vintage comes from a benchmark Napa year—warm, consistent, and producing deeply concentrated fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor sites, this wine showcases the Caymus hallmark: bold, plush, and fruit-driven Napa opulence.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent blackberries, cassis, and baked blueberries, wrapped in layers of cocoa, espresso, and toasted vanilla. Secondary notes of licorice, sweet tobacco, and graphite add depth. With time in the glass, hints of cedar and leather start to show, signaling the early stages of graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, almost velvet-like, with powerful yet polished tannins. The 2013 vintage delivers intensity and weight, but with balance—long, lingering finish loaded with ripe dark fruit and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous cluster selection, long maceration for depth, and extended aging in new French oak barrels (18+ months). Chuck Wagner’s hallmark style: unapologetically ripe fruit, creamy oak integration, and a seamless, approachable structure even in youth.

Food Pairing
A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-crusted lamb. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with aged Gouda or truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
A monumental vintage of Caymus Special Selection—ripe, hedonistic, and still showing youthful vigor more than a decade later. Built for aging, yet already a crowd-pleaser. A benchmark expression of Napa Cabernet’s luxurious side.

Personal Pick Highlight
2013 stands out as one of Napa’s greatest modern vintages, and tasting it now is like catching Caymus in its prime sweet spot: power meeting polish. Cheers!
— 10 months ago

Ted liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

I’m loath to rate this so as not to let the secret of this somewhat under the radar vintage out. Drinking really well now. — 5 years ago

Ira liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1959

Top shoulder. Got the cork out in one piece. Absolutely perfect bottle with a lot left to give. Thick balsamic fruit, soft tannins, integrated oak, fresh acidity, everything in absolute balance. In a way almost perfect on the verge of lacking a bit of personality, but only almost. This has 10 years of life ahead of it but No reason to wait. — 6 years ago

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Another great bottle of the 83 GL that was fresh & youthful showing red & black fruits cedar, leather, forest floor & cigar box. — 7 years ago

Shay, Severn and 7 others liked this

Corison Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Paul J
9.6

Now this is what I’m talking about! Wonderful! Dark purple color. 1+ hour decant and could use even more. Drinking beautifully but still has years left in it! Massive cigar box on the nose. Wine is very Bordeaux like as it is deep, well structured, and has an excellent balance of fruit and smoke. If you drink it fast it tastes like the best bbq in the world! Long finish. Absolutely love this and it will only get better!! — 8 years ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Hermes, Shay and 13 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Brought out the good stuff for V-Day. Aerated and decanted this bottle of beast for over an hour. Intensely rich fruit, rounded out by tannins that have clearly softened given the age of this wine. So rare to experience a bottle of this magnitude. The first few sips have been absolute heaven, and the balance will surely get better. — 9 years ago

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2005

Started wth a slight must on the nose, but that blew off. Opened to round and bright red and some blue fruit. Tobacco and wood (not lavish oak, maybe cedar) round it out. Fine grained tannins and a wonderful finish. Love the value of Rioja and hard to believe I just got some of these babies recently. This was the 125th vintage. — 10 years ago

David, Daragh and 4 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice notes.

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Perfect bottle of wine for a perfect dinner out! — 11 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

One of the best CDP's out there — 11 years ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1996

Mark Bright
9.9

This time out of magnum, definitely needs more ageing time in this format — 12 years ago

Chantal and Brad liked this