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Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

It was fine. Maybe a bit immature but it was unfocused and limited vs expectations. Strong tea notes. Limited fruit and more alcohol than typical. — a day ago

Tom, Jeroen and 15 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

First bottle of the 2010. This is gonna be a really special wine but I think it need another 5-7 years. Tannins and softened, fruit is there, acidity is still strong, and don’t get me wrong it’s great now with a couple hour decant, but in a few years it’ll be really nice. Getting black, blue, and dark red fruit, ripe and juicy. Man so silky in the mouth. Graphite, stone, forest floor, cedar, hints of camphor, black licorice. Wonderful. Nice medium + finish. Really nice, only going to get better! — 2 days ago

Austin, "Odedi" and 6 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2018

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 14 days ago

Dave, Ruud and 18 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I haven’t had this wine in a long time, but the first sip reminded me why I liked it and probably purchased in the first place. The 2012 is in a great place right now and will probably remain there for the next decade +. Lots of dark fruits but nicely balanced with a hint of tartness that gives this a rounded flavor profile. Very enjoyable. — 7 days ago

Rob liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Gift from daughter. Enjoyed it very much. Very smooth. Shared with family at birthday dinner with steaks — 8 days ago

Robin and Dave liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1994

Medium ruby garnet , quite thin garnet rim , quite youthful in appearance. Quite exuberant and open from the off blackcurrant , cedar , tobacco , touch of earthy sous bois and grafite, still really quite alive . On the palate this is quite fine boned and elegant , cassis , cedar , blackberry and grafite notes . Refreshing acidity and resolved tannin , with quite reasonable length and good saline balance . Really quite classic , and though not a big , or intense wine , it is well balanced and at peak . Now and over the next 5 - 10 years. Surprises positively for a 1994. — 20 hours ago

Dave, Jan and 8 others liked this
Rob Brobst III

Rob Brobst III Influencer Badge

@Andrew Cullimore I am very surprised that you found this Wine so expressive yet it’s only a 9.1? Normally, a wine of that caliber has notes of red fruit or dark fruit or cassis and that’s it. Nevertheless, this is an excellent wine.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

thanks for your comments @Rob Brobst III , I think overall it’s a commendable wine given the vintage , and is showing really quite well still , certainly at peak drinking . However within the context of other vintages of Mouton it certainly would suffer if there was a direct comparison, which we didn’t have yesterday. It is not long or intense on the palate , and probably is at its most interesting on the nose . I think the score reflects a solid, well made wine in a difficult vintage , I would certainly have no problems enjoying more bottles of it !

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Not sure I’ve had any other 2006 Bordeaux but decided to pull this to give it a go at nearly 20 years of age. Nice wine but perhaps not one that justifies the price point. At first quite tight, but after a 5 hour decant this really comes into its own. Lots of leather and dark blue and black fruit. Oak is really only apparent in structure now. Great acid. 13% which is nicely balanced. — 19 days ago

Severn, Andrew and 15 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Oh yeah! Our favorite S-J producer ❤️
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Severn G That’s a big statement!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2003

Not for beginners, it feels easy to say this is oxidized, but it’s so much more if you pay attention and do not drink it all in one sitting, which will be difficult. — 23 days ago

Peter, Paul and 11 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

So for those who don’t know, this wine is a collaboration between one of the most famous California winemakers and one of the most famous Bordeaux wine makers (the grapes are from Napa).

The young expression when I first had it 10 years ago was big bold ripe fruit, probably the quintessential Napa cab.

The aged expression had more secondary and tertiary characteristics, terroir, and represented Baron Rothschild in respects of crafting a wine that could grow and develop and express the care that goes into winemaking as opposed to simply growing good fruit.

The young version of it perfectly expresses Mondavi and Napa. The aged version captures the elegance of Bordeaux winemaking and Rothschild’s fingerprints. You cannot fully experience this wine unless you’ve had it young and old. Unbelievable experience tonight.
— 9 days ago

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2022

🍷Cheers to this compelling Morgon crafted by one of the region’s luminaries!✨

We’re talking about the ‘Côte du Py’ Morgon (Gamay Noir) by the revered Jean Foillard.

This Gamay hails from Morgon – a “Cru” within the broader appellation of Beaujolais – with a reputation for producing structured & age-worthy wine.

👁️ This wine is medium ruby in color, like a gemstone with the delicate haze you’d expect from an unfiltered wine.

👃 The aromas & flavors are perfumed with ripe red and black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, blood orange, mulberry, rosehips, hibiscus, lilac, black tea, rooibos, black licorice, star anise, potting soil, gunflint, & clove.

👄 On the palate, it’s dry with vibrant acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body, fine, ripe tannins, followed by a persistent finish.

In sum, this is a captivating, soulful, & expressive wine; a beautiful representation of Morgon, so deliciously drinkable now, with its layers of lush fruit, florals, & spice, while demurely holding the spine, structure, & intensity to age…

I can imagine it gaining mushroom, earthy, leather, & cured meat dimensions with time.

It offers power and elegance; a wine to sip, savor, & appreciate.
— 15 days ago

Deked1
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Deked1, Dave and 18 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

One of my absolute favorite producers of Grand Cru Gamay. Cheers! 🍷
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Somm David T Jean Foillard is an icon! And this wine 🍷 was a beautiful example of his deep talent & craft. 😍 Cheers!