Put A Cork In It

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2011

We enjoyed this bottle last night, but this is a much cooler picture. Earlier this year my sister was invited to a fundraiser in LA where a friend purchased every seat at Thomas Keller’s table. Not only did her friend invite her to come with her boyfriend, but he also invited her to bring our parents. After Christmas I wanted to let her take a bottle back to LA for the dinner. It was a hard decision, but I went with some old world class. It turns out that he knows the producer well and is a big fan! Phew! I’ll be honest, I was blown away by Alban’s Reva, but then we opened this and it just screamed class. Such a refined and elegant beast. Balanced/Seamless. — 6 years ago

Eric, David and 15 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice back-story, Philip.
Philip Deibel

Philip Deibel

@Mike R it went really well. They had a great experience at both places. Thanks again for the help!
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

👍

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Certainly not a favorite of recent, but this one is prettier than expected…if you're in search of a wow factor, look elsewhere, you won't find it here but it's really easy to drink and really overpriced. — 11 years ago

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 — 12 years ago

Pierpaolo Petrassi MWChris Rowe
with Pierpaolo and Chris

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine amazed me, I’ve had it before and it’s never shown this well, maybe just hitting it’s stride? Beautiful perfumed floral nose ( never thought I would say that about a Dunn), exquisite balance, the fruit is slightly sweet, the tannins are fully integrated and refined, with just the right amount of acid in the finish. I would never guess mountain fruit or let alone Dunn if tasted blind. Can’t wait to try it again in a couple of years. — 8 years ago

John, Eric and 33 others liked this
Billy L.

Billy L.

@Mike Davila -Great Vintage for Napa! Dunn normally takes bottle age to show it’s stuff with mellowed tannins. Kudos on waiting! Cheers 🍇🍷👍🏻👏🏻

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Restores my faith in Beaucastel. not the barnyard funk usually there but delicious, balanced, dark stewed fruit, a bit of earth and woods. Already sad it will be gone soon.... — 11 years ago

Ethan liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1998

Excellent bottle. The 01 is supposedly a better vintage but im not sure when it comes to this producer. Clear, day bright, garnet and orange brick like color, medium - concentration, orange/peach rim variation, slight sediment, low viscosity. Nose: sound, moderate intensity, stewed cherries/strawberries/raspberries, floral, spicy and lots of dill pickle and slight game. A mushroom note as well. Palate: dry, med- body, stewed plums over ripe cherries/strawberries, lilies, dill, vinegar, leather, button mushrooms, game, mulch with some cedar and coconut. Very complex. Med- tannins, medium alcohol, high acid, long finish. Between the 01 and the 98 its a tough choice of which one to put in the wine cooler to store. — 12 years ago

Christanna Honer

Christanna Honer Influencer Badge

You're getting down on them deductive notes

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

Wow. This is young, and the nose is a bit of dark red berry suffusing a sea of resolving American Oak. The American oak is so pronounced that, had I tasted this blind, I might have taken it for Ridge... :) This has decades ahead, even if -only- a Riserva. Like La Rioja Alta 904, a fantastic value in old school Rioja... — 9 years ago

P, Eric and 12 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay

Drank this at a crazy lunch at Guy Savoy in Paris and will never forget it. Such a fleshy fruity memorable bottle. — 9 years ago

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2012

A very nice old world Zin. Tart fruits with cocoa overtones in a smooth style. Tannins are subtle but the wine does have some backbone. My wife calls it dessert! — 11 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 1999

Tan Jo
9.0

Was super excited to try this wine upon receiving it.

There is a slight mineral ( iron ) taste .is this normal? Cork was brittle and broke slightly.
— 12 years ago

Serge liked this