Red Blend

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — 23 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Ron and 12 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Lean doesn’t sound so good.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I personally have mostly felt that 1986 Bordeaux reds have always shown super tight and structured, but without the riper, rounder fruit of other vintages like 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990) — so, my use of “lean” is really intended to convey that the fruit never completely overcomes the harsh tannins and structure. I would say that after a few hours in the decanter, I’d be pretty confident that it will easily last another 10-20 years, or more. Ultimately I like my Bordeaux to show a little more elegance and charm. Hope that helps.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers Thanks for your thoughts Doug. I recall Jancis commenting on this wine “wondering if the tannins would ever resolve”. Obviously built for the ultra long haul. I might try my first one in the next year or so.

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2009

Half off wine Wednesday. At less than retail - we couldn’t resist. Was solid but not spectacular — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister, Andrew and 8 others liked this
Martin Bergo

Martin Bergo Influencer Badge

Half-off on a DP??? Madre mia. Congratulations.

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Precise, minty, fresh. Subtle on the entrance then arrives a great weight. Quite tipical Ducru-Beaucaillou even tho is lacking a form of depth to make it very great. It’s probably just that bit too austere. — a month ago

Peter and Paul liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Amazing. Fruit acid and balance. — 25 days ago

Doug and LM liked this
Doug Scott

Doug Scott

Great! What year is this?

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Red Blend

Drank on Marmon. Sat well with me and easy to drink — a month ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days and showed very well throughout. The 2012 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some browning towards the rim; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with secondary characteristics just starting to show themselves. Also, the solar nature of 2012 is showing through with loads of truffles and overripe and desiccated red and black fruits: tartufo bianco d’Alba, dried cherry, bruised raspberries, red roses, leather, Fig Newtons, dried herbs, and some dusty and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, drying and savory. I’ve been a vocal fan of the 2012 vintage of Produttori since release and this might be the best showing yet. This is my last 750mL. My remaining bottles are magnums and I’ll look forward to enjoying those over the next 10-15 years. No rush, but this is a fun time to drink these as the truffle character is starting to peak through. — 12 days ago

Juan, Vanessa and 14 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

This one was up there for me. — 12 days ago

David, Shay and 12 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 10 days ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Shay A
9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Fun to open birth year wines around your birthday, especially when you can do a Bordeaux and Napa side by side. While not a great vintage, this held up well after a few hours and presented as expected. Clean and zero Brett. Great color! Deep ruby with hardly any bricking. Leather, cassis, vanilla pipe tobacco on the nose. Sporting a good bit of dusty red and black fruits (mostly tart raspberries and blackberries), there was a little savory truffle note mixed with an herbal and mocha finish. Still quite grippy. Pretty.
— a month ago

Pinotman, Tom and 18 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1998

Wine auction winner. Smooth and subtle. Finish to match. Cherry tobacco notes. Paired with grilled ribeye steaks — 22 days ago

Rob liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Very fruit forward with a hint of oak. Aged. — 8 days ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Massive wine. Seems to be built for the long haul. — a month ago

Jan, Freek and 3 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2009

Jeremy Shanker
9.2

Never not delicious. Love Cristal with a little age. — 13 hours ago

Billy, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Vintage 1995 | Vanilla, forrest wood, true to type, well balanced but also tannins - very good effort — 21 days ago

Doctor, Jan and 18 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1992

Thoroughly integrated tannins in an aged wine that has started its decline. Dark fruit, vanilla oak and cedar on the palette. Classic Bordeaux on the nose. — 15 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

I am biased for Rioja but this is a very good demonstration of why. Great balance ripe reserved fruit in harmony with some slight puckering length. Better in 10 years. Totally fine now. — 22 days ago

Ed, Shay and 21 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 10 days ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2012

Usually not a huge fan of Italian wines, but yeah, have been buying some Sassicaia over the years. As I put away some wines I stumble across this 2012 that should be ready to drink, so I bring it upstairs to decant it. Great nose and typical flavor profiles emerge. Nice acidity and a some background menthol flavors that remind me of some great Chateau Musar vintages. This is a vibrant wine with tannins still strong, but integrated; better on day 2.
Not one of my favorite wines, no surprise, but a solid well-made enjoyable Bordeaux blend
— 2 days ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1983

Amazing wine as always — a day ago

Joseph, Ed and 6 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1998

When Jamet with age is on it’s really on. ‘98 is showing beautifully tonight, fully open and giving wafting seductive and perfumed aromatics of ripe blackberry fruit, smoked meats, camphor and exotic spices with an elegant, satiny palate with melting tannins and a stunningly long finale. Beautiful wine, and for my tastes at its peak. — 8 days ago

Jan, Tom and 5 others liked this