A great Syrah from Hermitage. After one hour... smooth, delicate perfumed with fine nuances. Dark Ruby brilliant color. On the palate, gentle spices, dark fruit long finish. An experience... — 7 months ago
When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks
I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.
The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.
The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.
The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.
Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 4 years ago
Dark garnet red with a ruby hue. Aged characteristics on the nose with some tobacco leaves, anise, damp leaves and dark berries. Medium tannins (6/10) and full bodied. Quite earthy on the palate with some dried cherries, cigar box and some light leather. Long finish with solid acidity. Drink till 2023. — 5 years ago
11’ Realm Bard. This can’t be the same wine I had three years ago!?!
Slightly tight & needs a short decanting.
Color- Purple/ dark ruby. Big ,lush & graceful... all at once.
Dark berries, white chocolate, graphite. Soft tannins & moderate acidity. What an exceptional effort from this 2011 beauty. Drink them up in them next 6/8 years. What a wonderful surprise! — 6 years ago
I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao
— 7 years ago
Clear, deep ruby with tears. Clean nose, developing medium plus aroma of savory, spice, peppery, mint, black fruit, earthiness, mushroom and leather. Dry, medium plus acidity, mid plus tannin, high alc, high body, mid plus flavor strength and mid plus finish. Very good wine, good for aging — 8 years ago
Surprisingly that these '84s held up so well 30 years later. But that's what you expect from a premier grand cru, oui? Dark ruby color has turned toasty brown. Fruit notes are now woody or tobacco vs. currants or cherries. A lovely wine aging elegantly. — 10 years ago
Deep ruby color.
Aromas of barnyard, earth, leather, subtle cherry.
Dry. Flavors of black cherry, cassis, leather, earth, clove, black pepper. Rich, chewy tannins.
Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 6 months ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and cedar notes, blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and spice. Fine grainy tight tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar and earthy mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy! — 6 months ago
Medium ruby color.
Aromas of baked black cherry, vanilla, oak spice.
Off-dry. Flavors of
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5 — a year ago
Mmmm....better. 1999 was a meh vintage to most critics. I find it has evolved to better things with this much time in bottle.
The nose reveals, ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. Touch cooked green bell pepper, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers.
The body is just full. The tannins are soft, round, chewy and tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are pretty good for 99. ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. more cooked green bell pepper on the palate, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers. The acidy is nice. The finish is elegant, well balanced but, not as rich as other good vintages Palmer. It is spicy and persists minutes on the palate.
Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 5 years ago
My favourite Pomerol in a great year 🏆 now sells @ £250-£285 😱 On its 6th try & it’s now much better integrated & drinking lovely but will age more 😉 A New Year’s Eve delight 😍 enjoyed with Lasagne 🍝
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📍 Vieux Chateau Certan 1998 Pomerol
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🏵 98 points for 1998 😁 & should improve
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🍇 90% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
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🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge
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👃 Nasal Nookie Gang Bang of creamy dark spiced damson plum in soft smoked oak & light cedar w/ soggy earth, wet leaves, liquorice, rock minerals, cracked pencil lead, dirty gravel, cocoa, black berry fruits, charred soot embers, mint & herbs - nasaltastic baby 😍
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👄 Med earthy body of silky smooth ripe dark plum & black berry fruits w/ red cherry, raspberry liquorice & choc mocha in slight dry rock minerals
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🎯 Long deep plum & dark berry earthy soft liquorice mocha choca cherry & a light dry mineral oaky seductive smack in your chops — 5 years ago
I’m a huge Ygay fan so getting hold of the latest 09 @ £85 was like a kid gone wild in a candy store 😁 It’s showing fabulous already but time will definitely bring immense happiness 😉
Needs 4-5 years to shine more 👍
📍Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay 2009
🏵 93-94 with 96-98 potential
🍇 81% Tempranillo & 19% Mazuelo
🍷 Opaque deep ruby
👃 Buttery cocoa vanilla bathed dark cherry in light soft smokey oak w/ balsamic, red fruit tones, subtle blueberry & raspberry liquorice
👄 Med+ body of rich ripe dark cherry bathed in cocoa cram w/ a dry balsamic vanilla backbone
🎯 Long dark cherry & red liquorice cocoa smooth creamy balsamic linger w/ a touch dry end — 6 years ago
2 bottles decanted for 3 hours. Dark ruby/purple in color. The nose has dark berries and baking spices. Palate is rich with berries with a very smooth body and finish. Has aged nicely and could continue to improve. Paired perfectly with Chateaubriand. — 7 years ago
Dark ruby red with a purplish hue. Good dark fruits on the nose with some forest floor and truffles. Light bell peppers in the finish. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and medium bodied. Lots of soft dark fruits and damp leaves. Medium plus finish. Great restaurant wine and solid Sonoma Cabernet. Drink till 2022. — 8 years ago
Quite possibly my favorite wine ever!!! — 8 years ago
Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, forest floor, plum, cherry, currants, spice and bbq. On the palate, blueberry, blackberry, cherry, plum, and high acidity right out of the bottle. After breathing some, notes of cedar, minerals, tobacco, and spice, carrying through to a longer finish of cherry, vanilla and mint. Tannins strong but balanced. — 6 months ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 92% Cab Sauv, 6% Cab Franc, 1% of each Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with currants, herb, tobacco, fig and smoky oak spice notes. Firm tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao and toasty spice, needs time to develop, cellar a while, try in 2025! — 9 months ago
I corvined this last weekend and put it back in storage for tonight. I had a very different experience & thoughts on this wine last weekend un-decanted. This is wine comes from a period when I loved Caymus. After 2011 when they started picking later and at higher brix’s, they lost me but, got higher Parker scores and rave words from people that like sweeter Cabernet that drinks young.
Last weekend without a decant, very dominate bright cherries and vanilla.
Tonight, the nose reveals, dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominate, baked strawberries, black licorice, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets.
The body is full, sexy, gorgeous and voluptuous. The structure, tension, length and balance are at the start of its high point with another 7-10 years of good drinking ahead. Dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominating, baked strawberries, black licorice to deep anise, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, dark spices with just a touch of palate heat, underbrush, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets. The acidity is like a needed waterfall shower. The long finish is, deep, dark, well balanced, elegant, ruby, ripe, polished and persists endlessly.
It’s been awhile and I’ve missed it. This is a very good example of why I used to adore Caymus. — 5 years ago
As usual, the blend is a better buy than the single clones. This wine is too young but still shows ok. Deep ruby color, black fruits, nice tannins and good balance on acidity. — 6 years ago
Tasted blind, from magnum. Old dark ruby color. Amber rims. Notes of black cherry, spice, earth and something like pencil lead. Ok in the mouth, refined, but lacking energy. With the meal this was enjoyable but was somewhat sleepy all night. Likely at peak and given the magnum format, it's time to drink up 750s. Guessed 62 Latour. — 6 years ago
👉 Great value aged Rioja
Not as powerful as 890 but more an older Tondonia/Burgundy style & @ £50 today this 01 is a fab buy 👍
🍷Ruby garnet w/ brick edge
👃 Toasted oak through spiced dark cherry w/ herbs, tobacco, vanilla, prune, balsamic, soggy earth & scorched red fruit - Nasal orgasm 💥
👄 Med silky smooth earthy creamy delicate cherry oak balsamic Ooh La La 💃
🎯 Med+ dirty earthy cherry oaky seduction 😍
Can La Rioja Alta do no wrong 😁 — 7 years ago
17.5 . 1989. Deep ruby, some brown only at the rim. Surprising tobacco on nose. Still good fruit. M+ length. Not showing much age, but should be drunk. Great with grouse. — 8 years ago
2004 vintage. Lunch with Gerard Basset at Hotel TerraVina. 1 hour decant. Dark ruby hue. Wonderful nose of leather, sweet spices, roasted meats, mulberry and blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice. Although developing still very fresh and youthful despite the obvious complexity of aromas. On the palette, the tannins hit you hard - grippy; high acidity that starts off quite searing but with air becomes rounder and attractive. Medium plus body and full concentration. Long finish. Gerard loved it and so did I! — 9 years ago
"Odedi"
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, spices, oak, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, light earth, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and black pepper.
Medium finish with grippy tannins and raspberries.
This 15 year old, Fifth Growth Bordeaux, is still young and tight. Needs 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.
I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter, but it probably was not enough.
Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Grippy and rich.
Definitely needs food at this point, like a big piece of steak.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
13% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$125. — 5 months ago