Sea Glass

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2007

Decant for sediment and pour(decent chunky/fine sediment). A striking dark ruby red color. On the nose: jumping from the glass are port drenched cherries, pencil shavings, tobacco, toffee, balsamic, and cinnamon. Taste: silky, balanced, still fresh wine with currants, little dried cherry, tobacco, earth, dried herbs, and a spicy saline graphite satisfying finish. YUM! In the home stretch, drink. — 4 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Ira and 16 others liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 1988

Cork broke in half (actually 6-7 pieces), initially some “old cork” flavors show through, yet after 5 minutes in the glass those dissipate and we’re left with a lovely aged Raveneau with mature fruit, some lemon and mineral notes as well, very nice complexity and length, I’ve always been very lucky aging my Raveneau, this is clearly a success (shaky cork notwithstanding)! — 5 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Tom and 11 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Sounds ok to me!!!
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Wow! So cool. I have ZERO experience with Raveneau and ZERO Raveneaus in my cellar. ☹️ so your advice is purely of a hypothetical nature for me. (I’ve been lucky enough to have a few Dauvissats, however.) Did you use a Durand corkscrew? I use that with any 20 year or older bottle. Essential.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I did not, but the cork broke into so many pieces that I don’t think what cork puller I used mattered (shrug)!

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 2007

Quite light lemon yellow , quite difficult to judge the perlage in this glass but apparently fine and persistent, though on the palate the bubbles are quite discreet in nature . On the nose this is quite aromatic and rich with toasted lemon sherbet , sea shell , camomile and some buttered brioche . On the palate this also shows good richness and density , with more of the lemon peel , chalky , oyster shell character , with some buttered brioche notes on the finish . This is quite intense and long on the palate , though the perlage does subside quite a lot it is integrated. Fresh chalky acidity. Very much shows like a grand cru white Burgundy with bubbles. Still quite youthful and fresh but showing well , energetic but focused . From now and over the next 10 or so years . — 8 months ago

Tom, Jan and 6 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

The sleeper vintage, one at this time I bet to be even more showy than the illustrious 2000. It’s simply just ready to go after a short decant wafting from the glass with layers of cassis, black truffle, violets and licorice. This is a wine of texture and elegance, as Margaux should be—It’s liquid cashmere in the mouth with melting tannins and a black truffle and mineral inflicted finale that keeps on going. Superb showing tonight, with still a long life ahead. — 9 months ago

Dave, Bob and 7 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2004

Just wow! Blown away by this one. New private wine bar in Dallas had this on the list! Surprised to see this wine. The wine took some time to open up in the glass. I would have decanted this wine for hours if served at home, but not an option last night. Plenty of smiles as this evolved in the glass. Expressive nose, no tannins, nice acidity. Beautiful expressions of dark fruit peeking through, but not enough time to really shine. Still a fabulous bottle that I’m grateful I was able to enjoy with friends. — 4 years ago

Tom, Byron and 15 others liked this
Deborah M

Deborah M

I recommend a decant for at least a couple of hours (or more after testing). For some reason this wine takes time to express itself. Good luck!!
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

When these are on, they are excellent! What is the new wine bar in Dallas?
Deborah M

Deborah M

@Shay A 55 Seventy in Preston Center. Grand opening was last night. Wine bar and tasting room and storage. Park Cities in Preston Center. A friend of mine joined. I will go back. So fun. https://www.55seventy.com/

Domaine François Raveneau

Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 1988

Light gold. Looks young. Took 5 hours to open up and show its stuff. In hour 6 this was cruising. Saline and sea shells, wispy lemon fruit, some honey, some white stone. The guesses from the fellas were 2002 Rav Clos and 1996 Rav Valmur. Shows how these properly stored aged Raveneaus can age effortlessly. — 6 years ago

Jan, Eric and 21 others liked this
Michael Herzog

Michael Herzog Influencer Badge

That’s impressive

Vincent Dauvissat

La Forest Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2020

I’ve said it before…for Dauvissat, I consistently find Forest to drink pretty much just as well as the Grand Crus, especially after proper aeration. 2020 is a fabulous rendition, open and giving and adding serious weight with some time in the decanter. Pure, textured and expansive with electric acids and layered Chablisen minerality. As it is often with these wines, last glass was the best. — 4 months ago

Bob, Tom and 7 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2007

Somm David T
9.6

Happy New Year all! 🍾🥂

This 07 outshines/performs the overall vintage.

Outstanding mousse & lively acidity. Lime zest, lemon pulp in juice, grapefruit w/ pith, orange citrus blend with peel, kiwi, tropical melons, white nectarines, excellent white spice, baguette crust, gritty white chalk, dry, crushed limestone bits, grey volcanics, oyster shells, saline/sea spray, light tones of fresh herbs, yellow lilies, spring flowers with greens, excellent acidity, well; structured, balanced, knitted, beautiful finish that is even and lands on minerality & spice.
— 5 months ago

Shay, Andrew and 14 others liked this

Sea Smoke

Ten Biodynamic Estate Vineyard Monopole Pinot Noir

51! Nolan and wife. Waiting on some birthday chicken parm. Cheers! — 7 months ago

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!
— 9 months ago

Ted liked this

Sea-Sun Vineyard

Sea Sun California Pinot Noir 2019

S T
9.2

Heavy, thick, bold pinot noir! Atypical, yet tasty. — 4 years ago

Milissa and Daniel P. liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Valmur Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay

Super fresh and precise on the nose. Packed with minerals- lime, slate, salinity. Quite a glycerin mouthfeel. Super fresh and compact. All the transparency of 2011 and Raveneau. Needs time in the glass to open up. Still a puppy, but spectacular and all in place. Benefitting from air. — 5 years ago

Walker StrangisTony GarciaDavid Schachter
with Walker, Tony and 1 other
Ira, Severn and 12 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

This was a gift from a close friend who worked for Silver Oak as a garden manager until they eliminated that part of their business. Beautiful color in the glass. Ruby with a hint of rust on the edge. Aroma is complex with berries and flint. Also just a hint of pine needles. Christmas trees. Flavors are full and fine. This is BIG BOY wine. Delicious. — 4 months ago

Douglas, Tegan and 10 others liked this

Sea Smoke

Sea Spray Blanc de Noirs Sta. Rita Hills Sparkling Pinot Noir 2016

Sour cherries, bright strawberries, and ginger. Long lasting, mouth-watering finish. — 5 months ago

Sea Smoke

Estate Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

Apricot & honey on the nose, body creamy & rich with good mouthfeel and long finish with a note of hazelnut at the very end. This 10 year old held up extremely well — 6 months ago

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Medium deep garnet ruby , quite thin garnet terracotta rim . This is quite classic and more austere on the nose after the 1990s , grafite , cedar, sweet spice , earthiness and mint. More dry and four square on the palate compared to the 1990s but enough stuffing to fill out. Cassis , plum and blackberry , coffee , grafite . Refreshing acidity , slightly grippy drier tannin. Sous bois , grafite , herbal character with good length and earthy cassis finish . This got better with time in the glass and probably should have been decanted . This shows there is some upside , from now , with time in the glass, and over the next 10 years. The wine that improved the most during the dinner , quite impressive . — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 12 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

A previous, all-time fave. Haven't had it in a larger format in the last decade which I feel would yield a 9.5-9.6 now. Out of a 750ml package currently, feel like the 1996 (difficult to source) is the superstar right now.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Yes @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego I would imagine in large format this would be spectacular, in regular bottle still needs a little time to show its full colours . I remember having this at my 21st birthday party in 2001 …. Everyone complained it was too young and tannic , typical 1986 , though in 12 people (and pretty light drinkers I might add) we still managed to struggle through 7 bottles !

Sea Smoke

Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2020

Super crisp layers of green apple and citrus and some hints of surrounding some fig and tropical fruits. Very long finish and super well integrated oak. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister and Shay liked this

Sea Smoke

Ten Estate Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

As good a Pinot - 2009. - that I have had. Seamless. Tannins and fruits in near perfect harmony. Initial taste - amazing. AND it finishes just as good. — 5 years ago

Sea Smoke

Botella Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2018

Smooth, worth the money. — 5 years ago

David liked this