Side Launch Brewing Company

B Side

North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Extremely pleasant wine. Smooth tanins, mild boysenberry notes. — 6 years ago

Clos Pepe Estate

Pinot Noir The Dark Side 2012

Still in great shape! — 6 years ago

Jeff OrlowskiMichael Seely
with Jeff and Michael
Jeff, Matt and 3 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001

After an hour and a half, this one settled down. Quite "weedy" initially, but then became a very nice wine, almost with a youthful kind of nose. If tasted blind, I would have said this was a 2009-2011 high end CDP. But, there's a HINT of mushroom on the nose and front of the palate, along with raspberry tart and some mature pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather, hint of clove. Finishes with a lot of fruit influence. Tannins have resolved quite nicely on this wine. The youth of this wine is starting to give to a more mature side. Nice. In a good spot right now. — 7 years ago

P, Ryan and 34 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Top vintage too in my book
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

This wine is a big favorite of mine.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@James Cahill I didn't. But looking back, I probably should have. And if I open up one within the next few years, I probably will. @Pinotman /// Andreas was very good. Had read good things about the vintage. @Hugh O'Riordan I don't drink many or have many Beaucastel, but I always lament that I don't have more whenever I do open one!!

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir

Ha! The comments on this wine are amazingly varied. I found it very overt on a chocolate tip, and more robust on the fruit side than your usual PINOT...but I really enjoyed it, would buy again.... — 7 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2014

Good fruit while still having an olive and herbal edge. Nice freshness, smooth on the palate. Actually a bit on the lighter side than expected. Not the best vintage or showing from a great house but still a good wine overall. I have had better vintages. — 8 years ago

Eric, Mike and 1 other liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Less depth than the 2000 I had side by side but a wonderful wine right now — 9 years ago

Hopes End Wine

Run Away To The Dark Side To A Place Called Port Misery Shiraz Blend 2015

Wow, jam, dark stone fruit. Deep purple rim. A pleasure to drink as I grill — 6 years ago

Apothic

Apothic White Winemaker's Blend California White Blend 2013

Easy summer day drink. Little on the sweeter side. — 7 years ago

Monisha SoodVinay Singh
with Monisha and Vinay

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Still on the young side. Give it time before drinking. Well balanced. Length will come with more time. — 7 years ago

Bruce Leboff
with Bruce
Keith liked this

Macchia

West Side Zinfandel 2015

With Collin. Nice finish. Creamy, full body. — 8 years ago

Clos Pepe Estate

Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2014

2014 Dark Side. Slightly peppery nose. Earthy, spicy, full-bodied fruit. Signature Clos Pepe. — 9 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

Full bodied w/ leathery tannins. Cherries w/ mild hint of cassis. Tasted along side of the '98 Araujo and '97 Dalla Valle. Insignia came in third. What a fun dinner!! — 9 years ago

ADAM STROMFELDJoe LuccaMeghan Zobeck
with ADAM, Joe and 2 others
Joe, Jonathan and 18 others liked this

7 Moons

Dark Side Red Blend

Fantastic cab, perfect by itself or wine dinner. Great compliment with the filet mignon I had tonight. Dry, yet a touch sweet, deep bold flavors. — 6 years ago

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2008

Blackberry jam, pepper, a bit of celer, tar, meat juice with a gamey note too. It's intoxicating and it calls for a quick dive. The palate starts with a very nice blackberry jam layer which expands on the width but soon comes a massive acid backbone which pushes the structure toward the end of the palate. It's super powerful yet very complex with different layers: some grip on the side, a buttery, creamy touch and mouthfeel, the acid backbone and some tannins which kick-start and expending finish, very fresh, with blackberry and pepper and a slightly bitter note, just underlined by the gently drying tannins. This is magnificent and comes easily in my top 3 wines all time. I love it and it's an understatement. #birthdaytreat — 6 years ago

Alex, Peter and 22 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

Thank you @Ken Z !
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Daniel Maquin Happy Birthday. Great to have one of your top 3 wines of all time.
Daniel M

Daniel M

@Bob McDonald yes, Thank you!

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

Nice, aged Cabernet. Debated opening this one. This started more on the plum and raisin side and a little muted. 15 minutes later? Fig and mushroom with basil and oregano, but not a whole lot of fruit. 30 minutes after that? Dirty black cherry, plums, seemed to find itself after a 31 year sleep. Rather substantial weight in the middle. Finishes with a gritty note. Tannins are definitely dropping here and this one is showing all it has. Good time to drink now! — 7 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldShay ABenjamin Keator
with Dan, Shay and 1 other
Shay, Joshua and 37 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Great review. Interesting wine to try
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I got to this after about 30mins of being open and by that time, the funk had blown off and there was a dominant note of pipe tobacco along with older cherry and plum. Very much herbal-driven on the back end of the palate. At 32yrs old, there was still nice weight to this and while it’s not powerful, fruit is still noticeable. A treat to try aged Napa Cab that can taste like this!
9.3

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2015

Ok. Ok. Not a normal post. Side by side '14 &'15. The '15 is more approachable and has fruit coming through in bunches. However, it's clear the '14 will get better with time. Final tally was 9.5 for the '15. 9.3 for the '14 — 9 years ago

Trixie, David and 4 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Poured side by side with the clos des Papes. It was equally as stunning. 2003 vintage. — 10 years ago

Martin, Bodil and 13 others liked this