Silk & Spice

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Youthful, structured with red & black fruits, currant, cedar, spice & tobacco — 8 months ago

Joel, Tom and 10 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2011

Bright red fruits on the nose, and it follows on the palate. There’s a seriously structured core under there, with hints of vanilla and spice. 2011 vintage is at it’s prime now, and could be ideal for another 2-3 years. Just an outstandingly made wine. — 9 months ago

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Great vintage for GL that was fresh & drinking beautifully at 41 yrs showing red & black fruit, earth, cedar, leather with sweet, savory spice & cigar box — 2 years ago

Ira, Juan and 11 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2005

Popped and poured from my cellar. The cork was absolutely perfect. The 2005 pours a rather turbid, deep garnet at nearly 17 years old. There's quite a bit of fine sediment that clings to the edge of the glass with each swirl. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this was initially a bit grumpy but within minutes, it relaxed and started to show some real charm. A fully developed wine, this is becoming a bit of a Leather Daddy, full of leather (obviously), bruised and desiccated red, black and blue fruits, Christmas spice fruit cake, coffee, damp earth, and candied nuts. On the palate, the fruit remains quite stunning and confirms the mix of bruised and desiccated fruit with a sort of sherried character. Loads of salmiakki (salted licorice), spiced nuts, pepper, coffee and, you guessed it, leather. The wine was dry, technically, but almost gives the sensation of some RS with all of the over-ripe fruits and the texture was almost sappy, in some ways. However, while this was absolutely rich and well-endowed, it was not cloying. Tannins have fully integrated (though still present) and the acid was like a girdle keeping everything held together. This remains a rather large personality even if it's showing its age. Definitely in a lovely spot...but how much longer will that last? If this wasn't my last bottle, I would probably be drinking these over the next five years unless you want the full Leather Daddy experience...which is okay if that's your thing. — 5 years ago

Jason, Alex and 13 others liked this
Jason Brater

Jason Brater

Ooh 05! Nice.

Domaine Serene

Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Delectable Wine
9.4

Shimmering ruby. Expansive aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, potpourri and exotic spices; vanilla and espresso notes emerge as the wine opens up. Sweet, fleshy and seamless in texture, offering palate-staining black raspberry, cherry liqueur, vanilla and spicecake flavors and a sexy violet pastille nuance. Velvety tannins build slowly on the finish, which hangs on with impressive, floral- and spice-dominated persistence. (60% new French oak) (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 7 years ago

P, Robert and 1 other liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2007

If there were ever an archetypical Syrah, Jamet's Cote-Rotie would be a strong candidate. To me this is a pure expression of a classic Northern Rhone Syrah. It is not a single site, but a blend of terroirs, encompassing over 20 sites mostly from hard rock schist bedrock with little to no topsoil. There is NO Viognier in this wine like one might expect from most Cote-Rotie that might have 1-5% co-fermented.

Importantly, there is also a lot less of the oak character that can dominate and overwhelm many Northern Rhone wines. The oak maturation, while not short at 22 months, only uses 15% new oak with no trace of it on the palate as it is perfectly integrated. Grape bunches are whole cluster fermented and macerated for up to 3 weeks.

The 2007 we have here was drinking superbly for a young wine, showing lively and racy layers of peppercorn spice, roast beef, and warm blackberry and currant fruit from the hot 2007 vintage. While from a warm vintage, not a hair is out of place. Density and purity exude from the nose and hint at what a brilliant future this wine has. Perfect acidity and fleshy ripe tannin provide the backbone structure for father time to peel back the layers of this beauty. I will be chceking back in 5 years at the earliest.
— 10 years ago

LM, Jim and 11 others liked this
LM Segal

LM Segal Influencer Badge

Nice note. 🍷
Tom Kobylarz

Tom Kobylarz Influencer Badge

Thanks! 🍷

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

2000 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon:
From Jay. Dark ruby red in color. A preponderance of black forest fruits on the nose mixed with cedar and some menthol and a touch of spice. Rich blackcurrant, black cherries and traces of vanilla on the palette. This is a solid effort from Ridge and although it does not have the makings of an epic wine it will certainly improve with time. Drink 2017 to 2030. 91/100


— 11 years ago

Karine liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 1987

This one's from last Summer, but had to rate this amazing 1987 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza. Beautiful light brick color. Cherries, spices and tobacco on the nose. Smooth as silk. Was in perfect shape and confirmed the quality and value of aged Rioja. Fantastic. — 12 years ago

Chris and Francesco liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1989

Vance Gregory
9.2

Birthday wine. After 25 yrs this pretty Cab is holding up very well. Clean w dark fruits, mint and some spice. Cork did crumble but was able to salvage. @SilverOak memorable wine. — 12 years ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Still youthful showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite, spice & tobacco — 8 months ago

David, Dave and 17 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Nice age here

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Better than expected as the last few assorted vintage Artemis bottles I’ve had have been less than good. Medium-heavy body. Decent spice and tea flavors on the caboose. 2.12.26. — 9 months ago

Somm, Dave and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I thought 2018 was very good. You?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave 2018 a great vintage along with 2019. 2019 is more approachable tho. Can't remember if I had the 2018 but this steady producer/effort had lost my trust. This example semi-restored my faith.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Marchesi Antinori ownership now.

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Blend of mostly Tempranillo with a splash of Graciano, deep Ruby with dark edges, aromas of berry fruit, complex spice, oak with earthy notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with cacao, leather, cinnamon and pepper spice. Fine tannins, good balance, medium+ finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak and spice. Very Nice. Consistent quality. — 4 years ago

John, Paul and 4 others liked this

Sogrape Vinhos

Silk & Spice Touriga Nacional-Alicante Bouschet Blend

Pat A
9.1

Nice easy drinking red. $9 a glass as victorias — 5 years ago

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Full red fruit and spice with smoke and woody honey. Smooth as silk. — 8 years ago

Alain Graillot

Crozes-Hermitage Syrah

Strong but not too strong. So at first but then smooth. Full of flavor. Fruity with a touch of spice. — 10 years ago

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2007

It's 18 months since I last tasted this, and it's developing very nicely. Dried strawberries, figs, prunes, and raisins, with fresh blackcurrants and blackberries. Very nice all-spice flavours too. Perfect with chicken and paprika. — 11 years ago

Katie Canfield
with Katie
Katie liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Jimmy Smith
9.2

2011: all varieties. Meaty, lavender, garden herbs, smoky, but still very vibrant red fruit. Lovely vibrancy of red fruit and all Mouvedre and Grenache aromatics. Sweet fruit, juicy acidity, hot indian spice and liquorice. Plum, cherry, spiced. Quite ready now. — 11 years ago

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Barnyard, mulch on nose, pretty funky, sour cherry, blackberry, raisin, some spice, good, long, grippy finish — 12 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 9 months ago

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2023

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023
South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A more tightly wound and concentrated expression of Bin 389, showcasing the same Cabernet-Shiraz framework (Cabernet for backbone, Shiraz for richness) but delivered with greater tension, density, and youthful drive. This vintage leans more serious and structured than 2022, highlighting the fascinating impact vintage conditions have on balance, ripeness, and extraction in agricultural wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Intense blackcurrant, crushed blackberry, dark cherry, and graphite dominate the aromatics, layered with fresh cedar, cocoa nib, and subtle minty spice. The palate is compact and powerful, showing darker fruit concentration, savory spice, and tightly coiled oak structure that promises excellent evolution with time.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and more compact than the 2022. Tannins are firmer and more youthful, giving a punchier, more linear profile. The wine feels energetic and focused, with impressive density and length, clearly built for further integration.

Food Pairings
Char-grilled steak or venison. Slow-braised beef cheeks. Pepper-crusted lamb. Smoked meats and firm aged cheeses.

Verdict
A bolder, more muscular Bin 389 that trades immediate plushness for intensity and aging potential. A striking reminder of how vintage variation shapes personality, same blueprint, very different expression.

Did You Know?
Penfolds sources fruit for Bin 389 from multiple South Australian regions, blending different terroirs and climates to build complexity, consistency, and layered structure across vintages.

🍷 Personal Pick
If you enjoy tracking wine evolution, this is a fantastic candidate for short-to-mid-term cellaring, revisit in a few years to watch the structure melt into harmony. Also check my previous 2022 review!
— 10 months ago

Freddy, ESF and 4 others liked this

Spice Route

Chakalaka Red Blend

Nice and spicy... — 5 years ago

Folie à Deux

Ménage à Trois Silk Soft California Red Blend 2018

This was am absolutely lovely surprise!! This was gone between 3 of us in an hour, we simply loved it — 6 years ago

Wade liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 1995

Shay A
9.5

Night 1 of the Fall WNH event in San Antonio. What a killer start to the extended weekend, all courtesy to Shawn and Jennifer for hosting! Tonight was Italian wines.

Another in the running for WOTN. Maple and rich! Cherry and vanilla tobacco on the nose with herbal spice and a strawberry tart finish. Young and acidic! There is a very underripe red fruit dominant profile here. Crazy how young it tastes for 23yrs old. Bravo
@Shawn R !
— 8 years ago

Mike RDavid LJoe Lucca
with Mike, David and 5 others
Mike, David and 61 others liked this
Stef Van Der Vorst

Stef Van Der Vorst

WoW ! Sassicaia often gets more beautyful with age ! But 1995...!? What a surprise !
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Good wine

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1983

JKT
9.5

What a nose! Fruit but strongly tinged with spice and hints of cigar? Medium body with fruit and acid but latter lingers into finish which RC says should note be for Napa cab and sign of post prime by 5+ years. But still great to drink. Next day under agon the nose lost that spicy note but the palette holding very nicely. More rounded today. — 10 years ago

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Hot brick and opulent sweet red cherry. Under layer of sweet spice and liquorice. Burgundian elegant mixed with Chateau-neuf. Such an amazing example of admirable Grenache blend! — 11 years ago

Phoebe LiCheryl Peng
with Phoebe and Cheryl
Serge liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2012

Amazing taste! Perfect color, perfect structure, great spice, love the fruit! Enjoy with my mochi ice cream dessert — 12 years ago

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2013

Very nice pinot noir but not traditional by pinot standards. Very clean and complex. Layers of great berry fruit and spice. Interesting textures. Very pleasant finish. — 12 years ago

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 1986

Classic vosne nose. Total la tache, Asian spice hoisin. — 13 years ago

Amanda and Red Wine liked this