So Rare

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1983

Outstanding. A little light in body. But wow. So delicious. — 3 months ago

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . medium deep ruby , medium bright ruby rim. Quite spicy a little oak noticeable at first . Mixed dark fruits . A bit more round and juicy on the palate , good acidity , slightly grippy but polished tannins . This becomes a bit more restrained and reserved after a while. Served blind , I actually put this as Haut Brion , due to its generous personality, and polished tannins. Overall showed well in the flight was my top wine (though the Cheval Blanc may well be better in absolute terms) . Can be enjoyed now , though has the substance to last a further decade or so, a good showing for the Mouton. — 3 months ago

Anthony, Andrew and 10 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2013

Popped and poured. We enjoyed this as an apéritif so no formal notes but this was absolutely delicious. So easy to love; phenomenal balance. Like so many 2013’s, this is great on the pop and pour and easier to appreciate than the 2012’s which simply need a lot more time. — 4 months ago

Jan, Billy and 15 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008

A wonderfully balanced Cabinet blend from Bolgheri. Definitely Cabernet notes but so balanced that nothing stands out. Sassicaia is definitely Bordeaux First or Second Growth standard. Understated but irresistible nonetheless. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Cabernet Franc. Probably one of the best non Bordeaux Cabernet blends. — 4 months ago

Ira, Jeroen and 26 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay

Exquisite and elegant with bright berry notes. So easy yet refined. — 7 months ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

I think I preferred the 2015 but ever so slightly and as much as I struggle to believe glasses make a difference they poured the 2016 in a big cab glass and I think that distracted from the flavors that were evident in the tighter 2015 glass. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 4 others liked this

Vinhos Barbeito

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Boston Madeira Special Reserve Bual

9/2023. My dessert at Chive Blossom, Pawleys Island SC. Nice full flavor with good caramel. Not too sweet either. — 2 years ago

Milissa, Ted and 2 others liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2011

Is there a better wine for roast chicken than Loire cabernet franc? Rhetorical question, of course. 2011 so tight, even after two hour decant. It slowly unveils its charms, like Jo Fiennes unwinds Gwen Paltrow in the otherwise forgettable "Shakespeare in Love". Unlike that film, this has staying power. Stash away a case, it will develop beautifully over the next three decades. — 8 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Trixie liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wow. More flavor, much better than their regular cab. Silky, velvet, smooth. Chocolate. Rich fruit. Big, full flavor, lots of flavor. Not old world style for sure, not subtle. It's a big bomb. We would pay up to $75 for this so a bit overpriced to us.
— 9 years ago

Roy, Jerry and 3 others liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Probably my most favorite! Not inexpensive at restaurants ($65-$76), but pairs so well with just about anything. Year after year it is consistently great. It's hard not to share it, but then you must keep multiple bottles in stock! — 11 years ago

Heidi McLain
with Heidi
The Prisoner liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Shay A
9.3

(Two previous 1983 vintage wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from CT).

My experiences with 1983s has been fairly positive, and this PL certainly is among the better I’ve had from the vintage. Holding color nicely with deep ruby and slight bricking around the rim. Started off a bit dense and muddled, but hit stride about 30mins later with a mix of red and black berry fruit, cassis, a streak of herbal green down the middle (something I always get with PL). Excellent example of the fruit showing lots of flavor without being overly ripe. Leather, sweet pipe tobacco, graphite, and still some vibrancy at the finish with tannin structure. Clean and elegant at this stage. Showed well over the course of two hours. Drink up and enjoy.
— 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, Jan and 34 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2022

So good, with age or without. — 3 months ago

Jan, Ira and 8 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 4 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

2005 vintage. Light-medium/medium bod. Rocking don't bother knocking. So good. At the top of its respective bell curve and looks to hang out for quite some time. Maybe an extended residency? Not going anywhere anytime soon. 12.11.24. — 5 months ago

Ruud, Andrew and 24 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Ok will not drink this - this or next year.
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Prices have caught up on this one David.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas My comment didn’t not in anyway reflect pricing in its meaning.

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1996

Medium lemon colour . Lovely lemon, buttered pastry nose , still so fresh and lively . Mineral with a honeysuckle note , touch of blanched almond . On the palate quite rich and complex , with high acidity and mineral , honied , brioche notes , still quite fresh though with lots of creamy lemon hints. Long mineral tinged finish . Lovely now and over the next 5-10 years . — 6 months ago

Tom, Bob and 13 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Like a lot of the older SO this Alexander Valley didn’t last long. Opened to lots of bright fruits but died quickly. — 8 months ago

Letha Phillips
with Letha
Rick, Shay and 4 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Amazing when first opened but crashed after 20 minutes. I did a light decant so maybe just do that right when you serve dinner ! — 7 years ago

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2007

Henrik Möbitz
9.6

Wow, wasn't expecting this to be so young and full of steam... Luxuriously padded powdery Cornas tannins delivered with the Allemand package of cassis liqueur. — 8 years ago

Marc and Anthony liked this

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2014

I don't ever drink Pinot Noir anymore, as I'm a Cab/Zin lady all the way. This was a recommendation from the wine store guy, and it's so good. It's a cab drinkers Pinot for sure. — 9 years ago

Kristen and Brenda liked this

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

So good. These wines are my new obsession. — 11 years ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Shay A
9.3

(Two previous 1983 wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from my CT).

Continuing a run of ‘83s over the last 3-6 months, this not only showed quite well, but it was at its best after almost two hours in the bottle. Whereas the ‘83 Pichon was clean and elegant, this was a bit more dense and powerful. Beautifully expressive aromatics of potpourri, espresso, fig and leather with a flavor profile mostly on the red/black fruit side of the spectrum. The mid-palate showed good weight and continued to bulk-up during the evening. Old cherry-tobacco note at the finish. Honestly, this drank like it was more early ‘90s than it was early ‘80s. Good.
— 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, Jan and 34 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium deep ruby again. This is a bit greener , spicier , with some red pepper , smokier and darker fruit on the nose . Spicier and a bit more plush on the palate . This actually improved a lot in the glass and was changing quite a lot , became more floral with crunchy fresh dark berries . Polished tannin but nice fresh acidity , quite velvety on the palate . No lack of weight either . Really quite liked this and will no doubt age gracefully even if it is enjoyable today with time in decanter. For enjoyment over the next 10 years or so. — 3 months ago

Anthony, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2021

Okay this wine was amazingly delicious but was undoubtedly quite young in this present moment.

There is so much more potential to unveil over time.

It has concentrated plum, fig, red currant, pomegranate, boysenberry notes next to licorice, meat, earth, peat, clove notes. Tannins and acidity are firm.

With time, we anticipate edges will be soften and complexity will be deepen with more tertiary notes and we cannot wait to revisit this wine down the road again.
— 4 months ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ira and 19 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

2021 was such an outlier from the previous seven vintages in the Rhône, which were all warmer and made fairly powerful wines. For the record, I love the ‘21’s as they remind me of the 2014 vintage which I found to be more Burgundian and showed more of the rotundone I adore in Syrah.
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Jay Kline Thank you for your note! We can see what you mean. It was elegant, refined, with classic spicier notes. We are fans! We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for the 2014s, too. 👀 Cheers!

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2012

#AgedWineTuesday

Pale lemon in color.

Light nose of citrus fruits, minerals and light yeast.

Medium-bodied with high acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, grapefruits, green apples, brioche, earth, light yeast, minerals, spices and herbs.

Long finish with limes and herbs.

This is a very tasty Champagne, albeit still young. Elegant and rich with nice complexity. Crisp and refreshing.

Didn't love it right out of the bottle, and needed 45 minutes of airtime to open up properly, so be patient.

I've had a few different vintages of this Champagne, and always enjoyed it.

Needs 5 years to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

A blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir. Aged for 8 years on its lees.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$275.
— 5 months ago

Daniel, Ira and 21 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1978

From Mag. An absolute wow of a bottle. The nose is crazy intense, lucid and profound. Dark plum fruit with a whiff of band aid, iron, black pepper, a tangy meatiness. Loads of delicate floral notes floating around, but a soulful and pristine bottle. As fresh as an early 2000’s bottle but so much age and precision going on. Wonderful. Just spectacular. — 8 months ago

Jan, Andrew and 13 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2017

2017. Decanted 4+ hours. Pains me to not give one of my favorite labels a 95+, but this hot vintage is simply missing the red fruit to go with all the rustic leather and barnyard funk that makes Pegau so unique. Rich but not sure fruit is going to come around. Discounted- $50 at Wine Library, elsewhere. — 5 years ago

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 1988

Bradley Brown
9.5

Creosote, yielding to intense beautiful fruit. So alive on palate — 8 years ago

Ira, Keith and 5 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990

Still showing some ripeness of fruit, but these wines age so well, there is a little stewed fruit that is quite indicative of place, higher ABV than right bank also. — 9 years ago

Andres liked this

Sella & Mosca

Terre Rare Riserva Carignano del Sulcis 2010

Wow. Love this Sardinian. The front is big and salty. My favorite with big flavored food. I have not decided on the end yet. This went down with an awesome grilled pork loin seasoned in prunes and Dijon mustard. Side was a very flavorful split pea and onion mash. — 10 years ago

Chris liked this
Chris MacLean

Chris MacLean Influencer Badge

Thanks. I've had 5-6 bottles of Sella & mosca, some great and balanced, some too ripe.
Jonas Johansson

Jonas Johansson

Thanks. Good to know. I will buy a few more and compare.