So Sperone

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

This was great but not same level as prior bottles. Perhaps a slightly off cork ? Medium dark rubi robe, nose of blackcurrant, top soil and balsam with hints of cedar. Ever so slightly reticent tannins but overall great length and good complexity. Great now, but no rush. — 6 months ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 4 others
Peter, Dave and 5 others liked this
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

This was great but not same level as prior bottles. Perhaps a slightly off cork ? Medium dark rubi robe, nose of blackcurrant, top soil and balsam with hints of cedar. Ever so slightly reticent tannins but overall great length and good complexity. Great now, but no rush.
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

Medium dark rubi robe, nose of top soil, cedar-wood, spices and other secondary notes. Medium bodied, long and with highly polished tannins, this is an excellent bottle, just slightly under the other we got from same 6 bottle case.

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Of course it was good but a bit disappointing considering the reputation. Just a slight amount of tannins still detectable so I think it was about ready to drink. — 8 months ago

Paul and Jonathan liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Legendary reputation so I had to try it. A symphony of stewed red and dark fruit. That said, the nose and other aspects didn’t grab me. Very good but would not repeat. — 9 months ago

Paul and Jonathan liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2022

Unbelievable. So much flavor, so light yet good texture and long finish. Probably my favorite. — 2 years ago

Tom liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2000

Dan
9.5

Golden perhaps almost orange color. Lemon, cream, yeast, richer fruit, great balance and acidity, just so smooth to drink, hard to pick up nuanced tertiary notes but so delicious. — 4 years ago

Peter liked this

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 1983

1983 at Del Posto. Original degorgement. So so... — 9 years ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1997

From a magnum - still so fresh with sour cherries and dusty tannins. What a treat. — 10 years ago

Nick 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. — 10 years ago

Andres liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

My love for Krug knows no bounds. Bready, yeasty notes jump out of the glass towards you but quickly soften into those of honey butter. Ginger and spice notes. Lees driven but well integrated with medium high acid. This champagne is so complex that it's almost impossible to truly detect where one note of flavor ends and the other begins. — 11 years ago

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2013

Loved this wine!! So smooth!! — 11 years ago

Pierre Gonon

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2011

2011. Just some delicious juice. So easy to drink. Thank you 11 Madison! — 12 years ago

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2008

Jeremy Shanker
9.7

A baby but so good — 5 months ago

Jay, Juan and 4 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

3rd wine . Medium ruby garnet slightly brighter in colour . Lighter garnet ruby rim . Slightly deeper more meaty, herbal in character , more red fruits with cassis , cool blackberry. On the palate this is denser and more saline , quite good dark cassis and tobacco notes, with some red plum too . Lightly grippy tannins , slightly clipped finish , cool saline freshness . A little below the others in length and intensity . From now but will last over the next 10 years or so . Thought this was the Latour , oh dear . — 7 months ago

Neil, Somm and 15 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer.
— 8 months ago

Andrew, Rick and 9 others liked this
Joe DAscoli

Joe DAscoli Premium Badge

The 07 such a great wine

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

So elegant Montrose. It builds up an epic journey in the aftertaste. Rich and opulent as usual but with a fine touch of incredible level.
Softer extraction resulted on a fruitier, more sapid and rounder wine than usual. It feels it’s going to be approachable in its youth.
— 3 years ago

Peter 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. — 9 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Trixie liked this

Corison Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Love this wine. Decant and enjoy a complex Cabernet that feels so right. — 10 years ago

Karen Jacob
with Karen
Lee liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

2008 - so much Chablis character. Length for days! Hard not to guess this as grand cru — 10 years ago

Paul Rosenberg
with Paul
Paul liked this
Paul Rosenberg

Paul Rosenberg Influencer Badge

killer juice.

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1988

What? So good. All the olive and pepper and leather that you would expect and plenty of game and mushroom as well. I don't suppose I'll have another chance to taste this, so I'll have to rely on memory of something so delicious. — 11 years ago

David, jesus and 10 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! — 12 years ago

Heidi McLain
with Heidi
The Prisoner liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

Yet another outstanding vintage (2020) of this consistently excellent Co-Op produced Barbaresco. Aromas of red fruit, dried rose petals and anise. Flavors of bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, mint, Asian spices, minerals and orange zest. Long and earthy/smoky finish. Fantastic balance, structure and depth. Fine grained tannins and a silky texture yet still firm and powerful. So delicious now, but built to age for at least another decade. The quality consistency of this wine vintage to vintage is incredible. Outstanding value! Thanks so much for opening this one, Keith S! Happy 60th Birthday, Karyn! — 6 months ago

Tom and Dave liked this
Dave

Dave

Yes!

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

5th wine . medium deep ruby , touch more garnet . Slightly wider rim . Quite cool and mineral again , more grafite with some cool cassis , blackberry. On the palate this is slightly lighter in body , leaner perhaps but very elegant , fresh and quite saline, tobacco , grafite and herbal tinges on the finish . Reasonable saline length. Fine lightly grippy tannins , good acidity . This is showing quite well though would perhaps benefit from a few more years . Better in 3-5 years and drink well a further 7- 10 . The next day this actually shows a little better , elegant and refined, nothing showy , very Lafite , so I’m glad I guessed this correctly ! Overall this was a very interesting tasting , there is nothing showy or remarkable about the 2006 1st growths , they are quite classic and also showing quite a lot of structure still , with good freshness though they perhaps lack a little stuffing and intensity . They were quite even quality wise, with the high points being the Mouton (though the Lafite improved the following day to upgrade its score and draw level ) and the low point being a relatively disappointing Margaux . The vintage will continue to improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years in general , though they may always just lack a little density and excitement . — 7 months ago

Neil, Somm and 16 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

2006 the yr that had to follow the grand 2005 vintage. It wasn’t their best. Made worse having to follow the 2005. The Bordelaise also kept their prices high as many felt they underpriced the 05 vintage. Not a great strategy for a successful 06 vintage. For me, Lafite is the 1st growth that requires the most cellar aging. Even in an ok vintage, 25-30 yr in the cellar to start seeing its best form. Looks like a great dinner. Cheers! 🍷

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2001

It’s been a couple of years since I last encountered the 2001 vintage of Chave’s Hermitage. That bottle was a library release from the domaine and so is this example. Splash decanted directly before service. The 2001 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous and a total umami bomb: Koji beef broth, dried and baked brambles, dried purple flowers, black pepper, Kalamata olive, organic and inorganic earth along with fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Looking back on my notes from 2024, there’s a common theme: the 2001 is all about dat bass. Drink now with some patience and through 2041. — 9 months ago

Brian, Lyle and 15 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

So beautiful on the nose, blackberries, cranberries - zero bitterness. Glorious on the palate. Deep Jammie’s with a hint of acidity. — 4 years ago

Trixie and LM liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2001

2021/3-4. Really lovely - at 20, it is indeed Burgundian in its open, red fruit character, but it still has that hot-stone Chateauneuf character. I’m so glad I kept a few of these - I now have just one more left. Considering the price has doubled, I don’t know how many more I’ll get to lay down, so I’ll look forward to that last bottle of 2001 with a mix of excitement and sadness. — 6 years ago

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Yes. So tasty but better than that, it reminds me of the steak dinner when I tried these in late vintages for the first time.... — 10 years ago

Jay LiddellEd Scheetz
with Jay and Ed
Jay and Ed liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2007

Absolutely amazing. Lots of good brett. Balanced and delicious. Great dark fruit aromas and flavors. So smooth. Medium high tannins and acidity. Perfect silky texture. A little funk on the nose and palate (positive). Aroma and flavors are out of this world. Leather bag full of cherries and raspberries. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carmenere. Complex. Delicious 13.5% abv — 10 years ago

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1964

So fresh and precise. — 11 years ago

jerod, "Odedi" and 9 others liked this

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2012

2012 - HT to @Lyle Fass for bringing these in. So light in color it was almost a rose. Pine needles and resin on the nose. Nice medium plus body. Delicious and unique! — 12 years ago

Lyle and Marc liked this
Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Glad you liked it!

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1958

Anthony Weytjens
9.7

Great wine! Took about 45 min to open up but when it did... Wow! So amazed with still having black fruit flavors behind the cigar and moroccan leather! — 13 years ago