Wonderful evening at the City Club courtesy of Jeff’s hosting at the Friday group. Cellar guessing Jeff is a dangerous game as he’s the type who plans to throw curveballs! All wines served blind.
Ageless. Based on color, I immediately thought Napa but the palate had me second guessing. Some rose petal, spice and tart cherry. Cedar. This tastes so much younger than the ‘88 I opened a few months back. Wonderful wines. — 7 years ago
The most generously fruity of Ridge Zins. Black berry and stewed fruit in the front, young and opulent at first compared to their other wines. More resolved and firm in the back with a near perfect juxtaposition of acidity and tannin. White pepper in the finish. A bit hot and jumpy at this time. Great potential but needs some softening time still. — 7 years ago
Dark berry, vanilla-oaky nose on a chocolate, leather and blackberry core. Big, brutish, nice tannins with sweet acidity suggesting cellar time will be rewarded. After years of disappointment from this legendary house, Heitz is climbing back into my heart. — 8 years ago
A little over the hill but considering it was in the back room of a crappy liquor store...ill take it! — 9 years ago
After 2 hour decant still kind of smelled like a bag of balloons. Put it back in the bottle and on day 2 it's singing. Woodsy black cherry, black tea, baking spices and some of that classic tar thing. — 9 years ago
Sublime. Toast, honeysuckle, sweet potato. Lingering back palate. Nose has a large footprint. — 10 years ago
🎄 Advent Halfy Calendar Day 21 🎄
🎅 Santa says “Three days to go so just had Mrs Claus do my sack, back & crack - gotta be beech ready for some regions I deliver 😉”
📝 I say My favourite 🇺🇸 Merlot that’s not a Merlot 🤣 not as pungent & in your face as the 2012/13 and a bit easier going 👍 You can’t go wrong with this wine 😍 especially with 🥩 I’d give this 3-5 years but good now to 😀
⏩ 🍾 Mrs E got Bruno Paillard Premier Cuvee NV
📍 Shafer Merlot 2014
🏵 92-93 points
🍇 78% Merlot, 14% Malbec & 8% Cabernet Sauvignon
🍷 Opaque black ruby
👃 Dark damson plum, black cherry & blackcurrant w/ raspberry, cloves, cocoa, spice, liquorice, mint & gravel w/ a touch of smokey oak lingering
👄 Med+ super smooth silky spiced blackcurrant, dark plum, dark cherry, blueberry & cocoa cream w/ a sweet raspberry undertone w/ a touch of green stalk & coffee kick
🎯 Long ripe black fruit finish covered with dark chocolate, raspberry & blueberry sprinkles — 6 years ago
I’ve always had a sweet spot for this producer. When I saw the WS rating, I had to try it.
It’s my sort of Napa cab, without the nosebleed at the checkout. Rich, plush nose of coffee and maple syrup. Presents with depth and texture on the palate. Tannins are ripe, indicating longevity. I’m going back to the well! — 7 years ago
What a great cab; structured yet fruity; minimum tanins in the back end; loved it — 7 years ago
Barrel sample. Montrose is back on point with this release. Amazing wine! 94-96pts — 8 years ago
Strong acidity but excellent body. Complex notes off the palate. Cherry off the back of the tongue. Great with steak. — 9 years ago
all fruit, some herbal on the back, pyrazine, big tannin and acid — 9 years ago
I was disappointed with my last Caymus Special Selection vintage, but this beauty brought me back to a bottle that won Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year ... Twice!! Incredible fruit and balance. This can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. Cheers!! — 10 years ago
loving the tapas at this place. we feel like we are back in madrid. the shafer is solid. — 10 years ago
¡Feliz día de los muertos!
Time to scare the dead back to the beyond.
A wine from gnarled Vince’s should do the trick.
Smells of gun powder tea.
decanted for 4 hours, and the fruit is lush with dark ripened berries, and heavy handed spices. the burn will not blow off so one must integrate it into the tasting. High octane.
Expensive for a Zin, yet so well crafted, as we know Turley does.
The lingering acids seething with the alcohol burn. Enjoyable still.
— 7 years ago
2006 -lighter , dry. A little dry and light for me. When coming back to this it’s quite nice. 9.0. $260 — 7 years ago
When we open from 1987, we expect everything. One thinks of its conservation in cellar, the risk that it is passed or incredible, with the tannins having evolved in this vial ... The cork pulled-out, in perfect state and one knows in advance that one hit the jackpot and that it will be phenomenal. A coppery robe, a complex nose with aromas of black and floral fruits. In the mouth, an explosion of flavors that take the length and makes us go back in time. A very large estate for an incredible wine, to fall 😍🍷 — 7 years ago
Back upstate and starting with a quick split and caviar to get things back on track. The softest bubbles, brioche, yeasty, toasted almonds. Yum. Great balance to the brine. Christmas Carols have switched to George Michael. Can this year please end already?!?!? — 8 years ago
Loved this Zin. Hubby and I drank the bottle in one sitting. — 9 years ago
1985. Tasting this was like sitting next to a WWII vet on a train...some respect for an old school gentleman...they don't make wines like this any more: herbal, pencil shavings, cigar, tea, lots of acid, grainy tannins, light body, refreshing...let's bring cab like this back! — 10 years ago
Very pleasant - slight jamminess on the front berries on the back. Paired nicely with the food — 10 years ago
First Napa wine to be given a name back in 1974 and the very first Bordeaux blend. — 10 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
After a long week of heavy Napa & Bordeaux Cabernet tastings, I need my, baby back...baby back, BSR 375ml! Ahhhh! 🍾🥂 — 6 years ago