The A List

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1979

Classic Lafite. Hard to put into words. It was delicate yet still powerful. I’ve had the wine in my cellar since a year or so after release. We were stunned at how well it had aged…45?years old and still retained its fruit. It was worth the wait — 14 days ago

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1993

Elegance, finesse and restraint. Always a pleasure to drink! — a month ago

Paul, Dick and 21 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Wifes birth year wine was so impressive. Smoke and leather, very polished. Reminded me of a great Pinot. Great experience — a month ago

Paul, Ted and 6 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Precise, minty, fresh. Subtle on the entrance then arrives a great weight. Quite tipical Ducru-Beaucaillou even tho is lacking a form of depth to make it very great. It’s probably just that bit too austere. — a month ago

Peter and Paul liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1988

Lovely mature CdP, redfruits, nice balance, medium-long finish, starting to show just a little oxidation. — 2 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Aravind, Bob and 4 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

This wine has aged so beautifully! Smooth tannings, subtle aromas of black cherry, plum, black currant, pencil shavings, dried herbs, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and a hint of mentol.
A wonderful wine for a special occasion.
— 2 months ago

Joel, Bob and 13 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

David T
9.2

Had to try it. Used to love their work prior to 2012. After that, their style changed to picking at higher brix levels thus creating a much sweeter profile. SS was one I’d hoped they’d left alone and they did not. Not quite as sweet as their regular Cabernet but sweeter than before. I made the pitch to the property to make Caymus Classic along side their new sweeter style wines. The 94 Special Selection was one of their best. — 2 months ago

Ming, Tom and 6 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2015

Magnum that’s been gathering some dust, drinking with a big family group over Chinese. — 3 months ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Yeah, what can I say. Nice wine for sure, but for some reason when I see the Silver Oak label my expectations rise. Realizing this is the Alexander Valley version. But 2011! Thirteen years old. Still rather single note, strong oak tannins still overshadowed what maybe underneath it. A bit disappointed I am afraid. We pulled it out with my first ever Tomahawk ribeye… so yeah. — 4 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Ted, Skip and 2 others liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2018

Still crunchy fruit from a double mag! — 5 months ago

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Red Blend

Haven’t had a bad wine from Apothic yet! Love this one — 6 years ago

Nicole Carter
with Nicole

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 22 days ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

This should cellar longer. Maybe another 5 yrs before I try again. Decanted over 3 hrs. Tight in first hour. It needs a lot air now. Many layers and complex fruit. It lingers. Meaty after taste. Dark fruit. Earthy. I liked it very much and look forward to the next one. — a month ago

Tom, Tom and 23 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Shay A
9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Fun to do a side by side with the ‘88, and also check in against the Montelena. Profile wise, this leans ripe and modern stylistically. There is a kiss of brett that takes you to Bordeaux but it’s mostly red and black fruit driven with a vanilla pipe tobacco sweetness, leather, cassis and a little bit of a floral note, especially aromatically. Big structure for the vintage, but open for business now if you can give it a few hours in the decanter.
— a month ago

Pinotman, Tom and 19 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1989

June 2022 - last visit at WS. This was a 1939 vintage (not 1989). Unbelievably “fresh” and good level of acidity for its age. Very special! — 2 months ago

Eric liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1988

Tasting group meet up with many of the regulars not able to attend . I knew the organizer invited someone whom we had not tasted with in about 15 years . He certainly made an entrance bringing this, in magnum no less. When poured it showed a fine mousse but it faded quickly. A very broad nose that hinted of some age. In the mouth it was like a sports car traveling a highway. Almond , brioche and some oxidative notes sped thru my mouth. The flavors accelerated only to linger similar to when you take your foot off the accelerator. Coasted effortlessly with no need to step on the brakes — 2 months ago

Austin, Jan and 35 others liked this
Shay A

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I was fortunate to have this a year or two ago (in 750) and was completely spellbound. I’d like to find one for myself one of these days.
Jay Kline

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Oh snap!

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2021

Popped and poured. The 2021 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a deep ruby color with a deep but transparent core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black brambles, spiced meat, black pepper, some purple flowers and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This comes across lighter and more Burgundian than the last handful of vintages; almost giving me some 2014 vibes (which is a vintage in the last decade that I adore). It’s really good and shows a bit more elegance that I quite like. Looking forward to tracking this vintage as time goes on. Drink now with some patience and should be cracking through 2041 with ease. — 2 months ago

Ira, Severn and 12 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Paul J
9.3

1hr decant but probably could have PnP’d. Nice dark red color. Some cedar and dark cherries on the nose. Easy to drink. Nothing remarkable or off putting, just a solid wine. Fades pretty quick with medium depth and finish. — 4 months ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
John, Tom and 12 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1984

Jeremy Shanker
9.6

Finally had a Dunn that was ready to drink! Pasilla, black currant, forest floor, black trumpet mushroom. — 5 months ago

Joe, Rob and 23 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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Dunn Ready? 😂👍

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2014

This Pinot is one of the best I've had. It surprised me with a fuller body that your typical Pinot, almost like a Cabernet! — 8 years ago

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Drinking well can’t see this getting better with a long life ahead showing red fruit, graphite, spice, earth, mint & tobacco — a month ago

Juan, Bob and 14 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2010

Decanted this four hours and drank over the next two and it just kept delivering. Easily the best Rioja I’ve had and showed considerably better than the ‘17 CVNE a couple nights before. Looking forward to tasting this vintage again in a few years. — 25 days ago

Turd and Dylan liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 22 days ago

Thomas and Ken liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Blend

enjoyed with a cigarette: as god intended — a month ago

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 2 months ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Ira, Pinotman and 8 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Wonderful wine. One of my favorite vineyards. This is always a high quality wine. This one is still young but getting its legs. Vibrant and fresh if not yet rounded out. There is complexity that will only build. The length is good now but I know will be significantly longer in near term. Cherry. Fig. Eucalyptus. Loved this wine. Looking forward to sampling the next few I have over ensuing decade. — 2 months ago

Shay, Joseph and 18 others liked this
Ron R

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When did you take delivery of this?
Vino Joe

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Sorry. Just saw this: ordered in Aug ‘23. Picked up Jan ‘24

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Some specials on today at the Chelsea lounge at JFK. Thought I’d ask and look what we got. It doesn’t have as much of the typical Dom taste for me and it is still very very young, definitely still a baby. Great nose and packs a lot of citrusy flavors - they will certainly mellow over the years. Not a bad rendition, not quite hitting the super high marks with me right now, but very pleasant early p.m. bubbly on this holiday — 3 months ago

Andrew, Bob and 8 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Started the night with the 2018. This year also had scents of walnuts, boysenberry and a bit of barnyard, but extended into cigar smoke. The texture and color were both excellent and the flavors were full bodied spanning from boysenberry, through leather, into seared steak, but also had cigar/tobacco. Enjoyed by all. — 4 months ago

SV, Jay and 2 others liked this

Folie à Deux

Ménage a Trois California Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Absolutely fantastic blend! Full bodied, jammy, delicious! — 9 months ago