The Future Laboratory

Enderle & Moll

Muschelkalk Pinot Noir 2019

Obviously way too young. 14.1% quite high for E&M. Classic perfumed nose, Give it 45 min in a big glass. High toned raspberry, cranberry, hint bitter, touch white pepper, orange rind, oregano, lime. Classic E&M. Needs at least 5 years. So light and elegant on it’s feet. A superb Pinot in every aspect and a class in its own. Will be a 10 in the future. Bought at Mayfield Restaurant in San Juan de Capistrano at lunch. — 4 years ago

Severn, Ely and 14 others liked this
Severn G

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I'll wait 5 years, but yes!!!

Te Mata Estate

Coleraine Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009

On Saturday I conducted a Cabernet tasting at home with 8 mates. The theme was 2009 vintage Bordeaux v Margaret River with this outlier from NZ included. This had leafy minty notes with a touch of coffee. A medium weight palate with a certain hardness which was a negative. Still a good future. Ended up being out classed in the company to follow. I will drink my remaining 6 bottles over the 5 to 10 years. — 5 years ago

Clive, Ceccherini and 18 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Great vintage for Ducru that seems ready to go with a bright future showing a perfumed nose of black fruits, cassis, cedar, leather, graphite, menthol, spice box, & tobacco. — 6 years ago

Eric, Gaming and 22 others liked this
Ron Siegel

Ron Siegel Premium Badge

David as you can see from my note this btl was drinking well & seems to be just entering its drinking window. I have started to delve into the 95’s & 96’s as well as some of the 98 Right banks & for the most part have found them to be approachable as well as offer a pleasurable drinking experience. I would definitely wait on the 00’s & 05’s as they are still not ready. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I was really asking if you thought the 95 & 96 Pichon Lalande is or ever will live up to critical expectations as you just had it? I’ve had them on a number of occasions and feel they are un-Pichon Lalande like or up to their usual quality Every time I have them, I think, will they ever blossom? 91 was a bad vintage in Bordeaux but, I loved their 91 at 20 years plus of age. Haven’t been able to say that about their 95 & 96. At least, yet.
Ron Siegel

Ron Siegel Premium Badge

Yes I agree the 95 PL may never come around as the btl I just tried was very linear & seemed slightly monolithic compared to other 95’s I have tried recently. I will try the 96 PL tomorrow & let you know.

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

this had to be the surprise of the night. The wind held up after all these years. OMG, they knew how to make wine in Napa way back playing! This gorgeous beast could've been mistaken for a first growth Bordeaux!!!!!!
What a spectacular rockstar it was. Badass in a glass to say the least! I loved it and he just happened to be Shawn Rose's birth year Wine!!
Great birth year bud!!!!! This really held its own I'm on the Titans that we drink this evening. It was my only bottle but I will be sourcing some more within the near future to say the least. The only thing better was our company this evening! Thank you for making a trip down from Texas! Your motto is go big or go home so I had to pull out all the stops this evening!!!!!
@Shawn R @Christine Christine and I loved seeing you. We will definitely repay the favor!!!!! I'm sure your Texas barbecue will make for some great badass pairings!
— 8 years ago

Christine Shawn R
with Christine and Shawn
Martin, Shawn and 43 others liked this
Shawn R

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@David L you can do as many as you want! @Martin G Rivard let's plan it!!!
9.7
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

😀😀😀
Carl Fischer

Carl Fischer Influencer Badge

Damn!!! Nice one guys. Happy (and a little jealous) you're hanging out !!!

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

A nice Bordeaux and a bunch of mesquite-grilled lamb chops. This Cantemerle is quite dense and youthful. Color shows almost no sign of age. With air, nose slowly unfurls to show lots of graphite, menthol, tight cassis fruit, underbrush, and crushed rock. Medium bodied, the flavors are tight too, and there is nice concentration, but it’s mostly promise for the future. Tannins are nicely managed and there is good acidity. 9.2+ — 3 years ago

Jay, Ira and 12 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2014

The 2014 vintage was the last harvest while Serge Hochar was still alive. He tragically drowned while on holiday, NYE in 2014. I have no logical reason to be wary of Musar’s future as the team involved in producing the wines have been in place for some time. However, Serge’s death was for me, the loss of an wine hero. This is my first experience with the 2014 and I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences I’ve had drinking wines that he produced.

Decanted for several hours prior to dinner, the wine appears a deep purple turning garnet after plenty of air with an opaque core. High intensity, medium+ viscosity, a touch of sediment. On the nose, this is a wild carnival for the senses with cherries, mulberries, rhubarb pie, Twin Bing, harissa, kofta, pipe tobacco, oud, teriyaki, and event canned peaches (though only after some time in the glass). On the palate, things are much more modest with a very compelling cherry compote and bright cranberry notes with some tobacco and baking spices. Very primary at this stage. Medium tannin with medium+ acid. The finish long…forever and a day with dried cherries and dates bringing me home. While still an infant, this is shaping up to be a lovely and long-lived vintage of Musar Rouge. Cheers, Serge. Your legacy lives on.
— 4 years ago

Andrew, Severn and 15 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

This is for this kind of note that everybody comes back here again and again, pour after pour. Thank you!

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

Mid-weight on the palate; showed a bit more interest than last bottle. A powerful wine with plenty of fresh baked bread and crisp green apple notes. Long, almost oily finish with a final kick of acidity hints at a long future. — 6 years ago

Billy, Ira and 9 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2008

Great champagne.
Heading for a perfect score in the future.
— 7 years ago

Peter, Shay and 21 others liked this

Penfolds

Grange Bin 95 Shiraz 1991

Prior to opening I noticed minor ullage with level being at high shoulder. Dense dark crimson - the colour would not lead you to believe it was 27 years old. Dusty dark berries with a whiff of leather (Barb). Strong aromas of cassis and also notes of coconut American Oak which I wasn’t expecting after all these years, but it is in balance with the fruit. On the palate there is power with molten tannins. Still with a good future into the 2030s. The previous vintage 1990 was Wine Spectators wine of the Year and largely put Grange on the map in the USA. Many good judges in Australia now prefer the 1991 to the 1990 and I am inclined to agree. I have 4 left from an original dozen and should have the next in about 2 to 3 years time. — 7 years ago

Scott, Mark and 15 others liked this
TheSkip

TheSkip

Awesome!!
Ira Schwartz

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@Bob McDonald very helpful , I have one bottle left

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2002

Slightly dusty corky note which hung around longer than it should have. Also on the nose Herbs and Mint rule the roost with berry fruit in the background. Cabernet makes its presence felt in this Cab Shiraz blend with its structure and a touch of austerity. Restrained fruit and an elegant style still with a good future. — 8 years ago

Shay, Aaron and 8 others liked this

Claude Dugat

Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir 2013

Opened it too early. Lots of promise for the future bottles I have. — 9 years ago

Claude Riffault

Les Denisottes Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2015

2015 | Sauvignon Blanc
Claude Riffault; Les Denisottes
Loire Valley, Sancerre, France

3H decant, then double-decant for service.
Really coming into the zone (for my palate) with reduced acidity and secondary dry-ish fruit notes starting to peek out, dried lemon peel, candied tangerine; dried peach, day-old lemon wedge. Note to future self, drink remaining stock 2025-30. 🤞
— 3 years ago

Jay, Andrew and 20 others liked this

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

2020 vintage. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and equal parts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Basile Tesseron has done a great job at this Cru Classé and this 2020 is the best I have ever tasted. Blackberries, cassis and flowers. Juicy and focused, with lots of charm in a solid ripe tannic structure. Lovely finish with retronasal black fruit and minerality.Abv. 13,5%. As the estate was bought by the Lorenzetti family (Pédesclaux) I expect the quality to rise further in the future, so this is definitely an estate to watch. — 3 years ago

Stefan, Ruud and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Have enjoyed multiple vintages since 2016. Great QPR.

Azienda Agricola Fontodi

Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale Sangiovese 2016

Yes and no. It was absolutely a pleasure now but I think even better to wait. I have several bottles and wanted to see what it was like now both out of curiosity and future comparison. — 5 years ago

Bob, Ted and 5 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Very young at this point...medium gold in glass with hints of tobacco and leather notes from oak. A bit tight initially, the wine opens expansively in the mouth with apple, banana, brioche, and juicy ripe pear. Huge future predicted, but on this day was an also-ran. Hands off for a few years. — 6 years ago

Mike, David and 7 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

The 2013 Opus One is an absolute stunning release, and is certainly one of most impressive young wines I have ever tasted from this estate. This shows a darker, more forward profile from this warm vintage, and is clearly one to contemplate, as there are so many complexities and working parts to this compelling wine. This instantly impresses as it opens to intense aromatics of crème de cassis, black cherry, blackberry compote and black plum woven together with mocha, sandalwood. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and beautifully concenrated with deep and penetrating flavors of black cherry, créme de cassis, blackberry cobbler, anise, sage and anise, which all resonate beautifully across the palate. This is already extreamly appealing, but try to resist this hedonistic wine for at least another few years, as there is undoubtedly a long future ahead. Drink 2019-2035-99 — 7 years ago

Shay, P and 3 others liked this

Freemark Abbey

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Ok ok.... it’s been a while! Maybe this is a holiday affair! I cheat on France when I’m away, shush, she’ll never know. I’m 40,000 feet/11k in meters high on Virgin Atlantic Wi-fi (this is clearly the future). ‘The Storey’
I bought two within the last two weeks. Bought and opened on recommendation (local wine shop in the village). The looks - label old skool European, 15%+ dark and stormy. I drank both bottles at two diffident occasions and felt the same emotion (bit 80’s I know)...... skiing in Whistler, snowy night with Mrs W. Kids sleeping and a plate of plastic North American cheese. Don’t be angry, I loved it. There are wines to be drunk in winter and there are cold wines. This one at room/blood temperature (27c/80f) with 40mins breathing time and it just floored us. I want to point out this wine is not a quick drink. I bolt red like blueberry/cranberry/black currant juice but it just wouldn’t be rushed. Smooth and I mean smooth. Salty, Carmel and Brandy/almonds....... No other description will describe. It’s just like maple syrup in consistency. It snowed outside but it shon in the glass. Second date: New Year’s Eve, -13 outside. 4 other people I didn’t really know on an impromptu dinner. We ate, drank and talked (I talked rubbish but I’ll never see them again) then it came time for the cheese board. The wine was too cold when we arrived. It was too cold for starter and mains but 3hrs in, opened and primed it was sit you down amazing (again). A NYE to remember. Don’t take it from me, ask the nobodies I’ll never see again. I thought maybe I’d/we’d just had a moment the time before but it’s that good (it really was). Don’t take my word for it, try it alone or with strangers but make sure you drink it slooooooooowly
— 8 years ago

Mike, Sean and 2 others liked this

Alain Graillot

Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2015

The first of two wines enjoyed at Vaucluse. This is a baby. Dark purple, and totally primary with tons of blackberries, cherries and some tar. Delicious now but surely, like so many Rhônes from 2015, one for the future. — 8 years ago

Cara Zimmerman
with Cara
James, Cara and 5 others liked this
Dustin Wilson, MS

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Very strong!