The Grateful Palate

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2021

Raspberry, roses & tar on the nose, grippy tannins and a slight meatiness on the palate. Fruit is present but ever so slightly lacking for me, I wish it translated from the nose to the palate just a touch more. Overall very nice and enjoyable! — 9 days ago

Tom, Joel and 3 others liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Served blind, called ‘96 Paulliac! It’s a left bank classic in 1996, structured, earthy and peppery with an elegant palate and fine grained tannins. Went perfectly with aged Texas Antelope! — a month ago

Tom, Jan and 6 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1990

Lovely, sweet mature fruit (dried redfruits), there might be a touch of Brett (but less than the 1995 Beaucastel I posted last week), suave and complex on the palate, lingering finish, excellent Chateauneuf-du-Pape at its peak!! — a month ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Brian and 11 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Usually awesome, but a 1990? Wow!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Dave, I got lucky and caught this at its peak, more cellaring would have been a mistake!
Dave

Dave

That's a great feeling. Congrats! 💪

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Ron R
9.6

Not the best of vintage in Bdx, but the winemaker clearly pulled off some acrobatics here.
Nose displays the usual Cos spice-box signature, along with notes of forest floor, sage and mushrooms. Palate is rich and dense showing no signs of age. Nice mature casis profile links up with brambles and sandalwood. Tannins continue to prop up this outstanding example.
— 10 days ago

Andrew MooreRick K
with Andrew and Rick
Paul, Ted and 23 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Could do with more time in the bottle but it's a special occasion afterall. Noses rose petals, vanilla, leather, capsicum and tobacco, black fruits and pencil shavings....and date I say onions! Huge body. Palate is savoury yet so layered and structured. Dark chocolates galore with a generous scatter of sea salt. Harmonious! Precise! — a month ago

Tom, Jay and 3 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

This wine is a well-balanced Napa Valley red showing both power and elegance. It offers aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco, with flavors of black cherry, cocoa, and spice on a silky, structured palate. Love it. Q — a month ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

2000 Cheval Blanc. Soaring palate sensation but also very delicate and fine texture. Still very fresh, great drinking window. A real treat. — 25 days ago

Rob, Pooneet and 19 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2019

Heavenly, fruit aroma, and smooth palate- very fruit forward, lower acidity and tannins, but balanced. Delicious! — 24 days ago

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend

Salmon color with copper reflexes. Nose of grapefruit, and Mandarin peel, lemon juice, pink flowers, and petrichor. Faint Aperol on the back. Palate is explosive but not effusive. More grapefruit oil, lemon pith, garrigue, waves of saline minerality and a bright acidity that makes it go on and on. Pretty serious argument on why it deserves its reputation is the best rosé in the world  — a month ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1991

Light medium caramel core , light copper rim. Quite mature , with spiced creme brûlée , saffron , burnt sugar , some crystallised orange peel , desiccated coconut . Slightly monochrome . On the palate this is quite light , with quite high acidity and a burnt caramel bitterness . Medium sweetness only , quite refreshing acidity . Slightly bitter orange caramel finish . Drink now qnd over the next few years , won’t improve . — 2 months ago

Matt, Anthony and 8 others liked this