The Grateful Palate

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 7 years ago

Bruce F Taub
with Bruce

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2007

Can't say enough about a wine this serious at this price point. Absolutely stunning, elegant, and even (in a chinon way) powerful. Floral aromatic dominate - lavender and a bit of rose. Graphite, dusty chalk, red pepper, some raspberry. Fresh yet not primary. Hints of savory notes as well. Incredible spine of minerality runs through the palate. Great acidity and structure. Coiler and energetic. Finishes long and bright with refreshing pyrazines for days. In an incredible place now, so no fault in drinking but has a long, long life ahead. One of the best values in the wine world. Just exceptional — 9 years ago

Gil liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1998

Expressive with notes of leather, mocha to accent red cherry and pomegranate fruit. Vibrant acidity but could use a bit of mid palate richness. — 10 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Lovely noted of sweet strawberry jam and white pepper. The palate is a fantastic smoky beef jerky with floral perfume notes at the end — 11 years ago

Ginette
with Ginette

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Birthday treat - cassis like but drier classic palate with a terroir that encourages Parker’s opinion of greatness. — 8 years ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

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

Wow, incredible, and still holding up after all these years. Upon opening, basically no fruit, all secondary characteristics, especially on the nose. As it opened up, some dark cherry appeared and eventually the nose and palate came together. A sensory journey 48 Years in the making and a pleasure to partake. — 9 years ago

John Brenton DoddSpencer DoddJen Dodd
with John, Spencer and 1 other
Jonathan liked this
Jonathan Kozaczuk

Jonathan Kozaczuk

Oh man, jealous.

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

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 8 years ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

This is a superb Silver Oak vintage & this magnum was the finest of the producer I have sampled. The '94 has a Deep rich fruit forward nose with currants, spice & ripe fruit. Open 40 minutes.. Bursting on the .palate with dark cherry and spice.. Hints of old leather & currants. This a huge wine at its peak. The magnum preserved it beautifully. A classic Cali cabernet & a delight with tenderloin of beef. If ya gottem', drinkem'.. You wont be disappointed if you have kept a magnum. — 10 years ago

Matt liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

Robert Cunningham
9.6

2002 Raveneau Montee Tonnerre. Floral; elegant; rich; balanced nose and palate. Rich and lovely citrus and yellow grapefruit. Better than the 2000 Raveneau Montee Tonnerre. — 11 years ago