The Wines Of Olé

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

One of the last years Caymus made good wine — 7 days ago

Mairead Hickey
with Mairead

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Double magnum still has a lot of life left we sure enjoyed it with the crowd!! — 6 days ago

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2002

In a great place. Toasty with hazelnut, fine lemon oil, a touch of honey. Beautifully balanced, complex and resolved. Great — 19 days ago

David SchachterMatt Lichtenberg
with David and Matt
Bob, Jay and 4 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Conrad Green what was the vintage thanks?
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

Sorry just saw it as 2002.

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Deep ruby; medium plus aromas of new leather, coconut, cocoa nibs, ripe red and black plums; high alcohol, high tannins — a month ago

Juan, Dave and 1 other liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

2 hour decant. Shredded cork. Filtered the wine.

Wow. This was just gorgeous and smooth. Tannins very well integrated and the fruit was excellent.

One of my favorite vintages with some age
— a month ago

Somm, Dave and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Yeah, the 2006 is top of the pops currently. Miss it.

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars – Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Artemis is the gateway wine of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, one of Napa’s most iconic producers, remembered for its Judgment of Paris triumph in 1976. The 2014 vintage sits in a sweet spot: accessible, polished, and still carrying the hallmarks of Napa’s valley-floor fruit. This blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with small percentages of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot layered in for balance.

Aromas & Flavors
Inviting notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, and black cherry lead the way, accented by cedar, vanilla, and hints of graphite. Subtle secondary notes of mocha and baking spice emerge as it opens in the glass, showing both freshness and depth.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and balanced acidity. Polished, silky textures glide across the palate, finishing with a long echo of dark fruit, oak spice, and a touch of savory herb.

Winemaking Notes
Aged around 15–20 months in French oak, Artemis strikes a balance between power and approachability. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ style is always about elegance over sheer force, and this vintage highlights that philosophy.

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, or hearty mushroom risotto. Its elegance also makes it a great match with aged cheddar or gouda.

Verdict
A graceful Napa Cabernet that proves why Stag’s Leap remains a benchmark. The 2014 Artemis is in a perfect drinking window now—refined, approachable, and still true to the estate’s legacy of elegance.
— 2 months ago

Ted, ESF and 1 other liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Deep ruby color. Red fruit, black currant, and cedar on the nose. Dry and bold. Flavors of blackberrt, chocolate, oak, and coffee. Medium+ tannins and acid with a great finish. Number 2 in top 100 in Wine Spectator. — 11 days ago

Bob, Ron and 2 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Beautiful tempranillo led wine with 10% graciano from one of the benchmark vintages in the past 25 years. This Gran Reserva has legs for the long run but perfectly approachable now! — 12 days ago

Theodore, Jan and 2 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

From mag. Almost inky… soft sweet fruit with dried herbs, a bit of blood and iron, white pepper and a meatiness. Really complex and interesting. A fantastically complex and clean bottle. — 13 days ago

Bex GreenWalker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Bex, Walker and 1 other
John, Bob and 9 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2011

Gilles de Chambure
9.8

Anniversary of Willy’s -44 years with Olivier Clape et Magali Jacob - for release of their book «  a year in the vineyard «  — 22 days ago

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020


Deep opaque core, thin ruby rim. Deep slightly spicy creme de cassis , blackberry , charcoal embers , grafite . On the palate this is quite intense but has good freshness , and ripe but firm , quite dry tannins . Creme de cassis , blackberry , grafite , crushed rocks , quite saline and fresh in style , oyster shell and sea breeze hints . Well balanced alcohol and good length grafite , saline tinged finish . This is actually quite enjoyable , though obviously way too young , fresh and detailed with cool fresh dark fruit and grafite nuance. Better in 10 years and will last well a further 10-15 maybe more . Really enjoyed the style and balance of this .
— 20 days ago

Tom, Tom and 23 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

My first Bordeaux producer love back in the day. Still great.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

One of mine too @Somm David T , had a few vintages quite recently , all have shown really well

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2016

First time having the pleasure. Ok, I get it. Unctuous and thicc. Searching every corner of my palate for one more ethereal drop of elixir. Grilled peach and apricot drizzled with vanilla extract. Is that sugar I’m chewing on?
The money though?
— 2 months ago

Bob, Jonathan and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

If you can find it, try Château de Fargues for Sauternes.

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

A good wine. Oak, a bit of chocolate, dark fruit and cherry. Pretty dry but smooth enough that easy to drink. — 2 months ago

Doug liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Wow. A stunner. Well balanced and not sweet. Still grippy tannins - and a super long finish. really nice. Ready to drink - but worthy of further cellaring of you can wait!! — 6 days ago

David Stein
with David
Rob and Jan liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

I don‘t know. This has so much oak it overpowers everything. Might need another 10 years to be approachable. Cigar box, black berries. Deep, big and profound. I am not sure I would spend 70$ on this. It needs much much more time. Probably needs to be open for 2 days. Out of the machine at the Wine House in LA. — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister, Zach and 5 others liked this
Vin d’Ottawa

Vin d’Ottawa

We have a 2007 Magnum and plan on holding for a few more years. Well-aged Rioja is a treasure

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

One of the bolder Lafite’s. More body, more alcohol and more tannins than any other vintage I’ve tasted. Great to hold for a couple of decades. — a month ago

Tom, Peter and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Birth year tastings, evening 4.
Polished leather, nuts, ecoline, grilled red pepper, tomato leaf, gingerbread, pepper, salty savoriness, tannins still present, still youthful, lots of future. Muscular! Beautiful.
— a month ago

Jan, Eric and 1 other liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2014

There is a vibrancy you noticed right away with a fine bead of bubbles. It is quite youthful and a few years of aging will help the wine meld together a bit better. Drink it now if you need to as it won’t disappoint. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Andrew and 6 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim. Doesn't show much age.

Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, chocolates, tobacco leaf, vegetables, forest floor, black tea, earth, coffee, herbs, spices, black pepper and wildflowers.

Full bodied and soft with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, black plums, currants, oak, light chocolates, coffee, mushrooms, licorice, tobacco leaf, earth, herbs and spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a gorgeous 24 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Saint Julien. Rich and elegant. Spicy and very complex. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Drinking at its peak now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine that is so much fun to drink by itself.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in (33% new) French oak barrels for 18 months.

13% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$150.
— 25 days ago

Dave, Ira and 13 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Nice pull @"Odedi"!!
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Very nice!

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Special Selection is Caymus’ flagship bottling, the only wine to twice earn Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.” The 2013 vintage comes from a benchmark Napa year—warm, consistent, and producing deeply concentrated fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor sites, this wine showcases the Caymus hallmark: bold, plush, and fruit-driven Napa opulence.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent blackberries, cassis, and baked blueberries, wrapped in layers of cocoa, espresso, and toasted vanilla. Secondary notes of licorice, sweet tobacco, and graphite add depth. With time in the glass, hints of cedar and leather start to show, signaling the early stages of graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, almost velvet-like, with powerful yet polished tannins. The 2013 vintage delivers intensity and weight, but with balance—long, lingering finish loaded with ripe dark fruit and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous cluster selection, long maceration for depth, and extended aging in new French oak barrels (18+ months). Chuck Wagner’s hallmark style: unapologetically ripe fruit, creamy oak integration, and a seamless, approachable structure even in youth.

Food Pairing
A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-crusted lamb. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with aged Gouda or truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
A monumental vintage of Caymus Special Selection—ripe, hedonistic, and still showing youthful vigor more than a decade later. Built for aging, yet already a crowd-pleaser. A benchmark expression of Napa Cabernet’s luxurious side.

Personal Pick Highlight
2013 stands out as one of Napa’s greatest modern vintages, and tasting it now is like catching Caymus in its prime sweet spot: power meeting polish. Cheers!
— 2 months ago

Ted liked this