Thick As Thieves

Thick as Thieves

Levings Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2016

It has a great mouthful sensation
It recalls a Burgundy
I'd say that with some aging in bottle this can become extremely good, or I should say better 'cause it's already delicious now
To try again and again
— 6 years ago

Daniel, Rob and 7 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Somm David T
9.5

Last night, my second favorite pairing. Tonight, my favorite! An older Pichon Lalande and a ribeye. Counting it down.

While this 03 is delicious tonight, I won’t touch another bottle until 2028 for the way I’ve learned to enjoy em. However, a good time for a check in given I have several more bottles.

The nose reveals; thick, rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, older tobacco, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers.

The body is creamy, lush and full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting themselves together nicely. The tannins are round, dark and only 45-50% resolved. She’s an elegant beauty that will deliver so much more at 25 years and later. Rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, cigar box with ash, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, coco powder, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers & violets on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The creamy, elegant finish is balanced fruit & earth and persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande,
General Manager-Nicolas Glumineau, Pichon Lalande’s tasting room and their Estate vineyard at twilight and is adjacent to Chateau Latour.
— 6 years ago

Stephen, Shay and 30 others liked this

Fiorano (Boncompagni Ludovisi)

Principe di Venosa Vino da Tavola White Blend

SF
8.9

The juice itself is visually stunning especially sipping through a Zalto wine glass - imagine sipping liquid gold :) transient apricot, mineral nectarines on the tongue, finishing with hint of #almond #mushroom , very low acidity as if it all ages away - drinking bottle from 1992 . Texture wasn’t thick as I thought it would be . one of those wines that I don’t quite have words to describe — 6 years ago

Mas de Boislauzon

Tintot Special Cuvée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2015

Victim to experiment. 85 percent Mourvedre, balance is grenache. Thick. Poured like tar into the glass. Nose of wildflowers and oateal raisin cookie. Entry is inky, thick purple and black fruit dominated. Tame acidity. Nutmeg. Spice. Plum mingles in the middle. Finishes sweet, black pepper, and a surprising amount of dry tannin. Sweet and chalky powerful finish. Don't think I would have pegged this for a 15 as this has so many characteristics of both a young and an older CDP. I cringe to know where this will be in 5 to 10 years. — 7 years ago

P, Daniel and 28 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Interesting review
Byron Hewett

Byron Hewett Premium Badge

I have a couple of the 2007s. I’ll have to try one and report back.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@Byron Hewett would like to see what you thought.

Line Shack Winery

San Antonio Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

It's Friday and I'm ready for my Cabernet fix. This week it's a great one from Monterey County.

Dark Inky in color with a nice purple/ brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, toasted oak, vanilla, alcohol, dried figs, cooked cherries, licorice, light smoke, spices, light cloves, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long, thick legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, cola, dark chocolates, coffee, pencil lead, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.

Long finish with round tannins, spices and tangy cranberries.

This is a nice surprise. A wonderful Cabernet from San Antonio Valley. This 4 year old is peaking now. Well-balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Rich, spicy and extracted, but not in your face, kind of red.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (30 minutes).
Great for parties or as a sipping wine by the porch. Enjoyable by itself or with food, like a nice piece of steak.

Showing lots of sediments, so probably unfiltered.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petite Sirah. Aged in French oak (20%), for 9 months.

Delicious.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$18.
— 7 years ago

Tim, Peter and 15 others liked this
Matt Trader

Matt Trader Influencer Badge

Great value stuff. Try the Petite Sirah
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

cheers Phil
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

The petite sirah is on my wishlist

Realm Cellars

The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Greg Ballington
9.7

Super thick and rich. Deep ruby red. Feels like it doesn't end. Tons of dark fruits and dark baking spices on the palate. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Long and never ending finish. Similar on the nose as the palate. Drink till 2031. — 8 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia OkohKim Stanbro
with Sean, India and 1 other
Kim, Daniel and 48 others liked this
Aaron Hamrock

Aaron Hamrock

I really enjoy Realm wines. Great line up.
Martin G Rivard

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Awesome Lineup!! Where was the tasting?
Greg Ballington

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@Martin G Rivard it was at @David L at it again haha

Davis Estates

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014

Somm David T
9.4

It has been awhile since we’ve had the 2014 and it’s evolving nicely.

My suggestion is you chill down the Davis Chardonnay, take it out of chill mode a half-hour to forty-minutes prior to enjoying. Then, get this soft white cheese from Harbison Cellars - Spruce Bark Wrapped Bloomy Rind and the Firehook crackers and enjoy them all together. They are a Heavenly pairing together.

As for the 2014 Davis Chardonnay, the nose reveals, more honey notes, overripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens.

The body is full, thick, lush and rich. The texture is gorgeous and sexy...beautifully delicious over the palate. Lots of honey notes, over ripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, more green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, caramel, a touch of toffee, butter, cream, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & crushed, grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice with a touch of heat, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens. The acidity is excellent, round and phat. The long, rich, lush, gorgeous, sexy, well balanced finish persists nicely for minutes.

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better CA Chardonnay for the money. $36 member price and $48 non-member price.

You want to enjoy this just below room temperature to get all it has to offer.

Photos of, the right side view from their terrace with their signature windmill, the center direct view of the valley floor through to the other side, the Harbison soft white cheese & Firehook crackers to a pair with the Davis Chardonnays.

Their Chardonnays show varying nuisances year to year but, are very consistent in quality year to year.
— 6 years ago

P, Kimberly and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I need to try this offering - reads very well. Thanks
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Ron R You will not be disappointed...a little Aubert style in each bottle for far less money. 💰 Cheers! 🥂🍷

Frank Family Vineyards

Napa Valley Zinfandel 2016

This is a very sophisticated Zin. Sophisticated as in raised-on-classical-but-moved-to-big-city-and-got-into-BillieEilish-but-go- waltzing-for-fun way. Shall I be textbook? Let’s.
Eye: medium ruby red thick big ol’ tears
Nose: leaps out! Licorice red/blue/black fruit but mostly like stewed dried cranberries and spice and vanilla bean
Tongue (mine) dry, medium acid, medium plush ripe tannins, high booze level (checking to see if I was correct)ohhhh 14.8! So yeah high abv.
Body is medium plus. Intensity medium plus. It’s all ripe and raisined purple plum, black cherries, blackberries and all of these fruits are dried and ripe plus a handful of blueberries and a slosh of vanilla bean liqueur and some allspice or even...velvet falernum. Finish is medium plus.
This is a Zin I want in my life forevs
— 6 years ago

Daniel, Stuart and 22 others liked this
Dennis P.

Dennis P. Influencer Badge

@Ellen Clifford you have a way of writing reviews as if I'm hearing you speak in person. Very talented in a quirky way. An enjoyable read.

Groot Constantia

Grand Constance Muscat 2015

Greg Ballington
9.1

Perfect way to start off our trip to SA. Medium auburn yellow in appearance. Fragrant nose with white flowers, honeysuckle, sweet berries and a light touch of cedar. Medium bodied with well balanced acidity. Not as thick as the Vin de Constance and the alcohol is blended in well. Lovely palate with elements of toffee, honeysuckle, a bit of berries and a little nutty. Long finish. Drink till 2029. — 7 years ago

P, Jody and 15 others liked this
P A

P A

@Greg Ballington Greg have a great trip, there are so many world class South African wines. I look forward to your reviews and pics Cheers 🍷
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

You back there again???

Northstar

Columbia Valley Petit Verdot 2014

A breathtakingly delicious application of The Darkest Grape in varietal form, this thick, inky cocktail wine will wow the most jaded oenophiles! It is as if black cherries, dark currants, and dark chocolate-covered espresso beans were throwing a party in one’s mouth! More please! — 7 years ago

Long Shadows Vintners

Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Somm David T
9.5

Feather is 100% Cabernet. This is made in coordination with Randy Dunn. On the nose, dark, lightly spiced currants. Black oil, loamy soils, black licorice and fresh floral bouquet. On the palate, the mouthfeel is thick & rich. There's a good presence of wood shaving. Rich, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, candied black plum, plum, black raspberries, loamy soils, dark rich moist earth, leather, tobacco, spice-box, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, violets and fresh red florals. Acidity is round and mouthwatering. The structure is big. The tension perfect as is the balance of fruit and earth. This is definitely a Parker wine. It's so easy to drink young, yet will cellar 10-15 years nicely. Photos of the tasting rooms hand blown glass lighting...lit up. The Feather artwork and the famous Boushey vineyard in Yakima Valley — 8 years ago

Sofia, Anthony and 10 others liked this

Di Meo

Fiano di Avellino Fiano 2012

Nice golden color, especially looking through the thick body of volume. Nose of nice tropical fruits like mango, fresh green apple, a bit oak, a bit buttery, and even a bit cherry like. Taste is drier than the nose suggests, dominated by grapefruit zest, a hint of tropical fruit, and slight tropical fruit. After breathing, fruity peach and flowering notes do sink in. Very pleasant and refreshing. Aftertaste has a unique peppery flavor which makes her special. The tasting is a nice experience as she has flavors composed of different spectra. — 8 years ago

Mike, Emily and 4 others liked this

Jones Family Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Somm David T
9.4

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI.
— 6 years ago

Shay, Julie and 24 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Sounds like my review of the 07 word for word, well at least the word Jones.

Sinegal Estate

Reserve St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Dark and deep. Cigar box, deep red cherry, very smooth. Aerated for 3 hours. This sets itself apart as deep, dark, thick, juicy, so good. — 6 years ago

Eric liked this

Montes

Purple Angel Colchagua Valley Carménère Petit Verdot 2013

😇 I looked up to the sky & the Purple Angel came down upon me filling my glass with light blocking purple ruby rain that oozed aromas of black & blue berries w/ thick chocolate, vanilla, dates, heavenly minerals & smokey oak - “drink this godly juice” she said in a booming voice🍷

I dared embrace the heavenly nectar & succumbed to a full on palate explosion of ripe dark concentrated blackcurrant/berry bathed in raspberry cocoa and minerals💥

My mouth was left open in awe as my purple stained teeth yielded to the long silky fruit loaded intense finish & I myself turned into a naughty purple devil - spank me angel, spank me 😈

🎵 “And through it all she offers me protection l, A lot of love and affection” you’re gonna be singing this all day now 🤣 “And down the waterfall wherever it may take me .. “

📍 Montes Purple Angel 2013

🏵 93 points

🍇 92% Carmenere & 8% Petit Verdot

💥 14.5% ABV

✅ For £32 this is a cracking wine 😍 some may say even Angelic 😁
— 6 years ago

Chris, Severn and 13 others liked this
Angelo Casagrande

Angelo Casagrande

Very poetic description. I love this wine. Carmenere at its best.

Quinta Do Infantado

10 Year Tawny Porto

Sweet, sticky, raisiny, yummy! Not as thick as Pedro though! — 7 years ago

Château Lagrezette

Cru d'Exception Cahors Malbec 2012

Full-bodied, thick and heavy with a lot of roundness and warmth. Aromas of ripe black and red fruits, a little spicy as well. Elaborated by Michel Roland. Spends 28 months in oak barrels. Superb. — 8 years ago

Pasanau

Ceps Nous Priorat Grenache 2013

As always great Priorat at a great price. Full bodied, smooth and concentrated. Good with thick pork chops at Ibiza Houston. — 8 years ago

Château Raymond-Lafon

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1982

A darker golden color. Heavy, thick, and a lot of botrytis as many 82s. — 9 years ago

Hubert Lamy

En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay

Somm David T
9.3

Wow...has this wine improved since I had it last. It's still thick and waxy but it's added a beautiful butterscotch quality. Add to that; a honey character, green apple, citrus, pineapple, citrus blossoms, chalkiness and minerality that is so soft, elegant & beautiful that is rare even in this quality burgundy. The acidity is perfect as is the balance, mouthfeel, structure, length and a finish you want in all your white burgundy. So elegant. Can't believe how underrated and under appreciated this terroir remains...not to mention the producer. — 9 years ago

Daniel P., Tom and 12 others liked this