Think Tank

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Bolgheri Red Bordeaux Blend 1992

Absolutely amazing. Perfect in every way I can think of. I will remember this one, what an absolute joy! — 7 months ago

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

We think something has changed at Montrose after the departure of Jean Bernard Delmas. Its not a bad wine by any means but the style is modern and extracted. At ten years this ie very drinkable and great quality but does not speak to its terroir as it used to. Hope its just one year… — 9 months ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Adriana, Daniel and 10 others liked this
Jay Kline

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The most recent vintage of Montrose I’ve had was the 2000 vintage but I’ve have enough experience with the estate going back to vintages in the 1960’s. If it has changed, that’s borderline criminal.
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

We have same experience, pretty much all vintages from 1966 to 2009. This 2014 is a good wine but little resemblance to our experience in so many vintages. We hope its a one off, but we dont really know. To your point if they changed, well its criminal indeed...

Equipo Navazos

I Think Manzanilla Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palomino Fino 2014

Beautifully Salty, sort of pear/ Green apple goodness. On a hot August eve, that funk is quite refreshing.
As Townsend said” Extra, extra, miracle cure”
Wow…The beach.
— 4 years ago

Milissa, Neil and 5 others liked this

Château La Vieille Cure

Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

I am more and more convinced that the wines from Chateau La Vieille Cure are made for the pleasure of those who truly love old school Bordeaux. There is absolute nothing modern about them. Dark currants, earth, pencil shavings, olive tapenade, and mushrooms. About as rustic as they come. Tannins are well integrated but the structure is holding fast. While I think it’s safe to say that the 2005 has entered its gradual, graceful decline, I have no doubt in my mind this will deliver the goods for at least a decade. — 6 years ago

Mike, Peter and 6 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

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Old school is not bad 😉
Jay Kline

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@Peter van den Besselaar indeed...just becoming rare

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2005

Popped and poured out of a 1.5L and this was lights out good. I love the 2005 vintage in Barbaresco and this was a beautiful example and seemed to have so much left in the tank! The fruit was still bright and full of life. Tannins are still firm. Great acid for food and paired beautifully with frutta di mare fra diavolo. Secondary characteristics are just barely creeping into the fore. Wish I had another mag to drink in 2029. — 6 years ago

Dr., Daniel P. and 9 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

88 mouton with Keith harding art work. The nose upon opening was sublime. As it decanted and opened, it was a bit disjointed. Has a lot of potential but at this age I think it’s not going to come together. The nose weakened, and the body to finish is a bit jarred. — 7 years ago

David and Sylvain liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2009

Golden apple and brioche deliciousness ... makes me think of a tarte tatin. — 7 years ago

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

This might be OTH at this point - nose is great, full of fruit, but the palate comes up short and a bit wooden. I think this is part of the batch that froze in the garage at Verona - might have something to do with it — 8 months ago

Paul and William liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Now we are taking about a new level of Cabernet Sauvignon. Forget all the basics you've seen before... A great experience with moderated tannins and it is good to think about the terroir of US for this Cabernet, which provides a good level of finesse. — 3 years ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 4 years ago

Ericsson, Andrew and 34 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@Michael Herzog It’s a good idea to do this I think Michael. We also have a daughter Georgie who was born in 1989. We will be drinking an old Bordeaux from that year sometime in the next few days before they both return to work overseas.
Bill Bender

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@Bob McDonald I have a couple ‘89s. I need to check in on one soon. Hope you are are well Bobby Mac.
Bob McDonald

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@Bill Bender Nice to hear from you Bill. We are well and I hope you are as well. We ended up having an 89 Mouton when the kids were home. Wonderful aromatics. Weather cooling down. Hope it’s warm enough to go for a surf over Easter. Cheers.

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2018

Had the 2018 a couple of months back and trying to save my next few bottles for the next 5yrs or so (I think Vegas has the over under at 2). Usual flavor profile, but feels like it’s packed in a bit more and denser than usual. Looking forward to it unfurling over time. — 6 years ago

Ira, Michael and 38 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 1999

From a mag and what a offering. I think drinking at it apex right now. Excellent. — 6 years ago

David L
with David
David, Shay and 39 others liked this
David L

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This was ready to go. Crowd pleaser for sure.
9.4

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2010

Shay A
9.2

BBQ & Zin night!

This surprised me. The fruit here wasn’t as sweet as expected. Black peppercorn spice and tart black cherry pie. I think this is actually young and could go quite the distance.
— 7 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldClare GilletteWeston Eidson
with Dan, Clare and 1 other
Anna, Eric and 30 others liked this
Jason Brater

Jason Brater

Love this one!
Jason Brater

Jason Brater

Definitely can hold—had an 08 last month and it’s still got plenty of body to it

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021

2021 vintage. Pleasant throughout and hit plenty of notes without screeching. The KB style has changed in the last few years. Gone are the mega-extracted pinots altho those are still around and holding up in the cellars/secondary market. Those older wines were a 10 on the volume scale. The last few vintages are closer to a 5. That said, this should hold up and develop nicely for a decade+ without issues. Those that don't think you can drink CA pinot noir over 4-5 years old are in for quite the surprise with quality producers. 04.18.25. — 8 months ago

Ted, David and 12 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. Matured in two-thirds new oak, it has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, estuarine scents, touches of liquorice emerging with time. It is higher-toned than the 1995 with iodine evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, fresh acidity, quite sweet in the mouth and maybe like the 1995, just missing that complexity and terroir expression that I think has defined recent vintages from this estate. Maybe it is slightly compromised by some Merlot (25%) that was picked a but later, but still, there is a lot of pleasure to be found in this 1996. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2022)
— 3 years ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2019

92 is rating ws and many others are giving it and I think that is right on the mark. It’s really gets meaty and a little more peppery the longer it breathes. The bouquet in the glass when it’s nearly empty is remarkably wonderful. Very enjoyable vintage. — 4 years ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2004

This 2004 is simply delicious. Ready to drink. Deep dark tingling fruit, perfect balance, Long finish. I love this wine. I think the 2004 is better than the 2000. — 6 years ago

Michiel, Tom and 10 others liked this

Pierre Péters

Cuvée de Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Very grassy. Key lime pie, green apple, and a load of primary yeast flavor. This is beautifully balanced and I think it will benefit from some time in bottle. Disgorged 2019 — 6 years ago

Ceccherini, Severn and 27 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

40th Anniversary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

What was meant to be a casual dinner with friends over homemade BLTs ended up turning into a full-blown wine dinner.
.
Eager to see how this develops over the years. As it stands now it’s syrupy with cloves, figs, molasses, and is pretty extracted. I think the potential is there but it’s going to take some time for it to mature and formulate.
— 7 years ago

Becca JohnsonTaryne ElaKrystal Vento
with Becca, Taryne and 1 other
Krystal, Mike and 15 others liked this

Tank Garage Winery

All or Nothing Napa Valley Red Blend 2015

Not bad, only a little bit sweet. Good mouth feel and flavor. — 7 years ago

Matt NicolettiCamilla Carboni
with Matt and Camilla