Thousand Lives

Montes

Purple Angel Colchagua Valley Carménère Petit Verdot 2017

The Purple Angel lives up to expectations. A great blend of Carmenere and Petit Verdot which actually has a vibrant purple edge in the decanter. It is early days for this one but it can already be enjoyed with some decanting time but I think it is better than the 2016. Deep ruby and purple colour, the nose is a combination of Napa Cabernet and Australian Shiraz, rich, smokey, plenty of dark fruit and some nice burnt rubber and tar. On the palate there is blackcurrant, cherry, smoke and green and black pepper. This has a nice long finish and while it is definitely young, the tannins and acid are not overpowering. Definitely plenty of ageing potential and I think this will get better and better. Rating now is 9.2 but I’m sure it will end up at 9.5 in the future. — 5 years ago

Milissa, Severn and 23 others liked this
Ray Vanderhoff

Ray Vanderhoff

Great analysis, Clive. Montes PA is a brilliant wine! You are correct (my opinion also) that a few more years of bottle age will be beneficial.
Clive McNish

Clive McNish

Thanks Ray. I know I’m enjoying something when I start looking for places to buy a case before finishing the first glass. Five years and this will be a stunner.

Thibaud Boudignon

Anjou Chenin Blanc 2017

Discovery of the Vinosphere. We need more Loire in our lives. — 6 years ago

Ira, Scott and 7 others liked this

Clos Rougeard

"Brézé" Saumur Chenin Blanc 2012

Lives up to the hype. Out of the gate, it's like if Riesling and Chardonnay had a love child. Over time it broadens to a richer more obviously chenin experience. At the end, it vascillates between chenin and chardlike. Amazing stuff. — 8 years ago

Sylvain, Amr and 1 other liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1947

Kareem Massoud
9.8

Plum, prunes, creme de cassis, truffles, forest bottom, cigar box. Redolent of vintage port. Still remarkably vibrant for its age. Ruby core, tawny rim. Ullage low shoulder. Cork intact but fully wine-soaked. A great wine that lives up to the hype. A real treat! — 8 years ago

Scott and Rebecca liked this

Famille Perrin

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Steve Peck- Great gumdrops! I really like this wine. Ripe fruit flavors with elegant structure. A legendary wine that actually lives up to its renowned reputation. — 10 years ago

Danny liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Somm David T
9.8

Mother Mary of God! Just give me the bottle and a crazy straw. I want all my wine to taste this way.

The nose is; ruby and velvety elegance. Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy beautiful fields of; red, purple and blue flowers.

The body is full, round and the definition of elegance. The dark, tarry tannins are well rounded and have baby teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfectly knitted together. Magnificent! Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dark, intense, spice with palate heat, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, saline, dry tobacco with ash, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy fields of; red, purple and blue flowers. The acidity is round-elegant and like a warm shower. The finish is simply a forget about it experience. It is gorgeous & sexy and a wine I will never forget. This is a 100 point wine in short order. Don’t be foolish enough to open a bottle now unless you have at least 3-5 more. You’ll be robbing yourself of heaven.

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room.
— 6 years ago

Sofia, Shay and 31 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@David T David every year Cape Mentelle conducts an International Cabernet tasting involving around 27 Cabs from around the world. I went to the 2009 tasting some years ago and Palmer was the standout with the Woodlands Alma May not far behind.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald Couldn’t agree more! Cheers! 🍷
Stephen Pierron

Stephen Pierron

Wow... I bet the '09 was phenomenal..... glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

Dom Pérignon

P2 Brut Champagne Blend 1998

Yep all that and a bag of money. Rarely does it live up to the hype, but yes this lives up to all the hype. Intoxicating nose, Rich and full on the palate. Very long and satisfying. Worth the investment, well at least once. — 8 years ago

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Second time within the space of a week! Decanted for 2.5 hours the wine initially a bit funky blows off and lives up to its glorious reputation. Next time will try a slightly shorter decant — 8 years ago

Tenute Silvio Nardi

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2010

Amazing wine. Lives up to the hype of 2010 Brunello and is ready to drink now. — 10 years ago

Mike, Daragh and 1 other liked this

Giacomo Conterno

Riserva Monfortino Barolo Nebbiolo 1998

Stunning. My first Monfortino Riserva and it lives up to the hype. — 10 years ago

Mike, Alex and 24 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend

A picture is worth a thousand words. — 6 years ago

P, Ron and 2 others liked this
P A

P A

@Éric Núñez Éric yes Cheers 🥂
Ericsson

Ericsson

Cheers!

Russian River Brewing Company

Pliny the Elder Double IPA 2019

Lives up to its reputation — 6 years ago

P, Jason and 12 others liked this
P A

P A

@Eric Urbani Eric one of the best in the top ten. Cheers 🍻
Joseph Barsky

Joseph Barsky

I can taste a grapefruit in my beer!

Jauma

Thousand Fires McLaren Vale Semillon Chenin Blanc

Funky and tart! Apple cider vinegar — 7 years ago

Shannon liked this

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards

Right Bank Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Just like I remembered. Takes me back to our Saint Emilion visit. Lush blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. The tradition of the original vision lives on. — 8 years ago

James liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

I’m usually a fan of dry reds, but bring on the wets baby! Just a delightful fruit-forward expression of cab sav. Just when you think you have a handle on the heavy vanilla aftertaste a strong gust of butterscotch takes over your taste buds. It’s a beautiful cab that lives up to the Caymus reputation. 10/10 would slam another glass again. — 8 years ago

Raffi BloomStephanie Bixeman
with Raffi and Stephanie
Raffi, leon and 2 others liked this

Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau

Silex Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Wow. This lives up to its reputation. I had my doubts about all the new oak, but this is almost as if the oak is gently taming the wild, bombastic, flinty, minerally, herbaceous SB within. The finish goes on forever and I honestly didn't want it to stop. — 9 years ago

Hai Tran
with Hai
Eric, Ira and 12 others liked this
Christanna Honer

Christanna Honer Influencer Badge

@Alison Story my first time trying this- incredible! Now can't wait to try one with a little age...
Alison Story

Alison Story Influencer Badge

so great! we tuck these bottles waay back in our cellar so we won't be easily tempted! the older the better for sure, cheers!
Molly Brooks

Molly Brooks Influencer Badge

Try the Baron de L from Ladoucette!

Clos Rougeard

Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2010

Lives up to the hype. Glad I had the opportunity to try. Continued to open through the night and improve. Sure this baby will only get better. — 10 years ago

Leon Lee
with Leon
James and Anthony liked this