Tree Of Life

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

60+ minutes in the decanter/glass and it was singing. Beautiful, well-made wine with loads of deep, brooding dark fruits, cloves, menthol, anise, dried garden herbs, and baking spices. Has many, many more years of life yet...the best of which lie ahead. — 6 years ago

Becca JohnsonTaryne ElaKrystal Vento
with Becca, Taryne and 1 other
Krystal, Jason and 27 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1971

Wonderful example of how there can be surprises in these under rated vintages. This was full of life. — 6 years ago

Shay, David and 11 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2005

This has so much life left in it. Tastes like dark berries that got covered in dust after a rainstorm. Hints of vanilla and spices. Really well integrated tannins. An awesome wine. — 7 years ago

Pétrus

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

Best wine of my life thus far — 7 years ago

Debby liked this

The Dreaming Tree

Crush California Red Blend 2014

One of my favorite "go-to" wines! Medium body, smooth finish, nice and fruity. — 8 years ago

Daniel P., Shawn and 5 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Alison Story
9.2

lots of life, beautifully aged — 9 years ago

Maxence, Gregory and 16 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Love the 80' Bordeaux's and the lower alcohol levels.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1983

Tasted like it still has plenty of life left. What a graceful and elegant bottle. — 10 years ago

Hanif Perry
with Hanif
Hanif Perry

Hanif Perry

Phenomenal
9.6

The Dreaming Tree

Crush North Coast Red Blend 2012

Nice dry fruity wine. Not sure what it's a blend of but very nice. Good pic Gils! — 10 years ago

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Still a lot of life! Nice fruit with smokey finish. Open that bottle night 2015 — 10 years ago

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1934

1934 Château Margaux

Top shoulder fill. Semi-opaque at the core, almost like an old burgundy with its brownish hews. Beautiful and graceful bouquet of roses, raspberries that have been baked, very elegant and healthy nose. At first very dry, with the fruit barely hanging on for dear life, but after 15 minutes in the decanted it comes alive with sweet fruit, high acidity and just a kiss of tannin. This is very complex and sublime for about a period of 20-40 minutes, what else could you ask for from a 80 year old bottle of wine.
THANKS DAVE !!

50-5-12-13-5=85+
— 10 years ago

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

This was the last bottle from a case I bought in about 1997. Over the 29 years since the wine was made, the noteworthy tar and tobacco notes that Pontet Canet is known for softened to an ashy-ness that is a softer version of a Mouton Rothschild. Still plenty of life left in this outstanding vintage, but the wine won't improve much (if at all) from this point. I enjoyed this bottle with Lucas Comfort, a day after his 29th birthday (1990). — 6 years ago

John and Anthony liked this

The Dreaming Tree

California Pinot Noir 2016

One of my favorites. Just the right amount of fruit, wood, and terroir. A bit acidic but not too much. Pairs nicely with cheese and charcuterie. — 7 years ago

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 1979

Seth Morgen Long
9.4

Quite elegantly red fruited, a bit of musk and savory notes, but surprisingly primary. Compared to the ‘89, this is lighter in structure, almost airy, but with years of life left. — 7 years ago

Abiel Garcia
with Abiel
Velma, Brendan and 8 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1945

Without a doubt the wine of my life. Elegant, dried cranberries, cigar box, beechnut tobacco, great texture. A truly magnificent bottle. 1/100 that would be perfect. — 8 years ago

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Entering a nice drinking window with plenty of life ahead. — 8 years ago

John, Ira and 32 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2005

2005 vintage extremely tasty. Tastes great and this wine has another 20 years of life. No doubt a superb effort but I am very worried. Just like Bordeaux is no longer claret, rayas is no longer a delicate wine. Rayas was a delicate, subtle, light colored, feminine wine. It has become high alcohol, big color, masculine wine. Very good but I miss the elegance. Has Emanuelle Reynaud listened too much to RP. We don't need another Pegau. Rayas was just fine as it was. — 9 years ago

Ira liked this
Ira Schwartz

Ira Schwartz Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Gilbert Van Hassel Spot t on per Pegau. How I loved their 1990 with 10 + years on it . Have not had a Pegau like that one for a long time.

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1961

Ex-Chateau bottle. Testament to perfect storage. Light Amber edge with a darker core. Started off full of toast and just a whiff of brett. Slow ox for 2 hrs then poured. Amazing life for a 54yr old wine still in its stride. Light and dark fruit with seamless integrity and polish. Classic old BDX. After the initial funk blew off it kept developing in the glass. I could drink this all night long. Awesome — 10 years ago

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 1990

The first vintage release from Harlan estate. Now I can say I have been lucky to try every vintage of this wine. Long finish, with a lot less of a ripe attack than anticipated. Long life ahead of this wine made in a different era in napa. #timetraveling — 10 years ago

Drew, Maxence and 8 others liked this
Jason Heller

Jason Heller Influencer Badge

Have you had the 1987-1989?
Marty Winters

Marty Winters Influencer Badge

@Jason Heller I have had the 89 but no 88 or 87 yet.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991

Solid opened up very well. Lots of life left. — 10 years ago

Simple Life

California Pinot Noir 2012

Fresh strawberry and rhubarb with a hint of spice; very smooth — 11 years ago

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2014

Somm David T
9.2

If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.

This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.

The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.

The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.

12% ABV 👍

Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 6 years ago

Ellen, Severn and 23 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Dawn Emory Hold it a couple/three years, so much rounder/softer & complex. Yes, I thought as I was writing that, I am really dating myself. 😉
Ming L

Ming L

My experience with Cru Beaujolais has been so so. Will look for the bottles from the producers you mentioned.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Ming Liang I would never say a wine or varietal is for everyone. However, I think, if you give a few of the high quality producers (of said varietal) a try after letting them resolve in bottle awhile, then, it’s fair to say, “meh, not for me!” Look forward to your thoughts when you try one or two. Cheers! 🍷

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

PnP at a friend's house. Wonderful nose of blackberry, black currant, dried blueberries, cedar, eucalyptus, and tobacco that keeps intensifying with time in the glass. Full body with fully-integrated tannins and a long complex finish that fluctuates between black fruits, organic earth, and eucalyptus. Everything about this wine is in perfect harmony right now but it still has plenty of life left. — 7 years ago

The Dreaming Tree

North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Very nice. Jus enough hint of sweet — 8 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1980

Mitzi Inglis
9.4

Lots of life left in this wine. What a treat. From 3 liter. #josephphelps biased review — 9 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
with Joseph
P, Richard and 14 others liked this
P A

P A

A classic wine from a classic vineyard. Enjoy

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1913

Eduardo Bolaños
10

Will most likely in my life never have again. First vintage of Lopez de Heredia 1913 — 10 years ago

Scorewine, Anthony and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Still got it. A fantastic old Bordeaux with a classic nose and great flavor profile. A bit short on the finish. Tannins even still there for a few more years of life left. A great bottle. — 10 years ago

Bill liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Bright, fresh, tons of life left in it. Great fruit, crisp acid, silky tannins. Yum! — 10 years ago

Josh liked this

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

From my little house to yours... Drink this wine and life will be better. Young now, but don't worry. It just shines of pretty red currant, fresh herbs, violet/
lavender, potpourri, chalk dust (something mineral) very uplifting! Just lovely 😊
— 10 years ago

Cathy and Troy liked this
Cathy Corison

Cathy Corison Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Thank you, Lynne. Cheers!
Lynne Bryant

Lynne Bryant Influencer Badge

Cheers, Cathy Corison! Thank you!

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1970

Donald Patz
9.5

Beautiful. Still plenty of life — 12 years ago

Marc, Ty and 6 others liked this