Vintners Edge
Stone Edge Farm
Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
32% semillon and sees barrel time...more body, darker in color- Pistachio, floral olive oil. Quince. Meyer lemon peel. Mustard blossom. — 5 years ago
River's Edge
Barrel Select Elkton Pinot Noir 2015
OMG delicious! It was suggested this would be great for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll definitely buy a few bottles. — 6 years ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!
Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.
Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.
The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.
The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.
13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.
Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
— 6 years ago
Château Doisy-Daëne
Bordeaux Sec Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc 2016
A nice white Bordeaux, aromas of stone, tropical & citrus fruits with some floral oak. On the palate flavors of pear, peach and lime citrus with oak wrapped in vivid acidity. Long finish ending with a tangy citrus edge. Tasting Sample. — 5 years ago
Babcock
Appellation's Edge Pinot Noir 2015
Happy 21st Anniversary bottle at the lovely Ranch House in Ojai, CA. Could use another year or 2 in the bottle . A little tannic still, notes if cherries, pomegranate and dill. Great mouth feel and even finish — 6 years ago
Spottswoode
Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1987
Some bricking, garnet with orange on the edge. Dried red fruit, fig, leather and fun musty old CA Cab flavors. Nearly resolved tannins but the acidity is there and completely smooth tasty sailing. — 6 years ago
Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend 1998
😍 @ £31 this Musar is top & I’ve reviewed a few times 👍 personally i find it the best of many vintages I’ve had & not as funky as others 😉
🏵 495 points
🍇 Cab S, Cinsault & Carignan
🍷 Garnet cherry w/ brick edge
👃 Smokey oaky spiced leather infused cherry choc gateaux, red potpourri, prune compote, red berry jam, barnyard, mushroom risotto & herbs - gorgeous in a Zalto Burg 😎
👄 Med balanced body of earthy smooth red cherry in mocha, date & prune sauce w/ strawberry & redcurrant tones
🎯 Med+ earthy red berry/cherry gateaux💥 — 7 years ago
Château Talbot
Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989
This £126 Talbot feels a few years past its peak but still enjoyable; mainly on the aromas 😉 prefer 03, 05 & 86 but better than 81 😁
🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge
👃 Gravel, soot & burnt smoked oak driven mineralised herby faded dark berry fruits w/ melted liquorice, dry cured meats, gravel, pencil lead & dirty earth
👄 Med body of liquorice infused dark fruits w/ a red berry undertone & dry mocha blackcurrant tickle
🎯 Med earthy liquorice charred dark fruit silky finale w/ a red berry kick — 7 years ago
Olga Raffault
Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc
on the edge, almost rusty but brilliant ripe plum, betaine, long finish. what made this a mark lucky to taste this — 7 years ago
Château Carbonnieux
Pessac-Léognan White Bordeaux Blend 2016
Opened another recently, legendary wine, said that in the 18th century was introduced to Sultan of Constantinople's palace b/c of its clarity and called "mineral water from Carbonnieux", defying Islamic law. Pale lemon with pronounce aromas of tropical and stone fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of melon, mango, apple, green herbs and a crisp mineral edge. Medium+ length, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit, citrus mineral character. Nice, aging well. — 4 years ago
Descendientes de José Palacios
Pétalos Bierzo Mencía 2018
Just love this wine, just tried ‘18! Nice blend of grapes from the Bierzo Valley, the ‘18 has about 4% of perfectly ripe white grapes, 6% less than ‘17. Deep Ruby with loads of Berry fruits aromas adding some sweet floral spice and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry with a juicy mineral edge. Well balanced and integrated with fine smooth tannins, lively acidity and a long finish ending with oak and spicy notes. Tremendous value for such a complex wine. — 4 years ago
Arianna Occhipinti
SP68 Bianco Terre Siciliane Albanello Muscat of Alexandria 2018
On first sniff, it smells like dank mushrooms, sip is bright like a navel orange with a deep heft in the mouthfeel. It feels through your whole scent system, even down your throat. Could call it the edge of creamy with how it sits in the mouth. Savory finish like a fatty filet. — 5 years ago
Delas Frères
Domaine des Tourettes Hermitage Syrah 2012
Pronounced rich aromas of ripe dark fruits and spices. On the palate ripe cherry and plum with rustic spices and some tea notes. Fine ripe tannins, with slight grippy edge, hints of oak on medium+ finish ending with fruit and slight mineral edge. Nice Hermitage. Nice! — 6 years ago
La Rioja Alta
Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2004
My 28th/29th/30th & 31st bottles of the beautiful 04 & @ £40 & they are still superb value for a stunning old world Rioja 👍 & keep getting better & better 😁
🍷 Garnet w/ brick edge
👃 Old world Seduction of soft smokey oak, leather, plum, spiced cherry, vanilla, red berry & fig jam w/ a balsamic prune tone
👄 Med body of silky creamy red cherry/berry driven earthy & oaky mashed fruits with cocoa, fig & thick balsamic
🎯 Long soft smooth oaky rich cherry fruit linger with earthy cocoa & balsamic
— 7 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.
Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.
The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.
Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.
Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — 2 years ago