Welcome Swallow

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Krug is always most welcome, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This is edition 169. A bit more yeasty and slightly less acidic than previous versions, to my taste. But if you like the Krug style - which we do very much - it hits the spot per usual.

My wife used to work with Fritz Hatton, proprietor of Arietta wines and auctioneer for Zachys. Fritz always says to have a half bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge in case you need a “midnight snack”, and I have to agree with him!
— 5 years ago

Severn, Michael and 13 others liked this
Severn G

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Reminds me, I need a Krug split in the fridge!

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

Named after me, not his Dad named Joseph which makes no fuckin sense at all. But this has tons of full fruit flavors, but silky finish. You’re welcome — 7 years ago

Heather Gatnarek
with Heather

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Happy birthday, Emily! Welcome to the world, Charles! — 8 years ago

Calabretta

Sicilia Nerello Mascalese

Spicy red from Sicily. 10 years old. Enough acidity to welcome the next sip. — 9 years ago

Carla liked this
Barrett Lindsay-Steiner

Barrett Lindsay-Steiner

Really tasty. Perfect with a 45 day Aged Steak.

Cristom

Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013

Some very welcome, outstanding juice that sent the grilled lamb chops to another level of "Yumville"
#cristom, @pinotnoir @CraigiesonPark
— 10 years ago

Beth Zitzman
with Beth
John and David liked this
John Howard

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One of our favorite producers.

Paloma

Napa Valley Merlot 2012

Let's welcome the weekend with this wonderful Merlot.

Deep red in color with medium intensity and a pink/ red rim.

Fruity on the nose with blackberries, blueberries, plums, cherries, oak, vanilla, green pepper, licorice, black pepper, chocolates, light smoke and spices.

Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with great legs and medium acidity.

Fruity on the palate with blueberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, chocolates, tobacco, wood, vanilla, coffee, licorice, cloves, spices and peppercorn.

A very long finish, with cloves, firm tannins and black pepper.

This is a Great Merlot from Spring Mountain, Napa Valley. Had it blind, and I called a 2012 Napa Cabernet. I was off by varietal, but that is what one can expect from it, a Napa Cab.

Needs a couple of years to tone down on the green pepper, Otherwise, nicely balanced and enjoyable by itself or with a big piece of steak.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing.

14.8% alcohol by volume.
— 10 years ago

Ron, David and 26 others liked this
Ron R

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Nice note @"Odedi". I like some Merlots because they masquerade as a cab...

Agrapart & Fils (Pascal Agrapart)

7 Crus A Avize Brut Champagne

Enjoyed even on the second day! Definitely taste the Chardonnay after release. Will buy again and nice welcome bottle. — 5 years ago

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

Shay A
9.3

It was 19 in TX Tues, hailed yesterday, and is 80 degrees today. Welcome to spring in TX.

I love the info on the back of these bottles as they give detail to the base vintage and when they were disgorged. This is ‘08 base, disgorged 2017.

Right up my alley. I’d call this oxidative, but not overly so. There is a Krug-ness about this style. It’s toasty and savory with a little caramel, toffee and baked apple. Creamy. For my personal taste, while I enjoy all champagne cold, this is one of the few styles that holds up well even once it warms up slightly as there isn’t a lot of tartness here.
— 7 years ago

Dawn, Somm and 43 others liked this
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

We are opening something special as well tonight, @Shay A. Had quarter size hail up here but no damage and already had neighbor inspect the roof! Might be a Champagne night for us as well to toast our week of Spring 🤣!
Bob McDonald

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@Shay A Probably the best NV on the market in my opinion.
Shay A

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@David T : I love it! I’m going to re-stock.

@Ryan Vento : Stay safe down there! We all know that spring in TX is a roll of the dice.

@Mark Flesher : Glad there wasn’t any damage! Think we escaped unscathed as well.

@Bob McDonald : I’m inclined to agree with you. Can’t think of anything else that I would take over this at the price.

Henriot

Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut Champagne Blend

The hint of elderflower is a lovely welcome aboard our flight back home from Cannes. If a champagne may be at once rich and refreshing, this one is. Sheer elegance in a glass. — 9 years ago

Perrier-Jouët

Grand Brut Champagne Blend

Acidic and mouthwatering with fresh apple and lemony citrus, but still luxurious and slightly creamy as you expect. We were given this as a welcome home from our honeymoon and it made the bottle that much sweeter. — 10 years ago

Launois Père et Fils

Cuvée Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay 2006

B
10

Magnum 2006 Launois Pere et Fils Reserve Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Welcome champagne for D fam at Tap. — 10 years ago

Mr.Pink liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

This wine was a gift from friends staying at our condo. You are welcome back anytime. Rich, robust red wine, great with pasta! Perfect! — 10 years ago

Abbaye de Saint Bon Chien

Grand Cru Oak Barrel Aged Ale Malt

Thanks Jim! You are welcome to stay anytime you wish. — 11 years ago

Jeffrey, Mark and 6 others liked this

Welcome Stranger

OPTICAL ILLUSION MENDOCINO Chardonnay Merlot 2019

Incredibly satisfying merlot and chardonnay blend. Wow! An endless vibe — 6 years ago

Long Shadows Vintners

Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2010

Probably a little less amazeballs than the 2009 that Obama served the French president when he visited the white house, but still fantastic! A rustic sage and anise note are quite interesting as it lingers long after you swallow. Otherwise, the cherry and cola notes from the cab play off the juicy strawberry and leathery/fleshy notes of the Syrah. Damn this is good! — 7 years ago

Cherish HartJen Masar
with Cherish and Jen
Sarah liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Le Moulin Rouge Pinot Noir 2012

Lots of red fruit showing through. Rewarding from sip to swallow. One of the better PM Pinot’s that I have had. — 7 years ago

Swallow Cellar

Pinot Noir 2011

Light with coffee and berry, very unique at $8 a steal. — 9 years ago

Odette

Estate Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This wine is worthy of all the press and hype in my view. Awesome vanilla/raspberry/chocolate/spice palate. Very balanced for such a young age. Love the finish- big without overstaying it's welcome. — 9 years ago

Kimberly, Ryan and 30 others liked this
Ron R

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Sounds like my flavor...
Jim Trobaugh

Jim Trobaugh

This is just a very good wine
Anthony Biagi

Anthony Biagi

Great vineyard great winemaker

Big Churn

California Chardonnay 2014

Delicious welcome to a fun weekend with friends. Butter, vanilla, and citrus. — 10 years ago

Luba
with Luba
Luba and Stephanie liked this
Luba

Luba

Wonderful summer taste with a hint of vanilla in the finish! Loved it!!
9.4

Gosset

Grande Réserve Brut Champagne Blend

Vying with the '05 Bollinger Grand Année for top spot amongst all the champagnes tasted last night (dozens of wines). The extra bottle age gives it a very round and polished character. The Grand Année had slightly more acidity (welcome), the Gosset was more powerful. Great brioche and lots of apply fruit. — 11 years ago

Ted, Sasha and 5 others liked this