Jerry Raphael

8.9

Nice finish to an excellent meal at Zahav — 6 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

Excellent cab and loaded with dark berries some spice and cedar. It just seemed savory and smooth from start to finish. — 11 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Well, here we are two years later, back at the same BYOB for New Year’s Eve with the same wine. I figured 35 years was enough—it was time to drink it.
Same treatment as in 2024: opened and decanted, then poured about two hours later. This time the nose offered noticeably more—cedar, a touch of vegetal character, and dark berries. On the palate, dark berries again took the lead. The finish was good, but at the very end it seemed to stop just a bit short but still giving it a 95. At Anthony’s — 2 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.0

Very nice Northern Rhone red blend with some white wines as well. Drinking great and enjoyable but a lot going on at dinner. — 6 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Hosted a tasting for a wine group I’ve been part of for over 40 years. I came across this 56-year-old Port in my cellar and felt it was time to drink it—and with exactly the right people to share it.
I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Right after decanting, my first taste was mostly alcohol, but then it just kept opening and opening. Everything came into balance—nose, palate, and finish were all excellent and incredibly smooth.
Loaded with dark dried plums, figs, cherries, and brown sugar, along with spice and a touch of pepper. I served it with apple pie and blue cheese crumbles, which turned out to be a great match.
— a month ago

Jerry Raphael

8.9

Very nice NZ SB and a lot going on. Drank over 2 days. — 2 months ago

Jerry Raphael

8.9

Notes of Raspberry, stone fruit, and some light spice notes, very refreshing. Not a big Rose fan especially in the winter but went great with the apps a Zahav in Philly.

— 6 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

Very enjoyable, with a lot going on. Loaded with blackberry and dark fruits, along with violet, licorice, spice, and floral notes. A nice long finish to round it out. This was a 375 ml bottle and cost $16.99 back in the day—hard to argue with that value.
I still have some older Vintage Ports resting in the cellar and will get to them in due time—no rush. NYE dinner at Anthony’s in HH was a great way to cap it off. — 2 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

Very unusual Zin. There were hints of brambles and blackberries, but the real difference was the texture and taste—smooth as silk from the first sip straight through to the end of the finish. — 2 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 3 months ago