Château La Clotte
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
2005 vintage. A great vintage and a very good, small vineyard making great wines. This was a deep red to purple with fruit remaining up front followed by meat, pepper/spice and graphite. Classic, worthwhile and affirming as to the power of good Bordeaux. — 8 years ago
Fiancetto
Gravelly Loam Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Michael had this 9 years ago
Château Beauséjour
Montagne-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
A lovely Saint Emilion that is well rounded and vey drinkable now. However, it has the structure to age for at list 5 to 8 more years. — 9 years ago
Château de Come
St. Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009
50/50 Cab/Merlot from the Medoc. Solid tannins speak to the strength of the Cab but not overpowering due to the Merlot. As such, not the fruitiness of other Bordeaux from 2009. '09 was an uneven year in my mind but this Medoc gets more to the heart of Bordeaux than many others - not fabulous but very nice, drinkable and worth your while if you can still find. — 7 years ago
Isole e Olena
Cepparello Estate Bottled Toscana Sangiovese 2008
2008 vintage. Marvelous, 100% Sangiovese from Isole e Olena. The Cepparello is always worth drinking as it consistently represents the best of Italian vineyards. — 9 years ago
Lambardi
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006
One of my go-to Italian vineyards. True masters-always enjoyable: Lambardi. The 2006 was an outstanding vintage for Brunello and from Lambardi, this is an outstanding wine. Dense, beautiful tannins, berries, tabac, some floral, long finish. — 9 years ago
Patrick et Christophe Bonnefond
Colline de Couzou Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2009
2009 on 4/22/17. Brick to plum color. "Meat" with some berry aroma on first swirl. Meaty, graphite, anise, lavender and fruit with tasting. Nicely balanced with good astringency. Very drinkable and ideal for a casual dinner. — 8 years ago
Mocali
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006
Powerful and intense. A wonderful Brunello from a talented vineyard and a great vintage. Fruit and tobacco with great spice. Ready to drink and should hold for a couple more years. — 8 years ago
Domaine de la Colline Saint-Jean
Vacqueyras Red Rhone Blend 2007
2007 vintage. Graphite upfront with lots of berry to follow. Some meat with a bit of soil, too. Big southern Rhine that is a cousin to Gigondas. Solid wine and very drinkable but could go a couple more years. Enjoy!
Looking forward to drinking with charcoal cooked duck breast, roasted potatoes and asparagus, along with a watercress salad. — 9 years ago
Michael Martin
2009 was a difficult year given the weather. Results varied greatly. While classic in many ways, this St. Estephe was a bit rugged given its sold tannins and stressed fruit. — 7 years ago