10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Clos du Val Wine Co.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978
An “intermezzo” as we prepared for the reds flights. This was served blind. The 1978 shows really young for its age. Most at the table, including myself, were convinced that this was classified growth Bordeaux with maybe 20-30 years of age. However at least one of us thought it was Napa…and whoa. The color was dark and handsome though there was some sediment (to expected). The fruit was bright but I felt it was secondary to the dried leaf tobacco, earth and leather notes. There was good acid too. Tannins have integrated. Lots of wows when this was revealed while the Napa holdouts gave a smile. Bravo. This could easily live well for another 10 or so years. — 3 years ago
C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)
Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2014
Deep Ruby, aromas of red and black fruits with sweet spice and oak, a classical blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, barrel aged for 24 months. On the palate flavors of black cherry and currants with spice, espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Fine tight tannins, lively acidity on a long finish ending with fruit, sweet spice and an earthy mineral character. Nice! — 4 years ago
Blanton's Distilling Co.
The Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2020
Michter's
Single Barrel 10 Years Old 46.4% Rye Whiskey 2019
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.
I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.
The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.
Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.
Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.
@EK148 — 8 months ago
Clos du Val Wine Co.
Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
Perfect wine to celebrate the wife’s birthday this last week. Medium garnet red and clear in appearance. Well rounded nose with truffles, damp earthiness, cherries and some black berries. Medium tannins (5.5/10), balanced acidity and medium plus body. Balanced palate with tobacco, leather, earthiness, black plums and cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2027. — 4 years ago
Cossart Gordon & Co.
10 Years Old Malmsey Madeira
Pleasant caramel, honey. First Port / Madeira that Kim has liked. — 5 years ago
Château Latour
Les Forts de Latour Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008
If I am having an Allen Brothers Ribcap, I am also opening a good bottle of Bordeaux.
The 08 Bordeaux vintage goes down in the record books as good not great. This is not nearly as good as the 2000 I had a few years back...one of the few 10’s I’ve scored since starting to write notes. However, it does drink better earlier than 2000.
Ten years in bottle was just the right amount of time to check in on this 08. It will continue to improve over the next 5-7 years and hold another 8-10 years with proper storage.
With the first sip, it was elegant, refined and showing it is Latour’s close relative. My next thought was how good it will be with the Ribcap. Good on its own but, even better with steak.
It shows classic Bordeaux style. Just ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, hints of blue & purple fruit. The tannins nicely round and velvety. The structure, tension, length & balance are just starting to hit their groove. Black licorice, black tea, stones, dry loamy topsoil, dark rich earth, less pencil shaving, soft leather, understated baking spices with withering; dark, red and blue florals. The acidity was nicely executed. The finish is; stunning, elegant and very well balanced with excellent persistence.
Photos of; Chateau Latour, iconic building that since in the middle of their Estate vines, barrel room and wide shot of their estate.
Side note. Having visited Latour three times, it has always been the most clean & pristine winemaking facilities I’ve seen in my many world wine region travels. You could eat off the floor. For me, they are the “King of Kings” in Cabernet. — 6 years ago
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
Mmmmm, rib cap 😋
Badet Clément & Co.
Révélation Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay 2023
This sub $10 Trader Joe’s treasure really shines. The butter is restrained and balanced, also has a bright acidity. Notes of citrus on the nose and caramel, vanilla and butterscotch on the palate. Great delightful wine to pair with spicy food. — 9 months ago
Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co.
Old Blowhard Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Aged 26 Years
Apparently this is $1000+ per bottle. It was very nice - love the nose- but sounds like marketing to me. 26 years old. — 2 years ago
Château Eugenie
Cuvée Reservée De l'Aieul Cahors Malbec 2014
Vintage 2014 | 90 Malbec 10 Tannat. 16 m barrel aging, 1/3 new wood. Wine with much potential, but needs more time. Archetypical Cahors. Black Berry. Forrest floor. Tobacco. Plums. — 3 years ago
La Jota Vineyard Co.
Howell Mountain Merlot 2016
Blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Tannat, aged 20 mos French oak. LaJota has deep roots in Napa, in 1888, wine pioneer W.S. Keyes planted the first vines on Howell Mountain, 10 years later LaJota Vineyard established, named for location on Mexican parcel Rancho La Jota. Deep Ruby, rich berry fruit aromas & herb spice. On the palate blackberry & cherry flavors with sweet spice, licorice & cacao notes, rich & tangy. Soft full tannins, long finish ending with oak & earthy herbs. Just starting to drink now, will cellar for a decade. — 5 years ago
Bedrock Wine Co.
Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel 2014
Overly ripe and fruity. Like drinking Port, which is a great thing, but I wanted a dinner wine. If you want dinner wine, age another 10 years. If you want CA Port, enjoy now. — 6 years ago
Château Palmer
Alter Ego Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The nose is beautiful. Ruby; plum, black cherries, creamy black raspberries, dark spice, dark expresso roast, dark, rich soils, dry & fresh tobacco, leather, amazing, slightly candied, fresh, bright florals of; red, blue and purple.
The body is full and shows the beauty of the vintage, silky & velvety. Ruby; cherries, plum, black cherries, creamy black raspberries & strawberries, dark spice, dark expresso roast, dark, rich soils, dry stones, dry & fresh tobacco, leather, amazing, slightly candied, fresh, bright florals of; red, blue and purple. The acidity is round and gorgeous. The lush, ruby, ripe, well balanced finish persists a long while with heated spices on the long set. Another wine that will increase by 2-3 points with proper cellaring, 10-25 years.
Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 7 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Barrel aged 10 months sur lie! Medium lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with notes of warm baking spice. On the palate ripe apple and lemon flavors with vanilla and nutty toasty oak. Well balanced on medium finish ending, a bit buttery with slight oak and mineral notes. Drink now! — 7 months ago