A. Rafanelli

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Young but the apotheosis of Dry Creek. Such depth and purity of Zin fruit (spicy black raspberry) and dry gravelly earth on the nose. Deep, fruity, but composed and minerally at the same time on the palate. A little clenched on the finish because yes I’m drinking it too young. But the stuffing, balance, and structure are there for many years development. I love these guys’ Zins. — 25 days ago

Ray, Ming and 18 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, it’s been many years (25?) since I’ve had a Rafanelli Zinfandel, we drank a lot of it back in the 1990s — great to hear they’re still killing it!!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Doug Powers Dave’s daughter Shelly is making the wine now but the spirit is still there and fruit quality is paramount. IMO, their Zin needs time
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Jay Kline, thanks for the info, they have great vineyards, so I’ve always thought they can make great wines!!

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Silky silky smooth...so well made. Still young but very enjoyable. Has a long future ahead — 5 days ago

Bob, Ted and 10 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Wow. You are on a roll!
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

@Jan de Weerd was a good night! Sore heads the next day though 😵‍💫

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

1 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark medium garnet with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed nose with dark plum/cherry, currants,milk chocolate, baking spice, floral, wet forest floor, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, balanced, elegant wine that is singing at 20 years with dried red fruit, earth, chocolate, cedar, minerals, saline, and a spiced-tobacco-green bell pepper long finish. YUM! — 4 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 12 others liked this
Deborah M

Deborah M

Nice!

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

My first experience with a bdx with this type of age. It had a note of green pepper on the nose and had a lot of life left. — 8 days ago

Ron, Jay and 6 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course two days. Consistent throughout but the rotundone seemed most prominent on the nose, Day 1. The 2022 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black fruits: mixed brambles, grilled meat, black pepper, garrigue, red and purple flowers, a touch of barnyard and a balanced mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and spicy. My early assessments indicated this 2020 vintage to be a banger. It’s still early days and checking in at year five seems to confirm the trajectory. A wine of distinction. Drink now (and best with time to enjoy the transformation in the glass) and through 2050. — 19 hours ago

Alex, Scott@Mister and 9 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha

Not the best bottle of ardanza I’ve had but always a treat to drink a classic — 4 days ago

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1982

A fantastic nose. Deep spicy dark fruit, a hint of band aid, funky intense fruit. Great stuff- savory with some notes of iron and meat stock and a subtle punch acidity. Great — 5 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Jeroen, Mario and 10 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

A plush, meaty open nose. Dark plum and underbrush. Some iodine and a serious, brooding midpalate. Great balance and poise, and settled. Fantastic — 5 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Jeroen, Tom and 11 others liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2020

Very grape-y. Intense sappy fruit. Plum and red flowers. A little simple. — 4 days ago

Peter NelsonGregg G
with Peter and Gregg
Tom, Jay and 5 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2012 pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, blackberry, dill, toasted coconut, olive, zatar, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This only got better with air and might be my favorite young Tondonia since I first drank the 2006 vintage. Really good stuff already! Drink now with some patience and through 2042. — 13 days ago

Daniel, Peter and 12 others liked this