Bit by bit, the case is dwindling. Every bottle has been really excellent. — a month ago
Opus One – Overture Red Blend N/V 🍷
A symphonic second wine by Opus One, this multi-vintage blend (2014, 2015, 2016) was acquired in 2019, right before the shift toward vintage-specific releases like the 2021 onwards.
Crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this bottle reflects Napa’s grandeur with flexibility in blending and extended time in barrel, allowing for elegance, depth, and harmony to shine through.
👃 Aromatics open with expressive layers of ripe cherry, red currant, and a fresh, youthful lift of red fruit.
👄 On the palate: a beautifully rounded texture, woven with earthy cocoa, mahogany, and subtle vanilla. Silky tannins and a graceful structure speak of its extra time in oak, building toward a soft yet persistent finish.
Overall mouthfeel: Plush, polished, and deeply enjoyable. The structure and spice make it ideal for grilled meats, braised dishes, or contemplative sipping.
A timeless expression, not just a second label, but a well-composed tribute to the artistry of Mondavi & Rothschild, and a celebration of Napa’s capacity to age with finesse. 🥂 — 10 days ago
And now to South Africa! Where they produce some awesome en es for decent prices. The Pinotage was created there. A crossing between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (which was called Hermitage in its olden days). It tastes like a Pinot Noir on steroids. But, when Kanonkop gets its hands on it they lift it up to a sensational experience. Vibrant, intense and layered with flavors. Their black label is their cream of the crop sourced from old vines. — 22 days ago
Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1982 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart, ripe and dried, mostly black fruits: cassis, blackberries, tobacco, dried flowers, grilled Poblano, leather, dry gravelly earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. One of the earliest vintages of Opus One, this is showing really well at the moment. Drink now through 2042. — a month ago
One of the most aromatic and expressive Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley. The nose is a vibrant bouquet of toasted hazelnut, lemon zest, apricot, cantaloupe, lavender, and crème brûlée. Utterly captivating.
On the palate, layers unfold: apricot pastry, baked apple, lemon curd, dried pineapple, and honeysuckle, with hints of tarragon and nougat. Medium to full-bodied with bright acidity, a silky texture, and a long, brioche-tinged finish.
Superbly balanced between fruit, oak, and freshness. Delicious now but built to evolve. 🍋🍍🥐 cheers!! — a month ago
Lyn Farmer
A blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, this is an exceptional wine. There’s a great balance of acidity, velvet tannins and black fruit. Cassis, black cherry, black plum, a light toast and vanilla oak component and developing tertiary character of leather, forest floor and cigar box. Terrifically harmonious the wine is full bodied with a sense of being heavy. A joy to consume. — 8 days ago