Cellar Classified
Château La Lagune
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
“Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.” John Steinbeck
Wine - it can take you places. Last night reminiscing about recent Paris travels so I pulled this beaute to enjoy with a friend. @55Seventy
Chateau La Lagune is located in the appellation of Haut-Medoc. This House was classified as a Third Growth in 1855. It was sold to the Frey family in 2000. The winemaker/owner, Caroline Frey, produced her first vintage in 2004. Her wines are described as having finesse, elegance and harmony. The 2010 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot.
— 2 years ago
Château Teynac
St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
2017 vintage. One of the rare non-classified Saint-Juliens. A very successful wine for a vintage that was a mixed bag, but also underrated for the good wines. Black fruits and a hint of vanilla, medium-bodied, juicy, and fresh, with velvety tannins and good length. Nice value too. Well worth seeking out. Abv. 13%. — a year ago
Monticello Vineyards (Corley Family)
Jefferson Cuvée Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986
Served to be double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a beautiful garnet with a deep but translucent core and significant rim variation; from magenta to orange to watery. There appears to be loads of sediment. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful aromas of desiccated red and black fruits: cassis, brambles, plum, pipe tobacco, some green pepper, old leather, damp forrest, mushrooms and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes on the notes. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium.
I was pretty confident that this was a Bordeaux-variety/blend however, I was between two minds as to whether this was left-bank Bordeaux or Napa Valley as I believe the lines truly begin to blur with age. Ultimately, I called St. Estèphe from a classified growth and a warmer vintage like 1985 or 1990. I settled on 1990. Shit. I should have known it was Napa…and as more time went on, the fruit did seem to get a little more heady. Anyway, I don’t hate my call but I should have not rushed my conclusion and considered it a little longer. As for the wine itself, this bottle has excellent provenance and was really quite lovely at 37 years old. Plenty left in the tank. There’s good color and energy with no worry at all about the fruit hanging on. Alcohol is modest at 12.5% ABV. Well-cellared examples should be enjoyed now but will drink very well over the next 5-10 years, easy. — a year ago
Clarendon Hills
Hickinbotham Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Presented double-blind. The wine appears deep garnet with an opaque core. There appears to be a slight amount of sediment but otherwise no visual signs of age. On the nose, a beguiling mix of black, blue and red fruits with a pronounced hit of tobacco, green bell pepper, purple flowers, earth and baking space. On the palate, the wine is dry with very firm tannin that I would place in the medium++ category. Medium+ acid. The fruit set is confirmed along with the aforementioned non-fruit characteristics with some leather and earth for good measure. The finish very long and rich. While there is an undeniable amount of high quality fruit, I felt the non-fruit characteristics and the structure leaned more towards the old world. I called 2008 Paulliac from a classified growth. I didn’t even think about Australia! Anyway, this was awesome and came across almost youthful! I’ve long admired Roman’s work with Syrah…and now I know I’ve been sleeping on his Cabernet. This wine will continue to drink well for another decade+. — 3 years ago
Château Laroze
Famille Meslin St. Émilion Grand Cru Merlot Blend 2020
2020 vintage. A rather obscure Grand Cru Classé Saint-Emilion, but it has been classified since the start of the classification in 1955. 27 hectares in one big plot, organically farmed. Hubert de Bouard consults since 2009. Merlot and Cabernet Franc with tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. A solid effort with an attractive floral nose, good fruit concentration, soft tannin and a distinctive mineral finish. Terrific value. Abv 14%. — 2 years ago
Cantine Vedova
Valdobbiadene Extra Dry Prosecco
I'm not much fan of Prosecco but this one is great. Lot of crispy bubbles, fruity, although it's classified as extra dry I would say it's more towards brut. Nice experience. I would say best prosecco I drunk so far. — 2 years ago
Domäne Wachau
Kellerberg Smaragd Riesling 2013
[Tasted on August 7, 2021 at Home]
Purchased during 2015 visit to the winery. Wine is classified as Smaragd (at least 12.5% ABV), which are the ripest grapes in the Wachau and which have good aging potential. Wine is from the Kellerberg vineyard, which steeply rises behind the winery, and is bottled at 13.5% ABV. Peach, apricot, petrol and mineral on the nose. Lemon, white peach, petrol and mineral, with a yeasty note. — 3 years ago
ESF
2nd label but still pretty classy: tons of character & Left Bank flair: cherries & red currants, cigar box, vanilla, cassis, some herbaceousness, palate was delicious w/red fruit & cassis galore, silky, finely integrated tannins, nice weight and balance. Length on finish is the only giveaway this is not classified growth. Overdelivers for price point. Safeway Steal — 8 months ago