Chocolate Valley Vines

Bodegas Ateca

Atteca Armas Calatayud Old Vines Garnacha 2018

ESF
9.3

confirming previous note: went back and grabbed every bottle they had left! 2 things jumped out - hi ABV but wears it well and grippy chewy tannins, but well-integrated. worth seeking out — 2 days ago

Tom, Pooneet and 6 others liked this

Dry Creek Vineyard

Heritage Vines Sonoma County Zinfandel 2022

Aroma is woody. Long barrel aging. Lots of cocoa and vanilla with those lovely tobacco, pepper, and a kiss of smoke. Then the fruit aromas kick in with plum and currant. Definitely more of a medium body and a stronger acidity with a nice oak tannic finish. Of the more moderate body zins the heavy oak makes this one more favorite. — 2 months ago

Ethan HeyboerPeter HeyboerDiane Heyboer
with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

A powerhouse Napa classic showing its age with grace and density. The 2012 vintage leans fully into Caymus’ signature fruit-forward opulence, offering a deeply concentrated and aromatic experience.

👃 Bursting with overripe black cherries, baked blueberries, and fig compote, layered over leather, toasted oak, and a warm touch of vanilla spice. Aromas are rich, seductive, and unmistakably bold.

👄 On the palate, it’s full-bodied, plush, and multi-layered, with flavors of cooked dark berries, espresso, and unsweetened dark chocolate. The tannins have softened beautifully, giving way to a silky texture and a dry, gently fading finish that still echoes with flavor.

Mouthfeel overall: Velvety, dense, and evolving, the age is starting to mellow the edges, but the wine still holds depth, richness, and a long tail of flavor. Caymus lovers, this vintage hits all the lush, hedonistic notes.

Drink now, or enjoy watching the last stretch of its maturity unfold over the next 2–3 years. 🍇🍫🖤
— a month ago

Ted and Dave liked this

Feudi di San Marzano

Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2017

2019 well balanced velvety medium body and light tannins hint of sweetness and acidity. Cherry oak blackberry plum floral on the nose. Blackberry blueberry jam cherry oak dried fruit hints of tobacco and pepper on palette
A very well rounded wine
— a month ago

Daniel liked this

Turley

Old Vines California Zinfandel

Turley remains my number one and two favorite wine. An absolute masterpiece out of Napa Valley. Pairs well with red meat and spiced vegetables. — 2 months ago

Foxen

Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2019

John Howard
9.3

Best domestic Chenin! — 2 months ago

Tom, Dave and 12 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

!00% agreed. Planted in 1966, I believe.
John Howard

John Howard Influencer Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego dammmn that makes sense! So good.

Bodegas Atalaya

Laya Old Vines Garnacha Blend

Very good. I really liked it. Happy Hour at the Keg. Bit of a spice. Dry. — 3 months ago

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2002

See several previous Delectable notes for this Cuvée. I have 2 bottles left after this one. Penfolds have a whopping drink window up to 2045. The colour is a pale mid crimson with a tawny rim. Mocha, dark chocolate and blackberry notes on the nose. From a low yielding cool vintage which is made for long cellaring. Absolutely superb at the moment. Great palate intensity (mulberry, black berry and dark chocolate) with mellow resolved tannins and a very long persistent finish. No wonder Penfolds tasting book is called The Rewards of Patience. — 9 days ago

Somm, Daniel and 28 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, as an “older dude” myself, don’t you just hate when the ideal drinking date for wines is 20+ years AFTER your likely expiration date?? Grrr
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers I agree Doug but still can’t resist some purchases. The latest vintage of Penfolds Grange, the stellar 2021 was released a few weeks ago and I couldn’t help myself and had to buy a bottle. One of the greatest vintages ever in South Australia this wine will be providing great pleasure to those lucky enough to have some long after I have gone to the huge cellar in the sky!!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I “suffer” from the same affliction/reasoning as you have described above!!

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1993

Ahhh when Caymus was Caymus! Chocolate, leather, prune, lengthy tannins and a nice bit of acid still hanging on! — 2 months ago

Ira liked this

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Alicante Monastrell 2020

05.28.25
Scandalous!
— 3 months ago

Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I used to drink a lot of that back in the day