Clos I Terrasses
Tenuta San Guido
Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2006
Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — 3 days ago
Dominus Estate
Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001
I had this a week ago but didn’t take any notes at all at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. Have always been a huge fan of Dominus and this was from an exceptional vintage. I recall an excellent left bank Cabernet dominant style but presented as a Napa style - rich and plush but not overly so. Thoroughly enjoyable. — 24 days ago
Cà dei Frati
I Frati Lugana Turbiana 2023
Grapefruit for days — a month ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997
Earthy and not giving away much initially, was worried after 20 mins. By 30 it blossomed, full on cassis and vanilla tannins, undergrowth. Dark red fruit, Rutherford dust. Notwithstanding a Bordeaux vibe there was no mistaking this for anything but a high-end Napa cab. Awesome one at that. I wouldn’t wait much longer… — a day ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Was gifted this wine by my dad, given to him by friends 15 years ago. I was a little nervous to drink it, as I am not very sophisticated about wine and have never had a wine this aged before... I was surprised at how good it was, though I could sense enough to believe that maybe it had lost some of its structure. I would say it tasted lush to me, and very drinkable. Impressive, and a learning experience for me, for which I was glad to have the opportunity. Thanks, dad!
— 4 days ago
Will Stanley
A gift from my old man for my thirtieth birthday this year. My last experience with this wine was the 2001, enjoyed around ten years ago. I described then how the wine lived up to its popular reputation. Happy to reaffirm that feeling with this 1994, that is an absolutely gorgeous, captivating wine that ticks every box one may have for older Rioja. It marries sweet with sour in that way that the best wines from this region do, a medley of ripe blueberries with sour cherry; bitter orange, coconut, balsamic, tobacco and cranberry. The finish is long, with flecks of sweetness that beg you for another sip. I would imagine that Faustino produce in excess of a million bottles of this stuff, given the size of their holdings, which only impresses me even more that it turns out so well. — 10 days ago