Dagger Leaf

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2017

Wine 1, with rack of lamb. As my drinking history shows, Raffault is a perennial favorite. 2017 is easy access with medium weight, wild red berry fruit, tomato leaf, and earth. Drink over the next five years. Holding ‘09, ‘14, ‘15, and ‘18 with patience. — 4 hours ago

romo and Andrew liked this

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

Shay A
9.5

After missing a ‘70s and ‘80s Heitz vertical many years ago, I vowed to seek out a bottle as all the comments from the tasting were astoundingly positive. My last bottle of Heitz Martha’s was the ‘01 (which was great) a few years ago, but at 46yrs, this was quite the experience.

The ‘78 has a bit of a legendary status, so expectations were high. Upon opening, the cork was in good shape (sigh of relief) and the color was unbelievably dark ruby with some bricking (another sigh of relief). The singular signature menthol/eucalyptus began to fill the glass, alongside aromatics of red berry fruits, espresso, some sort of sweet brown sugar/caramel note, and a savory-graphite type note too. Beautifully elegant on the palate with more red fruit, herbs (bay leaf?), and even some pipe tobacco (subdued, not in your face), but it sports the classical old Napa cab profile that is pure. Spectacular wine, and I could simply smell the wine all day…the aromatics were so powerful the entire time.

Open in bottle for three hours and powered through the entire time. Wish I had another so I could have the same experience!
— a month ago

Severn, Vanessa and 29 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

These are awesome totally forgot which back vintages i had.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Yeah, some of those old-school, back vintages of Martha's Vyd don't exactly suck. Jelly.

Pertimali (Livio Sassetti)

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2014

Ming L
9.2

Nice BdM from a weak vintage. Lively red and black berry fruits upfront followed by cedar, fresh herbs, incense, and autumn leaf. Juicy palate with supple texture. Dusty powdery tannins. — 6 months ago

Tom, Severn and 1 other liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, cedar, earth, dark chocolates, licorice, cola, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 17 year old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing great complexity and delicious, but I expected more from this great 2007 vintage. I had the 2001 not too long ago, and it was so much better.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good food wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350.
— 16 days ago

Paul, Juan and 15 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2016

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of tobacco, cherry, tomato leaf.
Dry. Flavors of tomato leaf, tobacco, leather, dried cherry. Rich, chewy tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
— 2 months ago

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Bursting with depth of red fruits, pencil shavings, cigar box and dried tobacco leaf. — 3 months ago

Joel and Eric liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

This was drinking well showing dark fruits, currant, cedar, leather, pencil, savory spice & tobacco leaf — 7 months ago

Shay, Aravind and 10 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.

Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082.
— 15 days ago

Ira, Jan and 25 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

I picked the Mouton Merlot in 2012 for a day. At the two harvest lunches I attended, they served the 82. Every time they bottle, they take the remaining barrel juice, filter it and then serve the remains at their harvest luncheons for workers & guests. The second lunch I attended, we were seated at the Baroness’s table may she RIP as she passed in 2014. In 2012, they drank the last of the 82.
Jay Kline

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@David T what an awesome story and experience
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline I agree re the 1982 Bordeaux vintage. The Chateau Margaux was one of the greatest wines I have ever drunk whereas the Lafite Rothschild was somewhat underwhelming. Bought at the same time from the same shop and stored the same way.

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2016

Medium-deep ruby-garnet color.
Aromas of baked cherry, tomato leaf.
Dry. Flavors of dried cherry, tomato leaf, roasted herbs, spices, floral. Medium-rich, velvety tannins. Beautiful!

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5
— 3 months ago

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

David T
9.4

Amazing w/ the Allen Brothers A-5 wagyu.

This is another Bordeaux producer that makes wines for the ages. I’ve waited & waited on 2000, this shows some readiness. Yet, will go another 20 plus years.

Tonight this is well balanced earth & candied fruit. In 10 years, this is candied fruit & florals.

Still medium plus tannins. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with ample skin, juicy dark cherries, poached strawberries, raspberries, dry limestone grains with powder, dark, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herbaceousiness-bay leaf, mint, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon, hints of vanillin, mid berry cola, sandalwood to cedar shavings, used leather, pipe tobacco, anise, some mocha, sun tea, dark, red, purple flowers with a touch of blue, excellent acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced, nicely tensioned with a ripe, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Calon Segur, tasting room, barrel cellar and estate vineyard.
— 7 months ago

Severn, Paul and 17 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Ready?
We've got, but waiting out...
David T

David T Influencer Badge

Ready with a long decant but worth the longer wait. Now, it needs steak.
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

We've got patience & plenty of beef, thanks. 🙏