Domaine A. Cailbourdin

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Young but the apotheosis of Dry Creek. Such depth and purity of Zin fruit (spicy black raspberry) and dry gravelly earth on the nose. Deep, fruity, but composed and minerally at the same time on the palate. A little clenched on the finish because yes I’m drinking it too young. But the stuffing, balance, and structure are there for many years development. I love these guys’ Zins. — 17 days ago

Ray, Ming and 18 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, it’s been many years (25?) since I’ve had a Rafanelli Zinfandel, we drank a lot of it back in the 1990s — great to hear they’re still killing it!!
Jay Kline

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@Doug Powers Dave’s daughter Shelly is making the wine now but the spirit is still there and fruit quality is paramount. IMO, their Zin needs time
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Jay Kline, thanks for the info, they have great vineyards, so I’ve always thought they can make great wines!!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

An exceptional wine that shows its age ability to endure and improve over time. The 2009 vintage has 76% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot, 4% Cab Fran and 2% Petit Verdot and was aged for 15 months in French Oak barrels. Extremely opulent and luscious, though tannins were already falling, but its elegance and finesse was compelling. All ripe red fruits with a persistent perfumed aromas. Elongated finish with some fig notes as a bit of baked raisins. It can continue aging for another 15 years without compromising its elegance and complexity. This is a show stopper!! — 12 days ago

Iwan, David and 11 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Two hour decant this 2000 Pichon Baron is exceptional! Very smooth glycerin like coating covering black and red cherries, leather, tobacco, olives and smoke simply outstanding. The finish could be a bit better though — 6 days ago

Ira, "Odedi" and 8 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course two hours. The 2023 Morgon (S) pours a brilliant ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruits: strawberry, raspberry, cherry, a touch of bubblegum, red flowers, licorice, black pepper, a mix of cool spices and rocky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a more dense expression of Lapierre’s Morgon which isn’t a surprise considering the vintage. Quite lovely with chicken pâté. Drink now through 2037. — 12 days ago

Juan, Lyle and 11 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

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Classic combi 😍

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

the last of my 2014 stash and it’s a real beauty. 🤩. paired with linguine with mushrooms onions and garlic olive oil. perfect drinking window 👊 — 5 days ago

Douglas, David and 5 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

1 hour decant(lots chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: dark fruit, forest floor, smoked meat, floral, cigar wrapper, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, rich, creamy mouthcoating wine with blackberry/dark cherry, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, baking spice, and a cedar/graphite medium plus finish with some slight dusty tannins. Had this 2 years ago, and it's improved. In the beginning of its drink window at 18 years? Wow — 11 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Steve and 20 others liked this
Somm David T

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Love this JP vintage!

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2002

At first underwhelming, started to gain after 30 minutes and was a fine bottle. Never became amazing. Drink up. — 17 days ago

Ron, Lyle and 11 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2012 pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, blackberry, dill, toasted coconut, olive, zatar, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This only got better with air and might be my favorite young Tondonia since I first drank the 2006 vintage. Really good stuff already! Drink now with some patience and through 2042. — 5 days ago

Daniel, Peter and 12 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

1.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes of black & red berries, truffles, loamy soil, worn leather, tobacco leaf, floral, herbaceous. Taste: soft, elegant, balanced, layered mouthfeel wine with blackberry, dark plum, leather, crushed granite, dried herbs, and a spiced cedar long finish with some dusty tannins. YUM! At the start of its drinking window with 20-30 years to go, so no rush. — 4 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Cassandra and 15 others liked this
Somm David T

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Nice!!!

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Double decant for sediment and pour (lots of chunky/fine sediment). A striking still dark ruby red color with bricking. On the nose: wonderful fragrant nose of brambly red fruit, leather, loamy earth, mint, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, elegant wine with dried red fruit, cedar, dried herbs, tar, smokey earth, gravel with a medium plus finish. YUM! Still hanging in there and a pleasure to drink. — 17 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Rick and 17 others liked this
Somm David T

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Enjoy this producer, but not the best Napa vintage.