Drinks By The Dram

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Tried 3 years ago, and it was a tannic bottle of disappointment, it's changed for the better.

2 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: dark fruit, cocoa, pencil shavings, floral, cigar box, menthol. Taste: soft, elegant wine with some black/red fruit, currants, crushed stone, and an earthy black tea lean medium finish. Not the depth and power of a great year, drinks well now...not sure how much more this will improve.
— a month ago

Brenda, Shay and 19 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 1988

Birthday year wine for me! Might not be the best Tig vintage, but nothing to scoff at. The ‘88 is getting to be almost last prime, this time bottle showing well. Rusty red with strong aromas of cigar box, leather, and pencil shavings. Drinks slightly thin, and im not getting much fruit. Still, it’s tasty and a special vintage to me. — 10 months ago

Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon

Mâcon-Milly-Lamartine Chardonnay 2018

Drinks like a charm, tense and mineral. 89-90 — 3 years ago

Douglas, Daniel and 5 others liked this

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Don’t stop now....my word. Parker was right. It drinks beautifully early. Wow. — 4 years ago

Turley

Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel 2016

Shay A
9.2

If you can calibrate your mind for Turley (or Zins in general), these are fun and hedonistic wines to simply enjoy.

My first experience with the Turley Dusi. Initial impression is this has Paso all over it (as it should, since it’s a Paso vineyard) with a sense of weightless gravitas. Wave after wave of ripe fruits from the entire spectrum (red, blue and black berry fruits), cedar, espresso all on the nose. Little bit of EA sharpness (as I’ve found common with Turley) but only at levels to elevate the aromatics, not enough to detract from the overall profile. Mixed berry pie richness on the palate with more cedar, spiced plum, dark cocoa and just a faint profile of chewing tobacco leaves (not sure if that’s the profile of Dusi, or if that’s evolution after almost 8yrs). ABV is noticeable when warm but drinks nice closer to cellar temp. Pop corks and enjoy over the next few years.
— 5 months ago

Scott@Mister, Michiel and 27 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2013

2019 Ridge Lytton Springs is a classic California field blend. It is made up of 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, and 2% Mataro. The vineyard is located in Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. Dark red fruit on the nose with a bit of spice. Brambly intense fruit on the palate. Supple tannins. Really nice acidity and a lengthy finish. Drinks well now and will likely be even better in a few years. — a year ago

Tom, Severn and 9 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc White Rhone Blend 2001

Really nice mature CdP Blanc for Saturday tapas lunch. This drinks a bit like a southern Spanish white too - honey, apricot, nuttiness and just the right amount of fattiness. Very low acidity pairs well with high acid foods like gazpacho, though those who prefer a bit of acid and minerality in their whites might not love this - I thought this paired great with tapas. Happy Saturday y’all. — 3 years ago

Shay, Jan and 4 others liked this

Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Blend of about 50% Cab Sauv, with Merlot, Cab Franc & Petit Verdot, Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruit aromas and herb notes. On the palate black raspberry and blackberry, currant-like, with tobacco, cacao and smoky oak notes. Fine polished tannins, long finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral tones, drinks well now and will last for the next decade+. Tasting Sample! — 7 months ago

Tom, Paul and 6 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015

85% Cab Sauv and 15% Cab Franc from Italy. Drinks on the more mellow side compared to a big California Cab. — 9 months ago

Shay, Juan and 14 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Opus One tasting

2019 Opus
2017 Opus
2012 Opus

The 12 drinks really well with time to go but hard to imagine it gets a lot better, the 17 was uninspiring with muted nose and subdued taste, the 19 has good potential in 6-9 years. Note: Pours were a little light for the price, so buyer beware!
— 2 years ago

Karin BlazonaBrenda Terzich-Garland
with Karin and Brenda
Brenda, Milissa and 22 others liked this