Festival De France

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

While not as intense as on release this is no where near a shrinking violet. The nose is starting to strut with scents of apple , brioche and nuts.That first taste still makes you recoil and salivate. Lemons , limes , biscuits, and a touch of butterscotch. Very long finish . Developing into everything I hoped for. — 8 days ago

Austin, Mike and 42 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

That is fantastic!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Beautiful!!

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: black and red brambles, cassis, tobacco, green pepper, graphite, espresso, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. For what it’s worth, there were a number of nice wines at the table and I kept coming back to this which, now that I think about it, also Léoville-Poyferré seems to always deliver more than expected. The 2005 is in the zone and I don’t expect it fall off anytime soon. Drink through 2045. — 2 days ago

Jan, Ira and 15 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1988

Only wine you can define as liquid gold in a bottle, just perfect. Apricots, fruit blossoms, honey — 10 days ago

Ira, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake
— 9 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Bryan and 21 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1978

This btl was in perfect condition, drinking younger than its age showing red fruit, cassis, earth, leather, sweet spice & tobacco — 2 days ago

Shay, Rob and 6 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Endless black fruit, endless aroma. Cedar, wax, truffle, pomegranate, earth. Simply amazing, graceful & meandering. Happy new year. — 9 days ago

Bob, Shay and 5 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Mmmmh...aged Bordeaux. Is there anything in the world thats better???? Happy new year!!! — 9 days ago

David, ESF and 17 others liked this
David T

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Absolutely, not! Cheers & HNY! 🍷

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2015

We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — 16 days ago

Jeroen, Peter and 28 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Bob McDonald Congratulations, go and enjoy the next phase of your life!
Bob McDonald

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@Ira Schwartz Thanks Ira. I have been reading your wine reviews for many years now and I look forward to continuing that.
Ira Schwartz

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@Bob McDonald Kind words, thanks . I will say, now that you have more time on your hands, I expect more reviews😆

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Opened the bottle several hours in advance. Great tannic structure, still lots of fruit and some secondary flavors; nothing tertiary yet. Try again in a few years but great now — 8 days ago

Austin, Peter and 12 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

My crazy BIL did it again. Same rating with one add’l thought: 20+ years to go but divine now with decant.
“Lithe, feminine nose led a nicely delineated palate of dark red fruit, cigar box and velvety tannins. Wonderful.”
— 13 days ago

Jose, Vino and 28 others liked this