Four In Hand

Jessup Cellars

Table For Four Napa Valley Red Blend 2006

Looks like the last review of this wine was 11 years ago. Quite highly rated . Have to say it still earns that rating in my opinion. 19 years young. Still wonderful harmony and a fulfill lusciousness in the mouth.  — 19 days ago

Kumeu River

Kumeu Village Hand Harvested Chardonnay

Always a fun ringer in a double blind. Hard to call Chardonnay. — 3 months ago

Shay liked this

Liquid Farm

Four Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2022

2022 vintage opened in 2024. Should have been more patient, but it was delightful young. Apple, lemon, with light caramel. — 7 months ago

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1976

This bottle of 1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was cellared in a wine cave part of its life and a modern cellar the more recent part of its life. The fill for this bottle was mid-shoulder and the label had been tattered from back when it was in the cave. Using a Durand, I was able to pull the cork intact and it was saturated but seemed to have done its job. The color was good and the wine was sound; in fact, it was very much alive and full of character! Opened about four hours prior to service and decanted for sediment (of which there was plenty). No formal notes. At this stage in its life, the 1976 Lafite pours a garnet color with an orange rim. The nose is straight up old-money. Classy aromas of desiccated red cherries & red currants, dried tobacco leaf, graphite, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, leather and dried baking spices. On the palate, the structure was still quite palpable with tannins till present and acid doing its job with aplomb. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and graceful with some nice stoney minerals. Drink now but well cellared examples could hold longer if you wanted…but if you’re even thinking about it, just open it! — 2 years ago

Andrew, Shay and 15 others liked this

Four Vines

The Biker Paso Robles Zinfandel 2021

Label has some style. And catches the eye. Bit of an aged version of CA Zin, but that can work. Deeper rusty, maroon color than some Paso Robles Zin I’ve had. Smells a bit more herbal and dank than fruity and jammy. Flavors are big, bodacious and brawny. Hints of the blending other reds in the mix. Chewy. Hint of that grape jelly in a campfire flavor of some Zins in the finish. This should pair well with a steak and grilled veggies. It’s a nice, well produced classic. Kinda like the biker on the bottle. — 2 months ago

Douglas liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— 3 months ago

Andrew, Ira and 15 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Sweet angel in the wine cabinet

Tenuta Il Poggione

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2012

Founded at end of 1800 when Lavinio Franceschi, Florence land owner, visited the area. Over a century later, Tenuta covers an area of 530 hectares (140 planted with vines; 50 with olive trees). Aged in French oak for 36 months, 100% Sangiovese hand picked from 20-year old vines. A Gem! Deep Ruby. rich berry fruit aromas with complex spice. Palate has rich berry fruit flavors, baked cherry, with tobacco, cacao & subtle spice. Soft tannins, long finish ending with seductive earthy tones. Nice, aged well! — 4 years ago

Alex, Vino and 5 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2021

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110.
— 2 months ago

Vanessa, Joe and 17 others liked this

Bird in Hand

Sparkling Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2023

Drinking with Deb at Cathy’s. — 7 months ago

Tim liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Shay A
9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Poured alongside the 2003 Mondavi VHR as a comparison. 60 cab/40 merlot.

Decanted an hour. The similarities between this and the ‘03 Mondavi VHR the first hour was shocking…even as the host, I wondered if I switched the wines. Slight hint of brett but certainly not overpowering. Leather, herbs de Provence, sweet vanilla pipe tobacco, graphite up front aromatically. Dark roast mocha, red and black berry fruit, cassis, really nice vein of acidity and tannin. This remained unchanged during the lunch. Seems like it’s in a peak window (maybe close to the top?) where I imagine it will hold another 5-7yrs easily before turning more tertiary.
— 2 years ago

Ira, Somm and 33 others liked this