Garden Of Light

Two Hands

Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019

Poured into a decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2019 “Lily’s Garden” pours a deep garnet with a bit of purple and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with black bramble fruit, purple flowers, a touch of the animal and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is elevated; calling it high. The finish is medium+. I called Syrah from France, from the Northern Rhône, Croze-Hermitage from a recent warmer vintage like 2019. Dangit…I got the variety right but I should have considered Australia with the elevated alcohol. This is a fairly classic Aussie Shiraz that certainly gives off a French vibe but the fruit and alcohol give it away. Drink now through 2034. — 18 days ago

Pooneet, Tom and 16 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — a month ago

Bob, Tom and 16 others liked this

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Clarksburg Chenin Blanc + Viognier Blend 2022

Hint of pear, light blend perfect with seafood and end of summer! — 4 months ago

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2012

#AgedWineTuesday

Pale lemon in color.

Light nose of citrus fruits, minerals and light yeast.

Medium-bodied with high acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, grapefruits, green apples, brioche, earth, light yeast, minerals, spices and herbs.

Long finish with limes and herbs.

This is a very tasty Champagne, albeit still young. Elegant and rich with nice complexity. Crisp and refreshing.

Didn't love it right out of the bottle, and needed 45 minutes of airtime to open up properly, so be patient.

I've had a few different vintages of this Champagne, and always enjoyed it.

Needs 5 years to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

A blend of 51% Chardonnay and 49% Pinot Noir. Aged for 8 years on its lees.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$275.
— 23 days ago

Daniel, Ira and 21 others liked this

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Birthday year wine for me. So far, I’ve aged better than this bottle but it’s close! The ‘88 is slightly past its prime but still worth tasting. In the garden of earthly delights - dried figs, plums, dates, and mushrooms. Some peat and chocolate. Plenty of spice. Very fun. Happy birthday to me! — 4 months ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Robert Sinskey Vineyards

Los Carneros Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2023

Light, elegant, a bit floral. Great wine — 3 months ago

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

1995 vintage. Light-medium body. Opened but not decanted. High neck fill. Solid cork. Relatively light sed. Tasted after one hour. Dusty with velveteen notes up front and a gradual thinning of intensity on the finish. As per the LR style, no explosive characteristics, only a seamless quality evident. This will hold in place for 7-8 years. 8.16.24. — 4 months ago

Jan, Ira and 15 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Medium ruby , wider light ruby rim . Touch more closed and mineral on the nose with, red currant , grafite , cedar . Quite aloof . On the palate this is quite strict , excellent refreshing acidity and very noticeable gritty tannin , more red fruits on the palate , red currant, cherry, cranberry hints alongside the cassis and mineral backbone . Very young , mineral , quite linear and saline . This shows a lot of intensity and salinity after a while in the glass , improves with time in the glass but really needs time in the cellar. Come back in 5 - 10 years , will show well for a further 10 perhaps 20 years. Very classic and aristocratic . — 9 days ago

Daniel, Jan and 7 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2012

Medium light lemon yellow colour . Quite open and fruit driven , lemon peel , touch of seashell and ripe apple . On the palate a bit more of the citrus fruits with some brioche and ripe apple , mineral tinged finish . Very fresh and vivid . Long mineral tinged , citrus peel finish . Showing pretty young, really fresh and fruit orientated. This is still very nice now , but will obviously benefit from further aging especially in magnum . From now on, but better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 — a month ago

Tom, Tom and 13 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2012

One of our absolute favorites. Light and living and just effervescent with lemon curd and clean starfruit and just enough acid to keep the structure together. Incredibly delicate and a well done balancing act to get these flavors to exist with just enough yeast to reflect the lees. Absolutely delightful.  — 2 months ago

Denise Espinoza
with Denise
Byron, Ron and 17 others liked this