High Note

Terrazas de Los Andes

Reserva High Altitude Vineyards Malbec 2017

Slight oak. Aged. Matured black fruits. Good concentration. Balanced! CP good. Terrazas de Los Andes High Altitude Vineyards Malbec Reserva 17 @1800, Ambassador, 250612 — 16 days ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2014

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — a month ago

Lyle, Daniel and 15 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Highlight of the night! And a surprise to some degree. I kind off had given up on Lynch Bages. Given the high price, to me, the 2015 and 2016 were below expectation. But, boy, this 2018 rung all bells. Super concentrated, layers of evolving dark cherry, blueberry, current flavors and a superb balanced finish. All one could wish for. — 5 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Jan, Edo and 15 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Medium ruby garnet quite narrow terracotta rim . Quite herbal , dried strawberry and red cherry nose , touch of iodine , sous bois , dried mushroom notes , discreet roasted coffee note after a while. Quite pretty red fruits on the palate with good freshness , strawberry , earthy cherry and a marine , iodine like note , sous bois underneath . Quite elegant and well balanced acidity with fine tannic grip . Good red fruit , earthy tinged finish . This is showing more advanced than the 2001 Reserva , and would like to try another bottle of this , as I suspect this half is a bit below par. On the basis of this bottle drink now and over the next 5 or so years . — 14 days ago

Tom, Shay and 4 others liked this

Bodega Catena Zapata

High Mountain Vines Mendoza Malbec 2021

Will definitely buy this bottle again. — 4 months ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

[Tasted on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]

84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5.5% Merlot; 5.5% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Blackberry and black currant fruit, with chocolate, espresso, earth and a mineral note. Nicely balanced.
— 5 months ago

Joseph, Ted and 7 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

So rounded and glossy. High toned with black cherry and some mocha and good acidity. Excellent stuff. — a month ago

Rick K
with Rick
Jay, Shay and 10 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Color: pale yellow
Smell: lemon, grapefruit
Sip: lemon
Acid: high
Sweetness: very
— 2 months ago

Andrew, LM and 3 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Was looking forward to this wine the most but sadly this bottle had seen better days. Very tertiary with mushroom and leather. Was still pleasant but suffered from the high expectation... — 5 months ago

Bob, Scott@Mister and 26 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Bummer.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

That’s too bad.

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 6 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this