Joseph's Classic

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.

It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.

On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.

So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age.
— 8 days ago

Ted, Sagee and 9 others liked this

Deutz

Brut Classic Champagne Blend

Traditional champagne blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Straw gold color. Aromas of dried orchard fruit, white flowers and toasted bread and spices. Ripe dried apple, yellow plum, white peach, citrus and chalk flavors with distinctive pepper spice, mineral and smoky notes on the long and lasting finish. Mouth watering acidity and beautiful balance. Creamy texture and a frothy mousse. Clean and refreshing. Classic! Thanks Kase and Petey for sharing this bottle. — 2 months ago

Rob, Tom and 2 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

The most showy bottle I’ve had of this wine, 95 Mouton is in a terrific place, and an absolute classic, with Paulliac power and concentration, fine grained tannins and hugely persistent finish. Fantastic with the legendary EMP duck! — 2 months ago

Matt, Paul and 11 others liked this

Iron Horse Vineyards

Classic Vintage Brut Sparkling Blend 2020

More residual sugar than I remembered. Brioche finish, delicate bubbles — a month ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Stone-cold classic — 2 months ago

Tom, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Medium deep garnet ruby , quite thin garnet terracotta rim . This is quite classic and more austere on the nose after the 1990s , grafite , cedar, sweet spice , earthiness and mint. More dry and four square on the palate compared to the 1990s but enough stuffing to fill out. Cassis , plum and blackberry , coffee , grafite . Refreshing acidity , slightly grippy drier tannin. Sous bois , grafite , herbal character with good length and earthy cassis finish . This got better with time in the glass and probably should have been decanted . This shows there is some upside , from now , with time in the glass, and over the next 10 years. The wine that improved the most during the dinner , quite impressive . — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 12 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

A previous, all-time fave. Haven't had it in a larger format in the last decade which I feel would yield a 9.5-9.6 now. Out of a 750ml package currently, feel like the 1996 (difficult to source) is the superstar right now.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore

Yes @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego I would imagine in large format this would be spectacular, in regular bottle still needs a little time to show its full colours . I remember having this at my 21st birthday party in 2001 …. Everyone complained it was too young and tannic , typical 1986 , though in 12 people (and pretty light drinkers I might add) we still managed to struggle through 7 bottles !

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Absolutely lovely classic left bank. 2002 was a less heralded year, but this has stood up extremely well. Just getting to secondary now, still a ton of fruit and earth and leather on the nose and palate. Excellent acid and a very long finish. 13% which is appreciated and the seamlessness comes through. Really delicious and a perfect Thanksgiving meal pairing. Opened 5 hours before dinner and decanted for 1.5 hours. Perfect spot. — a month ago

Lyle, Zach and 12 others liked this

Hugel et Fils

Classic Alsace Pinot Gris 2021

Perfect for a seafood feast. Crisp, lean and mean 🐟 🦀 🦐. A special edition, just for this establishment — 2 months ago

romo and Tom liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1717

Classic:)
Won’t peak for another 10-20 years.
— 2 months ago

Tom liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Classic. Just classic on the color and nose. On the palate it has finer tannins, lifted acidity, and a long, polished finish that lingers on cassis and earth. One of the oldest Lafite’s I’ve tasted and feels like in last another couple of decades. Easy. — 3 months ago

Ira, Peter and 20 others liked this