Dan Durand

9.1

Pair with Italian Caprese Cicken — a month ago

Doug Powers

8.9

55% Nebbiolo, 37% Mourvèdre, 8% Syrah. Medium-dark purple color, aromas of road tar and smoky notes, similar flavor profile, medium-long finish, quite good!! — a year ago

with Jim

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Nose has blackberry compote, green vegetable notes, pencil lead, dried cherry, warm carbon steel, blackberry jam and faint cedar closet.

Palate has dried blackberry, cherry, dried blueberry with integrated but mild tannins.

Purchased in February 2005; $37.
Paired to grilled lamb chuck (shoulder) chops.
Cork pulled for slow oxidation, 12H.

57% Cabernet Sauvignon / 36% Merlot / 7% Petit Verdot

A very solid showing, but in the drink-now-stage from 2022-2026. Glad we opened to enjoy tonight. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits and notes of herb spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with tobacco, dried herbs and cacao notes. Long finish, fine tannins, nice acidity, ending with fruit, tobacco, oak and cacao notes. — 3 years ago

K Brooks

9.0

Enjoyed another bottle more in 2022, maybe not aging well in the closet ($37), but still very nice with Pat’s grilled steak. Dense, full bodied and a bit of sediment. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of 81% Cab Sauv, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry & black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This is a tasty oaky Chardonnay from Carneros.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with oak, vanilla, spices, yellow apples, herbs and black pepper.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$37. — 2 years ago

K Brooks

8.9

Preferred the Readers 2019, but we didn’t decant this bottle and probably should have ($37). — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This Argentinian Cabernet Franc is still young, but already enjoyable even by itself.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, tobacco leaf, Mediterranean spices, vegetables, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Nice finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. A tiny production of only 300 bottles.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$37. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.5

Happy 8th Anniversary to the love of my life!! We’re celebrating with a bottle of Krug Vintage 2004

To underscore the unique features of each Vintage Champagne, Krug assembles a blend of expressive, representative wines from the year and then matures the final product for at least 10 years before release. This particular wine spent 12 years on the lees. It was disgorged in 2016.

The 2004 Vintage was named “Luminous Freshness” paying homage to the summer sunrise and vibrant citrus notes it exudes. This blend consists of 39% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, and 24% Meunier varieties, each playing a role in the final style.

With a golden hue, this wine offers developed aromas of baked apple, lemon peel, grapefruit pith, dried white blossom, blanched almond, brioche, toast, marzipan, and wet slate. It’s balanced and complex, with a lingering finish and delicate, long-lasting mousse.

This wine pairs wonderfully with the slow-cooked halibut in a creamy, fennel and lemon sauce alongside a zucchini and squash salad. The intensity and richness of the wine and food work well in concert. — 3 years ago

with Deked1