Domaine Serene

Grand Cheval Red Blend 2016

9.3

A fascinating blend of Walla Walla Valley Syrah and Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, aged 18 months in 60% new French oak.

The nose opens with a subtle but distinct barnyard funk of leather, cured meat, and earthy spice layered over dried cherry and blackberry. The palate is cleaner and more composed, showing plum, cranberry, fig, and cedar. Silky tannins and lifted acidity carry a lingering savory finish.

A Grand Cheval on the New Year’s Day of the Year of Fire Horse. — 25 days ago

Tom, Joel and 2 others liked this

Tyler Felous

Never heard of Syrah + Pinot blend. Fascinating.

Bob McDonald

@Tyler Felous Back in the 1950s this blend was made successfully in the Hunter Valley by Maurice OShea for Mount Pleasant.

Tyler Felous

@Bob McDonald awesome history lesson. Thank you. Always more to learn!

Domaine François Raveneau

Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Conrad Green

9.4

Lifted and bright. Juicy acidity and tropical notes. Kiwi, pear, peach. Limestone and a pinch of salt. Dynamic — 7 months ago

with Chris, Matt and 1 other

Shay, K and 13 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1985

Conrad Green

9.4

Dark and sweet and delicious. Gnarly deep fruit but a lifted clarity and deliciousness. Really good — 2 years ago

with Paul

Juan, Iwan and 7 others liked this

Château Rayas

Réservé Pignan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache 2007

Conrad Green

9.4

Bright and quite alcoholic. Very pretty and lifted. Bright cherry and classic rayas purity. Lovely balance. Still young. Excellent — 2 months ago

with Rick, Naoko and 1 other

Juan, Iwan and 9 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2001

Conrad Green

9.7

Outrageous. Intense pretty and bright. Lemon curd, orange rind, lifted zesty fruit. Just spectacular — 5 months ago

with Matt and David

Ceccherini, Jeroen and 8 others liked this

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

Grands Échézeaux Pinot Noir 1990

Conrad Green

9.8

Wow. Just amazing nose- roses, plum, red flowers, lifted cherry. Heartbreakingly beautiful and lifted. The palate is still pure and intense. Defined with incredible limpid definition… violets and length. Wonderful — 9 months ago

with Walker and David

Jay, Jan and 10 others liked this

Caprili

Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese 2020

Stephen Osgood

9.1

Lifted, pretty Rosso. — 2 years ago

Martin and John liked this

Pertimali (Livio Sassetti)

Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese 1998

JKT

9.1

Surprised to find this, was CVed! Drinking great, shocking fresh and lifted profile, 27 years and it’s alive and kicking strong in a major way. It actually went well with Evan’s sushi bake of salmon and crab! Who’d guess! — 4 months ago

ESF liked this

ESF

solid estate consistent thru vintage, nice pull

JKT

Thanks! Continued to be surprised by how good it is after so many years. Alas this is probably the last bottle.

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Ericsson

9.5

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. — 5 months ago

Ira, Peter and 20 others liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014

Conrad Green

9.5

Beautifully light and lifted. Salinity and piercing delicate citrus. Wet stone and persistent light but powerful mid palate. Fantastic. Young. — a year ago

with Steve and Amanda

Juan, Jay and 6 others liked this