Little Pebble
Oban
Little Bay of Caves 14 Years West Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
Had this at Car Talk night. Peter picked it — a month ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
It has been a little over a year since my last note on the 2018 vintage. Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2018 pours a pale garnet with transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with delicate notes of funky cherry, rose water, tar and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A touch thinner than some of the “bigger” vintages but no less charming. I’m sort of a sucker for the 2018 vintage in how enjoyable these are to drink in their youth. Drink now through 2038 — 3 months ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1999
An excellent, smooth wine with floral notes. A little less powerful than other vintages I have tried from Lynch-Bages. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, milk chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and mushrooms. — 2 days ago
Beaulieu Vineyard
Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980
It’s a night of consecutive first year decades, 90 & 80. Enjoyed in reverse order.
I had an 80 from Andy Beckstoffer’s cellar at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April 24 with Andy & Tor Kenward. This library bottle I bought recently at K&L is better than what I had a Pebble. Just look at the cork!
Glorious mouth entry. Juicy, perfect, ripe fruit that shows age but it is not missing a step. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark, juicy, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb mid, dark cherries, candied raspberries to raspberry pudding. Just a touch of v/a, chocolate pudding/fudge, mocha, caramel, light, soft, sun tea, softened baking spices- cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, some fresh & dry herbs, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, evolved, dark spices w/ some palate heat, dry top soil, limestone powder, hint of mint, with & fresh florals that are; dark, red, blue & liquid violets and lavender sprinkled in, perfect acidity and perfectly balanced, softly tensioned, knitted and a refined finish that lasts two-minutes.
This bottle is in a perfect spot & as good as it gets. Perfectly stored. It has another 5 years. Liquid, velvety tannins. One of the more perfect bottles I’ve had in 5-10 years.
Photos of, my tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The retail wine shop at Spanish Bay, Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward. — a month ago
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
Nice example from a troubled era of Ducru. No cork taint, thankfully. Started a little flat on the nose but really got going with time in the glass (had been double decanted earlier in the afternoon). Served with dry aged smoked duck breast with truffled grits, duck egg, fig, honey shimeji and braised endive. — 6 days ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1999
Yellow gold with copper hue, quite thin pale rim . Caramelised pineapple, saffron , vanilla , creme brûlée , quite rich and decadent. On the palate again quite rich , barley sugar , creme brûlée and saffron, just enough acidity to balance and a little alcoholic warmth . On the medium length finish , lemon rind and a touch of caramel . This is probably at peak now , just misses a little vibrancy , freshness, however successful for the vintage . Drink now and over the next 10- 15 years — 3 months ago
Ellen Clifford
It is very pure—red raspberry, red cherry, and licorice, amped up with damp soil on the nose. The palate brings more licorice/anise/tarragon vibes, with a little lilac winking on the finish. The acid is vibrant, the tannins are dusky, and the alcohol is respectful. — 19 days ago