Mean Mouth

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

2010 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately. Lean and mean. Medium body but only because of the concentration. Dark fruits and plenty of espresso influence evident. Slightly less delicate than other P-C efforts fortunate enuff to taste. Tighter than the outstanding 2009 upon initial impressions. Needed more time to coddle this one but couldn't carve it out. ***EDIT 6.27.26***Delectable was having a moment during the review process and couldn't access previous wines/research properly, so went with memory. Ha so bad. It WASN'T the 2009 I thought I previously had. Actually confused vintages and had this exact 2010 vintage on 12.5.25 (9.6) with enough time to appreciate properly. The 2010 quickie was still nice at 9.4 but not nearly as good as being 9.6 romanced properly. 6.20.26. — a month ago

Joel, Jeroen and 14 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I might have exited the planet by the time the well made 2010 Bordeaux’s peak.

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2015

Rob N
9.5

Always a treat. Green apple. Better flavor than Cristal but Cristal has better mouth feel. — 8 months ago

Dave, Andrew and 11 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Great vintage! Cheers!

Domaine Coche-Dury (J.F. Coche Dury)

Meursault Chardonnay 2004

Served blind. I nailed the vintage, even a broken clock is right twice a day. A spectacular nose of smoke, flowers and a dose of reduction. In the mouth, intensity and freshness . Minerals & green fruit that reminded me of Chablis to start but no way given the weightlessness. Waves of crisp fruit with exceptional balance. Most producers would be happy to make a premiere cru or grand cru of this quality. It might be an overused descriptor or cliché, but this was all about pureness. According to my friend purchased on release, and locked away. A reminder of how important proper storage is. — 2 years ago

Tom, Austin and 49 others liked this
Winton Sweum

Winton Sweum

And did you rate it blind? Ha, ha.
Winton Sweum

Winton Sweum

PS. Was it the Narvaux or Vireuils Dessus?

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2016

Incredible glass of rose. Roses, almond paste, tart, some dried figs. In the mouth sweet, acidity and bitters so well balanced. — 4 years ago

Edo, Shay and 2 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

After a coffee chat at work yesterday that ended discussing Hillside Select I was motivated to open one for the holiday weekend. Initially I was very disappointed as the wine was flat and uninspiring considering the pedigree and price tag. Read some reviews that this 2013 needs A LOT of air and sure enough after hours the wine began to evolve and markedly improve. It is an intense wine that lingers in the mouth for a long time. Smooth tannins, red fruit and tobacco flavors. Not my most favorite wine and not at the $229 I paid, but nonetheless a very good wine once it had the chance to get some air for a few hours — 5 years ago

Jonathan liked this

Wayfarer

Golden Mean Fort Ross - Seaview Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2015

Really incredible wine. Not paired with any food, the wine is flavorful, quenching w/ oak flavor adding the right dryness and notes of plum & vanilla to finish - really well balanced and opened well. Bottled was empty far too quickly : ) — 5 years ago

Emily Kannan
with Emily

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992

Last night in MT at the lake. Gave this several hours of air. Nice dark tawny color. Vibrant in the glass. The nose is great right away and stayed on point through the evening. Notes of black cherries, warm raspberries, old cedar, some plums and a little leather saddle. Rich and silky in the mouth. Velvet glove. Long finish. Great wine. — 7 years ago

Ron, Shay and 17 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted.
— 2 months ago

Scott@Mister, Daniel and 9 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1966

Show stopper. 59 years old and still providing an amazing experience. Never faded during our tasting. Elegant nose and complex mouth with a long, lingering finish. — 8 months ago

Juan liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 1996

Medium gold, heavy like oil in the glass. Complex nose with notes of citrus, stones, marzipan and a little honey. A hint of oxidation is evident, but it's part of the complexity this bottle offers tonight. In the mouth this has massive power, yet is silky and coats the palate. — 3 years ago

Tom, Douglas and 14 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1945

Tasted blind. Deep purple color. Looks very young, compared to the 45 Margaux next to it. Almost opaque. Notes of black fruit, cracked walnuts, sweet fruit, raspberry and some cedar desk. Super rich in the mouth. Seems young and is firm, but tannins are softened and the mouthfeel is velvet touch. Long finish. It peacocks all night. The walnuts thing leads my guess to Latour, but can this be the 45? Is it a 61 or 82? Could be... I go with it being a 59 given how young it seems. Just an amazing bottle of wine, open for ~9 hours by the time we left, it seemed to effortlessly power along. Thanks Stan! — 4 years ago

Shay, Andrew and 28 others liked this
Brent Young

Brent Young Premium Badge

Wow 😯. Fantastic. 9+ hours is impressive 👍

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Beautiful vintage Krug, but clearly still very young (which is slightly nuts). Bubbles are quite fine but still very present. Yeasty and mouth filling - there is real power here. Deep and intense on the palate, long finish, great acid. Very fun to try - but would love to try in 5-10 years. — 5 years ago

Severn, Michael and 8 others liked this

Louis Latour

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2008

For my palate, this bottle is at peak. Rich and honeyed, restrained by the vintage. On the nose: pineapple, honey, sweet apple, soft tarragon. On the palate: excellent acidity, black pepper spice, honey, tropical fruit, fantastic density. Long finish...I mean, this is not subtle...ok, even in 08 it toes the line of gaudy and garish, but sometimes that's what you want! Lovely for our mood. — 6 years ago

Andrew, Severn and 11 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Lots going on here as the nose unwinds but unfortunately in a tasting scenario it's hard to see it evolve. There's a surprising amount of red fruit and subtle florals that are fully enveloped in sandalwood and cigar box. The oak shows up prominently but elegantly, like smelling the inside of a very nice guitar. On the palate, acidity and red fruit dominate with plenty of freshness, signaling longevity and less velvety tannins than I expected. They still hit the side of the mouth. — 3 months ago

Tom, Douglas and 4 others liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

2nd wine . Medium garnet ruby, thin garnet rim . Quite serious and mineral , more grafite and , tobacco , seaside scents , spice . Quite cool and elegant in the mouth , sweeter tannin though quite dense still on the palate . Cassis , grafite , cocoa and tobacco finish . Quite rich , good length , spiced finish. This is quite refined and elegant , well balanced freshness , if rounder , more plump than the others (alcohol perhaps ? This is 14,5% but it doesn’t stick out ). Again quite young , needs another 5 years and will last a further 10 or so . Had this down as the Margaux ! — 3 months ago

Somm, Jeroen and 9 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021

From makers of Sassicaia, Deep Ruby color with aromas of fresh red & black fruits and earthy floral notes, 55% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot & 18% Cab Franc. On the palate flavors of cherry, plum & blackberry with floral, licorice, cacao and earthy notes, well integrated. Fine tannins, a wine with a solid structure, elegant and smooth, long finish, great mouth feel ending with fruit and oak. Will age well over next 5+ years. Nice! — 9 months ago

Andrew, Tom and 4 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2008

From magnum. Straw gold color, fruit forward nose. Notes of citrus, lemon, apple slice, brioche toast. Some chalk and stone, some cranberries. Lots of energy in the glass, and even more so in the mouth. This is the real deal. 96+ — 3 years ago

Jan, Nicolas and 12 others liked this

Domaine Charvin

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Tawny color, mostly opaque. Herbal nose. In contrast to the Roty red burg which is rich and silky, this is more angular and herbal – pairing well with food. Notes of red briary fruit, herbs de provence, dusty earth and some tobacco leaf. Great balance in the mouth with a great mix of fruit, acidity, structure and softened tannin. In a good spot right now. — 5 years ago

Martin, Paul and 12 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 1986

Great color in the decanter... medium gold with an enticing perfume. Notes of sweet Meyer lemon, apricot, gravel stone, tan clay, some mint, a little ginger and some sweet marzipan. Has an exotic and slightly musty (desirable) funk. Huge weight with great fruit and solid acidity in the mouth. Decanted for 2 hours before drinking. Awesome juice! If you Google “why should I age white burgundy?”, an image of this 35 year old bottle should be shown... — 5 years ago

David, Severn and 19 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

What a pull. Bravo to you. @Mike Saviage
Mario Vaillancourt

Mario Vaillancourt Premium Badge

Awesome, glad it was not too oxidized
Alan Weinberg

Alan Weinberg

It’s been great for decades. A bit of botrytis makes it exotic. I’ve got just one left.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1987

Home alone for 24 hrs! The perfect time to open something older. Fully mature Bordeaux... I mean Napa! Dried fruit and tobacco, there is still a frame of tannins but they are well integrated and slightly chalky in texture. Enjoyable but more mature than I prefer. — 6 years ago

Paul, Eric and 2 others liked this