Performance
Domaine Leflaive
Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonnay 1996
Popped for our 30th and taken to Sons & Daughters in SF. Straw gold color, still looks youthful. Spectacular nose. Notes of lemon curd, marzipan, wet river stones, white acacia flowers, tan spice and some petrol. Equally amazing in the mouth, this explodes in the glass with great structure and acidity, bounded by ample fruit. In short, this is everything you want in a white burg. Still easily has a decade or more of enjoyment at this peak performance. A top all time bottle for me. — 4 years ago
Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2005
At peak performance but many years to go — 2 years ago
The Ojai Vineyard
Roll Ranch Vineyard Syrah 2002
Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 5 years ago
Château Trotte Vieille
St. Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Haven't had a fairly aged red Bordeaux in a long while. It was very good. My wife and I enjoyed it very much. Can see a lot of sediment sticking to the side of the glass after the swirl. Beautiful nose of black fruits, dark chocolate, old leather and cigar box. On the palate, full body, well-balanced acidity and tanin. Long finish. This is probably at its peak performance, so better to drink now rather than cellared. — 2 years ago
Viña Real (CVNE)
Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2014
Vintage 2014 | Lots of character and solid performance, vanilla driven — 3 years ago
Julien Courtois
Savasol Menu Pineau 2015
New Year’s Eve leftovers forgotten (open) in the fridge after an epic night and a full day of napping. So after 36 hours it’s still pretty righteous amber bliss, a bitter edge with singular notes of butterscotch, anise, petrol, citrus rind, pine, and the faintest bit of untanned leather on the way way back....nice performance. very easy late morning armchair drinking. vendor says 2015 but the bottle is not marked. — 5 years ago
Andrew Cullimore
Slightly deeper ruby with a little narrower , less garnet rim . This is quite deep and slightly more herbal on the nose, floral perhaps , a little more austere. Spicy Cassis , tobacco , herbal touches . On the palate this is slightly more velvety with a riper dark fruits , mixed with a touch of dark cherry , spice and subtler , riper tannin . Quite ripe , more polished tannin. A bit bigger and riper in style , alcohol a bit more noticeable . Quite good dark cherry , dark chocolate, cassis finish . This is a little more polished , but probably needs a little more time , better in 5 years and will last well a further 10 . Overall a good showing , a classy , polished performance — 5 months ago