Ruta 22

Hendry

Blocks 7 & 22 Napa Valley Zinfandel 2015

Wow. This brought back good memories of us visiting Hendry vineyard some 15 years ago. The wines were wonderful back then and still are. Deep garnet with dark cherry aromas. Tannins that have nicely smoothed out over the last 5 years for a wonderful finish. — a month ago

Philippe Alliet

Chinon Cabernet Franc

Much smoother than in 2021 when first had the 2018 vintage. It’s thrown a lot of sediment. $22. — a year ago

Château Dalem

Fronsac Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015

Ken Z
9.3

Drank 6/27/23

Excellent with lamb kebabs

Scent of plum, blackberry, and peppercorn. Blackfruit flavors dominate the palate, with plum sauce, blackberry, and cocoa backed by firm, but ripe tannin, which is well integrated. Long finish.

4/22/8/5/4 + 50 = 93 pts.

This is great now, right out of the bottle.
— 2 years ago

Ken, Tom and 6 others liked this

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

‘01 is drinking beautiful in ‘22. Primo. 21 years old is drinking age, how about that?

This wine has aged beautifully and remains strong. Dense and rich, but soft and supple. I’m leaning heavily into the current and jammy notes that remain, but the obvious flavors are the old leather, tobacco, and sage.

Color comes out dark ruby red, but after about an hour in the glass you can see the oxygen taking hold. No decanting required. Glad I bought two of these!
— 3 years ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2016

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.

Very pretty nose with black fruits, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, Indian spices, cola and light black tea.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, toast, light vanilla, dark coffee, Indian spices, light cola licorice and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious 9 year old Merlot from Columbia Valley. Rich and extracted. Spicy and entertaining.

Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Smooth and elegant. Fruit forward and tangy. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75.
— 2 days ago

Ted, Robin and 11 others liked this

Château Saint-Pierre

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

2012 vintage. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. An excellent effort in a largely forgotten vintage. Cassis, blackberries, cedar, and Pauillac-like lead pencil. — a year ago

Peter, Ruud and 6 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

2014 vintage. Already rocking and a-rolling splishing and a-splashing. No one does silk and gossamer elegance better. Only getting better in the near term and far beyond. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and 6% Petite Verdot. Always a top fave. — 3 years ago

Aaron, Ted and 14 others liked this

Viña Cartín

Ruta 49 Albariño

Excellent wine for TJs! Mineral, very light green apple, citrus. Great with food or alone. Chilled. — 6 months ago

Château Fleur Cardinale

Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Ken Z
9.3

Drank 12 /7/23.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Scents of plum, blackberry, currant, and chocolate. Flavors are similar, with blackberry, plum sauce, and soil. Tannins are still firm, but, well integrated and mix with black fruits on the long finish. This one goes on for over a minute. Drinking well now, but showing no signs of slowing down. This should last another 10 plus years, but is in a nice place now.

4/22/8/4/5 +50 = 93 pts.

Great with a NY strip, but even better with the balsamic glaze that complimented it. This pairs wonderfully with sweet dark fruit flavors.
— a year ago

Shay, Severn and 12 others liked this

Benoît Déhu

Initiation Brut Nature Champagne Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier

Disgorged Feb 28, 2022, without dosage.
78% PN 22% Meunier
— 2 years ago

Joe liked this