Sauvignon Gris

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — 5 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
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Tom Casagrande

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Another tip: I keep a bottle in the fridge to pour decanted sediment dregs into, and use it (except for the muddy bottom part) for cooking. That way my coq au vin or daube is braising in really good stuff from my cellar!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x Tom C, good notes. Thanks for the tips. Cheers!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x x I find the sediments can be bitter and usually try to remove them so they don't impact the wine. Hate them all over the side of the glass. Cheers!

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1984

The final wine at the First Growth Bordeaux Lunch at the Downs Club last Saturday…. and what a great way to finish a wonderful lineup. I recall Apricot and Pear on a palate of profound intensity which delivers on the powerful nose. An obviously sweet palate with enough racy acid to keep things interesting and fresh. Will last until the late 2030s at least. Terrific! — 13 days ago

Serge, Ceccherini and 23 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1985

From mag. Dark plum and deep black cherry. Dried herbs and a bloody intensity. Something a touch off in the nose… A hint of tca? If so, very minor and not getting wise with time. Some Green notes. Pure but and intense and complex but there is that slight flaw with the nose. — 23 days ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
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Ira, Jeroen and 10 others liked this

Merry Edwards

Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — 2 days ago

Dave, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2006

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery.
— 4 days ago

Lyle, Jan and 15 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Great note (though “note” doesn’t really begin to cover it).
David White

David White

Love Chateau Musar and its history, thank you @Jay Kline for sharing the story to the 2006

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1988

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears a garnet color with a near opaque core with significant rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated and ripe dark and red fruits: currants, plums, brambles, old leather, cigar box, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), Tempranillo, Grenache-based blend from the United States, Spain, France or Italy. I felt like this leaned more towards the fruit than the non-fruit character and/or structure. Additionally, the color and desiccated nature of the fruit leads me to believe this bottle has significant age. So, my final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon (or based blend), from the United States, California, Napa Valley with 30+ years of age. We’ll call it 1985. Awfully close! Drink now.
— a month ago

Tom, Douglas and 11 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T I think I know what you mean by more about the head…certainly once you’ve had enough of them. Did you see the ABV? This was from a different time in Napa.
Somm David T

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I do not see it but imagine it’s 12-13%. I would prefer that percentage had never changed. That style aged is beautiful. When I drink wines this old, I think about the cycle of its evolution, time period, history of the region, winemaking practices and the people who made them. I generally read the “about of” the wine & its maker when I drink them. A habit I developed from studying with 6 or 7 different Master Somm’s 5 days a week over 3-4 months.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T that’s the whole reason I got into wine: sharing the story of the farmer and their relationship with the land and Mother Nature.

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

A great wine for sure but somewhat surprised by the double 100pt ratings. Excellent fruited nose. Well structured with ripe dark fruit - casks, blackberry, stewed plums, great minerality, softened yet grippy tannins and solid acidic backbone. Lots of finesse. Nice finish. Will be interesting to watch this evolve. — 5 days ago

Billy, Robin and 6 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

Double decant for sediment and pour. A splendid still dark tawny red color. On the nose: expressive notes of stewed blackberry/plum, worn leather, musty forest floor, truffles, mint. Taste: silky, elegant, savory wine with dried strawberries, leather, cedar, earth, and a peppery chocolate espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering like a champ at 45 years and glad to have a couple more bottles — 12 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
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Shay A

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Wow! Very nice.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Have had this several times and really enjoy the style made from that era.

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Lovely! Celebrated my daughter’s college graduation with a 2013 bottle. Hearty and fruity. Paired well with beef tenderloin. — 5 hours ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015

Lucid and supple. Rounded fruit. Contained. Not too hot with lovely purity. Great stuff. A little tight. Some dried herbs. Delicious. — 11 days ago

Rick K
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