Second Wind
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1966
From back when Mouton was still a Second Growth. Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1966 pours a garnet color with significant rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated red and black fruits: cassis, blackberries, green pepper, tobacco, leather, old wood, organic earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This was a good showing for the ‘66 and certainly has life left in it however, there’s no need to hold out. Drink now. — 3 months ago
Château Montrose
La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
The second wine of Chateau Montrose. 91 but if I rounded up with more time in the glass, 92.
Nose not entirely expressive. Not a surprise as this Chateau makes wine for the ages. Nice soft fruits of, dark cherries, blackberries & strawberries. Sandstone, dry herbs, some light non distinct earth with bright red flowers, red roses framed in dark, dry flowers.
The palate is good but is begging to remain in bottle. Nice soft, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries. Dark chocolate bar, some chocolate pudding, moist clay, dark spices w/ just a touch of heat, moist herbs-sage, sandalwood, dry tobacco, little in the way of baking spices-clove leading the way, mocha, very little caramel notes, dry top soil, river stone, withering to dry, dark, red flowers with liquid violets, beautiful acidity and a well knitted/made, balanced, nicely tensioned finish that lands on some fruit, clay & soft spice.
Very good value here but would not open one for another 10 years. — 5 months ago
Opus One
Overture Napa Valley Petit Verdot Blend
Opus One Overture Red Blend N/V
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A second wine from Opus One Winery, Overture is crafted as a multi-vintage Bordeaux-style blend, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Unlike the estate’s grand vin, Overture blends across several vintages to achieve harmony, depth, and consistency. This wine edition includes 2014, 2015, and 2016, vintages that shows the elegance and complexity of extended barrel aging.
Aromas & Flavors
Nose: red currants, ripe cherry, and fresh red fruit, wrapped in earthy tones of mahogany, cocoa powder, and vanilla spice.
Palate: rounded and expressive, with plush dark fruit layered over subtle tobacco, cedar, and espresso. The oak influence creates warmth and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied, velvety in texture, with smooth tannins and a long, polished finish. The extended oak elevates its creaminess, while freshness keeps it balanced.
Winemaking & Style
Barrel-aged longer than the main Opus One lots, this wine achieves silky integration of fruit and oak. The flexibility of blending across vintages results in a wine of remarkable harmony and immediate drinkability, while still capable of short-term aging.
Food Pairing
Excellent with grilled ribeye, lamb shanks, duck breast, or mushroom risotto. Also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses or a dark chocolate finale.
Verdict
A luxurious, multi-vintage blend that captures the soul of Opus One in a more approachable, versatile package. Refined, elegant, and deeply satisfying, Overture is a wine to savor now or cellar briefly for added nuance.
— 3 months ago
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001
Mid crimson with a tawny rim showing its age. Just as impressive as the 2000 vintage which tends to get the accolades. This blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromatics of an old flower arrangement that had dried off with mature black fruits and cedar. My last bottle at 24 years of age but many say this could carry on until the mid 2030s. A classic Bordeaux living up to its “Super Second” standing. — 2 months ago
Château Latour
Les Forts de Latour Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Exactly what you would expect from Bordeaux. Excellent. definitely needs more time but really quite an impressive second wine. — 5 months ago
Château Lagrange
Les Fiefs de Lagrange St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Very fresh nose right out of the bottle with red fruits, wood and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, currants, light wood, spices, coffee, earth, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, licorice and black tea.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This 10 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend is drinking beautifully now. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and complex.
This Second Wine from this 3rd growth winery is delicious. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Soft, spicy and entertaining.
Feels young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle too.
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 13 months in (20% new) French Oak barrels.
13% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$40. — 5 months ago
Tom Garland
2 hour decant(little fine sediment). A striking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes with perfumed dark berries, forest floor, spearment, smoked meat, truffles. Taste: silky, layered, plush wine with dark plum/cherry, milk chocolate, smokey cedar, earth, and a peppery graphite medium plus dry finish. YUM! Drinks well with the decant and time to go. — a month ago