1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.
This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.
Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute. — 3 months ago
Black cherries stand out against earthy beet and blackberry. Graphite rings and smoke curls around bay and sage, acanthus and peppercorn. Green in spots and muted on the palate, this one is unfortunately young and missing something. Pepper and cedar overpower the fruits and the tannins are aggressive here, giving a stemmy impression. May develop over time but gangly and awkward here.
#chateaupichonlonguevillecomtessedelalande #pichonlongueville #2016 #pauillac #appellationpauillaccontrôlée #bordeaux #grandcruclasséde1855 — 3 months ago
Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 15 days ago
This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.
Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes. — 3 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim
Earthy nose with light oak, black fruits and tobacco.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with red and black fruits, wood, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, licorice, dark chocolates, black tea and black pepper.
Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 35 year old is still drinking beautifully. This Second Growth Bordeaux is nicely balanced and complex.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 10+ years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 4 hours. I did not decant it, but let it open up in the bottle.
Wine Spectator 96 points.
A good food wine that I paired with beef brisket. Gorgeous.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$275. — 3 months ago
Very nice tonight with a pork schnitzel and excited to see how this develops. Opened 10 hours before dinner and decanted for 3 hours. I do think the air helped everything even out a bit. Nice restrained fruit, good linear core of minerality and acid, decently fresh with still some ever so slightly funky earth on the finish. — 2 months ago
Medium deep ruby , quite wide ruby rim . Bit more wood spice on the nose , touch of herbal cassis , blackberry. On the palate quite rigid dark fruits , with a touch of vanilla , blackcurrant and blackberry . Quite grippy tannins with quite good acidity. Decent length with a bit more grafite and tobacco . This probably needs a little time to round out the rather grippy tannins , so better in 5 years and will last well a further 10-15 — 2 months ago
First time tasting the ‘19 vintage, and the Produttori edged out one of my fave under the radar barolistas this early on. Maybe because it released sooner? Both red fruited with sour cherries and elegant tamed tannin/acid, but the Produttori had another gear of sweet incense and hard candy. The vintage does remind me of a more approachable’13 from a tannin perspective. — 3 months ago
This was a showing well with nothing out of place — 4 months ago
"Odedi"
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Strong nose with blue and red fruits.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and easy drinking.
Showing raspberries, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, light oak, licorice, tobacco, herbs, light earth, dried tomatoes, chocolates and black pepper.
Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Gran Reserva from Rioja is always a good choice. Showing nice complexity with a smooth mouthfeel.
Rich and elegant with good balance.
Drinks very young right now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.
Needs an hour to open up, but good right out of the bottle too.
I've had many different vintages of this wine, and it always delivers. My favorite so far was the 2004.
14% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$30. — 8 days ago