Spice Block

Ghost Block

Single Vineyard Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black fruits with cedar and chocolate notes.

Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light earth, herbs, mediterranean spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Complex and nicely balanced, fruit forward and elegant. Spicy and entertaining.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet is still young, but already enjoyable even by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Showing good potential to become a 96+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were dry farmed and aged in (80% new) French oak barrels for 24 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$140.
— a month ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 8 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1988

More of a suave & polished version of LB that is showing well at 38 yrs. Notes of red & black fruits, spice box, earth, cedar, floral, leather & tobacco — 2 months ago

Rob, Tom and 8 others liked this

Epoch Estate Wines

Block B Paso Robles Syrah 2020

Delicious - a Paso winery we really like — 3 months ago

Brian Broxson
with Brian
Bobbi Jo and Brian liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Aromas of blueberry, black currant, lavender and rose petals. Earthy graphite and savory herb favors with hints of spice and cocoa powder in the glass. Creamy and fine grain tannin finish. Could have aged for another 20 years easy. — 3 months ago

Lou Ann MowryCristian MendozaBill Mowry
with Lou, Cristian and 1 other
Bill, Tom and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Probably a lot longer than that.

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Still youthful showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite, spice & tobacco — 3 months ago

David, Dave and 17 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Nice age here

Boekenhoutskloof

The Chocolate Block Cinsault Blend 2023

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 4 months ago

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2023

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023
South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A more tightly wound and concentrated expression of Bin 389, showcasing the same Cabernet-Shiraz framework (Cabernet for backbone, Shiraz for richness) but delivered with greater tension, density, and youthful drive. This vintage leans more serious and structured than 2022, highlighting the fascinating impact vintage conditions have on balance, ripeness, and extraction in agricultural wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Intense blackcurrant, crushed blackberry, dark cherry, and graphite dominate the aromatics, layered with fresh cedar, cocoa nib, and subtle minty spice. The palate is compact and powerful, showing darker fruit concentration, savory spice, and tightly coiled oak structure that promises excellent evolution with time.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and more compact than the 2022. Tannins are firmer and more youthful, giving a punchier, more linear profile. The wine feels energetic and focused, with impressive density and length, clearly built for further integration.

Food Pairings
Char-grilled steak or venison. Slow-braised beef cheeks. Pepper-crusted lamb. Smoked meats and firm aged cheeses.

Verdict
A bolder, more muscular Bin 389 that trades immediate plushness for intensity and aging potential. A striking reminder of how vintage variation shapes personality, same blueprint, very different expression.

Did You Know?
Penfolds sources fruit for Bin 389 from multiple South Australian regions, blending different terroirs and climates to build complexity, consistency, and layered structure across vintages.

🍷 Personal Pick
If you enjoy tracking wine evolution, this is a fantastic candidate for short-to-mid-term cellaring, revisit in a few years to watch the structure melt into harmony. Also check my previous 2022 review!
— 5 months ago

Freddy, ESF and 4 others liked this

Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier

Clos de la Maréchale Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2017

This was showing well with its red & black fruits, spice, orange peel, earth, mineral & floral notes — 12 hours ago

Tom, Joel and 3 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted.
— a month ago

Scott@Mister, Daniel and 9 others liked this

Ghost Block

Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Pretty nose of blackberries, black currants, black plums, cedar, licorice, vanilla, chocolates, herbs, eucalyptus, light spices and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, plums, currants, cedar, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cola, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs and light earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins, red chili pepper and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville is already drinking beautifully. Nicely balanced, complex and engaging. Elegant, tangy and rich. Soft and smooth.

Delicious right out of the bottle, easy to drink, and very approachable. As it opens up, more earth notes show up.

Showing a great nose. Spicy and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years, and showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent, and so much better with age.

A great sipping wine that paired nicely with my Leg of Lamb dish.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 24 months in (60% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$80.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Tegan and 14 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 4 months ago

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Better than expected as the last few assorted vintage Artemis bottles I’ve had have been less than good. Medium-heavy body. Decent spice and tea flavors on the caboose. 2.12.26. — 4 months ago

Somm, Dave and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I thought 2018 was very good. You?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave 2018 a great vintage along with 2019. 2019 is more approachable tho. Can't remember if I had the 2018 but this steady producer/effort had lost my trust. This example semi-restored my faith.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Marchesi Antinori ownership now.

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

2016 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 15 minutes and one hour. Mostly front and mid-palate push. Medium body. Some spice. Some chunk. Some fruit. Fairly balanced. Needs to sort out some issues and will likely show better in 3-5 years. 6.12.26. — 7 days ago

Tom, Dave and 6 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Damn, sounds great!!

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — a month ago

Tom, Robin and 2 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

4th wine . medium deep ruby garnet , thinner garnet rim . Quite deep and serious again , spicy with more cassis , touch smoky , mineral with touches of dry spice and cool sea breeze . On the palate this again has more grip a touch more mid palate , quite masculine in style, cassis , tobacco , grafite and resonable length. Polished and quite suave in style , more intensity and density than the others , more generous too. Probably better in 5 years and will last well a further 10. Guessed Mouton on this one . — 2 months ago

Somm, Scott@Mister and 8 others liked this

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2014

This had amazing aromatics showing black cherry, meat, graphite, licorice, savory spice, violets & tobacco — 3 months ago

Jonathan, Severn and 7 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Youthful, structured with red & black fruits, currant, cedar, spice & tobacco — 3 months ago

Joel, Tom and 10 others liked this

Block Nine

Caiden's Vineyards Pinot Noir 2025

Surprisingly decent. — 4 months ago

Dave liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2011

Bright red fruits on the nose, and it follows on the palate. There’s a seriously structured core under there, with hints of vanilla and spice. 2011 vintage is at it’s prime now, and could be ideal for another 2-3 years. Just an outstandingly made wine. — 4 months ago

Kay Brothers

Amery Vineyard Block 6 Shiraz 2004

Still looks young, high acidity keeps it fresh. So different from an Hermitage! — 7 months ago