Spice Block

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

This needed a couple of hours decant to shed some of its tannin structure & open to show mostly black fruits, spice, earth, leather, pepper & tobacco — 2 days ago

Tom, Juan and 10 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

Block 8 Pinot Noir

ripe blackberry, soft black pepper nose. light salinity in finish — a month ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

We had the 2013 Vintage on 6/28-29/25. Nice bouquet black fruit and cedar. The palate had blackberry, plum, tobacco, leather and spice. Medium bodied, terroir driven. Old World and very good — 16 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Leather and spice up front, with a trace of dill that softens into dark cherry after an hour in the decanter. — a month ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml.
— a day ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 13 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.

This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.

This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy.
— a month ago

Rob, Vanessa and 14 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

We had the 2012 Vintage on 7/12-13/25. With 13 Years of aging, all the tannins have been smoothed out. Tastes of blueberry, plum, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied. Still fruit forward. Very good — a day ago

Walnut Block Wines

Collectables Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

This is the reason I love Sauv Blancs from NZ - intense tropicality focused on passion fruit, grapefruit, citrus, and pear. Great with food and on its own. Will definitely be drinking again this summer. — a month ago

Ghost Block

Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

5/2025. Bold flavor and finish. Very nice to drink. — 2 months ago

Ted, Scott@Mister and 1 other liked this