Stein 1

Louis M. Martini

Lot No. 1 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Drank my last bottle. Upped my rating a bit. A lovely wine. — 5 days ago

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

Wein-Erbhof Stein

Weihwasser Feinherb Riesling

Drank with mark bittman Japanese style beef stew recipe and smashed cucumber salad — 4 months ago

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015

Wine Spectator Number #1 wine dinner. — 8 months ago

Stef, Jan and 1 other liked this

Tyrrell's Wines

Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon 2011

See previous Delectable note in December 2024. Amazingly pale for a 14 year old white. Aromatics of lemon, lanolin and wet straw. It hasn’t yet developed the toasty characters I was expecting, indicating still a long life ahead. Overall this is delicate on a light bodied leanish palate. Only 11% ABV. Lovers of big buttery Chardonnay may not appreciate this wine. 3 bottles left - I will try and have the next one in 12 to 18 months. — 9 months ago

Dave, Tom and 24 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I am envious, but too old as well to be buying wines like this that have barely evolved after a decade. Cheers!
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Doug Powers That is a reality facing me as well Doug but it doesn’t stop me buying certain Burgundies however. I guess someone will enjoy them one day.

Locations Wine

F-1 Red Blend

Ted
8.9

Another good locations wine. — 3 years ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Jose, Sharon and 4 others liked this

Wein-Erbhof Stein

Alfer Hölle 1900 Riesling 2017

Traditional, classic and (relatively) under-the-radar producer, which was completely unknown to me, till a few months ago.
Wonderfully feinherb, rich, yet elegant.
Lovely.
— a month ago

Tom, Eric and 5 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light cedar, earth, cola, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, black tea and light garigge notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, cola, herbs, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is already drinking beautifully. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Elegant and complex, spicy and tangy.

Delicious now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

The alcohol is nicely integrated already, although not as high as typically from this region.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and this is not my favorite, by far.

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

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450.
— 2 months ago

Jay, Stephen and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

These wines, to my palate, are not particularly interesting this young. After 15+ years from vintage? Way more interesting.
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline not a great vintage too
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Personally, I think many have overreacted regarding 2022. Yes, Mother Nature threw some challenges late in the harvest but some made outstanding wines and when you consider the fruit source for Opus One, I’m sure they were on the winning side.

Sheridan Vineyard

Block 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Wow! Drinking beautifully and significant fruit forward notes in a good and balanced way. Drank for 15 yr anniversary and unfortunately is my last bottle of this vintage 😪 — 7 months ago

Shay liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Wine Spectator # 1 wine dinner. Surprisingly very good. 👍 — 8 months ago

Peter, Rob and 7 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Smooth and effortless with no hard edges, even in a warm year. Seductively savory with currant, strawberry, leather, tobacco, coffee bean, and bone marrow. There’s an incredible gamey streak here. Oak is impeccably balanced. Just tip toeing into some bricking.
The pedigree is clear. Counting myself lucky.
My
#1 tonight.
— 9 months ago

Jonathan, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Warm, ripe vintage.

Wein-Erbhof Stein

St. Aldegunder Himmelreich Kabinett feinherb Riesling 2021

Beautiful moderate tannins. Pear apple stone fruits and aroma — 3 years ago

Fairchild Estate

Stones No. 1 Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Somm David T
9.7

This is beautiful fruit with amazing soft earth. It is elegance refined.

Their vines per the owner Lawrence, sit adjacent to Screaming Eagle.
— a month ago

Jay, Dawn and 6 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T Lawrence Fairchild is from Nebraska so I see him from time to time. He’s been generous, sharing Parrus 2 with me and other Fairchild wines.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

He is very nice, humble.

Best's

Bin No 1 Great Western Shiraz 2011

2012 Jimmy Watson winner. No Bin 1 or Thompson family made in 20111 due to wet year so all the best fruit in this wine, drinking very nicely but noticeably greenish and lighter due to poor year. — 3 months ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intoxicating musky notes of dark fruit, potting soil, worn leather, truffles, stewed meat, slight menthol. Taste: velvety, seamless, balanced, intense wine with dark fruit, cassis, earth, tobacco, mineral, herbs, and a chocolate graphite long never-ending finish. YUM! This wine has aged gracefully and has more gas in the tank. Enjoy. — 3 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 12 others liked this

Stein

Rosé Secco 2024

Great rosé for a Thanksgiving spread, although it’s a little early (from MCF Rare Wine’s list). Dry and lightly effervescent with a handy reusable bottle cap. Minerals and hay on the nose, currant, sour watermelon candy, dried grass. I’ve had a Stein Riesling before, and the fruit also had a hard candy-like quality. Quality Mosel producer! — 7 months ago

Serge, Dave and 3 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Last tasted 12.11.22 (9.6) and 8.20.16 (9.2-slightly off bottle). Tasted side by side with the 1989 (9.4) version of this wine. Ridiculous 1-2 heavyweight punch. Opened but not decanted. Tasted at the conclusion of lunch after an hour open. Not much in the nose but bringing it in the flavors. Still heavy bits of ripe plum and cherry with a substantial mid-palate. Larger format of this wine likely clocks in as a 9.6/9.7 but this was a 750ml. In the 750ml format, not improving and it's drink now and until 2028. Still, most likely, the best wine this producer has ever made. The 1989 has a case as well. Like the Lebowski rug, this one just tied the late-80's/early-90's BDX room together. 10.10.25. — 8 months ago

Daniel, Jeroen and 24 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Our anniversary year. I need to get a bottle

Michter's

Small Batch US*1 Bourbon Whiskey

The American counterpoint to an Irish whisky at the Embassy of Ireland in Japan (the recently opened Ireland House). USA a clear winner, even in the highball format. — 9 months ago

Sine Qua Non

Stein California Grenache

Dense boysenberry in color: nose of blackcurrant, spice and a little licorice; lovely texture of fully ripe fruit that’s bright with just enough supporting tannin. SQN always so solid. — 4 years ago

James liked this