Still River Winery

Leeuwin Estate

Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2019

Great wine, probably past its prime time, but still aromatic, well balanced with lime notes. — 3 days ago

Kistler

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Exquisite. Cherry notes balanced with earth. — 6 days ago

Karilyn Lesassier-Van Oosten
with Karilyn

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1966

This btl was still fresh & in perfect condition. I am always amazed how well the 66’s show especially the La Mission HB. — 7 days ago

Juan, Eric and 6 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Medium deep garnet ruby with a narrow garnet rim . Dusty grafite , cedar and cassis , currants , oyster shell , quite deep and classic . On the palate this is quite dense and tannic still , deep dark cassis , herbal tinged cedar and very grafite tinged on the finish . Fresh acidity , but still good mid palate richness and even though the tannins are quite dry and grippy , this is well balanced and relatively generous . Good length on the classic grafite , oyster shell tinged finish. This didn’t need a lot of decanting time to show well , though it certainly changes and improves with time in the glass . Classic in style , but still quite generous for Latour , this is just reaching its drinking window , will continue at this level for another 5-10 years at least and probably more. — 15 days ago

Jeroen, Sagee and 17 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

A bit faded but still an excellent pizza wine — a month ago

Kistler

Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Drinking wonderfully! — 2 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300.
— 2 months ago

Jay, Tom and 11 others liked this

Sonoma-Cutrer

Russian River Ranches Chardonnay

Very nice and classically Californian. Oak forward with cream followed by pear and a balancing touch of citrus. A little oakier than my favorites but still nice. You’ll like more if that’s your style. — 19 days ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.5

I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.

My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.

The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.

95-96 peaking.
— 19 days ago

Tom, Jay and 8 others liked this

Williams Selyem

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2024

To much of a fruit bomb good wine just not for me. — 2 months ago

Tom, Shay and 2 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, cinnamon, and oak. Maybe a touch young but still delightful. — 2 months ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Somm David T
9.5

There are a number of things I can say about Leoville Barton. For me, it is a storied property and experience.

To this point, I have had quite a few 2000 Bordeaux’s, none of them ready as this one. Given what I know about Anthony & his legacy, most of his good vintages were made for your children. So, color me surprised.

While this 2000 is drinking well, it is far from its precipice. There is another 20 yrs plus of road here.

Sofia and I have had the pleasure of dining at the same table with Anthony Barton and his wife in the early teens of 2000. He was a salt of the earth gentleman. His wife, lovely. At dinner that night, he told us a story I will not forget. A story prompted by a question from my wife. He and his wife drove from France to Switzerland. They were stopped at the border and asked to get out of the car as they had a case of wine with them. At that time and maybe still now, you can’t take wine over the border into Switzerland. The border guard called the powers to be and recanted the story of them trying to bring wine into Switzerland. He told them their name. The person on the other end of the phone said, who? They said, Anthony Barton. The reply, was let him through. That’s respect!!!

His daughter Lilian has taken the helm. She is also salt of the earth and a great Bordeaux Ambassador. May Anthony RIP.

This 2000 is classic Bordeaux in every way.

The nose shows steeped & candied fruits that are; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, black cherries, purple & blue fruit hues (classic Barton). Graphite, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry limestone bits, dark Asian spices, dry herbs, dry river stone, dark, rich, forest floor, anise to black licorice, mid colas, fresh, candied to withering florals that are; dark, red, blue and violets.

The palate shows, M+ rounded, fine grain tannins. The nose mirrors the palate in many ways. Steeped, candied, ripe, juicy fruits that are; brambly blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, black cherries, raspberries, purple & blue fruit hues. Leoville Barton shows purple & blue fruits more than most other left bank producers. Graphite, dry tobacco, cedar, dry leather, dry limestone bits, dry top soils, saline, caramel, mocha powder, German chocolate cake, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark Asian spices w/ some heat, dry herbs, touch of black pepper, grilled meats, dry river stone, dark, rich, forest floor, anise to black licorice, black tarriness, mid colas, fresh, candied to withering florals that are; dark, red, blue and framed in liquid violets, acidity is grand, well balanced/structured, highly toned, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts minutes and settles on earth & dark spice.

Decanted 90 minutes and enjoyed over nearly three hours.

Appreciated the 12.5% ABV. Many would say that is not possible in the modern wine era. Anthony says otherwise w/ his 2000.

95-96.
— 2 months ago

Tom, ESF and 12 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Love the story

Williams Selyem

Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir 2024

lifted. hunt or red floral- lavendar? medium tannins. high acid. fuller mid palate than Sonoma Coast. — 13 days ago

Laura liked this

Twomey

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2033

Twomey's 25th anniversary RRV Pinot. Expressive florals both on taste and nose. Red cherry opener and I get a bit of smoke and dusty soil. Medium mouthfeel and mild tannins. The wine is well-balanced and quite expressive through the finish. — a month ago

Dawn, Daniel and 1 other liked this

Belle Glos

Dairyman Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2022

Had at Kavel's: Notes of dark cherry, cola, baking spice, a touch of vanilla oak, and soft tannins. — a month ago

Dave liked this

Gary Farrell

Russian River Selection Pinot Noir 2023

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose with cherries, fresh raspberries, light oak, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs and tobacco leaf.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with strawberries, raspberries, fresh cherries, light oak, chocolates, herbs, earth, light tobacco and black pepper.

Good length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This 3 year old Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is starting to drink very nicely now.

Fruit forward and easy drinking, elegant and nicely balanced. Tangy and refreshing, complex and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in 5 years.

I gave it a light chill and had it all by itself.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in (35% new) French Oak barrels for 9 months.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.
— 2 months ago

Ted, Jose and 9 others liked this

Merry Edwards

Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Such a great nose of fruit and flowers. Palate coating fruits and citrus and acidity. Outstanding — 2 months ago

Tom, Leo and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

One of my favorite labels too

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Phenomenal wine. Tannins are completely softened with dark fruits. Incredibly enjoyable. The 2009 still going strong 17 years later. This can easily stay in bottle another 5-10 years. — a month ago

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Not quite as good as I remember it, but still excellent. Graphite, pencil shavings, leather, tobacco. 3+ hour decant. needs lots of time but really special.  — 2 months ago

Jan, Serge and 4 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Somm David T
9.2

Been a bit since my last but still do not think much of the style of their Cabernet. Especially, given its price point.

2022 Napa Cabernet’s more than less boil down to when did you harvest, before or after the 10 days of intense heat during the harvest window.

2026 Taste of Oakvile
— 2 months ago

Paul, Peter and 13 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline @Somm David T — Love reading the dialog!
Jay Kline

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Thanks @Tom Casagrande I love and appreciate my fellow Somm, @Somm David T ‘s perspective greatly so I too enjoyed the dialogue