The A List

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. Early on, this was a probably my favorite of the three Moutons and showed well throughout the course of the evening. Expressive red and dark forest fruits with tobacco, leather, earth and baking spices. The structure was still showing its tensile strength. This has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2040. — 7 days ago

Jan, Ira and 9 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Earthy and not giving away much initially, was worried after 20 mins. By 30 it blossomed, full on cassis and vanilla tannins, undergrowth. Dark red fruit, Rutherford dust. Notwithstanding a Bordeaux vibe there was no mistaking this for anything but a high-end Napa cab. Awesome one at that. I wouldn’t wait much longer… — 4 days ago

Ira, ESF and 21 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1985

Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. The 1985 is lovely and came more than willing, with a mix of tart, ripe and desiccated red fruits, Montmorency cherries, red currants, graphite, toasted coconut, leather and nuts. There was a slightly sherried character early on the nose but the structure seemed to defy age. No need to cellar further as this is delicious now and well stored examples should continue to be through 2030+. — 7 days ago

Jan, Ira and 11 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

All I remember is it being a solid bottle. — 4 days ago

Ira, Tyler and 9 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2001

Without doubt the greatest sticky I’ve ever tasted. I nosed it for 30 mins, it was so clear and bright with tropical fruit and light stony minerality. The apricot and mango were lifted over my palate by actual angels who may’ve swiped a taste on the brief journey. Wish I could’ve sat up with a last glass all night, thank you Lenny. 🙏🏼 — a day ago

Daniel, Jeroen and 22 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2006

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — 7 days ago

Ira, Jan and 15 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

I am not sure Dom is my jam. The overt amount of fruit and yeasty bread is a little too intense for me. — 3 days ago

Ron, Ira and 8 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Medium ruby garnet , garnet terracotta rim. Slightly sweet , roasted nose, with chestnut some sous bois , grafite , slight seaside hints. After a while a touch more herbal. On the palate quite stern dark fruits , mineral , grafite notes , quite dry tannin and ok balanced acidity . Reasonable length and sous bois , grafite tinged finish . This is still quite young though its appearance is slightly more advanced than the 1988 . Needs a decant and held up well over the 5 hours we had it open . Drink now and over the next 5-10 years. A little pedestrian overall and is outclassed by the superior 1988. — 10 days ago

Jan, Anthony and 7 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Interesting. Had the ‘89 a few months ago and thought it was on a whole other level compared to the previous ‘88.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Interesting comparison with the 1988 @Shay A , I think the 1989 just didn’t show the complexity or persistence on the palate that the 88 showed, however aroma wise it showed more sweetness and fruit . I was also surprised that the 1989 looked a little older, colour wise, than the 1988. I would be perfectly happy to drink either on any day of the week !

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Youthful that will need more time but a great future — 14 days ago

Vino, Christian and 13 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Excellent fill and halfway saturated cork. Used a Durand but surmise a regular waiter's friend, wielded carefully, could have done the trick with the cork. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins, one hour and two hours. Some obvious sed but not troublesome or overtly noticeable. Original owner-château direct on original release. Super cold cellar because this was lagging noticeably behind other '90's and LB's. Bigger tannic structure (for a generally feminine-styled house) than anything save a Latour, Mouton, Ducru Left Bank property. Even more guts than Lynch-Bages or Pichon-Baron '90's currently stored above 55 or so degrees. Surprising but made sense. Light-medium body. Appropriate color. 3-4 years left in this stage unless larger format in play. Slight, fleeting burst of richness in the frontal palate and a tad brickish and then it just flowed on, without speed bumps. A little cocoa powder and cedar/tobacco. Suspect 750ml specimens not stored as cold/religiously will be showing more in the 9.0-9.1 range and farther down the backside of the bell curve. 10.26.24. — 13 days ago

Ira, Jan and 16 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Good notes, mate.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ron R Hey there! It's been a spell.