The Cellar

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1985

From mag. Dark plum and deep black cherry. Dried herbs and a bloody intensity. Something a touch off in the nose… A hint of tca? If so, very minor and not getting wise with time. Some Green notes. Pure but and intense and complex but there is that slight flaw with the nose. — 15 days ago

BOT Matt LichtenbergPaul Woolls
with BOT, Matt and 1 other
Ira, Jeroen and 10 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

4/2025. Good wine. Full of flavor. Nice to drink. Paired well with the short rib at Mr. Friendly’s — a month ago

Ted liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

This was actually the first wine we had at the Bordeaux first growth lunch last Saturday (which wasn’t a First Growth). No notes taken but it did show the quality of the 1982 vintage particularly from Paulliac, and was still going strong. — 5 days ago

Serge, Ceccherini and 21 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Somm David T
9.3

93-95+ with proper aging.

This paired well with the flank steak w/ mash potato purée prepared by the Wynn Hotel.

A very solid & consistent producer of Napa Cabernet. I do enjoy the Napa 21 reds. High quality vintage.

WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025.
— 11 days ago

Juan, Paul and 13 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore

@Somm David T , yes was very impressed by this when I had it at the Vinous event in Miami …. And from the 2 tastings of this vintage that I have done , I do agree with you that 2021 is a really interesting vintage . Well structured but also incredibly well balanced …. Just needs time

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Double-decanted earlier in the day; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1995 pours a perfect garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cassis, black cherry, mixed flowers, tobacco, earth, menthol and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, integrated tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Classy. This is an elegant expression of Bordeaux and showed so well tonight. Thanks Andy! Drink now through 2040. — 8 days ago

Peter, Tom and 24 others liked this
Somm David T

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There is a lot to like about St. Julien producers. But this one might be my favorite.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T I think so too. But then I have a bottle of Gruaud Larose and I second guess myself

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

It’s great but I don’t get why it’s the wine of the year. — 4 days ago

jesus, Jean-Philip and 7 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

The 2001 still slaps — 15 days ago

Iwan, Tom and 5 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2014

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — 5 days ago

Lyle, Daniel and 13 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1984

The final wine at the First Growth Bordeaux Lunch at the Downs Club last Saturday…. and what a great way to finish a wonderful lineup. I recall Apricot and Pear on a palate of profound intensity which delivers on the powerful nose. An obviously sweet palate with enough racy acid to keep things interesting and fresh. Will last until the late 2030s at least. Terrific! — 5 days ago

Serge, Ceccherini and 23 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Somm David T
9.5

The last of the 2002 in mags brought from the property. Delicious. I would have thought these would have been saved for their member parties. So, a nice surprise.

From The Cellar event at Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
— a month ago

Jay, Neil and 17 others liked this
Ron R

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Looks like fun! Hope you had a great time.
Somm David T

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@Ron R it’s a good event even worth the effort to travel from the other coast. Cheers! 🍷