The Descent

Château Courac

Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2020

Descent wine. Full bodied a tasty blend. — a year ago

David liked this

Domaine La Millière

Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2000

Ming L
9.0

Initial whiff of rubber went away rather quickly, but it wasn’t until the 2nd day that it showed properly. Dried fig, worn leather, barnyard, thyme, anise, with raspberry fading away on the background. A bit medicinal as well. Medium body with round and tart acidity. Lean. Tannins is completely resolved. And magically sweet strawberry emerge on the lingering finish.

I think this is on its descent, yet still immensely enjoyable.
— 4 years ago

Bob and David liked this

Benovia

Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015

A good Chardonnay with a candied lemon rind finish with descent length. This vintage Janet was still assistant wine maker. — 5 years ago

Tom, Ron and 6 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Jay Eagan Vintage? Thanks
Jay Eagan

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It’s 2015 - I used to buy their Pinots as well.
Ira Schwartz

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@Jay Eagan Very good folks, visited them back in 2008. Extremely gracious and generous.

La Crema

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020

2020 Vintage out of a 375ml screw cap -nice cherry fruit , some floral , don’t get any oak here a bit phenolic but a descent wine — a year ago

Mark, Bob and 4 others liked this
Douglas Braun

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A little stemmy (stem inclusion?)

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Dark and smoky but fading cassis powers a medium-bodied rainbow of red flowers and fruit. So much going on, completely knit and on the verge of its descent. Class on steroids. — 4 years ago

James, Severn and 49 others liked this

Kenefick Ranch

Caitlin's Select Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2011

I have learned over the years that fruit from Kenefick just takes time to develop. Still maintaining acidity, the floral nose of this wine is rather present today along with mature red fruits. Entry of this wine is medium+ bodied with chalky black cherry, rhubarb, and a hint of baking chocolate. Violets creep up into the middle and finish. This wine is likely at peak, although it wouldn't surprise me if it has a few more years before starting thw descent. — 5 years ago

Shay, P and 19 others liked this

Domaine Antoine Jobard

Les Poruzots Meursault 1er Cru Chardonnay 2007

Casey Curbow
9.2

Glad this was opened now. Right at the peak of tertiary and showing hints of the beginning of that slow descent. Toasted almond and carmelized but still showing dried citrus and tree fruit with crushed flowers. — 5 years ago

Gerald Montoya
with Gerald
Chris, Keith and 1 other liked this

Castellani

Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2012

Descent. Maybe a bit over the hump. — 2 years ago

Jose liked this

Cellers Can Blau

Blau Montsant Red Blend

Mega coup de cœur. Plus dispendieux mais dans mes tops. Tellement d’équilibre, corsé sans trop, goûteux, descent parfaitement. Wow. — 3 years ago

Peter Lehmann

VSV 1885 Shiraz 2010

See 2 previous notes. This has shown progressively better at each tasting. An interesting series, the VSV Series (Very Special Vineyard) from Peter Lehmann. In this case the 1885 is planted on its own roots by the Schrapel family in the Ebenezer district since...1885. The 6th generation Ralph Schrapel tends the vines - his signature on the label. A tradition in the Barossa that many are purely grape growers, many of German descent, and not necessarily vignerons. This vineyard is a low yielding 4 acre block. I made brief notes in any event - deep dark Ruby in colour. A classic Barossa palate - black cherry, earthy, dark chocolate flavours with a touch of liquorice. Luscious and mouth filling with softening tannins. Very easy to like and drinking at its peak. A good example of the saying that good wine is made in the vineyard. — 4 years ago

Paul, Ceccherini and 20 others liked this
Ron R

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Great summary, @Bob McDonald. Thanks for sharing the back story.
Bob McDonald

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Thanks Ron