The Happy Medium

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

jesus g
9.8

Great dinner, Happy birthday Fran! — 7 days ago

jesus, Serge and 26 others liked this
Somm David T

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That is a night of nights! Cheers! 🍷
jesus g

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☄️🏌🏽

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish.
— a month ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Ted and 18 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Vanessa way to celebrate in style!
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Paul K Thank you for the bday wishes! It was an auspicious and delicious way to start my next trip around the sun ☀️ Cheers! And we hope to reconnect with you guys soon! 🍾🥂
Paul K

Paul K

We will absolutely figure out something this summer!!!

Vietti

Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo 2022

Bright Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruits, sweet spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with spice, licorice and floral notes. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, floral spice and slight earthy character. — 2 months ago

Paul, Tom and 3 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep 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 and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 4 days ago

Ely, Lyle and 15 others liked this

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. — a month ago

Peter, Tom and 25 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

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

Double decant for sediment and pour. A splendid still dark tawny red color. On the nose: expressive notes of stewed blackberry/plum, worn leather, musty forest floor, truffles, mint. Taste: silky, elegant, savory wine with dried strawberries, leather, cedar, earth, and a peppery chocolate espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering like a champ at 45 years and glad to have a couple more bottles — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 16 others liked this
Shay A

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Wow! Very nice.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Have had this several times and really enjoy the style made from that era.

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2016

Medium garnet, intensity aromas of strawberries, black cherry, dill, liquorice, butter scotch, sweet oak, vanilla, cloves, coconut oil. Dry, high acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, full body. Pronounced flavor. Long finish. Outstanding. — 2 months ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

Great classic! Violet, flower buds, crunchy pomegranate, a touch of forest floor and pleasant faint VA. Most important, the tannins are framing the palate that’s both happy and austere instead of punching me in the face. Great value — a month ago

Tom and Tyler liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2006

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep 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 black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery.
— a month ago

Lyle, Jan and 16 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Great note (though “note” doesn’t really begin to cover it).
David White

David White

Love Chateau Musar and its history, thank you @Jay Kline for sharing the story to the 2006

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

Medium lemon colour . Persistent and fine perlage. This is quite restrained at first with lemon oil , toasty baked pastry and oyster shell hints . On the palate this is really quite intense , honied lemon , ginger, toasty yellow fruits , toasted nuts and quite mineral, oyster shell hints. Long and complex on the finish , fresh acidity , intense and complete . Needs a little more time, will show even better in 5 -10 years or so and over the next 10-15 years . — 2 months ago

Jeroen, Tom and 18 others liked this
Somm David T

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Have a couple of these and figured it was still a hold. Nice notes and score. Might have to open one. Cheers!🥂
Andrew Cullimore

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Thanks @Somm David T , yes if you have a few certainly open one , but it’s best days are certainly a few years off ! Enjoy !