Top Chef
Spottswoode
Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — 2 days ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
An enjoyable vintage, even if it’s not a top vintage, it still portrays typical P-C. Always enjoyable. Drinking very well with just a short decant. — 2 months ago
Château Léoville Barton
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Jean Foillard
Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2020
What a pair w/ Crostini, Chervil Sheep Cheese & Duck Confit. 👌
Dark, juicy, lush to mid fruit core, dark cherries, strawberries, hues of blueberries, raspberries, limestone, softened granitic earth, deeper red cola, black & red licorice, baseball card bubble gum, understated fresh herbs, dark, rich, sweet earth, hints of maple syrup, tree bark w/ sap, dark & red florals for days, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, relaxed tension, polished, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds. Delicious.
This is better than some premier cru red burgundies for far less $.
Absolutely one of the top three producers of Grand Cru Gamay. — 2 months ago
Yvon embodies the humble and proud vigneron, a man who would rather tend his vines than host appointments, and sell to close friends than foreign markets.He has long farmed what are sure to be among the oldest vines in the entirety of the region, predominantly centered in Fleurie. Undoubtedly, these are some of the most pure, fresh yet unctuous wines that have ever come from the Beaujolais region. Never sulfured, they are the pinnacle of freshness and drinkability upon release, yet benefit from long cellar aging as well.
Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia
Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2004
A top vintage for Unico, and one to live forever, 04 is in an amazing spot, decadently layered and hedonistic with an impeccable balance of both power and elegance. The palate is expansive, silky and rich with melting tannins and massive length. A stellar Unico. — 11 days ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.
Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082. — 15 days ago
Sobon Estate
Rocky Top Zinfandel
Jammy with structure — 3 months ago
Billy L.
Thanksgiving 🦃Wines & Champagne 🍾 Cheers👍🏻👏🏻
— a month ago