Valley Of The Moon

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2004

Blend of Chardonnay (55%) and Pinot Noir (45%). Pale gold color. Aromas of freshly baked bread, toasted nuts, white flowers, citrus zest and a chalky/smoky note. Flavors of grapefruit, green apple, tropical fruits, roasted nuts, and a lovely note of brioche. Long and lingering mineral driven finish. Vibrant acidity along with wonderful tension and complexity. Creamy mousse and texture with a steady stream of fine bubbles. So beautifully savory. Thank you Jason B. for sharing this beautiful wine (and storing it so well) to toast Matt A’s 50th Birthday! — 10 days ago

Dave, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

1/2 hour decant(decent sediment). A gorgeous still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: seductive perfumed notes of dark fruit, smoked meat, funky earth, cigar box, pencil lead, vanilla oak. Taste: savory wine with dried dark fruit, graphite and gravel, iron, and a kinda astringent smokey tobacco finish. Not my cup of tea...maybe bottle flaw. — 3 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Dave and 9 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Double-decanted prior to service. The 1988 pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of cassis, brambles, tobacco, capsicum, leather, inorganic earth and a mix of herbs and fine spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. The label is beat to hell but the condition of the wine inside the bottle was perfect. Classic, old school Bordeaux from a classified growth. Drink now through 2043. — 17 days ago

Somm, Juan and 15 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I don’t know that paper labels pair well with older Bordeaux. 😂

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Floral note’s of blackberry and blueberry, baking spice, cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate. It has plush, velvety tannins that enhances the smooth finish. — 15 days ago

Letha Phillips
with Letha
Rick, ESF and 8 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1983

Most interesting of the bunch, lost its verve towards the end though — 10 days ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 1995

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min before and during dinner. The 1995 pours a straw color with a gorgeous, persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with apples, ripe passion fruit, fresh brioche, lemon curd, toasted marshmallow and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A freaking delicious Champagne. Drink now through 2035. — 9 days ago

Jeroen, Matt and 11 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

So did this still taste fresh, curious? I know you liked it. Was just curious about its freshness.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I’ve had a lot of good, old Champagne. I love good, old Champagne. This was fresher than a good, old Champagne.

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

I am torn with the rating here. We had this after the Dom Rose and man did this need a lot of air. Very closed and tannin forward upon opening and decanting, then slowing opening up - an hour was not enough. It really came together after 3-4 hours and then had an amazing balance. Evolved from 9.0 to something 9.6 through the course of the evening. — 21 days ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Just peaking in my estimation. May sill have a couple or three years before its decline starts. Opened and sat in the bottle for 2 hours. Poured a glass which sat another hour. Bold forward fruits. Blackberry, Plums, Black Cherry, hints of spice herbs that quickly fade into a smooth, luxurious taste of velvety tannins. Backend is just as the Front, Luxurious Bold Fruit but just a touch of old earth, lite tobacco and chocolate/cherry. — 9 days ago

Letha Phillips
with Letha
Rick, Tom and 7 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Sounds wonderful!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

Nice review, got a few bottles. Cheers!

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Double-decanted prior to service. The 1989 pours a garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of cassis, brambles, tobacco, leather, cocoa, some graphite, inorganic earth and a mix of 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 medium+. The fruit is generous and sort of the star of the show. There is no wonder why so many love Cos. Still years and years to go. Drink now with some air and through 2049+. — 14 days ago

Jeroen, Juan and 9 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2016

Let’s get one thing clear right away: this was more about checking in on the early days of a wine that has a history of lasting for decades. Having that out of the way, it’s fun to check in on great wines in their youth, when you get the opportunity. Splash decanted sometime before service, no formal notes. The 2016 “Unico” is already showing its quality with abundant, beautifully ripened fruit and effortless elegance. That being said, having some experience with properly aged Unico, the better days (to my palate) are well ahead. Drink now if you have multiple bottles and can’t help yourself. Give it some air at least. Otherwise, better after 2036 and through 2076, probably. — 9 days ago

Joel, Somm and 14 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Dark ruby/ inky in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.

Strong nose of black currant, blackberries, black plums, black cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, light earth, herbs, mediterranean spices, black tea and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, light cedar, earth, cherries, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, black tea, herbs, light vanilla, mediterranean spices and dark chocolates.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced with great complexity.

Needs 2 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

This 17 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is starting to drink at its peak, although I'm drinking out of a Magnum.

Showing a beautiful nose with lots of complexity. Rich and extracted, elegant and powerful.

Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Enthusiasts 96 points. Wine Spectator 91 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Aged for 24 months in all new French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$450 (Magnum).
— 3 days ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2017

Excellent follow up to the classic 2016 Vintage. Blend of Mourvèdre (30%), Grenache (30%), Syrah (15%), Counoise (10%) and the balance (15%) made up of other approved CDP varietals led by Vaccarese’. Aromas of red and black fruit, garrigue, leather and earth. Flavors of black raspberries, currants and cherries, Asian spices, smoked meat and truffles. Long and lingering (slightly spicy) finish and beautiful balance. Full bodied and dense, but not overpowering. Fine grained tannins and amazing complexity. Great now, but there is another decade (or so) of aging potential. Just incredible. — a month ago

Joel, Paul and 6 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2015

Fill was 3cm below the cork and there were signs of seepage, so I assume this was better a few years ago, — 22 days ago

Jan, Tom and 2 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.4

My last of three.

The 05 vintage is basically perfect fruit etc…

This started a bit slow from an hour decant. It really pick up steam w/ the Waygu Ribcap.

The Bordeaux elegance & earth profound. The fruits are floral-laden. Dry blackberries, raspberries, both plum, with skin, dark cherries, dry strawberries, baked rhubarb, hints of raspberry, dark chocolate bar, light caramel, dark spice with a little heat, dry limestone. topsoil, dry riverstone, cigar box with ash, old used leather, dark forest floor with leaves, clove, touch of cinnamon, vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg sweet graphite, used charcoal, black tea, mid berry cola dark wuthering flowers, hence of lavender and old violets, perfect around acidity with a well-balanced structured, evenly tensioned finish that last minutes and lands on dry earth and spice with florals
— 11 days ago

Jeroen, Rick and 8 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

F. Haven't had the 05 and it's a fave BDX producer. Priorities...

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose and full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and already very complex.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, light earth, chocolates, tobacco, spices, peppercorn, coffee, cola and licorice.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District in Napa Valley is already drinking beautifully. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward, elegant and nicely balanced. Soft and smooth.

In your face kind of wine, with a teeth staining color. Bold and beautiful. The high alcohol is still noticeable, but will integrate with time.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after a few hours of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

Wine Spectator 93 points. Robert Parker 99 points. Wine Enthusiasts 97 points.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 28 months in all new French oak barrels.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$300.
— 4 days ago

Dave, Juan and 9 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 2002

Beautifully poised and calm. Sea shells and a hint of apple. Fleshy supple fruit. Some red Pinot notes. Excellent — 16 days ago

Bex GreenDavid Schachter
with Bex and David
Juan, Jay and 6 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

First time trying a first growth bordeaux. did not disappoint. beautiful aromas, richness of flavor, extremely long finish. wonderful. — 9 days ago

Ira and Jan liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2001

Don’t know if this is representative or not, but it’s definitely not what we were expecting. All sweet and nutty and balsamic but no fresh acidity, which was to be expected, nor anything else that pointed in the direction of a Sangiovese dominated wine. Seems to be in an indian summer kind of phase. Drink up we thinks cause it seems to be going down hill. — 19 days ago

Peter, Berry and 1 other liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

The ten years release of this 2015 vintage is drinking very nice now.
A bit overdone on the toasted wood perhaps.
— 10 days ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Timothy Eustis
9.5

2018. Absolutely gorgeous on nose. Cigar box, dark fruit, beautiful development. Bit of a tannic behemoth. But backed with ripe and fine tannins. In palate complexity and a long finish. Brilliant. — 23 days ago

Tom, Lyle and 6 others liked this