Weingut Drautz Able
E. Guigal
La Mouline Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1990
1990 vintage. Decanted and tasted after one hour. Medium body. A shade darker than the 1990 La Turque tasted alongside. Deeper smoky, gamey nose. Meaty, gamey, smoky and beef broth/sous bois in the flavors. Super savory. This was phenomenal. Should be able to sustain this performance for the better part of a decade before noticeable drop off. Wowzers. Last tasted 3.24.23 with the same score. 3.15.24. — 7 months ago
Poggio al Casone
Casone Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2017
Was worried this wine wasn't right, turns out something I was eating wasn't playing nice. Once my palate cleared I was able to get into the wine. Dark fruits, classic sangiovese characters throughout. Little sweet but pretty complex. Could use a little more tannin or acid. Would get again if I got it at the Trader Joe's price I did here. — 10 months ago
A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1988
Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over period that lasted a few hours. After removing the capsule, cork was revealed to be completely saturated and moldy at the top. It was positively nasty. After wiping it down, I was able to extract the cork intact, with the use of a Durand. The 1988 pours a deep garnet with near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment even after decanting. On the nose, the wine is a vinous mix of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: brambles and currants, with tobacco, bell pepper, leather, organic earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and so delicious. Brilliant. The ’88 is ready to drink now with a short decant but has plenty of stuffing to drink well for at least another 10+ years and well-stored examples will be alive for much longer. — 5 months ago
Henriot
Millésime Brut Champagne Blend 2003
2003 vintage. Just enuff acidity to lord over the proceedings. Initially, “cheesy.” That dissipates somewhat and gets very harmonious very quickly. Cleans up a bit on the finish. Should be able to glide hither and yon for another 5-7 years at this level. 1.10.24. — 9 months ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
From magnum. No formal notes. The fill was top-shoulder. Underneath the capsule, the top of the cork looked nasty which I wiped down as best I could. About four hours before service, using a Durand (which is almost essential with old bottles) I was able to pull the cork completely intact and decant for sediment. The cork was completely saturated but appeared to have done its job! At this stage in its life, the 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild pours a garnet color but it doesn’t appear particularly tired and the nose supports that. While it’s certainly a vinous wine, there is a lot to like: a mix of red and black cassis, rip and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. The structure is still sound and while the tannins have integrated and the acid is keeping this very much alive. In fact, this seemed to brighten with air and almost get a second wind! As I find with all great Bordeaux wines once they enter this stage, they seem to live forever. This was a lovely pairing with a Prime, Niman Ranch porterhouse served with corn, squash and porcini. This is squarely in the “drink now” window, not that it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon. Decant for sediment and enjoy through 2030+ — a year ago
Beaulieu Vineyard
Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004
Been hanging into this forever and definitely worth it - best Tapestry I can remember, not sure I’d be able to tell it from a GdL…punches way above its weight at 14.5…goodbye to a longtime cellar dweller — 9 months ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
1982 vintage. Mid-shoulder fill, fully saturated cork. Not decanted. Tasted after 3 hours open. Light body. Earthy nose. Smooth, lean, integrated flavors gliding along to that 35 second finish. Should be able to hold court in this status for another 5-6 years. 7.6.24. — 3 months ago