Wines For Joanie
Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2010
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I prefer indirect lighting like a patio room. Typically they would last 5-6 months before they bloomed out.
Just don’t buy one thats fully bloomed, sometimes they are in a store for a couple months. A fresh one would typically have 4-6 buds that haven’t opened.
Beaulieu Vineyard
Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994
Dried red fruits, baking spices, cedar, Price Albert tobacco, coco nibs, stewed tomato and leather. Maintains good acidity with softened tannins. A bit past its prime but still drinking well.
Perfect wine for watching the Las Vegas Grand Prix! — 10 days ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 4 days ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2021
Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon and floral. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. The ‘21 is a real insight for what the Riservas will taste like. Rated #7 wine of 2025 by spectator. — 11 days ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
1989 vintage. Last tasted 3 years ago (9.6). Nice fill. Durand used to open. Cork 95% saturated with extensive bottle rim cleaning involved before pouring. Not decanted. Tight, minty nose throughout along with a decided, lingering zinc note under the tongue at the finish line. Tasted 2 hours after opening. Power but without delineation. Just a consistent, forgettable push. Nothing wrong with the wine...it just needed more air/time and a decant but it wasn't my call. Feel like the zinc flavor would have dissipated/blown off with more time. Good but more memorable for what it wasn't vs what it was. Pity and an entire wasting of what could have been. 11.21.25. — 11 days ago
Andrew McIntyre
Had this vintage almost a year ago and was highly impressed...something that remains the same. Complex, nuanced and refined. Great wine — 2 days ago