Somm David T 
Louis M. Martini
Special Selection California Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1970
Oddero
Barolo Nebbiolo 2013
This started out lean and picked up weight & depth after it sat in the decanter after about 20-30 minutes. As we moved through dinner it started to push into 93.
The tannins were darker, firmer than the 2009 Pio Cesare. Blackberries, slightly sour but dark cherries, not yet ripe bold orange, tar, beautiful, lighter dark spice, sandalwood, dry tobacco, crashed rocks, nice tarriness, pink & red roses, nice acidity with a good, polished, elegant, well structured & balanced finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls evenly on fruit and earth.
— 22 days ago
Vine Hill Ranch
Baker & Hamilton Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
My first wine after a two-month hiatus. I ended up buying a case of this in increments at Costco for a price not even close to what I’ve seen anywhere else for their 2021. Since I think highly of this producer and the vintage, I didn’t bat an eye acquiring w/o tasting first. Also, I was aware that every major wine critic gave the 2021 VHR flagship Cabernet a score of 98 w/ Lisa @ TWI a 💯.
Only coravined a glass & let it stand for 30-40 minutes and consumed over the next half-hour detailing my notes.
Baker & Hamilton is the other or second wine of VHR depending on how you see it. If you didn’t know this was another or second wine, you would never know it. Both bottling's come front the same vineyard in Oakville.
When I first put the glass to my nose, I almost thought for a few seconds & wanted to say that’s Coombsville it’s that dark & brooding, but make no mistake it’s Oakville fruit.
The nose is full & brooding. Dark currants & cassis and inky as is the color. Candied violets leap out of the glass. Ripe rich; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum and dark cherries wrapped in dark chocolate. Sandalwood, sweet tarriness, fresh tobacco, crushed limestone, volcanics, dark spices with aromatic heat, clove oil w/ withering dark flowers, sweet lavender & endless lift of candied, lush violets.
The body is full, lush, ripe & brooding. It drinks rather well for such a young wine baring a bit of alcohol throat burn. 14.8% ABV. Cellaring time will tame it. The 21 is a two decade and more wine. It needs 7-8 years to integrate everything in this full & packed Cabernet. Lush, ripe; blackberries (almost pie), black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & raspberries around the edges. Melted dark chocolate, anise into black licorice, dark spices w/ heat, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick hovers, vanillin, fresh & dry tobacco, dry top soil with limestone mixed in, crushed rock & stone, strong sandalwood to cedar, light rain on clay, dry herbs-bay leaf & a hint of ground sage, notes of iron pan, dark withering flowers, lavender & candied violets for days, round acidity-maybe a bit to high for today’s consumption, huge length & structure, not quite in balance but it will get there, well made/knitted with a full elegant finish that lasts minutes & lands on spice & earthiness. It’s a huge wine that will end up adding two points as it evolves & integrates.
A few things about the producer & this wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard aged 23 months in French oak, 85% of which was new. Most of the Vine Hill Ranch fruit from 71-acre Oakville vineyard is sold off. What they keep, 40% of that fruit goes into their VHR flagship wine and 60% makes the Baker & Hamilton. The label of Baker & Hamilton is an homage to the hardware and agricultural implements of the company co-founded by third-generation grape grower Bruce Phillips’ great, great grandfather R.M. Hamilton, who emigrated from Scotland to California in 1849 hoping to make his fortune in gold.
Photo’s of, VHR vineyard, Bruce Phillips-Managing Partner and Winemaker-Francoise Peschon. — 25 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.
Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute. — 4 days ago
Paul Bara
Grand Millésime Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend 2018
Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.
The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.
A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.
The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.
The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.
Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — 10 days ago
Pio Cesare
Barolo Nebbiolo 2009
This was nice with Bolognese.
Excellent integration & evolution. Fine tannins, some dark blackberries, dark sour cherries, blood orange w/ rind, soft spices, sandstone mineral dust, dark withering flowers, good acidity and a smooth, elegant finish that lasts a full minute.
This was in a good spot and will hold another 5-7 years, but believe its ascenion is complete. — 22 days ago
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Happy New Year! 🎉🎊🎈🎆 🧨
1997 Jones Family, the year prior to TRB taking the helm and yet still a fantastic Napa vintage that is singing.
For me, this is classically styled Napa Cabernet. This is still not descending. Has another 5-8 years of good drinking and perhaps beyond.
Showing dark, meaty, dry, velvety tannins. Dark currants-blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, raspberries, plum pudding, chocolate mousse/cake, caramel, mocha powder, dark spice, dry top soil, dry, crushed rocks, anise, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, used leather, graphite, dry stone, volcanic clay, withering, dark, red, purple flowers, excellent round acidity and a well made, balanced, nicely tensioned, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and falls onto earth & spice. — 3 months ago
A.D. Coutelas
Cuvée 1809 Extra Brut Champagne Blend
Finished the night w/ a glass of the Cuvée 1809. My friend received it in her Somm Selection Club from K&L Wine Merchants.
Normally, I am a little skeptical of having others select my bottles, but this lived up to the bill.
It is a very nice & well made bottle. Good balance, nice mousse and an well polished finish. — 7 days ago
Jacques Lassaigne
Les Vignes de Montgueux Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay
Nice. Lots of micro, fine, precision bubbles. Leans just into a soft oxidative style.
Slightly bruised, apple & pear, touch of apple cider, lemon chiffon/meringue, understated pineapple juice, tropical melons, lime zest, white stone fruit, fluffy whipped cream, bread dough, white spice, some oyster, sea fossils, crumbled limestone, sharpe toned, chalk powder, white spice, dry top soil layered over the top, excellent acidity, nice, round, evenly tensioned, well balanced, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and lands evenly on fruit & earth. — 7 days ago
Regusci
1932 Proprietary Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012
I drank a fair amount of Regusci back in the day, but that was when Charles Hendricks was the Winemaker. His last full Regusci vintage, birth to finish was 2013. He did work most of the 2014 growing season, but didn’t vinify it. I guess if you’re going to go out 2013 is a grand vintage to do it. He trained their current Winemaker, but he makes a different style than Charles. Every Winemaker wants to do their own thing. I can’t say blame him/them, but I can decide whether I want to buy & drink them.
When I find older, well preserved Regusci vintages Charles made on the secondary market, I buy them. Not many pop-up anymore.
Owner Jim Regusci inspired the creation of “The 1932.” It is an homage to Regusci's estate vineyards and dedicated to Gaetano Regusci, who acquired the ranch in 1932. They farmed agriculture long before they made wine. First time having this bottling. 2012 is primarily Cabernet with Merlot & a splash of Cabernet Franc.
This is a classic Charles-Regusci creation. Notes after a 45 minute decant. It’s a strong 93 that pushes 94.
The nose is dark & brooding. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, some blueberries with raspberries on the edge of the glass. Steamy oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.
Ripe but with a dry-ish feel; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries that has a liqueur feel to them, ripe, juicy strawberries as it opens up further, some blueberries with raspberries hovering over the top. Shaved oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices with some palate heat, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, dry stone with dust, charcoal notes, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black, turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender. A slight burn of alcohol on the center tongue, not the back of the throat, which is a bit odd, dark & red slightly withering but candied flowers framed in prominent lavender & violets, full round acidity with a well; tensioned, structured, balanced, elegant finish that lands squarely on evolved earth, dark spice and lasts minutes.
This is still ascending and will reach its peak in three to five years. It will slowly descend over the next 5-8 years.
Photos of; their tasting room/bar, fantastic picnic area, for sale vegetable/fruit cart and a long shot of their estate vineyard & winery. — 10 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
What were you doing in 1970? It’s what I always think of when I have a very elderly wine. It also is the question I ask friends I share older wine.
Some 1970 highlights. The number one song was Simon & Garfunkel’s, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The President of the United States was Richard M Nixon and one of the kindest friends I have known was born. Last but not least, the Napa Valley was just beginning to rise. Louis Martini was one of those pioneers!
This bottle has survived & flourished over those 55 years and is a fine piece of history.
Many would say this is past its prime and they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. But I am one who appreciates wine on its still solid downslope. While on its decent, this bottling still shows nice fruit, complexity and elegance that just can’t be mistaken for good young wine w/ a long decant.
The nose shows a fig & date quality. Older, brambly; blackberries, black raspberry reduction, sweet & sour cherries, that slide into liquor, baked rhubarb, slightly overripe strawberries. Soft sandalwood w/ dry cedar tones, undertones of rusted metal, dry soil & crushed limestone, vanillin, very dry twig, old, slightly used tobacco, reminisce of dark spices, tomato leaf, sun tea, dry & withering dark & red flowers, understated violets w/ a sprinkle of potpourri.
The palate is still fresh & ripe; older, brambly, blackberries, black raspberry reduction, sweet & sour cherries that slide into liquor, baked rhubarb, slightly overripe strawberries, figs & dates. Soft sandalwood w/ dry cedar tones, undertones of rusted metal, dusty top soil & limestone gravel, dry river stone, crumbled, grey volcanics, cherry cola, vanillin, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, clove, very dry twig, old, slightly used tobacco, dark spices still w/ soft but impactful palate backbone, tomato leaf, sweetened sun tea w/ a spritz of lemon, dry & withering dark & red flowers, understated violets w/ a sprinkle of potpourri, excellent rainfall acidity with an elegant, round, balanced, well knitted, still tensioned, polished finish that falls on sandalwood, earth and spice that lasts 90 seconds.
12% ABV which I have said many times is my strong preference like w/ all amazing Clarets. I wish it had never changed. 92 on the wine, but a perfect 10 on the history scale. — 4 days ago