Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

You’ll definitely want to decant this wine. Well over an hour after opening in the glass the initial dusty #bordeaux muted fruit wakes up fully, very youthful bramble fruit, purple jam on the nose. Mouthwatering acidity and generally soft tannins from the Merlot dominant blend with some more assertive tannins on the finish. 68% #merlot, 17% #cabernetsauvignon, 13% #petitverdot, 2% #cabernetfranc - clearly I got the impression this wine could easily cruise for another 5 years in the bottle. Excellent #costcowines value. — 5 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

#columbiavalley #washingtonstate 58% #merlot 35% #cabernetsauvignon 6% #cabernetfranc and 1% #petitverdot — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

Medium(+) intensity aromas of black fruit (plum, cherry and prune) with secondary aromas of oak (cedar, smoke and dark chocolate) and just beginning to show some tertiary aromas and flavors of tobacco leaf and prunes. The wine has medium(+) acidity, medium(+) fine grained textural tannins and medium(+) body. The finish is medium (+) and while slightly grippy, those tannins are ripe and it’s that structure which will give it the ability to age in bottle for another 5/7 years. There is enough fruit and defined aromas and flavors to balance the acidity and the tannins which want to be the protagonista of this wine. A solid Claret. #saintestephe #bordeaux #grandvindebordeaux #cabernet #cabernetsauvignon #merlot and just 5% #petitverdot — 4 years ago

with Rosario

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Ramey’s interpretation of #claret is quite interesting. After 9 years of bottle time it’s aged more than expected. Stewed plum, quite faint dark fruit on the nose. Prominent acidity on palate, primary fruit exited stage left, some sherry notes but still noticeable tannins. 68% #cabernetsauvignon, 18% #merlot, 6% #syrah, 4% #malbec, 4% #petitverdot — 9 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Il Fauno 2016 51% #merlot, 31% #cabernetfranc, 17% #cabernetsauvignon and 1% #petitverdot . Delicious, ageworthy #toscanaigt blend. Pretty tight after opening, a day later, black and blue berry notes unfurl alongside tobacco, toasted coconut, tilled earth, and vanilla notes on nose. Bright acidity on palate, rich texture and some chewy tannins on the finish that build and linger on the tongue. Overall I’m digging the balance and richness but a bit too much vanilla / toast notes from new oak. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

#bordeauxblend that is comparably better than some of the Aussie blends I’ve been tasting lately. “Calentito”as we say in Spain which means you can feel the alcohol like a dragon in your lungs. #ravenswood #merlot #malbec #cabernetsauvignon (how annoying is the misspelled hashtag in @Delectable Wine of #cabernetsaugvinon) it’s the worst! And a pinch of #petitverdot #ravenswood — 4 years ago

with Rosario

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

It’s great to see the historic and influential Robert Mondavi Winery return to excellence. Napa Bordeaux blend with 85% #cabernetsauvignon 6% #cabernetfranc 6% #petitverdot 2% #malbec 1% #merlot. This wine shines with generous decanting. Elegant, memorable ripe bramble fruit and black plum, sweet baking spices on the nose. Juicy tartness underlays a bold wave of fruit on the palate with silken tannins on the finish. I definitely plan on laying down my other bottle for at least half a decade. #oakville — a year ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Yet another superb red blend from Nice Winery. 54% #cabernetsauvignon / 16% #merlot / 14% #malbec / 12% #petitverdot / 4% #cabernetfranc - it pays homage to all of the great varietals of Bordeaux. With a modest 13.8% ABV, it overflows with wafts of dark bramble fruit, leather, sous bois, lovely acidity, earth and lush California fruit in balance. Paired marvelously with grilled steak. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.7

I was a little disappointed. I remember years ago this wine was a limited production boutique wine from #madrid almost Toledo and while the label says it still has been aged in oak for 12 months, there are practically no secondary aromas and the tannins are slightly coarse and stalky and the fruit seems too ripe and has lost any expression of terroir. #tempranillo #cabernetsauvignon #merlot #petitverdot #syrah — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

A beautiful #bordeauxblend from #tuscany #italy with #cabernetsauvignon #merlot #petitverdot and #cabernetfranc One of the best wines I have had in Italy. — 4 years ago