Somm David T 
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008
2008 a good to very good vintage depending on the producer and region.
I’ve had the 2008 a few years ago. The bottle from my collection, better. This one is not in decline, just not as enjoyable. Still shows a fair amount of earthiness where the bottle from my collection did not. In fairness, I gave mine a good decant and this bottle had been open but not decanted.
Emirates Lounge Dubai with Wagyu filet. — 3 days ago
Dalla Valle Vineyards / Ornellaia
DVO Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2017
The nose has a dark core. Dark currants, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries, baked strawberries, mix of purple fruits, raspberries, dark chocolate cake to mousse, dark spice, dry tobacco, oak barrel powder, anise to black licorice, some dry herbs, baking spices, black tea, withering & candies, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.
The palate still has a bit of astringency to it. The very M+ tannins are round and meaty. Very dark currants, wild blackberries, both plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries, mix of purple fruits, raspberries, dark chocolate cake to mousse, dark spice, dry tobacco, oak barrel powder to cedar tones, anise to black licorice, mid berry cola. Sweet tarriness, some dry herbs, mix of Asian & Indian spices, baking spices-leads with strong clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, caramel tones, just a touch of ground black pepper, black tea, dry tree bark, black rich earth w/ leaves, dry top soil, withering & candies, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender, beautiful acidity, well; structured/tensioned, coming into full balance, showing an elegant near two-minute finish that lands on fruit and earthy minerals.
20 plus yrs here.
Its about the journey and not just the destination on EK226 — 5 days ago
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
Yellow Label Brut Champagne Blend
Not as bad as I remember it. It’s been a while though.
Slightly, bruised pear & red & green apple, lime zest, lemon pulp, some ginger white spice w/ a touch of heat, limestone mixed in volcanic minerals, crisp chalkiness, sea spray, yeasty bread dough, yellow & white spring flowers, lively acidity and a balanced & nicely polished elegant finish that last 45 seconds and lands on volcanics.
Emirates SFO. — 5 days ago
Ca' del Bosco
Cuvée Prestige 47a Edizione Franciacorta Chardonnay Blend
A property Sofia and I visited in 2017.
If Italy has a technical Champagne region, it would be Franciacorta near Lake Garda in Northern Italy. This producer one of the region’s very best!
Lemon, lime profile, Bosc pear, bruised red apple, some white spice, volcanics, light yeast, limestone, caramel, yellow flowers, nice acidity and a nicely balanced, elegant finish that lasts a minute.
@RisoranteSapori Interlaken — 14 hours ago
Château Laroze
St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
The first thing I would say about the bottle is if served blind, most…including me would not gravitate to St.Emilion. Some might go Napa Cabernet here it is so ripe. I think it rides the fence of 65% Napa Cabernet & 35% Pauillac.
The second thing I would say it definitely shows the beauty of the 2009 vintage. This will be even more amazing in 8-10 yrs.
This is as ripe of a Bordeaux that I’ve had since the 2003 vintage. Maybe, more so at least here.
M+ velvety yet chunky tannins. Ripe, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, boysenberries, strawberries, sweet tarriness, black licorice, baking spices, dry tobacco, lead pencil shavings. Leather, dark cola, dark chocolate baking bar, dry top soils, limestone, dark rich earth, river stone pebbles, touch of black pepper, oak barrel shavings, dry tea leaves, hint of mint, mix of fresh, candied & withering; dark, red, blue flowers framed in liquid violets & lavender, round acidity with balance, nice structure & tension, lush elegance for days and lands on fruits & earthiness lasting two-minutes.
These are not easy notes on a turbulent EK226. — 5 days ago
Dom Pérignon
Altum Villare Millésimé Brut Champagne Blend 2013
Certainly a very good vintage. Just never overly embraced Dom. But this is nice, beautiful in fact.
The entry is soft & even subtle. Lemon pulp, lime pulp w/ some zest, orange citrus blend, just ripe pineapple flesh, mango, green tropical melon, under ripe cantaloupe, whipped cream, soft/light white spice, sea spray, excellent, crumbled to powdery, dry chalkiness, lightly yeasty, bread dough to baguette crust, grey volcanics, limestone, hints of fresh & dry herbs, yellow lilies, spring flower & jasmine, excellent, soft acidity with a well balanced, gentle structure & tensioned, superbly elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and land on fruit and gentle volcanics.
EK226. — 5 days ago
Château Paveil de Luze
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2012
More rare than common for me to try a Margaux for the first time these days.
Had this with a French prepared sirloin at Kronenhalle in Zurich.
It’s in a good drinking window. Nice fruit & style. Balanced ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.
Kronenhalle is a good restaurant, old school environment with a huge stellar art collection, including three Picasso’s. — 15 hours ago
Dominus Estate
Napanook Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014
Best valve at the duty free shop. This over the 2013 Altagracia that was twice the price.
While this is showing some nice evolution, if I had others, I would wait another 3-5 yrs…I’m leaning 5 yrs as this still has some astringency and has earthy dominance.
The nose reveals wild, dusty blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, some slightly, stewy plums, leathery, dry tobacco, graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, dark spices that show intensity and yet some restraint, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets.
The fruits are ripe but have a dusty coating. Wild blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, black plum skin, plums, notes of boysenberries as it lingers, leathery, dry tobacco, oak barrel to cedar, string graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, soft caramel chews, dark spices, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, sage brush, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets, good acidity, well made for a selection second, the balance isn’t quite there and still shows big structure/tension, dry, powdery M+ tannins that finishes with dry earth tones and ripe fruits over the top and lasts nearly 90 seconds.
If you have this vintage, it is a hold for another 5 yrs and has 15 yrs ahead. — 4 days ago
Olivier Leflaive
Cuvée Margot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022
Definitely, shows the fruit of 22. Lighter style extraction. A nice pair with Petit Filet Mignon with Glazed Cipollini onions and Red Peppers drizzled in a light gravy.
Bright, ripe and floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, baked strawberries, raspberries, hints of blueberries, some pomegranate, really nice, soft, spice, light baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, rich, turned earth, a touch of tree bark with sap, just a touch of eucalyptus,dry top soil, red & purple flowers, round acidity, not overly complex but drinks very easy with a nice, balanced finish that lasts under a minute and falls on light spice & dry top soil.
Also, finished nicely with a bite of flourless chocolate cake w/ raspberries.
Emirates SFO. — 5 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
A by the glass selection. Wouldn’t buy but ok for a by the glass selection. The oldest red they had on the list w/o buying a bottle and or spending a fortune.
Lighter extraction & new wood use.
@RisoranteSapori Interlaken — 13 hours ago