Doug Powers

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

9.4

Still quite youthful dark color, shows some cardboard initially, I don’t believe it’s corked, this is still quite a big, structured, somewhat tannic wine at age 35, also complex flavors and a long finish, very fine. — 9 days ago

with Jim

Ericsson, Ira and 16 others liked this

St Innocent Winery

Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 1993

Doug Powers

9.4

Red cherry and dried berry fruit aromas and flavors, lovely balancing acidity, drinking beautifully but still seemingly capable of further development, long, lingering finish, lovely aged Oregon Pinot!! — 13 days ago

with Jim

Severn, Aravind and 2 others liked this

Prunotto

Riserva Cannubi Barolo 1978

Doug Powers

9.4

Dried fruits, road tar, floral notes also, mature yet so balanced and complex, very long, lingering finish, beautiful old Riserva!! — 19 days ago

with Jim

Ira, Aravind and 4 others liked this

Tablas Creek Vineyard

Syrah 2008

Doug Powers

9.0

Still quite dark purple color, dark plum, some overripe notes, rich and full-bodied, good balance, touch of ABV heat in finish, very good!! — 25 days ago

with Jim

Severn, Aravind and 2 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1988

Doug Powers

9.2

Some brett aromas up front and on palate, also balanced redfruits on palate, still somewhat youthful and the acidity should carry this for some time, medium-long finish, lovely aged CdP (with the caveat that those sensitive to any level of brett may not like this at all). — 10 days ago

with Jim

Aravind, Severn and 4 others liked this

Prunotto

Riserva Ginestra di Monforte d'Alba Barolo Nebbiolo 1978

Doug Powers

9.6

This is a bit richer and fresher than the Cannubi, road tar, dried fruits and floral notes, long, lingering finish, another great old Barolo Riserva! — 19 days ago

with Jim

Ira, Matt and 5 others liked this

M. Chapoutier

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1989

Doug Powers

8.9

A bit of sweet vanilla oak up front, swirling reveals some green notes (asparagus?), solid fruit on palate, soft and pretty balanced, good, but certainly not profound nor a great Cote Rotie. — 22 days ago

with Jim

Matt, Aravind and 3 others liked this

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

Doug Powers

9.0

Dried fruits, some mineral and green notes also, structure still there, more firm than elegant, solid finish, good if just a tad drying. — a month ago

with Jim

Severn, Matt and 6 others liked this

David Coffaro

Estate Cuvée Red Blend 1999

Doug Powers

9.0

Lovely mature redfruits, solid still on the palate, hate that synthetic cork they used this vintage and another, but wine is still in pretty nice shape, bravo to Pat and Dave Coffaro for such a lovely blended Dry Creek Valley wine!! — 12 days ago

with Jim

Severn, Matt and 2 others liked this

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984

Doug Powers

8.8

Loads of toasty new oak dominates the aromas, fruit is kind of a bit player here, though it’s pretty good, medium-long finish, I LOVE the 12.4% ABV, still pretty fresh and lively, but 200% new oak dominates it all (too bad)!! — 15 days ago

with Jim

Ira, Matt and 2 others liked this

Matt Duncan

Glad to see it is holding up! Tough vintage. New oak was just about 85%, but guessing there isn’t much fruit left to meet the oak. A little more seasoning and we’re well on our way to a new era of oak/fruit compliments!

Doug Powers

@Matt Duncan, I am admittedly sensitive to excessive levels of oak, this is so fresh, great acidity, but I’m just not that guy who loves drinking oak juice. BUT, I do love the low ABV!! Cheers!

Matt Duncan

Ya I hear you @Doug Powers. Tough thing is you never know how the ripeness is going to shape up when you order the barrels! Good thing is that the oak quality is really just in the flavor; the oak tannins never get too out of whack with American oak. I guess warmer vintages have made this a lot easier the last 30 years, but who knows how long that will last before becoming its own different problem.