Greg Ballington 
Orin Swift
Machete Napa Valley Red Blend 2016
Fisher Vineyards
Lamb Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
From dinner at Rare Steakhouse.
Deep garnet red. Rich nose with layers of red berries, cassis, damp herbs, eucalyptus, underbrush and damp earth. Well rounded with medium tannins (6/10) and medium to medium plus bodied. Rich palate with layers of black fruits, dark spices, damp loamy earth, cherries and black plums. Long and plush finish. Drink for another few years (2022).
Always love wines from the Lamb Vineyard in Napa Valley and this was no exception. Made up of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lamb Vineyard up near Howell Mountain. Aged for 21 months in 100% new French oak barrels (Taransaud). Only 14.0% alcohol and only 340 cases produced. Thank you Chris for helping us through the wines!
$$$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for 50% off bottle night (every Sunday) for $135.00. Recent vintage retails for around $150.00. — 22 days ago
Sine Qua Non
Trouver l'Arène Syrah 2015
Deep ruby red. Decanted for almost 4 hours. Powerful nose with olives, black bramble berries, tar, baking spices and gravel. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with black currants, black olives, a touch savory, herbs, cinnamon and a little dark bit of dark crushed gravel. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2038. (97+)
One of my favorite Syrah based wines for sure. This 2015 is made up of 80.5% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvèdre, 3.5% Viognier and 2% Grenache. The fruit comes from three of the four estate vineyards: 37% The Third Twin, 36% Eleven Confessions and 27% Cumulus. Fermented separately with around 34% whole bunches and then aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French oak barrels. Thank you Drew for givining this some extra decant time for us!
$$$$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for Restaurant week for $165.00, yes that is the price. Average retail is around $364.00.
— a month ago
Venge Vineyards
Bone Ash Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Second of the blind red wines. Theme was Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux Blend from Oakville, Stags Leap District or generic Napa Valley with professional reviews of 95+.
Deep purplish red. Beautiful and young nose coated with violets, blackberries and sweet spices. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium to medium plus bodied. Plush palate layered with blackberries, red fruits, cinnamon, branches and a light bit of earthiness. A bit of alcohol was definitely present. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030. (93+) — 11 days ago
Patz & Hall
Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2016
Second of the blind white wines. Theme was new world Chardonnay.
Clear and pale golden yellow. A little chalky on the nose with lemon, minerality and green apples. Rich and buttery on the palate with sharp acidity (6.5/10) and medium body. Seems to have some oak in it and notes of almonds, green apples and lemon curd. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2025. — 11 days ago
Kongsgaard
Grenache-Syrah Blend 2007
Dinner at RARE Steakhouse.
Deep garnet red in appearance. Well rounded nose with layers of spices, red currants, reductive blackberries, a little funky, black olives and damp leaves. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium plus bodied. Rich palate coated with a tomato undertone. Attack of anise, tapenade, black currants and a touch of black pepper. Long and structured finish. Drink till 2021.
First Kongsgaard wine, was hoping for the Hudson Syrah but still very excited to try this out. Made up of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. Thank you Chris for helping us through the wines!
$$$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for 50% off bottle night (every Sunday) for $127.50. Average retail is around $112.00. — 22 days ago
Le Pich
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Dark ruby red. Dark spices on the nose with black currants, graphite, spices and black raspberries. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium plus bodied. A little savory on the palate with dark berries, mulberries, bark and minerality. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2025.
Thanks Drew, David and Allison for the spectacular service at RARE, cannot wait for our next visit. This bottling is the second label for Purlieu Wines made by Julien Fayard.
$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for $135.00. Retail price is around $57.00. #restaurantweek #raresteakhouse #purlieuwines #cabernetsauvignon #redwine #washingtondc — a month ago
Peters Family Winery
Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay 2002
Last of the blind white wines. Theme was new world Chardonnay.
Deep golden yellow, definitely showing some age, easily over ten years. Super interesting nose, have never smelt a white like this before. Notes of chalk, cinnamon, cocoa, honeycomb, candied tropical fruits and brioche. Medium and well balanced acidity (5.5/10) and medium bodied. A bit toasty on the palate with some candied green apples and tangy lemon curd. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2020.
Thanks @Sean Ballington for bringing! — 11 days ago
Bacigalupi
Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015
First of the blind white wines. Theme was new world Chardonnay.
Definitely seems to be unfined and unfiltered with a medium yellow hue. A touch of butter on the nose layered with honeysuckle and white stone fruits. Medium acidity (5.5/10) and medium bodied. Buttery (not over the top) and smooth mouthfeel with notes of lemon and white flowers. Medium plus length finish. Drink till 2020.
Thank you Michelle for bringing! — 11 days ago
Paul Hobbs
Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015
Dinner at RARE Steakhouse.
Light golden yellow and a touch unfiltered. A bunch of lemon crud on the nose with buttery characteristics, baked apples and honeysuckle. Medium acidity (6/10) and medium bodied. Coated and rich palate with layers of baked apples, citrus, almonds and some minerality. Long well rounded finish. Paired perfectly with crab cakes. Thank you for the recommendation Chris. Drink till 2021.
This 2015 Chardonnay comes from six vineyards in the Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County (Ross Station Estate, Edward James Estate, Ellen Lane Estate, O’Connor Vineyard, Feeney Estate, and Dinner Vineyard). Aged sur lie for twelve months in 50% new French oak barrels and four months in stainless steel. Also goes through malolactic fermentation.
$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for 50% off bottle night (every Sunday) for $45.00. Recent vintage retails for around $60.00.
— 22 days ago
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
So....@India Okoh wants to get all the labels and model them in SA. I’m down.
Deep purplish red. Fruit forward nose with some violets, baking spices and blackberries. Full bodied with medium tannins (6/10). Great earthiness on the palate with black and blue fruits, spices and a little herbal. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2026. — 5 days ago