5th Note Cellars

5th and Bowie

Bourbon Barrel Aged Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This full-bodied wine is loaded with blackberry, bramble, baking spice, vanilla, molasses and black pepper, integrated tannins leading up to a long smooth finish. — a month ago

High Note

Uco Valley Malbec 2023

Tart, fruity, not too heavy on a warm evening. Listening to Mason Prophet. — 5 months ago

Tom, Doug and 8 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2013

2013 vintage. Sweet fill and cork. Trashy label. Slightly less sed than expected. Big nose on the decant. Tasted after 1 hour open and 5 hours open. Medium heavy body. Roasted nuts, earth, plummy fruit and grilled beef nose and flavors. Finishing palate added a finely ground black pepper note. Consistent throughout and absolutely delicious. 05.23.25. — 5 months ago

David, Bob and 11 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

Amazing older Napa Cabernet, redfruits (currants and cassis), this is amazingly fresh and youthful, structure is there, just a faint green note pops out in the super long finish, great wine (and clearly showing much more youthful than the 1986 Dunn Napa we opened in mid-March)!! Randy killed it in this vintage, planning to open a 1987 Howell Mountain Cabernet in the next few weeks, it should be fantastic!! — 7 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tyler, Paul and 11 others liked this

Château du Tertre

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Château du Tertre, Red Blend – 2018
AOC Margaux – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
5th Growth, Grand Cru Classé en 1855

Overview
A historic Margaux estate, Château du Tertre sits on a prominent gravel “tertre” (hillock) that gives the château its name. The 2018 vintage was a warm and generous year, producing wines with depth, richness, and polished tannins. The estate’s blend for the V.18 crafted Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 25%, and Petit Verdot 5%, delivering the quintessential Margaux elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, and ripe plum layered with graphite, cedar, and cigar box. Hints of violets, licorice, and cocoa weave through the bouquet, adding complexity.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet bold: medium to full-bodied with polished and structured tannins, a silky mid-palate, and a long, harmonious finish. A wine showing its prime with youthful vibrancy and well-integrated oak.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb with herbs, beef Wellington, duck breast, Truffle risotto, porcini pasta, mushroom burgers, aged Gruyère, Manchego, or Brie de Meaux.

Verdict
The 2018 vintage is a standout for Margaux, and Château du Tertre shines with a balance of power and finesse. Dark-fruited, silky, and aromatic, this wine embodies the elegance that Margaux is celebrated for, approachable now, yet cellar-worthy for another decade.

Did You Know?
Château du Tertre shares historical ties with Château Giscours (also in Margaux), once under the same ownership. Its elevated gravel terroir provides excellent drainage, making it ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon’s deep root systems.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: For me, the 2018 du Tertre is the sweet spot, Margaux elegance meets ripe, modern Bordeaux style, without sacrificing finesse and within a reasonable price point. Cheers!
— 3 days ago

Daniel and Ted liked this

Château Lafleur

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

A rich crimson in colour. Initially a note of Animale (Barb thought a brief note of cow yard) amongst the dusty cherry, dark fruits, violets and mushroom notes. Great balance between the 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied with smooth supple tannins. The next day: Elegance with length - shows the quality of the fruit IMO. My first Lafleur, I think, and it was excellent as expected. — 6 months ago

Tom, Rob and 22 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Tom Casagrande @Doug Powers I doubt I will buy another bottle. The asking price has become prohibitive.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald@Tom Casagrande and I could probably fly to and from Australia to share 2 or 3 bottles of Lafleur with you, it’d be cheaper than us each buying bottles here in the U.S. — LOL!!
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers I very much doubt that Lafleur or any other Bordeaux or Burgundy would be cheaper in Australia than the USA. Only Australian wines would be cheaper here than in the USA I would imagine.

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

slight tobacco & cedar - hits the ripe blackberry note — a month ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006

Has a little brown toast note that is distinctive. Overall very nice and worthy of a graduation celebration. — 4 months ago

Rob liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Not showing much age. Huge dark fruit and well integrated tannins with a spicy note. — 5 months ago

Vino, Ira and 4 others liked this

Château Batailley

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

A very good left bank classed growth (5th growth) from a good vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon dominant aromatics (74%). Blackcurrant and cedar - a little tomato bush. A good wine but to state the obvious does not have the class and complexity of the higher classed growths. For example 3rd growth 2009 Chateau Palmer is a stunning wine - very rich, complex with a long life in front of it - very much superior to Chateau Batailley. — 6 months ago

Juan, Ceccherini and 19 others liked this
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

@Somm David T i must apologise, but when we say Napoleon i only think of the guy sinking his hand in his jacket, the one that got defeated in Waterloo. Monsieur Napolene Bonaparte born in Corse. My bad, my views are limited. Napoleon the 3rd is indeed still a Napoleon...sorry😬
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Somm David T Thanks for your comments David. Yes, I can imagine any change to the Bordeaux classification would be very political and expensive with self interest often driving the ship. At the end of the day I guess it boils down to what the punters (us) are prepared to pay for any given bottle of wine regardless of its hierarchy in any classification. Eg. Is Leroy Musigny worth $50K? Or does it become the plaything of billionaires and 3rd world dictators who only buy it because of its inflated price? Probably a debate for another day!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald @Ceccherini Cristiano I should have said the III. Just assumed it was implied. My bad as well. Bottle prices are quite insane lately and yes it is up to us what we paid. I would add that the wine industry is and has been challenged. More recent gen’s are not buying wine like my gen and there are no easy answers for the industry. We’ll see what happens w/ bottle prices going forward. Especially, given the rollercoaster markets. Good discussions. Cheers! 🍷