A Mano

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2019

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a 24-hour period with very little evolution. No formal notes. Enjoyed alongside the 2015. Tonight, the 2019 showed brighter and almost exercised some restraint. Definitely still showing signs of its youth and a more proportional mix of red and black bramble fruit when compared to the 2015 which was more black in profile. Balanced and endowed with great structure; acid showing particularly well. Better after 2025 but I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see myself enjoying this late into the 2030’s. — 5 days ago

Paul, Ira and 6 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. 375 ml format. Good fill but cork had some red streaks all the way up to the top and it was difficult to remove the top part of the "fused" foil. Decanted and tasted over the course of three hours. Expected sed. Light-medium body. Nose on point with the vintage/age and didn't seem abused/mistreated. Flavor profile a mishmash of chunky and resolved. Ultimately, came in slightly short on the balance ledger side. Lean, judicious fruit okay but not totally reconciled with the final exam. If enjoyed from a 750 ml format, thinking it might climb up to a 9.1 currently. Maybe. A maggie format might reveal a revelation. 12.9.23. — 14 hours ago

Ted, Ira and 4 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

I had the CB 05 just about a year ago. Might be some bottle variation but this one felt a bit more raw and green than my previous encounter. Still amazing. Just a small observation. — 16 days ago

Ron, Severn and 9 others liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1961

I don’t drink a lot of dessert wines anymore but this was not sweet at all showing a roasted nut, honey character all wound together with bracing acidity — 2 days ago

Ira, Shay and 13 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Wow 🫠

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

1978 vintage. Great fill with a fully saturated cork. Used a Durand to remove and cork held up but big cork splinters shedding upon removal. Decanted and tasted over the course of an hour. Super silky, not chunky, sed. Light-medium body. Had to coax the nose out a little but revealed cassis, tobacco, dark plum, sandalwood and cherry pits. All these plus a slight, beef broth touch in the flavors. Not improving but can sustain another half-decade in this incarnation. Gorgeous, old BDX. Drink now till 2029. 12.8.23. — 18 hours ago

Ted, Ira and 8 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2006

A nice balance of fruit a touch of bread and zippy acidity — 16 days ago

Vino, Ron and 9 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Very elegant. Well integrated tannins A well aged beauty. Lovely. — 3 days ago

David Stein
with David
LM, Severn and 6 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

🥪 💼

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

After opening a while, instead of improving, it turned slightly vegetable. Other than that, not horrible. — 3 days ago

Shay, Severn and 4 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1993

Developed Bordeaux flavours...has a few years left — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister, Doug and 5 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2013

Berries and herbs with perfect acidity...in a really good spot right now. This is a wine that most definately profits from a long decant! Went well with lamb — an hour ago

Ira liked this