A. Margaine

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Has finally entered a the period to enjoy with patience rewarded. A nice nose of earth, dark berries, and florals. Nice long finish with a bit of plum coming through. An hour decant to the benefit of the wine. — 7 days ago

Ron, David and 7 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

A good, solid California Cab but what’s all the fuss about? I’m seeing ratings of 98, 99, even 100 from JS. Really? No way. This is a clear case of praise crossing over into hype. Granted, still a bit young and not at its peak but after five years in the bottle and an hour of decanting it needs to be more than just fine if it wants to justify stratospheric scores. This wine compares unfavorably to Ridge Monte Bello, Stags Leap S.L.V. and other peers. It lacked sophistication and poise—where’s the promised minerality, graphite, cedar shavings, oak, leather, blackcurrant, cherry, and complex balance of fine grained tannins, fruit, acid and alcohol? Where? We chose this wine for a birthday dinner at Lawry’s Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. Not a disaster but a disappointment given our high expectations (and the high price).
— 3 days ago

Ira liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Medium Ruby with quite wide garnet rim. More truffle , tobacco , violet , cassis and earthy notes. Takes a bit of time to get going and certainly shows a bit more age than the 2009. On the palate, more austere with dryer tannin than the 2009 , but very well balanced and classic in style . Cassis, blackcurrant , tobacco graphite notes . Some dry spices too . Quite fresh acidity , and slightly gritty tannin. Long , saline, graphite tinged finish. This is showing some development , but will improve further over the next 5 possibly 10 years and hold well a further 5-10 — 14 days ago

Tom, Shay and 12 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

The 2001 Opus One is a masterful blend that truly embodies the elegance and structure of Napa Valley wines. The deep ruby color is immediately captivating, and the nose opens with rich aromas of black currant, dark cherries, and subtle hints of tobacco and cedar. On the palate, it delivers an impeccably balanced experience, with layers of ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate, all interwoven with earthy undertones and a refined minerality. — 3 days ago

Michael Cammarata
with Michael
Bob, Rob and 5 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Fantastic and seemed even more mature than 13 years. Dark dark but smooth and developed. It’s a focused wine in great balance. No complaints but you can tell it was a bit below the heights for Latour. Double decanted and enjoyed over 4+ hours. — 11 days ago

Tom, Bob and 20 others liked this
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Nice report. Thank you!!

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Great example of the 1989 vintage and Lafite delivers. Served with a Braised Oxtail Acquerello Risotto and a Barolo reduction. — 14 days ago

Ira liked this

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2001

Delicious Yquem from a blockbuster vintage. Enjoyed with foie gras chawanmushi at 15E Tocqueville — 14 days ago

Ira liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2007

A day 2 tasting. Slightly stewed fruit that reminded me for just a moment of some liquor and white pepper. — 20 days ago

Ira, Neil and 2 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Opened several hours prior and decanted off sediment and a portion of the cork that had broke and crumbled before returning to the bottle. The 2007 “Howell Mountain” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and very slight rim variation. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of dark fruit: black currants, blackberries, tobacco, leather, earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is firing on all cylinders right now and the structure suggests the power of the 2007 vintage is not slowing down anytime soon. Drink now with a decant and through 2037 with ease. — 11 days ago

Tom, Ming and 11 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

One of the very best Howell Mtn. producers.

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1999

An excellent, smooth wine with floral notes. A little less powerful than other vintages I have tried from Lynch-Bages. Cassis, blackberries, blueberries, milk chocolate, a hint of vanilla, and mushrooms. — 10 days ago