Big Cork Vineyards

Fess Parker

The Big Easy Santa Barbara County Syrah Blend

Big, rich flavors, almost meaty, finish goes on — a day ago

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

I think I preferred the 2015 but ever so slightly and as much as I struggle to believe glasses make a difference they poured the 2016 in a big cab glass and I think that distracted from the flavors that were evident in the tighter 2015 glass. — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 4 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

From magnum. Cork and wax were a mess. Totally disintegrated and required the coffee filter and everything just to pour and decant the wine

3 hour decant before dinner. Paired with wagyu ribeye steaks. Amazing. This wine was just balanced and smooth. Just delicious.
— 2 months ago

Tom, Ethan and 6 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1971

1971 vintage. Top shoulder fill. Used a Durand but fully saturated cork still required some clean up on aisle 7. Decanted and tasted after 5 minutes. Threw much much less sediment than expected. Decent color with a little browning. Tertiary nose gave way to similar flavors with it being very slightly brickish. In a holding steady phase where there is no shining light to chase after-everything is consolidated and filed away so you're tasting the interpretations of history. Instructive. 6.13.24. — 3 months ago

Lyle, "Odedi" and 14 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Very nice but not quite at the same level as the one we had a couple years ago. Certainly extremely Bordeaux in terms of typicity. Paired with some La boite peppercorn blend crusted wagyu filets from Allen brothers. Definitely ready to go, opened with cork pop for 3.5 hours and decanted for 1. — 10 days ago

ESF, Michael and 4 others liked this

Big Table Farm

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2020

Spicy, almost smoky at the start, with a sweet finish that becomes more pronounced after several minutes in the glass — a month ago

Ovum Wines

Big Salt Elkton White Blend 2023

12.5% ABV Light thin mouth feel. Pear and apple. Ancient ocean & Volcanic soils. Proprietary white blend. “Spirit of Oregon in a Bottle” label states.
Dry blend:
50% Riesling
30% Gewürztraminer
12% Early Muscat
5% Pinot Blanc
2% Sauvignon Blanc
1% Indicator Planting
— 2 months ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Inky in color, jammy, big, plums, light no tannins. Not balanced but big. Steak tasting night at home — 12 days ago

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

David T
9.6

It’s a night of consecutive first year decades, 90 & 80. Enjoyed in reverse order.

I had an 80 from Andy Beckstoffer’s cellar at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April 24 with Andy & Tor Kenward. This library bottle I bought recently at K&L is better than what I had a Pebble. Just look at the cork!

Glorious mouth entry. Juicy, perfect, ripe fruit that shows age but it is not missing a step. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark, juicy, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb mid, dark cherries, candied raspberries to raspberry pudding. Just a touch of v/a, chocolate pudding/fudge, mocha, caramel, light, soft, sun tea, softened baking spices- cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, some fresh & dry herbs, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, evolved, dark spices w/ some palate heat, dry top soil, limestone powder, hint of mint, with & fresh florals that are; dark, red, blue & liquid violets and lavender sprinkled in, perfect acidity and perfectly balanced, softly tensioned, knitted and a refined finish that lasts two-minutes.

This bottle is in a perfect spot & as good as it gets. Perfectly stored. It has another 5 years. Liquid, velvety tannins. One of the more perfect bottles I’ve had in 5-10 years.

Photos of, my tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The retail wine shop at Spanish Bay, Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward.
— 23 days ago

Shay, Scott@Mister and 22 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking 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 whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 3 months ago

Hermes, Ira and 14 others liked this