Chapel Down
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
From magnum. No formal notes. The fill was top-shoulder. Underneath the capsule, the top of the cork looked nasty which I wiped down as best I could. About four hours before service, using a Durand (which is almost essential with old bottles) I was able to pull the cork completely intact and decant for sediment. The cork was completely saturated but appeared to have done its job! At this stage in its life, the 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild pours a garnet color but it doesn’t appear particularly tired and the nose supports that. While it’s certainly a vinous wine, there is a lot to like: a mix of red and black cassis, rip and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. The structure is still sound and while the tannins have integrated and the acid is keeping this very much alive. In fact, this seemed to brighten with air and almost get a second wind! As I find with all great Bordeaux wines once they enter this stage, they seem to live forever. This was a lovely pairing with a Prime, Niman Ranch porterhouse served with corn, squash and porcini. This is squarely in the “drink now” window, not that it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon. Decant for sediment and enjoy through 2030+ — 5 months ago
Chapel Hill
The Vicar McLaren Vale Shiraz
Enjoyed this at Liang Wern's house in Melbourne. Full bodied taste. First time learning to appreciate a Shiraz (also known as Syrah) — 2 months ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997
Opened about four hours prior to service and allowed to breath. Two bottles were opened tonight from the same cellar and one of the corks showed some small signs of seepage but both wines showed equally. No formal notes. The 1997 Opus One pours a fairly youthful looking deep ruby color with moderate signs of sediment and a near opaque core. The nose exhibited powerful aromas of dark fruits, organic earth, tobacco, leather, horse blanket (brettanomyces?!), and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and the structure remains quite firm but the texture is plush and almost chewy. The notes on the nose are confirmed and the finish is long and satisfying.
But the tasting notes only tell half the story here. This was consumed alongside a 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Had these been served together double-blind, I would have absolutely understood if someone called both as left-bank Bordeaux. Yes, the texture was plush and yes, the color was dark(er), but only just. It was just waaaay more Old World leaning to me with the earth and presence of brett. Which makes me wonder, why hasn’t brett been noted very often in other TN’s for this wine? Only (Charlie Carnes and OneFive) really address it directly and maybe this is what most are getting at when they mention “Bordeaux-like” and all the Pauillac vibes. What I can confirm is that these notes were consistent between two bottles from the same case, still in their tissue paper, so I’m reasonably confident that this is characteristic of the 1997 Opus One. I digress; I liked the wine. There, I said it. It was a bit of a one foot in Old School Napa, one foot in New School Napa, handled with an Old World touch. I liked it even better side-by-side with the ’90 Mouton, especially considering the relationship between the two. That being said, folks that can’t get down with a little brett will be turned off by this vintage of Opus. In my case, I would enjoy another opportunity to drink the 1997 some time. Great now with some air to stretch its legs and should be enjoyable through the next decade.
— 5 months ago
SLO Down Wines
Sexual Chocolate California Red Blend
Eye catching and provocative with a proud price point - but wow! It works! Barry White singing in the background with lavender and satin sheets Smooooooth. This is incredible from nose to tail on a way most blends don’t achieve. Strong punch, so it’s like an iron fist delivered in a velvet glove. Oh my my - definitely a worthy glass! — 2 months ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990
1990 vintage. Last tasted 01.20.23 (9.6) and 05.16.21 (9.4). This slots in just between. Tastes as if from a colder cellar because this specimen was as fresh (too fresh) as a daisy. Decanted and tasted after 2 hours. Tannins for tannins sake. And I love big tannins. Less evolved than the January visit and drinking better than the 5.16.21 visit. Still bleeping massive as it ever was upon release back in the day. Very little has changed. This wine and the 1989 Gaja Sorí Tilden Barbaresco the two biggest, uncompliant wines with years to go before really revealing those hidden charms that I've tasted in recent memory. Getting closer but not quite ready to settle down any time soon. Out of a larger format bottle, must be positively overwhelming…like jumping to hyperspace accidentally…or on a boozy dare. 9.21.23. — 3 months ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2016
At this stage Ferrando Carema White Label ‘16 blows away Produttori Barbaresco ‘16. Produttori is very ripe, and the alcohol is less in balance. The ‘16 normale does not really exhibit the freshness and elegance I associate with classic Barbaresco. Yes, the concentration and depth is impressive, and maybe at 10-20+ years the wine will achieve harmony. For now it exhibits more climate change character than the high tone energy desired. This is a Grey Market bottle purchased recently. I wonder if less than pristine storage and/or transit was an influence. I will compare notes with bottles purchased on release and via authorized Importer somewhere down the road. — 7 months ago
Martinez
Excellent Beaujolais from three plots on pink granite soils in the village of Lantignié, considered one of the best within the Beaujolais Villages appellation and hailed by some as the next Cru Beaujolais. Semi-carbonic maceration. Expressive nose with aromas of bright red fruit, floral notes, mushrooms and some earthy, mineral notes. Fruit-forward, structured, easy to drink. — 24 days ago