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Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Somm David T
9.2

Been a bit since my last but still do not think much of the style of their Cabernet. Especially, given its price point.

2022 Napa Cabernet’s more than less boil down to when did you harvest, before or after the 10 days of intense heat during the harvest window.

2026 Taste of Oakvile
— 21 hours ago

Paul, Peter and 6 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T the Silver Oak thing I totally get! But, I’ve always felt that was more the consistency of one family making it and the absolute reliance on American oak. That being said, if we’re being honest with ourselves, there is very little vintage variation in Napa Valley relative to more historic wine growing regions in Europe. You can only really identify outliers like 2011 and fire years…and that’s only if they release wine…which any decent producer would not. As for the matter of Opus One (a wine I don’t collect), I think it is consistent for different reasons (probably due to their stakeholders) but the source of fruit is undeniably special, even if I don’t think it’s a great value considering what they charge for the stuff
Somm David T

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A good friend of mine, Jean DAnjoy was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus One for 10 years. He was asked to be a Winemaker in Napa many times. He refused because he would’ve been deemed a California Winemaker and not been able to go back to Bordeaux and become a Winemaker. Opus was an exception because it’s half French owned. He went back to Bordeaux and his first vintage at Clerc Milon was 2009. Renovated the entire property. He subsequently went on to run all the Rothschild family properties. He is an extremely talented Winemaker and perhaps the nicest human being I’ve ever met. Having said all that, we always differed about Opus One. We all have styles of wines we like and don’t like. I just don’t like Opus One that much. It’s just not my style of Napa Cabernet. To me, it’s also overpriced. Cheers!
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T thanks for sharing the story. That’s awesome about your friend. Being overpriced is not a style though (not that you would disagree with me). Personally, the style is varietally correct, balanced, and alcohol level is modest by most cult, modern Napa standards. I just don’t like the value considering I can find similar experiences from Napa for a lot less money.

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2023

Very nice and layered CDP, nose is a nice combination of red fruit, flowers and graphite. On the palate, the fruit hits first and then somewhat quickly gives way to the graphite/mineraly flavors, which last and develop on your palate in an interesting and pleasant way that avoids making me think I just licked a rock. Tannins aren't too powerful but what's there is grippy, could easily lay down for a few years and really develop. Overall this strikes a nice balance between approachable and interesting, easy to like for anyone who's into Rhone reds! — 3 months ago

Tom, Joel and 8 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Legendary

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of slightly bruised apple, white flowers, lemon curd, brioche, slivered almond and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. I wish I could drink this all night long. Alas, only a single 750mL and not a Methuselah. Drinking well now and will only be taking on more secondary and tertiary character. But if that’s your thing (and I can get down), this will deliver well past 2036. — 5 months ago

Tom, Zach and 15 others liked this
Ely Cohn

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@Jay Kline I’ve been saving this same bottle same vintage. Great review!
Jay Kline

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Thanks @Ely Cohn If your bottle is anything like this one, I think you’ll be in for a treat!

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2022

Well super highly rated. Quite fruit driven and juicy. Easily drink now. Hard to pin down / i am a a pinot guy after all. Could age for 15 years or so but would not keep it too long. — 7 months ago

Rick, Iwan and 7 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

2 hour decant(little fine sediment). A splendid dark magenta with some bricking. On the nose: subdued but enticing notes of blackberry, cassis, cigar wrapper, clove, pine, maybe a touch of brett. Taste: silky, still youthful at 20 wine with blackberry, red fruit, graphite, spice, and a medium smokey licorice tar finish. YUM..good but expecting more for the year..will wait a few years for next attempt. — 8 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Douglas and 18 others liked this
Rob Brobst III

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@Tom Garland I have a small collection of 2005 Bordeaux. I might need to get a bottle this from ya!
Rob Brobst III

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@Tom Garland and hold a private dinner to explore possibilities!!!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Rob Brobst III Sounds fun! Pick em carefully...as Andrew said, some drinking well, while others need more time even at age 20. Cheers!

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1959

Double decant and pour(decent sediment).  A remarkable still murky dark garnet with bricking.  On the nose:  Intoxicating perfumed notes of dark fruit, worn leather, smoked meat, touch of barnyard, tobacco leaf, mushrooms, mint.  Taste:  silky, fresh, regal, powerful wine with sweet red fruit, meaty, dried herbs, tobacco, mineral, and a earthy orange rind lingering finish with a slight tannic kick.  Amazing!!! YUM! — 6 days ago

Tom, Ira and 10 others liked this
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Tom Casagrande Great Bordeaux year to be born. The 59s and 61s are terrific, but unfortunately I was born in 1960. Hope you get a chance to try a 59 classified. Cheers!
Jan A

Jan A

@Tom Garland you were still made in '59 😎
Somm David T

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That’s on a few people’s bucket list. Very nice.

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2023

I just kind of want to live down the road and grab one daily. Absolutely perfect Sonoma Pinot. Dark cherry and berries with a balanced full mouth. Can’t have enough imho. Doctor, doctor… pls! — 2 months ago

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Had the 2018 on Easter Sunday, 2026. Let it decant for close to two hours. Full body, silky smooth tannins with hints of cocoa, blackberry, raspberry and a hint of vanilla. Had a touch of leather near the end. Was really tasty. Was a gift from our kids and absolutely fantastic with dinner this evening. — 2 months ago

Matthew HeyboerEthan HeyboerJody Wycech
with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others
Neil, Tom and 7 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

Cherry licorice nose. Cherry with a touch of spice on the palate. Tannins have smoothed but still present. Deserves the accolades that I have seen. February 2026. — 4 months ago

David, Dave and 1 other liked this

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Somm David T
9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux were my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought this Calon Segur on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect, no bottle neck tannin burn but plenty of velvety sediment.

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart emblem on the label.

Opened it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages. Then, stopped 1/2 way through and poured the bottom half of the bottle from the bottle.

82 is such a grand, classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs of age. I don’t want to say it is a long in tooth as its neighbor, Montrose, but it is close. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

This 82 glides over the palate. There is only beautiful elegance, nothing bites back. The fruits are older (not old or past their prime), ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums but lean plum vs black, dark cherries, crazy, outstanding, hoovering raspberries with notes of blueberries & shades of freshly picked rhubarb. Some black cherry cola, anise to understated black licorice, dark chocolate pudding, caramel, layered, gentle baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, touch of sun tea, old leather, dryish to fresh tobacco w/ash, charcoal, elegant graphite, dry limestone powder, dry river pebbles, black, rich earth w/ dry leaves, magical, dark spices, grey volcanics, dry stems, just a hint of dry herbs, dry top soil, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, red roses, grand acidity with perfect; balance, tension, structure and a grand, gentle finish that goes on & on and eventually lands on an amazing soft buffet of earthiness.

This is a wine that is technically a 94, but w/ evolution & style a 97. Amazing bottle that you don’t want to end.

$500 a bottle today through the app. Somewhere around $10 upon release.
— 5 months ago

Somm, Jay and 22 others liked this
Somm David T

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@Jay Kline Grand love for 82 & the Left Bank. Cheers! 🍷
Somm David T

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@Peter van den Besselaar Thank you. Happy to bring it. Cheers! 🍷

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1990

Lovely, sweet mature fruit (dried redfruits), there might be a touch of Brett (but less than the 1995 Beaucastel I posted last week), suave and complex on the palate, lingering finish, excellent Chateauneuf-du-Pape at its peak!! — 7 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Brian and 11 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Usually awesome, but a 1990? Wow!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Dave, I got lucky and caught this at its peak, more cellaring would have been a mistake!
Dave

Dave

That's a great feeling. Congrats! 💪

Sine Qua Non

Turn the Whole Thing Upside Down Grenache 2009

#AgedWineTuesday

Deep purple in color with a short, cloudy purple rim.

Strong nose of black currants, black plums, stewed cherries, dried figs, raisins, ginger, oak, eucalyptus, spices, green beans and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, chocolates, herbs, spices and coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 16 year old Grenache from California feels like it peaked a few years ago, but still drinking beautifully. Elegant and rich.

The Syrah notes are very dominant, especially right out of the bottle.

Complex and interesting, with a beautiful nose. Extracted and fruit forward.

Robert Parker 96 points.

Needed 2 hours to open up, and delicious by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.

15.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$330.
— 8 months ago

Paul, Tom and 14 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

A touch dusty on the nose with gnarly dark fruit and some spices and wood notes. Soft on the palate and fully resolved. Pretty and lightly inky — 16 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Shay, Jay and 6 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Double decant and pour(some fine/cloudy sediment).  A striking still dark magenta color with bricking.   On the nose:  subtle perfumed notes of dark fruit, pencil shavings, smoked meat, worn leather, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus.  Taste:  silky, balanced wine with some dried dark fruit, currants, earth, asian spice, dried herbs, and a graphite/dried cherry/coffee ground medium plus finish...lacks some depth and some still there sharp tannins gonna knock the score down.  — 13 days ago

Tom, Paul and 13 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Nice wine! I suppose you paired it with Papa John's pizza? 😉
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Dave Yep..classic Margaux pairing of Papa John Tuscan 6 cheese cheesesticks and their Philly cheesesteak pizza. Cheers!
Dave

Dave

Sounds divine

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

5th wine . medium deep ruby , touch more garnet . Slightly wider rim . Quite cool and mineral again , more grafite with some cool cassis , blackberry. On the palate this is slightly lighter in body , leaner perhaps but very elegant , fresh and quite saline, tobacco , grafite and herbal tinges on the finish . Reasonable saline length. Fine lightly grippy tannins , good acidity . This is showing quite well though would perhaps benefit from a few more years . Better in 3-5 years and drink well a further 7- 10 . The next day this actually shows a little better , elegant and refined, nothing showy , very Lafite , so I’m glad I guessed this correctly ! Overall this was a very interesting tasting , there is nothing showy or remarkable about the 2006 1st growths , they are quite classic and also showing quite a lot of structure still , with good freshness though they perhaps lack a little stuffing and intensity . They were quite even quality wise, with the high points being the Mouton (though the Lafite improved the following day to upgrade its score and draw level ) and the low point being a relatively disappointing Margaux . The vintage will continue to improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years in general , though they may always just lack a little density and excitement . — 2 months ago

Neil, Somm and 16 others liked this
Somm David T

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2006 the yr that had to follow the grand 2005 vintage. It wasn’t their best. Made worse having to follow the 2005. The Bordelaise also kept their prices high as many felt they underpriced the 05 vintage. Not a great strategy for a successful 06 vintage. For me, Lafite is the 1st growth that requires the most cellar aging. Even in an ok vintage, 25-30 yr in the cellar to start seeing its best form. Looks like a great dinner. Cheers! 🍷

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Hands down best Bordeaux value. Might as well be a 1st growth. Great vintage too. Tasting incredible. Villa @ Secrets Moxché — 6 months ago

Tom, Brandon and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

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Yah. Feel likewise. So pure.

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Took about 2 hours to open. Dark & dried cherries. Acid still nice and firm. Tannins still going strong but clearly softer and more fine grained. Feels somewhat unbalanced - good acid, good tannin, not enough fruit. May have missed the optimal window. Still very enjoyable. Only a touch of Brett. — 6 months ago

David and Ira liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

Performing very well tonight. A touch rustic, yet bright and poised. At peak. — 7 months ago

Jelle, Freek and 8 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1990

Medium ruby garnet, quite thin garnet terracotta rim . Quite rich , with ripe red fruits , some tobacco , warm spiciness , cigar box , ripe cassis , sous bois , after a while touch of coffee. On the palate this also shows good roundness with ripe red and dark fruits, cassis , red plum , grafite , touch of earthiness . Balanced acidity and rounded sweet tannin . Quite juicy with a grafite edged finish . Pretty good length. This is at peak now . For now and over the next 5 -8 years. Quite generous and showy , ripe but balanced, a good showing. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 22 others liked this