Ama No To

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium deep ruby , thinner rim. Quite deep and spicy nose , dark fruits , quite classic . On the palate quite dense , but rounded and suave tannin . Quite dense and meaty after a while , long and really well balanced , good length and a mineral , slate tinged finish. In this flight this was quite obvious as Latour , just the structure and density marked it out . This is a good Latour to enjoy at the moment , the tannin is polished, good freshness and density. No rush however I expect this to continue well for a least another decade , maybe more — 5 days ago

Ron, Anthony and 11 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

No idea how old this is. A special Tondonia bottling to support a polio vaccination campaign. Beautiful wine. Does anybody know more about this? — a month ago

Peter, Eric and 2 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Was handed a glass of this and without even knowing anything was incredibly impressed. Thought it to be a French wine too, had no inkling it was Napa Cab. Beautiful purple colors that showcases a robust and complex bouquet of blackberries, dark cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. Has some spices too but they are pinned back by the fruit. Medium tannins with medium+ acids, super smooth and well balanced. Vanilla cola, cedar, black currants and more tobacco and chocolate give it a robust and lively blend. Great finish! — a month ago

Andrew, Vin and 2 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100.
— 2 months ago

Peter, Juan and 21 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass thank you…and I believe it. Were/are you celebrating your 50th?!
Lyle Fass

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@Jay Kline yes sir! 50th is in the books!
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass congratulations!!!

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

You have to let it breathe because it starts off too jammy. Give it some air for a more dynamic taste. Fruit forward, warm blanket. No outstanding flavor notes like pepper — 2 days ago

Sean Twitty
with Sean
Ted, Ericsson and 1 other liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . medium deep ruby , medium bright ruby rim. Quite spicy a little oak noticeable at first . Mixed dark fruits . A bit more round and juicy on the palate , good acidity , slightly grippy but polished tannins . This becomes a bit more restrained and reserved after a while. Served blind , I actually put this as Haut Brion , due to its generous personality, and polished tannins. Overall showed well in the flight was my top wine (though the Cheval Blanc may well be better in absolute terms) . Can be enjoyed now , though has the substance to last a further decade or so, a good showing for the Mouton. — 5 days ago

Anthony, Andrew and 8 others liked this

Castello di Ama

Vigneto San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2010

See previous Note. Old plummie, red cherry notes. Barb said dusty and pine needles. A cooler vintage. I said red cherries and freshly tilled loam. As Galloni said “In 2010 Ama did not bottle their single vineyard selections. All the best fruit went here.” Tasting more the quality of a Brunello than a Chianti Classico. No. 6 in Wine Spectators Top 100 for 2015. — 2 months ago

Pooneet, Tom and 21 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

In 2015, the WS Top 100 meant something. To look at it the last few years it is puzzling. I recently read their website for the criteria they use to come up with their top 100 and all I could do after reading the criteria and seeing their 2024 selections is scratch my head.
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald first vintage of Gran Selezione ever, definitely a good start with the 2010. Great pull!

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium ruby . Bit more coffee and roasted character at first , touch of oak perhaps. Quite rich and rounded on the palate , good acidity , good length . More red fruit , more delicate after a while , mineral , oyster shell , mineral and lean on the long finish . Very classic , grafite tinged . This improved with air and really gained in complexity with time . I would be tempted to leave this a little longer or give it a longer decant . No rush here , will continue well for a further 10 years . Tied as my favourite wine of the flight with the Latour. — 5 days ago

Anthony, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2008

While not as intense as on release this is no where near a shrinking violet. The nose is starting to strut with scents of apple , brioche and nuts.That first taste still makes you recoil and salivate. Lemons , limes , biscuits, and a touch of butterscotch. Very long finish . Developing into everything I hoped for. — a month ago

Austin, Mike and 46 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

That is fantastic!
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Beautiful!!
GaryWEdwards

GaryWEdwards

Fantastic but still a youngster.

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Ron R
9.5

Good god. Peaking right now.
Huge aromatics on the nose. Superb weight, balance and texture. No rush to consume. Cedar and macerated black cherries transition to coffee and hints of maple. Blew me away. In raptures over this. Direct from the winery when I lived in Europe.
— 2 months ago

Mo Salem
with Mo
John, Vin and 48 others liked this
Ron R

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Merry Christmas to you @Jody Scharf. Wanna meet up in Manhattan and tip a glass?
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

anytime Ron, would enjoy that
Ron R

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@Jody Scharf, we are ready. Talk to me goose!