Back Door Cellars

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Opens up nicely. Heavy cherry on the front and some chocolate. Oak, on the back end. Medium tannin, medium body — 7 days ago

"Odedi" liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

I had the 2014 Latour a couple of years back. It was from a half bottle and I remember it was rather disappointing. But this wine has really come around. Or maybe it has been developing much better in a full size bottle. Today it’s graceful, with great posture and in perfect balance. A timeless beauty. I had a few 2014 (both left and right bank) lately and I find them very appealing right now. A unsung vintage that turned out pretty good imo. — 2 months ago

Billy, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 2 months ago

Anthony, Juan and 4 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. — 7 months ago

Hermes, Ira and 14 others liked this

Ferrari-Carano

Prevail Back Forty Rock Rise Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

John W
9.4

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, bell pepper, forest floor, herbs, and dark cherry. On the palate, blueberry, dark berry, cassis, pepper, spice, toasted oak, vanilla, chocolate, and a long finish. Full bodied, rich and balanced. — a month ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Quite floral with plummy cassis, creamy blackberry and a touch of pencil lead, crushed rocks . On the palate this has quite good freshness , ripe cassis and blackberry , but with dusty firm tannins . Mineral , seashell hints of on the good length finish . Quite richly fruited but well balanced overall . This needs more time but for 2018 is promising, balanced with good freshness . Come back in 10 -15 years and will show well a further 10 — 2 months ago

Tom, Bob and 13 others liked this

Château La Nerthe

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Château dates back to 1560, records suggesting back to 12th century making it one of oldest estates in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC region near Avignon. Ruby with aromas of red fruit. Blend of about even amounts Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre & splash of mostly Cinsault. Aromas of berry fruits, oak & sweet spice. On the palate flavors of raspberry, cherry & blackberry, hints of oak, leather, vanilla spice & black pepper, aged in 20% new oak, complex & elegant, fine soft tannins, long finish, will age well. — 4 months ago

John, Anthony and 3 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

Azienda Agricola Fontodi

Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale Sangiovese 2021

Médium ruby, ruby rim . Quite deep and intense on the nose , with smoky cherry , red plum and fresh herbs . On the palate very high acidity and bright herbal tinged red cherry , red plum , strawberry and mineral , saline touches . Gritty quite firm tannins. Very intense, but also elegant and bright , vivid . Long cherry tart , grafite tinged finish . Very promising . Come back in 10 years and see how this ages over the following 10-15 . — 2 months ago

Tom, Tom and 6 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

2000 vintage. Never a fave L-B vintage as it has always seemed a little too much sizzle and not enuff steak. FF two decades and said wine is drinking more like a Napa cab vs a BDX. Chunky and in a state of transition (discombobulated) but still medium-heavy body after two+ decades. The 2005 is more affordable and drinking better, imho, currently. Will this effort will ever round into form for dedicated L-B fans going back to the 1985 vintage? Not tasting it. Storybook fill and cork. Decanted and tasted immediately, after 30 mins and after two hours. Aggressive sed. 7.3.24. — 7 months ago

Ted, Andrew and 18 others liked this