Bell Ringer

Clos Rougeard

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2016

Outrageously haunting, complex, and undergoes an infinite development over hours showing great mineral structure, strawberry and cranberry fruit, currant, olive tapenade, bell pepper, garrigue, graphite, and a ton of soul. Not just a wine, but a semiotic wound. — a month ago

Ira liked this

Bell Wine Cellars

Canterbury Vineyard Syrah 2011

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Syrah this good. — 6 months ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left. — 7 months ago

Ericsson, Ron and 28 others liked this
Vino Joe

Vino Joe Premium Badge

Good to know! How long was your decant? And over how long a window did you enjoy it?
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Vino Joe great questions; I have answers. Note updated!

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Hum
9.2

Rich cassis and tobacco … vanilla frosting … everything well integrated… faint graphite ? Touch of bell pepper. — 3 months ago

Tyler and Ira liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — 5 months ago

Ira, Eric and 15 others liked this

Bell Hill Vineyards

Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019

Wow!! Dark austere profile with serious dark fruit behind dense herbal/tea/earth minerality. The palate is nuts though, fruit opens up, shows a touch of red, tingling acidity is off the charts — 8 months ago

Ira and Tom liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. The 1988 shows great color and is quite charming with notes of cassis, tobacco, leather some bell pepper and a cinnamon bark sort of thing on the nose. Structure remains firm and this was a little greener than the ‘89 and ‘90. There is no risk of this falling off anytime soon; probably good through 2038. — 8 months ago

Ira, Somm and 10 others liked this

Mayacamas Vineyards

Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Double decant for sediment and pour(some fine sediment). A majestic still dark purplish garnet color. On the nose: beautiful notes of dark berries, planting soil, worn leather, dark chocolate, stewed meat. Taste: energetic, balanced, soft wine with red cherry/plum, clove, orange peel, spice, green bell pepper, and a smoked graphite medium plus finish. YUM! Nice aged old school Napa cab with time to go. — 5 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 15 others liked this

Bell Wine Cellars

Sierra Foothills Syrah 2021

This wine was outstanding. I think it was only six dollars at grocery outlet. It had lots of fruit, lots of body and thickness. And a very strong finish. I went back trying to find some more but they were out. I will definitely be looking for it.It went perfectly with the New York steak. We paired it with. Even if the steak itself was actually not that good, kind of tough. — 7 months ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

2005 vintage. Light-medium/medium bod. Rocking don't bother knocking. So good. At the top of its respective bell curve and looks to hang out for quite some time. Maybe an extended residency? Not going anywhere anytime soon. 12.11.24. — 7 months ago

Ruud, Andrew and 24 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Ok will not drink this - this or next year.
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Prices have caught up on this one David.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas My comment didn’t not in anyway reflect pricing in its meaning.