Black Oystercatcher

Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2022

Donald Patz
9.1

Robert Biale often makes Zinfandels with surprising finesse and energy. They’re delicious and sexy and well balanced. If you don’t think Zinfandel is worth drinking try any of the Robert Biale versions and let me know if you’ve changed your mind. — 7 days ago

Juan, Scott@Mister and 14 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Black fruits showing currant, berry with sweet, savory spice, earth, cedar, leather & wet tobacco — a month ago

Tom, Juan and 9 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Pf ample aroma spices black currant and fruits. gentle tannin ok to drink. Leoville Poyfeir 20 @20305, sommelier, 241103 — 20 days ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. Yes, the 2003 Dominus is big. However, it is also balanced and showing classic Napa typicity with beautifully ripe and some slightly wizened black and red fruit, tobacco, cocoa, some purple flowers and baking spices. I found this to be quite balanced after all the air it saw. Wonderful structure for continued aging as well. Drink now through 2043. — 21 days ago

Ira, Jan and 18 others liked this

Gnarly Head

1924 Limited Edition Double Black Lodi Red Blend

Excellent wine for the price. Almost has a sutle Merlot taste but without the oaky finish. — 5 days ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 7 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Tom and 19 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 13 days ago

Bob, Tom and 15 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

This had black fruits, cassis with cedar, leather, graphite, dried herbs, sweet spice & tobacco — 13 hours ago

Shay, David and 6 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Youthful that you can approach now showing black fruits, currant, savory spice, licorice, menthol & tobacco — 15 days ago

Tom, Lyle and 12 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1993

Wow. Yes. Tough vintage, cool year with late heat spike pushing ripeness. This 1999 showed the vintage character well, not a powerhouse but well balanced. Gorgeous layers and nuance from black fruited, pencil graphite, savory tobacco. Impeccable balance on palate with melted tannins and well judged acidity. — 21 hours ago