Bouquet

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2005

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 4 hours. Medium body with a continually morphing nose. Super-impressive bouquet throughout the night. Overt fruit fallen off the framework and replaced with secondary attributes/complexities. @Bill Bender remarked twice about a lack of “heat”since the usual CDP ABV range seemed underwhelming One might think that would present issues but, rest assured, it did not. Great wine possibly at its’ zenith/top of the bell curve and living its’ best life now. Backed up the hype and then some. Tied for WOTN along with the 2006 Krug Clos du Mesnil Champagne (missed a picture for that one) for both myself and @Shay A 09.21.25. — 2 months ago

Shay ABill Bender
with Shay and Bill
Scott@Mister, Shay and 25 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

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Effing banging. Thank you @Bill Bender !!
Shay A

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My first Rayas! So grateful to @Bill Bender for the experience (as well as the other wines) to finally check this off the list. I’d say that between the five wines of the evening, this and the ‘06 Krug CdM evolved the most. This is the most powerful and aromatic CdP I’ve ever had. The red/black cran-raspberry profile was like a missle on the palate…so youthful, even tangy the beginning. A lot of CdPs have this dirty/figgy profile but this was so clean and pure. Verve for days. Probably still rocking in another 5+ before evolving to the next stage. Epic.
9.7

Canalicchio di Sopra

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2011

We had the 20111 Vintage on 2/8/25. Black fruit, leather and pepper on the bouquet . Black cherry, leather and tobacco on the palate. A darker toned wine than the 2010. Still very good. Tannins were all smoothed out. Medium bodied and truly Old World — 9 months ago

Montevertine

Le Pergole Torte Sangiovese 2015

Splash decanted and served immediately; enjoyed over the next four hours. On the nose, it smells like 2015…gorgeous and giving with fresh, ripe cherry, dry earth and green herbs. The bouquet opened up over time and just seemed to gain power and intensity adding blood orange and red flowers. On the palate, this is bone-dry with silky texture and huge structure which also seemed to go from strength to strength. The finish is long and ever so satisfying. Drink now with a lot of patience or enjoy through 2040. — 3 years ago

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Daniel Bloom

Daniel Bloom

@Jay Kline These are always so nice! And what labels! Enjoy!

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Château Léoville Poyferré 2014
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinguished Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) from Saint-Julien, Château Léoville Poyferré has been elevated under the stewardship of the Cuvelier family and Michel Rolland’s consultancy. The 2014 vintage is a classic Bordeaux blend comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. This cooler year yielded wines with notable polish, freshness, and age-worthy structure.  

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive and refined, the bouquet opens with blackcurrant, cassis, and plum, framed by cedar, graphite, violets, and aromatic spice. The palate is layered with ripe red and dark fruits, along with hints of tobacco, pepper, and soft oak—a harmonious reflection of balanced ripeness and terroir depth.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, with smooth yet structured tannins and vivid acidity. The finish is long and mineral-tinged, echoing Saint-Julien’s limestone terroir while expressing both strength and grace.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally and aged in French oak barrels (predominantly new), the 2014 benefits from meticulous attention to extraction and maturation, resulting in elegant concentration and finesse.  

Food Pairing
Wonderful with roast lamb, herb-crusted beef, or rich mushroom dishes. Decanting for an hour enhances its layered complexity.

Verdict
A classic expression of Left Bank finesse and depth, Château Léoville Poyferré 2014 strikes an artful balance between fruit, structure, and refinement. Enjoy now with decanter or cellar it to explore its evolution over the next decade.Cheers!
— 2 months ago

Ted, ESF and 4 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2013

Elite wine experience. Decanted and poured in two halves. Needed a short while for footing but was ready to party after 20-30 minutes. The bouquet was phenomenal and had a very complex mix of earth and fruit. Some figs. Some cedar? And it was all amazing. — 6 months ago

Tom, Tom and 24 others liked this
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Pico Maccario

Lavignone Barbera d'Asti 2020

Barbera d’Asti achieved DOCG status in 2008. Warm vibrant Ruby color with a bouquet of berry fruit aromas and sweet perfumed herb spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry with pepper and herbs, good structure, balanced with savory acidity and soft tannins. Medium+ finish ending with juicy fruit. Exceptional! Great Value! — 2 years ago

Dawn, Paul and 1 other liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

Light to medium body, floral and perfume bouquet, smooth and easy to drink, ripe berry finish, light yet strong enough to pair with beef. Fantastic! — 4 months ago

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Dave

Dave

I bet that was great!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

We had the 2013 Vintage on 6/28-29/25. Nice bouquet black fruit and cedar. The palate had blackberry, plum, tobacco, leather and spice. Medium bodied, terroir driven. Old World and very good — 5 months ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2004

At over 20 years old, the 2004 Opus One is showing beautifully, striking a balance between maturity and vibrancy. On the nose, it opens with an inviting bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with subtle notes of violet, tobacco, and espresso.
On the palate, the wine is smooth and full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and a silky texture that coats the mouth without being heavy. The core is rich with dark fruit—black plum, currant, and a touch of blueberry—balanced by earthy undertones and a whisper of leather. Definitely one of my favorites.
— 7 months ago

Michael Cammarata
with Michael

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!

I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035.
— 2 years ago

Ira, Brian and 18 others liked this