Neil Valenzuela

9.6

Wow 🤩 - Deep gold color. Aromas of burnt honey, pineapple, dried apricot, passion fruit and eucalyptus. Simply divine on the palate - orange, apricot and dried fruit.

🏅 100 Points - Wine Advocate
🏅100 Points - James Suckling
🏅98 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— a month ago

with Quentin

Bob McDonald

9.8

Still celebrating that LNP win in the Qld State election. Deep crimson with a tawny meniscus. Dense and rich on nose and palate. Blackberry, mocha and dark plum as mentioned in prior notes. Very balanced with nothing protruding. At 34 years of age the oak has totally integrated when in its youth it was prominent, like many Penfolds reds. Supple mouth feel and incredible palate length. Previous notes mention that this was Wine Spectators Wine of the Year and definitely put Grange on the map in the USA. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unreal! 98 points. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 7-year-old Washington Cabernet Sauvignon is still drinking beautifully.

Deep Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose and full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, bitter herbs, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn and espresso.

Fine grained tannins on the tangy finish.

Drink now, by itself or with food.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$20. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder is delicious right now, although still young.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong fruity nose of cedar, black fruits and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice complexity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, peppercorn and light cola.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Tangy and rich, yet elegant. Needs a few hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 30 months. Only 1,200 bottles produced.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Reddish in color with a brick hue.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with mild complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing red and black fruits with wood, tobacco leaf, vegetables, spices, peppercorn, earth and black tea.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Single Vineyard Barbaresco is starting to drink very nicely. Not as approachable as the 2017, though.

Still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. A good food wine too. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$70. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim and medium plus intensity.

Pretty nose with red and black fruits, wood, earth, tobacco, black coffee and spices.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, peppercorn, forest floor, earth, black tea, vegetables and herbs.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 16 year old from Margaux, is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice balance and elegance. Soft and very dry.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets much earthier as it opens up, with lots of earth and forest floor notes. Really enjoyed the nose.

The 2008 vintage was not a good one, and although it's still very tasty, I don't see it getting any better from this point.

I've had a few vintages of this Second Growth Bordeaux, and I found it to be all over the place. The 2016 was my favorite so far.

Wine Advocate 92 points. Wine Spectator 87 Points.

Paired very nicely with a burger and fries.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$130. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple/ Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Fruity nose with black fruits, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, cedar and chocolate notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, black plums, tobacco, cedar, licorice, vanilla, spices, chocolates, herbs, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink very nicely now. Elegant and rich.

Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel. A good sipping wine. Balanced and easy drinking.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Has ‏good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 20 months. Unfined and unfiltered.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.7

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.

Gorgeous nose, and dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, black cherries, cedar, cola, licorice, light vanilla, light coffee, chocolates, earth, black pepper and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins.

What a wonderful surprise. This 23 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking fantastically.
Elegant and fruit forward. Rich and extracted. Soft and smooth.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after an hour in the decanter.

Wine Enthusiasts 94 points. Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Spectator 98 points.

Showing great complexity at this point, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine. Just gorgeous.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$230. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, stewed cherries, raisins, figs, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, spices, light wood, peppercorn, dark chocolates and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 3-year-old Zinfandel from Sonoma County is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next few years.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouth feel. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Rich, but not 'too much'.

The alcohol is not very noticeable at this point, although it is very high, so watch out.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. I usually like it better with a little more age.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

A good everyday wine. Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with burger and fries.

A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante and 4% Mixed Reds.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This Israeli Grenache blend is delicious now.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, cola, licorice, light vanilla, black pepper and herbs.

Spicy finish with soft tannins.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it always delivers.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a lamb dish.

A blend of Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50. — 9 months ago