Celler Prior Pons

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Poured into a decanter about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a lovely mix of dark and red fruits, cassis, black and red brambles, tobacco, eucalyptus, leather, cedar box, green herbs, some cocoa, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The texture is silky, in fact, down right sexy. Brilliantly balanced. This is a profoundly sensual wine and one of the best young Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had in many years. These will age for a very long time and I can only imagine how epic the 2021 Terrace Select is going to be. Drink now with an extended decant and through 2051+. — a month ago

Tom, Douglas and 12 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Douglas Braun worth seeking out. I think their Cabernet’s are as good as any in California.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Go back with the Rafanelli Cabs to the 1988 vintage. Always workmanlike, solid and with plenty of rusticity/authenticity. Have consistently placed them at the top of Sonoma Cabs. Only producer from Sonoma I found that topped them consistently was the old Laurel Glen Sonoma Mountain Cabs with Patrick Campbell at the helm...and his Cabs were a definite ringer in CA Cab tastings. Sadly, that property doesn't seem to fire in the same way in my semi-frequent tasting visits. Rafanelli Cabs are a welcome change from the flightiness of the Napa brethren. Have zero experience with the reserve/select offerings as they are rarely seen in these parts.
Jay Kline

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@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego those Rafanelli’s from the 80’s are still holding strong too. In fact, the 1988 was awesome this past spring when I presented it as part of a vertical spanning three decades of their Cabernet.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage.

Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.
— a year ago

Bob, Peter and 8 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2021

J Choi
9.4

Nice nose. Crunchy. Bright red fruit. Spice pepper on finish. Better than prior bottles. Slight funk. — 3 months ago

Clos Pons

Alges Costers del Segre Tempranillo Blend 2016

Decant. Needs oxigen. Great value — 5 months ago

Juan Carlos liked this

François Mikulski

Charmes Meursault 1er Cru Chardonnay 2017

Great producer of Meursault. Consistent with my many prior notes — 7 months ago

Jan, Aravind and 8 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2012

Amazing vintage for Jamet that you can drink now but will continue to develop for many years. Consistent with my many prior notes showing lots of dark cherry, raspberry, meat, blood, olive, pepper, spice & crushed violets — 7 months ago

Ira, Jan and 6 others liked this

Aubert

UV-SL Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Ron R
9.5

See my prior notes. A beauty already. This should sail on for some time. — 5 months ago

Tom, Severn and 35 others liked this
jesus g

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Idk if the winery offers this, but I’d love to sit with their vineyard guys or winemakers and just dig deep! Like go over soil types and weather
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

nice Ron, ...

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

Opened around 8pm the evening prior, double decanted and left in room temperature until service on Friday evening. In total, this was opened 24hours before service. The 1995 pours a beautiful garnet with transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate stating of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with surprisingly boozy dark fruit. Brambles, cassis, bell pepper, licorice, spearmint and 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 with great acidity. Overall, remarkably youthful. While it’s certainly ready to go, it will likely continue some positive evolution over the next couple of decades. Drink now with a long decant through 2045. — 6 months ago

Jan, Douglas and 15 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Classic vintage for GL that is drinking well mirroring my many prior notes — a year ago

Daniel P., Rob and 8 others liked this

Raul Pérez

Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencía

Good, but tight compared to prior vintages. — a year ago

Daniel liked this