Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Welcome to Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

2012 in Bordeaux is a great memory as Sofia & I had a great 5 year anniversary trip to Italy where we were married, ending in Bordeaux. Picking Mouton Merlot for a day, lunch with the Baroness, having steak and sipping 82 Mouton. Pinch me is what I said to Sofia.

Saint Julien is the elegant region on the Left Bank. While 2012 was an ok to good vintage it will always be packed with great memories.

Branaire-Ducru in grand vintages is still a great value. Always elegant with this kind of bottle age and more.

Hour decant starting notes.

Tonight smooth, ripe, round, juicy; brambly blackberries/black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, black plum, some strawberries, raspberries with blueberry tones. Dry tobacco with ash, leather, spice box with some heat, lightly grilled meats, volcanics, moist clay, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, light vanillin, mid berry cola, dark chocolate bar, forest floor with leaves, sandalwood, steeped black tea, bay leaf, dry thyme, mocha powder, dry caramel, crush, dry rock/limestone, dry river stone, bright red flowers mixed with dark withering flowers, nice round acidity and a balanced, smartly tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on herbs & earth. — 14 days ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

92-93 what a sexy nose. A bit austere on the palate but it’ll surely improve. Nice and long aftertaste. — 11 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

What a delicious 16 year old Bordeaux from Saint Julien.

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, licorice, coffee, light earth, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf and dark chocolates.

Elegant and easy drinking once it opens up. Needs 3 hours.

This second wine is drinking very nicely now, although not from a great vintage.

Good by itself as a sipping wine. Would also pair nicely with game meats or lamb dishes.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points

$80. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby, almost Inky in color with a wide brick rim.

Nose of black and red fruits, tobacco leaf, light oak, earth, forest floor, light mildew, coffee, black tea, pencil lead, black chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, light wood, earth, herbs, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, black pepper, chocolates, vinaigrette and light green vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 17 year old Bordeaux is still drinking beautifully. Rich, with enough fruits to balance the earth notes.

I did not decant it, and let it open up in the bottle. Drinks nicely right out of the bottle, and much better after 3 hours of airtime.

A delicious second wine. Loved to see the low alcohol level.

I don't see it getting any better from this point, so if you have any, drink up.

I had it blind and called 2006 Left Bank Bordeaux. I'm happy with that call.

A great sipping wine. Well balanced, and good by itself.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80. — 4 months ago