Château Franc Couplet
Olga Raffault
Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020
Wonderful wine. One of my favorite vineyards. This is always a high quality wine. This one is still young but getting its legs. Vibrant and fresh if not yet rounded out. There is complexity that will only build. The length is good now but I know will be significantly longer in near term. Cherry. Fig. Eucalyptus. Loved this wine. Looking forward to sampling the next few I have over ensuing decade. — 20 days ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1975
This had the classic LB nose showing mostly black fruits with currant, cedar, leather, menthol, spice box, cigar ash & tobacco leaf. — 6 days ago
Matthiasson
Napa Valley Red Blend 2013
Quite delicious, but needs a 2+ hour decant even at 10+ years (plus lots of sediment so the decant is necessary anyway). Great pairing with an Easter roast beef and mushrooms. Nice darker fruit. Tannins still quite there - could take another ~5 years. Nice acid on the finish and always appreciate the < 14% abv. — 18 days ago
Peter Sultan
Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 3 days ago