Cherry On Top

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

Medium ruby garnet , quite wide light garnet rim. Quite round sweet red cherry , spiced strawberry , blackberry , quite fruit driven still . With some tobacco and earthy hints . On the palate this is more red fruited , quite spiced cherry and strawberry with iodine hints and seaside notes . Good fresh acidity and quite rounded ripe tannins . Not particularly dense or intense on the palate , but well balanced and elegant with a reasonable , iron filling tinged finish . This is showing well now , and will continue to do so over the next 5-8 years. From magnum — 4 days ago

Ira, Anthony and 10 others liked this
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

I have this one in mgm too. Do you see it improving over the next 5-8 years or lasting for 5-8 years? Thx
Andrew Cullimore

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@Anthony De Blasi I don’t see it improving much , it’s already delicious and the tannins are pretty much resolved , it already shows some development but still has enough fruit, there is no rush to enjoy it however . So my 5-8 years is estimating its prime drinking window … and as usual I would prefer to underestimate than overestimate…. Though these wines tend to age at their own pace 😅… enjoy your magnums !
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

Thank you for your feedback Andrew!

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — a month ago

Rob, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course two hours. The 2023 Morgon (S) pours a brilliant ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red fruits: strawberry, raspberry, cherry, a touch of bubblegum, red flowers, licorice, black pepper, a mix of cool spices and rocky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a more dense expression of Lapierre’s Morgon which isn’t a surprise considering the vintage. Quite lovely with chicken pâté. Drink now through 2037. — a month ago

Juan, Lyle and 11 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Classic combi 😍

G.D. Vajra

Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2020

Garnet medium intensity. Herbs, spearmint, fossils on the nose. Dry, medium plus alc, medium plus acidity, medium bodied. Sour cherry, herbs, on the palate. Tannins are chalky and drying. Long nice finish. This will of course greatly improve. But certainly drinkable now.

93 points
— 14 days ago

Tom, Ron and 14 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Very enticing photo!

Domaine Serene

Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021

Elegant Ruby color with red fruit aromas and gentle floral spice, aged for about 12 months in French oak, signature blend of grapes from Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, and Yamhill-Carlton AVA's. On the palate flavors of cherry and black raspberry with notes of herb, licorice and wet stone notes. Soft dusty tannins on a long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy notes. Very Nice! Drinking well now! — 18 days ago

Tom, Ira and 5 others liked this

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2021

Wow! So glad I bought a bottle of this. Funky on opening. After 2 hours it is so good. Violets, roses, cherry, baking spice is in background, there’s an earth/herbal component I cannot pinpoint. It is so drinkable but evolves with almost every sip. Need more Pinots like this in my life. — a month ago

Vanessa, Austin and 8 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2022

Blend of 65% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 14% Petite Sirah & 5% Mataro. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, oak and spicy and scents. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with pepper, cacao, espresso, floral and smoky oak. Well balanced, fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, smoke and dried spice. Will age. — a month ago

Andrew, Paul and 6 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Medium deep ruby , quite thin garnet rim . Quite a lot of cassis, herbal grafite notes , touch of blackberry , scorched earth , a bit for floral after a while in the glass. On the palate this shows more sweet dark fruit, touch of spicy oak, blackcurrant , dark cherry and cacau . Balanced acidity and sweet slightly grippy tannins , just balanced alcohol . Spicy sweet blackcurrant, grafite tinged finish , decent length. This is still young and quite fruit driven but is enjoyable now with food . Better in 5 years or so and will last well a further 8-10. — 4 days ago

Somm, Rob and 9 others liked this
Somm David T

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This is not a knock on anyone or this producer. For 10 years a friend of mine was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus. He is now back in Bordeaux, rebuilt & raised the quality of Clerc Milon. Now is in charge of all Rothschild properties. This is just me thinking out loud. I have been to this property many times and bought a glass of their Cabernet to take to their top deck and take in a spectacular view of the Napa Valley. Enjoyed many of their vintages in those very nice moments. However, knowing the quality of 2012 vintage and their price point, I and I think most expect & want more than a 92 point wine. Which begs the question, how long can they push bottle price with this level of quality? At what point does the quality price ratio kick in? To a bigger picture, how sustainable is the high quality respected producer wine economic model going forward? To me, a fascinating question going forward.
Andrew Cullimore

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Yes @Somm David T , this was actually served blind , the only wine at lunch ..and we had plenty of time to get to know it before the big reveal . I was trying to evaluate the quality in the glass without the distraction of the label, which is always an illuminating experience . It’s a good wine, and went very will with our steaks but it certainly doesn’t represent good value nor is it a stellar example of 2012 . I would be perfectly happy to have it again mind you , as long as I wasn’t paying .

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

1 hour decant(lots chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: dark fruit, forest floor, smoked meat, floral, cigar wrapper, pencil lead. Taste: smooth, rich, creamy mouthcoating wine with blackberry/dark cherry, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, baking spice, and a cedar/graphite medium plus finish with some slight dusty tannins. Had this 2 years ago, and it's improved. In the beginning of its drink window at 18 years? Wow — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Steve and 20 others liked this
Somm David T

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Love this JP vintage!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

It's Open That Bottle Night(last Sat in Feb), and thought this would be a nice pull to celebrate the occasion.

1 hour decant(decent sediment). A striking still dark garnet with some bricking. On the nose: perfumed stewed cherry/plum, smoked meat, worn leather, cigar ash,milk chocolate, rich soil, some band-aid(brett) Taste: smooth, polished, vibrant wine with plum, tobacco, bitter chocolate, worn leather, earth, and a long graphite coffee ground finish. YUM!!!!
— 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Tom and 27 others liked this
Rick Phillips

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Just show out brother! Great selection!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Rick Phillips Thanks. Cheers!
Somm David T

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Nice treat.