From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2012 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with punchy notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, orange rind, red flowers, and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is almost chewy. The 2012 is still an awesome value; really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2042. — 16 days ago
One of the best Pinots I’ve had from anywhere this year. Also I should state the only note I’ve been able to put on Delectable out of 4 attempts. The previous 3 have disappeared. Light in colour and a beautifully fragrant wine with Medium + intensity. 98 points from Huon Hooke and he made this comment, “A mesmerising wine - surely one of Bindi’s best ever “. I can only agree. This is a top quality Pinot Noir no matter the origin and will probably reach the end of HH’s drinking window of 2034. This Is easily of Premier Cru and in some cases Grand Cru standard. — 3 months ago

Drinking this pre-release bottle of this iconic wine from Bordeaux.
Light gold in color.
Strong nose and Full-bodied.
Sweet on the palate with high acidity to balance the sugars.
Showing melons, tropical fruits, apples, light earth, guava, herbs, spices, papaya and honey notes.
Long finish with herbs and tropical fruits.
This is a gorgeous sweet wine from Bordeaux. Sexy, seductive and fresh. Creamy and buttery.
Showing great potential, but oh so young. Already delicious and complex. Round, opulent and powerful.
Loved the nose once it opened up (20 minutes in the glass).
Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and intense, yet elegant. Well balanced with a soft mouthfeel.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Drunk from a Magnum.
A blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
154 g/l sugar.
14% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$500. — 3 months ago
Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.
Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 6 months ago
Outstanding block 5. Much more concentration and power than precious vintages. Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, wood spice. The power of the very best from Central Otago but with an elegance.
Really great pinot.
— 18 days ago
Double decant and pour(some fine/cloudy sediment). A striking still dark magenta color with bricking. On the nose: subtle perfumed notes of dark fruit, pencil shavings, smoked meat, worn leather, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus. Taste: silky, balanced wine with some dried dark fruit, currants, earth, asian spice, dried herbs, and a graphite/dried cherry/coffee ground medium plus finish...lacks some depth and some still there sharp tannins gonna knock the score down. — 16 days ago

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Pretty nose of blackberries, black currants, black plums, cedar, licorice, vanilla, chocolates, herbs, eucalyptus, light spices and black pepper.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, plums, currants, cedar, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cola, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs and light earth.
Long finish with fine grained tannins, red chili pepper and tangy cherries.
This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville is already drinking beautifully. Nicely balanced, complex and engaging. Elegant, tangy and rich. Soft and smooth.
Delicious right out of the bottle, easy to drink, and very approachable. As it opens up, more earth notes show up.
Showing a great nose. Spicy and entertaining.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years, and showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.
I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent, and so much better with age.
A great sipping wine that paired nicely with my Leg of Lamb dish.
A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 24 months in (60% new) French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$80. — 3 months ago
+2 hour decant(decent sediment). A marvelous dark magenta color. On the nose: perfumed red fruit, potting soil, graphite, cedar lined cigar box, herbaceous. Taste: Powerful, structured wine with red fruit, currants, planting soil, spice, and a cedar-minerally-mocha lingering and evolving finish! YUM! — 3 months ago



Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 4 months ago
Still looks young, high acidity keeps it fresh. So different from an Hermitage! — 7 months ago
Inky in color with a wide reddish rim.
Fruity on the nose, and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and easy drinking.
Showing red and black fruits with light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, peppercorn, cola, Mediterranean spices and light licorice.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Single Vineyard Zinfandel from Napa Valley. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and complex. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with burger and fries.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$40. — 9 months ago
Not Y Block, but quite nice with chicken and asparagus then trout and tomato salad. Balanced between fruit and oak with a lovely finish. — a month ago
Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 3 months ago

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intoxicating musky notes of dark fruit, potting soil, worn leather, truffles, stewed meat, slight menthol. Taste: velvety, seamless, balanced, intense wine with dark fruit, cassis, earth, tobacco, mineral, herbs, and a chocolate graphite long never-ending finish. YUM! This wine has aged gracefully and has more gas in the tank. Enjoy. — 3 months ago

This was a gift from a close friend who worked for Silver Oak as a garden manager until they eliminated that part of their business. Beautiful color in the glass. Ruby with a hint of rust on the edge. Aroma is complex with berries and flint. Also just a hint of pine needles. Christmas trees. Flavors are full and fine. This is BIG BOY wine. Delicious. — 5 months ago
"Odedi"
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of black fruits with cedar and chocolate notes.
Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light earth, herbs, mediterranean spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Complex and nicely balanced, fruit forward and elegant. Spicy and entertaining.
This Single Vineyard Cabernet is still young, but already enjoyable even by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Showing good potential to become a 96+ point wine.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were dry farmed and aged in (80% new) French oak barrels for 24 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$140. — a month ago