Dark Matter Wines

Shafer Vineyards

One Point Five Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

2022 vintage. Sampled via Coravin. A bit more fruit than the 2021 vintage sampled just prior. Still...über-pleasant and giving now. Cellar it. PNP it tonight. Somewhere in between...doesn't really matter as you'll be more than satisfied regardless of your decision. 03.19.25. — 16 days ago

Andrew, Douglas and 11 others liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2013

When 1st opened this was all black & blue fruits, inky, graphite that opened with air revealing dark cherry, berry fruit, bacon fat, black olive, pepper, spice & violets — 14 days ago

Rob, Shay and 10 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1982

A fantastic nose. Deep spicy dark fruit, a hint of band aid, funky intense fruit. Great stuff- savory with some notes of iron and meat stock and a subtle punch acidity. Great — 12 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Jeroen, Mario and 10 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— a month ago

Andrew, Ira and 15 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Sweet angel in the wine cabinet

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.5

From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.

Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute.
— 13 days ago

Tom, Joe and 14 others liked this

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Grapes from small Paso Robles AVAs blocks, aged in 75% new oak for 18 mos. Dark Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits, smoky tobacco and pepper spices. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with herb, cacao, espresso and vanilla oak, after it opened up. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao, vanilla and earthy herbs. Good now! — 7 days ago

Ted, Juan and 3 others liked this

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

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Love this JP vintage!

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

This was drinking beautifully with its dark fruits, cassis, plum, cedar, menthol, spice & tobacco — 12 days ago

Neil, David and 14 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

A plush, meaty open nose. Dark plum and underbrush. Some iodine and a serious, brooding midpalate. Great balance and poise, and settled. Fantastic — 13 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Jeroen, Tom and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Dark red-purple color with faint orange on the rim, rich, deep currants and cassis, great acidity highlights the crispness and freshness in the nearly 40-year-old wine, for a 1986, this shows little tannic structure, long, lingering finish, outstanding!! — 4 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Peter, Somm and 11 others liked this