Department 66

Schramsberg Vineyards

North Coast Brut Rosé Blend 2017

A blend of about 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, light Salmon color with aromas of berry and citrus fruits with floral notes on soft mousse. On the palate flavors of strawberry and raspberry, creamy with lemon citrus texture. Youthful, lively acidity, long finish ending with yeasty spice and mineral notes. — 25 days ago

Rob, Juan and 2 others liked this

Kopke

Kopka Colheita Port Blend 1966

Very young and very attractive 66. 20.9 abv! (I added water). @Bill Bender — a year ago

Lyle, Sharon and 6 others liked this

Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils)

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2018

Blend of 66% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, Medium Ruby with aromas of ripe black fruits and earthy pepper spice. On the palate complex rich flavors of cherry and blackberry, with oak, leather, cacao and earthy spice. Full body, well balanced, fine tannins, long finish, perfect now but will last another decade. Outstanding! — 2 years ago

Jay, Anthony and 7 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I love the wines of Beaurenard

Department 66

Others Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Red Blend 2019

Blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah & Mourvedre, deep Ruby with aromas black fruits and floral notes. On the palate flavors of plum and blackberry with notes of cacao, spice and earthy notes. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, great mouthfeel (15.2 ABV), ending with fruit and earthy spice, nice! — 6 months ago

Tom and Paul liked this

Anne Hubatch

Whoa Nelly! White Blend 2022

Cooler Shades of Pinot, 66/34 blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Willamette Valley. Pale golden, excellent clarity. Floral and citrus aromas, good acidity, rich mouthfeel, stone fruit, citrus flavors, lemon and lemon peel finish with length. Very well crafted — a year ago

Doug, Daniel P. and 1 other liked this

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot & 3% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of black fruit and floral aromas. On the palate blackberry, currant and plum flavors with cacao, tobacco and oak notes. Fine tannins, long finish, good balance ending with fruit, cacao, tobacco, earthy herbs and toasty cedar notes. Will age another 10 years! — 2 years ago

Juan, Paul and 9 others liked this

Department 66

D 66 Côtes Catalanes Grenache Blend

Dark fruit in the nose with blueberries, blackberries and boysenberries with a hint of vanilla in the palate. Very smooth and a wonderful Grenache blend. — 7 months ago

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Reserve Claret Sonoma County Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Sweet nose of red and black fruits with cedar, tobacco and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, vanilla, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, bitter herbs, dark chocolates, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and bitter herbs.

This is a delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

This 11-year-old is drinking very nicely now. Elegant and rich. Complex and fruit forward.

Needs an hour of airtime to open up properly.

I Had the 2013 not too long ago, and it was better.

Robert Parker 98 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Good by itself and with food.

A blend of 66% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in (40% new) French oak barrels for 22 months.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$135 (at release).
— a year ago

Tom, Severn and 17 others liked this

Morlet Family Vineyards

La Proportion Dorée Sonoma County Sémillon Blend 2015

Shay A
9.5

A library bottle I picked up when visiting the winery in Sept last year. The 2018 I had while there was absolutely astounding in how good it was, and jumped at a chance to try one with age. I truly believe this is easily a top-3 Bordeaux Blanc style coming out of Cali (and maybe my number one).

66 Semillon/33 SauvBlanc/2 muscadelle. The bright citrus notes started off faint (and were much more prominent at release) but soon gave way to beautiful honeyed tropical notes…honeysuckle, honeyed mango, ripe peach. The texture here has turned rich/creamy but not cloying. Notes of sweet spice, orange marmalade, lemon scone and finishes with a mineral-driven flair that had some serious length. Hard to believe this is 7-yr old white wine which seems to likely be at peak (and probably holds here for a few years). Fantastic!
— 3 years ago

Tom, Jonathan and 33 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Shay A Agreed on your top three and possibly number one assessment.
Bryan Kesting

Bryan Kesting Premium Badge

Nice! Would love to try someday.
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Shay agree with everything from as usual but send me a text with your top three Napa Bordeaux SB please - you know I have this one but want to try the others you like - Napa white Bordeaux that is - not just Napa SB