Dream Big

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1994

Medium ruby garnet , quite thin garnet rim , quite youthful in appearance. Quite exuberant and open from the off blackcurrant , cedar , tobacco , touch of earthy sous bois and grafite, still really quite alive . On the palate this is quite fine boned and elegant , cassis , cedar , blackberry and grafite notes . Refreshing acidity and resolved tannin , with quite reasonable length and good saline balance . Really quite classic , and though not a big , or intense wine , it is well balanced and at peak . Now and over the next 5 - 10 years. Surprises positively for a 1994. — 2 days ago

Dave, Jan and 12 others liked this
Rob Brobst III

Rob Brobst III Influencer Badge

@Andrew Cullimore I am very surprised that you found this Wine so expressive yet it’s only a 9.1? Normally, a wine of that caliber has notes of red fruit or dark fruit or cassis and that’s it. Nevertheless, this is an excellent wine.
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

thanks for your comments @Rob Brobst III , I think overall it’s a commendable wine given the vintage , and is showing really quite well still , certainly at peak drinking . However within the context of other vintages of Mouton it certainly would suffer if there was a direct comparison, which we didn’t have yesterday. It is not long or intense on the palate , and probably is at its most interesting on the nose . I think the score reflects a solid, well made wine in a difficult vintage , I would certainly have no problems enjoying more bottles of it !

Big Table Farm

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Birthday wine with Jon at cafe Juanita. Definitely look for again. — 5 months ago

Dave liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — 6 months ago

Vino, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

So for those who don’t know, this wine is a collaboration between one of the most famous California winemakers and one of the most famous Bordeaux wine makers (the grapes are from Napa).

The young expression when I first had it 10 years ago was big bold ripe fruit, probably the quintessential Napa cab.

The aged expression had more secondary and tertiary characteristics, terroir, and represented Baron Rothschild in respects of crafting a wine that could grow and develop and express the care that goes into winemaking as opposed to simply growing good fruit.

The young version of it perfectly expresses Mondavi and Napa. The aged version captures the elegance of Bordeaux winemaking and Rothschild’s fingerprints. You cannot fully experience this wine unless you’ve had it young and old. Unbelievable experience tonight.
— 11 days ago

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted only in exceptional vintages. The 2012 vintage is remembered as one of Napa’s “dream years” — consistent weather, long hang time, and perfectly ripened fruit. Special Selection remains Caymus’ flagship and is always made in small, meticulous quantities.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: explosive notes of overripe black cherry, baked blueberries, leather, oak, and subtle spice.
Palate: full-bodied and multi-layered, offering rich, cooked dark berries, bitter dark chocolate, and hints of espresso, with leathery depth.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and concentrated, yet showing the beginnings of age. Silky tannins, soft structure, and a lingering, dry finish. Decadent and still powerful, but now entering its mature phase.

Winemaking & Style
Aged extensively in French oak, this bottling represents Caymus’ fruit-forward, opulent signature style, while 2012 gave extra ripeness and intensity. It’s an iconic Napa Cab that manages both power and elegance.

Food Pairing
Pair with dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or truffle-infused mushroom dishes. Also excellent with a hard, aged cheese like Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
An over-the-top, show-stopping vintage of Caymus Special Selection. Still bold, rich, and luxurious, but beautifully softened with age. Drink now for peak pleasure, though it can hold for another few years.
— 2 months ago

Ted and Dave liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2015

Incredible. Robert Parker style big style. — 7 months ago

Big Basin Vineyards

Rattlesnake Rock Syrah 2018

Wow! Even better than a few months ago. Olives, blueberries, game, forest, pepper, plums. It’s interesting having this a few days after storm Syrah. Very similar. Love that there are more of these us syrahs with good fruit but balance. Central coast style. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister and Tom liked this

Ovum Wines

Big Salt Elkton White Blend 2024

Great all around, with fried fish, clams, shrimp ACK 25 — 2 months ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — 3 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Deborah and 18 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Another tip: I keep a bottle in the fridge to pour decanted sediment dregs into, and use it (except for the muddy bottom part) for cooking. That way my coq au vin or daube is braising in really good stuff from my cellar!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x Tom C, good notes. Thanks for the tips. Cheers!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

x x I find the sediments can be bitter and usually try to remove them so they don't impact the wine. Hate them all over the side of the glass. Cheers!

Bodegas El Nido

Clio Jumilla Monastrell-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Spanish wine with steak? YES! Big dark fruit, soft, jammy, super smooth and tasty — 7 months ago