Enjoy Wine & Spirits

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

One of the very best QPR’s in Napa/Sonoma. I have had all the top tier Napa Cabernets. On the secondary markets, I pay in the $70 to $90 range. I enjoy this producer more than many of the higher-priced Napa Cabernets. Including; Realm, Maybach, Phelps, Outpost, Lakoya, to name a few.

This 2007 is right around the top of the bell curve. It delivers everything you expect from the 2007 vintage and yet, it’s a Sonoma producer, which lends itself to the expression, don’t judge a wine by its region.

My 5/24 note remains. To that end, for me, this is not a producer to open young if you’re looking for its best self. You can open a wine whenever you want to, but I would pushback that you’re not getting its best self. This 07 still has a fair amount of teeth. The integration and evolution is incredible. It’s flat out near perfect as to when to open your first.

The short notes on this are perfectly ripe/ruby fruits that are;, blackberries, black raspberry, black plum, haunting raspberries, dry earth, cinnamon stick for days, endless far east spices, dark chocolate, caramel, black licorice, mid berry cola, dark & red flowers with violets and hints of lavender, excellent round acidity, a well-made balanced finish that is the definition of elegance with earth and spice on the long set that goes on and on.

In a QPR Napa/Sonoma Cabernet race with the higher-priced Cabernets, it is not even close.

— 4 days ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 8 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T what a great note and while you already know this, I’m totally with you. I have a single bottle of the 2007 left in the cellar. Your note makes it even more tempting
Somm David T

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@Jay Kline Thank you. Cheers! 🍷
Somm David T

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@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego As I get older, 1/2 bottles make better sense with well-made heavy reds. Cheers! 🍷

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

Fantastic wine full bodied, shaped and ready to enjoy, the nose is full of instal and lingering aromas — 3 years ago

Venge Vineyards

Scout's Honor Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Such a wonderful wine to enjoy on the weekend with friends. In Scouts Honor! Cheers!!! — 4 years ago

Zenato

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2015

Sergio Zenato and his wife Carla began to produce quality wines from an indigenous varietal, Trebbiano di Lugana, and passed down through the generations. A blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 10% Oseleta and Croatina. Medium Ruby with aromas of dried berry fruits, sweet and smoky notes with pleasant herb spice. On the palate flavors of ripe currants and sweet blackberries with cacao, spice, oak and nutty tones. Fine tannins, long complex finish ending slightly creamy with cedar notes. Starting to drink well now, enjoy over next 4-5 years. — 5 years ago

Alex, Daniel P. and 3 others liked this

Ruinart

Brut Rosé Champagne

Somm David T
9.2

Champagne is for celebrating & today is a day most worthy of celebration. The Ruinart N/V Rosé is always solid at a 92 on the palate but, today its celebration value is a solid 10.

I will let my many previous notes stand while we enjoy celebrating! Cheers all! 🍾🥂
— 6 years ago

Paul, Eric and 24 others liked this
Sharon B

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What exactly were you celebrating?

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1977

Such a fun bottle to enjoy with friends. While 77 is not the prized vintage this really shined. Fruit stills shines, touch of acid. Drink now. — 7 years ago

David LRon R
with David and Ron
David, Daniel and 47 others liked this
David L

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@Shawn R This was fun to open. Very enjoyable.

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Still super tight yet magnificent in its posture and non-negotiable place in time. Enjoy a bottle now but save the rest for your grandchildren. - at Paradisea — a month ago

Ira, Scott@Mister and 15 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — 6 months ago

Tom, Robin and 2 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2019

Beautiful wine full of fruit and structure. The nose is delicate but I am pulling baking spices, violets and dark fruits. This wine brings balance and finesse that can easily go many more years. Tannins are elegant but strong, not grippy but structured. Delicious leading with dark cherry but developing into an elegant display of terroir and artistry!! Enjoy!! — 9 months ago

"Odedi" liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Can't wait to enjoy more of this. Thanks for a great visit, Silver Oak team — 3 years ago

Beth
with Beth
Milissa, jesus and 5 others liked this

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

I feel very fortunate to have this wine on my birthday. So many of our wine memories include Silver Oak. Wonderful to enjoy a bottle with a hint of age on it. — 5 years ago

Boris, Romain and 10 others liked this
Matt Duncan

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Cheers @Tom Wildenhaus ! Let me know next time you are visiting Napa. 🍷

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

About to enjoy a great dinner at The Food Market in Columbia — 5 years ago

Alex, Daniel P. and 5 others liked this

Ferrari-Carano

Sonoma County Chardonnay 2016

Family-owned and operated since 1985. Found a ‘16 vintage in my cellar. Grapes sourced from several vineyards, complex aromas of fruits, citrus & sweet spice. On the palate ripe fruits, apple, pear and peach with lemon citrus and vanilla adding toasty oak. French oak aging, great balance, lingering ending with toasty oak finish. I continue to have this wine as a staple in my cellar for a number of years. Enjoy! Great value, compared to Chards costing more! — 7 years ago

Daniel P. and Dawn liked this

Caledonia Spirits

Tom Cat Barr Hill Reserve Gin

This is a really good flavorful solid gin. Perfect on one large rock with a lime. — 7 years ago

Ruffino

Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2021

Deep Ruby red color with aromas of berry fruit and earthy spice, aged for 24 months in stainless and large oak barrels, Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, #17 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2025. On the palate flavors of cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy flowery notes. Full-bodied, well balanced approachable tannins on a medium+ finish ending with fruit, espresso and a mineral character. Grab some Italian food and enjoy. — 5 months ago

Juan, Paul and 1 other liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

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. — 7 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 12 others liked this

Jones Family Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.9

I have written notes on 4 bottles of the 97 Jones Family Cabernet. This is the most perfect.

I have had all the Napa Cult Cabernets. None have ever rocked my palate/whole body the way this 97 Jones has done.

This is sadly my last bottle. I think it has finally hit its precipice. So, enjoy. If there are others that appear on the secondary markets, you’ll have to out dual/bid me.

I could write more notes but my previous ones will still apply plus. I am simply going to enjoy near perfection w/o further notes. Cheers! 🍷

Coravined bottle from last weekend relaid in storage. If I had a long enough thin tongue, I’d lick the inside of the bottle. 🤔😂 😋

#TheTwoHourSteak
— 9 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 13 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Love it.
ESF

ESF

great note
Tom Casagrande

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Oh to be an anteater

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2005

Regardless of vintage it never disappoints. Beautiful combination of yeast and minerals with fruit playing a supporting role. Solid core of acidity. I’m sure more life ahead but enjoy now while your ‘06 & ‘08 mature — 4 years ago

Eric, Andrew and 53 others liked this
Andrew Schirmer

Andrew Schirmer

Had 08 a few months ago, incredible, champagne of the year for me
Charles York

Charles York

The 08 is exceptional. Easily champagne of the year.
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

Our favorite champagne by a large margin ! And the year is stunning !

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Hot damn! A beautiful, graceful monster of a wine. Nose of dried blueberries, tobacco and flowers. Big black fruit, Sweet red plums, licorice, and freshly tanned leather all hit you at once with an intensity only attributable to some of the best in the game. Lingering finish of dark red fruit and maybe some kind of citrus? Extremely fine tannins and really nice acidity danced harmoniously with each other. Great with a prime NY Strip. While never my first choice, it is always such a treat to enjoy a bottle of Opus! — 6 years ago

Ron, Eric and 22 others liked this

Yaegaki Sake & Spirits Inc.

Mu Nothingness Junmai Daiginjo Sake

It’s me again, still lovin’ it — 7 years ago

Bryan, P and 7 others liked this