First Press

Slow Press

Monterey County Chardonnay 2022

Good and very drinkable. — 18 days ago

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Still packing a tannic punch, fruit is very much in the background. A little disjointed at this point? Will wait a while on my other bottles. This was my favorite vintage at first taste. — 15 days ago

Ira and Tom liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

First time with this wine. PnP and probably could have used a decant. Great weight. Lots of black olive, herbs. Good but missing something (touch of acidity?) to make it great — a month ago

Ira, Jan and 10 others liked this

Rockford

Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016

I received a bottle of Rockford as a 40th birthday gift, a wine I wasn’t familiar with at the time. After five years of aging, I opened it in the company of good friends – and what an experience! A rich and well-balanced wine, with intense flavors of berries and plums that really impressed. Wow, a wine that captivates with its harmony and depth. — 2 months ago

Henrik SeidlerGus NEric K
with Henrik, Gus and 1 other

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

This old Napa wine was superb. The longer the decanting the more flavorful it became. Spicy at first sip with bursts of flavor from dark berries, leathery tannins, currant, earth and strong blackberry. Gains intensity and shows its depth and concentration on the finish, which is long and detailed. — a day ago

Daniel Cammarata
with Daniel
Eric, LM and 3 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.

Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082.
— 14 days ago

Ira, Jan and 25 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

I picked the Mouton Merlot in 2012 for a day. At the two harvest lunches I attended, they served the 82. Every time they bottle, they take the remaining barrel juice, filter it and then serve the remains at their harvest luncheons for workers & guests. The second lunch I attended, we were seated at the Baroness’s table may she RIP as she passed in 2014. In 2012, they drank the last of the 82.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@David T what an awesome story and experience
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline I agree re the 1982 Bordeaux vintage. The Chateau Margaux was one of the greatest wines I have ever drunk whereas the Lafite Rothschild was somewhat underwhelming. Bought at the same time from the same shop and stored the same way.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

First Dominus. Vegetal, blue fruited nose. Tannins nicely integrated and alive, with some ripeness on the fruit. Beautiful — 19 days ago

Pooneet, Jan and 3 others liked this

First Drop Wines

Mother's Milk Shiraz 2019

Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of blackberry, tar, forest floor and black licorice. Flavors of dark plum, blackberry, dark chocolate, baking spices and black cherry. Long velvety finish, balanced acidity and smooth tannins. Fruit forward and bombastic, but also nicely textured and somewhat savory. Excellent value. — a month ago

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Very nice Champagne right now in Lufthansa First. Better than I remembered it — 2 months ago

Ron, Ericsson and 5 others liked this

Gros Ventre Cellars

First Born Pinot Noir 2022

Great acidity with plenty of red fruits, cherry, cranberry and plums. Its expressive and refreshing finish reminds me of those outstanding nouveau beaujolis that keeps me reaching for another bottle with friends. — 2 months ago