Wow. Absolutely stunning tonight. So generous and giving after hardly any aeration, 2000 Angelus wafts from the glass and the decanter with explosive aromatics of blackberry jam, creme de cassis, cigar box and damp earth. It has the most perfect balance of deep fruit intensity and tertiary character, and the palate shows an incredible combination of finesse, density and lift, with a regal mouthfeel and melting tannins. Just stays with you forever. A masterful seesaw between power and elegance. For my tastes, this is in the perfect spot. Fabulous. — 3 years ago
The somewhat lesser known “second” wine of Screaming Eagle is actually a much different wine than its big brother as it includes a lot more Merlot in the blend. In fact, the 2011 vintage contained more Merlot (54%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) with the balance covered by Cabernet Franc. However, they still spare no expense in making the wine the very best it can be and, despite being known as the second wine, it’s actually more limited in production than Screagle. This particular bottle was shared by a very generous friend and decanted about 30 minutes before service.
The 2011 Second Flight pours a dark garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with pronounced pyrazines imparting green bell pepper along with with tobacco, black bramble fruit, black currants, rich earth, crushed rock, semi-sweet chocolate, dried herbs, purple flowers, baking cocoa, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins (which are very rich and very fine) and medium+ acid. The wine finishes forever long with tobacco, dark fruits, earth, nutmeg other baking spices. I have to admit, this was a killer bottle and probably the best 2011’s I’ve yet to enjoy from Napa. Whoa. — 5 years ago
Pale amber or medium gold? Salty sand and Manzanilla flower or oxidized white wine in a way, some marmalade. On the palate salty, slightly bitter expressive and tart. Just goes to show that these wines that have already passed through an oxidative ageing process can last for almost forever. #amontillado #montilla #perezbarquero — 8 years ago
1979 Clos Du Mesnil. What do you do when you are confronted with a legendary wine? You hope it doesn’t disappoint. At Pages in Paris today, Tomo delighted us with this outstanding bottle. Medium golden hue. The nose was to die for: fresh, white flower, chalk and honeyed - alluring and forever changing in the glass while keeping its freshness. Hints of truffle wafted away within minutes. What seemed like an impossible dream of the ultimate Champagne remained intact. Fine but persistent bubbles, huge but balanced concentration with a refreshing, zesty acidity and a finish I can still taste an hour and a half after having drained the last few precious drops of this legend. Wow, wow, wow. Incredible. 100 points. Don’t be afraid to open now or in 20 years. — 8 years ago
Still incredibly primary, as if just bottled, powerful nose dominated by classic cigar and cedar notes. Prominent, velvety oak led a rich, round palate of fine tannins and dark red cherry, baking chocolate. Tail went on forever. Give this 10 more years will be even better. — 2 years ago
Nose is crazy elegant. Intense cherry flower. Cherry liquor.
Palate is amazing. Silky cherries. Integrated spice. Wow. So good. Juicy. Refined. Elegant. Wow. Cherry liquor internal aromatics. Crazy elegant acidity. Will age forever. Silky tannins. Palate staining. Just coats and saturates the palate.
Finish just pumps elegant perfect cherries. Lasts all night. — 4 years ago
Just incredible. Needs 5 mins for sulfur to blow off. Then massive blueberry, granite, clay and so so mineral. The most mineral St. Joseph of them all. Floral. But so much clay and mineral. So unique. Nothing like Fauterie. Complex, fresh and so mineral. Like the energy on this wine is beyond ridiculous. Stunning depth and purity. Ripe and juicy tannins and this is like 80% mineral and 20% fruit. What a wine. Finish is forever and has hints of white pepper and lingering blue fruits. — 6 years ago
Sometimes you visit friends at restaurants and sometime STUPID people leave behind some Krug (morons) and you friend gives you a sip of their discarded magic. So...everything. I forever love Krug. Dunno if I love it or Dom Ruinart better I guess it depends on the style I desire. — 7 years ago


Exquisite! Just goes to show you don’t have to wait forever for an outstanding wine. — 9 years ago
Other ratings called this “closed” which I completely agree with. The dense flavors took forever to open up. I popped it at noon for a 7:30p dinner of chick pea and potato pasta, and it was still developing. Highly tannic, but so layered if you have the patience. Darker fruits, yet still some tart red cherry, lavender, rose petals, and ashy dryness. Complex, classic Barolo (from my limited experience). I’ll save my second bottle to see how it develops. — 2 years ago

Always and forever one of my absolute favorite wines. 07 Reynard from the master showed just as well as the bottle I had in February. It’s deep, powerful and has a searing intensity. It’s layered with dark fruit, campfire smoke, olive tapenade, violets and a crushed rock minerality. There is superb concentration along with a firm tannic structure that is beginning to soften. It’s exceptionally well balanced and detailed with a palate saturating texture and a harmonious finish that goes on and on. An outstanding Reynard. — 5 years ago
Like drinking honey. Apricot. Waxy texture. Finish goes on forever. — 6 years ago
Nice and light. — 7 years ago
4th Friday of the month means another monthly Classic happy hour! Great wines, great people.
This was my contribution last night. One of the more profound Cali chards I’ve come across. Powerhouse! The richness and front palate power is very similar to Kongsgaard. Viscous. The notes are honeyed, but not lean...not even compared to the Aubert that was on the table with it. Not overly buttery, more just high quality chard that commands your attention. Mexican vanilla, toasted almonds, and honeyed brioche. The finish goes on forever...lots of cashew, melon, and coconut shell. No stone/tropical fruits here. An absolutely KILLER bottle, @Martin G Rivard , thank you for the intro here! — 8 years ago
Mary H
Beautiful translucent ruby red in the glass. So aromatic and heavily perfumed - I thought I was smelling the lady next to me but no, it’s the wine. White gardenia, violets. Not much fruit at all. Tannins are quite grippy for pinot noir, surprising. Finish is short-ish, bummer. The taste is very whelming but the aroma goes on forever and ever… and finally I smell that freshly rained-upon forest floor!! At the very bottom of the glass… pee-like ammonia. Not the best ending to a pretty glass. — 6 months ago