Grand Ten Distilling

Sea Smoke

Ten California Grand Cru Pinot Noir

Ten out of “Ten”, wonderful nose, body full yet somewhat delicate with long wonderful finish. Drinking perfectly at this time — 3 months ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013

Nice minerals, citrus, opens up over five-ten minutes in the glass, bubbles are not overpowering. — a year ago

Vino, Bob and 10 others liked this

Château Pindefleurs

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

In absolutely pristine condition, this 1989 Pindefleurs, and remarkably young for its age! Big, bold and tannic even with two hours in the decanter, with fresh aromas of raspberries, cherries, balsamic and chocolate orange. This is in a lovely spot for drinking, but will comfortably age another ten years or so. — 3 years ago

Galante Vineyards

Grand Champion Malbec Blend 2012

This wine continues to improve with age. A bit sharp and tightly wound when I first tried this vintage nearly ten years ago, the fruit is now nicely blended and mellowed. Dark cherry, raspberry, plum, and ripe strawberry, with some spice on the palate. Medium plus tannins, medium plus alcohol, and high acid. Finally living up to its label. — 4 years ago

Susan Cahoon
with Susan
Brent liked this

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Somm David T
9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye.
— 3 months ago

Shay, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Excellent notes. Pouring the 2006 Cain Five btg via Coravin currently and it is drinking beautifully.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Thank you. 06 should be lovely.

Château Angélus

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2012 Angélus has a fragrant bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit, truffle, crushed stone and light wilted flower scents. Very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation and good acidity, quite sappy with modest depth. Fairly structured with a dash of white pepper and peppermint on the finish. This Angélus has tons of personality and is drinking well now. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
— 4 years ago

Ken and Ericsson liked this

Domaine Henri Rebourseau

Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2019

Mesmerizing cherry notes everywhere with lavishly elegant texture. Drinking amazingly well, but might be better in ten years. — a year ago

Tom, Paul and 10 others liked this

Michel Fallon

Ozanne Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

With 30 years under his belt working directly alongside Anselme Selosse, finally getting the opportunity to make his own wine, “Ozanne” is made with the same vinification practices as Selosse wines, a barrel fermented and aged solera style blend made from ten vintages with just over half being from the most recent vintage. And it is as Selossien as it gets, simultaneously oxidative and fresh with infinite minerality and intensity of vibrant fruit with a stunningly voluminous and satiny texture. Spectacular Champagne. — 3 years ago

Shay, Paul and 6 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

A great 1982 with the structure to age another ten years . A great vintage for Leoville and this was from a high shoulder fill . — 3 years ago

Ira, Shay and 21 others liked this

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Incredible depth. Plum and black currants, touches of cedar. Showing well with 10 years under its belt. I see it continuing to age well over the next ten. — 4 years ago