Hands On Wine

Two Hands

Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz 2010

Very dark in colour - almost black. Lots of everything - ripeness, oak, blackberry, dark chocolate. The sort of wine I would have loved in my 20’s, not so much in my 70’s. Not for lovers of delicate wine - this is full throttle. This Australian producer is probably better known in the USA than Australia - like Mollydooker. A full bodied palate with M plus intensity and grainy tannins. Ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines of 2012. Not sure that extended cellaring will make a huge difference but will try to have the last one in early 2027. — a month ago

Ira, Pooneet and 20 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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I have these, and this vintage also, agreed they are pedal to the floor, minimum 20Y wait for me until the fruit and alcohol start to abate. 🤞

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry, forest floor, graphite and dark chocolate. Delicate, soft wine, blue and black fruit on the palate, balanced wine.

🏅 97 Points - James Suckling
🏅 96 Points - Robert Parker
🏅94 Points - Decanter
— 4 days ago

Bob, Ted and 9 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2023

Fine and femminile nose, chewy and rich mouthfeel, deep expression of terroir on the palate. Austere aftertaste.
97-98
— 11 days ago

Peter liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Age is this bad boys friend. Rich black fruit on the nose. Smooth and buttery tannins. Blackberry is dominant Macerated black olive on the mid palate with eucalyptus on the longer finish.  — 3 days ago

Shay, Bob and 7 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Wonderful nose! On the palate… it’s elegant, light, fresh and sinewy, — 11 days ago

Martijn, Peter and 4 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 1999

The 99 is a favorite vintage for the sweetness of the fruit and the intense Mediterranean notes but this bottle was a little short on the finish. — 2 days ago

Lyle and Freek liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Hitting on all cylinders. — 22 days ago

Joe, Jan and 4 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Birth year Latour for our 700th wine on Delectable! Very mature but still with lots of life. Leather, graphite and earthy notes and still so much power. A great pleasure to drink! — 8 days ago

Paul, Ted and 6 others liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 19 days ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Ira, Pinotman and 8 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
Peter Sultan

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I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..