History

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.
— 16 days ago

Ira, Jan and 27 others liked this
David T

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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

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@David T what an awesome story and experience
Bob McDonald

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@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.

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2010

On the eye it’s definitely showing some age and sediment. The nose is dusty, leathery, and smokey with blueberry and plum. The pallet is earthy and well integrated upfront. No outliers just beautiful flow: mushroom, game, dark fruit, some vanilla, still bold, low alcohol, medium tannic and round finish.

This bottle and I have history; after ten years of carrying it, babying it, and nurturing it. I decided to pop it open for my forty second nameday. Could have gone several more years, easy, but it was perfect timing for me, and this is why I love wine. Cheers.
— 3 years ago

Andrew, Josh and 25 others liked this
Ericsson

Ericsson

Thank you 🙂
Bob McDonald

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Sounds good. Happy Birthday. I have had some Brett problems with this Cuvée from the 2006 vintage.
Ericsson

Ericsson

Haven’t tried that vintage, better luck with the next vintage you try.

Château La Tour Carnet

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

JKT
9.1

First taste!? Mature with a bit of bricking but still nice solid color and bouquet of mature red fruits and earth. Velvety and enticing on palate. Excellent with Evan’s Shanghainese pork belly. 51/43/4/2 Merlot/Cab/CabFranc/Petit Verdot on label from Bernard Magrez touting same attention as his Pape Clement, and long history dating back to 1120. Importer label says 37/55/6/2 instead! (Oldest in Medoc, 1400 by house of Foix loyal to King of England. 1486 Camet new owner. 1500s by Michel de Montaigne.) — 2 months ago

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This still gets me. Awesome wine. so much history. Not overpriced (yet). Cheers. — 2 years ago

Deborah, Juan and 15 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Minnesota!
Ericsson

Ericsson

I’ll make it out there… Not sure if this year, definitely next.
Paul K

Paul K

Awesome! Let’s make it happen!

Vignobles Brunier ( Frédéric & Daniel Brunier )

Clos La Roquète Châteauneuf-du-Pape White Rhône Blend 2020

Clos Roquète is a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine produced by Frédéric & Daniel Brunier of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe with a fascinating history to tell…  

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CNdP) is a highly-esteemed commune located in the Southern Rhône of France. It gets its name, “new castle of the Pope,” because the Pope spent his summers there in the 14th Century when the papacy was relocated to nearby Avignon.
 
This wine is made from 35% Clairette, 35% Roussanne, and 30% Grenache Blanc (all local, white varieties), each adding a unique aromatic and structural dimension. It was aged 11 months in oak prior to release, lending richness and texture.
 
Despite its rich, creaminess, it also has aromatic lift with notes of lemon peel, ripe cantaloupe, white peach, apricot, next to notes of white blossom, vanilla, honey, fennel, and petrichor (a fancy word for the smell of warm, wet pavement like after a summer rain).  

We’re excited to pair this with a lemon, garlic, and herb roasted shrimp over spiralized zucchini noodles.
 
Cheers to beautiful wines that tell stories and share histories!
— 2 years ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Severn and 17 others liked this

M. Chapoutier

Monier de La Sizeranne Hermitage Syrah

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Firm tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! Tasting Sample. Has lots of room to bottle evolve. — 4 years ago

Jason, Alex and 5 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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Delectable thinks this is a “Viognier blend”? Huh.
James Forsyth

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@Delectable Wine the Sizeranne is made from Syrah. 🙂

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1971

1971 vintage. Top shoulder fill. Used a Durand but fully saturated cork still required some clean up on aisle 7. Decanted and tasted after 5 minutes. Threw much much less sediment than expected. Decent color with a little browning. Tertiary nose gave way to similar flavors with it being very slightly brickish. In a holding steady phase where there is no shining light to chase after-everything is consolidated and filed away so you're tasting the interpretations of history. Instructive. 6.13.24. — 6 months ago

Lyle, "Odedi" and 14 others liked this

Robert Mondavi Winery

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

History in a bottle from the wine ambassador himself. Very integrated Cab, balanced, round, with layers of complexity. Cheers. — a year ago

Daniel P., Sagee and 20 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

It was very good, but out of the 3 I bought this was the most advanced. I don’t think my bottle would of made another 3-4 years. Great with some Wagyu Skirt steak though.
Ericsson

Ericsson

Great review and feedback. I have 97 and 95 also. Not getting my hopes up 😌
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

My 97 was better than the 05,

M. Chapoutier

Monier de La Sizeranne Hermitage Viognier Blend 2016

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice, 16 months in 25% new French oak. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Soft dusty tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! I wouldn’t age long, great now! — 2 years ago

Anthony, Juan and 3 others liked this

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Family history dates back to the 16th century. Name of Grand-Puy, mentioned in documents from Middle Ages, comes from ancient term "puy" means "hillock, small height". Since 16th century, property was passed from generation to generation, until 1920s when the Borie's bought the property.  80% Cab Sauv, 80% new oak, aromas of ripe red fruits with floral spice. Palate shows blackberry and cherry fruit, well balanced, nice oak integration, chewy tannins ending with spicy mineral tones. — 3 years ago

Juan, Jason and 12 others liked this