Jean León

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Pintia Toro Tempranillo 2018

Somm David T
9.5

When something is sooooooo good, you go back and bring in your own bottle.

This is drinking beautifully, but would be even better in 5yrs.

This started with a caramel front. After a hour decant…it’s evenly balanced fruit, florals & spice/earth. It is now elegance refined with spice and roses from my backyard.

The best version of ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, strawberries, bright cherries, pomegranate & raspberries. Dry crushed rocks-top soil, cedar shavings, tobacco, old leather, mid berry cola, hints of graphite, charcoal, just a touch of moist herbs, some clove/nutmeg, a dab of olive tapenade, tree bark puree, the most insane red & pink roses, red florals, seriously perfect acidity, balance for months, mid tension, long length and elegance that most Tempranillo doesn’t give and long sets in dry soils.

Not your average Tempranillo with the right age. It is refined.

@KobeBeef511 Tokyo

If you find yourself in Tokyo, don’t miss it! They shave fresh Wasabi.
— 3 days ago

Jay, Bob and 12 others liked this

Dominio de Pingus

PSI Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2017

Deep inky rubi robe, nose of dark fruits, flowers, top soil and spices. Violets and dark cherries intertwined with silky tannins and cedar wood. Very long finish, in a rich but balanced Tempranillo. — a month ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 2 others
Jamie, Anthony and 4 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1994

At this point, with this group, a Legends dinner simply wouldn’t be appropriate without at least one bottle of Chave Hermitage.

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1994 Hermitage pours a slightly hazy garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with perfumed notes of dried brambles, dried blueberry, dried purple flowers, black olive, mushroom, espresso, leather, stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly sanguine. Delicious with the 5 Spice Cured Duck prepared with marinated Bing cherries, crispy shallot and Olathe corn polenta. It was such a pleasure to taste the ‘94 Chave next to the ‘85 Gentaz. Two Northern Rhône Legends working with their respective terroirs. Where the Gentaz was all about the aromatics of Côte Rôtie, the Chave was brought more of the power from the Hill of Hermitage. Drink now through 2056.
— a month ago

Andrew, Bob and 12 others liked this
Peter Sultan

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Damn… I feel like your chef should also get top star billing in your review!!😉😜@Jay Kline
Lyle Fass

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When I was in JL’s cellar and he asked me what vintage to pick I picked this.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Boo-ya

Descendientes de José Palacios

Pétalos Bierzo Mencía 2018

See my previous note in February 2026. Very similar to now. This is fulsome and savoury at once - black cherry and raspberry. Very easy to like. Like a hypothetical blend of Syrah and Merlot. The herbal savouriness of Syrah with the softness of a supple Merlot. Made by Alvaro Palacios. Love the flamboyant Spanish label. — 2 months ago

Doug, Tom and 15 others liked this
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

Petalos is the wine that introduced me to Alvaro Palacios and the magic he creates.
I buy wines from his portfolio as often as I can.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jamie Lauder A good man to follow I would think.

Jean Foillard

Fleurie Gamay 2024

Full red fruit, raspberries and strawberries. Outstanding but pricey. Drink now, decant for 45 minutes and serve slightly chilled. Proof that gamay can rock. — 3 days ago

Ira, Peter and 2 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Mon Coeur Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2024

Robust Côtes du Rhône red blend (Syrah & Grenache) with notes of dark fruit with strong tannin, enjoyed with salmon crudo at The Banks restaurant, Boston — 7 days ago

jesus, David and 1 other liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1976

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout but maybe even a touch better on Day 2? The 1976 “Unico” pours a garnet color with a slightly orange rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with intoxicating notes of cassis, black cherry, red plum, dried flowers, coffee (for dayz), tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some organic earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with gorgeous texture. This bottle came across remarkably young and supremely elegant. So much so, that I thought it was an inspired decision by one of our brothers-in-wine to include it in this particular lineup. We had a little leftover for the next day and it continued to show well. Brilliant stuff. Drink now through 2046+ — a month ago

Matt, Joel and 15 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

You’ve been on a nice run!
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T Just wait, there’s more. I’m only about halfway through the dinner 😅
ESF

ESF

👀

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2008

Still drinking well. Great expression of a Rhone — a month ago

Sagee, "Odedi" and 9 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

My fav Syrah - cheers!

Jean Foillard

Morgon Gamay 2019

Wow top quality beaujolais! Burgundy depth and fizzy bojo stubbornness. — 2 months ago

Peter liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Valbuena 5° Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2015

Vinazo con decanto y espera de 50 min ! Es un vino de paciencia para disfrutar! Excelente en nariz y en boca potencia , madera , tabaco . — 21 days ago

jesus, Sagee and 5 others liked this

Jean Foillard

"Cuvée Corcelette" Morgon Gamay

Fruit forward, raspberries strawberries and cherries. Medium weight on the lighter side, drinks nicely now. More structure than the fleurie. Outstanding. Can wait but drinks great now. — 2 days ago

Jan and Joe liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2021

Bright strawberries and rainbow skittles. - at Laurelhurst — 19 days ago

Lyle, Peter and 5 others liked this

Jean-Marc Brocard

Domaine Sainte Claire Chablis Chardonnay 2024

Outstanding. Absolutely delicious 😋 — 5 days ago

Peter, David and 1 other liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Offerus Saint-Joseph Syrah

Paul J
9.4

PnP. Great restaurant value. Dark purple color. Bold wine with great depth. Black fruit with meat and menthol. — a month ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Paul and 1 other liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2023

Opened three days earlier. The 2023 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe brambles, lavender pastilles, bacon fat, black pepper, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A delightful pairing with Bison ribeye. Young but showing its potential. Drink now through 2043. — a month ago

Joel, "Odedi" and 16 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

appetizing picture!

Aalto

Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo 2023

Added at Marc Fosh Restaurant in Mallorca. — 4 months ago

Matt Grauwiler
with Matt