L A S Vino
Château Chasse-Spleen
Moulis en Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 1986
Leviathan
California Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Better than the 16, not as sweet.
Jeb 94
$20.00 out the door doesn’t hurt either
Winery notes
T A S T I N G N O T E S
Seductive black cherry, blackberry and currant fruits laced with cocoa nib, sweet baking spices and cigar box with silky texture and a long, savory finish.
S O U R C I N G
Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Hills, Moon Mountain)
Syrah (Dry Creek Valley)
Cabernet Franc (Los Carneros)
Merlot (Moon Mountain, Coombsville)
T E C H N I C A L
Aged in 100% French Oak, 25% New — 6 years ago
Bollinger
R.D. Extra Brut Champagne 1996
This was part of one of the more incredible things I’ve been apart of doing my job. A Bollinger R.D. Master Class with the chef de cave of the winery. Strictly Bolly R.D. designed to show the intricacies of champagne. Two ‘96 vintages, one disgorged 6 months prior, another disgorged 6 years prior. 3 different 2002 vintage R.D.’s with 3 different dosages, 2 of which were made specially for this class. One zero dosage, one at 3 g/l, and another at 8 g/l. 2004 vintage poured 15 mins apart to showcase how the wine shows differently when exposed to just a bit of air. Finally another 2004 bottled in magnum to show how the bottle size can affect the wine. A truly eye opening experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity. Just stellar. — 8 years ago
Walter Hansel Winery
Cahill Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008
I really enjoy pairing wine with food. One thing I like to do when I work events like these is to offer guests wine that has achieved its perfect bottle phase and this didn’t disappoint. So often you go to a restaurant or an event and all they offer are new releases or close enough. Wine needs time in bottle to shine. This one was at its peak and for many guests was the wine of the night. I’d have trouble disagreeing with that.
Wine was seamless and elegant. Ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark cherries, some blackberries, plum and soft florals blueberries on the edge of the glass. Great acidity and round long finish. This was better than some $100 plus bottles of Pinot’s I’ve had for a faction of the price. It walks the fence of CA Pinot & Burgundy nicely.
The dish paired perfectly with Hedy’s, Fresh Summer Beans, Pumpernickel Crouton, Yogurt Dressing, Chive, Preserved Lemon. The perfect age on the Cahill married beautifully with the dish and excellent on its own. The food did not overpower the dish, nor did the dish overpower the wine.
The 08 Cahill was a recent direct purchase from the winery through K&L Wine Merchants. It was like stealing, it was priced so inexpensively.
Walter Hansel made his fortune in the auto business; which allowed him to pursue his other passion in wine. He and his son’s first vintage was 1996. They are located near Kistler and Dehlinger in Sonoma. The Cahill is made from a blend of three clones; 114, 115 and Rochioli.
One interesting fun fact. Walter Hansel was among the first people to drive a car into the Yosemite Valley in the early 1900’s.
Hedy on FB @Plate&Bottle — 8 years ago
Casa Marin
Cartagena Lo Abarca Pinot Noir
Cartagena 2016 Pinot Noir.
C: Rojo bastante intenso para la cepa,
Tintes violáceos de juventud. Borde descolorido.
A: Fruto confitado, notas a canela.
S: Entrada suave con avance progresivo, taninos intensos raspantes, pero bien complementados, sabor frutal cubierto por madera; complejidad en boca. Dejo carnoso (jamón, cecina). Excelente vino. Un poco menos de astrigencia daría perfección. — 9 years ago
Frazier
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Medium ruby core with garnet edges. Aged characteristics on the nose with damp earth, a little espresso, a touch smoky, cinnamon and stewed plums. Medium tannins (6/10) and plus medium body. Dark cocoa on the attack of the palate intermingled with plums, black currants, black cherries and lots of spices. A bit of anise and the Petit Verdot coming through in the medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
____________________
Starting today we are partnering with Vinlumin in order to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Northern California earlier this month. Until November 15th or for the first 200 units, Vinlumin will be donating $100.00 per unit to three different Northern California based charities: Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and Mendocino Community Fund. Go to www.vinlumin.com to learn more and to grab one while supporting those affected in Northern California.
_____________________
@David L @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Martin A. Cody @James Cahill @Carl Fischer @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Bill Bender @Eric S @Isaac Pirolo @TheSkip @Mike R @Lori Mike @Jody Scharf @Jo Anne B @Kim Stanbro @Roman Sukley @Greg Gregory @Sean Smith @Shay Aldriedge — 9 years ago
Bollinger
La Grande Année Brut Rosé Champagne 2012
This superstar 2012 vintage just doesn’t seem to miss. Especially not when paired with the elegance of Bollinger.
A gorgeous rose copper color in the glass. Plenty of fine bubbles that seem to just go on and on. The approachability of these outstanding 12’s is immediate. Wild strawberries and herbs shine on the nose. Red currant, raspberries, and stewed plums. Some exquisite spice notes along with white flowers. Tangerines and watermelons play a part.
The vitality and sheer energy of this is amazing. 67% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay. 33% Chardonnay from Oiry and Le Mesnil sur Oger with 5% still red wine from Bollinger’s legendary Côte aux Enfants vineyard. Terrific youthful tension and balance. Zippy acidity with 8 g/l of sugar. Disgorged in August of 2019 and already showing some maturity.
Pure romance on the tongue. Silky smooth and elegant with fresh red berries and more spice on the palate. Saffron and honey with oak complimenting. The Lehmann Jamesse Grand Blanc provided more floral notes, while the Riedel Dom Perignon showed more ripe fruit and minerality. Both wonderful. Yes this will obviously develop over time and become so much more special but you deserve this now. So do I. Enjoy.
— 5 years ago
Fanetti
Tenuta S Agnese Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sangiovese 2013
Kalinda
Cuvée Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Continuing to kick off the un-labor weekend early in the D&S Lounge.
For those of you who haven’t seen me post Kalinda, it’s a private label from K&L Wine Merchants. They buy a quality producers juice or have them make a wine for them. I don’t know who made this wine but, they are a quality Oakville producer. This bottle cost me $18.99 about eight years ago and it tastes better than some Napa Cabernets at $75 plus that I’ve had. You just have to wait on them 5-10 years. This is somewhere near its peak.
It’s a slice of blue fruit heaven. On the nose, blueberries, mulberries, olallieberries, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, vanilla, sweet mixed berry cola, light cinnamon, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dry top soil, black cherry licorice, a waft of dry herbs with bright dark red florals and violets.
The palate is round and full. Tannins are 80% resolved. The texture is sexy. The structure, length, tension and balance are in perfect harmony, (Seals & Croft/America on the album “Horse With No Name” style). Lush, ripe; blueberries, mulberries, olallieberries, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Vanilla, sweet mixed berry cola, light cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, soft dark spice that penetrates the palate with some heat, tarry notes, dry stems, soft leather, tobacco with ash, graphite, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dry top soil, black cherry licorice, a waft of dry herbs with bright dark red florals and violets. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finishes (minutes) is, round, lush, balanced, elegant harmony. It’s beautifully delicious.
Photos of; the D&S lounge lit up by candle power only and always. — 8 years ago
Château Potensac
Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 1997
I’ve had at least two cases of the 97 over the last eight years or more. Our friends Jeff & Hedy brought this bottle of 97 to dinner tonight. It’s the best bottle of this wine I’ve had. We drank our last bottle roughly two years ago. The wine continues to improve. Tonight it’s so lush, ruby, elegant with blue & dark & mid red fruits. Great balance of fruit & earth. So beautiful & easy to drink. The 97 vintage was one no one wanted to buy as it was critically panned. I have said this many times, “in every difficult vintage, there are always producers that make good wine.” In the case of the Potensac, it took 15+ years to fully spread its wings and it continues to improve with another 10 years left ahead. No critic would have told you in 98 & 99 when the initial reviews came out to buy this wine. Potensac is made by the same technical team as Leoville Las Cases. Always follow good producers, even in difficult years. K&L bought 5,000 cases of this wine 10+ years after the fact. They are Masters in Bordeaux wines for this kind of value. Clyde took the shipments in two blocks of 2500 cases and sold through them in about a year or less at $24.99 a bottle. It remains the bargain of a lifetime! @Shay A This is the wine you want to buy to keep you from opening your 09’s & 10’s too early. So delicious tonight!!! Photos of; Potensac, concrete tanks, fruit near harvest and their barrel room. — 8 years ago
Avignonesi
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sangiovese 2011
375 ml. Always a great value, dusty cherry fruit, violet and herbal spice, leather and earth. Out performs the price as usual, but found the ABV a touch high and taxing on the palate. Have had varied experiences w/ the 2011's in Tuscany but the spike in perceivable alcohol seems common. Pickiness aside, great bottle from a great producer of undervalued wine; sign me up any day. — 9 years ago
Boscarelli (Marchesi de Ferrari Corradi)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Sangiovese 2018
The 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano lifts up perfumed with roses, violets, sage and tea leaves in an exotic and fresh display. Its textures are silky-smooth yet lifted and juicy, staining the palate with purple-tinged florals and blueberries. There is tannin here, yet they are sweet and round, hardly getting in the way of the 2018’s jovial feel. This may not be the longest-lived Vino Nobile, but it sure will win a lot of hearts over the medium term. (Eric Guido, Vinous, December 2021)
— 5 years ago
Cantillon Brewery
Fou' Foune Lambic 2019
Cantillon is what’s Goin On!
Fou’ Foune is a blend of lambics aged 18 to 20 months on Bergeron apricots ~ BIG pop of sour fruit up front finishing with nougat and Brie rind on the finish
S L A M M I N — 6 years ago
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
La Tâche Pinot Noir 2001
2001 DRC La Tache. Dinner at Rep w DS, A&L S, McC. Amazing. Did not decant. Much bigger than the ‘85 Griotte-Chambertin. — 8 years ago
Château Vannières
Bandol Mourvedre Blend 1985
Brun clair
Nez très ferme et cartonné et s ouvre sur des note de cendre feuille morte
La bouche fraîche pleine et précise devient très agréable par des note de guarrigue et goudronnée avec une certaine qu Rosine
Un peu trop simple et poussiéreux en finale mais vin qui a de l âme
— 8 years ago
L. A. S. Vino
CBDB Chenin Blanc 2016
Nutty and sweet straw - impressive — 8 years ago
Domaine Bernard Baudry
La Croix Boissée Chinon Cabernet Franc 2003
Année de canicule , le vin a superbement tenu , nez cabernet noble ( pas de poivron 😜) , pas une énorme complexité , mais je pense qu à l aveugle y a certains crus de St émilion qui peuvent s inquiéter — 9 years ago
Figli d'Italia
Leone D'Oro Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Sangiovese Blend 2011
Drank 11/23/27.
After a heavy thanksgiving lunch, this went well with a mushroom ravioli in tomato cream sauce.
As always one of the best values I have found, and sadly the last 2011's I have. Red cherry and leather on the nose. Sweet black cherries, leather, cocoa, and tar on the palate. As always, perfect balance. Medium finish.
3/21/9/5/3 + 50 = 91 pts. — 9 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
A perfect bottle, direct import from a Negotiate via K&L. It has seen only Chateau & Negotiate storage.
Love, love, love the style of 80’s Bordeaux. Especially, the very good 80’s vintages. The style at this age is just so good as is the 12.5 ABV.
The fruit is still very solid & fresh. Ruby; blackberries, plums, poached strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries & blueberries hues. Lead pencil for days, some light v/a-bandaid, used tobacco w/ ash, very used leather, dark spice, understated mushroom, baking spices- light nutmeg/clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dry, river stone, limestone, dark rich soil with dry leaves, mix of dry and fresh herbs, touch of mint, moist clay, withering & dry dark, red, flowers, rainfall acidity and a well balanced, nicely structured, softly tensioned, beautiful finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Paired with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — 2 years ago