Leap In The Dark

Chimney Rock

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with splashes of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec all SLD estate fruit, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with tobacco and herb spice. Fine smooth tannins, approachable, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and herb mineral character. Nice! — 11 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 2 others liked this

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2022

Referred to as the “Baby Grange,” blend of 51/49 Cab Sauv & Shiraz, aged for 12 months in 36% new American oak, partly in previous-vintage Grange casks. Dark Ruby with aromas of fresh black fruits, complex with sweet spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry flavors with notes of cacao, oak and toasty spices. Well balanced with acidity, full firm tannins, long ending with smoky spice, fruit well integrated with oak, drink over next 10 years+, will only get better. Nice! — 13 days ago

Anthony, Juan and 2 others liked this

Vieux Château Certan

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Beautiful medium dark rubi robe, reticent nose of blackcurrant, asphalt, tobacco and black cherries notes. It has density and quality of fruit, but ends on a dry port register. A faulted bottle ? In any case not worth the price and disappointing. — a month ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Adriana, Anthony and 5 others liked this

Château Haut-Bailly

Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Dark rubi robe, nose of cedar, dark cherries and asian spices. Medium bodied, oh so elegant tannins, notes of tobacco, berries and anise. Very long, very elegant. This is probably as good as it gets in terms of elegance and complexity in Rive Gauche Bordeaux other than first growths, and not by much. Enthusiastically recommended. — 2 days ago

Jamie LauderJose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillard
with Jamie, Jose and 2 others
Jamie, Vino and 13 others liked this

Stags' Leap Winery

The Investor Napa Valley Red Blend

Very nice blend. Hadn’t had this in many years. Powerful fruit with notes of cassis and good structure. At 40 bucks, superior to many Napa wines at twice the price. I am going to look for more of this vintage. — a month ago

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Could do with more time in the bottle but it's a special occasion afterall. Noses rose petals, vanilla, leather, capsicum and tobacco, black fruits and pencil shavings....and date I say onions! Huge body. Palate is savoury yet so layered and structured. Dark chocolates galore with a generous scatter of sea salt. Harmonious! Precise! — a month ago

Tom, Jay and 3 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Cask 23 Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

Plush and delicious fruit. Raspberry and black cherry. A hint of leather and dark berry. Very good — 3 months ago

Bex GreenWalker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Bex, Walker and 1 other
Bob, Jan and 7 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

We had to the 2019 Vintage on 11/22/25. A very good full bodied wine. The bouquet and flavor profile are darker and more subdued fruit compared to a Napa floor wine. There is some mocha and minerality. This wine would be better in five years. — a month ago

Bob, Serge and 6 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Initial pour was impressive with dark blackberry sage and leather. What I found interesting was the noticeable amount of acid in comparison to the soft almost undetectable tannin. — 4 days ago

KP, Tom and 10 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+.
— a day ago

Pooneet, Jason and 15 others liked this