Left Bank

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

Served to me double-blind. The wine appears a deep garnet color, moving to a slight orange rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated black and red fruits: cassis, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, earth, graphite, the smell of an old Library with rich wood and leather-bound books. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. I called Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from France, Bordeaux, Left Bank, Pauillac, 2000. Wow! This is about as classy as they come. Beautiful showing. Loads of structure. Impressively youthful. Drink now through 2040. — a month ago

Pooneet, Tom and 15 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

I had the 2014 Latour a couple of years back. It was from a half bottle and I remember it was rather disappointing. But this wine has really come around. Or maybe it has been developing much better in a full size bottle. Today it’s graceful, with great posture and in perfect balance. A timeless beauty. I had a few 2014 (both left and right bank) lately and I find them very appealing right now. A unsung vintage that turned out pretty good imo. — 2 months ago

Billy, Andrew and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Supremely elegant with plenty of life left, but likely peaking (if it hasn’t already) - loamy soils, dried tobacco, interesting and subtle spice and chocolate on the palate. — 3 months ago

Château Figeac

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

might be my favorite wine of the entire trip. right bank finesse and elegance, a ton going on here on the palate. enjoyed two glasses over several hours and a pleasure to watch this wine unfold. gorgeous.

recently promoted to grand cruse clase A
— 4 months ago

Ira, Pooneet and 1 other liked this

Mollydooker Wines

Two Left Feet Shiraz Blend 2013

2013. Eleven years under a screw cap and it tastes very fresh with dark berry fruit and no visible signs of age. From the other reviews, I think the oak has probably mellowed a bit and I really enjoyed it with a meaty patty melt. — 2 months ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1982 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) and slightly green compared to the ’82 Mouton that was poured alongside. Cassis, purple Chewy SweeTarts, green bell pepper, old wood, some earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and has massive structure still. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly bitter. Drink now with a long decant but there are decades of life left. — 2 months ago

Ericsson, Ron and 28 others liked this
Vino Joe

Vino Joe Premium Badge

Good to know! How long was your decant? And over how long a window did you enjoy it?
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Vino Joe great questions; I have answers. Note updated!

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Excellent fill and halfway saturated cork. Used a Durand but surmise a regular waiter's friend, wielded carefully, could have done the trick with the cork. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins, one hour and two hours. Some obvious sed but not troublesome or overtly noticeable. Original owner-château direct on original release. Super cold cellar because this was lagging noticeably behind other '90's and LB's. Bigger tannic structure (for a generally feminine-styled house) than anything save a Latour, Mouton, Ducru Left Bank property. Even more guts than Lynch-Bages or Pichon-Baron '90's currently stored above 55 or so degrees. Surprising but made sense. Light-medium body. Appropriate color. 3-4 years left in this stage unless larger format in play. Slight, fleeting burst of richness in the frontal palate and a tad brickish and then it just flowed on, without speed bumps. A little cocoa powder and cedar/tobacco. Suspect 750ml specimens not stored as cold/religiously will be showing more in the 9.0-9.1 range and farther down the backside of the bell curve. 10.26.24. — 3 months ago

Ira, Jan and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Good notes, mate.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ron R Hey there! It's been a spell.

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, cedar, earth, dark chocolates, licorice, cola, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 17 year old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing great complexity and delicious, but I expected more from this great 2007 vintage. I had the 2001 not too long ago, and it was so much better.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good food wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350.
— 2 months ago

Paul, Juan and 15 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

@"Odedi" comments below are spot on. Gave this bottle 2 hours decant and it was drinking very well. Very approachable, a lighter Napa cab, very well balanced with just ripe dark fruit, medium plush tannins, med acidity. Drinking very well. Really enjoyable. Can’t wait to watch this evolve with many more years left. — 2 months ago

Douglas, Ira and 5 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

@"Odedi" is the man! Always great reviews!

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Deep color, balanced acidity and palette, with an extraordinary bouquet. Black currents and other dark berries, smokey, toasted vanilla oak - with mellowed tannins. Lots of cellaring time left for this vintage! — 4 months ago