Light As A Feather

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2023

Drinking this pre-release bottle of this iconic wine from Bordeaux.

Light gold in color.

Strong nose and Full-bodied.

Sweet on the palate with high acidity to balance the sugars.

Showing melons, tropical fruits, apples, light earth, guava, herbs, spices, papaya and honey notes.

Long finish with herbs and tropical fruits.

This is a gorgeous sweet wine from Bordeaux. Sexy, seductive and fresh. Creamy and buttery.

Showing great potential, but oh so young. Already delicious and complex. Round, opulent and powerful.

Loved the nose once it opened up (20 minutes in the glass).

Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and intense, yet elegant. Well balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Drunk from a Magnum.

A blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
154 g/l sugar.

14% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$500.
— a month ago

Scott@Mister, Daniel and 16 others liked this

Seven Hills Winery

Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing cherries, currants, plums, chocolates, light wood, herbs, spices and peppercorn.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty and easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and entertaining.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet is still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$65.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Tom and 12 others liked this

Château Clinet

Pomerol Merlot Cabernet Franc 2020

Chateau Clinet
By Clinet Pomerol 2020, Bordeaux, France

It is time for some Merlot on this
#MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby/ purple in color with a reddish rim.

Light nose and medium in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing raspberries, cherries, plums, currants, light wood, earth, spices, coffee, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 6 year old Merlot from Pomerol is drinking very nicely now. Elegant, fruit forward and nicely balanced.

A good quality wine. Easy drinking with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 12 months in used French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40.
— 3 months ago

Juan, Dave and 14 others liked this

Rutherford Hill

Napa Valley Merlot 2021

The Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (2021) reveals a deep ruby core with subtle garnet reflections, suggesting youthful vibrancy with potential for short-term development. The nose is precise and layered, offering blackberry and raspberry fruit interwoven with cedar nuances, indicative of measured oak influence.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with light acidity that enlivens the fruit profile while maintaining balance.

Tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, supporting a bright structural framework that lends clarity and poise.

The finish is clean and persistent, marked by freshness rather than weight, making this a versatile companion to dishes such as roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or semi-hard cheeses.
— 5 months ago

Grand Napa Vineyards

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Ruby in color with a wide purplish rim, and medium plus intensity.

Pretty nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, chocolates, mediterranean spices, eucalyptus, tobacco, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, blackberries, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, spices and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Fruit forward and elegant. Spicy and entertaining.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.

Complex and engaging, with a soft mouthfeel. Really enjoyed the nose here.

This 5 year old Cabernet based Bordeaux blend is already drinking beautifully, and will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

I've had a few different vintages of this Cabernet and it is very consistent.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 22 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55.
— 2 months ago

Dave, Doug and 10 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Estate Vineyards Les Pavots Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175.
— 3 months ago

Ron, Jose and 14 others liked this

Hubert Lamy

En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2022

Somm David T
9.4

I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.

The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.

The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.

Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.

Decanted 1 hour.

When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.

A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015.
— 5 months ago

Ira, Paul and 15 others liked this

Château Fortia

Cuvée du Baron Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2018

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of red fruits with earth, light wood, coffee, spices, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, chocolates, light oak and licorice.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old GSM blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is delicious now. Complex, well balanced and entertaining. Elegant and fruit forward.

I had the 2020 vintage not too long ago, and this one drinks so much better.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Robert Parker 93 points.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. Aged in large French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55.
— 2 months ago

Brian, Paul and 13 others liked this

Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru)

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2023

Château Branaire-Ducru 2023 – Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A structured and expressive Saint-Julien showing youthful intensity and precision, driven by 65% Cabernet Sauvignon–led blend with 28% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc as a support. The wine delivers power, polish, and depth, yet remains clearly in its developmental phase, signaling strong aging potential.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, dark plum, graphite, cedarwood, crushed stone, subtle cocoa, fresh tobacco leaf, light violet lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with firm, polished tannins, vibrant acidity, tightly wound core, excellent structural grip, and a long, focused finish that hints at future complexity.

Food Pairings
Chargrilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, venison, mushroom ragù, aged Manchego or Comté.

Verdict
A serious, high-potential Saint-Julien that stands confidently in the mid-pack today while clearly projecting upward trajectory. Best enjoyed after a few years of cellaring to allow texture and aromatics to fully integrate.

🍷 Personal Pick
You can feel the horsepower under the hood, this just needs track time. Not quite ready for full send yet, but absolutely worth waiting for. Future star energy all over this bottle.
— 3 months ago

Tom, Ted and 2 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2018

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light oak, spices, chocolates, earth, eucalyptus and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, licorice, tobacco, herbs, earth, dark chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7 year old Rioja is starting to drink very nicely now. Elegant and nicely balanced. Complex and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$20.
— 4 months ago

Dave, Sagee and 11 others liked this