Light From Darkness

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 1990

From magnum at Acker birthday auction. Incredibly fresh and light colored. No oxidation. Really nice — a month ago

Bob, Paul and 3 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.

I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.

The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.

Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.

Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.

@EK148
— 2 months ago

Ira, Ceccherini and 21 others liked this

Perus Wine

Bryn Proprietary Red Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023

It's time for a celebration!

Inky in color with short reddish/purplish rim.

Gorgeous nose of sweet blueberries, blackberries, black plum preserve, dried figs, mediterranean spices, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, light alcohol, herbs, peppercorn, eucalyptus and light black tea.

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

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, dried figs, light bitter herbs, light earth, cola, light vegetables, spices and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This young Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully already. Rich and fruit forward. Complex and interesting.

Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Spicy, tangy and entertaining. Majestic, with good structure.

Good right out of the bottle and so much better after 3 hours in the decanter.

Already showing a very complex nose, even at this young age. Very impressive.

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

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Has good potential to become a 97+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$175.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Matt and 12 others liked this

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fresh fruits on the nose with cedar, licorice and chocolates notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, light oak, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vegetables, tobacco, light earth, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Pauillac. Elegant, fruit forward and rich.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Wine Advocate 94 points.

Still young, and a tad subdued at the moment, but with good structure and nice complexity. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Already showing a great mouthfeel, nicely balanced and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot. Aged in (75% new) French Oak barrels.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90.
— 14 days ago

Tom, Dave and 20 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim. Doesn't show much age.

Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, chocolates, tobacco leaf, vegetables, forest floor, black tea, earth, coffee, herbs, spices, black pepper and wildflowers.

Full bodied and soft with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, black plums, currants, oak, light chocolates, coffee, mushrooms, licorice, tobacco leaf, earth, herbs and spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a gorgeous 24 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Saint Julien. Rich and elegant. Spicy and very complex. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Drinking at its peak now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine that is so much fun to drink by itself.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in (33% new) French oak barrels for 18 months.

13% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$150.
— 2 months ago

Dave, Ira and 13 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Nice pull @"Odedi"!!
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Very nice!

Maritana Vineyards

Le Russe Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing sweet cherries, plums, light oak, chocolates, black pepper, light earth, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Nicely balanced and elegant.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Peter and 12 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne

From mag. Delicious- sweet with bright light citrus, fresh corn, a lush mouthfeel. Very sexy and long — 2 months ago

Matt Lichtenberg
with Matt
Eric, Jay and 4 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. From a 375ml. Opened not decanted. Great top shoulder fill. Used a Durand. Pristine cork. Throwing slightly less sed than anticipated. Dusty and earthy nose. Tasted 30 minutes and 1 hour after opening. Light-medium body throughout. Front palate a bit thin and watery but back end had some gamey/meaty notes intertwined with dirt clods. Despite the descriptors, maintained elegance for the duration. Seems to be holding the line here for a spell in the 375ml format. 10.17.25. — 2 months ago

Ted, Shay and 12 others liked this

Big Table Farm

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2017

Reddish in color with light intensity.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing raspberries, sweet strawberries, cherish, earth, light wood, spices, dark chocolates, herbs and black pepper.

This 8 year old Pinot Noir from Oregon is drinking very nicely now. Complex and interesting. Feels like a lightly aged Burgundy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens. Will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Elegant and good by itself or with food.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.
— 3 months ago

Doug, Dave and 8 others liked this

Caymus-Suisun

Suisun Valley Grand Durif 2016

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Strong nose and full bodied with medium minus acidity.

Showing blackberries, sweet plums, cooked cherries, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, licorice, light cedar, vanilla and spices.

This 9 year old Petite Sirah from California is still drinking nicely and good right out of the bottle.

Extracted and very fruity, with some RS on the palate. In your face kind of wine.

Showing nice complexity at this point. Rich with lots of chocolate notes.

A nice sipping wine and good for parties.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$75.
— 3 months ago

Dave, Lyle and 8 others liked this