Loud & Clear

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2013

We are tasting this 2013 against its 10 year older brother and while they are clearly siblings, this 12 year-old bottle is still quite muted and hasn’t entered the 2nd maturation phase - clear yellow color and earthy stone fruit flavor profile — a month ago

Ruchia Duggal
with Ruchia
Ruchia liked this

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 2002

Both intense and haunting at the same time. Lovely clear complex fruit with raspberry, deep cherry, a hint of orange rind. Spice and brooding dark gnarly fruit underneath but still light and deft. This is so complex and beautiful — 6 months ago

Matt Lichtenberg
with Matt
Jay, Bob and 7 others liked this
Alan Weinberg

Alan Weinberg

Was it pretty open? Decanted or aired first?
Conrad Green

Conrad Green Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Decanted for a good few hours in advance. Showed really well

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Smooth and effortless with no hard edges, even in a warm year. Seductively savory with currant, strawberry, leather, tobacco, coffee bean, and bone marrow. There’s an incredible gamey streak here. Oak is impeccably balanced. Just tip toeing into some bricking.
The pedigree is clear. Counting myself lucky.
My
#1 tonight.
— 7 months ago

Jonathan, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Warm, ripe vintage.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 2 months ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Dark cherry, some tang some lovely plum fruit. Clear with a touch of band aid and some gnarly fruit. Complex and fresh — 6 months ago

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

Alan Weinberg

Better than the 82.

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2006

Clear and light. Pear and hints of lime. White pepper, a bit of tang. Slate. Salty edges and great texture. Very correct. A touch of sweetness. — 6 months ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Jay, Jan and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1970

Surprisingly fresh with a really pretty mulberry and black cherry nose. A blackcurrant confit center with hints of oak and a bit of musk. Stop a bit of hidden power but clear and precise. Very good — 2 years ago

Bex Green
with Bex
Jay, LM and 13 others liked this

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Monty and clear. Lovely supple fruit. Lots of character. Savory — 3 months ago

Peter NelsonGregg GRick K
with Peter, Gregg and 1 other
Bob, Jay and 5 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Rosé Champagne 2006

Shay A
9.5

My contribution for a large, annual BYO champagne dinner. While this was a standout, others were: La Closerie LC20, ‘07 Cristal rosé en mag, ‘19 Westborn BdB

This vintage had 20% addition of red wine.

The notes below about bottle variation is exactly what was experienced this evening. A friend also brought the ‘06 Dom Rosé but there was a clear difference between the two. Whereas my bottle was deep, rich and an interplay of florals, juicy red fruits, fleshy peach and strawberry shortbread cookies, his seemed like a slightly less vibrant (not off putting) and more muted version (maybe low trace TCA?). The significant portion of red wine in this vintage has provided great structure at nearly age 20, and not as evolved as the regular 2006 Dom (more vinous than the creamy ‘07 Cristal rosé).

If I had another, I’d open it in the next year or two for this same profile but wouldn’t be worried about holding another 5+.
— 3 months ago

Steve, James and 33 others liked this
Wulf Losee

Wulf Losee

What are the red grape varietals they used?

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2011

Two great thanksgiving wines but with a very clear winner and not even difficult to guess. I have zero emotion with the Margaux and love the elegance of the Rayas even in a year that may be a bit less. — a year ago

Andrew, Jan and 2 others liked this