Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured but not something I would recommend. The 2017 Cuvée Réservée benefited from some time in the decanter and the Cuvée Laurence would enjoy the same. However, a decanter we had not; nor was the setting appropriate. And while I wouldn’t have described this as shy upon opening, it certainly went from strength to strength with exposure to air and by the last glass, this was sensational. Beautiful dark bramble fruit, salmiakki, black pepper, red flowers, bacon fat, garrigue, old wood, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long lasting and ever so sexy. As a reminder, no “Cuvee da Capo” was made in 2017 so there’s no wonder why this is special. Drink now through 2042. — a month ago

Henry Boshoff

9.0

Bok day wine! Very nice wine with best pasta ever! — 2 years ago

with Alicia

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

Recently tasted 9.8.21, 7.28.21 and 6.1.21. Like the old Van Morrison album...a period of transition. Mid-palate a tad dumbed-down but the nose is clearer and airy with spearmint and tobacco. Some new cinnamon/clove infiltrating the bouquet and palate now. Still a little richness/baby fat/smoke lurking about but said intensities increasing less every time tasted. Really need to lock and key this until 2030. Good luck. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Dense ruby red with light purple flecks. A wide brim with clear signs of bricking. The nose is certainly not tired with plenty of black olives, licorice, and chocolate cake. Old leather and coffee with dried cherries and plums. A little fat from the grill too just to make it even better.

The American project from Jonathan Maltus of Chateau Teyssier and baby, this is not your standard copy and paste Napa Cab. This is some serious stuff. Big but not huge. Full of depth but not ponderous. Rich and full throttled but not a mess of indistinct fruit. The ripeness of the fruit never crosses the line. Pronounced fruit on the palate with hedonistic cherries and explosive blue fruits. Beautiful vegetal notes along with a burst of green forest. Firm tannins and long finish. Starting to show its age a little so drink them if you got them. I’m not sure these wines are made anymore so if you see any, get them all. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with long fat legs.

Dry on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blueberries, black cherries, black plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, vanilla, espresso, cola, light herbs, spices and light black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is very tasty now. Spicy and rich, yet elegant.

Showing nice complexity at this point. Soft and smooth. Tangy, with lots of coffee and chocolate notes.

Not too bold, and easy drinking right out of the bottle. After an hour in the glass, tannins show up, only to enhance the experience.

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

I had it with a Charcuterie board, but will also pair very nicely with a nice piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes where aged for 16 months in (50% new) French Oak barrels.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$38 (current vintage). — a year ago

David Kline

9.6

Jumping spider eye bubbles mass in a parabola foam while smaller bubble sheens fill the bursting absences, until the whole becomes an espresso foam, and equally oiled. Unction lacings lean Hebraic but ultimately are the dream fonts writ by the hand of G-d. Mene Mene Tekel Parsin they seem to say before fluttering away as constellations on a starling’s back. Fair warning as this is a heavy purse to carry. Six years in and taking stock. Figs, dates, treacle, raisins, carob, caramel, vanilla bean, sweet potato casserole, bacon fat, mincemeat. Rich on the palate with milk chocolate, molasses, Turkish coffee, gingerbread, candied date, and espresso-tobacco finish. Gloriously integrated and complex complexions.



#oldstockale #oldstock #2016 #northcoastbrewing #bièredegarde #agedbeer #bier #beer #birra #biere #cerveza #northcoast — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2014 vintage. Super dry and powerful. Medium bodied but drinking like it’s (ballad of a) the thin man. Smoke/char in the nose. Upfront coffee/tobacco and raspberry flavors but little else. Not a good introductory Bordeaux for the masses. For those already smitten, I can see this going 40+ years but there will never be fat years. This is a (c)lean machine. Monolithic and totally old-school Bordeaux. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Margaux and Rack of Lamb. I’m in. The 05 vintage…magic!

Lamb w/ just enough fat, spice meet perfect ripe, bright, floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, red & black licorice/cola, perfect mid spice, sweet, lead pencil shavings, charcoal, cedar, not old, not fresh, tobacco, touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, pea gravel, dry twig, dry limestone powder, steeped tea, dark, rich soil with dry leaves, herbaceous notes-bay leaf, moist clay, an array of fresh, withering, floral bouquet, amazing, rainfall acidity, perfect, tension, balance, structure and polished finish for days. Absolutely stunning! — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Brief notes, but no less justice for this absolutely knockout old-school Stellenbosch Syrah, a wine which transported me to the southern Rhône with its Provençal aromas and full-bodied profile.

Smoked bacon, rendered fat and black pepper give this varietal away, though, and only the faintest bricking of colour give a suggestion of this wine’s age. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Precious little baby fat left and already plenty of the aged Bordeaux stank in the nose. Supple but has the palate footprint of a pinot. Some blue fruit and cocoa powder on the delicate finish. So much finesse. Drink now or forget for a solid 15-spot…it matters not. Texturally gorgeous and definitely not your average Napa Cabbage-now or then. Ric Forman is the rare producer that straddles the verry old school and new school in Napa and, yet, his wines still remain classical and true vs the 2nd "cult" wave/post-1991 obscenely-scored/fruit bomb/über-extracted/distilled/dance party/reduction sauce-styled ridiculousness so in vogue for the last three damned decades. A welcome respite. 2.28.23. — 2 years ago