Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Close 2025 with a 375ml Grande Cuvée and my mother’s old fashion coffee cake. — 6 days ago

Andrew, Jay and 10 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Doug Powers

9.5

Violets, violets and more violets aromatically, after sitting in the decanter for 15 minutes, this wine decided to show its still youthful tannin, likely to inform me that it was still way too young to drink, long finish, but ideally needs more cellaring, one of my favorite Bordeaux ever, I have some more bottles so will wait on those, amazing!! — 18 days ago

with Jim

Andrew, Jonathan and 19 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

Never had the ‘83! (I had no $$ when these futures were offered or when released 🤷) Said to be legendary!

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I purchased a case of this on futures after some of the wine guys I knew in NYC in the 1980s touted Palmer — one guy was a doctor who had cellared Palmer for decades served 1961 & 1966 Palmer in splits at a wine dinner in the Village, blew my socks off, he said the 1983 would be the next GREAT Palmer and I just listened and bought (as you know, those 1980s Bordeaux were not super expensive). I opened one of these 3-4 years ago with 1982 Pichon-Lalande and a few other outstanding 1980s Bordeaux, and that bottle of 1983 Palmer blew everything away — this bottle showed more tannic structure, though amazing violet aromatics, and definitely needs more cellaring. I LOVE Palmer!!

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, one other LOL about this Palmer yesterday — I asked my wine friend to open and decant, he pulled out his Durand — and the bottom 1/4 of the cork decided it’d rather stay in the bottle!! That’s why I like the olde English tradition of super-heated Port tongs to take the glass above the neck off that way!! 🤔🤷😂

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2007

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy New Year all! 🍾🥂

This 07 outshines/performs the overall vintage.

Outstanding mousse & lively acidity. Lime zest, lemon pulp in juice, grapefruit w/ pith, orange citrus blend with peel, kiwi, tropical melons, white nectarines, excellent white spice, baguette crust, gritty white chalk, dry, crushed limestone bits, grey volcanics, oyster shells, saline/sea spray, light tones of fresh herbs, yellow lilies, spring flowers with greens, excellent acidity, well; structured, balanced, knitted, beautiful finish that is even and lands on minerality & spice. — 6 days ago

Shay, Andrew and 12 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Steve S.

9.1

Enjoyed this bottle on NYE. did not disappoint. Interesting subtle tangerine tastes lingered on the tongue that I’d forgotten about. This one n/v was bottled in early 2022. Been in my possession about 2 years. — 6 days ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 2 days ago

Pooneet, Jason and 17 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Paul K

9.3

I know, I’m here too early, but I bought 3 cases for a steal. I’m excited to see the evolution over next 25 years and I can have more than a bottle a year so no scolding required! 😉 looking forward to the education. Makes you think though. I’m about done buying Bordeaux futures. Too long to wait, store, and 20-25 years is starting to look blurry in the telescope. Now it’s on to auctions and buying wines that are ready. — 8 days ago

Robin, Sándor and 29 others liked this

Paul K

@Sándor Jaguar exactly!

Tyler Felous

@Paul K thus far, my go to has been Benchmark or Cellar Trading (formerly Domaine). Have not gotten a bad bottle from either

Paul K

@Tyler Felous many thanks!!

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Stephen F Laga MD

9.6

I’ve had this in my personal cellar all these years. It was absolutely fantastic. Very smooth. No aftertaste. Had with prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner — 13 days ago

Tom, David and 4 others liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 1988

Doug Powers

9.5

Cork broke in half (actually 6-7 pieces), initially some “old cork” flavors show through, yet after 5 minutes in the glass those dissipate and we’re left with a lovely aged Raveneau with mature fruit, some lemon and mineral notes as well, very nice complexity and length, I’ve always been very lucky aging my Raveneau, this is clearly a success (shaky cork notwithstanding)! — 20 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Tom and 11 others liked this

Dave

Sounds ok to me!!!

Tom Casagrande

Wow! So cool. I have ZERO experience with Raveneau and ZERO Raveneaus in my cellar. ☹️ so your advice is purely of a hypothetical nature for me. (I’ve been lucky enough to have a few Dauvissats, however.) Did you use a Durand corkscrew? I use that with any 20 year or older bottle. Essential.

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I did not, but the cork broke into so many pieces that I don’t think what cork puller I used mattered (shrug)!