Pop Up Cellars

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Bolgheri Red Bordeaux Blend

Good color and nose. Needing some time to open up. — 18 days ago

Tom, Juan and 3 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Paul K
9.0

Didn’t stand up to tonight’s competition — a month ago

James, Ray and 12 others liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Shay A
9.3

(Two previous 1983 wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from my CT).

Continuing a run of ‘83s over the last 3-6 months, this not only showed quite well, but it was at its best after almost two hours in the bottle. Whereas the ‘83 Pichon was clean and elegant, this was a bit more dense and powerful. Beautifully expressive aromatics of potpourri, espresso, fig and leather with a flavor profile mostly on the red/black fruit side of the spectrum. The mid-palate showed good weight and continued to bulk-up during the evening. Old cherry-tobacco note at the finish. Honestly, this drank like it was more early ‘90s than it was early ‘80s. Good.
— 23 days ago

Scott@Mister, Jan and 34 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 2 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

When confronted with an open bottle of Silver Oak Cab on a Wednesday night, you step up and finish it, no questions asked. — 14 days ago

Yianni, Ted and 6 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

It has a nearly opaque, dark fruited appearance that opens up to very appealing and persistent aromatics and flavors of blueberries and blackberries.

There is still a good amount of primary fruit; it is medium/full, well structured with a good balance of juicy acidity and refined tannins at the finish. New oak is there, but unobtrusive.

Overall, this 2010 is a reserved and savory St. Julien that doesn’t whack me over the head with gobs of oak and loads of sweet jammy fruit. It is definitely “worth a search” if you don’t have it.
— 14 days ago

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2013

Nice minerals, citrus, opens up over five-ten minutes in the glass, bubbles are not overpowering. — a month ago

Vino, Bob and 10 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Deep ruby in color with slight brick color on the rim. Nose is quite pleasing with berry compote, lavender, and dark chocolate. Also a bit of earthiness. Wow. A great mouthfeel on this wine. Well balanced with tannins still a bit heavy. That said, I like my wines with a bit more tannic backbone. These notes are from pop and pour taste. Will let it open up a bit and will update if it changes significantly. — a month ago

Tom, Paul and 7 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Lunch Bags (as a good friend of mine refers to this producer) rarely disappoint. Nice selection!

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1983

Shay A
9.3

(Two previous 1983 vintage wine reviews never made it on here, so copying from CT).

My experiences with 1983s has been fairly positive, and this PL certainly is among the better I’ve had from the vintage. Holding color nicely with deep ruby and slight bricking around the rim. Started off a bit dense and muddled, but hit stride about 30mins later with a mix of red and black berry fruit, cassis, a streak of herbal green down the middle (something I always get with PL). Excellent example of the fruit showing lots of flavor without being overly ripe. Leather, sweet pipe tobacco, graphite, and still some vibrancy at the finish with tannin structure. Clean and elegant at this stage. Showed well over the course of two hours. Drink up and enjoy.
— 23 days ago

Scott@Mister, Jan and 33 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

One Point Five Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Paul K
9.3

2015s are 10 years old!!! This one in a great drinking window. Got to enjoy while catching up with an old colleague @Matt Terry cheers! Also wine #1300! — 2 months ago

Matt Terry
with Matt
Rick, Tom and 17 others liked this