Round The Blend
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2005
Opened and poured into a decanter about four hours prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and some sediment. One the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, cool spices, leather, licorice, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and sapid. A wine of pedigree and yet, has a rusticity that gives a nod to its origin. Drink now through 2035+? — 10 hours ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
SPEC TA CU LAR! Here you feel the absolute majesty of a wine who can be promoted to at least 2nd growth. Cedar, camphor, eucalyptus, butterscotch/4 spices, yellow curry. I’ve always loved ‘00 in Pauillac has I think it’s the last great of the classic style. Definitely this bottling is a keeper. — 11 days ago
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001
Bottle was a little bit off but still an excellent wine in an underrated vintage. The better crust like Ducru Beaucaillou have done much better in 2001 than in 2000. This is so evident these days. Classical vintage and starting to get accessible now. — 4 days ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1995
Opened around 8pm the evening prior, double decanted and left in room temperature until service on Friday evening. In total, this was opened 24hours before service. The 1995 pours a beautiful garnet with transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate stating of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with surprisingly boozy dark fruit. Brambles, cassis, bell pepper, licorice, spearmint and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with great acidity. Overall, remarkably youthful. While it’s certainly ready to go, it will likely continue some positive evolution over the next couple of decades. Drink now with a long decant through 2045. — 15 hours ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004
2 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A stunning dark crimson color with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed notes of dark red fruit, creme de cassis, mushrooms, floral, touch of stewed meat and cigar box. Taste: velvety, classy, fresh wine with red fruit, minerals, herbal, earth, pencil lead and a nice peppery cedar/leather medium plus finish. Sure, maybe not the depth/concentration of a classic vintage, but I can sniff/sip this wine all night. YUM! Happy Father's day to me. — 9 days ago
Château Montrose
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
Just entering its drinking window. It has 40 years ahead of it. Excellent with Ribcap from Costco.
Interesting that there are some vegetable notes on the nose.
Very good evolution. Medium plus tannins. Juicy, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, darkest cherries, black plum/ with skin, ripe strawberries, some blue fruit hues, cedar, black licorice/cola, dark rich earth w/ leaves, sandstone, steeped sun tea, light limestone powder, ripe, light, dark spice, clove, light cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, vanillin, moist volcanic clay, fresh red, dark flowers, framed in violets, round acidity with polish/balance, softly tensioned, elegant that falls on mineral & clay that lasts two-minutes. — a month ago
Delectable Wine
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Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 11 days ago