Safe Harbor Cellars

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Somm David T
9.4

I’ve had a number of PC 96’s over time, none quite this good. The fill line & cork perfect. Very little sediment. Some bottle neck tannin burn. For me, Pontet Canet didn’t really hit its consistent, quality stride until 2005. Doesn’t mean they didn’t make a few beauties before then. Pontet Canet is proof that the 1855 Bordeaux Classification needs to be redone. Unlikely it will in my lifetime.

This 96 maybe just short of its precipice. Stylistically a little better than 94.

The nose reminds me of everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola. Sweet forest floor w/ leaves, sweet mushrooms, sweet led pencil shavings, steeped tea w/ hints of fruit, charcoal, dry tobacco/leather, some dry herbs, withering dark, red flowers, red roses with violets.

The palate is also everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola/red vines. Everything I understood the first time standing in the estate vineyard of Pichon Baron. Tasting limestone, dry river stone, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, dry stems. In fact, I’ve tasted vineyards soils everywhere I have been in every world wine region. Basically, everywhere in the wine world that has reliance. Many multiple times. Sweet graphite, steeped tea w/ hints of dark fruit, understated, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanillin, dark cocoa, dark exotic spices, some anise to black licorice, charcoal, dry tobacco with ash/leather, some dry herbs-safe/bay leaf, limestone, dry river stone, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, dry topsoils, dry stems, withering/dry dark, red flowers, red roses with violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with an extremely well balanced/structured/tensioned, great length and an elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls nicely on dry earth and dark spices.

A very, very slow roll with my Ribcap. Definitely better with the steak than on its own.

This bottle tells me this 96 has plenty of good drinking ahead, another 8-10 yrs+.

ABV is 13%. Disappointing it ever changed.
— 5 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this

Bergström Wines

Cumberland Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018

Friday evening I opened the 2018 Bergström Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir. Comes from the Willamette Valley Newberg, Oregon. The 20th Vintage from Bergström and #37 on Wine Spectators Top 100 List.

On the nose the is cherry, raspberry, cranberry, barnyard funk, cola, hibiscus, roses and earth.

On the palate is cherry, raspberry, cranberry, spice, vanilla, cola, red currant, roses and earth.

This wine is medium bodied with a fresh firm mouthfeel a beautiful expression of a Willamette Valley pinot noir, has medium + acidity and medium + fine polished tannins. Love this wine. Please stay safe and healthy during the week ahead. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 4 years ago

Milissa, Severn and 27 others liked this

Good Harbor Vineyards

Leelanau Peninsula Cherry Wine

Tart and semi dry. Delicious! — 5 years ago

Hermann J. Wiemer

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2018

This evening I have opened the 2018 Hermann J. Wiemer Cabernet Franc. Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, NY.

On the nose there is good fruit black cherry, rrd plum, raspberry, herbs, violets, olives and earth.

On the palate is cherry, raspberry, strawberry, green bell pepper, graphite and earth.

Tgis wine is medium to full bodied with medium+ acidity and medium to medium+ smooth fine tannin with a nice long red fruit graphite earthy finish. Lets have a great weekend enjoy family and friends and please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

John, Severn and 21 others liked this
Severn G

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Very nice!

La Spinetta

Cà di Pian Barbera d'Asti 2016

It is Thursday night and tonight the wine I have opened is the 2016 La Spinetta Ca' Di Pian Barbera d' Asti.

On the nose is black cherry, plum, strawberry, incense, violets, anise and earth.

On the palate there is cherry, strawberry, plum, anise, dried leaves, baking spices and wet earth.

This wine is medium to full bodied fresh clean in the mouth with medium + acidity and medium to medium+ fine mouth filling grippy tannins tha gives into a long fresh fruit earthy finish. I hope everyone's week has been a good one and let's look to the weekend to refresh. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Dawn, Eric and 20 others liked this

Domaine Drouhin

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2017

Monday night and winter is tearing through our area. I have tonight opened the 2017 Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.

On the nose I am getting aromas of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, mushroom, spice and earth.

On the palate there is tart cherey, raspberry, cranberry, sassafras, spice and forest floor.

This wine is medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, medium + acidity and medium + sandy tannins which leaves a long red & dark fruit finish. Having had the Joseph Drouhin the other night and the Domaine Drouhin tonight the Joseph Drouhin was just more elegant over all. I hope everyone's Valentine weekend was good. Have a great week, stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Aravind, Sharon and 19 others liked this

Greywacke

Kevin Judd Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

This is the 2022 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc. This is from Marlborough, New Zealand.

On the nose is the distinct aromas of lime, grapefruit, white peach, guava herbal notes, grass and pear.

On the palate there is grapefruit, lime, pineapple, mango and white peach.

This is a medium bodied wine with a cleanfresh mouth watering mothfeel medium+ acidity and a lind crusp citrus lime grapefruit finish. A wonderful wine for the money. Looks like the weekend should be a good one with some crisp cool weather. Wish you an eventful weekend. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂
— 3 years ago

Severn, Ray and 15 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Daniel P. Drake a favorite! Cheers!

Domaine Berrien Cellars

Lake Michigan Shore Cabernet Franc 2013

This wine I recently had is the 2013 Domaine Berrien Estate Grown Cabernet Franc which is from Berrien Springs, Michigan.

On the nose there is cherry, strawberry, raspberry, green bell pepper, black pepper and herbaceous notes.

On the palate is cherry, strawberry, raspberry, green bell papper, black pepper crushed gravel and earth.

This wine is medium to medium + bodied with medium acidity and medium to medium + fine tannins that leaves you with a long red fruit crushed gravel finish. I wish everyone a wonderful weekend. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 4 years ago

Byron, Jason and 17 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Go MI wines!

Goose Bay

South Island Sauvignon Blanc 2021

The wine I have opened is the 2021 Goose Island South Island Sauvignon Blanc. From Upper Moutre, New Zealand.

On the nose there is lime, grapefruit, tangerine, gooseberry, honeydew melon, grass, herbal notes and minerality.

On the palate is grapefruit, white peach, lime, jalapeno, herbaceousness and flintiness.

This wine is light to medium bodied with a fresh clean mouthfeel medium + acidity that leaves you with a long citrus mineral finish. We now have 3 1/2 days until Christmas and everyone has all their shopping done. Please stay safe and healthy on these days before Christmas. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂
— 5 years ago

Severn, Paul and 20 others liked this
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

Merry Christmas Daniel.
Your notes are always interesting.
I love the Nostrovia at conclusion the best.
Daniel P. Drake

Daniel P. Drake Influencer Badge

@Jody Scharf Merry Christmas to you and your Family. Thank you. 🎅👍

La Croix de Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Happy Pinot Noir Day! Tonight I am celebrating with the 2009 La Croix de Beaucaillou. This left bank 2nd Class growth 2nd bottling blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot from Saint Julien.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, rich plum, black currant, cassis, spice, violets, cedar, woodsy notes and earth.

On the palate I am getting black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, licorice, cedar, graphite, wet gravel and earth.

This wine is full bodied with a soft supple unctuous mouthfeel and a medium to medium + acidity a medium to medium + fine savory tannins that move into a long dark fruit pencil lead finish. A beautiful Left Bank Bordeaux from Saint Julien and a shining example of the 2009 vintage. Have a wonderful rest of your week and please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Ceccherini, Severn and 25 others liked this

Rizzi

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2016

The wine tonight on the eve of our 4th of July, our Independence Day, I have opened the 2016 Rizzi Barbaresco Azendia Vitivinicola from Treiso, Italy.

On the nose there is is cherry, raspberry, strawberry, licorice, herbs, dried roses, light oak and earth.

The palate gives me cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, licorice, tar, spices, herbs, dried roses and dry dusty soil.

This wine is medium to full bodied smooth mouthfeel with medium to medium + acidity and high mouth coating astringent sandpaper tannins that gives you long red fruit earthy finish. I continue to wish everyone a enjoyable holiday weekend, please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Sharon, Michael and 24 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

🇺🇸🍷🇺🇸
Daniel P. Drake

Daniel P. Drake Influencer Badge

@Sharon B yes ma'am! 😁👍 🇺🇸

Château Montrose

La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Friday night and it feels as though it will be a Bordeaux weekend. Tonight I have opened from one of my favorite Châteaux the 2017 Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose. A blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. A classic Bordeaux blend and for a second label this would be a 1st growth at any other Château.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, plum sauce, black currant, chocolate, violet and minerals.

On the palate there is cherry, blackberry, raspberry, red & black currant, creme de cassis, violet, a minerality and earthiness.

This wine is medium + to full bodied with a lovely silky, velvety mouthfeel and medium + acidity and medium+ smooth polished tannins that leads into a long fresh fruit mineral finish. What a beautiful wine at a reasonable price. I hope everyone is doing well and your weekend will be a joyful one. Please stay healthy and safe and have an enjoyable weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 6 years ago

Iwan, Bob and 35 others liked this

Château de Chantegrive

Graves Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

This is the 2009 Chateau de Chantegrive. Graves, Podensac. A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the nose is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black plum, black currant, licorice, oak, smoke, iron, granite and dark rich earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, blaxk currant, green bell pepper, minerality and earth.

This wine is full bodied with a velvety smooth mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium+ smooth rounded plush tannins that takes you to a long black fruit mineral finish. Enjoy the weekend with family and friends and enjoy some beautiful wine together. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 3 years ago

Jose, Sharon and 16 others liked this

Atlantic Brewing Company

Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale

Love this Real Ale. One of the best Red Ales I have ever had — 4 years ago

Château Beychevelle

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Last night we opened the 2003 Château Beychevelle. Left Bank Bordeaux from Saint-Julien. This is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

On the nose there is black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, fig, black currant, cedar, black pepper and spice box.

On the palate there is black cherry, black raspberry, black plum, fig, cassis, black currant, tobacco, spice and earth.

This wine has evolved in two years to more rustic and earthy tones since I had last had the 2003. This is still full bodied with medium acidity down from the medium + acidity of two years ago and medium+ fine smooth sweet tannins which still leaves you with a long rustic dark fruit earthy finish. Have a great weekend and please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 4 years ago

Dawn, Jonathan and 23 others liked this

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Unwooded Chardonnay 2019

Super wine. Delicious fruit and aromas. And a nice price — 5 years ago

Good Harbor Vineyards

Fishtown White Blend 1990

Our first wine from Good Harbor and a nice surprise. Tart up front and sweetness at the end - but neither too sweet or too tart. Nice balance. — 5 years ago

Trish Gunther
with Trish

Luciano Sandrone

Le Vigne Barolo Nebbiolo 2016

Yesterday late afternoon I had the pleasure of tasting the 2016 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne Barolo. At first taste I knew this was a special bottle of wine. All boxes were checked on the nose as well as the palate.

On the nose were fully expressive notes of black cherry, strawberry, herbs, clove, clay pottery, rose petals, underbrush, tar and dusty soil.

On the palate were delightful notes of dark cherries, strawberry, red plum, licorice, truffle, herbs, dried roses, a good mineral note and dusty earth.

An outstanding wine from the word go, full bodied, well balanced with a smooth round mouthfeel, medium + acidity and medium + to high fine mouth coating grippy tannins that leaves you with a long pronounced fresh fruit dusty earth finish. This wine still has a lot to offer years from now. What a pleasure to have experienced this. I hope everyone's weekend is going well? Have a continued wonderful weekend. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Severn, Arden and 38 others liked this
Eric

Eric Influencer Badge

Great notes.
David L

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Very nice.

Domaine Drouhin

Laurène Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012

Saturday night and I felt like having a good Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. I have opened the 2012 Domaine Drouhin Laurène Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

On the nose there is strawberry, cherry, cranberry, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, rose petal, a hint of smoke and fresh earth.

On the palate I am getting strawberry, tart cherry, cranberry, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, spice, a hint of oak and a nice earth note.

This wine is medium bodied that fills the palate with medium + acidity and medium to medium + fine tannins that moves right into a medium + to long red fruit finish. Seems as though we are moving out of our 3 month slumber very briskly and there are those that think that all is normal. Please continue to practice social distancing, stay healthy and stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 6 years ago

Ron, Chris and 29 others liked this
Ron R

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@Daniel P. Drake, the Lauren is at the top of the food chain!
Ron R

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Nice pic. Is that your home in the background?
Daniel P. Drake

Daniel P. Drake Influencer Badge

@Ron R yes, this is my home in Indiana.