Second Line Wines

Line 39 Wines

California Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Found at Trader Joes. It is delicious! — 6 days ago

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Last tasted 3 years ago (9.6). Nice fill. Durand used to open. Cork 95% saturated with extensive bottle rim cleaning involved before pouring. Not decanted. Tight, minty nose throughout along with a decided, lingering zinc note under the tongue at the finish line. Tasted 2 hours after opening. Power but without delineation. Just a consistent, forgettable push. Nothing wrong with the wine...it just needed more air/time and a decant but it wasn't my call. Feel like the zinc flavor would have dissipated/blown off with more time. Good but more memorable for what it wasn't vs what it was. Pity and an entire wasting of what could have been. 11.21.25. — a month ago

Tom, Paul and 16 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Very interesting and diplomatic note.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas Had to bite my tongue.

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Château Léoville Poyferré 2014
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A distinguished Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) from Saint-Julien, Château Léoville Poyferré has been elevated under the stewardship of the Cuvelier family and Michel Rolland’s consultancy. The 2014 vintage is a classic Bordeaux blend comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. This cooler year yielded wines with notable polish, freshness, and age-worthy structure.  

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive and refined, the bouquet opens with blackcurrant, cassis, and plum, framed by cedar, graphite, violets, and aromatic spice. The palate is layered with ripe red and dark fruits, along with hints of tobacco, pepper, and soft oak—a harmonious reflection of balanced ripeness and terroir depth.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, with smooth yet structured tannins and vivid acidity. The finish is long and mineral-tinged, echoing Saint-Julien’s limestone terroir while expressing both strength and grace.

Winemaking Notes
Vinified traditionally and aged in French oak barrels (predominantly new), the 2014 benefits from meticulous attention to extraction and maturation, resulting in elegant concentration and finesse.  

Food Pairing
Wonderful with roast lamb, herb-crusted beef, or rich mushroom dishes. Decanting for an hour enhances its layered complexity.

Verdict
A classic expression of Left Bank finesse and depth, Château Léoville Poyferré 2014 strikes an artful balance between fruit, structure, and refinement. Enjoy now with decanter or cellar it to explore its evolution over the next decade.Cheers!
— 4 months ago

Ted, ESF and 4 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Les Tourelles de Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

After 10 years in the bottle, a decidedly savory second wine from this storied Second Growth château. Meaty, almost Northern Rhône character after uncorking. After a day in wine fridge the charcuterie notes ease a bit, blackberry, stewed cassis start to edge forward, classic #pauillac graphite and mineral notes that carry through on palate. Lovely tension on the palate and persistent fine tannins through the finish. — 6 days ago

Château Giscours

La Sirène de Giscours Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

La Sirène de Giscours – Margaux 2015
Margaux, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Second label of the prestigious 3rd Growth Château Giscours, this cuvée shows how even secondary bottlings from classified estates can age with grace. The 2015 blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, delivering structure, elegance, and finesse in perfect harmony.

Aromas & Flavors
Vivid layers of ripe blackcurrant, raspberry, and plum glide alongside subtle cedar, tobacco, and floral spice. Delicate hints of earth and minerality frame the fruit beautifully.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished tannins, silky texture, and a seamless balance between freshness and maturity. The finish is long, refined, and quietly powerful.

Food Pairing
Versatile with roast lamb, duck breast, or aged Comté. It also complements charcuterie or hard cheeses in a more casual setting.

Verdict
An elegant Margaux that proves second labels are no afterthought. Still very much alive, refined, and balanced—an absolute pleasure to drink.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This wine reinforces my belief that second labels can often surprise and delight. The finesse and silkiness here rival many first labels—proof that patience rewards and that Margaux elegance never fails.
— 4 months ago

Andrew and Ted liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Mid crimson with a tawny rim showing its age. Just as impressive as the 2000 vintage which tends to get the accolades. This blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Aromatics of an old flower arrangement that had dried off with mature black fruits and cedar. My last bottle at 24 years of age but many say this could carry on until the mid 2030s. A classic Bordeaux living up to its “Super Second” standing. — 5 months ago

Doug, Tom and 32 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Ooooh. . . .
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

2001's were so overlooked given the 2000 hype.

Château Durfort-Vivens

Margaux Second Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Decanted for 3 hours. Opened beautiful with deep cherry & leather flavors. This is an underrated Bordeaux in my opinion. — 2 months ago

Letha Phillips
with Letha
Rick, Tom and 6 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022

Silky smooth and very balanced but missing a bit of ompf and flavor. Maybe too young? Seems to be the point of a second wine though... — 4 months ago

Dave, Austin and 19 others liked this

Screaming Eagle

Second Flight Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

2 hour decant(little fine sediment). A striking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes with perfumed dark berries, forest floor, spearment, smoked meat, truffles. Taste: silky, layered, plush wine with dark plum/cherry, milk chocolate, smokey cedar, earth, and a peppery graphite medium plus dry finish. YUM! Drinks well with the decant and time to go. — 4 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 13 others liked this

County Line

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017

Eric Sussman of radio coteaux produced this. He knows the drill. — 6 years ago