Shiraz Blend

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

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+.
— 5 days ago

Pooneet, Jason and 20 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

It was more subdued than I expected. I tend to like the Merlot heavy Bordeaux but this one was still a bit muted. Perhaps it needs more time even though it’s well in its recommended range. Dark and heavy. Solid but left me underwhelmed. Decanted. Better after an hour. — 11 days ago

Robin, Tom and 15 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Initial pour was impressive with dark blackberry sage and leather. What I found interesting was the noticeable amount of acid in comparison to the soft almost undetectable tannin. — 8 days ago

KP, Tom and 11 others liked this

Krug

Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend

Somm David T
9.3

Close 2025 with a 375ml Grande Cuvée and my mother’s old fashion coffee cake. — 9 days ago

Andrew, Jay and 10 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. — 11 days ago

Robin, Sándor and 29 others liked this
Tyler Felous

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

Paul K

@Tyler Felous many thanks!!

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1978

This bottle was in perfect condition has incredible balance with black and red fruits earth, spice garrigue. As good as you would hope should hold for another five years. Nice juice ! — 8 days ago

Ira, Eddie and 1 other liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

The nose is profoundly layered and regal: cedar chest, humid tobacco, graphite, and dried rose petals, unfolding slowly into red currant, black tea, sandalwood, and the faintest whisper of truffle and old parchment. It’s not about intensity; it’s about dimension…

On the palate, it is seamless and sovereign. Red and black fruits are fully resolved into essence rather than flavor; currant, cherry skin, a touch of plum; all wrapped in polished leather and earth. The tannins have dissolved into silk, the acidity remains statuesque, and the finish lingers with a calm, noble persistence that feels endless rather than long.

Chateau Margaux at its absolute summit: complete, composed, and eternal; power expressed through grace, and grace sharpened by the patience of time. Do drink now.
— 14 days ago

Tom, Sagee and 12 others liked this
ESF

ESF

👀

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1970

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 — 12 hours ago

Ronald, Thijs and 10 others liked this

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2019

Chateauneuf as it‘s best! Viel dunkles: schokolade, tabak, geröstete nüsse, waldbeeren, schwarzkirsche, komplex, rund, samtig im abgang und laaaang!!
Ein wirklich grosser wein!
— 7 days ago

Andrew, Tegan and 1 other liked this

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Somm David T
9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux was my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought it on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect!

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart by the heart emblem.

Open it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages.

82 is such a grand classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs old. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

Notes forthcoming when I finish my Ribcap…

This is a technical 94 but in evolution & style a 97.
— an hour ago

Jay and Tom liked this
Jay Kline

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Agreed: 1982 continues to prove its quality. Also, the Durand is a game changer.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T also, Calon-Ségur is one of my favorites on the left bank