Side Yard Vineyard

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Columbia Valley Riesling 2017

Sweeter side but not overly sweet — 2 months ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Opened but not decanted. Tasted after one hour open. More structure than the 1990 version tasted side-by-side but leaner with slight, vegetal tones, less fruit and better tannic structure than the 1990. Couldn't find this in my Delectable reviews but feel like I've tasted this once in the last 6 or so years. Apples (1990 version)/Oranges (1989). As with the 1990, the 1989 is in a good place for another few years in the 750ml format but if you want to truly visit a 35+ year old vintage at the height of its' powers, opt-in for a large format experience. 10.10.25. — 8 months ago

Jeroen, Dave and 24 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Opened this in 2019 for my wife’s 30th and I still think about that wine six years later. Stunning.

Scribe

West Side Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This bottle has been open in cooler for 48 hours… tastes better 48 hours ago — 3 years ago

B Side

North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Extremely pleasant wine. Smooth tanins, mild boysenberry notes. — 6 years ago

Clos Pepe Estate

Pinot Noir The Dark Side 2012

Still in great shape! — 6 years ago

Jeff OrlowskiMichael Seely
with Jeff and Michael
Jeff, Matt and 3 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001

After an hour and a half, this one settled down. Quite "weedy" initially, but then became a very nice wine, almost with a youthful kind of nose. If tasted blind, I would have said this was a 2009-2011 high end CDP. But, there's a HINT of mushroom on the nose and front of the palate, along with raspberry tart and some mature pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather, hint of clove. Finishes with a lot of fruit influence. Tannins have resolved quite nicely on this wine. The youth of this wine is starting to give to a more mature side. Nice. In a good spot right now. — 7 years ago

P, Ryan and 34 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Top vintage too in my book
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

This wine is a big favorite of mine.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@James Cahill I didn't. But looking back, I probably should have. And if I open up one within the next few years, I probably will. @Pinotman /// Andreas was very good. Had read good things about the vintage. @Hugh O'Riordan I don't drink many or have many Beaucastel, but I always lament that I don't have more whenever I do open one!!

Apothic

Dark Side California Pinot Noir

Nice and smooth… not to heavy. Good drinking as well as with a pasta dish! — 9 months ago

Dr. Loosen

Dr. L Mosel Riesling 2021

Best Riesling ever! Mellow with soft fragrance reminiscent of the Mosel Valley! On the sweeter side, but perfect for our Dal & Parathas! — 2 years ago

"Odedi" liked this

Hopes End Wine

Run Away To The Dark Side To A Place Called Port Misery Shiraz Blend 2015

Wow, jam, dark stone fruit. Deep purple rim. A pleasure to drink as I grill — 6 years ago

Apothic

Apothic White Winemaker's Blend California White Blend 2013

Easy summer day drink. Little on the sweeter side. — 7 years ago

Monisha SoodVinay Singh
with Monisha and Vinay

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

Nice, aged Cabernet. Debated opening this one. This started more on the plum and raisin side and a little muted. 15 minutes later? Fig and mushroom with basil and oregano, but not a whole lot of fruit. 30 minutes after that? Dirty black cherry, plums, seemed to find itself after a 31 year sleep. Rather substantial weight in the middle. Finishes with a gritty note. Tannins are definitely dropping here and this one is showing all it has. Good time to drink now! — 7 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldShay ABenjamin Keator
with Dan, Shay and 1 other
Shay, Joshua and 37 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Great review. Interesting wine to try
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I got to this after about 30mins of being open and by that time, the funk had blown off and there was a dominant note of pipe tobacco along with older cherry and plum. Very much herbal-driven on the back end of the palate. At 32yrs old, there was still nice weight to this and while it’s not powerful, fruit is still noticeable. A treat to try aged Napa Cab that can taste like this!
9.3

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Special Selection is Caymus’ flagship bottling, the only wine to twice earn Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.” The 2013 vintage comes from a benchmark Napa year—warm, consistent, and producing deeply concentrated fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor sites, this wine showcases the Caymus hallmark: bold, plush, and fruit-driven Napa opulence.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent blackberries, cassis, and baked blueberries, wrapped in layers of cocoa, espresso, and toasted vanilla. Secondary notes of licorice, sweet tobacco, and graphite add depth. With time in the glass, hints of cedar and leather start to show, signaling the early stages of graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, almost velvet-like, with powerful yet polished tannins. The 2013 vintage delivers intensity and weight, but with balance—long, lingering finish loaded with ripe dark fruit and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous cluster selection, long maceration for depth, and extended aging in new French oak barrels (18+ months). Chuck Wagner’s hallmark style: unapologetically ripe fruit, creamy oak integration, and a seamless, approachable structure even in youth.

Food Pairing
A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-crusted lamb. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with aged Gouda or truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
A monumental vintage of Caymus Special Selection—ripe, hedonistic, and still showing youthful vigor more than a decade later. Built for aging, yet already a crowd-pleaser. A benchmark expression of Napa Cabernet’s luxurious side.

Personal Pick Highlight
2013 stands out as one of Napa’s greatest modern vintages, and tasting it now is like catching Caymus in its prime sweet spot: power meeting polish. Cheers!
— 9 months ago

Ted liked this

Domaine François Raveneau

Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2000

Tasted blind. Light gold color. Has a nose that immediately takes me to Chablis. Notes of honey, citrus, wet river stone, ocean breeze, tan spice and white chalky soil. Perfectly balanced in the mouth with lots of fruit and acidity. Screams Raveneau. I guess 2000 Raveneau Valmur. Had this side by side with the 2000 Fevre Clos… the 2000 Raveneau Butteaux had 4 hours of air in the decanter, the 2000 Fevre Clos only 30 min… it clearly showed (1) why you age Chablis and (2) why you give them hours of air to open before consumption. The Raveneau was outstanding and the Fevre didn’t have time to show its expression. — 5 years ago

romo, Josh and 25 others liked this

7 Moons

Dark Side Red Blend

Fantastic cab, perfect by itself or wine dinner. Great compliment with the filet mignon I had tonight. Dry, yet a touch sweet, deep bold flavors. — 6 years ago

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2008

Blackberry jam, pepper, a bit of celer, tar, meat juice with a gamey note too. It's intoxicating and it calls for a quick dive. The palate starts with a very nice blackberry jam layer which expands on the width but soon comes a massive acid backbone which pushes the structure toward the end of the palate. It's super powerful yet very complex with different layers: some grip on the side, a buttery, creamy touch and mouthfeel, the acid backbone and some tannins which kick-start and expending finish, very fresh, with blackberry and pepper and a slightly bitter note, just underlined by the gently drying tannins. This is magnificent and comes easily in my top 3 wines all time. I love it and it's an understatement. #birthdaytreat — 6 years ago

Alex, Peter and 22 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

Thank you @Ken Z !
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Daniel Maquin Happy Birthday. Great to have one of your top 3 wines of all time.
Daniel M

Daniel M

@Bob McDonald yes, Thank you!