Simply
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2015
Oh yes…gimme all them funky cherries and all dat black licorice. There were also Ferrara Red Hots®️and a generous hit of black pepper. I simply adore Pegau; for all of its unapologetic character and authenticity. This 2015 brought the business tonight and was smashing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. — 9 months ago
Château Calon-Ségur
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1959
From a great looking bottle with a fill almost into the neck. Double decanted and left in the bottle for 5 hours before attacking it. Amber color. Good weight and haunting nose. Notes of old cedar, mocha, plums, cola, dark fruit, molasses and some sweet red cherry. Early on it’s all about the amazing nose. But with time the wine gains weight and you have a gorgeous old St Estephe in front of you. Still giving its all, and although the fruit is somewhat faded, this has complexity and structure that still drives the experience. And that nose is simply stunning. Great showing. — 3 years ago
Château Margaux
Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.
To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100. — 23 days ago
Vietti
Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d'Asti 2020
Jacques Selosse
Brut Rosé Champagne Blend 2018
2018 Disgorgement is on fire tonight, intensely aromatic and simply unmistakable with its infinite layers of spiced red berry fruit, blood orange and chalky minerals that wrap around the palate, with singular texture, weight and density, giving way to a chiseled, vibrant and incredibly long finale. Just nothing like it. — 9 months ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004
Presented blind alongside three other red wines; another Bordeaux and two Bordeaux blends from CA. All wines were descanted and returned to the bottle 8 hours prior.
This wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity. Medium+ intensity. The nose was a mix of red and dark fruits with currants and cherries, tobacco, pencil shavings, earth, espresso and baking spice. There’s just a whiff of a barnyard in the distance too. On the palate, again the mixed fruit set with beautifully ripened blackberries and black cherries, currants, earth, coffee and baking chocolate. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Finishes looooooong, dry and immensely satisfying.
The wine is balanced and leans towards its structure. I called 2004 Latour. The soaring aromatics were simply incredible. I just wanted to spend the entire evening with my nose buried in the glass. This is squarely in the drinking window yet has many years left in it. Drink now with an extended decant or enjoy over the next 10-15 years. — 3 years ago
Neil Valenzuela
Wow 🤩 - Deep gold color. Aromas of burnt honey, pineapple, dried apricot, passion fruit and eucalyptus. Simply divine on the palate - orange, apricot and dried fruit.
🏅 100 Points - Wine Advocate
🏅100 Points - James Suckling
🏅98 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— 23 days ago