The Brewery

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 1996

The final bottle for our annual Valentine’s Day and carbonara tradition (this time one day early). We skipped last year as my wife was pregnant, nice to be back. Very good, but definitely in an advanced stage - the nuttiness really comes through. There is still great acid, lemon curd, crispness, soft bubbles.

After the full case, I’d say the ones from 2021-2023 were the best.

On to Krug 2004 next year!!
— 6 days ago

Lyle, Somm and 14 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Definitely 96 color these days. Cheers! 🥂

The Mascot

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry pie, red currant, leather, menthol, crushed gravel and bell pepper skin. Hefty wine, black fruit on the palate, tobacco, cherries and black tea notes.

🏅95 Points - Kevin Vogt
— 20 days ago

Ed, Tom and 22 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

plush fruit given its age. Tangy plum. A touch of tobacco. Good acid — 11 days ago

Ara Aslanian
with Ara
Tom, Neil and 4 others liked this

Boekenhoutskloof

The Chocolate Block Cinsault Blend 2023

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 9 days ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cooked cherries, light green vegetables, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old red blend from California is still drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting. Nice to see that it aged nicely.

Showing slight RS on the palate, but I can live with that.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 17 days ago

Andrew, Ted and 9 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Big Cheers dear Winefriend 👌🍷

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1981

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a dull purple/garnet color with a translucent core and significant rim variation, moving towards a rust color. The wine has medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, dried red and purple flowers, old leather bound books, tobacco, a touch of menthol, some earth, old wood and a sprinkle of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Super high quality but a touch thin.

Initial conclusions: Due to the observable characteristics of color, rim variation, sediment, smell and flavor, I think this wine has significant age; 30+ years. However, this is still very alive and showing more than enough markers to give an indication of place. Subsequently, this could be a Cabernet-based blend or a Tempranillo-based blend from the United States, France, or Spain. For me, I’m getting new French oak vibes instead of American so I’m eliminating Spain. I also think this leans more towards its fruit than its structure and since this comes across a little on the thin side, I’m going to say this comes from a tougher vintage. My final conclusion is this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the USA, Napa, 1981. Wow! This showed really well.

It never ceases to amaze me how analogous the 1981 vintage was in both Napa and Bordeaux. I find it equally amazing how well that vintage has held up; particularly when considering its poor reputation, mostly based on the prevailing thought at the time. From my perspective, well stored examples are not going to fall off of a cliff but I would drink now through 2031.
— 23 days ago

Lyle, Pooneet and 17 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Frankly find Latour more "interesting" in lesser vintages with subtleties/nuances often lost in the bigger vintages. The big vintages amply feature the power and the lesser vintages feature the glory. Probably in the minority here tho.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego personally, I don’t have enough experience with Chateau Latour to have a feeling, one way or another. That being said, I’ve had enough experience with 1st growths in general (including Latour) to more or less understand your take. And logically, I have no reason to doubt your position

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Better than expected as the last few assorted vintage Artemis bottles I’ve had have been less than good. Medium-heavy body. Decent spice and tea flavors on the caboose. 2.12.26. — 6 days ago

Somm, Dave and 15 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I thought 2018 was very good. You?
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Dave 2018 a great vintage along with 2019. 2019 is more approachable tho. Can't remember if I had the 2018 but this steady producer/effort had lost my trust. This example semi-restored my faith.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Marchesi Antinori ownership now.

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1988

Light amber. Showing secondary notes- dried apricot, honey, brioche. Good tension still and reasonable fizz. For my palate slightly past the best bottles I’ve had of this — a day ago

Paul WoollsMatt LichtenbergBOT
with Paul, Matt and 1 other
Jan, Jay and 3 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

good savory fruit. Less sweet. Soft with good balance. Pretty — 11 days ago

Ara Aslanian
with Ara
Tom, Jeroen and 1 other liked this