The Chocolate Cellar

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Austin Hope! 2021 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon!!!!!!!!! Delicious! This amazing wine has a beautiful bouquet that reminds me of a field of fresh lavender and lemongrass! The pallet gives us an amazing black currant, blueberry, coffee bean, as well as some chocolate and Oaky earth-tones. It has a very moderately dry finish. I just went to the winery’s webpage and ordered a case of their different wines. You must check this Hope family winery out. Hopefamilywines.com Excellent!!!!!!!!! — 9 days ago

Rob, Ray and 9 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

One of my favorite producers! I just love Paso Robles wine period!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1995

1995 vintage. Good fill. Excellent cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and throwing a tad extra sediment…a nice mix of chunky and powdery sed. Tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours open and decanted. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and earth in the nose. These transferred over and slapped on a fudge chocolate note on the finish. In a good place now and not improving. Would seem to hold steady in this standing for another 3-4 years. 6.6.24. — 2 months ago

Lyle, Andrew and 28 others liked this

Orin Swift

Papillon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Traditional Bordeaux style blend. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry jam, violets and toasted bread. Palate is full of jammy black currant/berry flavors with additional notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, blueberry, graphite and baking spices. Full bodied and juicy. Not overly complex but very well made. A bit more bottle age is necessary for the wine to calm down a bit. Thanks for sharing, Ron B! — 2 months ago

Austin, Paul and 2 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

David T
9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute.
— 4 months ago

Shay, Paul and 18 others liked this

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%) and Shiraz (49%). Dark Ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus, black licorice, bergamot, dark chocolate, violets and blackberry. Hint of roasted nuts on the expansive finish. Wonderful purity of fruit and a very soft texture for such a young wine. Incredibly well balanced. This wine will only improve with age. Taking @Bob McDonald’s advice and investing in more of this beautiful wine and laying them down in the cellar for a decade. A great example of how Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are fantastic blending partners. Thanking you so much Keith S for sharing this wonderful bottle with us. — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister, Bob and 3 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Ray Vanderhoff Bin 389 is one of the most collectible wines in Australia. You won’t regret laying down a dozen or two.
Ray Vanderhoff

Ray Vanderhoff

Thanks Bob. I will most certainly take your advice. Brilliant wine!!

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2014

May 28, 2024. Happy birthday wine. 😁 so good. Tart cherry, earth, chocolate. — 2 months ago

Bob, Joe and 5 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry, forest floor, graphite and dark chocolate. Delicate, soft wine, blue and black fruit on the palate, balanced wine.

🏅 97 Points - James Suckling
🏅 96 Points - Robert Parker
🏅94 Points - Decanter
— 3 months ago

Bob, Ted and 9 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

David T
9.4

The one thing I get from this wine w/ this age is cognac notes and the 07 is just starting cognac notes on the long set. Still, rounded, medium plus, velvety tannins.

The fruits are ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, darkest cherries, & red cherries on the long set, strawberry hues. Chocolate/ cake/pudding/mousse, dark berry cola, mocha, dark chocolate, caramel, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise core to black licorice, dark spice w/ palate heat, dry, crush rock, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, liquid, dry herbaceous notes, fresh to withering; dark, red, slightly blue flowers framed in a field of violets & lavender, round, summer rainfall with a softly tensioned state, tall structure, well balanced, finely but deeply knitted & evenly polish finish that is nearly endless.

If you can have patience, Tapestry is one of the best Napa Cabernet for the money & this one has plenty of life ahead. 10 plus years.

Photos of; sunset on a BV vineyard, their tasting from many vantage points & old Victorian House.
— 22 days ago

Bob, Ira and 16 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Takes the reins as best ever Dunn Cabernet for me…needed 45 mins out of Magnum, nose all Bordeaux of cedar and cigar box with a touch of cassis. Velvety palate, layers of red cherry and chocolate espresso bean, long, long finish. Find and drink now if you can. — 2 months ago

Jeroen, Ira and 26 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Best ever - nice to hear

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

This wine has aged so beautifully! Smooth tannings, subtle aromas of black cherry, plum, black currant, pencil shavings, dried herbs, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and a hint of mentol.
A wonderful wine for a special occasion.
— 4 months ago

Joel, Bob and 13 others liked this