The Happy Medium

Star Lane Vineyard

Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

2009. Similar notes to the 2005. Less eucalyptus notes, more dried fruit. Inky color, iron minerality, cassis driven, pretty fruit, tannins still grippy. Tobacco and mint on the finish. Cork disintegrated while opening, but juice intact! 😁 — 23 days ago

Douglas liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2020

Ming L
9.3

Quite approachable at this young age. 30 minutes decant and it’s open for business. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, cocoa, and lightly roasted nuts. The depth of flavors and elegant medium to full body show the pedigree. If blinded, I would not be able to tell this is a Sangiovese dominant blend. Would prefer a bit more acidity. But who am I to complain. — 20 hours ago

Tom, Bob and 3 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2012

Medium light lemon yellow colour . Quite open and fruit driven , lemon peel , touch of seashell and ripe apple . On the palate a bit more of the citrus fruits with some brioche and ripe apple , mineral tinged finish . Very fresh and vivid . Long mineral tinged , citrus peel finish . Showing pretty young, really fresh and fruit orientated. This is still very nice now , but will obviously benefit from further aging especially in magnum . From now on, but better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 — 21 hours ago

Tom, Tom and 10 others liked this

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 1949

Pop and pour a glass (decanted remaining for sediment). An arresting medium tawny color. On the nose: delicate perfumed nose of red fruit, funky barnyard, herbaceous, wet soil, worn leather. Taste: a smooth, slightly creamy, silky wine with dried red plum/prunes, earth, baking spice, old leather, cigar ash, and dried herbs with a quick medium finish. What a treat to try this 75 year old 5th growth that is still just hanging on for dear life! WOW! — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, David and 19 others liked this

Margerum

Sybarite Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Sauvignon Blanc

N: elegant gooseberry lovely florality.

P: crisp. Green Apple fruit Mineral. Not super fruity.

S/s

12.1%
— 23 days ago

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Tried 3 years ago, and it was a tannic bottle of disappointment, it's changed for the better.

2 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: dark fruit, cocoa, pencil shavings, floral, cigar box, menthol. Taste: soft, elegant wine with some black/red fruit, currants, crushed stone, and an earthy black tea lean medium finish. Not the depth and power of a great year, drinks well now...not sure how much more this will improve.
— 13 hours ago

Brenda, Shay and 9 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 8 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Tom and 19 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 14 days ago

Bob, Tom and 15 others liked this

G.D. Vajra

Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2020

Pale ruby in color; bright cherries, black tea, and potpourri on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like cranberries, raspberries, and clay pots with a long finish. Nellie didn't like it, Thy says it's gross, Jason says it's ok, I like it, and Wine Spectator ranked it as number 9 in its top 10 list of wines for 2024. — 7 days ago

Jason HolmesNellie Bauman
with Jason and Nellie
Martin and Jamie liked this

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 1999

Appearance:
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Deep
Colour: Garnet

Nose:
Condition: Clean
Intensity: Medium
Restrained Fruit & spices

Palate:
Dry, medium acidity, medium tannins, medium bodied

Excellent quality but a bit past its best. Still a great wine but needs drinking now!
— a month ago

Michele Walker
with Michele