The Joy Fantastic

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Had the 2018 on Easter Sunday, 2026. Let it decant for close to two hours. Full body, silky smooth tannins with hints of cocoa, blackberry, raspberry and a hint of vanilla. Had a touch of leather near the end. Was really tasty. Was a gift from our kids and absolutely fantastic with dinner this evening. — 3 months ago

Matthew HeyboerEthan HeyboerJody Wycech
with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others
Neil, Tom and 7 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

I’ve had this in my personal cellar all these years. It was absolutely fantastic. Very smooth. No aftertaste. Had with prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner — 6 months ago

Tom, David and 5 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

The most showy bottle I’ve had of this wine, 95 Mouton is in a terrific place, and an absolute classic, with Paulliac power and concentration, fine grained tannins and hugely persistent finish. Fantastic with the legendary EMP duck! — 8 months ago

Matt, Paul and 11 others liked this

Rivers-Marie

Joy Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

Lemon kissed butterscotch. Rich butterscotch on the round palette. A drinker’s cali chard. — 6 years ago

Shay, Dave and 17 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1987

An absolute JOY🍷 Soft lovely tannins! Minerality,flint dried fruit hints of tobacco with a dried currant Overtone.Will drink great at 40🍷🍷🍷✝️ — 7 years ago

Shay, Elizabeth and 14 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Nice, I’m jealous

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

2000 vintage. Fantastic beguiling nose. Gossamer texture. Über-lengthy finish. Gorgeous as always. — 7 years ago

Ron, Shay and 17 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

What a fantastic vintage! Casis, oyester and tobacco, go get it! — 2 months ago

Pao, Sagee and 6 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2015

Fantastic! — 4 months ago

Andrew and jesus liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1989

Absolutely fantastic! — 5 months ago

Joe, Ericsson and 1 other liked this

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Fantastic bottling! I feel that Martha's Vineyard is a very under appreciated and under valued bottling from the Napa Valley. One of the oldest vineyard specific bottling in California behind Monte Bello and Eisele Vineyard. — 7 months ago

Bob, Dave and 4 others liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2007

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little.
— 4 years ago

Douglas, Bob and 16 others liked this
Willie Carter

Willie Carter

@Trixie It’s my favorite glass for sure
Willie Carter

Willie Carter

@Brent Young Appreciate that!
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Holding on two a few bottles of this vintage for my kids.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

A beautiful wine that ended a run of fantastic Phelps Insignia vintages. Unfortunately, more recent vintages have not met this standard. — 7 years ago

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2020

Yet another outstanding vintage (2020) of this consistently excellent Co-Op produced Barbaresco. Aromas of red fruit, dried rose petals and anise. Flavors of bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, mint, Asian spices, minerals and orange zest. Long and earthy/smoky finish. Fantastic balance, structure and depth. Fine grained tannins and a silky texture yet still firm and powerful. So delicious now, but built to age for at least another decade. The quality consistency of this wine vintage to vintage is incredible. Outstanding value! Thanks so much for opening this one, Keith S! Happy 60th Birthday, Karyn! — 3 months ago

Tom and Dave liked this
Dave

Dave

Yes!

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Jan A
9.6

Could use 5 more years, but nevertheless a joy to drink — 4 months ago

Dave, Lisanne and 11 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021

Got this bottle on my last Virgin Voyage and I had extra $ on my bar tab - a fantastic opportunity to purchase a couple exclusive (expensive) bottles like this. Sassicaia is a known leader in Super Tuscans. My first time trying Sassicaia… opened the bottle only for a couple of hours but a big beautiful bouquet of big jammy goodness that definitely isn’t shy. Wow 🤩 a delicious wine that doesn’t disappoint! — 6 months ago

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2002

No formal notes on this one , but really shows well . Drinking well with nice spicy blackberry and herbal touches on the nose. Fills out well on the palate too with good dark fruits touch of menthol and herbal finish . Very well balanced , quite light weight for a Chave Hermitage but as there is no comparison this evening the wine is just a joy to drink . Now but will still be going strong over the next 5 - 10 years . — 3 years ago

Tom, Brent and 6 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015

Always fantastic. Took 30 min mutes to really open up. Classic and delicious — 7 years ago

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2000

Tasted blind, I would’ve guessed a mature Bordeaux. Fantastic. — 7 years ago

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Thank you @Steve Haro ! Great start to Xmas. Absolutely fantastic! — 8 years ago

JJ liked this