Think As Thieves

Château Lafleur

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

A rich crimson in colour. Initially a note of Animale (Barb thought a brief note of cow yard) amongst the dusty cherry, dark fruits, violets and mushroom notes. Great balance between the 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Medium bodied with smooth supple tannins. The next day: Elegance with length - shows the quality of the fruit IMO. My first Lafleur, I think, and it was excellent as expected. — 2 months ago

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Bob McDonald

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@Tom Casagrande @Doug Powers I doubt I will buy another bottle. The asking price has become prohibitive.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald@Tom Casagrande and I could probably fly to and from Australia to share 2 or 3 bottles of Lafleur with you, it’d be cheaper than us each buying bottles here in the U.S. — LOL!!
Bob McDonald

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@Doug Powers I very much doubt that Lafleur or any other Bordeaux or Burgundy would be cheaper in Australia than the USA. Only Australian wines would be cheaper here than in the USA I would imagine.

Domaine Saint Préfert

Réserve Auguste Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2006

Dark fruit flavors like blackberries and dark cherries also tastes of dark chocolate and aged balsamic. This wine is very reduced. I don’t usually think of 18 years old as being very old for Châteauneuf-du-Pape but this one is showing its age. On the nose it gives balsamic reduction and dark cherry syrup. This wine has the nose of a vintage port. It does still have a good tannin structure. Very interesting. — a year ago

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Recent notes suggested this wine was declining and the fruit fading.This was cause for concern as have a few of these I’ve been patiently cellaring. Well, I’m very happy to report this bottle, a Martine’s import, was stellar. To my palate, the wine is in a perfect place. Tertiary aromas and flavors dominate. Very complex aromas of sous bois, herbs de provence, wet saddle and red fruits. The palate is vivid and lively. Extraordinary depth and length that never faded. I can’t say enough great things about this wine. There’s no chance this bottle was fading or won’t last several more years. I don’t think it can improve as it’s almost perfection right now. Simply a stunner. — 3 years ago

Conrad Green
with Conrad

Jones Family Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.8

I coravined some of the 97 early this week and as I sipped it, it was had not to think it was the best Jones Family I’ve had. A score of 98 and I have not given a wine 98 in a very long time. But no matter where you go, there you are.

Tonight I had the 01 at the “Tasting House” and it was amazing. Their Short Ribs are amongst the best I’ve had. A deliberate wine bring knowing the wine & how well it pairs w/ short ribs.

1997 was an outstanding vintage. I think we can all agree on that. Jones Family is a TRB wine that should not fly under the radar in any vintage and I have had nearly all those good vintages since 97.

The 1997 is ethereal. The nose is pure beauty. Perfectly ripe and resolved fruits. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, fresh tobacco, cedar to sandalwood, dark, Indian/Asian spices, camphor, black licorice, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, tree bark w/ hints of sap, dark & red fresh flowers.

The palate is incredibly, beautiful, balanced fruit & earth. Bright cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, hovering raspberries & juicy strawberries. Perfect baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, sandstone/limestone, beautiful Indian/Asian spices w/ some plate heat, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, volcanics & dry clay, camphor, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice, some warm caramel, berry cola, sun tea, volcanics, dark rich soil with dry leaves, tree bark w/ hints of sap, fresh & dry herbs, dark & red fresh flowers framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with perfect; elegance, tension, balance and structured finish that last minutes landing on fresh fruit, dark spices and earth tones.

I’ve posted other bottles of 97 Jones Family that were incredible, 95-96. This one perhaps had better storage, evolution & timing. Magic.
— 3 months ago

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Bob McDonald

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@Somm David T I recall having several bottles of the 97 Opus One which were all stunning.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

Shay A
9.5

Curiosity finally got the best of me as it was a buddy’s birthday and he wanted to try this 2007. I think this received a three digit score, so whether points matter to you or not, it’s fun to try and get a data point.

Tried a glass right at pop, then drank from the decanter over the next 4-5hrs.

This was quite the rollercoaster. It was big and bruising the first hour, then blossomed in to an extremely smooth and balanced Bordeaux style blend. Dark red and black berry fruits, violets, mocha, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco all dominate the rich mid-palate. It seemed to somewhat shut down after 3+hrs, so either pop and enjoy or hold another three years for this drinking window.
— 3 years ago

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Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

My only bottle of 82 Mouton, sadly. This was about as classic a Pauillac as it gets. Hard to believe it is 40 years old as it is sitting somewhere in mid-life. Lovely deep currant fruit, pencil lead, fairly seamless and perfectly balanced tannins and everything else. Will think fondly of this one. — 3 years ago

Andrew liked this

La Caña

Rías Baixas Albariño

Delightfully sour with a salinity that grew as I drank more. Thought I caught hints of wet dog on the nose, but I think I’m crazy. Dry and drinkable, and I just might go back for a few more bottles. — 4 months ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1986

Flight 2 , wine 1 . Quite deep garnet , less terracotta rim . This had a whiff of oxidation about it at first which seemed to somewhat dissipate with time . Some dark spiced fruits , liquorice and menthol hints , cedar and sous bois . On the palate good ripeness and spiced dark cherry hints . Good acidity and rounded tannin . Nice length also , offering some spiced black fruits and menthol hints . Don’t think this is a pristine bottle but was enjoyable none the less , I was unsure at first if this was Napa , but coming back to it … and reading my notes , it became quite obvious . However I had this down as the Ch Montelena , not the Dominus — 5 months ago

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Viuva José Gomes da Silva & Filhos

Collares Ramisco 2011

Columbia county 2.0: 100% Ramisco from one of the worlds great wacky wine areas- vines not just on sandy soil, but on sand, in Colares, Portugal. The closest soul equivalent I can think of is Barolo, as it has that intensity of red fruit but within such a light to moderate frame, though tannins don’t bear the same aggressiveness as Barolos. Still, the age worthiness of these Ramiscos could easily outlive me. Needle like acidity & Gorgeous red fruits. Doesn’t feel like infanticide. Have two bottles by another Colares producer which hopefully I can resist In the next few decades. Paired beautifully with baked chicken thighs with Medjol dates, lemons, thyme, & shallots. — 2 years ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Severn, Daniel and 6 others liked this

Stags' Leap Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Old faithful. When I want good wine and don’t want the burden of choice - this is old reliable. Nose: smells like good American wine! Dark fruits, cassis (I suppose), a little black pepper, blackberry. A little grilled meat in there too. Taste: the tannins hit you, I think it’s a little young. Tastes basically as it smells, plus a little bitter coffee and cocoa. Not overly soft/lush. Not a “value”, but always enjoyable. 91-92. — 3 years ago

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