Think Tank

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021

2021 vintage. Pleasant throughout and hit plenty of notes without screeching. The KB style has changed in the last few years. Gone are the mega-extracted pinots altho those are still around and holding up in the cellars/secondary market. Those older wines were a 10 on the volume scale. The last few vintages are closer to a 5. That said, this should hold up and develop nicely for a decade+ without issues. Those that don't think you can drink CA pinot noir over 4-5 years old are in for quite the surprise with quality producers. 04.18.25. — 4 days ago

Ted, David and 11 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2013

Medium lemon colour . This is showing a little more complex and detailed than the last time . Lemon rind , crushed rocks , ginger and white flowers , touch of brioche also . On the palate a bit more dense , but with good balanced acidity and lemon rind , brioche , ginger and toasty , mineral finish. Drinkable now , though best days will be in 5-10 years time , though I don’t think this will be as long lived as the 2012 . — 3 months ago

Ron, Andrew and 11 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Forty-plus years on, people still talk about the greatness of the 1982 vintage in Bordeaux. There are multiple factors that contribute to this and it’s fair to say that Robert Parker’s reaction played a major role in the early popularity; certainly in the States. While some may say that 1982 was merely a “good” vintage by today’s standards, I think history has proven it to be empirically special; there was just so much quality from top to bottom. And yet, even with the high praise of the vintage, the tone shifts to hushed whispers when the 1982 Mouton gets mentioned. Up until that point, the Chateau had sort of underachieved after receiving its unprecedented promotion in 1973. But in 1982, a year full of great wine, they created a legend and firmly cemented their First Growth status. Today, I’m pleased to report the plaudits for the ’82 are all warranted.

Opened and double-decanted earlier in the day. The ’82 Mouton pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core with some sediment; almost youthful when compared to many of the other older wines poured on the night. On the nose, the wine is developing still; loaded with cassis, black berries, leaf tobacco, leather, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with fabulous structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of power. A stunning wine and well in its prime…a window I expect will remain open for a longtime to come. Drink now with bacchanalian abandon and through 2082.
— 4 months ago

Ira, Jan and 29 others liked this
Somm David T

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I picked the Mouton Merlot in 2012 for a day. At the two harvest lunches I attended, they served the 82. Every time they bottle, they take the remaining barrel juice, filter it and then serve the remains at their harvest luncheons for workers & guests. The second lunch I attended, we were seated at the Baroness’s table may she RIP as she passed in 2014. In 2012, they drank the last of the 82.
Jay Kline

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@David T what an awesome story and experience
Bob McDonald

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@Jay Kline I agree re the 1982 Bordeaux vintage. The Chateau Margaux was one of the greatest wines I have ever drunk whereas the Lafite Rothschild was somewhat underwhelming. Bought at the same time from the same shop and stored the same way.

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

We think something has changed at Montrose after the departure of Jean Bernard Delmas. Its not a bad wine by any means but the style is modern and extracted. At ten years this ie very drinkable and great quality but does not speak to its terroir as it used to. Hope its just one year… — 24 days ago

Jose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillardAdriana Pagliano
with Jose, veronique and 1 other
Adriana, Daniel and 10 others liked this
Jay Kline

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The most recent vintage of Montrose I’ve had was the 2000 vintage but I’ve have enough experience with the estate going back to vintages in the 1960’s. If it has changed, that’s borderline criminal.
Alexandre Pagliano

Alexandre Pagliano Premium Badge

We have same experience, pretty much all vintages from 1966 to 2009. This 2014 is a good wine but little resemblance to our experience in so many vintages. We hope its a one off, but we dont really know. To your point if they changed, well its criminal indeed...

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2011

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff
— 4 months ago

ESF, Bob and 1 other liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 1985

A slightly austere and blocky front to the nose., graphite and ink. Very savory and deep. Salinity and iron. Surprising. Very good. I think, atypical — 6 months ago

David Schachter
with David
Jay, Shay and 10 others liked this

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 — 2 months ago

Anthony, Jan and 8 others liked this

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

AEL
9.2

I love this stuff. Perfectly balances a creamy, comfort-wine vibe with real sophistication. Behind the creaminess, distinct blueberry, crushed red berry, pepper notes. I previously reviewed the 2020; I think this is slightly better. At mom's. — 4 months ago

LM, Ted and 4 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Drinking a 3L from 2013 in late ‘24. Love the big format bottles and aging potential. This could go a lot longer I think but is also fine to drink now.

Standard Caymus flavors and aromas that made the brand known. Dark inky crimson color. Blueberries and blackberry fruit mixed with vanilla alongside the tell-tale signs of wet band-aid. Great tannins, medium-to-big acidity, good long finish. Really nice.
— 4 months ago

Jillian Varner
with Jillian

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

On nose its lots of Blackberries, oak, pine woods, leathery

On palate its so delicious, long finish, soft tannins, medium acidity, its firm and silky smooth.
Lots if fruits, with touch of vanilla, creamy. Incredible complexity. I think this wine is on its peak or another 3 years to develop. Cheers everyone!
— 8 months ago