True & Daring

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Somm David T
9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux were my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought this Calon Segur on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect, no bottle neck tannin burn but plenty of velvety sediment.

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart emblem on the label.

Opened it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages. Then, stopped 1/2 way through and poured the bottom half of the bottle from the bottle.

82 is such a grand, classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs of age. I don’t want to say it is a long in tooth as its neighbor, Montrose, but it is close. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

This 82 glides over the palate. There is only beautiful elegance, nothing bites back. The fruits are older (not old or past their prime), ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums but lean plum vs black, dark cherries, crazy, outstanding, hoovering raspberries with notes of blueberries & shades of freshly picked rhubarb. Some black cherry cola, anise to understated black licorice, dark chocolate pudding, caramel, layered, gentle baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, touch of sun tea, old leather, dryish to fresh tobacco w/ash, charcoal, elegant graphite, dry limestone powder, dry river pebbles, black, rich earth w/ dry leaves, magical, dark spices, grey volcanics, dry stems, just a hint of dry herbs, dry top soil, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, red roses, grand acidity with perfect; balance, tension, structure and a grand, gentle finish that goes on & on and eventually lands on an amazing soft buffet of earthiness.

This is a wine that is technically a 94, but w/ evolution & style a 97. Amazing bottle that you don’t want to end.

$500 a bottle today through the app. Somewhere around $10 upon release.
— 5 months ago

Somm, Jay and 22 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline Grand love for 82 & the Left Bank. Cheers! 🍷
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Peter van den Besselaar Thank you. Happy to bring it. Cheers! 🍷

True Believer

Santa Maria Valley Grenache Blend Rosé

Ming L
9.3

My last bottle of this amazing 19’ Rose. Prior notes apply. — 3 years ago

Bob, Tom and 1 other liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo

As the summer is slipping out of our hands, its time to to pop those complex reds that we’ve been lastning for. Produttori del Barbaresco is considered one of the best cooperatives in the world and its 2016 Barbaresco is a solid proof of that statement.
Restrained at first and needs a couple of hours in the decanter to reach its climax. True to its provenance its clasically crafted, and puts up complex profile of red cherries, rose hip, strawberries, spice, bitter orange and a volatile dried floral lift over a canvas of wet soil.
An offensive approach on the palate with a high acidity and a generous portion of mouth coating tannins that is well accompanied by a pronounced fruit profile with an evolving finish. Very good indeed, but is a couple of level behind to reach the higher tiers.
— 6 years ago

Josh, Daniel and 7 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Needs at least 1-3 hours to open up! But once it does it’s a Bordeaux true to style; black fruits, spice, silky smooth with a touch of acid and tannin. — 6 years ago

Glendora, Hiedi and 6 others liked this

Outpost

Immigrant True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

This 2012 BDX blend could easily go another 7 years. It is still bound up (aeration required) and seething with intense blackberries, black currant and firm tannins. After mild aeration, the darker fruit gives way to a little bit of ripe cherry, tobacco and some faint but of vanilla. After heavy aeration, the vanilla comes out more noticeably on the nose, dominating everything else basically, with a hint of cherry at the end. On the palette the jamminess starts to show through, with ripe cherry and red plum overshadowing the tobacco and finishing with a strong white pepper note. — 7 years ago

Cherish HartJen Masar
with Cherish and Jen
Sarah liked this

Rodney Strong Vineyards

A True Gentleman's Port Sonoma County Port Blend 2009

V09. Very nice port. Candied black cherry nose. Rich, thick blackberry fruit. Hint of dryness, within the cloying sweet finish. Very good. — 8 years ago

True Myth Winery

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

This was lovely addition to pizza! — 6 months ago

Melany Gifford
with Melany
Melany liked this

Outpost

True Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

A stunning wine! Cedar, black currants, fig, dark chocolate, and truffles. Deep purple with a fabulous finish. — 10 months ago

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1987

From a really fine, structured Napa vintage, this shows dark fruits and mineral notes aromatically, still has loads of Dunn Howell Mountain structure and tannin, long, lingering finish, but the finish suggests that it needs 10-20 more years of aging, simply an incredible, old school (13% ABV) Napa mountain Cabernet with amazing length and freshness, a true WOW wine (if you’re moderately unoffended by the enormous structure still remaining)!!! — a year ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, John and 15 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Whoa!!!🤯
ESF

ESF

Holy Grail
Jan A

Jan A

We had the '95 this weekend: also very youtfull and fresh. Loved it

True Vineyard

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Really good as always. Had it at dessert which challenged it. — 4 years ago

Ron, Shay and 5 others liked this

Lorenza

True California Carignan Rosé Blend 2019

Very pale salmon color, little bouquet when cold, very light in the mouth, a touch sweet but also some dryness there. Low alcohol so no bite. Some strawberry, maybe green apple. Pretty good but too light for me- — 6 years ago

Peggy Cohen
with Peggy

Hammell Wine Alliance

True Believer Santa Maria Valley Grenache Rosé Blend 2018

Lively and fresh...a fun wine — 6 years ago

Shay, David and 1 other liked this

One True Vine

Stanley Ranch Vineyard Cherry Pie Pinot Noir

Omg. Past it’s prime but so good nonetheless. — 7 years ago

Rick BaraffLisa Walter
with Rick and Lisa

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik
9.5

Always a treat to drink legendary wines like this one. Served blind in the garden at my parents house, the settlements weren’t perfect, but still the true quality shone though. Developed dark berries, partially dried and framed by bitter chocolate notes and pronounced minerality. Great finish, broad and self confident. In a perfect spot already. — 8 years ago

Eric, Shay and 34 others liked this

Chappellet

Signature Donn Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Chappellet – Signature Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill (Mountain Fruit) – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
A cornerstone of Chappellet for over three decades, the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon continues to define what Napa Valley mountain Cabernet is all about: power, elegance, and longevity.
The 2022 vintage carries a subtly adjusted blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 2% Merlot, featuring a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon and slightly less Petit Verdot and Malbec compared to the 2021 (see my v2021 notes).
This shift gives the 2022 an extra dimension of muscle and purity, heightening its mountain-driven character.

Aromas & Flavors
Undeniably dark and expressive. Notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, plum, and cassis rise first, followed by cedar, sage, aged tobacco, thyme, and beautifully integrated toasted oak.
As it opens, deeper nuances emerge, espresso bean, cocoa, graphite, and subtle mountain herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and impeccably structured.
The increase in Cabernet Sauvignon amplifies its power and linearity, while polished tannins deliver a glowing richness across the palate.
Flavors of black cherry, currant, chocolate, espresso, and warm spice saturate the mid-palate. The finish is long, confident, and built for aging.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb with rosemary, venison, black-truffle dishes, or aged gouda/cheddar.

Verdict
A formidable yet seductively elegant expression of Pritchard Hill. The 2022 is slightly more commanding than the 2021, with enhanced Cabernet purity and structural depth. A true benchmark in Napa’s hillside Cabernets, age-worthy, expressive, and unmistakably Chappellet. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Pritchard Hill’s volcanic, iron-rich soils and elevation create Cabernets known for density, refinement, and remarkable longevity, which is why so many iconic Napa producers source or plant here.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Among my personal favorites in the mountain Cabernet category. The 2022 delivers that unmistakable “whoa” moment, especially when shared with friends and family.
— 7 months ago

Bob, Matt and 4 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake
— a year ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Bryan and 25 others liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1999

Wow. The over shadowed ‘99 vintage from La Mission. Intensely aromatic, deep and complex. Dried black fruits, sweet red currants, worn leather, black truffles, bbq spices and wet forest floor. Finishes with excellent length, elegance and poise. A fantastic showing now and with emphasis that it has the stuffing to go at least 10 years before decline. A true dark horse vintage for La Mission. — 6 years ago

Ira, Shay and 11 others liked this

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Dan R
8.9

One of the best BDX QPR killers, never disappoints. The 2012 isn't quite there yet, quite linear and still tight, but the cassis / blackberry backbone is there, as well as an herbal scrub midpalate and pencil lead finish. Maybe not the deepest or broadest vintage, but quite enjoyable nonetheless, and at less than €20, tough to find a better true expression of old school BDX. Give it a year or two before checking back in, this won't have the legs of a classic vintage, but should provide great pleasure relatively soon. — 6 years ago

Ericsson, David and 10 others liked this