True Winter

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.
— 6 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! 🍷

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

Leelanau Cellars

Winter White Semi Sweet

Great sweet white, reminds me of Riesling. Love this in the winter. — 7 years ago

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

Domaine Marquis d'Angerville

Champans Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir

Delectable Wine
9.4

Deep red with ruby highlights, but Guillaume d'Angerville noted that this premier cru is typically softly extracted and light in color. Compelling, vibrant aromas of blueberry pastille, violet, licorice and spicecake. Incredibly primary and sweet, with its density leavened by harmonious acidity. Pliant dark berry flavors are complicated by hints of flowers and spices. This very pure wine has to be one of the most youthful 1999s I tasted this winter. Finishes with utterly suave tannins and outstanding length. This infant is just beginning to open and should enjoy a long plateau of maturity. D'Angerville described 1999 as "a magical vintage," noting that the yield here was at least 40 hectoliters per hectare. His father Jacques actually held back 4,000 bottles of wine in '99 but Guillaume has released most of these bottles by now to loyal clients of the domain. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, March 2018) — 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

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Alex Lallos
8.9

I remember tasting this en premieur in 2011 it almost seemed lush and fruit driven back then (which is a complete 180 if you know this chateau) now 13 years it’s true to form, bretty, austere and tannic. By no means do I dislike it but I was expecting something different based on what I tasted a decade ago. With that said, it is typical cantemerle with lots of green notes . — 2 years ago

Tom, Severn and 7 others liked this

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

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 Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2000

2000 vintage on 8.7.18
True to type. Bordeaux style. Very well inetgrated. Less cinamon then the 99 yet firm and round.
— 8 years ago

Dick, Berry and 14 others liked this

Parducci

True Grit Reserve Mendocino Petite Sirah 2014

Toasty and alcohol dominant upfront, but a little decant or time in the glass and this peppery, oaky, berry petite Syrah is ended up nicely. Actually had enough glycerol flavor and structure to have some layering of flavors after 30 minutes, and would likely be even better in a couple more years. Dark fruit moves to the forefront with balanced spice and wood with some time. Not a huge wine, but really good value. — 8 years ago

Ryan 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

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

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

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

Weingut Winter

Trocken Riesling 2016

Lex
9.0

Nice and dry for a Riesling. Great value in the 1L. Went well with Asian food to cut the spice but not too sweet at all. — 7 years ago

Parducci

Reserve True Grit Mendocino County Red Blend 2012

Tall grass. Fruit forward. Slight spice finish. Medium body, smooth. Would buy again — 8 years ago