Villard Fine Wines

François Villard

Le Grand Vallon Condrieu Viognier 2004

Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The wine appears deep yellow nearing gold in color; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is vinous and super floral with peaches and marzipan and some signs of oak, a portion new French oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, weighty with a pronounced oily texture. Alcohol is elevated. I called Marsanne/Roussanne blend from France, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Blanc with 15+ years of age. Close! The florals and elevate alcohol should have steered me to Condrieu but that’s hindsight. Regardless, this was a delicious reminder to allow Northern Rhône whites to age. Drink now. — 20 days ago

Daniel, Peter and 7 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, cedar, earth, dark chocolates, licorice, cola, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 17 year old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing great complexity and delicious, but I expected more from this great 2007 vintage. I had the 2001 not too long ago, and it was so much better.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good food wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350.
— 10 days ago

Paul, Juan and 15 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100.
— 23 days ago

Peter, Juan and 21 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass thank you…and I believe it. Were/are you celebrating your 50th?!
Lyle Fass

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@Jay Kline yes sir! 50th is in the books!
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass congratulations!!!

François Villard

l'Appel des Sereines Syrah 2020

Was given a sample of this at The Wave at Marblehead . . . it was delightful. Chocolate, blueberry, dark cherry, smoky, spicy, moderate tannins but at the same time fresh, bright, not overpowering. Hoping I’ll be able to find retail. — 21 days ago

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1989

[En magnum] Dried redfruits, smooth and mature, relatively clean (very low Brett) bottle, good balance and length, lingering finish, very fine aged Beaucastel. — 3 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Ira, Ray and 12 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Ira Schwartz, agreed. I do still have more 750s and magnums of this wine.
ESF

ESF

I’ll help get rid of some of those 750s & Magnums!

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.
— 9 days ago

Ira, Jan and 25 others liked this
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.

Les Vins de Vienne (Cuilleron Gaillard Villard)

Les Cranilles Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2021

The description: Packed with red and black Fruits (blackcurrant, raspberry, sour cherry), bright and lively in the mouth with a nice minerality coming through the long, fresh finish.
The opinion: Description accurate. Would I buy again “Yes”. Lighter side of what I typically buy but still very pleasant.
— 21 days ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Quite deep ruby garnet core and medium ruby garnet rim. This is showing more development, with cedar , cigar box , cassis and blackberry richness , aromatic and enticing from the very beginning . On the palate with is well balanced with a good mineral backbone , grafite and blackcurrant hints , really good symmetry and balanced , refreshing acidity , polished fine tannin . Long finish . Showing well now , in a really good spot where this has development on the nose but no lack of fruit of backbone on the palate . Will certainly continue at this level for another 10- 15 years . — 10 days ago

Daniel, Jan and 12 others liked this

Achával-Ferrer

Quimera Mendoza Malbec Blend 2021

A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot, aged in French oak 65% new and 35% 1 year old, fruit sourced from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruit, earthy and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and tart cherry flavors, with vanilla, licorice, citrus and herb spice. Fine tannins, well balanced long finish ending with tart fruit and a sweet earthy mineral character. Nice! A Fav! — 22 days ago

Anthony, Tom and 1 other liked this

Louis Roederer

Brut Premier Champagne Blend

Excellent champagne with fine bubbles and effervescence. Had at Cru champagne tasting 11/21/24. — a month ago