Vintage Ranch

Krug

Vintage Brut Champagne Blend 1996

Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne. — 14 days ago

Ira, Ely and 24 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

Had this a few years ago, special.

W. & J. Graham's

Vintage Port Blend 1970

Layers and layers that go on and on. Birth year gift from my father 14 years ago that we finally got around to now. Worth the wait. — 20 days ago

"Odedi", Austin and 17 others liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Watson Ranch Chardonnay 2016

Lovely, but I prefer the zingy trout gulch — 4 days ago

Tom and Ira liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2019

Tout a été dit et redit sur le Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select et le duo Doug Shafer et Elias Fernandez. Par contre un peu moins sur le Chardonnay Red Shoulder. Il provient du Red Shoulder Ranch dans le district de Carneros au nord de la vallée de Napa. Red Shoulder est une espèce d'épervier qu'on retrouve près du vignoble. Le 2021 est un vin achevé. La robe est jaune claire sans aucun signe de vieillissement. Le nez est complexe avec des notes de gingembre, de citron, de beurre et de vanille. En bouche le liquide est puissant, long, avec les mêmes saveurs qu'au nez avec du fruit de la passion en prime. L'alcool est un peu dérangent en bouche avec ses 14,9%. Ça se goûte ! — 11 days ago

Ira, Raul and 5 others liked this

Warre's

Vintage Porto Port Blend 1997

Lovely sweetness on this one, spirit is nicely integrated, long, lingering sweet fruit finish, very well done Warre’s!! — 13 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, "Odedi" and 2 others liked this

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Vintage Brut Champagne Blend 2012

Tasted Dec 2024.

Zesty, uncomplicated champagne that fared well as a toast to the year that’s been.
— 4 days ago

Martin and Bob liked this

Dow's

Vintage Porto 1983

[8 hour decant] Impenetrable, super opaque dark purple color, seriously, color is SO DARK it looks like 5W-30 motor oil after 10-15 thousand miles, lovely raisin aromas and flavors, tending a little dry as Dow’s VP does, super long, lingering finish, if any Vintage Porto could easily go 100+ years, this might be it!! Seriously, the color alone suggests a VERY YOUNG barrel sample, AMAZING!! — 24 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Severn, Neil and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Doug Powers It was not an outlier. The 1983, surprisingly, is likely the best vintage porto ever from this house. Straight up now.
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

😂 motor oil after 15 thousand miles, love the description 🫶
Jan A

Jan A

My birthyear, will try to find some 🔥

Fonseca

Vintage Port Blend 2000

Delicious on a cold winters’ eve.
From a half bottle.
— 4 days ago

Peter, Thijs and 5 others liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Clary Ranch Syrah 2014

So many similarities with the Clary Ranch Pinot. Lovely wine. — 4 days ago

Tom liked this