Washington Merlot

Pride Mountain Vineyards

Napa County Merlot 2007

I have a lot of these and most have been ok but this one was further along in its development. Knew I needed to drink these. Faster is the word of the day. — 5 months ago

Dave, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this

Harlan Estate

The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

Opened just prior to dinner. The 2007 pours a dark ruby/garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of BBQ Lay’s potato chips (fight me), prunes, dried brambles, leather, organic earth and mixed spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. It doesn’t taste like BBQ Lay’s but the fruit is definitely more of the dried/desiccated side. The finish is medium. Drink now. — 4 months ago

Douglas, Tom and 4 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Certainly provenance can play apart or it could be overblown for some palates. It is normally a big wine but 07 was a grand Napa vintage and should show some nice evolution by now. It is an RP 💯. So, somewhat surprising. The tasting I am doing in April all the vintages except the 94 are 💯.pointers. The 1994 recieved a 98. We’ll see.🤞
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I should say the 07 Estate received a 💯, not The Maiden.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T I’ve had my fair share of big Cabernets but this just didn’t impress me. It was good, just not great. I didn’t expect more, I just wasn’t that taken by it. Again, might have been related to provenance but without an obvious flaw and considering the style of the wine, it might also just be how the wine is showing these days.

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

New vintage of Justin’s flagship blend. A bit more constrained, but elegant and delicious as always. At 86% cab, is it really a blend? lol. Nice cassis notes. — 5 months ago

Martijn liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.6

PnP. Dark, deep wine. Nose is dominated by coconut and vanilla. Lots of sweetness on the palate with a silky texture. This exceeded expectations although the bottle variation continues! — 5 months ago

Manish NagarBrooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Manish and Brooke
Manish, Paul and 9 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Super Tuscans are always a treat. Especially with some age in bottle. Needs time in the glass to aerate to scents of tobacco, spice, black fruit and cedar. Cheers. — 5 months ago

Daniel, Juan and 10 others liked this

Château Duhart Milon

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 1988

1988 vintage. Good fill, good cork. Opened with a Durand and decanted. Tasted after two hours. Those initial, futile attempts at being masculine but ultimately feminine. Exemplary stuffing with enough of an outline to carry this wine another 5-6 years in this stead. Light-medium body with a decently traceable finish. Better than expected. 12.25.25. — 6 months ago

Andrew, Severn and 17 others liked this

Masseto

Toscana Merlot 1995

Medium red garnet , quite narrow ruby garnet rim . Quite open with tobacco , spice , charcoal , plum, cassis , truffle , cedar . Good cedar , cassis and blackberry , dusty tobacco . Well balanced acidity and quite dusty tannins . Good tobacco , dusty cassis tinged finish . Perfect now and over the next 5-10 years , at least in magnum . At Noble Rot , London , 15th Jan 2026 — 5 months ago

Tom, Jeroen and 8 others liked this

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Talbot 2023 – Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A youthful yet promising Saint-Julien showing early elegance, fine balance, and clear upward trajectory. The blend delivers freshness, precision, and layered fruit while still carrying a few youthful edges that signal excellent aging potential.

Aromas & Flavors
Red currant, black cherry, raspberry compote, graphite, cedar shavings, crushed herbs, light cocoa dust, subtle floral lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with fine-grained tannins, lively acidity, polished mid-palate, slightly angular finish that tightens at the end, a clear marker of youth and future integration potential.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, duck breast, pork tenderloin, grilled mushrooms, mild aged cheeses (Tomme, young Comté).

Verdict
A high-quality, early-showing Saint-Julien that already flashes elegance and balance, but will benefit significantly from a few years of cellaring to soften edges and broaden complexity.

🍷 Personal Pick
The talent is obvious, can be enjoyed now. I’d happily cellar this and come back when smooths out a bit more and when aromatics stretch their legs.
— 5 months ago

Tom, Ted and 2 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower.
— 5 months ago

Ted, Tom and 5 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Estate Vineyards Les Pavots Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175.
— 5 months ago

Ron, Jose and 14 others liked this

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

So underrated and punching way above its weight class. Bit more delicate and pure than your high end Boudreaux. Perfect for seaside dinners. Great vintage too. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister, Sagee and 13 others liked this
Sagee Aran

Sagee Aran Premium Badge

I have 2 bottles from this vintage. Would you wait or open now?
Ericsson

Ericsson

Has potential for further aging but drinking great now.

Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Merlot 2022

Perfect Merlot for a cold winter night. — 5 months ago

Tom, Billy and 3 others liked this

Château Clinet

Pomerol Merlot Cabernet Franc 2023

Château Clinet 2023 – Pomerol. BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully composed Pomerol delivering charm, polish, and unmistakable aristocratic poise, driven by a 70% Merlot-dominant blend with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon support. The wine balances generous fruit with refined structure, showing approachability without sacrificing depth or pedigree, making it both immediately pleasurable and quietly serious.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, blueberry compote, violets, cocoa powder, crushed gravel, subtle truffle nuance, sweet spice and gentle cedar.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a plush, silky entry, finely grained tannins, excellent mid-palate cohesion, integrated acidity, and a long, smooth finish that glides with elegance and restraint.

Food Pairings
Roast duck, veal tenderloin, mushroom risotto, herb-crusted lamb, truffle pasta, aged Comté or Brie de Meaux.

Verdict
A charming yet aristocratic Pomerol that delivers immediate pleasure with refined balance and textural finesse. It communicates confidence through polish rather than power, making it an excellent expression of Pomerol elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is a wine that wins you over quietly, candid, friendly, effortlessly drinkable, yet undeniably noble at its core. The kind of bottle that feels comforting and sophisticated at the same time, with a personality that invites conversation and repeat pours.
— 5 months ago

Ted, Tom and 3 others liked this

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2022

Love this Merlot… — 5 months ago

Dave, Tom and 3 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Villa Antinori Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2022

Выпито 27.01.26 в VIP loungeс Ириной и Дианой перед вылетом в Дубай на Маврикий. — 5 months ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

This Opus is polished with aromas of blackberry and spice. On the palate it’s rich, with velvety tannins, dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of espresso. The finish is long and flavorful. — 5 months ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Andrew and 10 others liked this

Château Lascombes

Margaux Merlot Blend 2005

Black fruit, dried flowers, tobacco. Dry. Dry. — 5 months ago

Vanessa, Tom and 9 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Last had 4 years ago and was excited to check in - this didn’t disappoint. That perfect ridge mix of old world sensibility and composition with new world fruit and character. 13.8%. Finish is long with nice acid. Great pairing with steaks. Nice wine.

Happy New Year!
— 6 months ago

Jay, Ira and 7 others liked this

Château Chasse-Spleen

Moulis en Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Impressive showing...maybe needs 1-2 years for a more rounded enjoyment but this was already very pleasant. — 6 months ago

Peter, Jan and 11 others liked this