We Believe

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

2019, 2018, 2017 - we enjoy them all. At the Chateau Pichon Baron facility. Incredible tour . — 10 days ago

"Odedi", Vanessa and 4 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Jan A
9.7

At first I scored this 99 points, flirting with perfection just like the 1999 Dunn Howell Mountain we had in our glass moments before. However after 15-20 minutes in the glass it began to fade and aged characteristics like tea leaves and Maggi began to emerge and the color went much more brown. Still a very good wine. — 4 months ago

Jeroen, Peter and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1982

Amazing! Black fruit, mushrooms, cedar, and spice. I almost cannot believe this is an 82 based on its color and freshness. — 8 months ago

Neil liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.4

I remember when the 2005 Pichon Lalande was reviewed by RP, 89. I saw that & said, you would have to get in the way of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage to be that sad. I still bought 6 at a bargain basement price. A very good idea post 20 yrs+. Both Pichon’s don’t have a modern day history of getting in the way of a good vintage.

I also bought this one. 18 yrs in bottle and still acending. This will hold 5 more yrs and will last another 10 yrs properly stored.

I have visited Bordeaux 11 times. This chateau visually is still my favorite. It was showing a picture of this chateau to Sofia that launched our first visit. Sofia loved it and we have stared at it multiple times on every visit.

It was in our visit in 2007, I stood in the estate vineyard, looked & tasted their soils. After doing so, I said, “I get it.” I understood everything about what I was tasting in Left Bank Bordeaux’s early in my wine journey.

Sofia and I had dinner w/ Christian Moueix not long after the 2005 vintage was hyped/released. She asked him, when did you know you had something special?” He said, “as soon as I tasted the fruit at harvest.”

Tonight, it shows that it is a close relative, a sibling to Pichon Longueville. Cork, perfect.

The nose shows; classic left bank traits. Ripe, dark, brooding fruits, bright, mid berries, red cola, leather, tobacco, sandalwood, leather, led pencil, dark rich earth, limestone, dry river stone, hint of mushrooms, dark, red, fresh & withering florals.

The fruits on the palate show everything outstanding from the 2005 growing season. Ripe, juicy, brilliant; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, baked/poached strawberries & some hovering raspberries. Dark chocolate bar to pudding, red cola, anise, dark spices w/ palate heat, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, pronounced graphite, dry tobacco, leather, limestone, dry twig, dry river stone, moist clays, moist herbs, cedar to sandalwood, withering & dry, dark flowers, red roses, some lavender & violets, beautiful rainfall acidity, excellent; balance, tension, structure, length w/ an elegant finish that lasts minutes and lands on spice & earth.

13.4 ABV. Nice.

#TheTwoHourRibcap

This held up vacuumed sealed the same night, refrigerated & enjoyed exactly a week later.
— 8 months ago

Peter, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T A wonderful story David and I can see how you could fall in love with that photo of the Chateau.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald Thank you. Cheers! 🍷

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2000

The weekend upon us and we're hosting another dinner party for a couple of friends. Tonight's theme was Rhone wine, so good stuff on deck, with age.

Notes pending... (Entertaining guests first 😉)

Absolutely perfect, yet only coming into it's zone, decade to go here...

Notes from +24H open:
Nose has ripe cherry, dried cherry, dried blackberry, red velvet cake, ripe plum and dry, mineral-ly earth.

Palate has silky-sweet cherry, ripe red currant, (light) cigar wrapper, dried cherry, faint eucalyptus, faint wood notes, dry earth, faint iron notes on the long finish. Mild tannins persist today. Expect to enjoy this vintage another +10Y when held in proper storage.

This bottle was singing at the top of its register last night, slightly diminished today. Absolutely perfect cork, no Durand required for extraction. Acquired a mere two years ago, from a local retailer beginning to close down his shop. He purchased a case on release, stored in his cold cellar; when I got to hunting it only a single bottle remained.

I've had the 2000 vintage before, and it was a treat in a more youthful stage, but a delicacy with our meal last night. We baked a 3lb beef tenderloin (Kinderhook Farm; Valatie, NY) coated in an herb paste then an herbed panko crumb crust with parmesan. About a 50m cook, 30m rest yeilded a perfect 130° center. Served alongside smashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts with thick cut bacon. We had fantastic company, connecting again with a wine trade friend and his wife after a few years break in our dining schedules.
— 5 years ago

Andrew, Arden and 41 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

It did a pretty good job last night!
Joseph Barsky

Joseph Barsky

Best cave tour on our visit to this area. Amazing history as well.
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Joseph Barsky We haven't visited the Rhone yet, but Jaboulet will be on my short list of must visits the next time we're in France again.

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Absolutely amazing vintage. Courtesy of Ken Wegner. We finished off three bottles!!! — a day ago

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2013

To close the evening we have an Yquem. Always a treat, never disappoints. The 2013 is still young with decades upon decades to go. The honey, the fruit, the endless flavor that lingers in your mouth forever - what a great wine. — 2 months ago

Billy, Bob and 3 others liked this

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2014

Brother in law brought out some amazing wines for Easter dinner and his son’s birthday. Didn’t catch them all but these two were exceptional. This one got a short decant could have used more opening time but who are we kidding it was amazing with a pop and pour. The depth of flavor right out of the bottle - insane. Amazing nose, great flavors in the palate and a finish that lasted. Clearly WOTN and we should have given it way more time. I gave it as much time in glass as possible. To hard not to drink. — 6 months ago

Bob, Tom and 7 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Do you think it has potential to get better?
Norman

Norman Premium Badge

@"Odedi" for sure. No rush.

Quintessa

Rutherford Red Blend 2016

Tough to rate with the ‘other’ red we had. Too heavy on the alcohol, but still balanced and such a nice rendition of a CA cab - enjoyable — 9 months ago

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

We had the 2012 Vintage on 7/12-13/25. With 13 Years of aging, all the tannins have been smoothed out. Tastes of blueberry, plum, leather and spice. Medium to full bodied. Still fruit forward. Very good — a year ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1998

This '98 is not as muscular as the 2000 that we tried last month. Opening nearly immediate , soft with a graphite earthy thing going on. Very nice vibrant black fruits. — 5 years ago

Logan Edwards
with Logan
Jan, Martin and 3 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

A bit of a thinner montelena than some of the other years we have had. Still very nice. Possible bottle condition issue - this is another one that went through sandy. Good red fruit and a nice finish with good acid. — 6 years ago

Severn, Michael and 3 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

We chose this as our Thanksgiving wine. I thought it would be a little robust for turkey and ham, but it was just perfect. Everyone loved it. Great memory... — 7 years ago

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 1976

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout but maybe even a touch better on Day 2? The 1976 “Unico” pours a garnet color with a slightly orange rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with intoxicating notes of cassis, black cherry, red plum, dried flowers, coffee (for dayz), tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some organic earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with gorgeous texture. This bottle came across remarkably young and supremely elegant. So much so, that I thought it was an inspired decision by one of our brothers-in-wine to include it in this particular lineup. We had a little leftover for the next day and it continued to show well. Brilliant stuff. Drink now through 2046+ — a month ago

Matt, Joel and 15 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

You’ve been on a nice run!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T Just wait, there’s more. I’m only about halfway through the dinner 😅
ESF

ESF

👀

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Lucky to sit with a friend who bright two bottles of this beauty to share at Bordeaux Fest Near perfection from a magnificent special bottle. The year the wall came down with label art that looks to the future. Believe the hype. — 7 months ago

"Odedi" and Shay liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

2014 vintage. Excellent cork and fill. Decanted with minimal sed and tasted after 1.5 hours. One of the few outlier exceptions (Haut-Bages-Libéral, Pichon-Lalande, et al) that proves the general, big and bold, Pauillac rule. Delicate impressions from start to finish with impeccable balance. Medium body. Plenty of flavors and sensations without big, overt commitments to any of them. Playing the field and we are all the better for it. Drinking beautifully now without any perceived or obvious Scylla/Charybdis pitfalls in the next decade. 01.16.26. — 8 months ago

Ruud, Jan and 20 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

We had to the 2019 Vintage on 11/22/25. A very good full bodied wine. The bouquet and flavor profile are darker and more subdued fruit compared to a Napa floor wine. There is some mocha and minerality. This wine would be better in five years. — 10 months ago

Bob, Serge and 6 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Absolutely Awesome! My daughter just passed the Bar exam and we picked a marvelous wine to celebrate! Soft tannins, great minerality with mid pallet lingering aftertaste. Still has red fruit taste with hints of tobacco. Cellaring is well worth it. — 3 years ago

Rob, Shay and 2 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Congratulations 💃🏻 🕺

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Celebrating our completion of the WSET Level 3 exam today!

It was a labor of love. Results won’t be released for several months, but, hey, we poured ourselves into this prep and so wine not celebrate the milestone of getting ‘er done!

Cheers @win_tries_wine @deked1
— 6 years ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Severn and 18 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

I just fool level 2 girl but not even sure why - too old to do anything except just appreciate - level 3 is awesome
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

*took
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Bob McDonald @Mike R Thank you both!!

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

We are a road trip with my parents in VT and the restaurant has a phenomenal wine list which includes this beautiful Napa Cab at an insanely inexpensive price. This is absolutely lovely with black fruits, vanilla and oak. — 8 years ago

Matt and Brooke liked this