Wine A Rita

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 Zinfandel pours a ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: black berries, black cherries, raspberries, fig, green herbs, a touch of rubber pool toy, black pepper, dry earth and some gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From my experience, this is the most youthful expression of Rafanelli Zinfandel I can recall. Good, but to my palate this will probably be better after 2028. — 20 days ago

Douglas, Ira and 12 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

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

What a gem! Still broad-shoulders with hint of smoke and more than ample fruit. Absolutely delightful nose and palate that provides a long, rewarding finish. Wow! — 16 days ago

Logan Edwards
with Logan
Ira, Thijs and 10 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

Medium garnet , quite pronounced terracotta , garnet rim . This is more closed on the nose , slightly darker , less fruited , more tobacco , earthy , iodine , mineral, dry spices . On the palate more intensity with fresher acidity and grippy tannin . Darker fruits , with cherry , blackcurrant , but with a strong seaside , oyster shell componente . Good length and very elegant , slightly tannic finish . This is quite serious and restrained, more complete and complex than the 2011. Needs a bit of time to open, probably better in a 3-5 years and will show well for a further 5-10. From magnum . — 18 days ago

Jeroen, Ira and 10 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

Meaty and intense. Lush with violets, a deep purity and smoothly intense. Really great stuff. A little more powerful than the 82 alongside but a whisper less refined — 5 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Ceccherini, Tom and 11 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Surprisingly smooth and enjoyable. A point? — 17 days ago

Bob, Tom and 4 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo

Approachable! Always a solid wine. — 11 days ago

Tom liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (91.3%) and Merlot (8.7%). A bit tight and unexpressive right out of the bottle. After a 45 minute decant, this wine was awake and very alive. Dark ruby color. Aromas of graphite, forest floor, wet gravel and dark black fruit. Flavors of black currant/cherry/berry/plum, tobacco, baking spices, dark chocolate and minerals. Distinct notes of smoky oak and wet earth on the long and lingering finish. Tannins were a bit lighter than expected at first but developed with aeration. Quite savory, rich, full bodied and powerful. Beautiful texture. Exceptional (once it opened up) but not the bottle of near perfection that I had heard so much about. Thanks for sharing, Petey and Happy Birthday, Kase! — 10 days ago

Austin, DAD and 9 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Vintage 2009 | Has everything a Grand Seigneur promises: beautiful mature smell with tobacco, pencil shavings, leather, autumn forrest. Warm and comforting taste with great structure. A beautiful wine! — 11 days ago

Martijn, Anthony and 18 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

America’s wine! What a nose! — 16 days ago

Paul, Tom and 4 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Always one of my favorites. The 06 is a beutiful wine. Black and blue fruit, great minerality, tender tannins, wonderfully balanced. Regal texture, just wonderful with my steak tonight. The 06 are drinking wonderfully now. Always a pleasure! — 16 days ago

Somm, Joe and 8 others liked this