Wines That Rock

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2011

Another great btl that is structured showing finesse with beautiful aromatics of dark fruits, olive, iron, spice, crushed rock, graphite & violet. Still youthful that will continue to develop for many years. — a month ago

Shay, Tom and 10 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 2 days ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Shay A
9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Fun to do a side by side with the ‘88, and also check in against the Montelena. Profile wise, this leans ripe and modern stylistically. There is a kiss of brett that takes you to Bordeaux but it’s mostly red and black fruit driven with a vanilla pipe tobacco sweetness, leather, cassis and a little bit of a floral note, especially aromatically. Big structure for the vintage, but open for business now if you can give it a few hours in the decanter.
— 23 days ago

Pinotman, Tom and 19 others liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1998

Youthful when 1st opened that needed some air to develop. This was polished with notes of graphite, cedar, leather, menthol, savory spice & tobacco — 2 days ago

Ira, David and 12 others liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1992

Thoroughly integrated tannins in an aged wine that has started its decline. Dark fruit, vanilla oak and cedar on the palette. Classic Bordeaux on the nose. — 8 days ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 2 days ago

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

David T
9.6

This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.

Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes.
— a month ago

Shay, Ira and 16 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Deep and quite opaque , narrow ruby rim . Quite a lot of wood spice though with time in the glass there is a lot underneath that oak , dark cassis , ripe blackberry and a mineral undertone . Quite round and ripe on the palate , almost ‘new world’ in style compared to some of the preceding vintages , rounded but gritty tannin , balanced acidity . Generous and round, but with balanced alcohol , good length. Dark cassis , blackberry dark cherry notes. A strong oyster shell , saline component after a while in the glass . Needs time obviously , even though this is quite round and ripe. Intense with great potential. Better in 10-15 years will last well a further 10-15. — 3 days ago

Jan, Jeroen and 11 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1956

1986 vintage. showing well 4/10/24. balanced. medium tannins, medium acid. really lovely. I always thought that this wine needed time. — a month ago

Shay and Laura liked this