Witching Hour

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Not quite as good as I remember it, but still excellent. Graphite, pencil shavings, leather, tobacco. 3+ hour decant. needs lots of time but really special.  — 7 days ago

Jan, Serge and 4 others liked this

Araujo Estate

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

From magnum

1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A gorgeous dark purplish ruby red color. On the nose: Alluring perfumed notes of red fruit, black olives, forest floor, tobacco leaf, nutmeg. Taste: velvety, elegant wine with cherry/red plum, cedar, spice, loamy soil, and a long minerally dark chocolate espresso finish. YUM!
— 2 months ago

Tom, Tom and 7 others liked this
Rick Phillips

Rick Phillips Premium Badge

I Treasure all I have before Latour took over. Not saying theirs isn’t delicious, but the originals just had a note!
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Rick Phillips Agree. Still have a number of pre 2013 vintages. Cheers!

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

1 hour decant(some chunky sediment). A striking deep garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: exquisite notes of dark fruit, herbaceous, cedar lined cigar box, floral, pencil shavings. Taste: silky, brooding, balanced wine with blackberry/dark cherry, loamy soil, graphite, tobacco, licorice and a minerally roasted coffee persistent finish. YUM!! — 3 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 15 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

NICE!!! 😊

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A striking medium purplish garnet color with bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of dried red fruit, currants, pencil shavings, floral, stewed meat, milk chocolate. Taste: fully mature, savory, silky wine with dried plum, ground coffee, earth, minerals, tobacco, and a sour cherry/green bell pepper/graphite long finish. YUM!! Drink em if you got em. — 4 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Sharon and 10 others liked this

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2003

One hour decant with steak dinner. Had it with the 89 Haut Brion. Whilst this was good it was soundly beaten by the HB — 6 months ago

Tom and "Odedi" liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Oh yeah

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Last tasted 11.19.25 (9.6)…yes…two days ago! Someone’s gotta do the dirty work. Comparable experiences with the cork, fill and flavors from the 11.19.25 visit. Not decanted. Tasted one and two hours after opening. After one hour open (not decanted)...a 9.4. two hours...a 9.5. Perhaps decanted, surmise it could have touched 9.6 but we'll never know. This specimen slightly more advanced but still ridiculously phenomenal. 11.21.25. — 7 months ago

Tom, Somm and 15 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Opened and decanted for 2 hours before dinner and then really only opened up and truly hit expectations around the 3rd hour when paired with wagyu strip steaks.

This wine was savory tightly wound and tannic at first. Didn’t show much fruit until after the long decant and then it really changed.

With time, the fruits shown through with great complexity and great balance for the savory elements.
— 8 months ago

Bob, "Odedi" and 9 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2006

2 hour decant. Shredded cork. Filtered the wine.

Wow. This was just gorgeous and smooth. Tannins very well integrated and the fruit was excellent.

One of my favorite vintages with some age
— 9 months ago

Somm, Dave and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Yeah, the 2006 is top of the pops currently. Miss it.

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

2016 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 15 minutes and one hour. Mostly front and mid-palate push. Medium body. Some spice. Some chunk. Some fruit. Fairly balanced. Needs to sort out some issues and will likely show better in 3-5 years. 6.12.26. — 14 days ago

Tom, Dave and 7 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Damn, sounds great!!

Abreu Vineyards

Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Joe and 15 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intoxicating musky notes of dark fruit, potting soil, worn leather, truffles, stewed meat, slight menthol. Taste: velvety, seamless, balanced, intense wine with dark fruit, cassis, earth, tobacco, mineral, herbs, and a chocolate graphite long never-ending finish. YUM! This wine has aged gracefully and has more gas in the tank. Enjoy. — 3 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 12 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This unfortunately didn’t blow us away. Gave it an hour or two in the decanter. Well made but lacked the punch I expected. — 5 months ago

Jan, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer.
— 4 months ago

Andrew, Rick and 9 others liked this
Joe DAscoli

Joe DAscoli Premium Badge

The 07 such a great wine

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Opened but not decanted. Tasted after one hour open. More structure than the 1990 version tasted side-by-side but leaner with slight, vegetal tones, less fruit and better tannic structure than the 1990. Couldn't find this in my Delectable reviews but feel like I've tasted this once in the last 6 or so years. Apples (1990 version)/Oranges (1989). As with the 1990, the 1989 is in a good place for another few years in the 750ml format but if you want to truly visit a 35+ year old vintage at the height of its' powers, opt-in for a large format experience. 10.10.25. — 9 months ago

Jeroen, Dave and 24 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Opened this in 2019 for my wife’s 30th and I still think about that wine six years later. Stunning.

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Somm David T
9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted.
— a month ago

Scott@Mister, Daniel and 9 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

2 hour decant — 2 months ago

Ted, Iwan and 5 others liked this

Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

+2 hour decant(decent sediment). A marvelous dark magenta color. On the nose: perfumed red fruit, potting soil, graphite, cedar lined cigar box, herbaceous. Taste: Powerful, structured wine with red fruit, currants, planting soil, spice, and a cedar-minerally-mocha lingering and evolving finish! YUM! — 3 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 26 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Absolutely one of the very best red Bordeaux producers. I can’t help but think what this is like in 2040 and beyond.
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Somm David T Agree. Fortunately have a few more bottles to see how it evolves...probably a forever wine!! Cheers!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Epic vintage. Maybe, a modern day 82??? We’ll see or at least I’m still around. Never know! 🤷‍♂️

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Wow. Wow and wow. This was amazing! It’s definitely still early on. I let this decant for 2.5 hours before the first sip. It was revved and ready by then and was stellar by hour 4+. Rich and deep but silky smooth. Currants and an earthy/smokey quality. Loved this! — 5 months ago

Tom, Jeroen and 18 others liked this

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

It was more subdued than I expected. I tend to like the Merlot heavy Bordeaux but this one was still a bit muted. Perhaps it needs more time even though it’s well in its recommended range. Dark and heavy. Solid but left me underwhelmed. Decanted. Better after an hour. — 6 months ago

Robin, Tom and 18 others liked this

Saxum Vineyards

Broken Stones Red Rhone Blend 2013

Day one too tight,
Day 2 with a 2-3 hour decant is just about right.
Saxum may not be Napa but they know what they are doing,
Best winery in Paso.
Parker Review

RP96 Incorporating more Petite Sirah than normal, and the first time there's been less than 50% Syrah, the 2013 Syrah Broken Stones is made from 48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre the rest Tempranillo and Roussanne. Its deep, inky color is followed by a structured, seriously mineral-laced and full-bodied red that offers lots of fruit (cassis, black cherries and raspberries), smoked earth and chocolate aromas and flavors. The tannin is front and center, yet they're beautifully ripe and polished. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy through 2028
— 8 months ago

Somm, Andrew and 12 others liked this