Nerello Blend

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2016

Let’s get one thing clear right away: this was more about checking in on the early days of a wine that has a history of lasting for decades. Having that out of the way, it’s fun to check in on great wines in their youth, when you get the opportunity. Splash decanted sometime before service, no formal notes. The 2016 “Unico” is already showing its quality with abundant, beautifully ripened fruit and effortless elegance. That being said, having some experience with properly aged Unico, the better days (to my palate) are well ahead. Drink now if you have multiple bottles and can’t help yourself. Give it some air at least. Otherwise, better after 2036 and through 2076, probably. — 14 days ago

Joel, Somm and 14 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

Still holding back after 3 hrs in the decanter. The wine’s concentration and tannic structure promise a wonderful future. At the age of 20, this still feels primary and even hibernating… 😳
I’ll let my remaining bottles sleep for 3-5 years.
— 2 days ago

Paul, ESF and 6 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Intoxicating nose. Tres Bordeaux, complex, high bore, intriguing. On the palate, this is youthful, red fruited, tart and fresh.
Drinking lovely at the moment. Still has some future.
— 2 days ago

Paul, ESF and 4 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 1998

@Doug Powers as promised . Dry leaves and plums on the nose. In the mouth spices, cherry , earth and good acid . Certainly the magnum format kept this alive. However for me it had not become complex and had a very clipped finish. — 14 days ago

Tom, Brian and 23 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Ira Schwartz, I have recently (last 3-4 months) had 750-ml bottles of the 1999 and 2000 VT that, were, frankly disappointing compared to the VT bottles I purchased in the 1980s. They used to be 30-40 year wines that developed slowly in the cellar, those 1999/2000 bottles were fully mature and one bottle was past it. All my VT purchases were from Kermit Lynch, so I don’t really know what changed?

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2012

Still going strong and truly a beauty. Musar rocks! — 7 days ago

Tegan, Dave and 8 others liked this

Château Léoville Poyferré

Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

This was full bodied, drinking well showing dark fruits, spice, earth, graphite & tobacco — 15 days ago

Juan, Jean-Philip and 8 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

ESF
9.3

last had 9April2023 - Dinner Party wine with ribeye - held up admirably — 16 days ago

Ted, Paul and 8 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2004

Blend of Chardonnay (55%) and Pinot Noir (45%). Pale gold color. Aromas of freshly baked bread, toasted nuts, white flowers, citrus zest and a chalky/smoky note. Flavors of grapefruit, green apple, tropical fruits, roasted nuts, and a lovely note of brioche. Long and lingering mineral driven finish. Vibrant acidity along with wonderful tension and complexity. Creamy mousse and texture with a steady stream of fine bubbles. So beautifully savory. Thank you Jason B. for sharing this beautiful wine (and storing it so well) to toast Matt A’s 50th Birthday! — 15 days ago

Dave, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

1/2 hour decant(decent sediment). A gorgeous still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: seductive perfumed notes of dark fruit, smoked meat, funky earth, cigar box, pencil lead, vanilla oak. Taste: savory wine with dried dark fruit, graphite and gravel, iron, and a kinda astringent smokey tobacco finish. Not my cup of tea...maybe bottle flaw. — 8 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Dave and 10 others liked this

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2023

A delicious Grenache based blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and entertaining.

A great vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that will show itself in the future.

Still young and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is always delicious.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and 5% local varieties. Aged in large French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$120.
— 15 days ago

Tom, Jose and 10 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

The last several years this producer’s wines have generally been around 15.5%. Glad to see this one coming in under 15%. I will look for it.

Château Calon-Ségur

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

This needed some air showing black fruits, plum, graphite, cedar, spices, floral & tobacco — 8 days ago

Joel, David and 6 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Deep and dark, a cool minerality. Bright fruit. Packed, is dense. Beautifully held. Great texture and structure. A stunner! — 7 days ago

Joe, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Off the charts concentration.
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Wow a 10! I have totally try that vintage! Cheers!

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

1989 vintage. Regrettably tired. From magnum. 10.26.26. — 13 days ago

Ted, Jeroen and 13 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2024

From a split. Lovely fresh fruit- raspberry, black cherry, wild strawberry, blueberry. Loads of fun and character — 2 days ago

Bex Green
with Bex
Ceccherini, Tom and 4 others liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

I would probably only have this beautiful wine only 10 years later but the 375ml brings things forward, showing why this winter if 2016 vintage is so highly regarded. I think the juice is ready now but will be a long runner for decades — 18 hours ago

Tom, Dave and 1 other liked this

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

The pinnacle of elegance and grace, this is as beguiling and captivating as a wine can be. Perfect balance, complex aromatics, wonderful mouthfeel. Impressive for its charm and pure class. Wow. — 2 days ago

Paul, ESF and 7 others liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1955

Wow. What a beautiful bottle. Deep and funky with purity and a tarry edge. Amazing resolved, complex, soulful and fascinating fruit. Just stunning — 15 hours ago

Bex GreenNaoko Dalla Valle
with Bex and Naoko
Andrew, Ceccherini and 5 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1955

Slightly drying fruit. Good mid palate. Great fruit still — 15 hours ago

Bex GreenNaoko Dalla Valle
with Bex and Naoko
Matt, Andrew and 3 others liked this

Bollinger

Special Cuvée Brut Champagne

Well balanced, with good acidity yet retaining a softness on the palate. Flavors of brioche, baked apple, grapefruit, toasted hazelnuts, and a mineral-driven finish. Really enjoyed this, and went well with scallops with brown butter sauce. — a month ago

Zach, Ray and 8 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Great future but way too young! — 5 days ago

Ira, Joel and 13 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

This is such a great wine. Quiet. Understated. Bookish. Have been looking for another case or two for the resto but just not in the gray market currently. Like a shark always moving and looking for it, the 1996 Pichon-Lalande and 2018 Larcis Ducasse.