Rhône, France

Château Rayas

Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache Blend 2010

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 2010 pours a light ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous mix of mostly red and some dark fruits, red flowers, exotic spices, licorice, meat and garrigue. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. While not quite making the same impression that my previous experience with the 2010 Rayas had made, this is still a magnificent, singular wine. Drink now through 2050. — 7 days ago

Scott@Mister, Vanessa and 24 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Epic producer.

Clos des Papes

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2022

RWOTN. Approachable now and quite delicious. Rich kirsch and and raspberry fruit, some wafty garrigue earthy notes. Rich and silky on entry, so delicious, but at the finish a bit of alcohol (15.5%) pooks though. — a month ago

Joel, Barny and 29 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers - Yep. Unfortunately 15-16 is the new normal for CDP these days. I bought this only because my dad has always loved CDP and I wanted him to try a Clos des Papes. I was amazed I liked it so much since I’m a bit dogmatic about alc levels.
Angelo Casagrande

Angelo Casagrande

Just a little…
jason carey DipWSET

jason carey DipWSET

Grenache. But they pick too late. They haven't recovered from the Parker era

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Both days outstanding but slightly different experiences. Day 1 was about power. Day 2 was about balance. The 2020 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a brilliant garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady, slightly funky notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, red & purple flowers, bacon fat, licorice, and dry rocky earth. On Day 2, everything was more open nit and the fruit showed more bruised with a slightly stewed profile. Lavender was the predominate floral profile too. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is textbook Pégau and I love it. Drink now through 2045+ — 2 months ago

Joel, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2023

Very nice and layered CDP, nose is a nice combination of red fruit, flowers and graphite. On the palate, the fruit hits first and then somewhat quickly gives way to the graphite/mineraly flavors, which last and develop on your palate in an interesting and pleasant way that avoids making me think I just licked a rock. Tannins aren't too powerful but what's there is grippy, could easily lay down for a few years and really develop. Overall this strikes a nice balance between approachable and interesting, easy to like for anyone who's into Rhone reds! — 6 days ago

Tom, Joel and 8 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Legendary

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1995

Jlchave tasting @ the modern — 19 days ago

Juan liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1988

1988 vintage. Medium body. Lighter Sauternes color. Plenty of golden/ripe notes along with exquisite caramel influence but it was the acidity that stole the show. Didn’t even have to cross the fingers, hold my breath or “pretend” it was still alive. Fully mature and raring to go. Not improving but not declining either. So much life ahead. I think “Woof!” accurately sums it all up. 3.20.26. — 5 days ago

Andrew, Doug and 6 others liked this
Andrew McIntyre

Andrew McIntyre

Wow! Would love to try this.

Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1983

it’s interesting because this bottle was not properly kept for several years, the cork fell apart upon opening, but this 1983 vintage ,was still delightfully good ! in spite of the improperly kept history, as a Sauturne. It has a nice delightful, sweet and aromatic taste that was quite pleasant to drink. It was open today, March 22, 2026. — 3 days ago

Dave, Joel and 4 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2012

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over several hours. The 2012 pours a light ruby with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red brambles, red rope licorice, leather, red flowers and purple flowers, and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose the finish is medium+. Textbook, Grenache forward CdP that’s showing quite beautifully. Drink now through 2032. — 8 days ago

Ira, Andrew and 20 others liked this

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 2015

Brief notes. Dense crimson with a ruby rim. Traces of cowyard, (mild Brett?) also blackberry and black pepper notes. A rich palate of medium plus intensity - savoury and earthy notes and black olive. A fantastic food wine. Love this style. One of the better world expressions of Syrah. Have my last bottle in early 2028. — 22 days ago

Doug, Ray and 19 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I’ve drank Clape Cornas as far back as the 1985 (though in those days I was always a Verset Cornas guy, others in my wine group preferred Clape). About 2 years ago I brought a bottle of 1991 Clape to a friend’s winery in the Sierra Foothills, we popped and poured it (my wife and his winery intern were also there), and it was nothing short of fabulous!! Anyway, only purpose of my little side story is to suggest that this wine, from a fine vintage, will cellar long past your “last bottle” window (20-25 years without a problem)!! Cheers!! 🍷🍷
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Doug Powers Thanks for your note Doug. Its longevity is not in question…..I guess I don’t have the patience to wait as long as I should and I would like to try the last bottle sooner rather than later! Thankfully I have younger vintages of Clape Cornas waiting in the cellar.
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

Same issue here, I always realise that the last bottle of a certain wine I drink over the years is always the best because I also tend to open rather early than late

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! — 10 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 25 others liked this
Somm David T

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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! 🤷‍♂️