Snap Dragon

Luigi Baudana (G.D. Vajra)

Dragon Langhe Bianco Chardonnay Blend 2024

Zesty fresh young white, a proper palate pleaser — 13 days ago

Brian and Stephen liked this

Domaine du Dragon

Grande Cuvée Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend 2024

Medium body, mineraly. Would be good with heavy food for balance. — 5 months ago

Michael liked this

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2023

Tobacco herby snap on red currant.
Balanced tangy acidity:)
— a year ago

Tom liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2016

At first this is very mellow, but over time the perfume of light sweet red fruits, purple flowers and fresh sugar snap peas appears. A truly balanced and elegant wine, this has all the signature Raffault nuances; violet, spring rain, cedar and the prettiest manure scent I’ve ever smelled in a wine; unique to this vineyard, the smell of soil and flowers and new growth. Not quite as aromatic, tart and lean as the 2014 but just as powerful and riper. A little step up from the 2015 I think.

A week in the fridge and this is prettier than when it was opened. A definite keeper and maybe 9.5+ with time.
— 4 years ago

Tom, Andrew and 34 others liked this
Josh Morgenthau

Josh Morgenthau Influencer Badge

@Peter Sultan interesting, I’ve never had that issue with Raffault.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

Yeah- one NYC store told me they choose to buy Baudry instead of Raffault for that reason@Josh Morgenthau
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

“The prettiest manure scent I ever smelled” 😱😁

Chappellet

Napa Valley Malbec 2022

Chappellet – Malbec – 2022
Napa Valley (Pritchard Hill), California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold and unapologetically powerful 100% Malbec from Chappellet’s iconic Pritchard Hill estate, a site known for producing some of Napa’s most intense, structured, and deeply concentrated reds. Crafted by Phillip Corallo-Titus, this is no soft, plush Malbec: it’s a mountain-grown, high-tension version that delivers immediate impact and remarkable depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black plum, blackberry compote, blueberry skin, cocoa, graphite, and dark spice. Subtle violet notes and a savory, mineral backbone that reflects the rocky hillside terroir.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and bone-dry, with gripping tannins and commanding structure. This is Malbec with power, layered, muscular, and unapologetically firm. The finish is long, dark, and seriously satisfying.

Food Pairings
Ribeye, lamb chops, smoked brisket, grilled sausages, peppered steak, or aged Manchego. Anything charred or protein-rich sings with this wine.

Verdict
A fierce, mountain-born expression of Malbec that redefines what Napa can do with the grape. Intense, structured, and explosively flavorful, this bottling is as rare stylistically as it is visually. A standout in the Chappellet lineup and a thrill for Malbec lovers seeking something more serious.

Did You Know?
The dragon on the label is “TeaCup,” the 14th character in Carissa Chappellet’s collectible dragon series. Each dragon is unique, playful, and designed to make these bottlings artistic keepsakes within the Chappellet portfolio.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
One of the boldest, most powerful Malbecs I’ve ever tasted from Napa, and naturally, that Pritchard Hill signature intensity shows through in every sip. Absolutely stunning.
— 19 days ago

Ted, ESF and 3 others liked this

Bodegas Beronia

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Adventuring past Lopez or Rioja Alta slways intrigues- this ‘12 beauty is broad & generous. Black fruited & rich, medium acidity. While Rioja Alta’s lineup may have finer tannins & more acidic snap on the back end, this is all about the fruit. — 3 years ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Aaron, Ira and 8 others liked this

Kokuryu

Black Dragon Junmai Ginjo Sake

One of the better sake’s I’ve had — 4 years ago

Château Quintus

Le Dragon de Quintus Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

KP
9.5

This one is interesting! Nose and palate don’t match at all. Nose is fruit forward, blueberry and cherry. Palate is herbal up front, goat cheese in the middle and oak finish. Very balanced. Love acidity. Would absolutely buy again. — 4 months ago

"Odedi" and Bruce liked this

Paso Dragon

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Another winner from Trader Joe’s. — 10 months ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1961

Stunning. I often find I prefer LdH reasonably younger (GRs at the 10-15 year mark). This was vigorous, gorgeous, and very fine. Tiny bit of bricking but really still dark-core garnet color right on pour. Lovely nose of warm red fruit, flowers, that iconic snap of VA, and some forest floor action. But much less mushroomy & evolved than many other 70s GRs from the same house. Haunting, long palate true to nose— structured, crunchy fruit with no hard edges. Exceptionally long & evolving the whole time. All in all this has decades ahead and is evolving slowly and marvelously. No rush to drink up just to drink. — 3 years ago

Alan, Eric and 1 other liked this