What bottle of wine did you open today?

[jon leifer]

2007 Rafanelli Zin..came as quite a surprise to find a 2007 zin tonight,have never aged one this long, kinda got lost in the cellar amongst some cabs....Actually, I was looking for a Rafanelli cab to go with steak tonight when I found this gem...Drinking in fine form , no need to rush if ya got any

[Chr!s G|@rn3r]

2010 Pride Merlot. Picked these up on sale from Raeder’s. Drinking very well. Tannins still present and fruit is bright. Recent CT scores were strong and WS rated it an 80?!?! Id go 91 with potential for slight improvement in the next few years.

[Scott Brunson]

Drinking well but I have decided that I prefer these younger than this bottle.
Of course the current blend could age longer than these earlier vintages.

[Andrew Demaree]

2010 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico Riserva ‘Il Poggiale’

My second one of these. This is now in its drinking window, but remains a darker, bigger boned Chianti than I tend to gravitate towards. Best with a meat dish.

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[Neal.Mollen]

1986 Spottswoode Cabernet. SWMBO said that it was "balanced" and I guess that is as good a description as any. I felt as though the wine was probably better 5 or even 10 years ago, but it was a lovely drink. It was decidedly old-school Napa. Blind I think I likely would have called it accurately but it you had told me it was, like, an 83 graves I would not have been shocked.

[Jay Miller]

2004 Clos Rougeard 'Poyeaux' - remarkably delicious, a bit earthier and more subtle than the joyous 2005 opened next to it.
1994 Smith Woodhouse Port - very, very, corked.

[Scott E.]

2011 Tensley Colson Canyon Syrah - this is in a great spot right now. Great nose, good complexity, nice savory side.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

2004 Clos Rougeard 'Poyeaux' - remarkably delicious, a bit earthier and more subtle than the joyous 2005 opened next to it.
1994 Smith Woodhouse Port - very, very, corked.

Interesting, would not have thought that the 2005 is near ready. Thoughts on drinking window?

[Todd F r e n c h]

2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Meh. I know why I stopped buying CDP years ago. Just don't get it

[Dave McIsaac]

2008 Le Cadeau Rocheux PN - lovely bottle!

[Rajesh P a r i k h]

2001 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta - Happen to see it in the cellar and cellar tracker said it was way past it's window so we opened it up and it was great! Not even sure how we got the bottle or how it was stored, a very nice surprise.

[RyanC]

2011 Juge Cornas last night. I'm not nearly as much of a Juge fanboi as some, but good grief this bottle was sensational. The nose is explosive and exotic, and the palate is wild, crunchy, and complex. The overall package is pretty elegant. One of the better young N. Rhone bottles in memory.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

2011 Juge Cornas last night. I'm not nearly as much of a Juge fanboi as some, but good grief this bottle was sensational. The nose is explosive and exotic, and the palate is wild, crunchy, and complex. The overall package is pretty elegant. One of the better young N. Rhone bottles in memory.

Yup. I’ve been saying for a while, for classic Northern Rhone, 2011 has been sensational right out of the box, Juge and Gonon in particular. Clape also nailed it with its Cotes du Rhône and Vin de Amis. Faury was fun, too. A very expressive, balanced vintage.

[J.Vizuete]

Had a 2015 Jaboulet dom. de Thalabert last night. Very classic presentation - it was dark, with concentrated, sappy black fruit, but so much natural acidity that it felt very light to medium bodied on the palate. Subtle notes of meat and olive that were suggestive but did not overwhelm. Not a hint of confection. It's packages like that which I expect to go a long distance.. maybe best in 10-15 years?

[Robert.A.Jr.]

Had a 2015 Jaboulet dom. de Thalabert last night. Very classic presentation - it was dark, with concentrated, sappy black fruit, but so much natural acidity that it felt very light to medium bodied on the palate. Subtle notes of meat and olive that were suggestive but did not overwhelm. Not a hint of confection. It's packages like that which I expect to go a long distance.. maybe best in 10-15 years?

Thanks for the check-in. I was almost reluctant to buy this wine out of the obvious concern: ripe vintage, big points by the critics. My 6-pack comes in this week, sounds like we should sit on them some.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

And in the category of 96 points of suck:

2016 Fabre Montmayou Cabernet Franc Reserva, Lujan de Cuyo

Yup, a Decanter 96. As a Cab Franc afficionado, and one who drinks nightly so likes nice values, I jumped when I got my local retailer's email selling this on sale for $14 per. It's a big ripe primary gloppy thing. Pass. Also drinking a killer 2009 Raffault Les Picasses, the arechtype of Loire Cab Franc. Not ripe, high acid, a perfectly balanced melange of dry earthy notes and red fruit profile.

[JeromeHan]

2006 Pol Roger with the wife to celebrate our anniversary.

[Subu Ramachandran]

2008 Mascarello Monprivato - too young
2015 Chateau Clinet - Ripe modern, great for a napa lover
2004 Lopez de heredia tondonia reserva blanco - one of the greatest white wines of the world
Billecart Salmon Rose NV - fine quaffer

[Ramon C]

2004 Clos Rougeard 'Poyeaux' - remarkably delicious, a bit earthier and more subtle than the joyous 2005 opened next to it.
1994 Smith Woodhouse Port - very, very, corked.

Had 2008 Rougeard Saumur Champigny pulled from the offsite for drinking in the next week or so. I remember it drank young, but nice, back in February.

[Paul Miller]

2016 Kutch, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Just got my Kutch shipment today, and I needed to Pobega a bottle of good wine after so many Aldi wines.

[Jay Miller]

2004 Clos Rougeard 'Poyeaux' - remarkably delicious, a bit earthier and more subtle than the joyous 2005 opened next to it.
1994 Smith Woodhouse Port - very, very, corked.

Interesting, would not have thought that the 2005 is near ready. Thoughts on drinking window?

Now through 2060.

I wouldn't touch a Bourg yet. Those things are never ready.

[Neal.Mollen]

2006 Pol Roger with the wife to celebrate our anniversary.

Happy anniversary! How was the wine?

[Jay Miller]

2010 Ridge Geyserville - much better than a 2013 opened 2 weeks ago. I don't know if the 3 years made a difference or they had a lot of new barrels in 2013 but this is more like what I remember Geyserville tasting like. Not shy on the oak certainly but you can also taste the wine.

2007 Prager Klaus Smaragd - gorgeous soaring nose, fine but a little tight on the palate. Give it some more time. Unless you just want to smell it in which case go for it.

2007 Scherrer Platt Vineyard - fine balanced CA pinot. Delicious now, no harm in holding. Made several Scherrer converts at that dinner - of both old world and new world palates.

[YLee]

Soju

[JeromeHan]

2006 Pol Roger with the wife to celebrate our anniversary.

Happy anniversary! How was the wine?

Thank you Sir. Wine was delicious. Initially opens up to rich fruit and sweet brioche notes, but with some air, it really drys out and the acidity begins to shine through again.

[jon leifer]

2015 Chalk Hill Sauv Blanc..Lovely wine, went well will grilled, marinated chicken ..Regrettably my last bottle of SB(and of Chalk Hill, as well), will need to remedy that

[Neal.Mollen]

2006 Pol Roger with the wife to celebrate our anniversary.

Happy anniversary! How was the wine?

Thank you Sir. Wine was delicious. Initially opens up to rich fruit and sweet brioche notes, but with some air, it really drys out and the acidity begins to shine through again.

Sounds like it could use a little time still

[Peter Shurman]

last night
2014 G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba

[JeromeHan]

Sounds like it could use a little time still

Definitely.

[Neal.Mollen]

Went to the cellar last night to pull something to drink and a bottle of Vacqueyras . . . appeared, and with it several questions. When did I buy this wine? Why did I buy this wine? Was I drunk when I bought this wine? On whom can I blame this purchase? Most importantly, if I don't pull the cork on this wine now, will I ever?

So I did. I bet Alfert shuddered just a little when I took the first sip; I know I did. This is everything I have grown to dislike about southern rhone wines. It smelled, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries. It tasted, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries, gone to alcohol. And while I like cherries, I have no interest in drinking cherry wine. Bleh, bleh. bleh.

2010 Domaine Saint-Roch Vacqueyras, be gone.

[David Henry]

Opened a very refreshing and somewhat unique California white blend tonight: 2017 Gros Ventre High Country White. It is 38% sauvignon blanc, 28% chenin blanc, 12% vermentino, 11% picpoul blanc, and 11% fiano.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

Went to the cellar last night to pull something to drink and a bottle of Vacqueyras . . . appeared, and with it several questions. When did I buy this wine? Why did I buy this wine? Was I drunk when I bought this wine? On whom can I blame this purchase? Most importantly, if I don't pull the cork on this wine now, will I ever?

So I did. I bet Alfert shuddered just a little when I took the first sip; I know I did. This is everything I have grown to dislike about southern rhone wines. It smelled, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries. It tasted, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries, gone to alcohol. And while I like cherries, I have no interest in drinking cherry wine. Bleh, bleh. bleh.

2010 Domaine Saint-Roch Vacqueyras, be gone.

Haha, Cambie?!

[Neal.Mollen]

Went to the cellar last night to pull something to drink and a bottle of Vacqueyras . . . appeared, and with it several questions. When did I buy this wine? Why did I buy this wine? Was I drunk when I bought this wine? On whom can I blame this purchase? Most importantly, if I don't pull the cork on this wine now, will I ever?

So I did. I bet Alfert shuddered just a little when I took the first sip; I know I did. This is everything I have grown to dislike about southern rhone wines. It smelled, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries. It tasted, intensely, of sweet crushed cherries, gone to alcohol. And while I like cherries, I have no interest in drinking cherry wine. Bleh, bleh. bleh.

2010 Domaine Saint-Roch Vacqueyras, be gone.

Haha, Cambie?!

No idea.

[Robert.A.Jr.]

Checking in on a good friend:

2009 Chateau Lanessan

Has added some depth and darkness. A really strong vintage for Lanessan.

[Peter Shurman]

last night
2012 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

[Greg K]

Opened a 2015 Rollin Sous Fretile and a 1988 Cantemerle for dinner Saturday night. The Rollin is nice though needs some time. The Cantemerle is a great example of old school solid Bordeaux, though I'm guessing it's at the edge of its prime drinking plateau.

[jon leifer]

2013 Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva, from Frescobaldi..well made, polished wine, easy drinking, went well with Bison burgers, wd probably cost more if it came with CC or CCR designation, good QPR

[Dave McIsaac]

2012 Chester's Anvil Gretna Green

Unfortunately, my last bottle of this and CA

This bottle was sublime, and came on the heels of a Christmas Party at Heinz Field. The party included a tour of the Steelers faciity, and we got to step out onto the field.

A great day!

[Subu Ramachandran]

Over the weekend, 2013 Algueira Ribeira Sacra Merenzao. My friend thought it was a Pinot, could fool one to thinking it was a very good burgundy. Impressive!

[Drew Goin]

Opened a very refreshing and somewhat unique California white blend tonight: 2017 Gros Ventre High Country White. It is 38% sauvignon blanc, 28% chenin blanc, 12% vermentino, 11% picpoul blanc, and 11% fiano.

Thanks for the tasting note, David!!


I saw this and the "High Country Red" offered in an email a little while back, and I wasn't able to make the leap. It sounds like my hunch was correct about this being a winner! Congrats!

[Drew Goin]

Popped open a bottle of the 2015 Sandlands "Contra Costa" Mataro last night.

Will taste it tonight or tomorrow...

[Bud Carey]

Just popped a 2013 AP Vin Rosellas pinot. Lots of cherry fruit, and full bodied.

[Vikrant Rachakonda]

2009 Ormes de Pez: dark ruby in the glass with red fruits on nose. Medium weight, with tannins still prominent, definitely opening up more since I last drank this 3 years ago.

[Greg K]

2013 Cappellano Rupestris and 1998 Cantemerle last night.

The 2013 Cappellano is on one hand too young, but also I wanted to drink it and it's delicious now. The tannins are still too brooding, but a wonderful red fruit nose with some spice. The 1998 Cantemerle is in a good place, and I think will be a bit better in a few years though. Still a good bit of fruit, although it's not an overly big wine. Felt a bit weak on the mid palate, but very solid overall with some nice development.

[Ramon C]

Patrick Martin was in town. Got together at Sutton Inn, and a fun group of 6 old-school Bordeaux geeks geeked out with:

1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
2008 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

1998 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Ch. Haut Bailly
1979 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Domaine de Chevalier
1978 Domaine de Chevalier
1970 Ch. Pape Clement,
1983 La Mission Haut Brion
1994 Ch. Haut Brion
2001 Ch. Climens

Plus, for those who were up to it, a few rounds of cleansing ales at Jamesons Kitchen and Bar.

[Greg K]

Patrick Martin was in town. Got together at Sutton Inn, and a fun group of 6 old-school Bordeaux geeks geeked out with:

1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
2008 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

1998 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Ch. Haut Bailly
1979 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Domaine de Chevalier
1978 Domaine de Chevalier
1970 Ch. Pape Clement,
1983 La Mission Haut Brion
1994 Ch. Haut Brion
2001 Ch. Climens

Plus, for those who were up to it, a few rounds of cleansing ales at Jamesons Kitchen and Bar

How did the 78/79 DdC and the 83 LMHB show? Thanks!

[Ramon C]

Patrick Martin was in town. Got together at Sutton Inn, and a fun group of 6 old-school Bordeaux geeks geeked out with:

1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
2008 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

1998 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Ch. Haut Bailly
1979 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Domaine de Chevalier
1978 Domaine de Chevalier
1970 Ch. Pape Clement,
1983 La Mission Haut Brion
1994 Ch. Haut Brion
2001 Ch. Climens

Plus, for those who were up to it, a few rounds of cleansing ales at Jamesons Kitchen and Bar

How did the 78/79 DdC and the 83 LMHB show? Thanks!

I didn't take good notes, but from memory, 1978 DdC and 1983 LMHB were very good and excellent, respectively. The 1979 DdC was corked according to the those that poured into their stem wares (I didn't pour).

[Ramon C]

Duplicate. Pls delete.

[Greg K]

Patrick Martin was in town. Got together at Sutton Inn, and a fun group of 6 old-school Bordeaux geeks geeked out with:

1983 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
2008 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne

1998 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Ch. Haut Bailly
1979 La Tour Haut Brion
1979 Domaine de Chevalier
1978 Domaine de Chevalier
1970 Ch. Pape Clement,
1983 La Mission Haut Brion
1994 Ch. Haut Brion
2001 Ch. Climens

Plus, for those who were up to it, a few rounds of cleansing ales at Jamesons Kitchen and Bar

How did the 78/79 DdC and the 83 LMHB show? Thanks!

I didn't take good notes, but from memory, 1978 DdC and 1983 LMHB were very good and excellent, respectively. The 1979 DdC was corked according to the those that poured into their stem wares (I didn't pour).

Thanks for the report!

[Subu Ramachandran]

2014 Jobard Meursault En la barre - yum

14 village white burgs are starting to show well!