Concise. Unequivocal. Got it.
Alban Reva 2012
fantastic 
2 Likes
Cadet-Piola - St.Emilion - 2008
Quite crunchy and firm at first, classically styled with redcurrant and red cherries, leading into a deep, satisfying middle section and crisp but persistent finish with fresh blackberry, very good on a cold evening. Light years from the jam and oak monsters elsewhere, unpretentious and restrained. This was absorbed into Soutard in 2012. I wouldn’t say this is a lost gem, just a very decent wine found recently at a very decent price.
2 Likes
At Dept. of Culture in Brooklyn (north-central Nigerian cuisine). This was drinking very well with characteristic honey, wool, and melon, and great energy. Paired very well with a dish that had a smoked crawfish cream.
2 Likes
06 VCC on a weeknight to celebrate bringing in a new client. With Flannery KC strips. Remarkably good showing.
5 Likes
We were celebrating my mother’s 70th birthday and retirement. The nose on the '86 Lafite gave off intense aromas of spice, molasses, brown sugar, and leather. Supple and elegant flavors of intense black currant and cedar are perfectly nestled inside a fantastic structure of lively acidity and reserved tannins. Tertiary notes of truffle and mushroom carry through the long finish. Was I swept away by my emotions, failing to recognize that the Lafite was simply a mediocre bottle of wine? Who knows, but we both loved it.
8 Likes
1983 Inglenook Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Cask
From a pristine looking bottle. Probably 5-10 years past peak, but still hanging on to life. Mature garnet color, starting to tint slightly brown. Nose is developed with touch of figs and madeira. Savory/umami notes with some sweetness. Initially some bretty funk that seems to subside with air.
Palate is medium bodied with red fruit, cranberries, slightly green/herbaceous/almost menthol, some lift from acidity and just a touch of tannins on the short-ish finish.
1 Like
2002 Ch. Musar
A very sound bottle, you never know with Musar. Cork in excellent condition. This was exactly what I want a good, aged Musar to be like. Aromas of dried fruit, tobacco and some wood. Still some fruit left on the palata, tannins long gone to the ravages of time and good length. A superb match to rack of lamb last night!
5 Likes
These old Inglewoods are fun. About 10 years ago our local ABC got in a few batches of them from The early 1980s. I grabbed about a case of them.
1 Like
Beautiful picture — now THAT is how to enjoy a grand bottle! 
2 Likes
Cool picture! Blind tasting a perfect conditioned Musar 2000 along with left & right bank this summer, and few of us could figure out which was from Lebanon. But the winery also had disappointed us many times when the wine aged too fast than normal, or had … stinky (?) smell.
(Even) more 2021 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py. I can’t get enough of this stuff and highly recommend it.
1 Like
2020 Comtes Lafon Meursault
Rainwater, Lemon, and honey framed by chai spice on the nose. The first thing you notice on the palette is the texture. This wine is viscous in the best way… And then the flavor starts to build. Citrus dominated crème brûlée with mineral substance and laser focused acidity that carries everything to a spicy savory finale. Meursault really delivers at the village level, and Lafon delivers at all levels. I love these wines.
4 Likes
Drank these during the Pac-12 championship. Was a wonderful progression of flavors and terroir.
Armelle et Bernard Rion Chambolle-Musigny 1er- 2020 - medium/full bodied, silken texture, deep ruby red. At first nose was very light, but further on revealed such a lovely floral note - roses! some deep cherry notes and light bramble as well. taste was rich red fruits, perfect tannin, ever so slight chew.
Kobayashi Syrah - 2021 - my second bottle of this in the last couple of weeks. What can I say? The future of Washington syrah. So unique. deep ruby with some added opacity or visual density. Wonderful nose - herbs, leather, blackberry bushes. Weightless on the palate - medium body but floats above it all. Taste of raspberry and blueberry fruit, with salinity and this amazing blood note. wow.
Benson Meritage - 2019 - memories from Chelan this summer. Much more nuanced than expected. Perhaps benefiting from drinking 3rd, the nose and flavors were really popping. inky purple color with touch of cardinal. nose of white pepper, fresh grapes and vine, rosemary. medium bodied on the palate with tastes of blackberry juice and sour cherry, plum skin. lovely way to end the game, and celebrate a UW win.
Nope, you were right. 86 Lafite is the wine of the vintage as far as I’m concerned. Better than LLC, Mouton or Lafleur, PLL, VCC, Margaux or Montrose. YMMV.
@Ben_W why the Durand on an 09?
@Wil_Raley 20 Lafon Meursault was truly excellent, glad your bottle showed well
I love around the holidays when people start pulling out the real heavy hitters. It’s fun to watch (and participate!)