Thanks Marie. Those are the wife’s sunglasses 
. Not sure why that’s were they land?
We both clean as we cook. She is a very proud Housekeeper.
Over 20 years ago we realized that a full time housekeeper, was more important to our domestic tranquility, than having additional taxable income at our highest marginal tax rate. Zero regrets!
6 Likes
OG N.64 2018 Calistoga “Hillside” Cabernet
Delicious Bottle, my 10th! OG. #64 still enjoys a good 24 hour decant. On serving night I poured from the bottle.
This is a favorite of mine. It’s very big @ 15.6%, definitely oaky and a triple Yum! 
Drinking fine now with a big decant. However This can age a very looooong time.
I strongly believe that the best is yet to come.
*w/grilled USDA Choice Ribeye with a big ass bone 
* 
6 Likes
394 Rutherford Zinfandel 2020. Very tasty and smooth after an hour of being open. Everybody enjoyed it nice blackberry boysenberry fruit with a touch of oak.
6 Likes
OG N.48 2018 Russian River Pinot Noir
Saturday evening King Salmon with steamed corn on the cob, green beans & carrots.
First bottle of case ordered on 1st Tranche offer. Decanted wine back into bottle 1/2 hour before dinner, kept a cold sleeve over bottle as house is warm in this 2nd day of heatwave. Poured dark in the glass with lovely dark pinot fruits on the nose. Spice, black tea, cherry all in symphony here on the long finish, supplied with gripping tannins. Literally, one of the best RRV Pinots drank in awhile. This is ripe, but completely in balance with fruit/acidity/tannins/glycerin levels. Last glass had the best length on finish, saying more bottle time be beneficial. Ludicrous deal at $156 a case back when offered.
4 Likes
I agree 69 is excellent, and more like a cab (completely different from the first bottle I tried a few years ago, which was flat and boring). I agree it’s clearly better than 68, at least right now. Probably the best dN I’ve opened so far, except maybe 251, but I haven’t opened most of the more expensive ones like 216, 250, 300 that have received great reviews, I’m not a planner - I struggle with 24hr decants outside of a planned tasting… Glad to have bought a case.
3 Likes
145 Napa cab. This wine has mostly made me sad in the past. The first dN Napa cab I had (other were ordered but not yet delivered at the time and I’ve since bought some other 2018 Napa bottlings in case sales)
Not really enjoyable as a pop and pour last night but after a few hours with dinner it came around to like a 88-89 wine. Enjoyable after a decant but not as high quality as other 18s (17 & 25 are the other ones that I’d usually score at 92ish). This morning (just a sip…about the same amount of wine I’d have with communion at church) after 16 hours in decanter it seemed to improve a bit more. Maybe a 89-90? Long decant still in order.
2 Likes
Nice
2 Likes
OG N.122 2019 Dry Creek Pinot Noir
With roughly 2.5 years in the bottle, it’s time to try one. PnP.
I believe that this wine will appeal to lovers of Oregon PN (i.e. dn #70), decent French Beaujolais or sour French Red Burgundy. It does not appeal to me.
There are no flaws, except perhaps maybe an over Acidulation(i.e. Tartaric acid additions?).
No Fruit on the nose (zero Pinotberry), & too tart for me (high acidity).
The wife said “it burns when it goes down”, (then back to her Pinot Grigio) I agree!
11 bottles remain. Note to self: wait another full year, or, trade this one out).
I did drink the whole bottle and still No yum. 
with Ham & Eggs
3 Likes
#70, this morning!!
No, I did not open my remaining case of #70 Chehelem MOUNTAIN PN.
This was my 70th consecutive monthly summit of 2,600’ Cerro Alto Peak. 89th time in the 70 months. Hoping for 100+ months! I really love those endorphins!!
I also enjoy the other rewards including:
On deck for tonight: Choice grade Ribeye (to split) and #25, Spring MOUNTAIN CS! (in the decanter). Yum!
7 Likes
OG dN Lot 184 2019 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
This is now good to PnP. Great fruity nose!! Perfect acidity.
Per Cam: “Ripe yet pretty, medium-weight and very approachable with just a kiss of new French oak, this is a terrific Pinot Noir that will drink well in the near-term and age nicely over the next 7-10 years. Delicious.”
I agree! Double Yum!
with Fried Chicken (store bought from Vons)
4 Likes
OG N.60 Yountville District Cabernet Sauvignon
With grilled Rib Eye and King Salmon, panko Mac n Cheese, baby broccoli.
Poured dark and more dark into the decanter one hour before serving with dinner. Nose off the decanter said this was going to be a real treat. IT WAS. Cassis, graphite, lavender emanating from the wine glass. Did I mention it was dark?? Our friends delighted in the savory character of this wine with that rib eye steak pairing. While NOT a Cab lover, friend’s wife’s comment: “That’s freaking GOOD Cabernet”. Next question, “How much did this cost??” Yup $300 a case I told them. Jaws drop. Glad to have purchased a case via the VIP offering.
Cheers, and Happy 4th.
3 Likes
OG N.25 2018 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This delicious 2018 CS is still benefiting from a rather long decant.
A favorite of mine, after it opens up, in the decanter. Then, it is an easy double Yum
NO Day 2, the bottle empties itself very easily, because it is so darn delicious!!!
w/ grilled Ribeye and veggies
Happy Independence Day, On deck for tonight first bottle #41, with almost 3 years in the bottle. I also DO love GIANT #57, there are twin siblings?
6 Likes
N.43 tonight with filet mignon. Good pairing, good food wine. Wife and I call it Napa fruit meets Tuscan character. Lots of tannin and savory notes. My notes from 2021 say cherry, cassis, cedar and spice. Seems spot on. Very good wine.
7 Likes
Of number 394 Rutherford cell. Edit last night in the class tonight. It’s doing very welll
4 Likes
68 after a couple hour decant, great as always
7 Likes
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2017 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.269 - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (7/4/2023)
This is a softer, mountain Cabernet that is well-rounded, replete with resiny jasmine flower, leather, cigar box, and a tension of an amalgam of dark fruit. The tannins appear near the finish, rounded and slightly chalky.
The alcohol was hot at first, but really settled down after an hour.
100% Spring Mountain 30% new French oak 14.5% alc. (91 points)
About a 3-hour decant. Nice wine.
7 Likes
OG N.41 2018 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon
Almost 3 years bottled, time to try my first one. 1.5 decant in the morning, then poured from the bottle for dinner.
Do you like to chew on an oak 2x4? Do you like wood splinters in your mouth? If yes, You might like this one, too?
I like this 16% monster of a Cab, it’s as big a wine as I could ever enjoy. Close to a Porto.
Specs include: “100% barrel-fermented in 100% new French Oak 97% Cabernet, 2% Petite Verdot, 1% Merlot 16% alc.”
At the price of new 60 gallon French Oak (holds 300/bottles). It’s like the wine itself is almost free.
Like # 57, it turns my tongue black & gets me drunk! Different from #57, not as much HOT alcohol on the nose.
I didn’t quite finish the bottle (16%) before I tapped out for the night.
I’m confident that this can benefit from additional aging. Double Yum
with Pork Chops 
Happy Independence Day
4 Likes
Lot 250 1st of my 6-Pack.
Decanted all day.
With Tube Steaks.
Very good, smooth, leather, lots of fine tannins and alcohol on the nose.
I’ll give it more time before I try it again.
5 Likes
Enjoying a 240 right now. Opened and decanted for about three hours. Beautiful deep garnet color and smooth mouth feel. I am not sure it has the structure for the long term but it is drinking great with a relatively short decant.
I can’t believe I was able to pickup another case of this for $12.35 each. Another great sale on a very good wine. Now, if only October would hurry and get here. I think I am going to need my on UPS truck for delivery by the time that comes. I think I am up to 14 cases in storage right now.
4 Likes
Lot 300 | 2019 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Very nice wine. Extremely smooth and very slightly on the jammy-side (in a good way) which i like. This has one of the most pronounced cassis and black currant notes i have smelled/tasted in a very long time. Really enjoyed this wine at the beach celebrating fireworks on the 4th of July. Well made, great wine, fantastic QPR !
Anyone else?
8 Likes