Does anyone know if 197 was a shiner? I think it’s a real cork, and definitely not the typical dN cork. Whatever it is it’s in a great place right now. Drink or hold 91 points at least.
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As for your Lot 197 Russian River 2018 Pinot Noir, it was offered as, ~ Lot 197 is a 2018 Green Valley of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Purchased as a “shiner” (bottled wine with no label on it). We have already enjoyed two of our six bottles ordered. 90 pt wine at this time.
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Jonah,
It was a shiner and bottled by DRNK (states so on the label).
Cheers, Tim
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OG N.64 2018 Calistoga “Hillside” Cabernet
Over 5 years bottled, 31/36, PnP. This is a special favorite of mine. Rich deep leathery flavors, complex nose, balanced. Not hot, in spite of a big 15.6% alcohol, very nicely oaked and a solid triple Yum! 
Drinking just fine now without a decant, it’s ready for my taste. *with Tritip*
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I feel like we have to call out Matt since this is a legit shiner! I looked up the old email and Cam says that drove up the price by 25% or so. I think most of us would be good with that trade.
Lot 487, 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, included with a mystery case last year.
Still drinking nicely with crisp acidity, decent fruit, and perhaps a little softened finish.
Tempted to keep it open to enjoy alongside dinner, but I have my eyes on a Lot 65, 2018 Willamette Valley PN, instead. Slow cooked pork chops with mushroom and onion gravy are on the menu.
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Commemorating my monthly Cerro Alto summit hike. Consecutive Month #102, 123 times. 
The summit views were obscured by “Cloud 9”. It was clear down below. 
Lot 192 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet
Nearly 5 years in the bottle. 23/24, PnP.
Lots of nice fruit and beautiful oak on the nose. Strongly (14.9%) structured and full of CS Grape flavors. Some tasty dark fruits and a hint of green pepper, too. Nearly Flawless, well balanced & delicious! The complexity of the aroma is top notch! Double yummy, drank most of ‘em too soon.
*with grilled Pork Chops*
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Scott, pre-rolled or roll-your-own 
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After 56 years of practice (most of that time, a Felony!), I have plenty of experience rolling Reefers! I do now use a “Raw” hand rolling machine for the ease of use. Understand, the joints disappear faster than the wine bottles. 
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I want to be you when I grow up……
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Don’t grow up! 
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Last week, wife and I had a OG N. 06 2017 Cabernet- lovely Cab still. This week, dived into single digits again.
Wife was complaining about the stingy pours last evening, she notices “Coombsville” on that Cabernet bottle and checks those pours. Darn it!
Tasting consistent with bottle opened 2 months ago.
- 2018 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.05 - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville (3/6/2026)
Double decanted back into bottle 30 mins prior to serving with grilled marinated Tri Tip steak dinner. Added a grilled Italian sausage (savory compliments Coombsville Cabs well)
Nose: Floral, oak spice, whiff of coffee, licorice, mixed with blackberry.
Color: Dark and opaque in Bordeaux stem.
Palate: Beefy characteristic typical of Coombsville Cabs, Dark plum blackberry, red rock minerality, balanced out with a smooth tannic finish. Full bodied with no heat at 15.1% Alc. Paired well with rich beef flavor from Tri Tip steak & Sausage.
Still hard to believe this was $156/case back in 2020. Nearly 6 years in bottle now. Plenty of life ahead from here, wonderful now. (93 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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506 over two nights. Didn’t care for it at all off of the truck, better now and improved day two, but Rochioli-like it isn’t. I’ll try another this fall.
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Lot 501 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir & Lot 506 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
I recently consumed #501 & #506, 2023 RRV PN’s. 501 is reminiscent of a better Beaujolais. I call it my white wine PN. good with Halibut 
I prefer 506, it has more ‘stuffing’, not as lean as 501. good with Game Hen 
. Both are decent with good refreshing acidity, both can age longer and likely/hopefully improve. 
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Interesting… bought 501 too… off the truck preferred 501 to 506. Have only had the one bottle of 501 and this was my second bottle of 506. Guess I’ll tee 'em up together for science sooner rather than later.
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We opened our first bottle yesterday of Lot 227 | 2019 Russian River Cabernet Sauvignon ordered November 2023 with a Holiday Bottle Shop discount which landed the price at Tranche I cost w/shipping included! Listening to Brianschool’s related Sept 2022 overview as best as I could and delaying tasting, we were rewarded with a most gracious Russian River Cabernet Sauvignon. Cam’s description, found on de Négociants, simply nailed it and it would be silly of me to expound on his remarkable expressions for this selection. 92 pts / A
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Had some 2020 RRV Pinot - starting to drink very good now. Along with this Anderson Valley Pinot Noir for Saturday evening dinner. Hard to tell this wine is a mere 12.2% ABV with nice medium body.
- 2019 de Négoce Pinot Noir OG N.125 - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (3/7/2026)
Popped and poured with Steelhead trout with dill butter.
Nose: Strawberry and earth slight hint of tea.
Color: Light ruby red.
Palate: Strawberry, mixed with some watermelon, balanced with zesty acidity, moderately tannic finish. Great wine for $10/bottle. Last bottle. Served us well. (90 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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Lot 298 2020 Pauillac Bordeaux Red Wine
Nearly 4 years bottled, 1/6. Same day decant for 3.5 hours (needed) back into the bottle for dinner time serving.
Thin wine structure, rather sharp acid & full tannins. Tasting like a standard (not high) quality BDX, to me. This reconfirms my longstanding and continuing preference for the riper, richer, more mature and deeply flavored Northern California BDX varietals & blends. We have very abundant sunshine in California. As I Remember? France allows Chaptalization (adding sugar during fermentation), California allows Amelioration (adding water during fermentation), as I recall from years past? Point being that Generally California grapes get ripe enough to allow water additions if desired, some French grapes are needing sugar additions to supplement the lack of ripened grape sugars. As The Rolling Stones wrote in their wonderful song ‘Sweet Virginia’ - “Thank you for your wines California, thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits.” I concur!
Sadly, on Day 2 this was already falling apart. This wine needs more time/years to show better and become yummy. *with awesome Ribeye*
I’m not having as much luck as others with some of these older cabs. Finally got around to opening one of these.
120 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mtn CA
Splash Decant; Nose: nice fruits with cassis, darker, black cherry and background dusty, earthy notes. Taste: more black cherry with cassis, some spicy notes, crispy finish. Lighter body. Okay for a daily drinker, but does not mesh with Cam’s “one of my Top Three Cabernet’s from 2018”. Will be an okay book club wine, but overall underwhelming at $20.
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There is the old joke though that California doesn’t allow chaptalization but good luck finding a bag if sugar in any of the Napa area supermarkets during fermentation.
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