That was a really good one…mine are long gone
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OG N. 117 2019 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
30/30 last bottle, PnP, nearly 6 years in the bottle.
I mostly drank this wine before it’s time. Yet, I truly enjoyed every single bottle. So Delicious and refined. When I wanted an elegant CS, this has been a go to. Amazing QPR @ $132/cases. Very nice, could still age another 2 years.
with NY Steak
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Lot 515 | 2022 Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red
Nearing 2 years bottled, 3/12, PnP.
This is a very nice fully flavored blend. Red or Black fruits? I’m calling this selection very dark red! Nice, this is definitely yummy 
+ and so very easy to enjoy. Finished it, so seductive…
I mainly avoided the 2022’s, but this offering looked intriguing? It is. Time in the cellar will definitely improve this fine BDX Blend.
with Prime NY steak
the mountains are calling, again….
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Lot 349/MCK (Motor City Kitty, WA Charles Smith) Taste-off.
Night 1, Both Good, SWMBO preferred the MCK. - Coravined both.
Night 2, Same - pulled corks. On counter overnight.
Day 3, MCK…samo, Lot 349 smoother, it improved with air.
Bottom line: Lot 349 is good, and will improve with decant (and hopefully, since I have 10 left, time in bottle).
Oh, I enjoyed them both. They were different, but both 90+ Syrah/Shiraz.
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Saturday evening dinner wine after a glass each of the '21 Touraine SB leftover from Friday:
- 2018 de Négoce Pinot Noir OG N.197 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley (8/22/2026)
Consistent with last bottle in June '26
Double decanted back into bottle:
Served with Salmon, sauteed green beans.
Nose: Aromatic note of bing cherries, strawberry, forest floor, spicy nose like 5 Spice.
Color: Medium see through garnet in Somm Burgundy stem.
Palate: Crunchy red fruits, smooth on entry with good acidity, medium plus length, pleasant tannic grip.
These bottles at just > 6 years bottled likely not going to benefit from additional aging. Will enjoy the 10 remaining bottles over next year, time to get these 2018 Pinots consumed. (93 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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The Mountains called and I said, “More, please!”
OG N.48 2018 Russian River Pinot Noir
Bottle 26 of 26. PnPoured from the bottle w/o decanting. It’s still a very delicious double Yum
RRV PN. It’s fully ready for prime time guzzling now. For my preference, no added joy will come from any additional cellaring.
OG N.25 2018 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Over 6 years bottled. Leather, black fruit & beautiful CS character evident. This double yum keeps getting better over time and with additional aeration. Draining the end of the bottle was the best glass. I believe this can age and improve for another 3-4 years easily?
with Mammoth Chicken
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What is mammoth chicken?
First night Mammoth chicken: Sweet Sonja (wifey) grills chicken thighs the day before. Then, us hikers go to Mammoth Mountain region for a series of alpine day hikes.
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2 tasty dN’s down. Now On deck:
First day, we need acclimation. Today’s easy hike, around scenic Convict Lake.
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You brought 13 bottles of wine? I don’t think I could do that.
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Actually 14 bottles. 7 each.
Mark also brought a Stags Leap 2021 Napa Valley Petite Sirah, not show.
It’s Just decent, poor relative QPR, it greatly reaffirmed our dN/Cam allegiance!!!
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Beauty and the beast:
OG N.41 2018 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon
The BEAST. Over 6 years bottled, decanted. Like a dry Port 16.1% 100% NFO and Barrel Fermented. Crazy!
Smells like Cognac and gives a heady buzz. Age may improve this? Completely unsure.
OG dN Lot 200 2019 Napa Valley Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon
The Beauty! Over 5 years bottled, decanted. Also,100% NFO. Fantastic triple yum!!!
Can additionally improve with more age, I believe.
with Prime Ribeye
Today, Emerald Lake & Gentian Meadow
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Surprised no guesses for this ever came out, even on denegociants
- 2018 de Négoce OG N.159 Red Blend Rutherford - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (8/25/2026)
Last of my case. Followed over 6 hours open. 95% opaque dark ruby, quick narrow legs, and no sediment. Mild intensity nose that is certainly Bordeaux-like. The palate is more California in style and very polished and well-balanced. The tannic grip is still pronounced, particularly when the wine is warm. I liked it best after chilling down from the ambient temp of 76f to 65f. 5+10+17+9= 91 (91 points)
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Bob,
Normally somebody has a WAG on these sources, that BDX blend with PS was maybe what threw the hounds off the scent?
In summertime, my house is 77F with the AC. For a red wine out of the cellar longer than 15-20 mins, I’ll shove a chiller jacket on outside. It hits the stem at 77F so will warm up anyhow if chilled too much.
Cheers, Tim
1 Like
OG N.43 2018 Napa (Oakville/St. Helena) Cabernet Sauvignon
Last bottle of the case. Nice, good QPR. Drinks fine, almost tired out now. Drink it up soon.
OG Lot 158 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This fantastic double yum is drinking great, will age well further. Many layers of complexity.
Out classed 43, by a long shot! Drink now with a healthy decant or age it longer.
with Pork Chops
Thinking of dN 158, up high eating PB&J lunch
OG N.49 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Last bottle of the case. Decanted. Drinks smooth and easy, moderate complexity.
Ready to drink, no additional aging suggested.
Even higher, another PBJ 
2024 Cam X Petite Sirah Lot 34
Nice big and moderately classy PS. Needs another year or more to coalesce. Too soon, for my taste.
with Pozole
Scenic Alpine scenery at Bennettville and Hall Natural Area:
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Good to hear…#25 has been one of my biggest disappointments in the DN lineup, I always found it a very structured, a bit thin, and lacking fruit…but I haven’t tried one in about 6-months, and I have 3-bottles left so maybe it’s time to give one another try…
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My all-time favorite DN wine…glad I have a bunch left
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Re: dN 25. Sure, however more time will help it too?
Wow, I just opened a n.68 and it’s killer. Had this several times before and it’s been great, but this one is fantastic. First glass, so will report back with more….
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Great to hear, I think I still have 2 cases buried someplace… if the wife is up for a red tonight, I might try to dig one out.
Update: went 22 Bucklin Ancient Field Blend instead. It’s delicious
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