Served from a double decanted 1.5L magnum. Decanted for 2 hours before serving. This is surprisingly approachable now, but there is still some heavy oak on the finish that should integrate with more time in the cellar. Magnums are always nice to have at a big family Thanksgiving event.
Very strange. My last tasting note on this from 2018 was less than favorable. However, this wine was singing on this Thanksgiving night. Maybe it came together and integrated since then? Nevertheless, this had a rocking nose and a very long smooth creamy finish. Loads of black cherry and creme de cassis. Very new world in style, but it drinks like a cult Cali Cabernet.
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tasted blind (1.5L), one sniff and I was immediately transported to Rhone. I initially began in S. Rhone, but then migrated to Cote-Rotie. The Viognier in the blend is a dead ringer for N. Rhone. Interestingly enough, this was tasted next to a magnum of Guigal d'Ampuis '12 and the Cayuse tasted more authentically Cote-Rotie than the d'Ampuis.
WOTN in my opinion. This doesn't show an ounce of the overripe 2003 vintage and it is drinking beautifully right now. Tasted blind. I called it one of the Leovilles, but couldn't pin it to Barton. Delicioso!
Tasted this many times before and I always enjoy it. Compared to the '03 Leoville Barton tasted alongside it, I would say they are both lovely, but the difference is that the Barton is more of a higher toned red fruit profile and the SHL is more of a darker black fruit profile. The Barton is a cleaner, more pure wine. The SHL is a slightly dirty wine with some smoke and road tar on the finish. Both great wines, but the Barton edged it out. Of course, the SHL stayed very true to its Pessac roots.
1999 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart 91 Points
France, Champagne
Very nice mature bottle of vintage champagne. A nice way to start the Thanksgiving evening. I would have enjoyed a second glass.
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2012 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 92 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Served from a double decanted 1.5L magnum. Decanted for 2 hours before serving. This is surprisingly approachable now, but there is still some heavy oak on the finish that should integrate with more time in the cellar. Magnums are always nice to have at a big family Thanksgiving event.
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2014 Villa Del Lago Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very strange. My last tasting note on this from 2018 was less than favorable. However, this wine was singing on this Thanksgiving night. Maybe it came together and integrated since then? Nevertheless, this had a rocking nose and a very long smooth creamy finish. Loads of black cherry and creme de cassis. Very new world in style, but it drinks like a cult Cali Cabernet.
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2013 Cayuse Wallah Wallah Special #5 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tasted blind (1.5L), one sniff and I was immediately transported to Rhone. I initially began in S. Rhone, but then migrated to Cote-Rotie. The Viognier in the blend is a dead ringer for N. Rhone. Interestingly enough, this was tasted next to a magnum of Guigal d'Ampuis '12 and the Cayuse tasted more authentically Cote-Rotie than the d'Ampuis.
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2003 Château Léoville Barton 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
WOTN in my opinion. This doesn't show an ounce of the overripe 2003 vintage and it is drinking beautifully right now. Tasted blind. I called it one of the Leovilles, but couldn't pin it to Barton. Delicioso!
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2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Tasted this many times before and I always enjoy it. Compared to the '03 Leoville Barton tasted alongside it, I would say they are both lovely, but the difference is that the Barton is more of a higher toned red fruit profile and the SHL is more of a darker black fruit profile. The Barton is a cleaner, more pure wine. The SHL is a slightly dirty wine with some smoke and road tar on the finish. Both great wines, but the Barton edged it out. Of course, the SHL stayed very true to its Pessac roots.
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