Search Results - Save This Search

Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

1984 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

more

2/17/2024 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 points

Nose of black berry, black cherry, and earth, more of the same on the palate, big body, elegant, mouth filling fruit, at peak or slightly past, rich fruit, lovely with meaty pizza, long, flavorful finish and lovely aftertaste.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    2/18/2024 8:17:00 AM - I poured the Dunn into a glass and smell, if OK, I wait for 30 minutes before I enjoy. No funk.
    Meaty pizza sore for the typo.

White - Sparkling

2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2

Champagne Blend more

12/31/2023 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 100 points

Tiny, vigorous bubbles formed a lovely mousse in the glass, nose of toast, honey, lemon, yeast, and slate, same on the palate, big body, rich tasting, mouth filling, layers of flavor and complexity, this is at its best when served thoroughly chilled, lovely, long flavors on both tbe finish and aftertaste, the aftertaste stays with you a long time, showing its pedigree, like us-49 years together and still kicking, this wine still has time left photo uploaded.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    3/3/2024 9:27:00 PM - Thanks for the update-glad you enjoyed the P2.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    2/16/2024 11:01:00 PM - This is a fabulous Champagne. Well chilled allows it to slowly warm up in the glass to your preferred drinking temperature. Especially since this shows best when you see its development in your flute. Enjoy!!!!

Red

1975 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley more

12/24/2023 - happyhyrax Likes this wine: NR

In very good condition. Elegant, medium bodied. Quite tertiary. Acidity and fruit still there though. Doesn’t taste like a 48 year old wine. Has probably lost some character but still a lovely wine.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    3/24/2024 10:27:00 AM - 1975 was the year Rangy Dunn, a new employee of Caymus out of California-Davis enology, suggested Charlie Wagner make a "Reserve" wine.
    I still have one bottle of the 1975 Estate left.
    You were lucky to taste both the 1975 Estate and Special Selection-glad you enjoyed them.

Red

2020 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Salvation

Napa Valley more

9/25/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 92 points

Very enjoyable and immediately expressive. Made in an entirely "modern" style, with big rich black fruit (blackberry preserve, plum compote, dark cherry, not "baked" or jammy, just very forward) and a bit of flashy oak (vanilla, allspice) that didnt overwhelm the fruit. Not much more to it than that on the nose or palate, but I really enjoyed the intensity and presence of it- tannins aren't excessively harsh, and there's enough acidity there to keep it focused.

One thing that was a bit less successful was the high ABV, with some sharp fumes on the nose at times, and a lingering heat on the finish. I don't shy away from high-ABV wines (I've had good experiences with Mollydooker, when the time is right!) It simply wasn't so well-integrated here. It could work better with some rich food to temper some of that intensity.

I'm rating this based on the price we paid, $50, which begins to approach good QPR- pricing seems to vary a lot, with some closer to $75 (much less appealing at that price.) This reminded me a lot of the entry level Turnbull Cab, just with a bit less balance/elegance- and also of the entry level Pine Ridge Cab, but with a bit *more* balance and elegance.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/24/2023 4:11:00 AM - Faust is best tasted aafter cellaring it 5-7 year old mark to avoid ABV challenges.

Red

2017 Robert Keenan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley more

9/18/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 93 points

Lovely stuff. Extremely similar to their '17 Napa Merlot I wrote a note for recently; this was showing just somewhat darker shades of fruit and a touch more density (also maybe a bit more tannic ruggedness). I'm not sure if it was $15-$20 better than the Merlot right now, but I think it has a slightly longer life ahead. Both are built for aging.

No decant- I thought it was honestly best right at opening, as the tannins increased in strength throughout the tasting. This needs a cellar nap more than a decant. Lots and lots of cedary oak, but it doesn't bury the fresh blackberry/black plum fruit. Dense, but not even remotely jammy or hot, and thankfully, not "green" either save for a very subtle, well-integrated touch of tobacco. The palate has solid weight and acidity; the tannins are definitely a bit coarse on the finish once the fruit finally fades.

I slightly preferred their '16 Cab, which felt a touch more polished, without sacrificing elegance. It's possible this vintage showed the fruit a bit more over the oak. I've really enjoyed the wines I've tried from Keenan so far; they feel like a combination of a rich, unapologetic Napa flavor profile with the seriousness and structure of Bordeaux.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/24/2023 4:13:00 AM - try their Mernet blend.

White - Sparkling

2012 Dom Pérignon Champagne

Champagne Blend more

9/15/2023 - happyhyrax Likes this wine: 95 points

Brioche, honey, lemon peel on the nose. Oily. Wonderfully balanced. Medium/long finish. Lovely. Will probably improve. 95+

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    3/24/2024 10:29:00 AM - Wonderful Champagne for sure.

Red

2018 Girard Old Vine Zinfandel

Napa Valley more

9/12/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 93 points

Really nice- maybe I'm overrating this, but it was delicious and expressive for the price, and did an excellent job of balancing high alcohol and big fruit. Lots of raspberry preserves, blueberry crumble, etc like a "typical" zin, yet given complexity with a deep vanilla oak note, almost toasty, not at all overwhelming, just a big dollop of seasoning. The high ABV is pretty well-hidden here, mostly feeling like a burst of fruity richness than a spiky, hot mess. Neither overly tannic or flabby. I'm not much of a zin lover, but this was solid QPR for sure. Makes me wonder if I should try more Napa zin rather than Paso or Lodi stuff.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/24/2023 10:05:00 PM - Try Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel, Martinelli Jackass Zinfandel, or Carol Shelton Zinfandels-prefer Wild Thing but others are equally great tasting.

Red

2016 Château Labégorce

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend more

8/8/2023 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 points

Nose of black berry, cigar box, and earth, same on the palate, big body, tasty, mouth filling fruit, better the second night than the first night, at peak suggest you enjoy over the next 3 years, lovely, long finish, and pleasant aftertaste.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/1/2023 2:58:00 PM - Thank you for the thank you.

Red

2016 Château La Fleur de Boüard

Lalande de Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend more

6/28/2023 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 points

Nose of red cherry, black cherry, and cigar box, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, locally it's $24 at Costco, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, better the second and third night than the first, suggest 3 years in the cellar to peak, medium/long finish, photo uploaded.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    1/27/2024 7:35:00 AM - Du Vin in LA has it for $50. Winebid has the 2019 for $30.

Red

2016 Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva

Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more

6/1/2023 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 points

Nose of red cherry, raspberry, and blueberry, same on the palate, medium body, tasty, better the second night than the first night, vanilla on the nose and palate suggest you give it 2 years in the cellar, but the medium finish doesn't confirm this, at $17 it's a good, solid effort, guess Rioja is not for me.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    1/27/2024 7:28:00 AM - Thanks for the suggestion and insight.

White - Sparkling

NV Caillez-Lemaire Champagne Reflets Extra Brut

Champagne Blend more

11/10/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 86 points

Flatiron Wine & spirits (San Francisco, Ca.): Pinot Meunier dominated the nose and taste tonight, nose of citrus and earth, same on the palate, medium body, tasty, simple, medium finish, $65.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/13/2022 2:56:00 PM - It is easy to be poetic drinking Petreus.

Red

1976 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley more

10/26/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 99 points

Aromatic nose of Cabernet Sauvignon, dried black currants, dried black cherry, and fragrance of black berry muffin recently warmed for serving, same on the palate, big body, delicious, very tasty, mouth filling black berry fruit that coats your tongue and mouth, long finish that lasts for three minutes, and terrific aftertaste, a wonderful example from the 1976 vintage, thank you Derrald, photo uploaded shows high fill as bottle came from a previously unopened case stored perfectly by Derrald, another photo shows label, a third photo shows cork.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    10/30/2022 9:28:00 AM - I have enjoyed 1974 Heitz Marthas many times, will have to post my old TN on it-great wine, have posted 1974 Heitz Angelica.

Red

2016 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

more

10/22/2022 - Enricaccio Does not like this wine: 90 points

Decanted for 2h. Deep ruby red color, nose of tobacco leaf and earth; this is distinctly savory in flavor; some dark fruit, red currant and bitter cherry fruit. Tannins are starting to soften considerably, but it still makes your mouth pucker. I don't think it's 100% cabernet sauvignon, it's more similar to a petit verdot. Overall not bad, but not my taste.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    12/15/2022 9:29:00 PM - Try Miner Wild Yest Chardonnay, Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Creek, or Selby Chardonnay.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    12/6/2022 8:35:00 AM - Try Ramey Annum Cabernet Sauvignon to see Ramey do his best. Both his Chardonnays are great for the money.
    Sorry about the Corton Grancey as I only enjoy when 12 years or older.

Red

2017 Preston of Dry Creek Valley L. Preston L.P. Red

Red Blend more

10/11/2022 - Fractalage Likes this wine: NR

The most interesting thing about this wine is that it's actually certified biodynamic, which is a very rare thing in California.
These guys boast no inoculation! That's GOLD!

My wine standard, because the Gods of wine demand it, is that inoculation offends the Gods of wine, so at every winery I stop to taste, that's my first question. If yes is the answer, I will always spit. If they don't know what that even is, then I educate and slightly shame, but if it's no, then I celebrate and drink and buy!
That biome on the grape skin is sacred. It should not be killed! It deserves to be nurtured and celebrated as those creatures make the wine. If they are murdered, then in my opinion that juice can no longer really be called wine. Debate me on this as much as you would like, but terminated life that was given to us to make wine is such an offense to the Creator of life that I feel there to be a special hell for those who abort the true engenderers of wine.

Therefore, we celebrate L. Preston! Even if it has some oak undertones.
It’s black and red fruit with meats is delicious and still can be cellared further to at least another 5 years.
Tonight, it took about an hour to start to show, and then continued to open up. I won’t know fully as I drank the bottle after only 4 hours.

Excellent wine.

Even better to visit the winery, where on Sunday’s they allow you fill up your jug with their cask wine.
Their Syrah is even better, and less money, than this cuvee.
I would recommend sticking to the Syrah, as it’s more in line with Northern Rhone for my palate.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    6/10/2023 3:51:00 AM - All wine made today is influenced by wild yeast in both Napa and Sonoma in the air, you need enough wild yeast to complete fermentation, one such wine is Miner Family Wild Yeast Chardonnay made since 1999. Give it a try, to me its 60% Napa and 40% white burgundy tasting.

Red

2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Red Rhone Blend more

9/1/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 points

Nose of black cherry, black berry, leather, and forest floor, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, enjoyed over 3 nights, held up well, and a long, lovely finish, thank you Joe for the birthday gift.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    9/6/2022 8:03:00 AM - I would drink one now since you have 6 bottles. Good luck and enjoy.

Red

2010 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more

8/20/2022 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 95 points

Drank next to a 2009 Larcis Ducasse. This is a Classic St Emilion. Dark black fruits, dry and devoid of any sweetness. Lots of flavor layers and complexity. Chocolate & tobacco notes. Nice earth too. This is my style of St Emilion. Note to self…Please get more of this.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/25/2022 9:20:00 AM - I have posted 24 notes on 16 vintages of Chateau Canon-La-Gaffeliere.

Red

2016 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard

Oakville more

5/21/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 97 points

Phelps Customer Appreciation Day 2022 (Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley): At Phelps Customer Appreciation Day. From magnum, nose of black forest cake, black berry, kirsch, and a touch of mint, intense floral nose and intense concentration on the palate, same on the palate, needs 4 years in the cellar, and probably merit 100 points, subdued, sublime, and rich tasting, almost elegant, very soft, silky tannins on the midpalate, and long finish. Retail $1440 magnum and $850 bottle.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    7/30/2022 5:23:00 AM - I was pleasantly surprised by the Backus as I have always liked Insignia more. I was told that Backus changed for the better around 2002 and this bottle provided evidence of a positive change.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    6/7/2022 2:05:00 PM - Congratulations on your Backus collection. Enjoy!!!!

Red

2018 Château Clos St. Martin

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more

5/9/2022 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 99 points

MMD Tour 2022 Tasting. St. Regis Hotel (St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco): Nose of red cherry, black berry, licorice, hints of saddle leather and minerals and earth, same on the palate, mouth filling fruit, tasty, very tasty, will age but enjoyable now with a modest decant, layered richness, complex, only a three-acre estate so this wine is rarely seen, tasted seven times today and loved every sip of it, long, long finish, and lovely aftertaste.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/24/2022 10:57:00 AM - Try MMD wholesale as they have the wine.
    Wine-searcher.com show 20 retailers have it in California.

Red

1989 Château Lynch-Bages

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more

3/1/2022 - g-man Likes this wine: 96 points

This is going through another transition. My previous bottles required extended decanting but this was decanted for less than an hour and was relatively approachable on first taste. Over the next 2 hours it blossomed and showed why I love this so much. It evolved into a strong yet balanced beauty. Tannins mellowed and fruit emerged yet still retaining a certain tension which kept your attention and looking for its' next phase of evolution.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/28/2023 8:08:00 AM - Have posted 5 notes on the 1989 Lynch-Bages, been to the Chateau twice.

Red

1972 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley more

2/11/2022 - ephorn Likes this wine: 95 points

Traditional bordeaux style with balance and complexity. The fruit has held up very well after 50 years. Color is still deep ruby with a hint of brown. Nose reminds me of black cardamom pods. Super classy palate with excellent mid palate and a long finish. Mid weight, nothing out of place, superbly well integrated. Thanks to my Dad for this piece of history and happy 50 to my wife!

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    11/22/2022 9:52:00 PM - Do you have a bottle left?

Red

2019 Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah

California more

1/13/2022 - GP75 Likes this wine: 89 points

This petite sirah is bold and fruity, with a little bit of spice, and a weighty mouth feel. Big raspberries and plum. Bogle is among the best sub $10 grocery store wines.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    6/14/2022 3:40:00 PM - Great Tasting Note

Red

1977 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

more

12/24/2021 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 points

Christmas Eve 2021 (Flemings, Walnut Creek, Ca.): In honor of my 11,000 Tasting Note, I opened this wine to enjoy on Christmas Eve and add another oenophile memory to my collection. Nose of mint, Spearmint Gum, red cherry, cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, and eucalyptus, medium/big body, very tasty, secondary flavors, elegant, rich tasting, smooth, delicious, loved by my wife and the 2 servers at our table tonight, young tasting for 44 years old, and a medium/long finish and fantastic aftertaste, photos uploaded. Thank you, Justin for making such a great wine. I have been fortunate to taste this wine twice before and have always called it the greatest Silver Oak I have tasted! I was not wrong then and am not now.

  • Comment posted by bestdamncab:

    12/28/2021 4:43:00 AM - Silver Oak Alexander Valley ages gratefully and very well due to the higher acid than the Napa Valley. I first tasted the 1977 because someone returned an open bottle to Silver Oak Oakville while I was tasting their wines and the hospitality manager asked me to taste it. I told the customer it was half Heitz Marthas and half Bordeaux from Chateau Montrose. The customer received a current vintage bottle from Silver Oak and I gave the customer a current vintage bottle of Silver Oak so I could enjoy the rest of the 1977 bottle with grilled chicken that night at home.
    Enjoy your 1977 as there are no great vintages, only great bottles and the 1977 is one of them!!!!!

Loading wine details...
loading

×
×