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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
White - Sparkling

2006 Dom Pérignon Champagne

 Champagne Blend more
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3/12/2016 - Oskiwawa wrote: 94 points

Every now and then a wine far exceeds your expectations and tonight this was one of them, Much deeper and richer than expected. Apple and cream on the palate. Great depth. Really enjoyable Will be interesting to see how this develops.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/15/2016 4:32:00 PM - Just got this in and ran across your note. I feel even happier because I know your palate. Good for us!

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/16/2016 8:33:00 AM - I have six of them, so I am a very happy guy.
Red

2013 CT Barrel Project Cabernet Sauvignon

 Spring Mountain District more
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11/4/2016 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: NR

Far too early to be opening this but I wanted to get an idea of the wine. Nose of currants, spicy oak, sour cherry, and plum. On the palate, slightly walled off but still has red and dark fruit flavors poking through the toasty oak. Long finish with plenty of lively acidity to balance out the grippy tannins and best of all hardly any heat from excess alcohol. Lots to love here, wish I had a full share now. Hold for at least three years before the next one. Well done smig.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/5/2016 12:04:00 PM - You are certainly welcome. I am very happy to have more of these.
Red

1996 Château Cos d'Estournel

 St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/19/2016 - Rich.Herbs wrote: NR

Decanted through vinturi and drank over a period of 3 hours. At first the nose and taste were dominated by roasted red peppers, which was not unpleasant, with an underlying fruit and still vigorous tannin. The finish was slow and grew like a vibrating bell. Then the fruit faded, and with food, the wine felt thin and acidic, and was dismissed by my wife as of no interest. After three hours, it was a bit smoother, but still unfocused, trite, and brash, without balance.

I wanted very much to like this wine, like I liked other Cos, and looked for excuses ("it's a beast but perhaps if I love it more and truly, it will turn into something beautiful"). But it's been stored impeccably, given time to open up, etc, so there's no excuse for such a poor showing. Could it be a closed phase? I don't think so because it was not tight, just unfocused and trite. I still have 8 bottles and I can dream of a turnaround or assume it was a "bad" bottle, but I'm not optimistic.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    6/22/2016 1:29:00 PM - I have found these to be hard as nails like most of the 96s I have tried. My best guess on these is sometime after 2022 but they might be like the 75s which are just now starting to soften at 40+. Like you, each one I have opened has not met expectations.
Red

2010 CT Barrel Project Cabernet Sauvignon

 Rutherford more
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2/19/2016 - fingers Likes this wine: NR

Getting better and better with each new bottle opened. It is still rough and tumble at the pop, but after a few hours of air everything integrates and the nice savory texture of maturity is setting in. For the price paid, these are turning out to be better than cellar defenders and more legitimately, special treats.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    2/20/2016 8:37:00 AM - I agree, I am sitting on these now after having a few early. I think that this will be on a nice trajectory as it matures.
Red

2010 Keplinger Kingpin Rows

 Knights Valley Syrah more
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2/9/2016 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 94 points

Funkalicious with great nose of dark berries, olive, anise, tar, and violets. On the palate, lush and silky with blueberry, blackberry, black olive, melted licorice, and sage. Long finish with great grip and nice lift. Drink or hold.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    2/12/2016 1:00:00 PM - I would probably still buy this if it was still produced. It is just one of those wines that delivers.
Red

2010 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

 Napa Valley more
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2/1/2016 - Oskiwawa wrote: 92 points

Opened and decanted for two hours. Drank over the next three.

Young looking dark red color. Nose of cherry, vanilla cream rasberry and currant. Good acidity with lots of fruit. Texture is fantastic. Came across as a little bit hot and will need time for this to integrate. Well balanced with a good life ahead. Could not resist opening one of these but obviously it needs time. Will open the next in 5+ years. This should hold up very well for 15-20 years.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    2/1/2016 3:09:00 PM - Thanks for taking one for the team. I have a couple of these and plan on holding them for quite a while.
Red

2009 Dacalier De La Terre

 Lake County Red Rhone Blend more
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8/9/2015 - fingers Likes this wine: 91 points

Pretty well resolved now and drinking in great form. Hints of smoke and spices, dried cherries, sweet and savory elements. One of the better CdP's in my memory. Oh yeah, it isn't CdP. ;)
Really nice wine, Mr Smigelski. Fully IPOB.
5+12+16+8= 91

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    12/19/2015 8:21:00 AM - Agree with you about the Southern Rhone feel. Drinks more like a CdP or Gigondas than it does a Cali Grenache Blend.
Red

2004 Château Lascombes

 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend more
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11/21/2015 - Oskiwawa wrote: 93 points

This is drinking incredibly well right now. Dark red fruits with enough acidity to hold it together. Silky in the mouth. Can't ask much more from this level of a wine. Should improve over the next 5+ years. No rush to drink it up but absolutely enjoyable now.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    12/1/2015 5:02:00 PM - Thanks for the note. I have been holding a few until they shed that baby fat. Sounds like time to dig in.
Red

2012 Carl Roy Cabernet Sauvignon East Side Cuvee Napa Valley

 more
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11/10/2015 - GalvezGuy wrote: 88 points

Not sure what to make of this. It acts like a shut down wine. There is a decent nose of red and black fruits with a hint of spice. On the palate, a bit of sour cherry. Nice acidity and tannins. Decant the next one and see if it opens up. 88 for now.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/10/2015 8:07:00 PM - I am glad that was helpful. I think there is more there but I was expecting something a little more full throttle.
Red

2003 Feudi di San Gregorio Irpinia Serpico

 Aglianico more
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7/10/2015 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 92 points

A rustic wine.
An old geezer who keeps telling obsenely scabrous stories that children should never hear, that make ladies' ears wither and priests cross themselves.

Early drinking window. We dbldecanted for five hrs.
Wife was not so happy with this btl.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    7/15/2015 9:31:00 PM - I love the nose on this, full of florals. I agree that it needs more time to reach full potential. Glad to see somebody besides me likes it.
Red

2010 CT Barrel Project Cabernet Sauvignon Black Sears Vineyard

 Howell Mountain more
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7/31/2014 - GalvezGuy wrote: flawed

Opened, cork immediately mushroomed showing the amount of pressure in the bottle. Allowed to stand open for 3 days to allow carbonation to dissipate. Poured a glass, huge whiff of vinegar, dumped the rest. Will probably use the rest of these as marinade, I don't see much hope for them.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    7/31/2014 11:57:00 AM - Things happen smig. You made it right. Any ideas on what happened?
White - Sparkling

NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Brut

 Champagne Blend more
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7/6/2014 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 91 points

Served with fried chicken. Nose of biscuit dough and citrus peel with hints of apple and meyer lemon. On the palate, light racy, everything in place with toast, citrus, and apple flavors. Nice finish. Great value.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    7/17/2014 8:11:00 PM - I did not get the disgorgement date. Would have been useful information.
Red

2001 Château Latour Grand Vin

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/14/2014 - Rob MacKay wrote: 97 points

Decant this for about two hours. Opens up to reveal a stunning, complex mix of flavors. Sensory overload. Elegant and powerful at the same time with a very smooth texture.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    6/21/2014 9:53:00 AM - Thanks for the note Rob. I have a couple of these and am glad to know they are progressing nicely.
Red

2012 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée Schultze Family Vineyard

 Santa Cruz Mountains more
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3/31/2014 - Rob MacKay wrote: 92 points

The 2012 Estate Cuvée is probably one of the best iterations in several years. Absolutely delicious right out of the bottle with a great mix of fruit and cocoa notes framed by smooth tannins. Very well balanced. Should age well by why wait when it's already this tasty.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    4/6/2014 8:46:00 AM - Thanks for the note Rob. I will pick up a few more with my fall order. I love WO wines.
Red

2010 CT Barrel Project Cabernet Sauvignon Black Sears Vineyard

 Howell Mountain more
Options

1/6/2014 - GalvezGuy wrote: flawed

Lots of fizz.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    1/9/2014 9:37:00 AM - I think the best hope for this is to decant and let the fizz dissipate. I did not have the patience for that and decided to use it for cooking wine. I would be recommending a decant time of 6 hours+. I don't know if this particular flaw will work itself out or get worse. The Rutherford bottling is outstanding. I would go there first.
White

2012 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

 Russian River Valley more
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10/7/2013 - cartime wrote: 89 points

Tasted at the winery. Typically love this wine, but this vintage, it seemed overtly ripe and tropical without the acidity to balance. Will need to try again.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/6/2013 4:32:00 PM - I have to agree. Had one the other day and it just didn't see to have the same zing. I thought it was over oaked.
White

2011 Captûre Wines Sauvignon Blanc Tradition

 Sonoma Valley more
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10/30/2013 - fingers Likes this wine: 93 points

Even better with a little age on it, I think this surpases any domestic SB available for the vintage (except maybe the single vineyard Capture). Luscious grapefruit, guava, papaya and fantastic texture and harmony. Very long and complex finish with precision and fullness. A dichotomy of crisp and smooth with more of an Old World elegance than what usually comes out of California. 5+12+18+8 = 93

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    11/1/2013 6:29:00 AM - I will need to give this a whirl. I love SB, would like to see how it compares to Arkenstone (my personal pinnacle of American SB)
Red

1986 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

 Napa Valley more
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10/25/2013 - dave smigielski wrote: NR

Marin County Wine Group - Aged Cabernets 15 year min.; 10/24/2013-10/25/2013 (Mill Valley, Ca.): Classic BDX nose, hints of tobacco and pencil lead. a really nice wine and it was the #1 wine of the flight for me. Not as youthful as the 92 Forman, but showed better, in my opinion.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    10/25/2013 4:31:00 PM - When served blind those old Beringer and Mondavi wines are hard to tell from Bdx. I have a few of these left and glad to know they are showing well. FWIW, I am a huge Forman fan, had the 93 last Friday, it was stunning.
Red

2004 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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10/19/2013 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 91 points

CT Texas VI - Return to San Antonio; 10/18/2013-10/19/2013 (San Antonio): Double blind. Powerful nose of dark fruit, leather, cherries, and spice. On the palate rich red and dark fruit, leather spice, vanilla. Obvious oak on a drying tannic finish. Knew it was Tempranillo but would not have placed this in Rioja, obviously a more modern style. Hold for at least five years.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    10/22/2013 6:37:00 AM - Hello again Harley. Compared to La Rioja Alta and RdH, this seems much more based on power than finesse. I agree with you about the peak date in the 20s, this had a lot of stuffing.
White - Sweet/Dessert

1989 Château Soucherie Coteaux du Layon Chaume

 Chenin Blanc more
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7/3/2012 - vindictive wrote: NR

lovely old chenin. Still bright and vibrant and develops nicely over a few hours. Good structure and has a panopoly of scents emerging over time. How to pair this with food - a not too sweet dessert or cheese ? It is a cerebral wine and seems best at the end of a meal. We drank it on its own after a dinner featuring amore recent vintage dry Loire wine and it was very enjoyable. Decades of life ahead if this bottle is representative.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    10/21/2013 11:20:00 AM - I agree with you, this wine feels like it could last forever. Very cerebral and probably best enjoyed on its own or with a simple cheese platter.
White

2011 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen

 Russian River Valley more
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10/15/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 92 points

Popped and poured. Notes are from one hour open, when it really started to integrate and shine. Nose of lemon curd, yellow fruits, apple, and spice. On the palate rich, yet restrained with Meyer lemon, tangerine, pineapple, green apple, and spicy oak. Finishes crisp. Drink with a short decant or hold for a couple years. Surprisingly good juice.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    10/18/2013 4:28:00 PM - Thanks Barry, considering how full throttle KB pinot is, I found the restraint and balance on this quite nice. I have another one that is going to get 3 years longer to integrate the little bit of oak that it has left.
Red

1961 Château Verdignan

 Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/17/2013 - markandsusanw wrote: 93 points

Consumed at Bern's 2013 (approx. $225 off the list) ... Cork crumbled upon opening, but nose remained bright and fruity. Deep purple pour, with a lot of fruit to open. Tasted extremely fresh for something so aged. Clearly, perfectly preserved. Lush, rich and utterly smooth. Backbone and structure still present.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    9/18/2013 4:51:00 PM - Thanks so much for posting a note on this. Just another example of why vintage matters so much in Bordeaux. If you get a chance to try something from 59 (my personal favorite old vintage) go for it!

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    9/18/2013 5:28:00 PM - I have never had the joy of a 45. I have had several 59s, (birth year) so that might explain my preference for them over 61.
Red

1961 Château Verdignan

 Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/17/2013 - wineberg Likes this wine: 92 points

Oddly enough, I had this bottle at Bern's tonight too.

Labeled as imported by Bern's themselves at some point. Same as markandsusanw, cork pretty much disintegrated when opened.

Will agree with them too on the TNs. Still had fruit, but definitely taking on secondary flavors; saddle leather makes an appearance for me. As noted previously, this was very smoothed out by the age, but still seemed to have plenty of tannic backbone left. Pretty sure this could go a few more decades, but my guess is that part of the reason for that is storage in Bern's cellar, which is colder than 55 from what I understand.

Very enjoyable bottle.

  • Comment posted by GalvezGuy:

    9/18/2013 4:52:00 PM - Thanks for the note. Love that this has so much more to go.

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