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(240 comments on 183 notes)

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Red
2014 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate St. Helena
2/2/2024 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
93 points
Last night at our monthly CWG we had a couple canceled so we were going to be only 2 couples for the tasting and we decided to do it double blind. So my girlfriend picked from my cellar, double decanted it for about 30 min and went to the restaurant.

The wine is dark ruby, medium to medium plus body, nice aromatic nose, a pit high in acidity with plenty of rounded tannins, fairly complex but not much secondary notes (just yet) and a silky finish.

I will give this wine another 2-5 years in the cellar to archive its peak and then should last at least 10 years drinking great. I have 2 375ml and 2 750ml left, so the splits will go down in a year or so and the remaining ones after 2027…

93+ drink or preferably HOLD!
  • gteran76 commented:

    2/5/24, 6:47 PM - I have to confess I was terrified despite I wrote her down a few "do not touch" like Bonds, Harlan and Petrus. It worked out fairly well since I have 2 more '14 Spottswoode...

Red
2014 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate St. Helena
3/12/2021 - gteran76 Does not like this wine:
90 points
Drank from a 375. I was expecting more out of this wine obviously, if I remember correctly I drank a 750 of the same vintage which I did not enjoyed much either. So maybe this is not my style which it will be sad since I have several bottles...

The nose has some funkiness like an older old world wine. The body is medium plus, molasses and discomposed finish.

I really hope it was something wrong with this particular bottle, I will try another 375 very soon and see...
  • gteran76 commented:

    3/17/21, 5:30 PM - Thanks for the note. I'll wait for the remaining...

  • gteran76 commented:

    2/3/24, 5:17 AM - Had another one yesterday, it went much better.

Red
2009 Abreu Howell Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend
1/19/2023 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine:
97 points
Decanted briefly. Rich, deep red fruit with velvety tannins and mountain earth. This has aged beautifully.
  • gteran76 commented:

    1/26/24, 2:26 PM - Placed in the decanter, let's see how it goes in about 1 hour...

Red
2019 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard Howell Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend
9/24/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
96 points
With some well seasoned ribeyes on the grill the desire for some hedonism was calling. Lately I've been on the fence dedicating cellar space to these wines but every now and again you just need the kind of fix that the True Vineyard can deliver.

2019 is pretty a exceptional bottling of the Immigrant. I would argue one of the best vintages at this stage. My last bottle was over a year ago and this has rounded out nicely. Silky, yet gripping tannins awash with a long finish. Layers of balanced blue fruited goodness that pushes the boundary of being over the top but somehow manages to toe the line.

This drinks 2x it's release price at $125

96+ if you're looking for something juicy
  • gteran76 commented:

    12/4/23, 7:59 AM - Totally on board with this wine and all comments!

Red
2014 Peter Michael Les Pavots Knights Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
11/13/2023 - Radar & Mattie Likes this wine:
96 points
What a wonderful Cab blend. Paired perfect with a medium rare tomahawk on the BGE. Life is good in sunny Florida.
  • gteran76 commented:

    11/26/23, 11:13 AM - Totally agree with you! Cheers!

Red
2013 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
10/26/2023 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
98 points
As per Ridge winemaker recommendations I opened it for 30 min and then double decanted it for a short 3-5 min (while I rinse the bottle to get rid off the sediments) and placed back into the bottle to start consuming 30 min later for a 2+H dinner with Mark and Carol at Chops Grill Naples.

The nose on this wine is simply sensational, is a winegasm right at the start. Then on the palate is a blend of black truffle, currant, espresso and valley floor (despite the fruit comes from the hilltops). The complexity of this wine at this young stage is SCARY. This is one of the best wine I have had in my entire life. Right now is in the top 5 for sure and hopefully will keep claiming within the years.

The finish on this wine is endless, 20 hours later I still have the lingering sensation in my mouth…

IMHO this is one of those cases that patience will be rewarded greatly…!!!

98+ Drink or preferably HOLD.
  • gteran76 commented:

    10/28/23, 8:12 AM - You’re very welcome. Good wine is to be shared with good people and you are in that group!! Btw, your 2 wines were pretty dam good too.

Red
2013 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
10/26/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
98 points
Brought to tonight's dinner by Gabriel and very well appreciated. My first official 'bottle' of MB other than a small tasting at the winery some years ago.

Some slight decant time by Gabriel before dinner but the nose at the table after the pnp was magical and it only kept improving over the 3 hours we sat there. It took the palate about an hour to match up with the nose given its youth. This one has decades ahead of it. There were times during the dinner that I thought I could taste each of the varietal components of this bottle until near the end where it all came together in a more seamless way. If you must pour these now give them every bit of 2-3 hours air to start. Much thanks Gabriel for bringing this to the table tonight!
  • gteran76 commented:

    10/27/23, 9:08 AM - I liked VERY much everyone’s comments and Mark’s review. I also at the same score and will be posting my notes soon…

    Sorry about names but I’m by the beach now and I want to cover some questions/inputs, I’m sure you know who I’m referring to:

    Visiting Monte Bello, like Mark said, the facility in Sonoma is very pretty and have MBs as well. I’m a long time member, and visited both locations, when ready to go I can set you in free for up to 4 people. If you want to get some of their top wines I can also get a 20% discount.

    About the 2013s being the best MB ever I do agree. At this specific point it might be a tied with some of the great “matured” vintages (those in the ‘90s) but this one is definitely moving UP “if you can believe it”!!!

    Cheers!

Red
2013 Vérité La Muse Sonoma County Red Bordeaux Blend
5/18/2021 - Kim Gerner wrote:
91 points
Not my style of wine price taken into account. I know it is a 100p wine, but it does not change my opinion. Much too heavy and way too much oak (cedar). Will definitely change after many years in the cellar, but I doubt enough for my taste. Rating based on my preferences and performance right now.
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/30/21, 8:29 AM - Hi KIM G, I’m a fan of Vérité, I have enjoyed 2 phenomenal bottles in the past 2-3 weeks and many more in the recent years. In my opinion this wine should be going through a sleepy face, you probably know more than me about wine but this theory of “sleepy faces” is not factually proven (yet) and I’m a believer of it. IMO most California wines, in particular the Cabernet dominants go into this “sleepy face” around year 7-10, and 2013 been such a big-tannic vintage I will presume it will take longer than normal to really opens up. So I would not touch any ’13 Cali Cab until 2025+. Cheers!

  • gteran76 commented:

    5/30/21, 9:40 AM - LOL! You will be happy in just 4-5 years from today! What's you take on the "sleepy face theory"?

  • gteran76 commented:

    10/8/23, 1:22 PM - Hey Queen, thanks for bringing that up, I did it unknowingly but now the question is, should I fix it or start using it like that moving forward...?

    PS: I do love Cali '13 but they still have a way to go... I have over a 100 of those in my cellar so I'll be in luck after the "sleepy face" is over!!!

Red
2014 Château Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
9/22/2023 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
93 points
Had it blind at the CWG at MesaMar.

The body is medium plus, the tannins and acidity in great harmony as well as the alcohol. A bit tight since the owner didn’t previously decanted it.

At first I thought of a Spanish wine but the bigger body throw me away to a California Cabernet, likely a Sonoma wine.

As you can see I was completely wrong, it isn’t the first time and won’t be the last…
  • gteran76 commented:

    9/24/23, 3:47 PM - 100% with you. Are you ready for more CWG down here?!

Red
2016 Colgin Jubilation Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
10/22/2021 - msuwine wrote:
95 points
This ripe and saturated Cabernet blend has all of the swagger you expect from Colgin - ripe, extracted, unapolgetically high alcohol (15.2%) - along with an earthy, grainy, tannic undertone that makes you think this "cult" might have earned its followers. Garnet in color and full in body, the wine offers cool aromas of blueberry, pencil lead, and menthol (with the medicinal note predominating right now). The flavors are more buoyant, with notes of black cherry, boysenberry, coffee grinds, crushed rock, and ground rosemary, with a tannic and grainy finish that carries enough sweetness to make it go down easily. Decant at least two hours, but ideally wait another few years. 94-95 at the moment, this could be incredible in 2023 or later.
  • gteran76 commented:

    2/1/23, 7:23 PM - While I liked your notes I should point out this is not a Merlot based wine. Instead it’s like a second label with the younger vines that doesn’t make the cut for the big boys. So this can be compared with The Maiden, Penultimate, BD4, etc…

  • gteran76 commented:

    2/2/23, 11:05 AM - Im glad to be of help. Btw all those Merlot based wines that you mentioned in the original review im a big fan off!

  • gteran76 commented:

    9/4/23, 4:21 PM - I had the pleasure of cracking open one of this babies. Ohhh dear what a dreamy moment!!!

Red
2017 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Calixtro Tench Vineyard Oakville
8/19/2021 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:
94 points
2 hr decant. Poured black opaque and viscous but not thick, glycerin-like and inky.

Nose was Tench all the way, tar, burnt embers, black fruit, white flowers, touch of mocha, lovely mineral/iron ore component.

Palate showed faint tannins on the medium finish no obvious signs of over oakiness ( I love how RB manages oak). Black and blue fruited (I expected red but alas, none), exotic spices, more white flowers. A touch, just a touch, of acidic heat and purple fruit on the back end.

Big, bold and unapologetically delicious. In no way shape or form is the fruit overcooked or the wine overdone! 94 for now, needs to integrate more, hold for minimum of 3 yrs. Try again after 2024. I think JD 98+ is a bit high, 96-97 potential in my mind. I hope JD is right, however!
  • gteran76 commented:

    9/4/23, 9:48 AM - Great note as I’m close to open 1 out of my 3 bottles soon… cheers!

Red
2021 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Casteel Eola - Amity Hills
7/29/2023 - sirpat00 wrote:
94 points
Brief notes only: Not decanted (but should have given it 1-2h). Sour cherry and raspberry fruit. Smoked bacon, forest floor. Sumptuous with fresh acidity. Lots of depth, but definitely needs 2-3 more years to soften the edges.
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/16/23, 6:40 AM - @ sirpat00, read in your bio that you like blind tastings, we have a group called CWG (Couples Wine Group). Where are you located at?

Red
2013 Vérité Le Désir Sonoma County Red Bordeaux Blend
7/1/2023 - markcic Likes this wine:
96 points
Well my good friend Michael, who got me started on wine, is celebrating his %#th birthday on Monday. They came out for dinner so I decided to open some really special wines to celebrate. This bottle and a bottle of the 2012 Dominus. I opened the bottles three hours prior to dinner which was grilled steak with some grilled NJ corn. This is an amazing bottle of wine. Dark fruit on the nose leading to a palate of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, plums, figs, tobacco and cedar. The finish was extremely long. Just a great bottle of wine and my preferred of the evening.
As an aside and I know he will be laughing when he reads this. As the bottles were slowly being consumed - he had me open a half bottle of Switchback Ridge Cabernet to pour into the wives' glasses as he figured they would not appreciate the Verite as much as we did.'
Oh well, boys will be boys, no matter how old we get.
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/6/23, 11:55 AM - Great commentary and I hope the ladies don’t use CT!

Red
2013 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
11/16/2016 - MarkWhite wrote:
91 points
This was highly recommended by a sommelier in Napa as a new producer to keep an eye on. Given that one of the founders is Andy Erickson, a former winemaker at Screaming Eagle, I was highly anticipating the wine which was consumed with dinner. Many of the pieces are in place beginning with a beguiling aroma of blackberry with a hint of chocolate, a bit sublime. On the palate, the wine is silky smooth and packed with fruit flavor. Blackberry, raspberry and some notes of currant make it a joy on the palate, but with some essential element missing.

The wine is missing complexity, even accounting for its youth. Though the flavors and texture were seductive, they are not rich in variety. On the relatively short finish, the overly rounded tannins and mild acidity left me wanting a more structured wine with a higher variety of flavors, particularly at this price point. There is evidence of fine winemaking here as well as indications of too much manipulation. All of which left me wondering whether the shortcomings were in the fruit or too heavy of a hand that constrains nature with nurture and neuters the wine. I have no idea of a proper drinking window for this. It is possible that the structure and acids, as in many Burgundies, are wrapped up in the fruit waiting for the magic of time. It is also possible that the wine simply doesn't have much to give and all we can hope for is a softening of the fruit and a drying out of the wine like a mediocre Bordeaux. Time will tell. I will give it a 91 due to the attractive mouthfeel and evidence of talented winemaking, whether overdone or not.

I would like to try Favia's product again, either once it has some age on it or a different vintage/vineyard, to see if there is evolution, but not on my dime.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/7/18, 7:30 AM - I haven’t had this particular wine but yesterday I had a 2007 Favia “La Magdalena” which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. It was very good, powerful and rich.

    I’m positive that 5+ years of proper cellaring will make the difference for the 2013 Favia Cabernet. At least I hope so since I have 2 bottles in my cellar...

  • gteran76 commented:

    7/14/23, 11:37 AM - Hey guys, I’m surprised that nobody else had written any more notes for this one. I’m drinking this bottle in 2-4 days from today at a Cabin up in Georgia… stay tune fue my inputs…

Red
2019 Double Diamond (Schrader) Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
6/25/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
94 points
Brought to the table tonight by Gabriel and Linda. It's my first bottle of this WOTY by Wine Spectator. We can debate the merits of this designation for various reasons, but what is not debatable is this is a very good wine! Dark purple in the glass. Classic Napa cab nose. The palate is rich and fruity as you would expect. This is what I would describe as a 'safe' wine. Meaning, you can't go wrong with it. Maybe that's why WS made it their #1 wine of 2022? It's solid, consistent, balanced, smooth and very enjoyable. Just because it's the WOTY, doesn't mean it's a 100 pointer. Too many other factors at play here. Thank you Gabriel, for bringing this one. It was very, very nice and fit in quite well during our great evening of wine and friendship!

ps....forgot to mention this was pnp'd into a decanter for about 1 hour before we started pouring into glasses and it was finished up about 2 hours later. No drop off in that time.
  • gteran76 commented:

    6/26/23, 7:33 PM - WS also have another parameter in their selection for WOTY, they collect it “the X factor”.

Red
2019 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
6/9/2023 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
93 points
Just a quick 5 min double decanted and consumed about one hour later.

Dark, bold, full of power and smoke. Lots of tannins and great finish. Excellent QPR!
  • gteran76 commented:

    6/10/23, 8:02 PM - Maybe the Jazz helped. But we both have pretty similar scores. For me it just needed a quick decant to awake it up. I have more too play with…

Red
2009 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
5/26/2023 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
95 points
Brought by Mark for dinner at The London Club. PnP and we were surprised how approachable this wine was in just a few minutes. Then about one hour I to the game it was clear that this was WOTN. Impecable nose, medium plus body and total harmony. Dark notes with sweet tannins and phenomenal finish!

Very good representation of Howell Mnt!
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/30/23, 3:53 PM - Lol, I hope so...

Red
2015 Clos Erasmus Priorat Grenache Blend, Grenache
5/27/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
97 points
So, I'm going through emails yesterday about the release of the '20 vintage of this exact wine. I'd always wanted to try this wine but had not yet had the privilege......low and behold a few hours later Gabriel shows up on our doorstep with this '15 for our dinner at London Club! Freaky, right?

He said he slow ox'd it for a number of hours throughout the day. We tested it and thought it needed a brief but full decant so we gave it 30 min in the decanter while we did our 'at home tasting/nibbles' first, then back into the bottle it went for the restaurant.

Opened while slightly chilled at the restaurant and decided to chill it a little further, too. This is a shimmering, classy wine. Immediately the extravagant/perfumed/floral nose grabs your attention, in fact, I think the nose is a few years ahead of the palate and should get a 98 just by itself. Even with the decant, the wine still came across as slightly tight until open for another hour at the table. So, if you have any bottles of this '15 I'd do a pretty good full decant on it, say 3 hours to start, then see where it is? The palate to me at this youthful stage was a red/dark red fruited 96 so averaging the score out to a 97 for this bottle at this time with surely more upside in coming years. Gabriel, thanks so much for bringing this beautiful wine to our dinner! What a treat!
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/30/23, 2:16 PM - I’m happy that you enjoyed it!!

Red
2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Oakville
12/18/2022 - jjohnson6564 wrote:
97 points
Very disappointing Drank for my 73rd birthday with an equally old Chateau montelena. No comparison. Mondavi was old, flabby and just ok. CM was perfect - 2007. Sorry I don’t have any more.
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/15/23, 5:43 AM - He might have tried to give 87 or was rating the 2007 CM. Also said “equally old” but ‘07 is a much better vantage than ‘09. Weird note…

Red
2015 Quintessa Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend
5/10/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
96 points
One hour decant by our host Agelvis, and it's really ready to go. Deep opaque ruby in the glass. Nose of chocolate malt, cassis and iron ore. Palate of dark red/black fruit, multi layered, and oh so balanced against the great acidic backbone and well integrated tannins. Wonderful spicy finish, maybe Chinese Five Spice? Good length to it, too. I really liked this wine and went back to it a few times throughout the 3 hours or so we were tasting. A challenger for the WOTN to some of us, and it was WOTN to others present. Another great bottle opened by our host, Ag!
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/12/23, 11:56 AM - A wine that brings me good memories from Venice! Cheers!

Red
2008 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate St. Helena
2/4/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:
94 points
On open it was clear we needed a decant as it showed muted fruit and earthy funkiness. At 15 min, tried again and it was ready for business. Cherry, hint of raspberry, charcoal, cardamom, damp earth, long finish, delicious. As with the last bottle this was Napa meet BDX.

No oak or tannins apparent, plenty of acid to go years. As it warmed a bit, a medicinal cherry note became dominant. Put the decanter on top a bed of ice, and voila, back where we were. Recommend drinking at or near cellar temps for the duration. My last bottle, sadly, from a time when prices were far more reasonable for this gem.
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/9/23, 5:31 AM - Thanks!

Red
2005 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard Oakville
8/15/2017 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine:
93 points
BIG evolution over the past 18 months. This wine is one of those strange cabs that sit backward for a decade and then peak in a few months suddenly. I love the stage this wine is at now. Nicely balanced between big ripe fruit with some secondary nuances. Terroir is also evident those mostly melded with the forest floor funk that just developing now. Excellent wine.
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/7/23, 10:55 AM - If you remember, how long you decanted this time? I’ll post my notes (6 years later) in a few…

Red
2019 Realm Cellars The Tempest Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
4/23/2023 - gteran76 wrote:
93 points
Quick 5 min double decanted. Too strong and sharp, need a longer decant but will let it sit for awhile and check back later. 92 at the moment. If things change significantly I’ll report back…

5 hours later, the heat and sharp knifes left the wine and now you can enjoy this full body pretty good Merlot based wine. The nose is wild forest and the palate shows tabacco, blueberries and a touch of vanilla with menthol. Really balanced after this long but sort of unidimensional.

I don’t have more but if I were you I’ll hold for 2-3 years and this should be pretty impressive/complex.

93+
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/24/23, 6:06 AM - GM Mark, I just added more to the note. Hope Carol is doing great. Cheers.

Red
2013 Alpha Omega Era Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
1/29/2023 - Jr11454 Likes this wine:
92 points
Good but not great. Would have expected it to be smoother, given it’s age
  • gteran76 commented:

    2/8/23, 12:48 PM - Big ‘13s from Napa needs more time…

Red
2005 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard Oakville
5/28/2018 - ev3rthesame Likes this wine:
100 points
Wow. I remember tasting this out of the barrel years ago at JP and it was able to keep the strong notes of minerality, soften the cab cherry fruit, and balance the oak. Tannins were luscious and such a velvety texture with a nice hint of forest floor on the finish.

Has become my favorite wine to date. Absolutely loved this wine and the deep color.
  • gteran76 commented:

    2/1/23, 6:19 PM - I can see what it means to you. I had a special encounter with the 2002 Insignia while visiting JP.

Red
2013 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
12/21/2022 - Vino Me wrote:
96 points
Opened by LostVerse who graciously allowed us to raid his cellar and choose any bottle to open. This was poured next to a 2013 Montelena Estate. Decanted for 2 hours. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. An elegant and smooth wine. A peppery nose. Notes of crushed grape skins, berries, carmel and spices on the finish. On day 2 it was more earthy with a little bit of iron. Still imporving. This was the best Monte Bello that I have had (1990,1995, 2002 and 2010). 96+ points.
  • gteran76 commented:

    12/22/22, 9:09 AM - I have 8 bottles and still debating whether or not to open the first one for NYE...

Red
2012 Blankiet Estate Rive Droite Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
11/17/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
96 points
It's been a over two years since my last 12 and I can easily say this is one of the best vintages of this wine. Well, next to 09 which I still love just as much today.

One of the more interesting notes on the nose was the A&W Root Beer float. Hints of vanilla and cola. Sweet red strawberry and chocolate. Silky tannins and a long finish.

A glass left in the bottle for today. I'll make sure to post updates if anything new develops.

Drink or hold. 95

Update***

24 hrs slow Ox in the bottle

Sweet fruit turned dark cherry. A bit of Burgundian lift with just the right amount of weight. What a gorgeous wine. Acid to lay down for another decade.

96+
  • gteran76 commented:

    11/18/22, 7:09 PM - Agreed terrific vintage of this wine. I wouldn't wait since it's phenomenal at current phase. Cheers!

Red
2015 Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Cloudy's Vineyard Napa Valley
9/25/2022 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
96 points
Pnp'd into a decanter at 2pm while watching the Eagles grind Carson Wentz and the Redskins into the ground.....sampled all throughout the game....

Initial impressions? 91-93 with nice ripe, sweet powerful fruit but a tad thin in the mouth and a general feeling of a lot of heat on the backend. Stated alc on the bottle is 15.1% but it 'feels' like more. Knowing that by law in CA, you can be off by up to 1.5%, I'm not surprised if it's actually more.

2-3 hours in and this one turns......for the better, now a 94-95. exact notes are quite difficult to come by as Carol is cooking some spicy Tuscan chicken dish for dinner and the garlic and spice aromas out of the kitchen are messing with my olfactory sense. Dark magenta in the glass I get red, blue and black berries, some slight floral component and maybe a hint of graphite with some mossy forest floor. All I know for sure is the fruit deepens and expands. The wine puts on weight with dense, sweet cassis showing up in spades. The mouth feel changes to this silky, soft powdered graphite glide in the mouth, but in no way is this wine feminine in any way. It's much too powerful as more acidic backbone emerges as a touch of the previously noted early alc backs off. This is surely way over the top for any Francophile but yet will float any big, powerful Cali cab drinker's boat to the heavens.

Hours 4-5 brings even more of the great cassis and depth of fruit. Intense blackberry compote and a hint of chocolate shows up. Some of the soft silkiness leaves, but the concentration of fruit takes center stage. Still a tad hot and acidic but that just elongates the ending. I really don't want this bottle to end but I'm down to the last glass, now. Gave Carol a sip and she remarks at how much the wine has changed for the better from the pnp, this afternoon.

Hour 6 sees a little more blackening to the fruit, a lot more chocolate emerging on the palate and a touch more acidity noted. This one has been a fun ride.......
  • gteran76 commented:

    10/1/22, 10:22 AM - Excellent note, cheers!!!!

Red
2008 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor Puente Alto
10/5/2018 - Fox8868 wrote:
98 points
Drinking amazingly now. Decanted for an hour. Had with Pittsburgh style Filet. Lusciously smooth. Superbly balanced and softly structured. A big yet approachable wine.
  • gteran76 commented:

    9/18/22, 4:23 PM - I’m impressed by your rating. I have had a few vintages of Concha y Toro and I have enjoyed them, specially in the 8-12 year mark but I don’t recall a 96 or higher score, I might be wrong but I’m glad you really liked it!!

Red
2016 Harlan Estate The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
8/30/2021 - msuwine wrote:
96 points
Midnight in Oakville: This wine shows what a restrained hand can do in a generous vintage - and the results are remarkable. Similarly purple in color and full in body to the Carter OG, the Maiden offers more pure aromas of black cherry, fresh embers, anise, and bay leaf. The flavors are similarly generous without being sweet (read: unencumbered by oak or extraction), including notes of boysenberry, camphor, peppercorn, and trail dust, with a silky and integrated finish. 14.8% alcohol.

This is even better than when I tasted it 18 months ago (2/20 - 95 points), with more class and integration. This was in the same realm as a 2016 Abreu Madrona I had a few nights ago, with less intensity but just the same amount of class. 96+ at the moment, with upside in 2023 or later. The best Maiden I've tasted since the 2013, this wine is only going to get better.
  • gteran76 commented:

    9/13/22, 10:39 AM - Interesting notes and fun comments. Cheers!

Red
2016 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147 Napa Valley
8/20/2022 - Elkcims Likes this wine:
96 points
3 hour slow ox. Moderate tannins, blue/black fruits. Drank half next day and improved a couple points. The palate is dense without being overpowering. Smooth, fully integrated tannins, and a 30 second finish.
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/22/22, 2:51 PM - Did you just uncorked the bottle for 3 hours?

  • gteran76 commented:

    8/23/22, 10:34 AM - Thank you very much for all the details, it makes a whole of sense to me. If I can suggest something I will pour the half bottle into the 375 split right after opening and then proceed with your normal routine!

Red
2012 Realm Cellars The Absurd Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
8/16/2020 - msuwine wrote:
100 points
I know this wine invites a certain adjective, but the word I kept thinking of tonight was "sublime," defined as something "of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe." This is such a wine. The first Absurd since 2005 (a great wine in its own right), the 2012 is the best Benoit Touquette wine I have ever tasted.

Dark purple in color, medium in the glass, and full in the mouth, the wine offers incredible aromas of blackberry, fresh leather, freshly ground espresso, peppercorn, and dried lavender. I know aroma is the better part of taste, and to smell this wine is almost as good as to taste it... almost. The flavors are symphonic, with intense but precise notes of blueberry, mulberry, cocoa bean, dried herbs, and graphite, with a finish that is dusty, layered, grainy, and lifted - a finish that you never want to end. Blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. 14.6% alcohol. Drink in next few years.

A three-digit score demands explanation, and it can't just be a subjective one (e.g., "I feel this wine is the best thing ever, so much that I equated fermented grape juice with Platonic perfection!"). At the risk of sounding like a TED Talk, three things make this wine stand out, above and beyond:

(1) The depth of fruit is incredible. It is ripe, layered, and concentrated, but not extracted or concocted. I've had a lot of 2012s over the past year - and a lot of Napa wines over the years - and I'll say that it is very, very, very hard for a wine to deliver fruit this deep and pure and real.

(2) The integration of the wine is complete. Maybe this will get better, but it has an undeniable harmony right now: fruit, tannin, acidity, everything working together beautifully (something that is not always the case for a wine this big at this age - including, cough, the 2012 Bard).

(3) This wine is unique. I know blends aren't supposed to be cool, but that's usually because something good is mixed with something mediocre. Here, it is all great: this wine has the depth of a Crane, the earthiness of an LPV, and the elegance of a BTK. I suspect the vineyard sources are fantastic (in a remarkable vintage, no less), but the sum is still greater than the parts.

In a word: sublime. Over six years and 1,804 tasting notes, this is my fourth 100-point wine. Only one other word comes to mind, one worth repeating: Bravo, bravo!
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/23/22, 10:21 AM - I thought that the whole point of “The Absurd” was the crazy high content of Petir Verdot, I guess I was wrong.

Red
2013 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
8/15/2022 - SuperWine+ Likes this wine:
100 points
This is the Wine of the decade for me. Medium plus in body and super complex. While still a baby boy and tannic it's magnificent. Double decant for 30-60 min.
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/15/22, 2:00 PM - I have a few bottles in my cellar but still holding. Should I crack open my first bottle?

  • gteran76 commented:

    8/15/22, 2:10 PM - Thanks, I'm with you!

  • gteran76 commented:

    8/15/22, 3:07 PM - Sure, it's on my profile.

Red
2013 Moone-Tsai Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cor Leonis Napa Valley
12/25/2021 - goonar182 Likes this wine:
91 points
Very pleasant floral nose- good tannins, deep purple color. Blue fruit seemed to turn to red fruit. Well integrated alcohol- also cedar came out as it aged. Good wine but may have been better earlier?? Overall good wine but for the price??
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/14/22, 6:55 AM - I think it may has been better “later”. ‘13s from Napa are too tannic and sort of out of place at this time, like a sleepy phase. If you can get a hand on this bottle again wait until 2025 or later and you’ll see a Bocelli concert in the glass!! Cheers.

Red
2007 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard St. Helena
7/3/2021 - msuwine wrote:
94 points
This ripe and seamless Cabernet is drinking at - or perhaps somewhat past - its peak. Garnet in color and full in body, the wine offers aromas of blueberry, black licorice, plum, and pencil shavings. Flavors of black cherry, milk chocolate, blackened toast, and peppercorn, with an integrated and lifted, almost pulsating finish. Blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. 15% alcohol. Decant two hours.

As with most Dr. Crane productions, this wine is elevated by its fruit, which is lovely, dark and deep. I think the Realm wines really start to hit their stride in the 2012 vintage (with the arrival of Benoit Touquette), but Juan Mercado and Michel Rolland were no slouches, either. Drink this one soon, since I'm not sure how much longer it will last, but it's quite tasty now. 94+ at the moment.
  • gteran76 commented:

    8/12/22, 10:38 AM - @ msuwine, thanks for the detailed review, I'm planing on drinking this tonight. One side note, how are you putting a "+" on your rating and saying to drink soon at the same time? A + means the wine has more to the upside...

  • gteran76 commented:

    8/12/22, 12:17 PM - I see, thanks for replying. If that's the case I will put 95- to be in tune with the conventional scoring system. Cheers!

Red
2018 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard Howell Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend
6/14/2022 - 1997cobalt Likes this wine:
96 points
Agree with all. Ready to drink, Corvain on nite one, smooth and so balanced. Great finish and a really tasty Falmouth experience. Really like this one
  • gteran76 commented:

    7/10/22, 12:15 PM - Any time in the decanter?

  • gteran76 commented:

    7/11/22, 2:38 PM - Thanks!

Red
2015 Clos Erasmus Priorat Grenache Blend, Grenache
1/24/2020 - Romol Likes this wine:
93 points
Decanted 2,5 hours. Still pretty young (as expected). I guess this needs at least 5-7 years more in the cellar. 93(-) pts. at the moment.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/7/22, 7:15 PM - The “-“ and “+” are suppose to reflect whether the wine is going to get better with time “+”. And “-“ I have never seeing it but I guess it’s going down to hell. Just saying. Cheers!

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/8/22, 11:59 AM - Hi there, thanks for the extra details. I have 3 bottles in my cellar and I'm wondering whether or not to crack open one early... We'll see… In reference to the scoring system, that works for you and I get the idea, I was referring to how the "professionals intended it". If they wanted to make a difference from 93 and 94 they could put 93.5, so the + and - are a reflection of where the wine is “going”.

  • gteran76 commented:

    7/10/22, 7:58 AM - Hi there! I read your review again because I’m craving to open the first of my 3 bottles. Anyways, I have an idea in regards to the scoring debate we had a while ago. What about you changing the score to 92+?

    That way it will reflect your opinion of being between 92-93 and potential to improve in the future…

Red
2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
7/1/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
96 points
This was my selection for our monthly CWG at Eddie’s V.

Opened for one hour and double decanted for 45 min.

The wine is deep red ruby, no bricks, not showing any age, nose of flowers. The palate is sooo good and firm, black berries and earthy notes, entering its multidimensional phase… and the finish OMG.

I’m in luck that I have a second bottle which I’ll try to hold for at least 5+ years…

We had it blind and people at the table said crazy things like “Tempranillo (Pingus)”, to possible Malbec from South America but they were just profiling me!
  • gteran76 commented:

    7/4/22, 7:07 AM - I’ll try Mark, let’s put my patience to the test…

White
2016 Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur Sonoma County
7/1/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
95 points
This wine was close to be WOTN competing against 2003 Angelus, 2009 La Mission H-B and Clinet.

Drank blind, most at the table though about a French burgundy. I thought about E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc. We all were wrong but we all knew it was a monster and we all loved it!
  • gteran76 commented:

    7/4/22, 7:03 AM - Yes it was a night to remember. This is a lovely wine and will drink well for a decade or more. Cheers.

Red
2003 Château Angélus St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
7/1/2022 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
96 points
I've had this one cellared for 5 years after acquiring it at auction back in '17. I purchased it immediately after returning from a trip to Bdx and being exposed to many vintages from this great Chateau. This bottle did not disappoint. Cork removed 4-5 hours prior to taking to the restaurant to share with our wine group and dinner. In a great drinking window right now. Soft and integrated on all fronts. Great Bdx nose after the barnyard funk present on opening burned off by hour 4. Classic Angelus fruit profile with 57% cab franc and 43% merlot. Smooth is a good word. A small glass left in the bottle, no cork overnight and it is amazing how this wine has still held together! A 96 for me last night and right there again today almost 18 hours of air later....for an '03! Omg........
  • gteran76 commented:

    7/3/22, 7:04 AM - Thanks for sharing it was delicious!

Red
2010 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Mast Vineyard Yountville
6/10/2022 - gteran76 wrote:
90 points
Decanted for 10 minutes and start consuming 2 hours later.

The wine has a bite at first, a little tannic and tart, but the mid palate is too soft and smooth, no character at all and short finish. Disappointing at this price point.
  • gteran76 commented:

    6/12/22, 6:43 AM - Don’t lose hope, it may be a bad bottle or the wine in a dormant phase…

Red
2019 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy South Australia
4/29/2022 - gteran76 Does not like this wine:
87 points
Opened for about one hour and then did the mollyshake and start consuming at the restaurant about one hour later.

This wine is lighter than most Shiraz, in particular they upper level Carnival of Love. At this point it’s tannic, lacking fruit and body, too much acid and nothing memorable about it. I have away half of the bottle.

I’m giving it 87+ to be generous with the Mollydooker family. It should get better in a year or two because worse is not possible…
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/7/22, 8:54 AM - Acidity & Romance!!!

Red
2018 Mollydooker Shiraz Velvet Glove McLaren Vale
5/2/2022 - alohashirt Likes this wine:
94 points
This has one of the biggest, longest noses I have ever smelled. Super intense, red fruit, hot nose, spice, vanilla. On the palate, this is a fruit explosion - raspberry, blackberry, stewed plums, vanilla, spice, and a creaminess. Medium body, just enough tannins, and just enough acidity- this is all about the fruit. Definitely heat there from the 16% ABV. I wonder if this is the kind of wine that Johnny Depp drinks every day?

The cool thing about (great) wine is that there are levels to it. The Juan Gil Monastrell I was drinking before this cost $12 a bottle and it's a delicious serious wine. Mollydooker's Boxer Shiraz, at $31 is a consistently excellent, high octane, fruit-forward shiraz with much more obvious vanillin than this wine. Velvet glove is the same varietal, same vineyards, same winemaker, more complexity, and 5x the price. Is it 5x as good? probably not but it's better than most $200 wine that I have tasted. It's certainly good value for $150. I've finished half the bottle and I am already ordering two more!

I do wonder about aging with this wine. My impression is that wine-lovers want to believe that wine gets better with time, regardless of whether this is true. I have drunk at least 300 bottles of Mollydooker wine - some 16 years old, but most 2 to 4 years old. My subjective impression is that it's best drunk young - yet some of my best ever wines were made by Sarah & Sparky Marquis in 2000.

Second night: I figured that I would try this against Mollydooker's entry-level Shiraz, the boxer, which costs 1/5 of Velvet Glove. I love both wines. The boxer was tighter, more vanillin, more obvious oak, less overpowering fruit - and to be clear, Velvet Gloves isn't a fruit bomb, isn't flaccid, doesn't taste confected. The difference I noticed wasn't about a specific quality factor. Instead, it was something that I first heard articulated by Peter Koff, of the wineking youtube channel. When I look across my desk at a half glass of Penfolds Bin 600, a half-glass of Mollydooker's Boxer, and an empty glass of Velvet glove, I know that I can only do one thing... pour the remaining 2/3 of a glass of Velvet Glove and finish it. Even if it means throwing out some other excellent wine. Velvet Glove is the bottle that I want to finish, regardless. Its very special to me.
  • gteran76 commented:

    5/3/22, 3:16 PM - I liked your note! Johnny drinks this for breakfast and dinner for sure! I had a 2006 recently that was pretty impressive, I do have in my cellar 2014, 2016 and 2018... not sure if I have the courage of opening the 2018 but for sure will drink the '14 very soon...

    What's your impressions of the Carnival of Love? I do have '18s and I may find "the strength to crack that one open later this year...

  • gteran76 commented:

    5/4/22, 8:50 AM - I have never had the Boxer, but I had the Blue Eye Boy the other day (2019) and did not like at all.

Red
2010 Behrens & Hitchcock "The Heavyweight" Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
1/1/2022 - Bob in NC Likes this wine:
90 points
Decanted 2+ hours Drinking very smooth with seamless flavors and a refined finish that went great with our grilled filets. The wine was missing a wow factor to raise it's rating above 90 in our view, and certainly not worth $90/bottle. While it's drinking window is for several more years, it is not improving. I am wondering if we missed it's optimal drinking point for our taste?
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/23/22, 9:33 AM - Hi there, I will drink a Magnum tonight and report back. I think most Napa 2010 are still a bit tannic but I'll see in a few hours...

Red
2005 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry Stags Leap District
4/8/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine:
94 points
Opened with a regular corkscrew and the cork crumbled and broke into pieces. Also the top was red which may be a sign of heat at some point. So I choose not to decant, vaccumed and placed in the fridge for about one hour.

We started the night with a 2018 Rhys Alpine Chard (93+) and then drank Poetry about 3 hours after opened it…

The wine is clear, clean, beautiful nose of flowers, bright acidity, low in tannins, very nice complexity and good finish. It’s a great wine to pair with pastas, cheese or filet mignon.

Drink of hold but I don’t see it getting any better. At least our bottle!
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/17/22, 5:40 PM - Nice to heard Mark. Today I drank a Jones 2010 and it was good but to tanninc still. I hope you have a great Easter!

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/19/22, 7:21 AM - GM M, which is your favorite Bevan Cellar wine? (one that is consistent on multiple vintages).

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/20/22, 2:36 PM - You are correct once again. I also like going for the 95 pts for about $100 than the higher priced/scored. I even dislike buying (not drinking) the 100pts because normally they are not better than those 98s and prices are cruel most of the time. So I only buy them when not a big premium, which is not often.

    Very nice experience with Russel, I hope the “night ended up safe… ;-)”

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/22/22, 6:09 AM - GM M. We're 100% on the same page! Shut me an email when you can so I give you my cell for easy communication and coordinate a possible tasting. gteran76@yahoo.com

White
2007 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains
4/20/2022 - wineack Likes this wine:
96 points
I was a little concerned about this one when I had trouble getting the cork out. Then when I saw the yellow color in the glass, I was more concerned. I need not have been worried. The wine was absolutely amazing and still has plenty of life ahead of it. The nose showed apple and pear fruit with hazelnut and butterscotch. The fruit on the palate was lush and followed by enough acidity to keep the wine refreshing. I wish that I had several more bottles of this wine. Absolutely stunning! My wife and sister loved it, as well.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/22/22, 6:07 AM - Hi there, I love this Chard and I have 1 bottle of this vintage. FYI the winery have a drinking vintage chart and they still have the 2007 as HOLD. Crazy right!?!?

Red
2013 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
3/31/2022 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:
97 points
One hour slow ox......a beautiful Bdx nose, deep, rich, almost succulent. The palate reveals much of the same and over 3-4 more hours of slow ox only improves further. WOTN for the majority of us at tonight's tasting. The layers of red/dark red/black fruit are so great and complex. The integration of the tannins/acidity are very balanced. This is drinking exceptionally well for those who love great Cali fruit. For the true Bdx crowd, more years in the cellar will reward, but it's sooo good right now!
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/1/22, 8:01 AM - I'm still holding my '13s, coming from a Cali-kind-of-guy! Cheers!

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/8/22, 12:10 PM - You are right on the money! Sadly for me I only have 1 bottle so I can't crack it open until it gets to heaven!!!! I'm drinking tonight a baby 2019 Rhys Alpine Chardonnay and undecided between 2005 Cliff Lede Poetry or 2012 David Arthur Elevation 1147. What do you think?

  • gteran76 commented:

    4/8/22, 1:55 PM - Going with the aged Poetry, check for my review tomorrow.... Cheers!

Red
2009 Kapcsándy Family Winery Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard Yountville Merlot
3/20/2021 - Richard P Howden wrote:
89 points
Nice wine with a good red fruity core on the nose and palate, but really lacking an extra gear or complexity. Tasty but not especially interesting. Relative to expectations disappointing.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/1/22, 6:03 AM - Did you decanted it at all? I had a weird experience with this wine but read my CT notes below for details!

Red
2009 Kapcsándy Family Winery Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard Yountville Merlot
6/7/2020 - JeffaC wrote:
flawed
Nearly a full glass of gelatinous muck near the bottom of the bottle some of which was floating making it difficult to pour off just a couple of untainted glasses. Never seen anything like this. The wine seemed to taste fine but the shock of the condition of the bottle made an evaluation of the wine challenging.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/1/22, 6:03 AM - Did you decanted it at all? I had a weird experience with this wine but ended up very happy. Read my CT notes above yours for details!

Red
2009 Kapcsándy Family Winery Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard Yountville Merlot
We took this bottle to Valley on the Square in Sonoma. The first glass was lovely and then for unclear reasons this wine basically turned into gelatin of Merlot. I've never seen this before it was weird and not good.
  • gteran76 commented:

    4/1/22, 6:01 AM - Did you decanted it at all? I had a weird experience with this wine but read my CT notes below for details!

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