Mark1npt

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• Rote Kappelle says:

  4/15/2024 4:14:00 AM - Thanks for your kind comment on my CB note. I see that children have driven you to drink. I commend you for it and I see that the young human has guzzled itself into satiety, which shows you are doing something right.

• Michael T. Zoppo says:

  4/9/2024 5:53:00 AM - A small world indeed! Thank you for the kind invite (sounds great!) and I'll be on the lookout for your notes! All the best.

• Michael T. Zoppo says:

  4/8/2024 6:00:00 PM - Thanks for the kind note, Mark! My wife’s aunt and uncle are in Boca, so we sometimes we do a few days in Naples. Gorgeous! As for LBI, it’s changed a lot even from when I was a kid, but it’s still paradise (in my mind at least!) and our little boys love it! Cheers!

• melsdad says:

  3/6/2024 1:07:00 PM - Hey Mark - Do you know any similarly crazy Cali Cab like us from NJ/NYC who would be interested in going to a dinner starring Russell Bevan showcasing his 2021 Adversity Cellars wines? Of course, I would love for you to be there but it's a bit of a trek.

• RayT says:

  2/27/2024 12:46:00 PM - Mark Thanks for checking in. I am fine just been crazy hectic. December is a crazy month so even though I drank plenty of bottles I didn't post. I was sick most of January with a flu that turned in to a sinus infection that I couldn't shake. In February I had a flood in my house with 2" of water across my whole ground floor. In California if it is less than $10,000 it is better to take care of it yourself. So I did all the remediation. Finally got that stable and my son had a flood in his condo. He has been out of town for work and his wife is pregnant so I have been working on his remediation and babysitting his re-pipe job. Hope to get my life calmed down by mid March and go back to drinking and posting!

• castle.rob@gmail.com says:

  12/21/2023 9:40:00 PM - Hi Mark, Thanks for the heads up about Detert. I will definitely try it.

• Robwild says:

  10/17/2023 6:18:00 PM - Thanks for your note about the Crossbarn. You will enjoy now and definitely worthy of a hold on one of them. Cheers

• michigan dogs says:

  10/17/2023 4:28:00 PM - Hi Mark, just opened a2014 H Block, on the pop and pour it is great, I would like to say the distinct Cab franc stands out, rich dark cherry. I'll probably finish the bottle tonight and write a review

• jazzwineman says:

  9/5/2023 4:33:00 PM - So another big mouth that knows not of what he speaks.

• melzar says:

  8/18/2023 6:15:00 AM - Mark, Along decant would have been helpful!

• carl.cornaglia@gmai.com says:

  7/31/2023 12:11:00 PM - Thank you!!!!! Carl

• galewskj says:

  7/24/2023 6:50:00 PM - Hi, I just had dinner with my friend I'D RATHER BE DRINKING WINE and a new friend AGElvis. Your name was mentioned, so I "became a fan". I see you are in Naples FL, I am going there in January to visit a wine friend who has a condo there and another wine friend.

• AllRed says:

  7/22/2023 12:20:00 PM - You're right about the Vin de Constance, yet it very much flies under the radar because it's not often found. Even in a large market like Chicago, I rarely see it. So after our tasting last night, we ran into friends from our Saturday group at the bar and they got to try the VdC and loved it. They happen to be hosting our Saturday tasting tonight and had asked me to bring a sweetie for dessert following the tasting (an infrequent event that our 3rd Friday & 4th Saturday groups meet on back-to-back nights). When I saw how much they enjoyed the 2018 VdC, I decided to put the 2001 Guiraud back on the shelf and made a run to our offsite storage locker this morning to pull a bottle of the 2007 Vin de Constance. Six of us will thus have tasted the 2018 and 2007 within 24 hours- should be a fun little comparison.

• Claymonster says:

  3/21/2023 9:38:00 AM - Mark, I'm going to be tempted to go over 40 but that's all that will fit. Plus there's financial limits in addition to the spatial ones. About halfway full and here's what I have in there so far: 2018 Leoville Barton, 2016 Borgogno & Figli Barolo Cannubi, 2016 Musar, 2010 Rioja Alta 890 Gran Reserva, 2019 SHL Le Petit, 2019 Lynch Bages X 2, 2019 Force Majeure Parabellum Coulee, 2019 Haut Bailly, 2019 Ferriere X 2, 2018 Don Melchor, 2018 Delmas SJR Syrah, 2019 Misc. Rutherford, 2019 Chris Pratt Ingrid X 2, 2019 Poujeaux X 3, 2019 Feytit Clinet X 2, 2010 LdH Tondonia. Lots of cabs and a range of prices. I'll probably pick up a bottle or two of some of the mid-priced St. Emilion's that you and WGDM suggested. Any suggestions if you were forced to pick two or three bottles?

• Kkim88 says:

  3/19/2023 1:55:00 AM - Thank you for your feedback Mark! I had no idea since I am very new to the community! I have changed my cellar settings and added some things I do like. I think I am mostly interested in Napa and BDX so your recommendations were spot on. Thank you for your kind feedback and I'm open to any recommendations :)

• Kkim88 says:

  3/18/2023 7:00:00 PM - Mark, I've been reading some of the posts that you were liking the 2019 vintages of napa (instead of 20s and 21s?)? I want to load up on them too. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks. :)

• WineGuyDelMar says:

  3/18/2023 4:51:00 PM - Mark We need to have this conversation in person but no surprise for me. Free speech for now is dead on all social media sites. We live in a “feel good” society now where nobodies feelings get hurt. Everybody gets offended now. What happens when you get offended? Nothing. It’s painful for me watching this nonsense now pervasive in our snowflake society. I keep hoping it changes but if not I’m happy to spend the majority of our time outside of the woke US.

• WineGuyDelMar says:

  3/18/2023 3:29:00 PM - Mark Think you are correct in your assessment. It’s reassuring to know he isn’t buying these wines for himself. Asian Culture (at least Japan & China) is all about status, wealth and social status. Chinese are worse because their money is all new money. Truly sad about the addition of Coke if that’s true. Having money means nothing about having class. Posers…nothing more, nothing less. When they are done with the wine I can tell them what to do with the empty bottle lol.

• WineGuyDelMar says:

  3/18/2023 5:57:00 AM - I blocked the a**hat just now too. I was surprised the coward came back to the thread & figured he would start blocking people. Good riddance. Total clown. That was a hilarious thread. He couldn’t take the heat lol

• Franken Berry says:

  2/18/2023 5:10:00 AM - Funny you should reach out regarding the 21 Napa cabs, as I was about to do the same once I finished reading the latest reviews that came out this week. Both AG and JD claim 21 to be the new 13, but AGs scores, across the board, are relatively low. It reminds me of how the critics viewed 2018 relative 2017s, early on, if you know what I mean. I am holding my breath, in terms of what to expect, pricing wise. Hunting down the remaining 19s will likely be the strategy, at least till I get to Napa in May

• Franken Berry says:

  1/30/2023 1:53:00 PM - Looks like Fait Main has a release tomorrow for the 2021s. do you have a strategy yet? I have not read anything from the professional wine critics (glitterati) about this vintage

• Franken Berry says:

  1/2/2023 1:28:00 PM - Mark - we were planning a trip to Napa at the end of May, haven't been out in awhile, I vaguely recall that some/many wineries are closed certain days of the week - Is that true?

• KenK says:

  12/27/2022 12:29:00 PM - Hey Mark, I'm in the Naples area too and would love to start a regular tasting group. I have a deep cellar, broad tastes in wine, and love to learn about all things wine. PM me at kkailin1@gmail.com if interested. Cheers!

• jsmorris707 says:

  11/20/2022 12:45:00 PM - Love your new picture!

• Stoic Warrior says:

  11/19/2022 4:26:00 AM - That's a nice new photo - congrats, "Old Man"!

• Rote Kappelle says:

  11/13/2022 1:30:00 AM - Comrade, sometimes wines do come into balance even when they show a distinct lack of same. I don't think this is one of those wines. Unlike, say, ripe but dominating tannins (which will soften over time), chocolate/mocha is a flavour element that I don't think will change. Even after time, when the fruit did come up, the oak and over ripe fruit 'dark' character remained a major presence. The wine has time in it, but doesn't further cellaring just add to the downside risk (especially with cork)? If you open this, decant it and give it time and cook something bold to go with it, you still have a really good wine at a bargain price and many drinkers won't mind the things I don't like; as those things are not technical faults, who can gainsay those who do really love this? I would not refuse to drink it despite the issues I have with it. Thanks for your comment and hope this answers your question. I trust your weekend's drinking has been enjoyable, perhaps assisted by some fine Floridians like Tom Petty, the Allman Brothers, Tommy Aldridge era Black Oak Arkansas and Molly Hatchet. But now I show my age.

• rjpbath says:

  10/14/2022 11:31:00 AM - Just seen your kind comment on my post on Haut Bailly 06. I was first turned on to HB in 1974 on our honeymoon. We had a lunch (!!) at Ch Loudenne (a long story...) with 1964, 1966 and 1967 (as you do aged 22...). Wonderful experience and I have loved the wine ever since. It is a subtle treasure, and we should be grateful that the prices have not gone stratospheric. PS: Hope your hurricane experience has not been too ghastly.....but I fear that it will have been

• bestdamncab says:

  9/16/2022 11:14:00 AM - Like your Turley Zinfandel Tasting Note.

• kenthecpa says:

  9/14/2022 5:42:00 PM - Thanks! I bought a bunch so I can enjoy future anniversaries!

• Big&Bold707 says:

  9/9/2022 5:22:00 AM - Sorry Mark, I just figured out how to see messages sent to me. I've been only using the app and can't figure out how to see it so on the desktop it's easy. Anyways, keep posting and keeping this community going. You recommendations become a deciding factor for me whether to open common bottles. And in the not so distant future, I'm sure we will convert you to a Paso guy!

• HeavyPourWine says:

  8/20/2022 7:40:00 AM - I’m all set to visit B Cellars w/ Peter. Thanks again! -Brad

• HeavyPourWine says:

  8/17/2022 2:01:00 PM - Re: Gagnon Kennedy... that's such a coincidence! We met Michael Kennedy at the High Wine Auction's winemaker dinner earlier this year in Atlanta and tried several of his wines. We then subsequently bid and won a "getaway" to the winery which includes a 2 night stay at the cheese shed. You are the only other person that has ever even mentioned them! (BTW: If you haven't done the auction in Atlanta, you've got to experience it at least once!)

• HeavyPourWine says:

  8/17/2022 12:28:00 PM - Mark, it does appear we have similar tastes! Would you mind recommending one or two can't miss wineries in Napa for CabSav? (I'm heading there for only my second trip ever in October). FYI I'm already booked at Memento Mori, Di Costanzo, Morlet & Impensata and will probably book Fait Main soon...

• Franken Berry says:

  7/29/2022 4:10:00 AM - That is a wise decision. Setting it to “fan of the user” is getting expensive!

• Franken Berry says:

  7/28/2022 7:55:00 PM - I didn’t realize the being a fan means you can automatically see your wine reviews automatically, til recently!

• COWineLover says:

  7/25/2022 9:22:00 PM - Mark, Wish your sons were still here near Denver for a visit and we could pop a cork (which we can still do if you ever make it out this way). I love sharing wine as I know you do as well. It's as much fun for me to gift bottles to co-workers and friends to expand their horizons. Thanks for your note and remember to keep me in mind if you are ever back this way. Cheers, Kelly

• Franken Berry says:

  7/14/2022 8:07:00 PM - I agree most Pinots are best right out of the gate. I will have to look deeper at what others are posting to see if I am missing anything

• Franken Berry says:

  7/14/2022 9:28:00 AM - curious to know if you have tested your micro ox technique with pinot noir. seems like a natural. I find many sonoma pinots are delish on the pop and pour, and the aroma can fade quickly over time

• Franken Berry says:

  6/16/2022 8:13:00 PM - Thanks for the detailed response on the Arietta. It sounds like a great strategy which I have yet to explore but need to. Given rising prices and demand for the latest vintages, it is not surprising that value still exists for older wines. I If you have any particular auction sites you would car to share, it would be appreciated

• Vinsboro says:

  6/13/2022 7:30:00 AM - Related to your recent comment on '19 Pesenti: The Turleys (Larry and Helen) are siblings. Estranged by some accounts. Helen made the first vintage. More details here, among other places: https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2019/11/wine-press-interview-with-turley-wine-cellars-founder-larry-turley-photo-gallery-tasting-notes.html. Always appreciate your notes, and like you think the Pesenti represents the best of Turley. Cheers.

• Franken Berry says:

  4/17/2022 3:46:00 PM - Recently, it seems that most 2016 Napa cabs have been shutting down fast - muted fruit, return of the alcohol driven mid palate. Short finish. Just based on a few entry level cabs, but it’s freaking me out! Thoughts?

• Franken Berry says:

  1/22/2022 2:56:00 PM - Yo. What are your thoughts on 2020 pinots? Just saw the offer from Sojourn, but then again, many others still have 18s and ‘19s available

• krhaugh says:

  1/4/2022 6:38:00 PM - Mark, You really should take a trip to Walla Walla and scope out there big reds if you are a Napa guy. They will give Napa a run on taste and generally the best ones will be quite a bit easier on the wallet. I see you have a Leonetti. I would recommend Figgins (same family as Leonetti), Doubleback (Drew Bledsoe), Long Shadows and Pepper Bridge for big reds. If you aer into funk, Milton Freewater, just south of Walla Walla is home to Cayuse, Delmas, Horsepower and other outstanding Syrah's & Grenache. Just my humble opinion.

• JWH6 says:

  1/4/2022 5:01:00 AM - Mark, you sent me a note back in July to which I never replied, my apologies. Just read your profile, I think we have identical “wine genes”. You have an awesome cellar, and the right attitude on how to enjoy. Cheers.

• macaujames says:

  12/31/2021 5:20:00 AM - Happy New Year 2022 to you and your family!

• Livonietisr says:

  12/25/2021 6:52:00 AM - Mery Christmas to you and your family!

• Vinomazing says:

  12/8/2021 8:32:00 PM - Yessir, may the celebrations and drinking be upon us...cheers and good tidings Mark!

• Vinomazing says:

  12/8/2021 8:11:00 PM - Happy Holidays, wishing you and yours joy and good health into the New Year!!

• Stoic Warrior says:

  11/24/2021 2:13:00 AM - Greetings Mark. For some time now I have read some of your posts as a Fan. Now that America is once again allowing Europeans and Brits into the USA (vaccinated ones, anyway!), the wife and I are headed to Naples on December 1st for about 3 months to get away from our winter's chill. While there it would be a pleasure to share an occasional bottle of something decent with like minded oenophiles. To that end I have sent you a Friend request (to you and one or two others in Naples). Would you be open to that? Cheers.

• Franken Berry says:

  11/5/2021 11:26:00 AM - Mark - so I have decided that I am going to (try) and hold off buying more 2018 Napa cabs, and instead concentrate on the 2019s. I have a cellar full of '13s, 16's and 18s, most of which could use a bit more time. the earlier drinking window of the 2019s, especially the single vineyard designates, is very attractive now -it fits my wife's needs, and I could certainly enjoy some hedonistic and tasty wines

• FEDEVIDAL says:

  10/17/2021 9:24:00 AM - Hello Mark1npt Thank you for your message. I'm glad to know that you like my tasting notes on Rafael Lopez de Heredia. I actually like all good wines. An honor to be your friend. Kind regards

• Franken Berry says:

  10/14/2021 4:47:00 PM - Mark. Okay, I have really opened a can of worms (and it is, in part all your fault). I contacted Fait Main, they are offering me a 3 pack of the 18 or 19 missouri hopper at $125/btl. I was planning on picking up a 3 pk of the 18 Stone the crows (based on your glowing recommendation), vs some of the Mending wall cabs but now I am favoring the Fait Main. (of course, I already ordered Patria A Price yesterday) What to do? I swore I was done buying >$100 Napa cabs!

• Daniel___Walsh says:

  10/13/2021 11:56:00 PM - I'm also interested if you have any thoughts on the '19 B Cellars Stagecoach Vineyard.

• Daniel___Walsh says:

  10/13/2021 11:56:00 PM - I'm also interested if you have any thoughts on the '19 B Cellars Stagecoach Vineyard.

• Franken Berry says:

  10/13/2021 5:08:00 PM - Ah. you are always one step ahead of me... from a wine perspective, you chose a good time to retire. I will be interested to see if your wine consumption stays the same or increases, given your increase in idle time

• Franken Berry says:

  10/13/2021 4:36:00 AM - I see you picked up a 3 pack of the 2018 Stone the Crows. Was considering doing the same, vs the 2019 patria A Price

• Franken Berry says:

  8/24/2021 12:45:00 PM - Thoughts on the 2019 B cellars Stagecoach? just saw the email from Peter.

• gew71walsh says:

  8/24/2021 11:33:00 AM - Thanks for your comment on the Insignia. I hadn’t necessarily thought that, but realize this was only my third venture into a post 2009 Insignia—the 2010 which was really good and a 2015 which was way too young when I had it so I didn’t really focus on any issues. Since I still have some ‘07 on up, I may try a comparison between the Shelton/Williams years and some later years. Let you know my thoughts at that time.

• vintage1949 says:

  8/17/2021 2:46:00 AM - Hi Mark—My first brush with B Cellars was not impressive. I do have a couple bottles of Missouri and George from 2018. I hate to open one so soon but I have to make sure I like B wines. I have to figure that out before the 2019 wines are offered. I do not want to end up with wines I consider “viney” tasting. I am stepping out of my comfort zone buying VHR, Memento Mori, B wines and others as first purchases. Oh Schrader is not making Cabernet in 2020. Just got a notice. Dave

• OneOfTheBasicFoodGroups says:

  8/15/2021 8:46:00 AM - You asked in July if the Turnbull needed decanting. Since I'm not smart enough to figure out how to reply directly to your Q went this route. Quick answer, it never hurts. But, I always use an aerator when first opening a bottle. Bottle did improve on the second day (sealed with a vacuvin), but did decline a bit on following days. So, decant probably would help a bit. With the extra air you'd probably want to drink on the day.

• Mhbeaune says:

  8/10/2021 9:51:00 AM - Mark I envoy you a trip to Greece . I have it down for a trip in a couple of years.

• Mhbeaune says:

  8/10/2021 3:13:00 AM - Mark love your comment re travel & wine. We have taken most of our holidays driving from the UK around vineyards of Europe & bringing up to 200 bottles per trip home BUT the has stopped with thing called BREXIT where the UK has left the “Common Market of the EU”

• macaujames says:

  8/7/2021 10:55:00 PM - I know Mark that Rose may maybe not your thing and I see that you have tasted the Whispering Angel 2016 and liked it. Well the 2019 is a bit better. Its an excellent Summer Rose. to sip on your terrace.

• Philip67 says:

  7/28/2021 7:17:00 AM - Mark, Thanks for your replies on my recent tasting notes - I appreciate the support. Looks as if we have similar palates. Philip

• macaujames says:

  7/17/2021 11:33:00 PM - Many thanks for your comment on the Bordon Gran Reserva 2004. I got it many moons ago at Palma Airport and cellared it 10 years and really only expected a simple wine and was shocked when this beauty came out!

• vintage1949 says:

  7/2/2021 12:44:00 AM - Read over your post again. Talk about thinking along the same lines. My last Bordeaux purchase was 2016 Pontet Canet. Whoops forgot a three pack of 2018 Mouton Rothschild. That will end up being for my daughter. The 2020 California vintage created a natural separation point for me. 2019 being the last vintage for purchasing California goodies. I will have to double up on 2019 but with 2020 on the horizon I feel that is necessary. I am not going to play games with the 2020 vintage. In fact I already am worrying about 2021 for those new to the game. Thankfully I have enough for many years to come. I am assuming you are in the same boat. Am I correct on that? Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  7/1/2021 8:59:00 AM - Will get back to you on your post soon. Have to leave for another doctor voisit. Take care Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  7/1/2021 6:10:00 AM - Hey Mark, Posting this here as it is a little more private. I have a general fund that I have been saving money up in. Money to be used in emergencies. Never touched it as we up to this point had enough money floating around. I am not buying 2020 wines. It seems the fires in 2021 may be worse than 2020. That would mean if there was a good vintage in 2022, for my taste in general, those wines would not be ready until 2027. I do not even know if I will be around by then. So I am wondering if I should supplement the funds I already have for buying the 2019 vintage. I was thinking of taking out 5k. That would give me 10k total. It would take only a year to pay back those funds from my monthly wine budget. My wine cellar would be reasonably full without having to worry about future vistages. Hope the way i described it makes sense. (Early in the morning here) What do you think especially in light of the 2020 vintage?

• macaujames says:

  6/30/2021 10:43:00 AM - Great plaudits. You drink a wonderful selection of wines! The Tondonia 2008 is a bit fuller and fresher than the leaner and more austere but still very competent 2007. My favourite recent Tondonia vintage was the 2006 which I rated a 93.

• macaujames says:

  6/24/2021 10:35:00 PM - Many thanks Mark for your comment on the Cloudy Bay 2019. It is worth the mpney in the 2019 and 2020 vintages!

• Franken Berry says:

  6/19/2021 5:40:00 AM - Thanks for the B cellars advice. Spoke with Peter, dropped your name, great discount, more wine in the cellar…

• Decanting Queen says:

  6/18/2021 5:38:00 PM - Ha I almost sent you a note meant for Dave. This is why I should just stick to mobile CT

• VlgJeff says:

  6/14/2021 12:58:00 PM - Appreciate your detailed Tasting Notes -- even if Napa, or creamy, oaky Chards aren't my thing. Plenty of room for everyone on the wine spectrum. Keep drinkin' and keep writin'.

• Franken Berry says:

  6/13/2021 7:55:00 AM - any experience with the B Cellars Oakville or St Helena (2018)? looking for something tasty at a lower cost than the Beckstoffer bottles. I am guessing that the Ehrlich is likely the benchmark at this price point

• Winefeld says:

  6/7/2021 9:01:00 PM - Mark1npt... the very best Mullineux I’ve had is the Olerasay, which is made in a solera style. One of the best wines I’ve tried, period. I would highly recommend seeking it out (although exceedingly rare - to my knowledge the Mullineux’s have only bottled the Olerasay twice so far).

• danielbleier says:

  6/1/2021 6:53:00 AM - Hello Mark1npt - thanks for your question on Mascot 2014 - had about a one hour decant and enjoyed at a Memorial Day gathering - so did not have the time to take specific notes - but received positive commentary from several in the tasting group...lush and soft with bright fruit

• wtianseter says:

  5/28/2021 8:24:00 AM - Hey Mark1npt! Thanks for your comment on Chad '13 Private Reserve Cab. I agree that all those other reasons could explain the Green Pepper flavor. As a matter of fact, I had forgotten about the Cab Franc Green Pepper. I see from your inventory you have plenty of experience with Chad's wines. I think usually he pulls out a better wine than expected from "seconds' but on this one my perspective was one of his barrels must have been "thirds" or "fourths" It looks like its time to Friend and Fan you! Looks like we have similar tastes.

• melzar says:

  5/19/2021 4:28:00 AM - Hi Mark1npt. Thanks for your comment. I popped and poured. Melzar

• burlingtonm says:

  5/13/2021 7:22:00 AM - In response to your question regarding the 2003 Cos D'Estournel, this was tasted at a vertical of Cos at Wine Watch in Fort Lauderdale. I believe it was decanted a couple of hours earlier and it did not seem tight or tannic. Personally I always decant Bordeaux from this century, and usually earlier years too.

• Cyclist says:

  5/1/2021 4:19:00 PM - If you love the B Cellars Cabernet Franc, check out Aonair. They make an estate Cabernet Franc (at a much more affordable price too) from Conn Valley fruit that is similar in intensity and depth without any of the often present green flavors, just a nice herbal uplift like the B Cellars Dr Crane. It can be tough to get a bottle as they don't sell to people that haven't visited them before usually and sell out of the Cabernet Franc quite quickly at release.

• oenophilemoose says:

  4/30/2021 11:05:00 AM - In response to your note, I think it would be great if more folks indicated how long they decanted their wine or if a PNP....The Moose

• oenophilemoose says:

  4/25/2021 10:55:00 AM - Mark1npt....Yes, definitely a bad bottle and I have asked for a replacement. Thanks for your input. Cheers! "The Moose"

• wine-enthusiast says:

  4/11/2021 8:31:00 AM - Here is a write up: Lot 192 comes to us from a relatively new, Napa Valley-based, boutique producer (and sommelier) sourcing fruit from a gently-sloping, hillside vineyard just across the street from the well-regarded Knights Bridge Winery in Knights Valley (Knights Valley is just north of the Napa County line in Sonoma County but its volcanic soil structures are very similar to Napa Valley). The vineyard was recently converted over to organic production by the legendary Barbour Vineyard Management. In his 30+ years as a vineyard manager and viticulturalist, Jim Barbour has planted and managed some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards, including Hundred Acre, Grace Family, Blankiet, Hourglass, Tom Seaver’s GTS, Pride, D.R. Stephens, Revana, Fleming, Au Sommet, Amuse Bouche, Keever, Von Strasser, etc. From the finest French oak to the best vineyard management team, no expense was spared in the production of this wine. Since the producer has yet to launch their inaugural 2018 bottling I can't give you a price comparison but I figure this wine would, at a minimum, sell for about $65-$75 and largely because its Knights Valley, not Napa Valley where it would be about $85/bottle. This is an incredible offering at $13/bottle. Go to Wineberserkers.com theres a thread on De Negoce- lots of fun to read - LOL

• wine-enthusiast says:

  4/11/2021 7:34:00 AM - Hi there Mark: I have a case of De Negoce Lot 192 coming if you are interested in splitting it. Roger aka wine-enthusiast...

• macaujames says:

  4/9/2021 10:45:00 PM - Regarding the Tondonia 07 Reserva it definitely needs 5-6hrs to develop fully its aromas, depth and length. If not its pretty drinkable but a bit closed and unknit which spoils its status and enjoyability as a special occasion wine.

• Bryan49 says:

  4/3/2021 11:18:00 AM - Mark - Cuban Mushroom Quesadillas recipe from March 2021 Food & Wine (cut down on the salt if you make it). They recommend pairing '17 Newton Unfitered

• gsomers says:

  3/19/2021 3:05:00 PM - Love the attitude Mark toward life and wine. Retired almost a year ago (still working though) and have with some diligence sought to assemble a cellar over the past year built on trying as many wines as possible while also relying on the knowledge and cellars of more experienced drinkers. Acquiring then consuming a worthy bottle of wine is an experience that adds equity to life rather than a bank account. It rivals travel in that respect. Salud!

• vintage1949 says:

  3/15/2021 5:37:00 AM - Sometime in the next couple years when I am out with a couple guys or just going out to eat at Woody’s we could meet by chance. Do you know where Woody’s is located? I must give in and admit my wife has a point that having strangers come to our condo. However, laughing, however meeting in a wine forum I consider pretty safe. Add to that a first time meeting in a bar instead of a condo, in my opinion, is safe. Oh and don’t ever worry about a bottle of wine. The gift will be a new friendship:) Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  3/12/2021 1:58:00 PM - Hi Mark, Bummer-my wife won’t let me meet with anybody I just met online. So there goes Florida. Sorry about that. Dave

• Franken Berry says:

  3/4/2021 6:28:00 PM - I just placed my first order with Detert for some of their 2018s. Have you tasted this before?

• cablover123 says:

  3/2/2021 3:58:00 PM - Mark....I am curious what you are hearing about 2019's at this point? I have had a number of vineyards compare it to 2014, but, that is from the vineyard. :)

• vintage1949 says:

  3/2/2021 4:12:00 AM - Could you please give me the screen name for the person i am sending the Cayuse wine. Thanks Dave

• wine-enthusiast says:

  2/23/2021 10:18:00 AM - Friend of mine and I found 2016 Mt Brave at B-21 had it shipped into Naples for 12$ shipping full case.

• vintage1949 says:

  2/15/2021 5:45:00 PM - No Peter was busy so I let the person who picked up the phone work on the order. Thanks for letting me know about their wine clubs. 20% off saves a good bit of coin. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  2/15/2021 11:24:00 AM - Hi Mark, Just bought three B Cellars Star Vineyard, one Beckstoffer George’s III, and two Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard. Joined the club. Your thoughts? Dave (all 2018)

• vintage1949 says:

  2/12/2021 6:38:00 AM - Star got a great review from RP. If you taste it let me know. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  2/12/2021 5:58:00 AM - Hi Mark, Have not communicated in a short while. Get my second shot Tuesday. MM’s first offering I could buy all I want. The second offering with Dr. Crane was one bottle of each. Ouch. They indicated next year looks good to buy three packs again as I move up the line. Next Thursday VHR is offering their wine. Not sure that is the second round or not but all I want is a three pack. Sorry lost your ideas for Cabernet Sauvignons. Can you give me a couple. Also-just interested-what were the last couple Cabernet Sauvignon’s you purchased or consumed? How are things going for you? I don’t know if time has slowed down for you until retirement or not. Will you be moving once you retire or can you handle the hot summers in Florida? Sorry for the multitude of questions. Take Care——Dave

• davidandrose says:

  2/10/2021 5:57:00 AM - Thanks - Also joined Spire last Feb, and generally customize the quarterly offering. Will see about adding to the order they're shipping next week.

• davidandrose says:

  2/10/2021 5:17:00 AM - Mark - Thanks for the reco on the La Jota Restricted Yverdon Merlot. When I reordered some of the Mt Brave Merlot over the weekend, I added some La Jota Howell Merlot as well, as we really enjoy both, but am not familliar with the restricted. Will inquire in the future.

• Callum's Corkers says:

  1/31/2021 10:31:00 AM - Mark1npt Mark.....what's BDX mean? Callum's Corkers

• cablover123 says:

  1/29/2021 2:50:00 PM - Mark, I am looking to pick up some 2018 B Cellar and I know you are a big fan of their wines. I have not yet tried any of their wines. Carter and Myriad are my highwater benchmarks for grapes from the same vineyards. Based on your experience with B Cellars, can you provide a recommendation on your top 3 in order. Thank you in advance. Dan

• GJVines says:

  1/23/2021 8:59:00 AM - Just a quick thank you for your excellent tasting notes. They're very informative, and helpful for me since we seem to have similar palates. Well done.

• fc1910 says:

  12/23/2020 7:47:00 PM - Hi Mark, wish you a merry Christmas with your family and everybody else you may want to meet in these days! Keep on drinking one or two good bottles and all the best wishes for the approching New Year from Hamburg!

• havana4 🍾🍇 says:

  12/20/2020 11:02:00 AM - Robert blocked me from posting ANYMORE...... WOW... LOL

• michigan dogs says:

  11/26/2020 8:05:00 AM - MArk, I will check the store to see how many bottles of the H-Block they have, not hopeful. I may have to hand deliver a bottle to you in Florida, Remember, life's too short to drink cheap wine.

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  11/1/2020 10:02:00 AM - Got it, thank you for the insight!

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  11/1/2020 9:44:00 AM - Hey Mark, in your opinion and your connects in Napa ;), how good is the 2019 vintage compared to 2018?

• cablover123 says:

  10/29/2020 5:20:00 PM - Mark...Knowing you have not found your dream wine....If you could pick one wine from your cellar...what would it be? Dan :)

• bsumoba says:

  10/26/2020 10:59:00 AM - I would be curious on your take of the 19' napa vintage. If you can email me at bsumoba at gmail I would like to run a couple lists by you for a large buy for my son's birth year

• vintage1949 says:

  10/17/2020 7:19:00 AM - “Up early today as I was going to receive a shipment of 2017 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron.” Hah-yes I was GOING to receive my shipment. Thursday was canceled. No e-mail tracking info after that. Came home Friday and my wife indicated I received a package. Yes I got it! Later on in the evening my wife picked up the large package and placed it on a table. I made the comment to her, “Wow you are getting really strong. You easily picked up that wine which is really heavy.” Finally later in the evening I got a knife to open it. Cut the tape that was on the top. Folded back the cardboard. Carefully slipped the knife around and pried it open. No wonder my wife brought that package with ease—-no wine in it. So somewhere in the U.S. is a package of wine rattling around. I really should have known it was the wooden case without the wine right away as I have ordered wine like this for years. For some reason it didn’t click. So now I have to stay home all day in case the wine arrives to sign for it as I assume I will not get an e-mail regarding shipping. I find all of this humorous. Wonder where in the U.S. is a box of wine rattling around? I just don’t want to find near my house a brown truck with six people who appear drunk.grin Have a great Saturday. Dave

• cablover123 says:

  10/16/2020 7:33:00 PM - Mark, I see Rudius has offered Kaley vintage wine with no shipping cost if six or more ordered. Dan

• vintage1949 says:

  10/15/2020 5:06:00 AM - Hi Mark, That sounds like a plan, however it will be two years as it looks like we will skip a year. (With my health taking no chances) It will have to be a restaurant where I can get in with a cane-which is most of them. You know Lands End. I will be darned. Up early today as I was going to receive a shipment of 2017 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron. Note the word was. Grin It is being rescheduled. Hope there are not any real problems as the store gets around state laws by legally shipping to one area then shipping from there. Looks like I will be giving you that Bionic Frog in person-and you will be retired a year! Dave

• Mark1npt says:

  10/8/2020 7:50:00 AM - Dave, I know exactly where you stay. It is about 2 1/2 hours north of me on the same coast. You stay in there where you are and make sure everyone wears their mask til this thing is over. Most people will have no problem with covid, but you probably would so don't take any chances. Next year, when you are down, I'll drive up and we'll do dinner!

• vintage1949 says:

  10/7/2020 10:08:00 PM - Hi Mark, I could not stand it anymore. I was reading an incredible after incredible review of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2018. Sweat was beginning to form on my brow. Sleep was lost. Would I keep at bay this urge to buy Mouton? NO! My wallet lost the battle but my cellar won. Purchased just a three pack of Mouton 18. Not that much damage but waiting ten years puts me at 81. A rather silly purchase. You have 2019 Chateau Pontet-Canet. Greet! I purchased just a six pack of the 2016 vintage. We stay every year at Lands End at Treasure Island. Have you ever heard about it? Sure wish we could come down this spring but looks like it will be 2022. Big news from the NYT—just great big news. Grin Sheboygan County Wisconsin has the second fastest growing covid spread in the nation! Guess where I live in Wisconsin? Of course-Sheboygan. I guess it is time to really hunker down. Damn. Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  10/7/2020 2:08:00 AM - Added note:We will be skipping our trip to Florida this upcoming spring. We hope to resume after that. Since you are in Florida I will pack a Bionic Frog and send it to you when we resume our trips to Florida. Hah-I knew there would be a way. (Over the years have ordered a case and a half of this wine for gifts)

• vintage1949 says:

  10/7/2020 1:46:00 AM - Read your message, On this end being very careful since I just turned 71. Next week will finally get part of my purchases shipped to me. Convinced a couple wineries to ship this month instead of November and December. Next week Carter, Cayuse, and Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron. Following week Memento Mori first two sets. Down the road 2021 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. So this haul a total of 33 bottles. Already started saving up for the next round to be shipped next year. I think there is a wine cellar rule you cannot have just one first growth in your cellar so will be buying some Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Then who knows-maybe some Napa 2019 with Napa 2020 out the window. What have you or will you be picking up this year? When do you get wine shipped to you considering where you live? Dave

• vintage1949 says:

  10/4/2020 9:04:00 PM - Hi Mark, Contacting you here instead of under a wine review as this is just visiting. Hey I am quarantined with a wife and some days daughter and wife-need some outside the family talk. Are you a football fan? Big Packer fan here. Hmm love to get the guys over for a game and treat them to some fine wine. The only thing I want in return are some good appetizers. Since most are doctors and lawyers who travel they know good food and it shows in the apps that they bring. I have four double magnums and I thought for sure I would open one by now but——the damn virus. Do you have friends that you share wine with? If so do they take their turn and share wine from their homes. (Sorry don’t mean that to be a personal question) If you don’t mind might send you an e-mail like this from time to time. Hope your health is in good shape! Stay safe. Dave

• bestdamncab says:

  10/2/2020 3:54:00 AM - When is your next trip to Napa? I will ring a Benedetto for you.

• vintage1949 says:

  9/29/2020 6:44:00 AM - Hi Mark, Posting this message here. Have you ever heard of or tasted Bionic Frog? I had to wait ten years after I joined Cayuse for other reds to start getting three bottles of the Frog. I will be getting the 2017 vintage (they waited to long last year to send it-weather was unusually cold-so they are sending it this year) and the 2018 vintage. If you have never had this would you like a bottle on me?

• WineGuyX says:

  9/28/2020 9:26:00 PM - Per your message re: Sociando-Mallet, I have some 1985 in my cellar, but other than that, I have very little experience with it. I wish I had checked my note from 2018 before opening this tonight! Next bottle will be 4+ years from now.

• blackcrowb says:

  9/22/2020 3:48:00 PM - Thanks for the sentiment

• GRH80 says:

  8/18/2020 10:31:00 AM - If the wines are good now, I don't see what would prevent them from aging well. If you look at the drinking windows on these, they all suggest 10+ years of drinkability. As they say, there's one way to find out... I liken this to Cuban tobacco. Pre early 2010s, you had to age your cigars and wait for them to get out of their sick period. After they were done doing that, they'd be consistently good. Assuming you were starting off with a good vintage. My friend from B Cellars agreed with the analogy and said a lot has had to do with the wine making process and aging advancements. I opened another bottle of that B Cellars Cab Franc. If you haven't opened one yet, decant it for at least 2 hours when you do. It made a big difference. Enjoy!

• Jessie and Max says:

  8/9/2020 3:07:00 PM - We'll definitely hit you up for advice on California/South African wines -- and that's such a great point about CT being good to see what to drink. If we're gonna spend the money on the really good stuff, we want to get it right, but without a site like this, we'd be on our own! (Well, except for the wine shops, I guess, but I haven't yet explored that, having really gotten into this only under COVID. We have two really good shops here; one just reopened and I can't wait until the other one does, too!) Anyway, will definitely hit you up for advice. :)

• Jessie and Max says:

  8/9/2020 6:06:00 AM - Hi Mark, thanks for the thoughts on the Quintessa wines! I love how you are making CellarTracker more social. It's a pleasure to hear from people like you on here, especially as my husband and I develop this new interest in wine.

• GRH80 says:

  7/31/2020 12:18:00 PM - Hey, man. Thanks for the welcome note. Your review of the B Cellars Dr. Crane Cab caught my attention. The Cab Franc was good, but needs more time. I'm guilty of opening bottles too soon bc my curiosity gets the better of me. I end up wishing I didn't. Case in point were 2017 & 18 Henri Boillot Pommards. 7-9 hour decants, and still very young. I will say 2017 Burgundy shows more promise. Anyhow, knowing your fondness of B Cellars, and seeing your collection of their wine, I'm guessing we know some of the same people over there. Let's stay in touch. Be cool!

• vintage1949 says:

  7/29/2020 12:10:00 AM - Hi Mark, Just read your note drinking great wine and going to hear some jazz. Enjoy my friend those great times. I have close friends for over 50 years but I must admit they are not into expensive wine and jazz. That sure would complete my lifestyle. Plus I went from being able to walk to mostly needing a wheelchair in just three years. Sooo-trying not to be preachy here-enjoy every morning you can get up and just go.

• Vinomazing says:

  7/20/2020 10:33:00 AM - Hiya, appreciate the reply and confidence in the wine! Shall review your other vintage TNs. Best Today

• Cove Haven says:

  7/17/2020 1:09:00 PM - Hey I have a question you might be able to help me with I miss the Cabs from years gone by. The new style just seems to uneventfull. I'm looking for Inglenook Cask, Dunn of the 80's style Are there any to be found under $100 Thanks PB

• Vinomazing says:

  7/17/2020 12:00:00 PM - Hey, hope you are keeping safe down there. Nabbed some Klein Constantia and upon input to CT I see you have a few also. Have you ever had this sweet wine?

• bestdamncab says:

  7/9/2020 6:24:00 PM - Did you taste the 2009 Cristal?

• jeagle says:

  7/5/2020 7:26:00 AM - Hi Mark. Thanks for the comment. I fear Mike Smith is not for me, but I should try Carter wines before I write him off completely. Do you think the sweetness comes from the higher alcohol levels? Perhaps the villain is our warming planet. I understand Napa vintners are looking northward. Stay safe. >John

• Philip67 says:

  6/29/2020 10:18:00 AM - Let me know if you come over to London - would be delighted to share a bottle with you at 67 Pall Mall. Cheers.

• DrBad says:

  6/9/2020 9:29:00 AM - Well unfortunately because of this stupid virus I just missed two work trips down there in the last 3 months and we just took delivery of our hardware so no freebies but will come down at some point to visit my mom.

• DrBad says:

  6/9/2020 8:51:00 AM - Hey Mark FYI just scored some mint 80's and 90's Napa Cabs from a friend. Beringer, Mondavi and Montelena. Would be fun to bring to FL sometime to share with you and HMC.

• AaronMaxwell says:

  5/26/2020 12:55:00 PM - Glad you tried the '16 Pontet Canet! It was my first made by them, so not sure how it compares to other vintages.

• AaronMaxwell says:

  5/22/2020 12:02:00 PM - Let me know next time you're planning a Napa trip!

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  5/13/2020 9:42:00 AM - I hope you're staying safe and healthy! I just had to say this: I hate you. I'm finally getting some '18 offerings from just a few places and I'm buying them, to me in a sense, blindly :P (or as much as I can hold I should say..) I usually like trying one first before buying more but from what I hear how the 2018 vintage is here in Napa, imma take your word. Cheers and again, stay safe.

• Mark1npt says:

  4/18/2020 12:24:00 PM - Working on it now...it's a beauty. Dinner in a couple of hours with notes to follow!

• jdr20 says:

  4/18/2020 11:45:00 AM - Greetings, looking forward to your notes on the '05 Haut-Bailley

• vintage1949 says:

  4/15/2020 1:11:00 PM - Greetings, Your message really helps. Time for some investigative work. Translation for investigative work=fun! However when I tell my wife I am working on the wine cellar I indicate heavy duty research (whatever that means), moving around heavy bottles or building a new rack. Grin

• vintage1949 says:

  4/15/2020 12:13:00 PM - Greetings Mark, Posing the same question to you as others. As I might have stated in the past buying the 2018’s of Bevan, B Cellars, Carter, and VHR (do I have VHR right) Do you have a small list, maybe three, of others I should check out? Of course only if they are as good as the bottles I mentioned. Thanks ahead of time. Dave

• Laz4wine says:

  3/19/2020 6:49:00 PM - Nice portfolio of Napa there - had the good fortune to visit Ch. Boswell for a very personalized tasting last year, highly recommend given your stated tastes, if u haven't been yet lmk if I can help connect u to them someday.

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  3/2/2020 8:30:00 AM - Ah got it, you are very fortunate to know these people indeed. Thanks for the info, cheers.

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  3/2/2020 7:59:00 AM - Hey Mark, thanks for the info on the '18 vintages in Napa. What other sources are you using to determine these things? (I feel like the answer is going to be an obvious, "reading, duh!") I'm still learning how to look for credible sources and how to tell if a vintage will be great or exceptional, versus just tasting and guessing if it's the work of a winemaker or mother nature herself (or both :P).

• Be.Lee says:

  1/28/2020 9:21:00 PM - Have you tried outpost cabs?

• RYANDOC says:

  1/27/2020 9:31:00 AM - I would thought so as well, but until i saw the tasting note for 2016. It only has 93+pts from Wine Advocates. ouch! :-)

• RYANDOC says:

  1/24/2020 9:02:00 AM - Good morning! Quick question regarding the 2Q Wines 'Appassionata' Cabernet. Did you have a chance to taste the 2016 vintage, or was the review for the 2015 vintage?

• cablover123 says:

  12/30/2019 6:40:00 PM - Mark, I have enjoyed your notes thru the years. As it appears that you are a Venge fan, check out the Trespass cabernet. Seeing great reviews. The 2016 should be outstanding. They are not showing on their website, but, call and ask for Donny (owner) if you have interest. Dan

• curtr says:

  12/20/2019 11:52:00 AM - My bottles of 1961 Latour was a slightly off bottle 94 points. The issue with older bottles is bottle variation. My friend Paul "Paulst" had a bottle of 1966 in 2018 and said that the 1966 could use another 10 years of age to resolve. I would say you can be patient on your remaining bottle.

• DrBad says:

  12/3/2019 2:35:00 PM - Hey Mark - I'm in Clearwater for a couple of days but no time on this trip to hang around, bummer. Will be back in the swing / early summer and should have more advanced warning so will try to schedule a few extra days to visit my Mom and meet you and HMC.

• michigan dogs says:

  11/22/2019 9:02:00 AM - Mark, I've never had a bad bottle of Carlisle, however I opened a really expensive barolo (for me $250) that was really corked. Now that hurt. I noticed that you only own zins from Carlisle, I actually prefer their Syrah's and the aged petite sirah's can be quite tasty. I also recently received 2 cabs from Carlisle and noticed that the drinking window starts! in 2029, now that is really optimistic for me given my age, oh well, I'll never drink all my wine anyway.

• melzar says:

  11/20/2019 4:22:00 AM - What a treat to have lunch at Cape Clement. Was in Bordeaux last May. Had lunch at Carbonnieux. My son tried to set up a visit to Haut Bailly, but Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux weekend got in the way. Love Graves in general. What other vintages of Pape Clement do you like? (I'm 74, and not too interested in buying wine I won't live to drink)

• ChristoBretts says:

  11/19/2019 7:29:00 PM - thanks Mark for your comment on the 2010 Château Malescot St. Exupéry. I liked it so much I picked up 3 more 2010 and 3 2016. Chris (Nobetts)

• melzar says:

  10/30/2019 5:47:00 AM - Thanks for your comment. I think Pape Clement blows away the more hyped Cos.

• DrBad says:

  10/18/2019 6:48:00 AM - Hey Mark - Honeywell is behind on contract and review has been pushed back to early December so no Fl trip for me in early November.

• Vinomazing says:

  9/26/2019 6:01:00 PM - In case your up visiting bro 10/28/19 there is a ridiculous annual tasting event.

• Vinomazing says:

  8/11/2019 12:34:00 PM - Sounds like the perfect way to end or begin the week...enjoy a night of relax!

• Vinomazing says:

  8/11/2019 12:09:00 PM - Over here we just back from annual beach vacation week, drank and cooked like it is the only time all year to do so! What's cooking with you?

• Vinomazing says:

  8/11/2019 12:01:00 PM - Good Sunday to you Mark!

• melzar says:

  8/10/2019 7:48:00 AM - DearMark1npt, I only gave it an hour. Perhaps I should give it more, but the '89 La Lagune out performed it with similar treatment. The entire table agreed.

• TastesGoodToMe says:

  8/6/2019 9:46:00 AM - Looks like we do have similar tastes. I enjoy your tasting notes.

• michigan dogs says:

  7/26/2019 6:23:00 AM - Mark, I drank a 16 Quivet napa cab, unbelievable and drinking at it's peak. You and I are both fans of letting Quivet cabs age, but this is a big exception. I still own my single vintage ones, but can't believe they will be any better than this base cab.

• ScottHaller says:

  7/1/2019 11:31:00 PM - Hi Mark - I've tried a few of my other '16 Turleys earlier this spring (Estate, Buck Cobb, Bedrock, Kirchenmann, Rattlesnake Ridge) and they were all good but still too young - if you hold any of these wait until 2020. Cheers! Scott

• XLNTMOMMY says:

  6/1/2019 10:10:00 PM - hi mark .. no way to privately message you that I can see but I signed into my old acct just to tell you that I hav a 120 bottle cooling unit .. I am across the state from you in palm beach county and dont throw away those caymus ! what vintage are they and if youd like,I hav a ton of Bordx (even 03 n 05!) and we can trade if youd like .. ! LMK .. !

• Plabella says:

  5/11/2019 8:48:00 AM - Mark I forgot to add that I have recently acquired the Wines of Mark Aubert which take a back seat none.

• Plabella says:

  5/11/2019 8:45:00 AM - Hi Mark I love your passion for CA wines and the powerful fruit they deliver. I love the understated wines of Bordeaux especially Pichon Lalande & Pichon Baron.

• Tony Poli says:

  3/19/2019 12:42:00 PM - Mark1npt: Thanks for noticing my note on the "09 and '10 Léoville Poyferre. Our weekly tasting group put quite a selection on the table for Classified Bordeaux, including an 05 Pontet-Canet, an 03 Pichon Longueville, and a really interesting 1983 Talbot. Rosalie and I were just trying to keep up. These French guys from Bordeaux seem to really know how to make wine...

• bestdamncab says:

  3/13/2019 9:06:00 PM - Hello any comments on the Zin TN posted-also-look at this: HowellMountain.org

• bestdamncab says:

  3/10/2019 7:09:00 AM - @004 Benedetto tasting note loaded this morning. Enjoy.

• Mark1npt says:

  2/12/2019 9:22:00 AM - jviz, I wasn't a BDX guy til '17 when we did a trip there with Jean-Noel Fourmeaux the owner of VGS/Chateau Potelle in Napa. The trip of a lifetime and the wine of a lifetime also. Still trying to work my wife into it, she is purely a Napa junkie. Have had some '15 and '16 Carters, they are all different yet all good in their own ways. Some like Gran Daddy need more time, Weitz and Three Kings are smokin' right now but of course will go years, too. I got some of Mike's syrahs last year for the first time and haven't sampled yet. I see his new release is open today but I'm not a very big syrah guy so may pass this year. I find as years go by I drink less and less of them, don't know why? Love all of Mike's cabs......Best to you! Mark

• jviz says:

  2/12/2019 8:57:00 AM - Agreed! You have a great selection of Bordeaux for a California enthusiast. Seems like we source from a number of the same places, and I've seen your helpful notes before as well. Have you had any of the Carter cabs or Myriad/Quivet syrahs? I think those places are where Mike's hand shows the very best. Cheers and happy drinking!

• eschaefer says:

  2/4/2019 8:22:00 AM - Thanks for the note re: 2009 Poyferre.

• bestdamncab says:

  2/1/2019 7:49:00 AM - The 2009 Benedetto is waiting for a Super Bowl Invitation. thanks for the update.

• paulst says:

  1/11/2019 7:50:00 AM - Hi Mark1npt: I am also in the Naples area. We should drink some wine together. paulst

• Cspeier says:

  11/23/2018 4:26:00 AM - Hi Mark- Thanks for your "bottom of the barrel" note....Myriad, Quivet, Venge, etc.....it was quite a good night. Looks like we have some overlapping interests! Sent a friend invite :)

• sean7711 says:

  11/18/2018 6:49:00 PM - Mark, terribly sorry on the delayed repsonse on my message board. But thanks for welcoming me! Where in the Philly area are you from? Smart decision to move to Florida for sure! Looking forward to more of your tasting notes.

• Mark1npt says:

  10/31/2018 7:42:00 PM - No bdc, I haven't. Been down with some broken ribs so not having much wine these days. Too many other painkillers to take! Will let you know when it happens.....Mark

• bestdamncab says:

  10/31/2018 7:13:00 AM - Did you open the 2009 Benedetto?

• fingers says:

  9/26/2018 4:10:00 PM - Despite our longitudinal difference, a good tasting note is a good tasting note ;)

• whitmanlholt says:

  8/20/2018 7:03:00 AM - Thanks for your comments and glad my 2011 Dominus note was helpful. I haven’t been to BDX but have been meaning to go. I am sure it is a great trip. Cheers!

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  8/19/2018 12:22:00 AM - Oh, god bless!.. you must be well off my friend! I only have a wine fridge and had to swap out some wines so I can put in the Sassicaia to store away safely for a few years.. I don't have kids but I imagine this is what it's like to pick favorites, please don't just me lol!

• Mark1npt says:

  8/17/2018 9:31:00 PM - lol wombat!....I have no pics because I haven't technically built the room yet! 3 large chillers holding 150 bottles each, a wall rack with another 200 and about 300 bottles in boxes pushed under the pool table in the center of the room......hoping to close in the room soon get rid of the chillers and pool table and make it a decent refrigerated tasting space......

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  8/17/2018 9:25:00 PM - Might be weird but do you have a photo of your wine cellar? Real curious

• bestdamncab says:

  7/21/2018 10:23:00 AM - Glad you liked the Stone Cote Vineyard Chardonnay-you might want to try the Miner single Vineyard Chardonnays and Wild Yeast Chardonnay.

• acheng says:

  6/23/2018 8:24:00 PM - Thanks for the comment regarding the 03 Pontet. I am sure the 6 bottles you got will only get better and repay much dividends.

• davidandrose says:

  5/28/2018 8:47:00 PM - Thanks for your comment on the DP. Agree that its one of the better QPRs in Napa, with Lewelling probably topping the list. Funny how the Behrens (now Erna Schein) wines used to be reasonable, now I can't justify any of their prices or figure out what to buy with so many offerings, so I don't buy anything as a result. Les' wife makes one wine, prices it well (even after a few price hikes the last 2 years) and I'm in for a case every year and have turned many others on to this as well. Go figure, there IS some measure of economics even in wine!

• MicklethePickle says:

  5/17/2018 11:31:00 AM - Thanks for the comment on the A-O. I share your outlook on life...and A-O. Happy wine trails to you.

• Mark1npt says:

  1/24/2018 7:52:00 PM - Wow! It was during a Silver Oak tour that I was mis-informed! I have seen the FA building being rebuilt and upgraded for a few years. They stated FA was moving out and Orin Swift was moving in. I guess the rumor mill is not all that accurate in Napa! I've seen St. Clement going downhill for quite a while. Not surprised they might be going under! ps...I am a Mountain Wine club member, loyal Mt. Brave and La Jota drinker. Really enjoy the Zena Crown pinot as well.

• vegasoenophile says:

  1/24/2018 6:23:00 PM - Mark1npt- Someone misinformed you. Freemark Abbey was just painstakingly restored and is very much there to stay. St, Clement across the street a bit, did close and is, I believe, becoming Orin Swift. Anyhow, do let me know if you need any insight on La Jota, etc. Cheers!

• Mark1npt says:

  1/12/2018 10:38:00 AM - Not familiar with the L'Enclos, Jake. Will have to check it out but if you can find some Chateau Bellevue (St. Emilion) at $50-60 (not Bellevue Mendotte it is too pricey) it is worth it. Made and owned by the same guys who do Angelus at $350/bottle. Literally right across the driveway from eachother. Look for a 2009 if possible. The Sociando Mallet can be had from $35 to 60 a bottle depending on year. But one of the wines Parker would by for his own cellar every year. In a few of his notes, he still can't understand why it hasn't been classified by the French Government. Great bang for the buck. Cheers!

• MyWine2009 says:

  1/12/2018 9:52:00 AM - Mark - thanks for your note. I guess I was expecting great things from the '05 Haut Bailly. I think you're right - it may be on its last legs. I felt about it like I do most OR PNs - they taste watered down without the extraction of fruit and flavor profile. I wasn't expecting a Cali cab, but wanted to enjoy the mastery of the BDX blend, getting both cab and merlot nuances. It wasn't a bad bottle, just fell grossly short of my expectations for the price point. I did just find a value BDX that was more of what I was looking for, the 2009 Château Quinault L'Enclos. Picked it up for $40. I guess my bottom line is anything above $150 has to beat my Insignias or it's not worth it! I will check out your other notes and recommendations. Haven't given up yet! Thanks and cheers~

• Mark1npt says:

  1/11/2018 1:27:00 PM - Hi Jake, Happy New Year to you and yours! Sorry to hear of your BDX struggles but I completely understand them. I have not had the L'Evangile, Branon or Valladraud. Thus far I have been sticking mostly to what we had during our BDX tour back in Sept. Unfortunately, it is all quite pricey. I used to be a $100 a bottle once a year kind of guy but now you can blow $1-200/night if you have it. Easy. I had a great '03 Leoville Poyferre the other night but at $135/bottle most people can't drink it every night. I'm disappointed your '05 Haut Bailly didn't work out. I had a second of my case a few weeks ago and it was good. The '03 I had the other night, not so much, it is definitely near it's end and not near as flavorful. The '05 to me was not a big bold Napa cab but a very refined, balanced wine with great fruit, still not a Cali fruit bomb though. As I mentioned previously the more affordable Chateau Bellevue (St. Emilion) post 2007 at $50-60 and Sociando Mallet post 2001 in same price range are great deals. Check Parker for the best years. He and Neal Martin (his appointed French successor) often disagree but I have found Parker to be more accurate. As you can imagine the big issue with the BDX is the provenance/care the wine has had since it was made, stored and transported. Perhaps you just got a poorly cared for bottle? As for the BDX and decanting, I have yet to come across BDX that I can just PnP, like I do with the majority of my Cali wines. I never fully understood why that was so until the trip back in Sept where it all made sense regarding weather, terrior, cellar practices, etc. I would say on average my BDX from '96 to '11 that I've drunk so far sit for at least an hour after opening and most of them are better at 2 hours. A recent '03 Clos Fourtet smelled of pine tar on opening, fruit emerged after a couple hours. I let some sit for 6-8 hours and it was undrinkable. It was a marginally bad bottle but I wanted to see what it did over some time. Unfortunately, time can't save a bad wine. I've been very fortunate so far to only have a couple of bottle of BDX which were bad for one reason or another. I hear from more experienced people, that it is quite common and to expect it. What I've found more prevalent is the vast taste/flavor/mouthfeel profiles that vary so much throughout BDX. It is no different than the various Napa appellations and the tastes they bring to the table but in some ways they are just a bit stranger to my palate and I'm still trying to learn what wines not to waste my money on. Mark

• MyWine2009 says:

  1/11/2018 12:40:00 PM - Hi Mark, and Happy New Year! I've been struggling with my Bordeaux collection. I've opened some really good bottles and have been really disappointed. The Haut-Bailly 2005 was a big flop. The 2000 Chateau Branon was just average. The 2004 L'Evangile was disappointing. The general tasting notes on these are "watered down, no amazing profile." So far my fav BDX is the $50 Virginie Valladraud. I'm more of a PnP kinda guy but I've been giving these a proper decant. I feel I'm missing the boat so any tips or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks Mark!

• Mark1npt says:

  12/7/2017 6:25:00 AM - Hi Jake, congrats on the '05! It is drinking very well right now. A really classy wine. I generally wait for 2 weeks before drinking, but I've made exceptions for 1 week before and I don't know that it's made much difference. It just seems to be the accepted norm in the wine world. I had about 40 bottles come in yesterday myself. 2001-2014, various chateau. I do not have anymore room in my chillers, so I just left them in the styrofoam insert shipping boxes and laid them on their sides under my pool table. I plan on pulling one a week out at least for the next few months. I'll be looking for your reviews of your new BDX bottles! Interested to hear which ones hit your taste profile and what you think of the different vintages. Cheers!

• MyWine2009 says:

  12/7/2017 6:17:00 AM - Hi Mark - thanks for your note on the 2005 Haut Bailly. I just took delivery of two bottles yesterday and can't wait to try one. What is your recommendation for laying down period after bottles are shipped? Two weeks? I know the 2005s are drinking now, would you say I would be safe to open one later this month? I've gone from 0 bottles of BDX to 20 bottles (including 10 of the high-end) in the last month. I'm really excited about these gems! Cheers~

• Mark1npt says:

  12/6/2017 8:19:00 PM - thalver, thanks for your input. I have loved the way the '10 has evolved. Love the depth, the soft, round, smooth feeling of it. I agree with you that it will go a while longer. My only question is how long? 2 years? 3 years? 5 years? I don't want to hold my last one too long, only to find out it's not as good! How depressing that would be!

• thalver says:

  12/6/2017 8:15:00 PM - re your comment about 2010 Tensley Colson Canyon going longer: I'm confident this can go a good bit longer. Of course, it depends on what amount of tertiary flavor development you like in your wine. In the past year, I've drunk a 2005 and a 2007. In neither case was it my sense that those bottles were anywhere near the end of the line. I have a recollection of one of the critics doing a vertical tasting of this wine {wine Advocate maybe?} If memory serves, they stood up well and even showed development after more than a decade.

• Mark1npt says:

  12/6/2017 6:44:00 PM - Hey Tim, finished that bottle of Chilean cab tonight. Review is posted!

• wineotim says:

  12/6/2017 3:15:00 PM - I will watch for your review....please post.

• Mark1npt says:

  12/6/2017 9:07:00 AM - Tim, I have seen them, but never had any. Will try. I recently bought a 4 pack of Chilean cab via wineaccess that was pushed heavily because of the 3 or 4 legendary French winemakers who banded together down there to make it. I think one of them was the recently departed ch. Margaux winemaker of many years. It's ok, not Cali fruit, not French fruit, just different. Not sure I like it. I coravined half a bottle and going to try the other half this weekend giving it more air. If it fails again, my staff gets it in their stockings for Christmas!

• wineotim says:

  12/6/2017 8:46:00 AM - Check out Don Melchor Cabs if you haven't already. I am not one to lean towared S. America wines but this one has opened my eyes to their capabilities.

• Mark1npt says:

  12/1/2017 10:22:00 AM - I have no idea why some of these places can't ship to VA....we have no such issues in FL. Sokolin I've found to be very expensive compared to other online sources. You need to check out the TCWC auctions they regularly have. I have picked up some Pape Clement from them recently. Their auctions have no premiums attached and I can usually get stuff I like for about 70-80 cents on the dollar. Have a great weekend!

• MyWine2009 says:

  12/1/2017 10:16:00 AM - Thanks for the note on Pape Clement. I checked JJ Buckley, had never heard of them. However, they claim that they simply cannot ship to VA, so they're out. My preferred source is Sokolin out of NY, and I have ordered a mixed case of higher end BDX and a few BdM (Brunellos). I'll keep an eye out for Pape Clement 2011. Thanks and cheers to a nice weekend!

• Mark1npt says:

  11/30/2017 10:47:00 AM - Thanks for those names Jake, I may try a few of them going forward.....appreciate the talk!

• MyWine2009 says:

  11/30/2017 10:39:00 AM - I'll keep you posted on my tasting notes if I find some nice values. I hope I'm not throwing my money away but I've had some inexpensive BDX in the past that were enjoyable: Item Sku Qty Subtotal Chateau Quinault L'Enclos 2009 / 750 ml. 83130 1 $39.99 Chateau Tour des Termes Saint-Estephe 2009 / 750 ml. 67704 1 $39.99 Chateau Seguin | Pessac-Leognan Rouge 2009 / 750 ml. 67543 1 $29.99 Chateau Grand Ormeau 2009 / 750 ml. 77273 1 $39.99 Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande Saint-Estephe 2009 / 750 ml. 69176 1 $43.99 Marquis de Calon St.-Estephe 2009 / 750 ml. 81344 1 $37.99

• Mark1npt says:

  11/30/2017 10:33:00 AM - Jake, I use Chicago Wine Co all the time. Good source. Haven't had any bad wine yet. As far as more affordable BDX blends, my limited experience is with Sociando-Mallet $40 and up depending on vintage, Chateau Bellevue/not the other variations of Bellevue, $50 and now made by the same winemaker/owner of Angelus ($400/bottle). The others you mentioned I have not tried. I have tried a few others in the $60 range and $30 range but they are all pretty unremarkable especially when you compare them against so many of the greats that run $85 and up. Cheers! PS....I depend heavily on Parker and his ratings, not necessarily for the numbers but for the taste profiles, which are like mine. He loves Sociando-Mallet. Has for 35 years. Neal Martin his handpicked successor for BDX has just bolted to join Galloni at Vinous but I never found him to be as accurate in grading or taste profile as Parker anyway. Don't know who Parker is going to use there next since he's vowed not to do France anymore!

• MyWine2009 says:

  11/30/2017 10:09:00 AM - Thanks for the additional sources. Unfortunately, K&L doesn't ship to VA. I also found The Chicago Wine Company (www.tcwc.com) and they have a nice selection of BDX. Do you think it's worthwhile to try the right vintages like 2005 & 2009 from less expensive players like Chateau Grand Mayne, St. Emillion 2009 @ $45 for example. Since I'm new to Bordeaux and appreciate solid blends, this could be an amazing value? Or time waster? 93 pts WA. Link for you: http://www.tcwc.com/search-results/index.html?instock=Pre-arrival&vintage=2009&country=75®ion=6&color=1&size=15 PS: I like WineDeals a lot. Just placed an order for 6 bottles of 2009 BDX with prices ranging from $30 - $43. Hopefully I can find some nice little daily drinkers!!! Thanks!

• Mark1npt says:

  11/30/2017 9:28:00 AM - Jake, I have not seen that documentary, but provenance certainly can be an issue. I have almost always had good luck with online and auction purchases, maybe less than a 2% failure rate. Reputable vendors will usually work something out with you if possible. I recently took my biggest plunge by purchasing at auction a 2 bottle lot of '66 Latour. I fully expect that one of them may be bad, I hope not. I'm willing to accept that. If both are bad, the vendor and I will need to have a sit down. On a related note, during our trip and a 5 wine '96 tasting, the negocient opened the final wine, a '96 Latour, only to find it had gone bad ($1000/bottle) and he had to go and get another to open for our group. So even with the best of provenance and conditions in the nogocient's refrigerated warehouse and right from the Chateau cellars, they can still go bad. It's a risk we take with all wines but seems to be more likely with the French.

• MyWine2009 says:

  11/30/2017 8:13:00 AM - Mark - thanks, these are very helpful notes. I, too, have never enjoyed a wine more on the 2nd or 3rd day. Proper decant, taking time drinking the glass and enjoying it all the way, seeing it improve over time the first night. On a different note, have you ever seen the documentary "sour grapes?" That's always in the back of my head when I'm buying these wines online and I don't know where they've spent their lives and if they were mistreated along the way! I'll keep you posted on my 2005 HB - will probably enjoy later this month. Cheers~ PS: checked my source for 2010 HB and it's $195, a bit beyond what I'm willing to spend now. Trying to cap out at $125-$130.

• Mark1npt says:

  11/30/2017 8:04:00 AM - ps Jake.....if you come across any of the '10 HB, I heartily recommend it as well. Excellent drinking now, more power than the '05 (yet no sharp edges or overbearing astringency) and will only get better over the next 5-25 years as it 'settles in'. In fact after having it for dinner at the Chateau friends bought a bottle at a local wine shop there and brought it out to dinner with us at a restaurant again before leaving Bordeaux. It can be expensive, $160 in France and here but I was lucky enough to get some at auction recently for less than $130/bottle. That's a pretty good deal. The '05 ($115) IMO, has just hit its full stride where everything has come together and is in a very good drinking spot right now. Absolutely seamless. I tend to like some mid age to older French wines, but it's always a roll of the dice when you open a 20-30 yo bottle. Many of them do seem to go bad. I historically don't like the flavor profile of really, really old French only because they lose so much power and flavor, yet at the same time you can really appreciate the art and the balance of so many factors, making the wine still great, even if the taste profile is somewhat diluted. These HB wines can probably go a very long time (a few decades) before going downhill. The '16 in barrel right now may very well be a 100 pointer and last a 100 years too, according to the winemaker. I didn't include any tasting notes from that because I forgot some details but it is a super wine. I'm already 60 and am not buying any '16 futures. If I get into my 80's and it's as good as I and others project, I'll just buy a bottle or two then to enjoy! In the meantime, I'm focusing on those 1990-2010 wines to accumulate and enjoy until I reach 80!

• Mark1npt says:

  11/30/2017 7:31:00 AM - Hey Jake, you are most welcome. I picked up a case of that at auction recently. It is superb! Of all the Chateaux we visited far and away Haut Bailly was our fav along with Angelus, but you can buy many bottles of Haut Bailly for one Angelus! Enjoy, and let me know what you think. It only needs a short bit of air before you cook your ribeye and will drink well through an entire evening. I generally do not save any wine for a second day. I do not like the profile of wine that gets too much air (open for a 2nd or 3rd day). Just a personal preference.

• MyWine2009 says:

  11/30/2017 6:27:00 AM - Hi Mark - I wanted to thank you for your tasting note on the 2005 Château Haut-Bailly. I purchased two bottles based on that. I'm just dipping my toe into Bordeaux and trying to figure out where to buy and which vintages and producers. Thanks, Jake

• MyWine2009 says:

  11/26/2017 7:42:00 AM - Hi Mark - thanks for the add. I'm just starting to dip my toe into Bordeaux and see that you have a nice collection. We have very similar stories - we are big Cali wine fans but mostly on the lighter PN and Chard side. Just starting to really enjoy the bolder wines. We found Phelps and Hobbs on our Napa trip just this year! Looking forward to sharing tips on great wines with you in the future. Cheers~ Jake

• WojoWineCave says:

  10/14/2017 9:54:00 AM - Thanks Mark Sounds like a no brainer trip. I’ll reach out to them to learn more. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

• WojoWineCave says:

  10/13/2017 7:16:00 PM - Mark, thanks for the insights. I’ll need to get reserved for one of those trips with my wife. It looks and sounds awesome. Thanks again. Let’s stay connected. Carpe diem. Cheers

• WojoWineCave says:

  10/12/2017 7:20:00 PM - Thanks for connecting. How was Bordeaux trip? Oddly, we been to France a bunch and lived in UK for 5 years but have not done the wine regions there.

• flwinos says:

  8/8/2017 4:59:00 PM - Hey Mark. Good to hear from you. Yes, it does look like we like some of the same juice for sure. We definitely are big Napa junkies as well. Definitely send over any new wine finds, and we will do the same. Parents had a house in Marco Island for several years before they moved North to Tampa. Great area down there. Cheers!

• Winowhyno says:

  8/4/2017 5:28:00 AM - 8/4/2017 5:26:00 AM - Mark1npt...thanks for the info. I am a Bonita Springs Snowbird. Will be adding some of your recommendations to our list. We are starting with Rocca Family, Chimney Rock, Cliff Lede, Quivet, Myriad and Seavey. Brown Estate and Lajota sound interesting. Heading over to the Glen Ellen Star in Sonoma. Can't wait.......

• Mark1npt says:

  7/16/2017 8:15:00 PM - Hey Howelltime....I get out there frequently from S FL but not usually at Father's day.....yet. I am a Cimarossa, LaJota and O'Shaugnessy wine club member, if that gives you any clue. Used to be Ladera too. Great mountain fruit, makes great wines. Mt. Veeder is a close second. Dunn is good too! I mean, really...with that kind of fruit you and I could probably make great stuff!

• HowellTime says:

  7/16/2017 8:00:00 PM - Hello Mark, I could not agree more about Howell mountain wines. If you ever make it out to Napa during Father's Day weekend they always have the Taste of Howell mountain( Above the Fog) event. This is one of the best tasting experiences you can have of the region with all the wine makers like Randy Dunn and 45 other vintners.

• Badmonkey says:

  5/28/2017 2:39:00 PM - Nice review of the 2013 Conn Valley Reserve. I look forward to future reviews.

• floridawinedrkr says:

  10/29/2015 4:58:00 PM - We live in the Naples area also. Have you checked out Fairways Wine vault yet in Naples? The best wine selection of fine wines anywhere.