This was pop and pour and it really needs a long decant but even so, it showed very well.  From the heralded 2000 vintage, it seems to me that the better left bank wines are still in need of more cellaring.  A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color with ruby swirls but slight browning at the edge.  The nose is great with cassis, slight cigar box, cedar, some dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Lovely texture.  This is a big wine on the palate.  Juicy cassis, black cherries with chocolate and cedar.  Medium tannins.  Long f

Great showing for this wine.  The vintage was good if not great, but at age 20, this is vibrant and youthful.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, opaque and bright.  The first sniff has that classic soy sauce note often found in Cos.  Also black cherries, cigar box, and slight roasted meats.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great lush texture.  Medium tannins.  Lots of cassis with some smoke and a bit of earthiness.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This was pop and pour and really could have used an hour or so in a decanter.  It needs a few more years until maturity but no harm in

This kept improving after the cork was pulled but it took at least an hour to blow off its bottle stink.  At the two hour mark it finally hit its apogee.  If opening soon, give it some air.  From a vintage that does have its issues, this showed very well.  Ruby in color with some browning, clear.  The nose initially had some wet cardboard, but thankfully that blew off, so doubtful it was an off bottle.  In fact, at the two hour mark it showed cherries, dust, cedar and slight dry forest floor.  Medium bodied.  At the two hour mark, the palate had nice cherries, some slight macerated cherries

There are lots of reviews for Maybach Cabs on this site, but not as many for other varietals so it was nice to get a chance to enjoy this Chardonnay.  At age 5, this is still young, but showing a bit of maturity and very enjoyable.  Golden in color with slight green hues, clear and bright.  On the nose, this is a big wine.  Lots of red apples, some grapefruit, with lots of vanilla and oak and some floral notes.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great, viscous texture.  Flavors of lemons, lemon candy and baking spice.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  If you like oak, this is your wine, b

First time trying  the producer.  A very nice reasonably priced Champagne.  It is a blend of 50% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Chardonnay.  Apparently the last few generations of the family were all Hot Air Balloon enthusiasts so the label features a hot air balloon.  Light golden in color, clear and bright with a fair amount of smallish bubbles.  The nose is nice; toasty with some green apples and a bit of ginger.  On the palate, the toastiness comes thru along a nice minerality and some lemons.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This makes for a very pleasant start to an evening.  It

This is a very nice Syrah from northeast Spain (the D.O. of Somontano).  It is a unique take that is well worth exploring especially for the price.  Deep garnet in color with a ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, some black raspberries, with slight dried floral notes and a hint of char/graphite.  Medium bodied.  15%abv.  On the palate, the black cherries dominate with underlying minerality.  Very tasty.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  If pressed, this has some similarities to a St.

Beautiful showing for this wine albeit young.  A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, sandalwood, and slight anise.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cherries, black cherries and spice with underlying char and slight tea.  With air, a bit of tobacco.  Layers of flavors, deep and complex.  This should continue to improve for the next five to eight years.  It will drink well over the next ten to fifteen.  

This is a blend from the better barrels of the single vineyard wines made by Jaffurs.  It is their top Syrah.  This vintage seems to be a bit "flatter" than others but is still quite good.  Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this took a couple of hours to open and then showed very nicely.  Black raspberries with some underlying char.  Light tannins.  Nice balance.  Nice finish.  This is close to peak but should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years.  

This has shed its baby fat and is drinking very well.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, white pepper, slightly grilled meats and leather. Great texture. Big but with finesse. No sign of heat. Lots black and red fruits on the palate. Depth. Manageable tannins. Long finish. This is delicious.  Drinking youthfully but no harm in opening now.  This is great on its own but will work well with roasted meats or veggies.  Indian food will work well too.  Drink over the next fifteen to twenty years.  

The first bottle we opened of this was corked, but the second was sound.  It is a blend of 70% Monastrell (Mourvedre), and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  15.5% abv.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has blueberries, cassis, some black cherries, toast and baking spices.  Full bodied.  Thick and tannic at the moment.  Loads of fresh black cherries and black raspberries on the palate, with underlying spice and char.  Long finish.  This is delicious now, but needs plenty of time to develop.  Cellar for five to ten years and drink for twenty after that.  Right now it will be a diffic