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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 buy 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!
1/12/2018 9:36:00 AM - 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
1/12/2018 9:35:00 AM - Jake, I was going over your note again, and very sorry to hear the '05 Haut Bailly was a big flop. Can you tell me why? What did it have wrong on your end?....Mark
12/18/2017 9:01:00 PM - Hi Jake, Mark here....take a look at my notes on the '09 Bellevue from tonight. There is a local guy down here in Ft. Myers FL who has it at $59.99/bottle. I just bought 12 of his 14 bottles so there are 2 left if you have any interest. It's Jason at buyrealwine.com This is an excellent wine for the price and probably right up your Cali fruit alley. If you get some let me know what you think! Cheers! Mark
12/6/2017 7:38:00 PM - Hey Jake....Chicago Wine (tcwc.com) has an auction this weekend with 4 bottles of 2005 Haut Bailly starting at $460 and nobody has bid yet. Great buy at $115/bottle. You can read my review on it on CT....Mark
11/30/2017 7:20:00 PM - Jake..had an '11 Pape Clement tonight. Had it at the Chateau with lunch back in Sept. I think this bottle was better as it opened up over 2-3 hours after dinner. Well worth the $89 from JJBuckley. Check out my note on it. Cheers!
11/30/2017 9:37:00 AM - Jake...klwines.com has 375 of the '10 for $74, winedeals.com the 750 for $147. The only reason I got the '10s at auction is because I could get them at just under $130.
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.
11/30/2017 8:06:00 AM - 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!
11/30/2017 8:05:00 AM - 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.
11/26/2017 4:12:00 PM - Hey Jake.....a pleasure to meet you! I am really enjoying the French side, my girl not so much. She's just a die hard make it -drink it now Cali girl. By girl I mean 60 yo! She'a lot of fun, but set in her ways......she also says she doesn't like pinot, until I pull out a Landmark or Sojourn, then all of a sudden she likes pinot! Here to answer any questions you may have, be they Cali or Bordeaux. We are really big into the Cali cabs, but unfortunately, that means bigger prices these days too. Cheers!
11/26/2017 7:09:00 AM - Hey Mywine....Mark here...good to be friends! We recently returned from our first Bordeaux experience and needless to say, I've been stocking the cellar ever since! Love your pick. Brings back great memories. Enjoy!
10/4/2017 8:35:00 PM - Thanks for the note- no worries at all was just giving some feedback hopefully not sounding too stuffy about it. Cheers!
1/12/2017 4:09:00 AM - Greetings, Regarding, "/9/2017 7:52:00 AM - Dave - got the 2 Hobbs Dr. Crane from Sokolin today. Thanks for arranging it!" Hope it was ok I did that. Of you will love that wine. Dave
1/9/2017 7:29:00 AM - That sounds great. I'll need payment and address info. I'm available to speak, 631-504-5316
1/9/2017 6:55:00 AM - I understand that you may be interested in 2010 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Crane Vyd. I wanted to let you know that we have 2 bottles left in stock and would love to help. (I'm with Sokolin wine in New York.) Let me know how we can help.
1/8/2017 10:51:00 AM - Forgot the note that included your address. Mine is: davebythelake@gmail.com
1/8/2017 5:21:00 AM - How are your wine cellar coolers working? If we ever move into a condo-not for me grin-wine units are a must. Since the sale of our house here in Wisconsin would be $225g but $650-$700 in big cities-we won't get a big profit. However I will have to convince my wife for a 600 bottle unit about $6,000c looking at La Cave- are they a bad company. We would want it to be a nice piece of furniture as well. Would set temp at 60. As Robert Parker once said-you don't want to wait forever with Bordeaux's. If we ever get to Virginia doing a dinner would be great. However-and this is a big however-you will not hurt our feelings not wanting to meet with people in their 60's. We do travel in that area every three years or so. Any advice-if we move into a condo about wine coolers/refrigerators would be most helpful. Dave
1/7/2017 5:25:00 PM - Too bad you are so far away. Otherwise I would send you an invite to a tasting. Dave
1/7/2017 3:18:00 PM - 1/7/2017 3:16:00 PM - Contacted Solokin for you and told them to treat you special. I may even order a bottle. Just e-mailed Total Wine. Ya don't upset one of my online friends��.
1/7/2017 3:02:00 PM - I just contacted Solokin vie e-mail. Told them you go by MyWine2009 and to treat you right. Dave
1/7/2017 2:54:00 PM - If it were me I would buy two bottles. Prices are cheaper than when I bought direct from the winery. In 2020 it is going to be a killer.
1/7/2017 2:51:00 PM - Extra Info: Go to the wine you want-then hit the tab where to buy. That is bull they wanted to charge you shipping. I would have immediately asked for the manager. Still no resolve tell them you are going to explain the situation as it happened on CellarTracker. I buy all my wines online. No stores around here carry what I want. Sorry you had such a hassle. Did you special order the wines and they had to travel from one store to another. I need that info as I will be calling upper management at Total Wine.
1/7/2017 2:44:00 PM - Sokolin $159 Trust them completely. Also trust K&L, Hart Davis and many more. Click on where to buy when buying any wine and I can look at the list. Many more I trust, wait until it comes up on a search. You will pay shipping and maybe taxes.
1/7/2017 11:54:00 AM - Tcosgriff-I totally agree. See if I can do that. Dave
1/7/2017 11:48:00 AM - My tasting next fall MyWine2009: 2014 Carter OG $155 GG, 2006 Velvet Glove $250 HD, 2010 Duhart-Milton $86 HD, 2012 Stags Leap Fay $102 Rye Brook, 2013 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserves, 2010 Château Clinet 2010. Dave-Just finished up the selections.
1/7/2017 10:21:00 AM - Thanks for your note. We would have a much better idea of which wines really were the best, apart from personal preferences, if more of them were tasted blindly. Label bias is very potent. This is different from dumb-down bias, where true flavor and necessary extraction are shunned.
1/7/2017 9:19:00 AM - Good for you-you are all set:) Dave
1/7/2017 6:01:00 AM - 7/2017 6:00:00 AM - Beringer Private Reserve 2009 on the internet for $119. I'd start collaring wines. I simply take cement blocks-usuallly three-boards, three more blocks, boards and so on. Dirt cheap. I did have a friend who in two hours built a simple wine rack as well for $90. I think we are all set. Time to start a wine budget and cellar wines. (Note: Wherever you stored the wine for four years good enough for a cellar. If temperature is stable anything between 55-65 is perfect for longer term. Temperature over the long haul kills wine. If you know how to make seared duck breast it would go perfect with the Château Clinet. Thanks for letting me help you. You are on your way��.
1/7/2017 5:47:00 AM - Since you already had the Far Niente Oakville how about a Beringer Privare Reserve. I am holding a tasting next fall but picking a common date for 8 guys who either own businesses, work in the medical field, or travel a lot will take time. Just between you and me at parties I am the one that brings the end stuff. However I really can't complain because the dinners they serve are out of this world.
1/7/2017 3:18:00 AM - Where do I find your e-mail address again? Want to send you a little something when the weather is conducive for red wine.
1/7/2017 3:07:00 AM - Been busy: I just read a fellow CellarTracker decanted the wine for four hours before trying. Here are my notes from 2015:11/28/2015 - I WROTE: (Edit) 97 Points Please note this score is for future potential. Wow-huge dark chocolate, dark fruit, saddle leather on the nose. Each single aspect on the nose seemed to need time to integrate. On the palate a youngster that confidently is striding towards adulthood. Mouth coating flavors that are still tannic holding back the fruit that will emerge. Hopefully in three to five years the remaining five bottles I have will blossom into what I think this wine has to offer. A great wine for cellaring near term.
1/7/2017 3:03:00 AM - RP: The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is rich, sumptuous and totally striking. It brings together all of the classic Dr. Crane qualities – expressive aromatics, silky tannins and voluptuous fruit, all with the crystalline purity of 2010. Juicy dark cherries, roses, sweet spices and crushed rocks are layered into the expressive finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
1/7/2017 3:01:00 AM - With finding a wine ready to drink decanting plays an important part. The Paul Hobbs and Far Niente I would decant at noon. Give it two hours and taste. It may take 2 hours or 8-10 hours to open up. I had a bottle I had to wait until the next day to drink. But wow did it change. Let's say you go with the Far Niente Oakville or another wine. I would have the Hobbs second after experiencing decanting and decanting times. Last the Clinet. Remember the Paul Hobbs is the 2010 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard.
1/7/2017 2:46:00 AM - 2012 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine to check out. It may not be cult status but Robert Parker gives it 94 points and you can get it for $119. It seems ready to drink now. Please look it up on CellarTracker. RP:A great effort from Far Niente in this truly magnificent vintage, with its similarities to 2002, the Far Niente 2012 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense purple color, plenty of structure and aging potential, and an impressive inner core of sweet crème de cassis fruit, licorice and background vanilla.
1/7/2017 12:14:00 AM - Give me a little time to think about this. One for sure is the Clinet 2010. Remember all the wines will need decanting. Thanks for allowing me to help out. Note: I am going to look at current comments about the Hobbs-Maybe it has come around since I had it. Dave
1/5/2017 2:56:00 PM - I think the Paul Hobbs needs a few years or a long decant. I have been giving you advice on bottles-I am very sorry besides the Château Clinet which other ones are you referring to. Dave
1/5/2017 6:47:00 AM - Something to consider for aging-2013 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. Read the reviews. Dave
1/4/2017 2:39:00 AM - Just a reminder Chateau Clinet will not be as powerful as a Cabernet. It is mostly the Merlot grape. However in its finesse are wonderful flavors. Once again I believe the Paul Hobbs as per an earlier discussion will be a WOW wine in three years. Dave
1/3/2017 12:37:00 PM - Now I have to figure out how to close it. Grin
1/3/2017 6:16:00 AM - You should be able to get in. Did I mention 2009 Château Duhart-Milon? People are drinking it now and really enjoying it. A quick note and I hope I don't hurt your feelings. When smelling a wine for the first time have just a little less wine in your glasses than in your wonderful picture. Also-make sure the glass is tilted so the top of the glass hits your forehead. You want to really get all the smells. Of course this is just for testing and tasting the wine. Please let me know if you can view my cellar. The Bogle wines are for my father-in-law. He really likes a touch of sweetness in his wine. Dave
1/3/2017 3:43:00 AM - Greetings-I just contacted support as I followed the directions to allow you constant access to my cellar but had a problem. We need to discuss wines that are ready now. Example: I think thr. Paul Hobbs will be ready in 2020 or ten years old. Sorry I am not completely answering your question. I did not know you wanted to crack open the bottles this year. (However I think the bottles I mentioned you should add to your cellar. Get back to you soon.
1/2/2017 6:51:00 AM - Dave - thank you so much. You are not over-doing it since I'm excited to explore the upper level! I haven't used CT too much to buy wine. The times I've ordered wine without tasting first I've been underwhelmed. Just popped my Chatenuef du pape 2007 yesterday, decanted for 4 hours and it was... just OK. Do you have other trusted sources besides Sokolin? That Paul Hobbs 2010 seems like a bargain @ $159 but I like your idea of trying the big Cabs in the order you specify! Thanks again for your time. I'm looking forward to the next tier! JDV
1/1/2017 3:45:00 PM - 1/1/2017 3:44:00 PM - You know how to click on CellarTracker to find wine? Wine delivery is no big deal from those listed. Once you have made your selection-If you do not mind-over the years I have a bit of a plan regarding the order you should try them. Chateau Clinet would be the last as your palate would be able to pick up the fine nuances of different flavors. If you can find these locally-in a controlled environment-great. I have some ideas foe wine under $50 also as stores drop their supplies prices become less expensive. Will notify you if I spot a good one. Hope you do not mind-looked over your cellar to get an idea what you like. If you want to see what is in my cellar-not that all exciting-let me know and I can let nobody see it for a day. Best of luck in your wine adventures. Oh one last thing-we have noticed that Turley sins-I do not know about Syrahs-after being open an hour lose that pepper and develope smoke, forest floor and all kind of exciting flavors. Almost feels like you are not drinking a Zin. Dave Hope I am not overdoing it with sending you notes about wine.
1/1/2017 1:14:00 PM - Thanks Dave. I've added Chateau Clinet to my search list. #GoPackGo
1/1/2017 10:27:00 AM - Be sure to get the Chateau Clinet.
1/1/2017 8:36:00 AM - Go to my board-posted notes for you there buy mistake. Dave
1/1/2017 2:56:00 AM - Greetings-Let me think abut that for a couple days if that is OK with you. Question-when do you want to be able to drink them-5 -10 years from now. Also do you prefer Cabernet over Syrahs. Just opened a Cayuse 2011-still sour. Hmmm-bad bottle.
12/30/2016 11:25:00 AM - Greetings-Been doing this for 40 years and just scratched the surface. Best to both of you.
12/30/2016 10:59:00 AM - Love the picture of the two of you. Love-wine-what more do you want? Best to both of you.
10/28/2016 1:06:00 AM - Good to be friends, MyWine2009. Anyone whose dream wine is Sea Smoke Ten is a friend of ours ;-)
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2015 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Les Hauts de Smith Blanc
7/21/2018 - MyWine2009 Likes this wine: 90 Points
What a wonderful wine. Nice flavor profile with a touch of pineapple coming in on the finish. Paired with baguette and Snofrisk dill cream cheese just cuz I'm a classy guy!
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1996 Château Montrose
10/5/2017 - MyWine2009 Likes this wine: 94 Points
My new benchmark Bordeaux. Nice Cab notes but so well blended I can barely pick out the other varietals. Slight finish of faint black pepper. Color is so light looks like Grenache, did not need more than 30m decant! I’m new to Bordeaux but now I’m beginning to see what all the fuss is about! Nice to drink a bottle of 20+ years.
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2010 Capanna Brunello di Montalcino
10/3/2017 - MyWine2009 wrote: 88 Points
Now I understand BdM better. DRY! Very tannic. Unripe fruit. Better with food. Would be interesting to taste high-end producer, then perhaps give it another go. If you love dry reds, this is a nice choice. The wine seems well-crafted. I would probably choose this over a Cali Cab for a pasta pairing or something that required a tannic, structured dry red. I must admit I'm very limited on Italian varietals.
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