Opened for Open That Bottle Night 2012. Premiere Napa Valley is a special event, an annual fund raiser and auction. Wineries produce special bottles in tiny lots, 5-10 cases, for auction, available that one time and never again. This particular bottle was Lot No. 49, bottle 22 of 60, a Proprietary Red from Monticello Vineyards, hand-signed by Chris Corley. Now I need to track down the other 59 bottles. The nose was rich, deep with plums, cassis, and black cherry, with a touch of spice, perhaps nutmeg and cinnamon. The palate opened black cherry and blackcurrant and a tingly touch of black pepper. Nutmeg and cinnamon peeked through on the mid-palate. Tannins were soft as silk, full, and perfectly balanced with acid. The finish not only lingered, but seemed to echo, pulse, growing with the memory of the taste, fade, then pulse again with the thought of the wine. Drink with very good friends. This would match perfectly with a mutton chop from Keens Steak House. Needless to say, this was Very Highly Recommended. DH. Read More
A bit closed on the nose though showing some cigar. Not quite ready on the palate, with some tannin to lose, though these are good and have a nice texture. This vintage of Léoville-Poyferré finishes a bit short for an $80 bottle of wine. Drink 2012–18. Blending proportions are unknown. More wine writing by Stuart can be found on his blog, Worcester Sauce. Read More
Dark and inky. A concentrated nose with a bit of leather and plum. Smooth, but with a nice tannic structure lending a pleasant “abrasive” mouthfeel. Dark fruits, anise, minerals. An umami note on the end that leads to a very long, satisfying finish. Read More
Light at first, opening to a rich fruitiness, with the fruit peel botrytis underneath plums and honey, in a nice finish, too. Read More