Almost hedonistic though its tannins are relatively understated. Massively structured, richly layered with glowing black fruits that exude that unique dash of sweetness and overtones of eucalyptus that is almost a signature of Napa cabernet. Very dark and surprisingly restrained on the nose though there is obviously plenty lurking beneath. Destined for greatness.Дў007 Shafer Hillside Select, courtesy of Kieron.

Highly sleek and supple, seamlessly structured with exciting tannins, displaying immaculate proportions with great sophistication but still rather tightly coiled. Very Bordeaux-like on the nose where black fruits and dark currants dominate with splashes of red. Deep garnet core with some early evolution. Surprisingly supple and pliant even though its rich creamy smooth tannins still carry traces of vanillin with exciting intensity and verve.Дў009 Araujo Eisele Vineyard, courtesy of Russ. Lush luxuriant nose of ripe red fruits, sweet dark currants and bramble, complemented by a perfumed summer bloom amid overtones of saddle. Highly elegant, still very fresh and cleanly-defined with rich succulent detail that imparted very fine open fleeting intensity and linearity, tapering to a controlled finish with understated excitement within pliant tannins.Дў003 BOND Melbury, courtesy of Mel. Deep garnet red with some crimson at the rim, lifted in red plums and crushed red fruits with a trace of sur-maturite that hinted at velvety depth. Expectedly weighty but well-integrated with controlled proportions, still imbued with blazing intensity across the palate though without much inner detail. Lifted in ripe cabernet fruit with a hint of licorice and savoury character that leapt out of the glass. Unlikely to be mistaken for burgundy, but truly excellent.ДЎ996 Joseph Phelps Insignia, courtesy of Stephen. Raspberries and dark cherries dominate with a rounded fleshiness, revealing soft inner detail beneath a ripe expanse of cool red fruits that exert fine tension, showing good balance and sophistication with a controlled elegance. Drinking well.Дў012 Marcassin Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, courtesy of KC. Possesses good levels of ripeness amid a herbaceous trace not unlike a true MГ©doc, softly rounded but hefty enough, evolving further overtones of ferrous elements and medicinal powder within pliant tannins that oozed with understated sweetness. Dark with an earthy funkiness on the nose, matching well the excellent cabernet character on the palate. A blend of 45% cabernet franc with 55% cabernet sauvignon. Bold dry chalky intensity marked by intense yellow citrus, mandarins and ripe grapefruit with overtones of white fumes, structured within a chiseled chalkiness.ДЎ995 Viader, courtesy of Marc. Many thanks, everyone, for your generous contributions.Д¬hampagne Billecart-Salmon RosГ© Brut NV. While such wines are more likely than not to display outsized proportions, they were all showing very well that evening such that I was able to function normally the next day without any fuzziness. Members of the JГјrade de Saint-Г‰milion du Singapour met again at OSO Ristorante on 18 March 2021 to enjoy the camaraderie with an all-American line-up.

Opus one 1997