The Wine Lover's Photo Gallery!

As I prepare to leave Floyd, I thought I'd share with you The Wine Lover's photo gallery. This is a sampling of some of the bottles we were fortunate enough to enjoy over the last few weeks. Most were procured by The Wine Lover upon release and lovingly cellared for a decade or more. I don't think I'd have had the privilege to try many of these without his generosity, so let's all raise a collective toast to The Wine Lover!


2004 Opus One

The first California-France joint venture, Opus One was created by Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillipe Rothschild. Made from grapes grown in the Napa Valley, this wine showcases a Bordeaux style. This was a lovely wine, dark ruby in color, sturdy, one of my favorite Napa Valley wines.







1983 Chateau Haut Brion

One of the first growth Bordeaux houses (there are only 5), this wine had been in The Wine Lover's cellar for over two decades. A little past it's prime, but still lovely to drink, especially for Bordeaux fans!








1989 Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame

Veuve Cliquot is one of my favorite champagne houses and La Grande Dame is their top bottling. This was a double magnum that we unearthed for The Wine Lover's surprise 60th birthday party! A huge, beautiful bottle full of delicious bubbly!







1990 Chateau Leoville Barton

I snuck this wine into the gallery even though it did not come from The Wine Lover's cellar! Rather, it was a gracious addition to a dinner party we threw with some old friends. Thank you Susan I. for sharing this with us! I love Leoville Barton and the 1990 is one of their best vintages. Perfectly ready to drink right now, it was still powerful and delicious despite its age.






2005 Dominus

As I've often blogged, Dominus is one of my favorite wines in the world! Showcasing a very Bordeaux style, this wine was young but spectacular, with tremendous fruit and body. Rated 95 plus points by Robert Parker, I only hope this wasn't the last bottle!








1983 Chateau Margaux

Another one of the first growth houses, this is one of Chateau Margaux's greatest vintages. Parker describes it as, "Breathtaking," and rated it 96 points. This wine had been cellared by The Wine Lover for more than two decades, and we drank this spectacular wine to celebrate Father's Day!







2004 Silver Oak

Located in the Alexander Valley, Silver Oak is one of the great California cabernet producers. This bottle was a magnum opened for a dinner party - and it was truly delicious!









1994 & 1999 Chateau Mouton Rothchild

My favorite of the first growths & showcasing the most beautiful labels, we drank both of these wines together at my farewell dinner!