5/17/2024 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Still with stern tannins but right in the pocket otherwise. Looks like my dinner plans just changed.

12/24/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Let's see if the monster has calmed down. And its so f-ing corked! Darn.

8/19/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Doesn't smell as rustic as one might think. With some power and density, and salty minerality as well. And really, I'm just not sure when I would drink it. Hey oh, its $34 a bottle? Gosh darn that is over.

12/14/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Kinda roasty toasty, wonder if its been open a couple of days?

11/1/2022 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:

"It's fantastic!" our guy at Star Liquor says, and being a trusting fellow I take his word for it. Chemistry, being an alliance between Stoller and Chehalem, are known mostly for Willamette Valley wines, but this Alliance is a broader collaboration between California and Oregon (so not even Willamette Valley per se).

As is mostly the case when you strip away the components that make pinot noir great (and greatly expensive), one is left with something much simpler: pleasant, light, and fruity. It doesn't offend yet it tends to sustain my argument that there is no good inexpensive pinot noir.

2/13/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Really powerful and massive and fruity, even still. Frankly, if I had any, I still leave it down in the cellar. I think this one is on the 20 year Barolo plan!

2/11/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Simply sensational and soulful Barolo right now. Just can't get any better than this!

10/16/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Curiously enough one of the best SA Pinots that I have had.

7/29/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Some bolder red fruit here. And power, weightier on the palate.

12/8/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Also with a touch of a port like smell to the nose. Full and round with an intense grip on day five.

6/10/2010 - Stefanos T. wrote:

Deep golden. One of the most erratic wines out there: can be heaven or hell. This one was certainly not heaven. Wine for wine-perverts only. Nose that smells of seaweed, mussels and iodine.... In the mouth unforgiving, iodine, sour apple juice and who cares what else. The wine has no fault - a slight oxidation is always part of the style, but have the 2007 now and you will be blown away, this however was perversion incarnated. You wont get these flavours anywhere else, but do you enjoy them? 85 points due to individuality...

12/11/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

In a really crowded field of wonderful wines this was, well, the last one finished.

10/28/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

I guess I will have it three times this week outta half. Going strong and out of a Reidel BV glass, excellent.

11/5/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

A little bit more bramble, a little bit less black darkness to it. Just arrived.

8/2/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Bright red candied fruit, lots of '09 structure. Good stuff, would prefer it at $20 than $25.

11/18/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Very pronounced and very savory - walnut, sharp cherry fruit. 95% Temp and Menzelo [sp? sorry]. Earth, soilage, damp earth and wet leaves. And then super soft on the mid palate and very good acidity in the back end. That is quite lovely.

9/22/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Some tasters say pure menthol but to me it smells amazing. Tim's says rusty water but I think it's amazing

7/12/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Watery and mineral and so darn good. With cream and salt. Wow, those are a cut above.

2/21/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Again, corvin has not done this favors.

6/10/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Mineral and some earthy funk on the nose with the gewurtz perfume buried underneath. And some power on the back.

8/30/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Burnished wood and fat on the palate but not off. Mineral and not tired. But I’m not sure a crowd pleaser either.

6/9/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

This is now the long term barrel bottle of Bourgogne. The one held back an extra 6 months in barrel. Wet limestone and minerality on the nose. Touch of cream and honey but just hints. Just opened and really darn good.

10/30/2017 - wilypod Likes this wine:

Really is kinda like an Italian vino di tavola: not too dark, firm cherry fruit, low tannin, good acidity, no discernible oak, friendly. I liked it best slightly cooler than room temps, say 50-55 F, because the alcohol is listed a 13.5% rather than the humble vino di tavola typical 12%. But then one gets all that Paso Robles sunshine in it too. Maybe a Calabrese vino di tavola?

9/14/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Man, that has just gotten better and better in the bottle.

4/4/2018 - nzinkgraf wrote:

Red cherry chapstick to the finish. There’s some fruit spice in the aromas. 100% Zinfandel.

1/26/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Black pepper spice and fruit on the nose. Lesss flower an dsavory than the village vosne romanee. Short On the finish but I think that is just youth. Lots of bright bing cherry fruit across the palate. To be bottled next week.

8/9/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Purple big fruit and funk. And just opened. And stoney big minerality. And tight and structured. Funny, tastes so violety and tight to me that it doesn't even quite taste like Syrah. Which I suppose tells you about what Syrah I have been drinking...

12/23/2016 - nzinkgraf wrote:

Apricot jam palate. Sweetness feels lowered than Spatlese. Good level of minerality on the palate. Super silky drink.

4/25/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Mainly Bordeaux varieties but then other stuff. Mediterranean. Smells like boredeaux on the nose, maybe a touch of a Mediterranean flair but kinda good stuff.

3/30/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Beautiful acidity and tannin structure, vibrant, tasty stuff. Leans lean, just needs time. Very long finish.

3/30/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Only 120 cases, more delicate an dfeminie in style I am being told. And there is his pronounced perfume on the nose, lean on the palate but not overly lean, long mineral finish, needs time but it's all there. Give it two more years.

3/29/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Funky and stinky on the nose, in a good way.

9/2/2016 - nzinkgraf wrote:

Lifted red fruit aromas. 60% Sangio, 30% Cabernet, 10% Syrah. Med/- tannin, bitter orange rind.

9/27/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Dark cherries, powerful, delicious.

1/13/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Just such a crazy beautiful thing.

11/8/2015 - BHP1994 wrote:

Is it me or do Shea wines not age well? This was purchased through the winery and stored in perfect conditions. All I can say about this wine is -- it's boring. Hate to say that but it's the truth. No real nose to speak of, rather tart with very little fruit, just dull. Really nice color to it but for $45 bucks (and from a great year) I expect a lot more. Is it Shea or are all the 2008s in a muted phase? This is my third bottle in recent months that has been a disappointment. I've got six more '08s from Shea (blocks 31 & 5 and the Estate). Maybe they should just sleep a few more years?

3/29/2016 - nzinkgraf wrote:

Much more realistic enjoyment in this vintage rather than what I was trying to convince myself of the 2013. Round salted pear. Lots of mineral. If Sancerre was an ISLAND. Damn fine.

4/19/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

201r was more wet. The 13 was the first vintage of the big change in oak. Meaning now far less barrique. To the point of no barrique and all in large oak cask. 2014 was an increase in production despite the wet but that is because they new the vineyards so much more. 2013 is 100% sangiovese. 2014 is vanilla and colorino in the blend. 2014 will be a mild vintage I am being told but we are about to compare to the winery 14 is the more balanced and shows really well now. We are having both side by side. For the vinter who I am eating lunch with there is no choice 14 is the on. But that could be his baby. 10 to 15 years old vines on the estate.

Big brightbfruit on the nose. Wants to or feels on the nose quuite concentrated but straight and clean too. And the palate follows suit with that as well. Straight clean and mineral. And I mean that in a good way. Very different than dievole than in the past.

1/15/2016 - nskelsey wrote:

When Paul Zinetti took over from the legendary Benjamin Leroux at the Comte Armand he must have been praying for an easier first vintage than this. For the third year running the vines were pummelled by hail and yet again 80% of the crop was lost. In fact grapes were so scarce that the normal practise here of making three separate cuvees from old, medium and young aged vines and then blending was abandoned and everything has been thrown in together. The result is a somewhat unusual Clos des Epeneaux. On the positive side it is an enormously attractive bright ruby in colour and like other 2014s the fruit flavours are to the fore, in this case from the red fruit end of the spectrum. The wine is elegant with fine tannins, but for a Clos des Epeneaux quite soft. The characteristic notes of earth, blood and minerals aren't as evident as they normally are and the result is more like a Volnay in character. In some ways it reminds me of the 2003, which was also lacking in a certain degree of complexity, but it has to be said that this is better than that vintage. In some ways it reminds me of a cross between the 2009 and 2010 without managing the heights of either of those vintages. I also suspect it is a bottle that will make for early to mid-term drinking. Comte Armand also need to be applauded for reducing their prices. Two years ago a case started out at £1100. Last year, despite another reduced crop it came down to £900 and this year it is down again to around £780. In conclusion this is a lovely wine and I've bought a case, but not one I would offer to friends as an example of a typical Clos des Epeneaux. Given the terrible difficulties faced, Paul Zinetti has done a highly commendable job. 2015 is looking a whole lot better, and vine shock after three years of battering aside, it will be interesting to see how he takes this estate forward. Estimated maturity 2020+

1/29/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Man oh man does that smell great. Tastes it too. One for the record books.

10/19/2015 - Gooka Likes this wine:

This elegant RdM is a charming wine. Medium body, fresh, tons of perfumes (strawberries, flowers and herbs). The taste is silky, delicious and layered. This has something for Burdundy lovers.

11/27/2015 - BSA Likes this wine:

Simply stunning. Expressive, with ripe red fruits, some citrus and white flowers. Dough and nuttiness is in the mix, but so refined. With air (it needs air – at least 1h) the wine becomes so seamless, so harmonious, so in balance right now - all of which is in itself simply captivating. Small round bubbles making you feel you almost drinking strings of pearls (sorry - it is just incredibly difficult to explain any other way). An amazing wine. It is pure and utter pleasure to drink such a beauty. Some points to note though: It does not come across as particularly long lived (even in 2008 vintage). And in some akward way, in all its immediate beauty and harmony I was left with a feeling that the wine lacked in excitement somehow. It is fantastic to drink, but I am not drawn to taste more. By all means, it would be the perfect wine to serve a party (or basically, anyone who have not tasted the wine before) though! I feel unable to reconcile here. Maybe that is the excitement I was looking for right there. Disg. April 2015. For Norwegians: it was a perfect wine for rakfisk (that is salted and fermented trout for the rest of you). ADDED Note: 1 week later, I must admit that every day I have been thinking back on this striking beautiful wine. It was that good. In both excitement and feeling of loss of having only one bottle I opened a 06 La Parcelle (same wine) yesterday. My wife who did not get to taste the 08 immediately though it was really good. Only once over 3h I thought I felt some of the greatness from the 08. All in all it did not reach to the 08 even to its ankles.

8/23/2014 - Los 12 Glotones Likes this wine:

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Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2014/08/monte-real-1987-gran-reserva.html
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De color rubí granatoso de capa media-alta, algo más extraído que añadas posteriores del mismo vino. Reflejos rojizos y ambarinos, brillante. Borde atejado.

Aromas de fuerte intensidad y de carácter muy clásico. Inicialmente despunta el cuero viejo, la fruta roja reducida, guindas, flores ajadas y un punto medicamentoso y de hierbas de monte de fondo, que recuerda al ungüento y herbolario. Poderoso, expresivo. Respira a bocanadas, abriéndose. Un tinto maduro y reposado que exhala como una chimenea. Se pule lentamente, esculpiéndose a sí mismo dejándonos un vino preclaro, lustroso, dotado de tanta fuerza como elegancia.

En boca discurre sin apenas esfuerzo. Fresco, liviano, lleno de fruta roja reducida, picante, y una acidez que acuchilla sin piedad. La Rioja más apreciada, la de los grandes vinos. Exige guarda y hacerse con unas cuantas cajas.

Excepcional Monte Real que comienza a dar signos de entrar en una nueva fase de plenitud. Los vinos de Riojanas de los últimos 20 años merecen la pena y todo indica lo mejor está aún por llegar. No son vinos fáciles en los primeros años y pueden llegar a parecer simplones o faltos de chica. Pero para nada!!! Requieren de mucho tiempo y paciencia pero recompensan la espera con sorpresones como éste. Entre los mejores vinos de los 80 vamos a encontrar un puñado de Albina y Monte Real. Qué suerte!!!

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75% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo, 10 graciano - 12.5% vol.
Realiza las fermentaciones en depósitos de acero inoxidable entre 6 y 8 meses en los que se estabiliza antes de ser trasegado. Posteriormente descansa durante 36 meses en barricas semi-usadadas de roble americano de 225 litros. Sometidos a trasiegos regulares cada 8 meses. Ensamblaje de los vinos en depósito y estabilización entre 6 y 12 meses. Un mínimo de 3 años de guarda en botellero en los calados de la bodega antes de ser comercializado.
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10/21/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Smells like taint says Rebecca. Very fine texture.

2/4/2015 - gravedee Likes this wine:

Starts off ok but something's wrong on the finish - I taste a lot of bitterness. Definitely better values out there.

10/1/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Savory and herby light and rich, all at the same time.

5/25/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

First glass showed much alcohol. Second glass opened up more, and by the fourth it was in gear. So, I guess surprising to me because I thought it would be old and tired, which it wasn't. IN fact, I wanted more from it - more fruit, more power. Maybe needs more time to fully open up?

3/24/2015 - huse wrote:

The ‘Feldmarschall von Fenner zu Fennberg’ is the flagship wine of the ‘Tiefenbrunner Schlosskellerei Turmhof ‘(located in the small village of Kurtatsch an der Weinstraße, southern corner of South Tyrol). A spectacular alpine wine (100 % Müller Thurgau, vines planted in 1971), produced on the high plateau of Fennberg (limestone soils), over 1.000 meters above sea-level, in a unique microclimate protecting the vineyard from the harsh northerly winds. The name of this wine is a tribute to the founder of the Alpine troops of the Austrian Empire (Kaiserjäger), Field Marshal Lieutenant Franz Philipp Freiherr von Fenner zu Fennberg, who had his summer residence at the Fennberg plateau. The wine was kept on its fine lees for 7 months (in stainless steel and large oak casks). Beautiful light yellow color with a delicate greenish tint. The awesome and complex nose shows a large spectrum of aromas such as apricot, lime, white blossom, jasmine and abundant mineral nuances. The palate is in perfect harmony and balance, revealing layers of racy white and yellow fruit, an excellent concentration, a remarkable finesse and a wonderful mineral structure, the whole supported by a crisp acidity. Persistent, spicy finish. An outstanding bottle of wine, already highly enjoyable now, but it will continue to develop for many years.

De 'Feldmarschall von Fenner zu Fennberg' is het vlaggenschip van de het wijngoed ‘Tiefenbrunner Schlosskellerei Turmhof ‘ (gelegen in het dorpje Kurtatsch an der Weinstraße, in het uiterste zuiden van Zuid-Tirol). Een spectaculaire alpenwijn (100% Müller Thurgau, uit wijnstokken aangeplant in 1971), geteeld op het bergplateau van Fennberg (kalksteen bodem), meer dan 1.000 meter boven zeespiegel, in een uniek microklimaat dat de wijngaard beschermt tegen de koude noorderwinden. De naam van deze wijn is een eerbetoon aan de stichter van de Alpijnse troepen van het Oostenrijkse Keizerrijk (Kaiserjäger), veldmaarschalk-luitenant Franz Philipp Freiherr von Fenner zu Fennberg, die zijn zomerverblijf had op het Fennberg plateau. De wijn rijpte gedurende 7 maanden “sur lie” (op roestvrij staal en in grote eiken vaten). Schitterende, licht gele kleur met wat delicate groenige schakeringen. De indrukwekkende, complexe neus biedt een breed spectrum aan aroma's zoals abrikoos, limoen, witte bloesem, jasmijn en een heel palet aan minerale nuances. Een wijn in perfect evenwicht en harmonie, vol pittig wit en geel fruit, met een uitstekende concentratie en een opmerkelijke finesse ; het geheel wordt geschraagd door een markante minerale structuur en een levedige aciditeit. Persistente, kruidige afdronk. Een voortreffelijke fles wijn, nu al bijzonder goed op dronk, maar met nog een geweldig ontwikkelingspotentieel.

3/7/2015 - SingingSomm Likes this wine:

Although greeted by a distinctly '11 nose with ancho chilies and dried herbs, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this wine, never wanting the bottle to end. In one word I'd call it "pretty." Fresh and lively, with bright red fruit and a sense of tension, like eating a gusher candy but never quite getting it to gush. Piney herbs and dried tobacco were quite complimentary. Tannins were fine, modest and pleasurable, and acidity cleaned up nicely on the finish. Body was a hair past medium and the wine was well balanced. As refreshing of a Cabernet as I think I've ever tasted.

4/29/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Whole cluster, 14 months neutral and then back into stainless steel. The vineyard site is unique: in Chalone appellation, a three acre site right across from the original Chalone vineyard. Very crisp pear, lots of minerality, intense and linear across the palate.