N: Petrol, poss flowers & slate [although the petrol DID go way down over time]
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with SWTISH frt NICELY off-set by a zesty acidity which carries through the LONG, tangy/swt finish which seems to beautifully cleanse the palate! Moreover, SHOULD improve, then last... ? 8% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, poss higher. 90 pts Vinous. [This vendor's $25.95 is $4 < than anyone else on the currently limited wine-searcher listings.]
Note: Tasting this directly after a spatlese could well explain the generally "firmer" structure than what I tasted just 2 wks prior.
N: Earth, minerals
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with almost swtish frt met by some slightly bitterish astringency which DOES work its way out by the LONG, ult bitterSWT finish. Drink through '19 easily. My VG/VG+ [This vendor's $12.95 beats all the other currently listed wine-searcher listings by at LEAST $4!]
100% S.B. from MorgaenLee Vyd, Yountville; 40% whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 7 mos in once used barrels. 60% soaked on skins for 12 hrs before pressing and cold fermenting in s/s, then tank aged sur lie for 7 mos. 13.9% ABV, 5.4 g/l T.A., & 3.45 pH.
N: Grass, certainly, rest tough to parse: toast, poss minerals?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt & balancing acidity transitioning into a fairly LONG, very slightly tangy finish with occasional notes of honey. Still coming together? If so, potentially my VG, otherwise G+. [This vendor's $18.95 beats everyone else currently listed on wine-searcher by at LEAST $4!]
14 mos on lees in 75% new FR oak barrels (Allier, Vosges) & 25% in s/s barrels; NO malolactic; 14.9% ABV
N: Reminiscent of butter? (but not QUITE), poss vanilla, all atop lemons, but with an elegance? Spice with addtl swirling?
P: M, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt met by some firming structure which slowly, SEAMLESSLY morphs into a LONG, beautifully balanced, very, VERY slightly tangy, almost swtish finish with only the barest TRACE of bitterness, that bitterness being quite notable first thing on the front P. Classically made (almost Meursault-like?), this needs/DESERVES into early '19, then drinking for poss 3 yrs more. My EXC-. 94 pts WE, 93+ FredSwan.wine, 93 WS, & 91 Connoisseurs' Guide. [Only 1 other current listing on wine-searcher's HUGE listing beats this vendor's $45.95!]
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE almost swtish frt QUICKLY met by very, VERY finely tannic pucker which pretty much extends into the LONG, very, VERY finely tannic, ALMOST puckerish finish yet with glimpses of the future's swtness. VERY nicely made, but NEEDS until '21/'22 min. My EXC- with the potential for more! 95 pts ea WA, Suckling, & WE, 93 WS, and 90 Vinous. [This vendor's $56.95 is right @ the border of wine-searcher's top quartile of U.S. sources.]
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, & 5% Cinsault. Partial whole bunch. Vinified in cement tank. Aged for 18 months in foudre. 14.8% ABV
N: RIPE, berries of var types with a garrigue underlay? Fragrant!
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which slowly transitions into a LONG, very, VERY finely, yet almost swtishly, tannic finish with notes of bitterSWT & hints of a spicy pucker. Deserves/NEEDS at LEAST into '20, then EASILY capable of making its 10th. My VG+ with *clear* potential for EXC! 95+ pts Gary Walsh of The Wine Front, 95 ea Jeb Dunnuck & WS, 93-95 Vinous, 93 WA, 4*(*)/5* John-Livingstone Learmouth (barrel sample), and 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson! [This vendor's $49.95 WAS competitive, though he's likely unable to get more. :( ]
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish oak/frt met by almost dustily tannic pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, somewhat dustily tannic (yet swtly so) finish. NEEDS another 2+ yrs, I'd guess, then should EASILY make its 10th -- assuming the frt holds. My VG-, though certainly with potential for more. [Tough to compare this vendor's $28.95 as NO one is currently listed on wine-searcher.]
P: MF body; Rndish entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by a very, VERY slightly bitter, puckerish astringency which pretty much loses its bite by the time it transitions into its LONG, tangy/swt finish with hints of the mid-P bitterness. Needs/DESERVES into early '20, then drinking for a yr or 2 past its 10th. VERY impressive! My EXC- @ a minimum! 93 pts ea Vinous & WS. [TOTALLY UNcharacteristically, this vendor's $67.95 is in the BOTTOM quartile of wine-searcher's HUGE listing.]
P: Med body; RNDISH with ALMOST swtish frt met by a very, VERY finely tannic yet ALMOST swtish astringency whch slowly transitions into a LONG, BALANCED, slightly tangy/swt finish with but occasional HINTS of those mid-P tannins. Approachable now with food, this DESERVES into early Summer '19, then drinking for 3+ yrs more. VERY nicely done! My VG/VG+. 91 pts ea WA & WS [This vendor's $42.95 is in the top 10% of a HUGE wine-searcher field.]
P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt NICELY counterbalanced by acidity, all of this morphing into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with the BAREST hint of very, VERY fine tannins. For now & into '20, poss longer. My G+/VG-. 89 pts WS. [This vendor's $24.95 is at least $3 < everyone else on wine-searcher!]
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
N: CLOSED, but seems ripe; Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt off-set by some astringency which ULT quite mellows out by the LONG, tangy/SWT finish with occasional notes of very, VERY fine tannins. For not, though could improve through '18, then drink for 3 more, I'm guessing. My VG. [This vendor's $24.95 beats the only other currently listed wine-searcher source by ~$5!]
P: MF body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt fairly quickly met by some almost swtish, very, VERY finely tannic pcker which slowly, fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tannic finish yet a tang & DISTINCT swtness. Approachable now with food, this DESERVES into Fall of '19, then drinking for at LEAST 3 yrs more. SUPERBLY done! My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $23.95 puts it in the upper quartile of a large wine-searcher field.]
2016 Mönchhof Robert Eymael Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
N: Petrol, poss flowers & slate [although the petrol DID go way down over time]
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with SWTISH frt NICELY off-set by a zesty acidity which carries through the LONG, tangy/swt finish which seems to beautifully cleanse the palate! Moreover, SHOULD improve, then last... ? 8% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, poss higher. 90 pts Vinous. [This vendor's $25.95 is $4 < than anyone else on the currently limited wine-searcher listings.]
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2016 Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
4% R.S, 5.4 g/L T.A., & 3.28 pH; 14.5% ABV
Note: Tasting this directly after a spatlese could well explain the generally "firmer" structure than what I tasted just 2 wks prior.
N: Earth, minerals
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with almost swtish frt met by some slightly bitterish astringency which DOES work its way out by the LONG, ult bitterSWT finish. Drink through '19 easily. My VG/VG+ [This vendor's $12.95 beats all the other currently listed wine-searcher listings by at LEAST $4!]
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2016 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc Morgaenlee Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville
100% S.B. from MorgaenLee Vyd, Yountville; 40% whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 7 mos in once used barrels. 60% soaked on skins for 12 hrs before pressing and cold fermenting in s/s, then tank aged sur lie for 7 mos. 13.9% ABV, 5.4 g/l T.A., & 3.45 pH.
N: Grass, certainly, rest tough to parse: toast, poss minerals?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt & balancing acidity transitioning into a fairly LONG, very slightly tangy finish with occasional notes of honey. Still coming together? If so, potentially my VG, otherwise G+. [This vendor's $18.95 beats everyone else currently listed on wine-searcher by at LEAST $4!]
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2015 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
14 mos on lees in 75% new FR oak barrels (Allier, Vosges) & 25% in s/s barrels; NO malolactic; 14.9% ABV
N: Reminiscent of butter? (but not QUITE), poss vanilla, all atop lemons, but with an elegance? Spice with addtl swirling?
P: M, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt met by some firming structure which slowly, SEAMLESSLY morphs into a LONG, beautifully balanced, very, VERY slightly tangy, almost swtish finish with only the barest TRACE of bitterness, that bitterness being quite notable first thing on the front P. Classically made (almost Meursault-like?), this needs/DESERVES into early '19, then drinking for poss 3 yrs more. My EXC-. 94 pts WE, 93+ FredSwan.wine, 93 WS, & 91 Connoisseurs' Guide. [Only 1 other current listing on wine-searcher's HUGE listing beats this vendor's $45.95!]
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2013 Pio Cesare Barolo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
N: Closed; vanilla, poss violets?
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE almost swtish frt QUICKLY met by very, VERY finely tannic pucker which pretty much extends into the LONG, very, VERY finely tannic, ALMOST puckerish finish yet with glimpses of the future's swtness. VERY nicely made, but NEEDS until '21/'22 min. My EXC- with the potential for more! 95 pts ea WA, Suckling, & WE, 93 WS, and 90 Vinous. [This vendor's $56.95 is right @ the border of wine-searcher's top quartile of U.S. sources.]
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2015 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
75% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, & 5% Cinsault. Partial whole bunch. Vinified in cement tank. Aged for 18 months in foudre. 14.8% ABV
N: RIPE, berries of var types with a garrigue underlay? Fragrant!
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which slowly transitions into a LONG, very, VERY finely, yet almost swtishly, tannic finish with notes of bitterSWT & hints of a spicy pucker. Deserves/NEEDS at LEAST into '20, then EASILY capable of making its 10th. My VG+ with *clear* potential for EXC! 95+ pts Gary Walsh of The Wine Front, 95 ea Jeb Dunnuck & WS, 93-95 Vinous, 93 WA, 4*(*)/5* John-Livingstone Learmouth (barrel sample), and 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson! [This vendor's $49.95 WAS competitive, though he's likely unable to get more. :( ]
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NV Cain Vineyard & Winery Cain Cuvée NV13
USA, California, Napa Valley
60% 2012 & 40% 2013; 61% Spring Mountain District & 39% Napa Valley Floor; Released September 1, 2017
N: VANILLA atop ripe berries, rest tough to parse; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish oak/frt met by almost dustily tannic pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, somewhat dustily tannic (yet swtly so) finish. NEEDS another 2+ yrs, I'd guess, then should EASILY make its 10th -- assuming the frt holds. My VG-, though certainly with potential for more. [Tough to compare this vendor's $28.95 as NO one is currently listed on wine-searcher.]
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2013 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
N: Slightly closed; Vanilla, ripe berries, POSS earth?
P: MF body; Rndish entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by a very, VERY slightly bitter, puckerish astringency which pretty much loses its bite by the time it transitions into its LONG, tangy/swt finish with hints of the mid-P bitterness. Needs/DESERVES into early '20, then drinking for a yr or 2 past its 10th. VERY impressive! My EXC- @ a minimum! 93 pts ea Vinous & WS. [TOTALLY UNcharacteristically, this vendor's $67.95 is in the BOTTOM quartile of wine-searcher's HUGE listing.]
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2014 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
USA, California, Napa Valley
96% C.S., 3% Merlot, & 1% C.F.; Aged for 22 mos in 50% new FR oak; 15.3% ABV
N: NICE melding of pyrazines, vanilla, berries, & earth; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH with ALMOST swtish frt met by a very, VERY finely tannic yet ALMOST swtish astringency whch slowly transitions into a LONG, BALANCED, slightly tangy/swt finish with but occasional HINTS of those mid-P tannins. Approachable now with food, this DESERVES into early Summer '19, then drinking for 3+ yrs more. VERY nicely done! My VG/VG+. 91 pts ea WA & WS [This vendor's $42.95 is in the top 10% of a HUGE wine-searcher field.]
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2014 Prisoner Wine Company Saldo
USA, California
N: Closed; ripe, berries?
P: Med, poss MF, body; ALMOST swtish frt NICELY counterbalanced by acidity, all of this morphing into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with the BAREST hint of very, VERY fine tannins. For now & into '20, poss longer. My G+/VG-. 89 pts WS. [This vendor's $24.95 is at least $3 < everyone else on wine-searcher!]
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2014 Oliverhill Winery Shiraz Jimmy Section
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
N: CLOSED, but seems ripe; Intensity lurking?
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt off-set by some astringency which ULT quite mellows out by the LONG, tangy/SWT finish with occasional notes of very, VERY fine tannins. For not, though could improve through '18, then drink for 3 more, I'm guessing. My VG. [This vendor's $24.95 beats the only other currently listed wine-searcher source by ~$5!]
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2015 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja Veraton
Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
N: RIPE, vanilla, earth
P: MF body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt fairly quickly met by some almost swtish, very, VERY finely tannic pcker which slowly, fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tannic finish yet a tang & DISTINCT swtness. Approachable now with food, this DESERVES into Fall of '19, then drinking for at LEAST 3 yrs more. SUPERBLY done! My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $23.95 puts it in the upper quartile of a large wine-searcher field.]
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