Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 3 *shared* bottles] from 07/20/18
Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted Saturday, July 21, 2018 by srh with 162 views
Flight 1 (15 Notes)
Closing
6/12 of the Tasting Bar wines were apparently closeouts, though the discount emanating from the wholesale rather than the retail level. Also, being able to compare two '15 Domaine Anne-Marie Gille Nuits St. Georges was indeed fascinating! :)
2016 Domaines Ott Bandol Rosé Château Romassan
France, Provence, Bandol
60% Mourvedre, 26% Cinsault, 11% Grenache, & 3% Syrah grown in arid limestone, sandstone, & sandy marl soils
N: Slightly closed; Different things going on, which I found impossible to parse
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt met by a puckerish, "almost" astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with a very, VERY slight bitterness. Tight, this NEEDS into early Spring '19 to unwind, then drinking for 3 yrs more? My VG+ (& I may very well be underrating it). 93 pts WE @ $52. [Tasted from a 375 ml @ $18.95, which would SEEM to be an EXCELLENT price for such.]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 de Ladoucette Sancerre Comte Lafond
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
25-35 yr old vines grown in a combination of clay, limestone, & silica soils in the villages of Bué, Chaudoux, Chavignol, & Verdigny.
N: Interesting notes of grapefrt, poss barnyrd, but more likely forest floor? Complex
P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt braced by grapefrty acidity which basically defines the wine as it transitions into quite a LONG, tangy/swt (60:40) finish with a very, VERY slight bitterness which comes across as a +. For now & into early '20 min. My VG+/EXC-. 16/20 Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $26.95 is $5 < anyone else on wine-searcher's limited listing.]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Blanc de Blancs Clos Mireille
France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
70% Semillon & 30% Rolle (Aka, Vermentino) grown "very close to the shore, facing the Mediterranean" in schist soils which contain "absolutely no limestone." Aged in foudres.
N: Minerals, earth, some forest floor
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt deftly balanced by acidity which subtly transitions into the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt finish with a mitigating note of bitterness which encourages another sip or bite of food. For now & through '20, likely even more. Classically done! 13% ABV; My EXC-. 92 pts Wine & Spirits, 91 WE @ $50, 90 WS, and 16.5/20 Bettane et Desseauve. [This vendor's (closeout?) $19.95 *destroys* its closest wine-searcher competitor by an UNBELIEVABLE $30!]
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Fable Mountain Vineyards Jackal Bird
South Africa, Western Cape
C.B.: 45%, Grenache Blanc: 20%, Roussanne: 17%, Chard: 9%, & Viognier: 9%; "All the varieties are kept separate & are treated differently depending on the desired character for the final blend. All the batches then go through a spontaneous fermentation, which is temperature controlled at around 13 ̊ Celsius. A portion of the wine is also handled oxidatively to give added texture to the palate as well as provide longevity. Towards the finish of the fermentation the wine is stirred on the lees & aged for 9-12 mos in light toast 500L FR oak barrels. The malolactic fermentation is encouraged on a portion of the Chard & C.B., & is discouraged on the remainder of the batches." 13.10% ABV, 2.7 g/l R.S., 4.9 g/l T.A., & 3.35 pH.
N: Burnt popcorn [TY, budosyu ;) ], smoke, minerals, & POSS lemons?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with nice "frt", acidity falling short of "firming" [as I might have anticipated] as it morphs into the LONG, VERY slightly tangy, jadedly bitter finish. Tired? Drink NOW *if* you purchase. My G/G+, though I may be HORRIBLY underrating *if* you cf to everyone else in this strand, not to mention the press. 91 pts Decanter, 90+ RJonWine, 90 WE @ $36, 16.5, 17, 16, & 16/20 Jancis Robinson, 5/5 Platter's South African Wine Guide, and Bronze @ '14 Intrn'l Wine Challenge. [This vendor's (closeout?) $14.95 is $12 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's LIMITED listings.]
Addendum: I was at least somewhat more + in my TN of 1/19/2019.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Domaine Anne-Marie Gille Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
Vines planted in 1970 in clay and limestone soils, the vyd being located S. of Nuits St Georges, mid slope, & lying between the Les Saint-Georges and Les Porrets-Saint-Georges climats. ("Les Cailles" are small pebbles forming a natural drainage.) Typically, "After 6 days of cold maceration, fermentation starts naturally without external yeast addition, or temperature control. Maturation lasts 18 mos in fine texture, medium toasted, oak barrels (1/3 new)."
N: LOVELY cherries, smoke, & spice, rest tough to parse, but... GORGEOUS! :) Intensity lurking
P: LM body; NICE frt met by a puckerish astringency which, to some extent, carries into & through the quite LONG finish with a VERY slight bitterness to the very, VERY fine tannins, though it does, ULT, show hints of swtness. N *way* ahead of P, & I'm unconvinced P will ever approach THAT grandeur. :( MY VG/VG+, though I may be grossly underrating it. [Tasted @ this vendor's $79.95, for which I didn't see a comparison.]
Note: In my discussion of this wine with a more experienced taster [who also had some issues with it], I neglected even to CONSIDER how *long* to cellar it, etc. Sorry... :(
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Domaine Anne-Marie Gille Nuits St. Georges Les Brulées
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges
Vines planted from 1924-1999 in clay and limestone soils, "Les Brulées" (1 ha 21 ares 27) has a SE orientation & is located S. of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Typically, "After 6 days of cold maceration, fermentation starts naturally without external yeast addition, or temperature control. Maturation lasts 18 mos in fine texture, medium toasted, oak barrels (1/3 new)."
N: Attractive cherries with herbaceous undertones? Intensity lurking!
P: LM body; NICE frt met by puckerish astringency which does somewhat resolve as it morphs into a quite LONG finish with hints of swtness to the almost dusty tannins. though with, ULT, a VERY slight fading off in a manner both my more experienced colleague & I found disconcerting. NEEDS through '20, QUITE poss longer, then easily making its 10th. My VG+/EXC-. [I did not find another source with which to compare this vendor's $59.95.]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Stephane Aviron Côte de Brouilly Vieilles Vignes
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly
"Terroir: The appellation of Côte de Brouilly sits on the high slopes of the extinct volcano Mont Brouilly & is surrounded by the larger appellation of Brouilly. The Potel Aviron Côte de Brouilly is sourced from two separate vineyards. The first makes up about 75% of the blend & sits in the poor soils facing SW on the hillside. Vines average 60+ years old. This parcel accounts for the wines depth & structure. The second parcel faces due S. with younger vines (40+ years) & contributes ripe juicy fruit to the final blend.
"Vinification: The 2 sources are vinified & aged separately until ready for the final blending & bottling. The wines are macerated & fermented in s/s followed by 12 mos in the cellar in a combination of new & old oak."
The soils are sand & clay, with quartz pebbles
N: Straw jam, some would say at least a TOUCH of bubblegum
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by some puckerish astringency which transitions into a LONG (albeit very slightly faint) finish with a bitter/swtness (30:70) to the remaining very, VERY fine tannins. For now & probably through '19. 13.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. 92 pts John Gilman, and 90 ea Vinous & WE @ $19. [This vendor's $14.95 is ~$3 < its closest wine-searcher competitor.]
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
"Tenuta Nuova means new property; Tenuta Nuova is a place where nobody planted Sangiovese before; Tenuta Nuova is the will of Casanova di Neri to produce a powerful yet drinkable Brunello with a high ageing potential. The project began with the study of varied local microclimates & their optimal exposures. Through a cautious & passionate research Casanova di Neri has used the most sophisticated scientific investigations to determine the clones, rootstocks, cultivation practices, plant density per hectare, & every possible particular to obtain excellent Sangiovese grapes." "Spontaneous fermentation... is carried out inside open cone-shaped & temperature controlled fermenters for 24 days." Aging: 36 mos in oak barrels, 12 mos in bottel; 14.5% ABV, 5.9 g/L T.A.
N: Fragrant vanilla, spice, & flowers, + more to give
P: Med body; AWESOME frt met by puckerish astringency, yet without even REMOTELY losing the frty substrate as it slowly, SEAMLESSLY transitions into the VERY LONG, beautifully balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '21, then EASILY making it 15th. SENSATIONAL! My EXC+, eventual exceptionality guaranteed! :) 98 pts Suckling, 97 WA, 96 WS, 95+ Vinous, & 94 Decanter! [This vendor's $92.95 puts it @ the TOP of the 2nd quartile of wine-searcher's large field.]
Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
USA, California, Napa Valley
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: Closed; Ripe berries with pyrazines underneath; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt quickly met by some puckerish astringency which morphs into a LONG finish & a tangy/swtness (40:60) to the still fairly ample, dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '19, poss '20, then making its 15th without difficulty. My EXC-, poss EXC. [This vendor's (closeout?) $44.95 is an *unimaginable* ~$49 < than the only current wine-searcher listing!]
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
Typically, 80% Grenache (1948) & 20% Mourvèdre (1977) grown in SW-oriented, low stone content, white, grey-yellow clay soils on lower terraced lands of a plot called Les Souteyrades. Mostly destemmed & concrete vat co-fermented for ~7 wks; Aged in 50 hl oak barrels 12-15 mos; Unfined & unfiltered. ~750 cs made
N: Slightly closed; Cherries, garrigue?
P: LM body; NICE frt quickly met by an astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the fairly plentiful tannins. NEEDS through '21, I'm guessing, then making its 10th. 15% ABV; My EXC, very likely more IF one compares its QPR to similarly constituted CdPs. 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 94 WA, 92 Vinous (Raynolds), and 16/20 Jancis Robinson & 4*/5 drinkrhone.com (ea a cask sample). [This vendor's $27.95 is @ the top of wine-searcher's currently limited listings.]
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Bodega Norton Malbec D.O.C.
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
100% Malbec, 24° Brix ave @ harvest, from vines 15-30 yrs old, yielding 3.6 tns/acre; Aged 12 mos in 1st & 2nd use FR oak barrels, ff'd by 12 mos in bottle; 13.7% ABV, 2.10 g/L R.S., 5.25 g/L T.A., & 3.70 pH.
N: RIPE, flowers, raisins; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, poss LM, body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some puckerish astringency which somewhat resolves by the LONG, slightly puckerish finish with a raisiny swtness (& HINTS of bitterness) to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS 12-18 mos, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs. My VG+, arguably more IF one considers the QPR of this vendor's $12.95, which is $1 > than the lowest of wine-searcher's currently sparse listings. 92 pts WS.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Richard Arrowood's project on the western slope of the Mayacamas range, bordering Monte Rosso Vineyards, in the Moon Mountain AVA; 1,568 cases made
N: Smoke, poss vanilla, berries underneath?
P: LM body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some puckerish astringency (which doesn't OVERCOME the frt) that loses almost ALL its pucker as it transitions into quite a LONG, very, VERY slightly bitter finish with a tangy/swtness (35:65) to the very, VERY fine tannins. Approachable now with food, & EASILY making its 10th, though another 6-12 mos COULD improve it. 15.2% ABV: My EXC-, though it's EASY to support higher based upon the pedigree of this operation/location + the QPR of this vendor's (closeout?) $34.95, which is a *stunning* $30 < wine-searcher's only current listing! 94 pts WA.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Montalbera Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato L'Accento
Italy, Piedmont, Monferrato, Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato
THANK you for sharing this, Dan!
N: Fragrant, smoke, with notes of pyrazines underneath
P: LM (poss Med) body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt counterbalanced by acidity which morphs into quite a LONG, very, VERY slightly bitter, nicely balanced finish with notes of raisins to the few, very, VERY fine tannins. For now & through '21, + MAY improve a bit for 6-12 mos. My EXC-, poss EXC. 99 pts Luca Maroni, 90 Suckling, 3 Glasses Gambero Rosso, & Commended @ '18 Int'l Wine Challenge. [From a nearby vendor @ $22.99, the best price I could find on wine-searcher's limited listing.]
Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Tenuta Rapitalà Nero d'Avola Sicilia
Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
THANK you for sharing, Steve S.!
N: Earth, minerals, forest floor
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt nicely counterbalanced by a touch of tangy astringency which morphs into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy'swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. For now & likely through '21, + could improve through '18. 14% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, with more poss depending upon the QPR.
Note: For whatever reason I found this WAY more structured on 8/11/2018!
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Had been decanted, perhaps for 60-90 mins?
"15 - 20 days 'submerged cap' fermentation in s/s tanks with indigenous yeasts at a controlled temperature 25/28 °C (77/82 F). Malolactic fermentation in s/s. Aged 36 mos in large FR oak barrels (30 - 50 hl or 872 -1,373 Gallon) followed by a long bottle aging." 11,000 cases made
N: Closed; Smoke atop minerals; Intensity lurking
P: LM body; BEAUTIFUL frt fairly quickly met by puckerish astringency which slowly, SEAMLESSLY transitions into a very LONG, impeccably balanced finish with a refined, tangy/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '21 (guessing), then drinking for... ? 14.50% ABV; My EXC/EXC+, eventual exceptionality *assured*! :) 95+ pts WA, 94 Decanter (Wu, 10/8/19) & 90 (Panel, 8/29/17), 93+ Vinous (Agata), 93 ea Suckling & WE @ $85, 92 ea WS, Falstaff Magazine, Luca Gardini, & winealign.com , + 17 & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson! [This vendor's $59.95 puts it in the top 10% of wine-searcher's U.S. listings.]
Post a Comment / 5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue