| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| White - Sweet/Dessert |
1989 Château d'YquemSauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
4/28/2013 - P&F wrote: 100 pointsWe drank this a while ago, and it was the first serious wine we ever drank -- so the rating is probably skewed by the newbie factor. With that said, I recall the bouquet being overwhelming and persistent, and the taste being of caramelized tropical fruits, vanilla, and so on. The finish was the most amazing part -- 10 minutes at least, it just kept going on. Really amazing wine we won't forget, and which is the touchstone for all the others we have. |
| White |
2010 E. Guigal Condrieu La DorianeViognier more |
4/23/2013 - P&F Likes this wine: 96 pointsThis started out a little restrained, but the bouquet opened up into something wonderful -- lilies, vanilla, really overwhelming after 1/2 or so of opening. On the palate, evolved from something very anise-y into a wine so floral and rich that it's difficult to pinpoint. The finish isn't very long, but is very satisfying. Paired with fresh pasta with sage/thyme/scallion/parley and asparagus in butter sauce with parmesan -- so perfect. Important to let it open up a bit and not serve very chilled, but decanting might be overkill for us. Would definitely buy again, even at what for us is more costly than usual. |
| Red |
2005 Cosentino Winery The PoetNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
2/3/2013 - P&F wrote: 93 pointsHere's to bottle variation! Rand has no idea what happened last time, he almost gave this an "Outstanding" this time. We're settling on a 93, it's really lovely. He says, "My taste buds are struggling to keep up with every single nuance." The nose starts out on a jammy, fruity note but then dissolves into something perfume-like. The taste is really well balanced, fruit-forward but not too much so -- just enough to keep things intriguing. The finish is satisfying and polished. Not as elegant as some old-world wines we've had, but still really good. Rand says, "...but still, for a California red..." |
| Red |
2007 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan ReserveGrenache more |
12/29/2013 - P&F wrote: 93 pointsWith 3-4 hours of air, wildly fragrant nose of molasses and raspberries. Similar palate, as well as something earthy and a little tart like very ripe pink grapefruit. A chewable, long finish. Unique and not hot like the 2005. Lovely. |
| Red |
2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan ReserveGrenache more |
5/26/2013 - P&F Likes this wine: 93 pointsNose of spice, roses, and red fruit -- the nose really is fabulous. As for the palate, we started out with more red, cherry-type fruits, which gradually gave way to a plummy flavor... Rand said, and I agree, that the barest hints of port started to show. It's fabulous, it's lovely, but there is notable heat on this. It's a little distracting, and it's been decanted/swirled for going on three hours. Definitely opened up after 1-2 hours of air, but it's been pretty unchanging beyond that. Because the flavors went to port over the evening, I don't know if I'd hang onto this for the long-term... The texture is silky, and the finish is lingering with plums. |
| White |
2010 E. Guigal Condrieu La DorianeViognier more |
8/18/2013 - P&F wrote: 93 pointsLess intoxicatingly fragrant and flamboyant than the previous bottle, and the oak was more pronounced. It opened up over about an hour. Deb says, "You can smell the oak, but you don't taste it so much." Glycerin-like smoothness and balance. We all enjoyed it but just less so than previously. Still a good complement to fresh pasta with butter and herbs. Don't know if it's bottle variation or just quickly aging. With the exception of comments on food, I agree largely with Christoffer78. |
| Red |
2006 Andrew Will Two Blondes VineyardYakima Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
9/29/2012 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsWe freaked out at first because the cork crumbled, but it thankfully wasn't corked. Nose of soil or loam with a slight undercurrent of fruit. Rand says it's "a heretofore undiscovered fruit." The taste is amazingly velvety, and it's very flavorful with the slightest hint of west-coast sweet fruit. Finish is moderate but nothing amazing. Rand loves it but says, "It's over quickly to me." Definitely worth the $35 for a special drink. We think that il_diavolo is right on. |
| White |
2005 Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Grand Cru Les PreusesChardonnay more |
1/19/2013 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsWe had a bottle of this a couple of summers ago, and it tasted just like a California Chardonnay -- it seemed overly oaky then. At this point, though, while there's not much of a nose, the taste has progressed nicely. The oak has integrated, and there is a honeyed nuance that I really enjoy. Pleasant finish -- we really enjoyed this! |
| Red |
2005 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGTSangiovese more |
12/10/2012 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsThe nose is ripe, I could guess at the plump fruit flavors by the nose; Rand says he smells a cardboard box or something similar. The palate is definitely fruity but with interesting tarry notes. My favorite part might be a light, brisk acidity that is a little ethereal. Finish is moderate, 20-30 seconds. Not sure if it's worth $55 but we like it. |
| White |
2005 Domaine Bernard Moreau et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La MaltroieChardonnay more |
4/12/2015 - P&F Likes this wine: 92 pointsLemony, stony nose - Rand gets a "butter-creamyness" to the nose as well. A mild, mild lemon curd with a slightly honeyed finish - really lovely. If not at its peak, very close thereto. Still some lively acidity to keep things brisk. Drink within 1-3 years. |
| Red |
2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Clos Pepe VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
8/20/2012 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsThe nose is lovely, maybe a little alcoholic but 5 minutes in a glass with some swirling helped that along. Initially a little bit of earth, but for my nose and Rand's palate there is quite a lot of cherry cola. The taste is perfectly balanced with a bit of bitterness on the finish that is very nice, like bitter cherries. Maybe a little almond and licorice. The finish is medium, and also very persistently pleasant. Rand loves it and would like more. |
| Red |
2009 Château La Vieille CureFronsac Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/8/2013 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsNot a very pronounced nose at this point, and after about 2 hours of decanting it was approachable but austere -- tannic, with dark leathery fruit underneath. Corked up, and had the other half bottle 2 days later: still very strong and more approachable, this is young but one of my favorites. Moderately long, balanced finish too. |
| White |
2005 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art SeriesMargaret River more |
4/1/2013 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsNose of brioche and caramelized peach, palate is really, really new world and concentrated -- Rand says that it feels less intense or concentrated over a little time after opening. Definitely well done and doesn't taste weighed down with its 14.5% alcohol, but just not nuanced enough for us right now. The finish is moderate to long -- I think a little overpriced for what I look for in a wine. |
| Red |
2009 Château Grand-Puy-LacostePauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more |
10/11/2023 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsFine tannins, lovely dark fruit, leather - it could still go some years. |
| White |
2006 Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards (TMV) White Coastal RegionWhite Blend more |
7/22/2012 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsReally lovely white. nose of sea air with little to none of the fruitiness noted by others....but this is a little later in life than those notes. Nose also of stoniness, a little herbaceousness. The palate is similar, with definite minerality and little fruitiness. the finish is remarkable and long, we can barely tell the difference in intensity a good while after we swallow. A great surprise. |
| White |
2009 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc The FMCStellenbosch more |
8/25/2014 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsYet another experience with this. Flamboyant nose of iodine, stone and peaches; "chewable" Rand would say, in the mouth, minerally and fruity, with a terrifically persistent finish. It was better on day 2 (we drank half and refrigerated the rest to have tonight). Maybe it's not on the decline and my previous bottle was just a bad variant. Who can say. |
| Red |
2005 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal VineyardOakville more |
1/29/2014 - P&F Likes this wine: 92 pointsI really enjoyed this. Decanted 2-3 hours, lovely fragrant nose and a beautiful complexity. "Chewable," as Rand says. Vigorous, smooth tannins, and the beginnings of savor. Lingering finish - would do again. |
| White - Sweet/Dessert |
2004 Château de FarguesSauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
8/18/2013 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsVery fragrant of candied citron and honey, and a similar palate that wasn't overly complex but had nice concentration and moderate length. Apparently not a great vintage, but tasty enough. |
| White |
2005 Château Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-BagesBordeaux Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
4/17/2013 - P&F Likes this wine: 92 pointsNose of asparagus and Meyer lemon, really lovely. Minerally too. I agree with Rand: that's it's difficult to pin down a taste of specific fruits or flowers or anything like that - but it's crisp, clean, and fine. Reminds me a Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards white, and being from France, is almost twice the price of that. Finish is light but persistent. There are no rough edges on this, and despite others' notes, I fell like this still has a couple of years in it. |
| White |
2010 E. Guigal CondrieuViognier more |
4/28/2013 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsAs with the Doriane, the bouquet changed and opened up over time. Unlike the Doriane, though, Rand says, the taste hasn't changed much. The bouquet is again persistent and compelling, and just a pleasure -- floral, with a little citrus (Rand says) while to me it seems a little like Grand Marnier. The palate is a little less compelling but still pleasant, not as ravishing as the nose. We're novices at Condrieu, so maybe it is more oaked and vanilla-ed than more traditional ones. However, until we try them, this is pretty good. The finish is great. |
| Red |
2004 Château Pontet-CanetPauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/3/2015 - P&F Likes this wine: 92 pointsThis is exactly what I think of when I think of Bordeaux. Not over-the-top, very balanced, and beautifully fragrant. A nice moderate finish. Not spectacular but very agreeable. |
| Red |
2003 Château LaforgeSt. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more |
10/7/2012 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsRand sees the mean CT score of 89 and says, "I think that's a travesty." I'm lightheaded from smelling it so much. Nose of lavender and earthiness, some hazelnut/gianduja. Tasting varies, as we're having it with truffled mascarpone and marinated grilled red peppers - fantastic pairing with both. Starts out with mild cherry, and goes to an earthy/leathery flavor. Medium finish. A lovely wine, wish we had some more! |
| Red |
2005 Château Branaire-DucruSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/22/2023 - P&F wrote: 92 pointsExcellent balance, just entering its drinking window, clearly not young but years to go ahead of it if you want. Excellent nose, good length. Perfect with steak/cognac sauce with tarragon. |
| White |
2020 Kumeu River Chardonnay Villagemore |
2/24/2023 - P&F wrote: 91 pointsReally very good. Nearly unoaked, if any oak, it seems. Savory. Not complex but fine, especially with food. Balanced. I'd happily have more. |
| Red |
2003 Château LascombesMargaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
11/23/2014 - P&F Likes this wine: 91 pointsVery pronounced nose, with tannins that became gradually more fine over an hour. Moderate finish… The seems perfectly ready to drink right now, but could probably go another couple of years. Very pleasant. Much better with food than without. |
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- Tasting notes: 180 notes on 159 wines
