| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2011 Aberrant Cellars Pinot Noir ConferoWillamette Valley more |
12/25/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 pointsLots of sweet baking spice and sweet red fruit to start. More interesting on palate with red and black cherry, dark chocolate and dark roast coffee and dried herbs, all well integrated, even if ending with a slightly sweet note. Good now, probably better in a new years when it sheds some baby fat. |
| Red |
2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel RedemptionDry Creek Valley more |
4/4/2018 - nzinkgraf wrote: NRRed cherry chapstick to the finish. There’s some fruit spice in the aromas. 100% Zinfandel.
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| White - Off-dry |
2000 Paul Anheuser Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling SpätleseNahe more |
12/23/2016 - nzinkgraf wrote: NRApricot jam palate. Sweetness feels lowered than Spatlese. Good level of minerality on the palate. Super silky drink.
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| Red |
2006 Auteur Pinot Noir Shea VineyardWillamette Valley more |
7/12/2010 - Macki wrote: NRLovely nose of black raspberry, black truffle, cola and spice, along with a great deal of alcohol which hopefully will blow off. Darker fruit character than I usually prefer it a pinot, but lively acid rescues it from being jammy. My only complaint is the alcohol, which is really at the forefront of both the nose and palate right off the cork pull. It's definitely detracting from my overall enjoyment of the wine. Think a decant may be in order.
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| Red |
2012 Domaine de BaronarquesLimoux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/25/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRMainly Bordeaux varieties but then other stuff. Mediterranean. Smells like boredeaux on the nose, maybe a touch of a Mediterranean flair but kinda good stuff.
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| Red |
2012 Paolo Bea Montefalco Sagrantino Pagliaromore |
12/11/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRIn a really crowded field of wonderful wines this was, well, the last one finished.
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| Red |
2013 Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Phinca La RevillaTempranillo more |
12/24/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRLet's see if the monster has calmed down. And its so f-ing corked! Darn.
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| Red |
2009 Gabriel Billard BourgognePinot Noir more |
8/2/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRBright red candied fruit, lots of '09 structure. Good stuff, would prefer it at $20 than $25.
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| White |
2010 Gérard Boulay Sancerre Clos de BeaujeuSauvignon Blanc more |
3/20/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRSo I am told this is the next hottest Sancerre behind the Cotats. Its certainly succulent with tingling minerality and good length. Its certainly all there, wish it was cheaper.
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| White |
2017 Michel Bouzereau et Fils Meursault Les TessonsChardonnay more |
7/12/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRWatery and mineral and so darn good. With cream and salt. Wow, those are a cut above.
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| Red |
2007 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon SignatureNapa Valley more |
5/25/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRFirst 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?
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| Red |
2021 Chemistry Pinot Noir AllianceOregon/California more |
11/1/2022 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote: NR"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).
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| Red |
2015 Domaine Auguste Clape Côtes du RhôneSyrah more |
8/9/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRPurple 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...
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| Red |
2007 Coche-Dury Auxey-Duresses RougePinot Noir more |
10/13/2010 - nzinkgraf wrote: NRA high pitched cracked grain in the nose. There is something decidedly elmers glue in there. Palate is rather full for such easy body. Structured very well while seemingly vieled structure. Not trying to hide anything, but...really striking. There is a rather pleasant fruit character under the earth and light smokiness.
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| Red |
2014 Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des EpeneauxPinot Noir more |
1/15/2016 - nskelsey wrote: 91 pointsWhen 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+
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| Red |
2006 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina FranciaNebbiolo more |
2/13/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRReally 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!
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| White |
2013 Copain Chardonnay Brosseau VineyardChalone more |
4/29/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRWhole 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.
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| Red |
2010 Conti Costanti Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese more |
1/29/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRMan oh man does that smell great. Tastes it too. One for the record books.
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| Red |
2006 Cristom Pinot Noir Marjorie VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
10/1/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRSavory and herby light and rich, all at the same time.
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| White - Fortified |
1908 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal Reservamore |
5/21/2010 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 96 points17 D'Oliveiras Vintage Madeiras with Luis D'Oliveira (D'Oliveiras Cellars, Funchal, Madeira): Dark brown color with yellow green meniscus and ruby lights; damp earth, rich roasted coffee, baked walnut nose, rich and warming; tasty, rich, warming, orange pekoe, orange zest, coffee cake, dried fruit palate with medium, zingy acidity; very long finish
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| Red |
2013 Dievole Chianti ClassicoChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese more |
4/19/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR201r 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.
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| Red |
2004 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de PingusTempranillo more |
8/11/2011 - jbro wrote: 82 pointsMaybe there is something wrong with me. I read the notes of other tasters and wonder if what I have is counterfeit Flor de Pingus. This is the second of two bottles on the second night. I did not write on the first bottle because I spent $100 on it from Zachys and felt like a fool. This bottle reminds me of a Malbec I had 15 years ago at a now-defunct New York restaurant that reminded me of coal oil-except that I have never drunk coal oil and thus don't really have a baseline experience to be reminded of. This bottle of Flor de Pingus reminds me of the first bottle I opened, which reminds me that I am sorry I have six bottles of the 2005. Forty-five days ago Sigels in Dallas has a tasting of Spanish wines and I bought recent vintages of Finca Dofi and Numanthia, but after tasting the current release of Flor de Pingus, I passed. This wine smelled like barnyard funk last night and it has not opened any further tonight. There may be fruit somewhere, but I cannot smell any, though I do get a strong impression of alcohol on the nose. It's dark stuff in the glass,deep purple through and through. Its only redeeming qualities are on the palate where it doesn't taste half as bad as it smells. No doubt it's a big wine, but big in oak, alcohol and astringency. The finish makes you wonder how can I get that taste out of my mouth. Brush your teeth extensively after drinking because it will stain them. Maybe it needs a two day decant, but none of the note writers said so. I hate to be uncharitable, but..... I am saving some for tomorrow night, because I can't stand to drink it all tonight, and will update this note if anything changes.
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| White |
2012 Donkey and Goat Chardonnay UntendedAnderson Valley more |
5/30/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRI don't know if VA blows off or not but frankly this is much better on day two, where it at least has calmed down.
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| White |
2008 Dry River Pinot GrisMartinborough more |
11/21/2009 - jglineker wrote: 95 pointsColour: pale straw. Nose: citrus, pear, lychees, melon - a clean smell with a hint of butter? Taste: good acidic mineral backbone, complex perfume, melon, lychees, green hints very smooth, long luxurious fruit finish. Conclusion: really very nice, drink on its own or with food. I've never drunk a Pinot Gris so good (but I don't drink that much of the stuff!)
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Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:
4/30/2014 11:15:00 AM - Great review.