| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal BrutChampagne Blend more |
11/25/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRPulled from the cellar and then blinded the bottle, pouring into several glasses. Was uniformly enjoyed. In this bottle, I found oranges, lime zest, green apple, and good intensity. Drinks with a purity and balance that is lovely. And I will also add a point about drinking now....while this doesn't show the softer and more open-knitted feel of the 2009, for me there is nothing wrong with drinking the 2008 now. With air in the glass, this showed well to me. I recognize I am going to be in the minority in my view, but drinking this now does just fine for me. It's an amazing wine for what it is. Broadly, I am not buying stuff to age for a decade or more. Life now is about sharing, enjoying wines with others and not putting my wines into a cellared prison for years and years. This is just me. 14 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| White - Sparkling |
2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs BrutChardonnay more |
11/5/2020 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRAbout 2 years ago, I sold off all of this wine from my cellar, as I just didn't find the taste and composition to my liking. I didn't have any challenge finding a buyer, as I know many people like it. As for the note below, the bottle last night was served blind so my reaction was without bias, and we didn't know the wine was 2006 Comtes until we had all tasted it and shared our views. I found the wine heavy in toasted aromas, and my comment to the owner of the bottle was that I thought the wine reminded me of Marcassin Chardonnay with bubbles (I don't care for Marcassin either). It tasted and smelled like wood aromas, and it came across as heavy. There was some aroma of white flower and orange blossom but I could not shake the toasted note. Creamy, with what seemed like a higher dosage as the wine conveys a lime candy and apple feel. The finish to me seemed heavy and sweet. Overall, the wine lacks the finesse and balance that I want in my Champagne. For those that like this bottling, I'm glad it brings joy and pleasure but for me, I just don't care for it. 14 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2) |
| Red |
2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle VineyardRussian River Valley more |
11/28/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRLast tasted at the winery when we visited in July. I dug it then, and its drinking stellar again today. These bottles arrived a few weeks ago, and given the charity challenge running for our man Jason Hagen, figured this was a good bottle to honor him and his health. Opened this about 30 mins ago, dumped it into a nice stem, serving it at 66 degrees. Vintage after vintage, this is consistently beautiful stuff, a wine I have been drinking for 16 vintages. Distinctly juicy, with a bright core of acidity that frames the dark raspberry, some light vanilla and a finishing purity of cobbler-like fruit. The finish has excellent structure, with a final note of licorice. Delicious again, Mr Officer. 12 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2015 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGTSangiovese more |
6/25/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRCristal and Fontodi Flaccianello plus Riverain and Schrader (served blind) (Foretti's in Corona Del Mar): I had this back in 2019, and I thought the wine then had a lot of power. Last night, it was poured again, this time part of a flight of three other Flaccianello (the 2006, 2010 and 2012). All were served blind side by side so I had a chance too sit with all 4 wines and evaluate them carefully. For me, this was the star wine of the flight. I was sitting next to Viet Ly and he mentioned a lavender flower quality, something he also framed by the word 'soapy'. We had some discussion at the table about it, with some consensus about a kind of lavender resin, if that makes sense. For me, it was just like a dried floral note that I really dug. This started out juicy and with air, that quality transformed into something more concentrated and powerful, like the bottle back in 2019. There is the core of red fruit here, but also a shading of black, that is joined by a tarry kind of black quality. Finishes with a dusty tannin. Really enjoyed this. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5) |
| Red |
2018 Carlisle Zinfandel Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valleymore |
3/24/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRTasted blind on night one, then retasted on day two knowing the wine. Of note, this was paired alongside the 2018 Carlisle Mancini Ranch, which in my opinion outclassed this Pagani. There is some heat on the first night when we tasted this blind, along with a leather note, dark blueberry, juicy, dark and decadent palate and blood orange. When I retasted this non-blind the next day, it's clearer how much darker in tone this drinks than the 2018 Mancini Ranch. This Pagani is much more concentrated, and intense, with a darker core of fruit, like a dark raspberry, maybe a black fruit of some kind, too. The acidity cuts through the core of the wine nicely. For me, I just dig the Mancini Ranch way more, but if you prefer a more forceful and bigger Zin, than you'll want the Pagani in your glass. |
| Red |
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Griffin's LairSonoma Coast more |
10/21/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRFirst time trying this wine. Was fortunate to have traded it in exchange for a bottle of bubbly and I love how wine people can display generosity and a sharing mentality. When I opened this initially, it came off as plush and dense, with not much of a finish. I thought, hmmm, this has a oomph but it's missing complexity. But, as it gained air, it started to unfold. It picked up energy, some whole cluster impact and depth....re-tasting now a day later. The whole cluster in the aromatic is evident, as it gives it that brisk, spicy note that only whole cluster can provide--the peppery, herbal note. Along with it, some cooked meat. The palate shows creamy, dark cherry with the garrigue elements from that same cluster inclusion. It finishes with campfire ember, pepper and a brushing of bitter chocolate, spice and some refreshing acidity. The palate of the wine shows the fruit being youthful and present, the finish though a little tight. Thus, and I know this is a 2012, this wine will age and it's not yet fleshed out, which is probably unusual to hear me of all people make a remark like that. PS--the label lists that the wine is 80% whole cluster (shows that for sure, but it's not aggressive even at that #) and 12% Viognier, which does give it a bit floral sweetness in the palate, if that makes any sense. PS--on night 3 picked up some more weight, adding some tar and darker fruit. Dig the brooding quality of this now that it has really aired out. Still tannin in the finish, bit dustier in tone today. Terrific CA Syrah here. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2012 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine VineyardSanta Cruz Mountains more |
3/25/2016 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRAside from the 2012 Bearwallow (which I have said separately is excellent), this is my only other 2012 SV Rhys I have opened to date. Decided to open this for dinner tonight, ahead of the meal to give it air and a proper chill. It's had about an hour of air. My immediate reaction to this is an authentic wow. The aromatics on this are lovely, a mix of smoke and spice, woven together beautifully. And of note, for those who voice negativity about stems (and I have at times found stems in some of the cuvees too), they are not in this aromatic. The palate here is beautiful...great purity. It's a marriage of red fruit--light cranberry, raspberry and strawberry, perfectly expressed. Finishes with a soil note, light vanilla, gentle but persistent acidity and like the aromatic and palate, in wonderful balance. There is also a rose water element too, like a liquid rose petal if there could be such a thing. With more air, it starts to show some finishing structure, a little meaty and some fresh, minerally tannin with the same liquid rose quality. A few hours later, we finished this with dinner. It coiled up quite a bit, losing some of the balance I had wrote about earlier, adding a bit more oak and stem to the palate of the wine. I do think context affected the wine and my ending perceptions here, as I believe strongly that setting matters but putting that aside, there is some girth and structure here and so the aging curve oughta be real nice with this one. Lots to like and years ahead. |
| Red |
2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi RanchRussian River Valley more |
1/19/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote: NROpened last night, brought remnants from dinner home and just stuffed the cork in and left it in the fridge overnight. Tasting again tonight following dinner, so I've got a nice quiet space to enjoy the glass without any other food or wines, with an ideal serving temp. The aromatics on this are expressive of berry fruit--it lifts right out of the glass. This drinks plush, with the same purity of berry and a dusting of graham cracker, which is something I found in the wine yesterday, too. There is also a spicy, tangy wrapping around all of this fruit, akin to citrus, which I know Mike likes to call blood orange in his winery tasting notes. I could see how that could be true, but it's a spicier, citrus peel kind of thing that I find here which powers a long citrusy finish. This is rock solid Carlisle, an exhibit how Mike can pack a pile of plush fruit into the wine, yet get the acid and energy to fuel it all. Two words to end: SO GOOD. |
| White - Sparkling |
2009 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal BrutChampagne Blend more |
7/26/2020 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRDamn, this was the best bottle to date. Pulled this last minute, to go with a banana pudding. I had debated opening it earlier in the evening but thought we had enough wine. But then, with some friends around the table, this is THE time to open Cristal, especially the 2009. So, pulled the cork, off we went. Elegant lime that just flows across the palate, and what was most impressive about this bottle was the minerality. In the aromatic, and in the finish, it added a complexity that just made me pause and appreciate this wine yet again. Say what you want about 2008, and all the big scores.....who cares. What matters is.....what does the wine taste like to you, your palate. For me, time and time again, the 2009 is the winner and last night's bottle was simply extraordinary. Continues to be for me one of the greatest Champagnes I have ever tasted. 10 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi RanchRussian River Valley more |
7/27/2018 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRJuly 2018 Carlisle Visit To See Mr. O (Carlisle Winery): 337 users of this wine? My god. So much support and interest in Zinfandel, a grape that just a few decades ago was about pink wine and bulk quantity. Now, we land here with a vineyard like this, with so much support and love for the wines. Really inspiring. As to the wine, smooth. Showing a light cocoa, boysenberry, dark and razzy with some black fruit. Jammy in the finish with some light structure. Seems to me like this is drinking great now. |
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal BrutChampagne Blend more |
9/7/2023 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRBookclub--All Wines Tasted Blind (Foretti's in Corona Del Mar): When we first poured this around the table, it seemed lean, coiled, very powerful but shut down. Some creaminess tried to make it through the wine but the minerally note was overtaking the wine. Savory apple, tangerine and citrus rind, seemingly young. But, with air and patience, this really softened a lot. The tangerine persisted and then a liquified minerality is the best way to describe the finish. Needs air, but in turn, this drank just fine for me once the air had done its good work. Lovely. |
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal BrutChampagne Blend more |
6/25/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRCristal and Fontodi Flaccianello plus Riverain and Schrader (served blind) (Foretti's in Corona Del Mar): Served alongside the 2009, both blind. We had the 2006 and 2002 late release also in the flight but neither of those can compete with the 2008 and 2009 in my opinion. The 2008 has a pounded rock aroma, with white flowers, tropical fruit and some toast. The core of the wine for me showed slate, golden apple and the sexy richness that for me is the 2008's profile. While this does have some of the citrusy/rocky tones that make the 2009 outstanding, the 2008 just seems to convey a citrusy, gorgeous power that should make for a long timeline of enjoyment. I still preferred the 2009 for the sheer pleasure it imparts now, but the 2008 is not far behind. |
| Red |
2019 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge VineyardSonoma Coast more |
4/11/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRLooks like I am going first with a TN. Opened yesterday. Saved a good size glass under open cork for retasting today. This is first of three Ox that I bought of the 2019, and my first 2019 I have opened, too. Blue fruit with strawberry, some tarry pine that infuses the aroma and also to a degree, into the palate. There is a delicious jammy quality that extends the finish, along with the piney acidity and a bit of bittersweet powdered cocoa. This is fruit-driven like the 2017, but better delineated. Still kind of primary but drinking with a richness and length already that I appreciate. |
| Red |
2013 Carlisle Grenache Rossi RanchSonoma Valley more |
9/11/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRThe first glass of wine I have had all week, as it's been so frigging hot here in Orange County, I didn't touch much of anything. Opened this about 2 hours ago, this is roughly the second glass with an added coolness to the temp of it to help show it from cool, then moving to room temp. This is drinking really good. I had no expectations for this and simply wanted to give it a try. It tastes and acts like Grenache. Mainly when I drink Grenache, it is Rayas or Pignan, which to me are the standard bearers. You know when you got Pignan in the glass, it is dope good. So to this Carlisle, it is really just pure. It has a glassy texture, with pure cherry, then a cool sour spice note that tastes a lot like Pignan. There is something about Grenache, the texture, the red fruit, the soily, spicy note, it's all here. Acidity? Yes, and just enough to shade it all together and give energy. And worth mentioning, I looked at the Carlisle site to check on the wood, as I was not getting any here, and there ain't no new wood here. This adds to the purity. And heat or alcohol? I don't get any. Man, this is just so good and if it holds up for one day more, it is going to the WOTY list. Fantastic wine. |
| Red |
2014 Carlisle Syrah Rosella's VineyardSanta Lucia Highlands more |
7/4/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRI've been lazy in getting more of the CA syrah back into my cellar. I drank a lot of it down, yet I miss it so going forward, I'll buy back in heavier. Mike's syrahs have enough of a classic touch with the whole cluster and decreased oak that the wines work for me, even with a higher abv that some show. I opened this Rosella's last night, much of it remained for today. This is solid, with some classic Carlisle syrah touches of garrigue, purple flower, licorice and some chocolate. The fruit profile is very much purple, so think of a blue/black mix. The SLH acidity is nice and prominent here, given the wine a savory, roasted fruited tang in the finish that has some good length, too. No harm in drinking this now, especially if you want the energy of the youth, which I like here. |
| White |
2015 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Vieilles Vignes Clos des BriordsMelon de Bourgogne more |
11/8/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRMy first 2015 of the handful I bought for $18 each. Such a value. Tastes like Pepiere Briords, showing the lemony acidity and peel, a mineral/dry extract feel and a moderately creamy finish that still remains firm from the energy of the acidity and mineral. This is year after year so consistently good and it beats the crap out of wines that are 2-4X its price. Lovely stuff. |
| Red |
2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera RanchRussian River Valley more |
7/31/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote: NROpened this yesterday and enjoyed a glass. Pushed the cork back in, threw it in the fridge. Retasting a day later, I really dig this stuff and it's a reinforcer as to why I continue to buy the Carlisle zins. This is listed at 15.0% ABV, and while this is higher than most wines I buy these days, I dig Papera, along with Carlisle, Pagani and Montafi. There is squarely a place in my cellar for Mike's zins and this 14 Papera is drinking great. Yesterday, it showed quite a bit of structure, which typically I absorb pretty well but even I noticed the tannin. Aromatics of fresh berry, with a tinge of heat (which doesn't show when the wine is served with a little chill). At this stage, this is plump and juicy, showing a river rock kind of thing, which isn't something I get in zin very often--quite unique and cool. This is inky too, with a dark blueberry/raspberry, with a blackberry purity mixing with the acidity and structure. This remains coiled, yet the pure berry flavors in the core of this wine are terrific. Finishes with some licorice, and dark berry skin/tannin. This is beautiful old vine CA zin, one that is going to improve and meld together with some more time but I have no regrets in opening this now. 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2) |
| White - Sparkling |
2019 Vouette et Sorbée Champagne FidèlePinot Noir more |
1/23/2024 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRAnother bottle (#217 labeled) of the October 2021 disgorgement. 100% Pinot Noir off the estate in Buxières-sur-Arce. I recall on one of my past visits to see Bertrand Gautherot, and his comment that there's never been a synthetic product put on his estate. I know that in the upper plot, where the other family member has some of the vines, there is chemical used up on that plot, and the soil looked dead, sorry, hopeless. Yet, within the V et S portfolio, there is the assurance of biodynamic practices, clean farming and no BS in the wines and the soils are alive, beautifully alive. The wines are never dosed, and I've yet to have a wine from the estate that tastes dried out or austere. Yeah, there's energy and sometimes it can run on a beam that feels firm but to me that's the spirit of the place and of the process for how these wines are regarded and made. I opened this bottle yesterday to start enjoying it, resuming the same effort today. I let the chill wear off on today's glass, to really gather a solid assessment. Lots to like here, as the wine is wrapped up in a solid palate of fruit. Bergamot orange, cranberry, lime pith, sour apple and some cumin. Yeah, and maybe that sounds pretentious in description but I'm trying to convey what I sense here, and these are the flavor markers that keep resonating for me. The finish has the sour apple and lime driving it, supported by a river rock impression. Man, these wines continue to drink right in my wheel house, they convey something spirited. |
| Red |
2019 Halcon Vineyards Syrah AlturasYorkville Highlands more |
12/9/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NR95% Syrah with 5% Viognier. 50% whole cluster and just neutral wood. Love this stuff. Dried purple flowers/potpourri and ground black pepper aromatics, even a little bacon fat too. With no aeration this drinks super. Some plushness that is framed by blackberry, cherry and a bunch of tar, creosote and garrigue. Finishes with black licorice and a moderate kick of acidity. In contrast to the 2018, I suspect the 2019 will be attractive to a bigger audience. I like both vintages but the striking aromatics of the 2018 still haunt me. I wish Jackie and Paul Gordon the best, as they sold the vineyard and are going back to the UK. You guys made some of the best syrah in California and it will always hold a special place in the palates of many of the wine dorks, including me. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (6) |
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal BrutChampagne Blend more |
5/12/2021 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRThis bottle was great right on opening, when the richness and the acid were working great together. Lots of lemony citrus. As it aired out further and warmed up, I noticed the green apple note really come through and also the wine lost some of the richness and replaced it with structure. Like most Cristal, it never seems to get more than 30 mins before the bottle is drained. One of these times I have to force intention to save a glass for the following day. I still think the 2009 is superior to the 2008 but what the hell do I know. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5) |
| White |
2010 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Clos du BourgChenin Blanc more |
8/4/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRMy final bottle. After seeing a few recent notes about this wine perhaps not in the best shape, I figured I would open it and see what's there. We opened this yesterday and I brought back home last night with me the last few ounces so I could write a solid note today. As for how the wine shows, first off there is nothing wrong with the color, looks great. The palate is right on, too. There is some weight in the texture, slick and mouthfilling. The fruit expressions is lime, nectarine, peach, tart apple that is woven through some grapefruit and lime acidity, both lengthening the finish. Nothing wrong with this wine at all, and I am glad actually I opened it because I got to taste it and enjoy it. If anything, the acidity is still so bright that it might turn off some people but as an acid freak, I dig it. If this bottle is representative of the 10 CdB Sec (putting aside the bad bottles that others have logged), then I would think this vintage of it should last quite a while. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2014 Carlisle Petite Sirah Palisades VineyardNapa Valley more |
11/30/2019 - Frank Murray III wrote: NROpened this a few days ago, still a glass or two in the bottle as it's been sitting on the kitchen counter since Thanksgiving. Petite is usually indestructible and this true to form, as it's still powerful. Iron, chocolate, a tangy kind of creosote thing, too. Finishes with bitter chocolate note and a boysen/blackberry quality. Works great on a cold Fall afternoon. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2013 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coastmore |
3/26/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote: NROk, so first bottle of the 13 I have opened. As I have wrote about many times with past vintages of RM SC, this is a perennial buy for me, consistently too my QPR WOTY. For this bottle, I opened it last night and took to dinner, where it was poured next to a 2012 Ken Wright Guadalupe PN, which for me excelled past the RM, leaving me disappointed honestly. My hope was that an overnight slow ox and a new setting would show the wine differently. Tonight, drinking without food, with a great stem and perfect serving temp. Drinking with a cooler chill, there is a distinct smoky note in the aromatic tonight, something I didn't pick up y/day. The palate shows with some real density, bigger yet polished. As the wine warms, it begins to throw a bit of what seems like some charry oak, cherry and blackberry, with maybe some shadings of the cranberry and orange rind that I suppose I have been spoiled to in larger quantities with past vintages. With more air and at ideal temp, this settles down and starts to throw more cherry and brightness, which is what I want in my RM SC. What seems to be good medicine here is to let this wine breathe, to let it uncoil, and let the charry note and whatever oak this may have seen get settled into the wine. This should improve with time in bottle, and yes, I do recognize this is a 2013 and it is early but we need notes on these wines to set some context and see what we have. PS--I don't see this wine as some others have recently, as a fruit bomb or showing alcohol. With respect, I simply see this wine as bigger than past vintages, especially say 2010 and 2011, but booze and fruit bomb, no. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2012 Rhys Pinot Noir Bearwallow VineyardAnderson Valley more |
2/17/2015 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRI was a bit confused at the wide perspectives on this wine based on the limited notes in the database. So, I wanted to see how I would react to the wine in my own glass, with a plan to drink this across 2-3 nights. Initial reaction? Oooh, this is good. Those that made comments about stemmy tones or structure, I just don't find these yet. I've had the bottle open about an hour and what I do find is a distinct meaty note and supportive acidity. A soily, wet leaf, mulch note with a touch of sweet leather and lots of red cherry. Really unique. Not sure where the wine heads over the next few days but I'll reload this note over the next few nights and put my perspective in. At about 90 mins open, I start to see some structure starts to emerge, tightening up the finish......Day 2, retrying without food, intentionally to see how the wine shows without any other inputs around it. Perfect serving temp, as well. Man, this is good stuff. The cherry really shines through today, as juicy, vibrant with a shading of blue fruit that was not present yesterday. Some accents of spice, from what is I am sure soil and stem, these are accents that season the wine nicely. There is structure here today, seen in the lean edges of the red fruit and the bit of grip that carries the finish, showing that same meaty edge and soily note. Damn, rings like a Burg. This is a leaner, red fruited style so it's going to ring true for the CA pinot palate that seeks out this style. I seem to thrive on it now so this fits well for me. Drink window? Ehh, no rush. Delicious now with the structure and energy, but likely to go several years out. Adding to the WOTY list. |
| White - Sparkling |
2006 Dom Pérignon ChampagneChampagne Blend more |
6/13/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRThis was very good and was the right way IMO to end the flight of six that we had in succession. This followed the Pol Roger Extra CdR, and it really outclassed that wine. Terrific intensity here, citrus, flint, white flower and just drinking with a charm and attraction that I appreciated. Have not had Dom in a long time, wonderful to enjoy this with friends. |
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