| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
8/26/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 92 pointsAs with the recently-revisited 2004 Rancia, this was a big improvement over the last bottle. Threw off a lot of sediment, so decanting recommended. Opaque rosewood color. Nose of tar, bitumen, and black fruit, with the sweetness of chocolate-covered cherries. This is similarly serious on the palate; dark and brooding, with luscious black fruit balanced against tertiary earthy notes. There are slightly astringent wood and anise notes on the long finish. Very fine throughout, this is optimally mature and should be enjoyed without hesitation. |
| Red |
2006 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
12/18/2017 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 87 pointsMedium-dark rosewood color. Restrained nose, with kumato tomatoes, a whiff of black licorice, and some drying minerality. This stoniness persists all throughout the mouth, which otherwise has a thin palate composed of some dilute black fruit flavors ending with a fading note of mocha. I was a little disappointed with the 2004 Rancia and this is worse still, particularly given the reputation of this vintage. |
| Red |
2009 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru CelebrationPinot Noir more |
1/14/2013 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 85 pointsStarts very airy, with bright fruits and a faint whiff of cola. Seems more like a light Sonoma Coast-style Pinot Noir (I know, I know, revoke my French visa, whatever; I am telling it like it is). This has a mouthfeel like a slightly overripe cherry: a juicy red fruit flavor with a musty side. The tannins are discouragingly sedate. I ask myself, "Self, if the purpose of the Burgundian classification system is to demarcate the areas (Premier and Grand crus) with unique, distinguishing qualities, what is the point of mixing them all together?" Alas, in response, this wine perched, and sat, and nothing more. Easy drinking, but I expected something a bit more compelling. Drag, man. 8 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5) |
| Red |
2014 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon SignatureNapa Valley more |
1/30/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 89 pointsOpaque crimson color. Bright and cheery nose of red fruit, with a whiff of sweet vanilla emerging as the wine aerated. There was nary a hint of the green flavor mentioned by other tasters, to which I have been quite sensitive recently. The palate is young and plump, with ample jammy fruit in the middle of the mouth. However, there are some fine, supportive tannins keeping this from becoming flabby. Nice now with a bit of air and a bite of steak, I can see this continuing to mature through its 10th birthday. Another solid showing from the always reliable folks on the top of Pritchard Hill. |
| Red |
2004 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
11/3/2017 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 89 pointsOpaque rosewood color. Very tertiary nose of rocks and shoe polish, cigar box, and some twiggy green notes. The palate is smooth and round at the front of the mouth, turning abruptly sharp at midpalate, retaining both tannins and acidity through the finish, which has a reprise of the stemmy note from the nose. At an intermediate point of maturation; this seems like it is drying out a bit, and I worry if there's enough fruit left to buy time for the structural elements to integrate more fully. I've got another bottle remaining, which I'll revisit after a few years. |
| Red |
2010 Argiano Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese more |
11/13/2017 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 92 pointsTranslucent carnelian color. This has an entrancing nose of red berries, potpourri, and serious minerality. In the mouth, all the elements seem tightly delineated to start, though this somewhat broadens out on the midpalate. There's moderate but not oppressive acidity through the finish, which lingers with plum and other stone fruit flavors. This has an almost Côte de Nuits-like character, as it has an incredible aromatic and gustatory breadth, while maintaining concentration, and remaining elegant throughout. 92 points today, likely higher in a few years' time. |
| Red |
2010 Château Léoville BartonSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/9/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 94 pointsMedium-dark crimson color. Brooding nose, with ink, blackberry, cedar wood, and a little bit of oaky sweetness. In the mouth, this is starting to show signs of opening up, as a tough carapace of dry tannins gradually unfolds to reveal a palate of great concentration and intensity. Currant makes way to a lingering note of iodine on the long and still highly tannic finish. Classic Bordeaux from a superlative vintage, this is showing great promise but requires at least 5 more years of patience and will drink enjoyably for long after that. |
| Red |
2007 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
9/3/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 90 pointsOpaque rosewood color. Rich and warm nose of brambles, oiled leather, and a faint whiff of mesquite. This has a lightly stony terroir, and the sweet topnote of crushed violet. Another ringer for Left Bank Bordeaux. In the mouth, this starts pleasantly with a flowery sweetness, becoming drily rocky at mid palate. Throughout the palate, there is a drying note of well-integrated tannin. A bit less good than the 2004 and 2006 Rancia I recently enjoyed, this could use some more time to smooth out. I have two magnums remaining, and will endeavor to keep away from them for 3-5 years. |
| Red |
2005 Château LascombesMargaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/9/2017 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 91 pointsOpaque crimson color. Popped and poured, this had an oddly bitter flavor around the edges of the tongue. I gave this a 4+ hours decant, which significantly improved things. This has a brooding nose of blackberry, graphite, perfume, and ink. The palate is luscious, composed of black fruit and the beginnings of some tertiary sous bois flavors. This finishes long, with tannins that have softened somewhat but would still support another 5-10 years in the cellar. This wine has been criticized by other tasters as overly oaky and modern, but I (usually being quite sensitive to this) didn't find this to be the case. In total, this was a middle-of-the-fairway Bordeaux just entering its drinking window. |
| Red |
2007 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
10/4/2015 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 92 pointsDecanted and consumed over an hour. Opaque rosewood color. Nose of ink, green stalks, beef blood and clove. With some air, this took on an expansive floral aroma. The palate is rich and brooding, with ample ripe blackberry and an understated (but additive) accent of wood. The tannins have smoothed out enough to make this enjoyable today, but remain firm and drying enough that another decade in the cellar should allow further olfactory and gustatory nuance to unfold. Overall, more evidence that 2007 is a generous and accessible vintage. However, I didn't get much from this wine that I didn't get from Seavey's Caravina, which offers better value at $55 vs. nearly $95 for the Cabernet. |
| Red |
2007 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
2/6/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 87 pointsOpaque crimson color. Nose of potpourri and some dusty soil, but little else in the way of tertiary development. The palate echoes this, with an intensely floral character to start. However, this thins out in the middle of the mouth, a problem I experienced with the 2006 and (to a lesser extent) the 2004. These are better-than-average vintages and should be entering prime time, but the wines are tasting either dilutely thin or shrilly acidic. I've got several more bottles across all these vintages, so more opportunities for redemption in time, but I'm not terrifically hopeful at the moment. |
| Red |
2004 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva RanciaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese more |
8/17/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 92 pointsMedium-dark crimson color. Dark and meaty nose to start, with shoe polish and saddle leather aromas. Aeration reveals deep layers of red fruit. Similarly, this is tartly fruity entering the mouth, turning very mineralic at midpalate, and finishing with a slight anise note. Good balance and vivacity, much improved from sequentially disappointing bottles of the 2004, 2006, and 2007 vintages of Rancia, which I found desiccated and shrill. Drinking well now, and for perhaps another 4 years. |
| Red |
1996 Terreno Chianti Classico RiservaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese more |
8/2/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 97 pointsOrdered two bottles off a restaurant wine list, each as good as the other. Medium-dark rosewood color, with nary a sign of bricking. The nose is deep and dark, densely packed with aromas of tar, leather, shoe polish, black fruit, and wet earth. Unlike some other mid-90's Italian wines I have had recently, this is fully alive and not at all dried out on the palate. Juicy and round mouthfeel, with generous black fruit at midpalate, and tannins that have smoothed out and integrated perfectly. This was astoundingly good, an absolute delight to drink. Maybe another two years left, for anyone that has bottles knocking around in the cellar. |
| Red |
2008 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountainmore |
5/26/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: NRMedium-dark rosewood color. Brooding nose, with some piquant cedar wood and some lightly oaked black fruit. The palate is not yet fully resolved, coming across as somewhat mute at this point in time. This is so hard- it's pleasant, but nondescript. Overall, this seems to be in a bit of a dumb phase, but smells and tastes very nice all the same. I am leaving this not rated and reserving judgment, as I know how majestic Dunn Howell Mountain can be in old age. 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| White - Sparkling |
1999 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom PérignonChampagne Blend more |
9/20/2016 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 93 pointsMedium-light citrine color, with a voluptuous mousse. This has a very mineral-driven nose, with some toasty notes and a bit of restrained fruitiness. The palate, similarly, is very mineral-driven, finishing with moderate acidity. This is delicious throughout, with moderate effervescence and a smooth texture that nicely balances the very firm body of this wine. This seems to be just entering its drinking window, and I perceive enough structure here to warrant continued maturation. Lovely vintage champagne. I recommend pairing this with fried chicken- really. You won't feel silly for long. |
| Red |
2007 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese more |
10/17/2017 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 93 pointsTranslucent crimson color. Dark, prepossessing nose encompassing oily, earthy, and brightly floral aromas, underpinned by rocky and mocha notes, and a whiff of freshly-cut tobacco. On the palate this is in late adolescence, with present but well-integrated acidity balancing the luscious flavor of blackberry. This tiptoes along a precipice; it is about to cross a threshold into serious maturity. I wish I had another bottle to enjoy after 3-5 years of continued evolution. |
| Red |
2012 d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz-ViognierMcLaren Vale Shiraz Blend, Syrah more |
10/8/2018 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 90 pointsVibrant light garnet color. Cheery nose with lots of red fruit, accented by some more serious notes of freshly cut tobacco, ground cinnamon, and a subtly earthy terroir. On the palate, plump Shiraz meets an interjection of acidic Viognier, combining vibrantly in a palate that has an austere, inky flavor to complement the plush fruit. Medium finish with good balance throughout. Will evolve for perhaps another 5 years, but plenty good today. Another solid showing from d'Arenberg. I'm a repeat customer at $25/bottle. |
| Red |
2010 Château Sociando-MalletHaut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/26/2015 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 88 pointsOpaque crimson color. Subdued nose of graphite, tar and black fruit. The palate on this is also restrained, remaining quite primary. This had a somewhat bitter finish when first opened, though this dissipated with a little bit of aeration. The tannins are still tough, retaining a spicy bite. I had hoped that the Merlot would have made this accessible by its fifth birthday, but it is still wrapped up tight. Would be interested to revisit this in 5-10 years. |
| Red |
2010 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountainmore |
3/2/2014 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: NRThis was the first time I have consumed a Dunn wine with less than ten years on it, which turned out to be a mistake. Despite a three hour decant and another three hours spent lingering over the bottle, this is completely closed down right now. Some faint smoky and ashy notes on the nose. The palate is very clean and linear (compared to your benchmark California Cabernet) with the excellent structure that is key to the Methuselaic longevity of these wines. However, this is impossible to critically evaluate now, so I'm scoring it "Not Rated" with a positive bias. At least five more years, and likely 15+, are going to be needed for this to come into its own. |
| Spirits |
NV Dalmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 40%Highlands more |
8/2/2016 - NineteenEightyTwo wrote: 89 pointsMedium orange marmalade color. Aromas of lemon rind, graham crackers, golden raisins, varnish, tobacco, and cedar. The palate is tightly wound, entering with warmth before constricting around a mineral core at midpalate. This has a medium-length finish with a woody note of cocoa beans. The overall effect is bit more rich than a standard Highland malt; what is here has good balance, but I am wishing for some ripe fruit flavors to fill this out. Better to upgrade to the Dalmore 15, which is truly a benchmark Scotch. 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3) |
| Red |
2010 Château d'AiguilheCastillon Côtes de Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/14/2013 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 90 pointsDark garnet color. Nose of oily leather, cedar closet, and pencil shavings, with a whiff of menthol. Palate is similarly dense, but all bound up in a tight web of tannins. Decanted overnight, the nose now exhibits meaty aromas, as well as berries and a floral, potpourri-like scent. The palate is still dominated by the woodsy, tannic structural elements, but has begun to express a bit more in the way of tart red fruit. This needs at least three years to mellow out a bit, and should drink well for at least a decade. |
| White - Sparkling |
2005 Henriot Champagne Brut MillésiméChampagne Blend more |
5/10/2014 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 95 pointsMedium-light gold color with frothy, ample mousse and fine effervescence. This had a nose like Corton-Charlemagne, or some of the more mineral-driven white Burgundies. The palate was a harmonious balance between fruit (citrus, apricot), mineral and toasty notes, underpinned by a sharp but pleasant acidity. This manages to be young and fresh at the same time that it is concentrated and serious, and has all the requisite elements to be a long-lived and superlative mature Champagne. Worth buying a case to lay down for another decade or more. |
| White - Sweet/Dessert |
2006 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble ManEdna Valley more |
3/21/2014 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 93 pointsVery dark amber color with orange hues. Rich, sweet nose of honey, pavlova and candied orange. On the palate this is concentrated and rich, with a dense melange of sweet, ripe fruit flavors. The finish is long and unctuous. This doesn't have the most persistent acidity, but should hang on for another five years at least. In total, this is a stylistic departure from Kracher's more structured Austrian TBAs, and comes off as both more exotic as well as more immediately accessible. A delicious wine that requires no accompaniment, this is essentially dessert in a glass. |
| Red |
2001 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran ReservaTempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more |
10/13/2013 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 91 pointsAccesed with Coravin. Medium carmine color. The nose immediately expresses a mix of smoky, rocky, woody and fruit flavors. With aeartion, additional nuances of rose petals, berries, roasted bell peppers, cedar, and cinnamon emerge. The palate starts out somewhat restrained by stiff tannins and firm acidity. However, some time in the glass allows this to mellow and express fruity notes like the nose. Regrettably, the nose itself fades during this process, leaving the wine unbalanced between one and the other. This is a complex wine made in a restrained old-world style, but I would like to see it achieve better harmony between fragrance and flavor. 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4) |
| Red |
2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Hirsch VineyardSonoma Coast more |
6/20/2016 - NineteenEightyTwo Likes this wine: 93 pointsPerhaps the most classical profile of any Williams Selyem wine I have ever had. Dark garnet color. This has a clean, mineral-driven nose. The finely delineated palate has deep black fruit flavors and an underlying stony note, balanced throughout by well-integrated acidity. This is more like a hedonistic expression of Clos de Vougeot (a bit like the 2009 Ferrington) than any New World Pinot Noir. A surprising improvement from the bottle I tried back in 2013, I wish I had another bottle of this to cellar for 5-10 years. Though I still think that the Williams Selyem range is too broad, these wines are more convincingly justifying the premium valuation as I move up the price list. |
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- Tasting notes: 1,069 notes on 936 wines
