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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2011 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Foothills Reserve

 Walla Walla Valley more
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3/17/2024 - Fugu Me Likes this wine: NR

PnP, consumed over three days. Definitely more savory, earth, and spice notes than fruit. A lot of depth to this wine, it was equally good with food (filet mignon) and by itself with plenty to contemplate. No hint of fading, or even peaking. This stayed the course through the several days it sat opened under cork on my kitchen counter.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/23/2024 2:00:00 PM - I agree with you on 2011. It's a bit of a sleeper vintage in my opinion. Not as flashy as, say, 2012, but in the hands of skilled winemakers, as is the case here, some truly elegant wines came out of it.

    I always enjoy reading your 3-day notes! I'm the only regular wine drinker in my household, so bottles typically stay open 2-4 days, and your notes are ones I actively look for to see what I might expect; should I err on the side of two days, or does it have the stuffing for three or more?
Red

2016 Cayuse Flying Pig

 Walla Walla Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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12/23/2023 - jonnysandwich Likes this wine: 95 points

I've only had the 2016, but this was possibly my favorite of Cayuse's off-Rhone wines; that succulent merlot really shines.

For the first hour this barely tasted like wine at all. Sweet grassy funk flavors balanced with olive, heavy salt, and a gorgeous bouquet of herbs de Provence.

After about an hour, the meat kicked in (with some fruit right behind it), along with a teasing medicinal note I couldn't quite place. (Best I can do is fennel slathered with tart compote.) A piquant combination to be sure—I kept emptying my glass to try to identify the flavor!

If you're a fan of La Rata (or Priorat in general) I suspect you'd really like this. Layers of fruit and herbs wrapped up in light Christophe-style umami funk. It's just a little airborne—it's still good!

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/17/2024 8:43:00 AM - Great note!
Red

2018 Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato

 Terre Siciliane more
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3/10/2024 - jdinkin1 wrote: 93 points

What a wonderful match for pasta puttanesca with sardines. Fruity but with substance. 5 yums.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/11/2024 9:03:00 AM - I that on a scale of 0 to 5 yums? :D
White - Sparkling

2019 Ultramarine Blanc de Noirs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

 Pinot Noir more
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1/28/2024 - JRockEsq wrote: 82 points

Method: pop and pour; cellar temp; white wine glass

Look: light+ straw

Nose: yeasty funk, pear, fermented lemon, asparagus

Palate: asparagus, lemon, lemon pith, lemon-lime, dry herbs; finish of dry herbs; dry; light+ body; strong, very fine bubbles; medium+ acidity; low- tannin

The more time passed, the more prominent the asparagus became

Overall thoughts: This started out surprising and interesting, but I liked it less and less as time went on. Ultimately, the asparagus note became very distinct and prominent (and drew a lot of reaction from around the table). The structure and mouthfeel were wonderful, as is expected from Ultramarine. Definitely didn't expect to dump about half a bottle between 8+ people tasting it, but here we are. Mediocre wine.

Also, I emailed Ultramarine to see if they thought this was an off bottle or if this is consistent with how the wine would show for this vintage. I never received a response.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/5/2024 2:57:00 PM - Sounds like a flawed bottle. If you hear back from them, please post an update. I'd be interested to know their thoughts, regardless.
Red

2010 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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3/2/2024 - pbaek wrote: NR

Wow, this opens up with a nose of stones, flowers, earth, dark cherry fruit. Beautiful, understated palate with marks of cherries, stone, lavender and thyme, liquid spices from Provence in a glass. Complete wine, balance and harmony, grand vin indeed. First bottle from a case of twelve. Chez Finn and Pernille.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/2/2024 5:00:00 PM - I just opened a bottle of this last night, and I think your note is spot on. Cheers!
Red

2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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3/1/2024 - Biskuit Likes this wine: 93 points

Didn't have time to let this sit before drinking, and it's a bit disjointed. Feels both slightly over the hill and not quite ready at the same time if that makes sense. I'll try to save a bit for a few hours from now...

Update: Back a few hours later and it has indeed come together, especially alongside a dry aged NY strip steak from Flannery. Very happy. Lesson learned - open this well in advance of drinking!

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    3/1/2024 9:43:00 PM - Everything tastes better with Flannery! ;-)
Red

2010 Rôtie Cellars Southern Blend

 Washington Red Rhone Blend more
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1/31/2024 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 89 points

Starting to fade, muted fruit, secondary character. Still pleasant but not the power I remembered.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/31/2024 9:38:00 AM - Drink 'em if you've got 'em! I have one left. Note to self: drink up!
Red

2010 Virage Vineyards

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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1/15/2024 - Charlie Carnes Likes this wine: 93 points

These are so satisfying. Time to re-up BerserkerDay!!!!

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/17/2024 3:18:00 PM - Hopefully these will be on offer... I think that Emily is sold out of the 2010?

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/17/2024 4:55:00 PM - I'm down to my last 2010! ¯\_(⊙︿⊙)_/¯
Red

2017 JB Neufeld Cabernet Sauvignon

 Yakima Valley more
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1/16/2024 - mkribar wrote: NR

On pop and pour, the nose is surprisingly open. Cassis, graphite, thyme. Just a hint of fig/fig jam. Overall smells like this wine is just barely out of its baby phase. Still heavy, coating tannins and medium plus acid--the wine is punishing to drink on its own right now. But the potential is clear: a classic cabernet with the right amount of greenery for a cigar box note in the future.

On day two, now this smells like a nice, classically proportioned cabernet. Dark cocoa, cassis, black cherry, mint, thyme. Tannins are still very much present, but not all consuming. Acid is good. Palate is a nice blend of fruit and savory notes.

On day three, this has really unfurled. Rose, cassis, bing cherry, cocoa dust, clove, rosehip. Tannins still a medium, but not overwhelming, good acid. On the palate: very fruity Ethiopian or Rwandan coffee, cassis, more rosehip, and clove. Some greenness barely poking through. An excellent and classically made cabernet.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/17/2024 11:00:00 AM - Thanks for the detailed note! Nice to read of the evolution over the three days.
Red

2009 Château Lynch-Bages

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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1/13/2024 - Fugu Me Likes this wine: NR

From 375. Even from the half bottle format, this felt like baby killing. Prominent, bold, grippy tannins. Primary fruit, graphite and wet granite. PnP, consumed over three hours, the last glass was definitely the best. Truly excellent now, but patience will definitely be rewarded. Paired with Flannery hanger steak, which helped with those tannins. Delicious.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/16/2024 11:48:00 AM - Well, I hope that there aren't enough baby-killing oenophiles out there for that to actually be a common saying amongst them! :D
White - Sparkling

2018 Ultramarine Blanc de Noirs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

 Pinot Noir more
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12/31/2023 - bottles.and.bites Does not like this wine: flawed

color is nearly orange, golden with red hues. Orange peel, mint, savory. Some how tastes overly heavy in mouth feel, yet still somewhat underrripe or astringent on the fruit. Bubbles felt like they dissipate rather quickly, frothy on the pour and then immediately flat. As a wine, it’s tasty. As a sparkling wine, I’m confused by the color and the lack of bubbles. As an ultramarine I’m fairly disappointed for our New Year’s Eve pop. Maybe popped too early or flawed?

Updated to drop score and mark as flawed based on what I’ve been reading for other 2018s

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    1/2/2024 11:24:00 PM - The "frothy on the pour and then immediately flat" makes me think that the glassware was not entirely clean, maybe dusty from sitting in a cupboard, or even soap residue from a dishwasher. Regardless, I understand the disappointment!
Red

2021 Psi Ribera del Duero

 Tempranillo more
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12/19/2023 - seekingbalance Likes this wine: 94 points

First, this wine is, IMO, both better and more approachable early than the 2020 Psi which i gave notes for as well.

This is beautiful wine in nearly every way.

Dark color, purple/ruby, with translucent edge and LONG legs. Very little sediment.

While this is a young wine, it was more immediately approach able than the 2020, and opened relatively quickly (in a big decanter the be fair). About 30 minutes in it was drinking great and very much more open than initially.

I felt it was best at around 60 degrees. Warmer made it "hot" = alcohol and added just a touch of funk, plus detracted from the acidity. Too cold and it just closed up.

The nose is very pure, with violets, wood, some spice notes, a balance of red and dark fruits, tar/tobacco, pepper and as i wrote about the 2020: "if Spain has garrigue, something like it"

The body/palate is NOT heavy or thick. Excellent. A nice wine with power and flavor, but not over the top, no sweetness. Paired very well with food, which in this case was a sweet&savory braised pork shoulder. Yum. Served over risotto, also yum.

The finish was medium long, and there were no unpleasant surprises.

Acid and mineral balance is very good.

I suspect this wine can last for decades (properly stored) and will evolve. OTOH, its not strictly necessary. There are no green tannins or obnoxious tannins here. Its silky, but structured. OTOH i have had so many Ribera's really develop complex earthiness as they pass 10 years. All i can say is that i look forward to trying this periodically over the next 15 years, or more.

I really like this wine.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    12/19/2023 7:57:00 PM - Fantastic note. Thanks for taking the time to write it!
Red

2019 Cayuse God Only Knows

 Walla Walla Valley Grenache more
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12/13/2023 - DevenStephens Likes this wine: 93 points

Grenache blind tasting of the world! Comparing Grenache from Australia, France, USA and Spain.
Order served blind was:
#1 Ochota Barrels Grenache The Fugazi 2021 (90pts)
#2 Domaine Giraud Grenache de Pierre 2019 (94pts)
#3 Cayuse God Only Knows Grenache 2019 (93pts)
#4 Alto Moncayo Garnacha 2020 (92pts)
Also included my points for each so you know where I ranked them.

Here are my notes for the Cayuse God Only Knows:
Light red color. Nose is incredible, if you've had Cayuse before you'd recognize it immediately. That barnyard funk, dry aged meat and canned mushrooms (my sister found this note and its undeniably that). Palate was a tad bitter at first and needed a couple hours to smooth out the rough edges. Still incredibly funky and extremely unique. Barnyard, meaty, mushrooms and forest floor. This was better with food honestly and the only thing showing that this is grenache is the light red fruits hidden under all the weird but interesting notes. As unique as this was, I can't give it that high a score. It's good but tries to impress by being the weird one and comes off as pretentious. I'd be really curious on trying this one with some age.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    12/13/2023 3:41:00 PM - Good notes and it sounds like a great tasting event. In my experience, the GOK benefits greatly from either a lot of air in its youth (better the second day than the first) or with extended bottle age. Age/air tone down the funkier notes and let more fruit show through.
Red

2011 Ridge Geyserville

 Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more
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11/5/2023 - CondorKhan wrote: 94 points

Found a bottle at Safeway, of all places, nearly 10 years after I drank my last one...

Don't know if it's a library release or if it's been at Safeway for 10 years.. the lady at the wine section didn't know.

But I can say that it's just as good, if not better than 10 years ago.

Reading my notes, and remembering my experience, this is quite similar... Maraschino cherries, blueberries... gives the feeling of warm berry compote. Tannins are resolved, soft and silky. Body is medium, acidity present but quite soft. This is elegant, refined, with no sharp edges. Just a stunning example of a classic wine.

"Bad" years separate the wheat from the chaff, and it's evident that you need someone like Paul Draper to craft something so special and elegant in a year like 2011.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    11/5/2023 8:14:00 PM - What a gem of a grocery store find! Cheers!
Red

2010 Château Pontet-Canet

 Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/12/2023 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 100 points

At home, with Chicken Provencal. A perfect wine, perfectly ready! Garnet, slightly translucent, hint of amber edge. Decanted two hours. Powerful, complex, unmistakable Bordeaux aromas of cassis, cedar, leather, tobacco. High glycerin, very viscous. Full-bodied but also round and smooth, with soft tannin. The flavors match the aroma and increase on the palate, with an extremely long aftertaste. This will easily last many more years but it can't get any better than perfection!
Ric

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    9/13/2023 8:27:00 AM - Nice note. Did you decant, and if so, for how long? I haven't opened any of mine yet, but based on some recent notes, it seems like it may be time.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    9/16/2023 12:05:00 PM - That seals it. One of these is getting opened sooner than later. Thanks!
Red

2019 Andremily EABA

 Santa Barbara County Red Rhone Blend more
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2/26/2023 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 95 points

This is pretty excellent right now but I would give it another year or so to settle down. Deep delicious fruit, some chocolate. Drank quickly and with non-winos (mistake) after a 2 hour decant. Never had time to really talk about it and reflect and then it was gone before I put away 4 oz for day 2 oops.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    2/28/2023 1:28:00 PM - Thanks for popping one of these! I'm sitting on mine for a while yet, I think. I actually think the Andremily wines are great to drink with non-winos, as they're very approachable and provide a wow factor that can be appreciated by a wide spectrum of folks. I've turned a few non-winos into, if not exactly aficionados, but at least more aware of the potential of really great wine.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    9/13/2023 9:25:00 AM - FWIW, as someone who has been buying Andremily since their very first vintage, I'd second Decanting Queen's decision. While it would be painful (and break my vertical!!!), and to be clear an excellent wine, I think the Syrah is perhaps the least distinctive of the lineup, with relatively close alternatives from other producers.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    9/13/2023 9:36:00 AM - Prego! I do think, though, if you can swing it, it's absolutely worthwhile to buy the entire lineup at least once and taste through them yourself to see what really suits your palate, then tailor your future purchases accordingly. Maybe you don't really like the Mourvèdre, for example. I mean, you'd be insane not to, but you never know.... ;)

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    9/14/2023 8:56:00 AM - Wombat, I'm available this weekend! :D
Rosé

2022 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé

 Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend more
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8/25/2023 - Fugu Me wrote: flawed

3.0l boxed wine. Secondary fermentation.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    8/26/2023 12:50:00 PM - Jason, thanks so much for your note! I have actually already been in contact with Monica and received replacement bottles yesterday! Tablas' customer service is AMAZING! Glad to hear that the issue with the boxes has been found and rectified. It's such a great format for these wines. Cheers!
Red

2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

 Red Rhone Blend more
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7/24/2023 - thesternowl wrote: 93 points

Served to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity and some moderate staining of the tears. There appears to be some sign of sediment as well. On the nose, the wine was intense with notes of dark cherries, a mix of red and black bramble fruits, licorice, some leather and dried gravelly earth. I don’t detect any use of barrique but maybe some large format oak. This has an old world nose to it that was really lovely. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose and while the fruit had some power, it came in a body that was pretty fit and tidy. Alcohol is medium+. The finish is long and had some stoney minerals too. I called Brunello di Montalcino from a warmer vintage like 2009. Whoa…2007 Beaucastel! Damn, they hit so different than most other CdP’s. So much more restrained! But now that it has been revealed and I’ve allowed more time for it to breathe in my glass, I totally get its sense of place. One of my big takeaways is that I need more experience with these wines, particularly with age because that’s when they become more interesting to me. This is drinking well now but I expect it will continue to do so through 2032 with ease.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    8/14/2023 10:32:00 PM - Great note, Jay! Cheers!
Red

2011 Virage Vineyards

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/23/2023 - BRR Likes this wine: NR

Ron's note nails it in that the wine's structure is starting to fade a bit. I think this has begun its decline and those with bottles should drink them soon. Lots of dark fruit and a nice subtle leather note underneath, but the fruit is starting to take on a slightly flabby and prune-like edge, and this is most noticeable on the nose. It's enjoyable still, but I think the weaker vintage is starting to show itself.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    6/26/2023 2:50:00 PM - Thanks for the heads up on this. Time to drink up!
Red

2012 Ridge Monte Bello

 Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend more
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4/3/2023 - arthur05 Likes this wine: 95 points

LOVE THIS 2012! Loaded with intense black fruit and great tannin. With much discipline, I look forward to trying it again in 5 years.

  • Comment posted by Fugu Me:

    4/3/2023 5:42:00 PM - Did you give this some air before serving? If so, how much did it need?

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