| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2018 Chanin Pinot Noir Bien Nacido VineyardSanta Maria Valley more |
6/21/2023 - wthad4 Likes this wine: 77 pointsOnce again, Gavin shows that he really knows what he’s doing! Waited 18 months since the last bottle and it was time well spent in the bottle! Fruit was still light - cherry & raspberry for a nice bright “pop” on the front end. Just a hint of sweetness and maybe a little licorice on the back. Has a longer finish which made for a very enjoyable wine with dinner. Sad to be done with this vintage. |
| Red |
2012 Antica Terra Pinot Noir CerasWillamette Valley more |
6/17/2023 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 94 pointsPrior bottle was 2 years and 2 months ago and the wine continues to show beautifully. Black cherry, earth and spice notes on the nose. Closer to medium bodied now with rounded and expressive black and red cherry upfront. Adding red berries and blackberry through the mid-body and backside. The mid-body remains elegant, but also a touch more integrated than previously. Good backside structure provided by fine grained tannins, spices and mineral notes. The wine is a whole is drinking beautifully, with expressiveness, complexity and balance. However, based on consistent notes and the fact that the wine is more rounded and integrated, this is clearly peak. It will last for several additional years at a high level, but there's no reason to wait and this should ideally be drunk over the next 18-24 months to enjoy this peak.
|
| White - Off-dry |
2019 Alfred Merkelbach Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling SpätleseMosel Saar Ruwer more |
4/17/2022 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 pointsWhite apple and pear on the nose and as it warms, some smokey peach notes. Between light and medium bodied (8% ABV) with white apple upfront, with white pear behind for contrast. Brings in white peach through the middle with increasing density as well as some richer tropical highlights towards the far back. Fruit through the middle took some time to resolve and a good amount of the complexity is still concealed by acidity. The acidity itself has some zip, but is acting in more of dampening fashion at present. Minerals, spices and acidity on the backside and through the finish. Should gain in complexity as well as depth with more time. Next bottle for me, Q2 2023.
|
| White |
2019 Von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling KabinettMosel Saar Ruwer more |
1/27/2023 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPrior bottle was 8 months ago and this wine continues to show exceptionally well. Nose continues to be beautiful with white and green apple (white becoming more prominent) along with pear and now even some tart, white peach to go along with the intense citrus and bright melon. Evolves over time, gaining complexity as it warmed over 2 hours. Close to medium bodied with white apple and white melon upfront with some more tart green melon, green apple and pear as highlights. Mid-body white peach has continued to gain definition and mid-body as a whole shows great white orchard fruits, framed by citrus melon and outstanding acidity. The balance between the acidity and the fruit notes is working very well at present and should continue in this young, exciting, acidity-driven whitefruit stage for several more years with a long life ahead.
|
| Red |
2013 Morlet Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Coteaux NoblesSonoma Coast more |
6/19/2022 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPrior bottle was 11 months ago and those notes are confirmed; the wine has taken a small step back from the heights it once occupied. Black raspberry, black cherry and spices notes on the nose. A bit over medium bodied with black raspberry and black cherry continuing to show well both upfront and through the middle. There's still very good depth through the middle, but not quite as much as prior bottles. Additionally, it felt like it may have been lacking some of the nuance and definition that made it so special in the past. Tannins and tart blackfruit help to support the fruit on the backside, but they are more integrated than in the past. Overall, the wine is still in a very good spot and drinking quite well, but the structural notes are integrating and the wine is rounding out through the middle. It should remain in a good spot for another few years, but I'd drink these over the next 2 to get the most out of it.
|
| Red |
2013 Antica Terra Pinot Noir CerasWillamette Valley more |
7/12/2022 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 94 pointsPrior bottle was 1 year ago and the wine continues to show exceptionally well and with consistent notes. Red berries, red cherry, earth and minerals on a classically styled nose. A touch above medium bodied with red berries and red cherry upfront. These notes deepen through the middle and add hints of black cherry and red raspberry. Backside shows tart red cherry, fine grained tannins, minerals and earth notes. The overall balance that this wine shows is again a highlight and it leaves the wine feeling elegant and silky and allows the fruit to express its nuances and complexity. This wine is pure pleasure to drink. Based on consistent notes, feels like this wine is at peak, but in a fashion it should be able to maintain for at least another couple of years. I'll certainly be looking for more....
|
| White - Sweet/Dessert |
2005 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Clos de Sainte CatherineChenin Blanc more |
7/9/2022 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPrior bottle was three and a quarter years ago and this wine has held up well. Apricot, orange, pineapple and lemon notes on a nose that remains quite aromatic. Still between medium and full bodied (has kept its depth, not thinned out) with white peach upfront, moving to orange, pineapple and other tropical notes on the backside. Moderately tart acidity as well as citrus notes of orange and lemon on the backside still provide quite good structure and contrast. Overall, the wine remains in a great drinking window with excellent overall balance between fruit/acidity. The only reason I marked it down slightly was the complexity seemed a bit less than the stellar nature of my first four bottle and the acidity (not surprisingly) not quite as vibrant. That said, this wine clearly has the fruit and structure to remain rewarding for at least another couple of years, if not longer. I'll plan to open my next bottle in June/July 2023.
|
| White |
2019 Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Caywood VineyardSeneca Lake more |
11/20/2021 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 pointsTasted at the winery. Previously tasted at the winery five months ago and the wine has improved in that time. Lots of saline/mineral notes on the nose, along with apple, pear and light floral qualities. Nearly medium bodied with a much more distinct and open fruit profile of white apple and white pear. Also shows a good mix of more rounded and open qualities couple with slightly more tart and acidity-tinged highlights. I didn't pick up any greenfruit notes this time; has moved to all whitefruit. The mid-body in particular has opened up quite well, while retaining the acidity, tart white orchard fruits and citrus on backside. These qualities are coming together quite well. I'll plan to open my first from bottle in Q2 2022.
|
| Red |
2012 Wren Hop Pinot Noir Royalty in ExileRussian River Valley more |
7/19/2021 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPrior bottle was eight months ago and while the wine showed well, it was a small step down from my prior bottle in November 2020. Black and red cherry, red raspberry, light spices and floral notes on the nose. Still between medium and full bodied with red cherry and red raspberry the dominant fruit notes upfront and through the middle. There are still some black cherry notes behind, but the wine seems to have lost some of its blackfruit complexity as well as its mid-body density. Taking into account that it was served in Summer rather than Winter, the lack of blackfruit qualities was noticeable. Tart red cherry and light spice notes on the back along with fine grained tannins provide structure. The fruit through the middle shows very good clarity of flavor and the transition from mid-body to finish shows very good balance. Should be able to hold up well for at least another year, but I would drink these on the earlier side as the things that made my first bottle special are starting to fade slightly. It's only a small step down for now, but will become more noticeable. Drink and enjoy.
|
| White |
2017 Chanin Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
6/19/2021 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 pointsPear, lemon and other citrus notes and malo qualities on the nose. Medium bodied and still quite young (as is typical for this vineyard site) showing soft and open mixed white orchard fruit notes upfront. Adds depth through the middle along with more distinct apple and lemon notes. Tart citrus and whitefruit on the backside along with tannins and acidity. Good amount of structure now, but coupled with where the fruit is today, this promises additional complexity as well as integration going forward. As it warms, it showed improved balance. Overall, this is still on the young side but as I have a good number of bottles, wanted to get a read on where things stood. I expect the fruit to gain complexity and definition and the wine as a whole to show improved balance with time. This wine has good potential and is worth holding. Next bottle for me, March or June 2022.
|
| Red |
2018 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Victor Francis Peake Ranch VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
10/5/2021 - air guitar & pinot noir wrote: 93 pointsI believe this was too early for this Lato. It seemed a bit tight and restrained. It was dark in color and presented a nice array of fruit components. Both black and blueberry notes. No ripeness, subdued and initially a bit stodgy. Started to open up with time and was considerably more accessible on day 2- which those who know me understand is a rare occurrence. It seemed to lack the absolute silky and elegance that I usually find as a hallmark of Paul’s wines. That all being said, there is nothing flawed here, just a bit different than what I have previously enjoyed. My humble opinion is to exert patience with this one and revisit in late 2022.
|
| Red |
2014 Peake Ranch Pinot NoirSta. Rita Hills more |
4/19/2020 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 pointsPrior bottle was a bit over 14 months ago and this wine continues to show well. Black raspberry, black berry and vanilla on the nose. Medium bodied, perhaps a bit more, with black raspberry and and black cherry the dominant fruit notes. Shows some brightness initially, some rounded depths through the middle and just a touch of that that black raspberry/earth/spice mixture towards the back. As with the prior bottle, the fruit profile remains consistent, but the with continues to slowly integrate and demonstrate better balance, especially on the back. Feels like this wine should continue to evolve along these lines and drink quite well over the next few years.
|
| Red |
2014 Walter Scott Pinot Noir Sojourner VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
9/13/2020 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPrior bottle was almost nine months ago and as well as that bottle showed, this one surpassed it. I had no choice but to increase my score accordingly. Mixture of black and red cherry on the nose along with floral and earth notes; even more aromatic than my prior bottle. Medium bodied with a similar flavor profile to my prior bottle: red cherry with higher toned red berries upfront, adding black cherry and darker blackfruit notes through the middle. Tart red cherry, integrated tannins and balanced spice notes provided the structure and contrast. Where this wine excelled were (i) mid body - simply beautiful fruit expression, silky and full of nuance, (ii) overall balance - improved from my prior bottle and (iii) integration - also improved from my prior bottle such that each component seemed to mesh neatly into the other and amplified all the positive qualities. This was open for almost 3 hours ahead of time which certainly helped it show its best and also shows how much life remains. Quite impressed with how this wine has evolved over the past few years and pleased that my final bottle could show this beautifully.
|
| Red |
2005 Château Lafon-RochetSt. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend more |
7/19/2020 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 pointsPrior bottle was to-the-day a year ago and the wine continues to show quite well. Black cherry mixed with plum along with cassis and earth on a very pretty nose. A little above medium bodied with brighter blackberry and softer black cherry upfront followed by darker blackfruit notes (plum) through the middle. Tart black cherry, earth and a slate/graphite note on the backside and through the finish. The tannins balance the fruit well, but in a fine-grained fashion so that you can feel the structure and contrast while the fruit remains quite expressive. The mid-body in particular showed quite well. Overall, quite pleased with how this wine is showing and I'll save my last bottle for July 2021.
|
| White |
2017 Thibaud Boudignon Anjou BlancChenin Blanc more |
6/27/2020 - wmccone54 Likes this wine: 91 pointsFresh, lively, and delicious. Bright, clear medium lemon color. Mineral and terroir driven on the nose with sea spray, white rock, white blossom, and lemon. Flavors are more fruit driven with tart lemon juice, lemon rind and quince balanced with salty minerality and crunchy white rock. Developing complexity. Medium plus acidity provides a fresh and zippy mouthfeel and supports a long ending. Paired well with an assortment of hard cheeses, salamis and crackers. Excellent!
|
| Red |
2000 Fontanafredda Barolo Paiagallo La VillaNebbiolo more |
12/16/2018 - repoper wrote: 91 pointsSlow iced all day and out into a decanter about two hours before drinking. Still a really dark wine that when I held it up to a light was inpenatrable. Nice dusty nose of roses and mushrooms. In the mouth a strong dose of tar and wet rocks. Love it. Sorry to see it go as it was my last bottle.
|
| Red |
2008 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino MontosoliSangiovese more |
3/29/2020 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 94 pointsFirst of 2 from a relatively recent auction purchase ($70@). Opened but not decanted with 1 oz pour, and it was immediately singing, completely integrated. I did let it sit for 30+ mins before pouring a glass, but tasting notes were consistent throughout nights 1 and 2. On the nose and palate, classic BdM notes of cherry, smoke, earth, pine needles, tobacco, tar and spice; the main difference between this and many other BdMs was the sweetness and strength of the fruit, both on an absolute level and as compared to the acidity and tannins. Dark purple with brown notes and slight bricking, medium to full bodied, medium+ legs. Medium+ acidity and silky tannins, very good persistence. I don't agree with other writers that this is "dumbed down" or that the fruit tastes like cherry Ludens, but I understand where they're coming from: this is a modern, vibrant, fruit-first BdM, the kind of wine I'd pour as a gateway drug for a drinker of cult cabs who wanted to be introduced to BdMs. At the same time, the wine shone with our homemade pizza, with the well-integrated acidity balancing out the food. This wine is right in its drinking window, but the degree of integration makes me think it's closer to the end than the start of that window. I'd buy more of this at what I paid, but I'd look to drink anything I bought, and will otherwise drink my remaining bottle, in the next year or so.
|
| White |
2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling KabinettMosel Saar Ruwer more |
1/11/2020 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 pointsPrior bottle was 14 months ago and this wine continues to hold up quite well. Nose remains quite similar to prior bottles, especially after being open for a few hours: white/green apple, white peach, lemon and minerals. Medium bodied with initially all apple (mixture of green, evolving into white), but the longer it's open the more noticeable the white peach becomes, especially in the middle. Good mid-body density, but not quite as much as prior bottles. Tart notes (especially lemon) comes in on the back and the acidity this wine still shows is a nice contrast. The acidity is no longer electric, but it retains enough vibrancy to set up a good contrast with the mid-body peach notes. While the wine still has backbone, due to the fruit quality of the vintage it may come off to some as not quite as dry as a typical kabinett. Has the elements to continue to evolve positively and I will almost certainly be picking up a few more bottles.
|
| White |
2014 Chanin Chardonnay Bien Nacido VineyardSanta Maria Valley more |
7/18/2019 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 pointsPreviously tried a bit over two years ago, this was my first from bottle. Floral, citrus, tropical fruits and a slight touch of oak on the nose. Medium bodied with orchard fruits upfront and then a beautiful mid-body with expressive tropical fruit notes mixed with creaminess and then contrasted with lemon, lime and citrus notes on the backside. Overall, felt much better integrated than previously, with the mid-body balance in particular being standout. Lengthy finish with a lot of mineral/saline notes. This wine has really come together quite well and should be able to continue to positively evolve along these lines over the next couple of years. Next bottle for me in June/July 2020.
|
| Red - Fortified |
1994 Dow Porto VintagePort Blend more |
12/14/2019 - JBNH Likes this wine: NRThis port is still youthful and delicious! No score because it remains at the same level of my past score range of 95-98. Plus, no specific notes because I completely agree with RGCM Gananda’s review in November, 2019, so look to that one for excellent tasting notes.
|
| Red |
2003 Château Rauzan-SéglaMargaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
10/30/2019 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 89 pointsNot quite sure what to make of this wine. For such a hot year the fruit is not overripe as expected and is surprisingly light. There is good acidity. Color shows no age and not a speck of sediment. The black fruits are a bit muted and up front. Slightly sour red fruits are at the finish. Some cigar box and sweet Oak. Had to tell if this wine will ever put on some weight and develop more fully. Drinking window could be 10 years from now or never.
|
| Red |
2015 Forge Cellars Pinot Noir Les AlliesFinger Lakes more |
7/12/2019 - melzar wrote: 90 pointsExpressive pinot nose. Uncharacteristic for a Finger Lakes Pinot Noir, this wine is very tannic. Drinkable now, but the best years lie ahead. If you have this wine in your cellar, patience will be rewarded in spades. Burgundian in style, this is the first Finger Lakes Pinot Noir I've tasted that warrants cellaring. Great effort by this relatively new producer.
|
| White |
2016 Heart & Hands Riesling Seneca East VineyardSeneca Lake more |
6/15/2019 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 pointsTasted at the winery. Previously tasted the winery seven months ago and my notes remain consistent. A mixture of white peach and citrus (especially lime) on the nose. Medium bodied with apple, pear and melon upfront and lots of white peach through the middle. The mid-body has the most density and the wine overall was the most expressive of the various vintages from the Seneca East site. Good acidity on the backside and balance seems to have improved slightly from my prior tasting. The contrast between the peach mid-body and the tart citrus backside and the way those notes blend together remain one of the highpoints of this wine. I plan to try my next from bottle in early July 2019 as part of a mini-vertical of Seneca East 2014, 2015 and 2016.
|
| Red |
2013 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva AsiliNebbiolo more |
6/2/2019 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 93 pointsI suspected this, but didn't check my 2018 CT note before opening an orphan bottle I had in my wine fridge. The 2013 Asili is very primary, structured and tightly shut down. It was pretty much unapproachable on the first evening but better on each of the next two following evenings, opening up a bit. Deep dark red. Initially on bouquet lifted rose and violet aromatics, tar, wet river gravel, black tea, black cherries and other dark fruit. With time, a little earth, more tar and some new leather saddle emerged. On palate, very young, unresolved and dense. But it is almost drinkable now because it is so fine and well balanced. Ultra fine grained tannins and silky texture. Bright, persistent acidity. Serious fruit weight, power and volume. Quite dry with granite austerity at its core. Black tea, minerals, dark soil, tar and a real dark fruit character. Really not yet ready for opening. It needs an absolute minimum of 5-8+ more years in the cellar, but ideally 10-20 years to come into its peak drinking window. Excellent (94-95) potential.
|
Search Results - Save This Search
Comment posted by RGCM Gananda:
7/11/2023 1:22:00 PM - There may have been a mistake in your scoring? Based on your review and prior notes on this wine, I assume you didn't mean to give it a 77? Cheers!