| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| White |
2022 Ovum Gewürztraminer Love O' Love GerberRogue Valley more |
4/28/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 93 pointsPopped and poured. Lemon-gold color with a hint of green. From the get-go the nose was soaring with spring flowers, flint, lemongrass, citrus, apples, and a steeliness that just pulled it all together. The complexity of the nose is echoed on the palate with palate-coating richness, intense dry fruit, and a grapefruit-inflected finish that, to my palate, is classic gewurztraminer. There seems to be enough structure and depth to this wine to suggest some upside with more time in the cellar. |
| Red |
2015 Vincent Pinot Noir Silvershot VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
4/20/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRNo detailed notes. These bottles were similar last one I drank. I recall them being nice but not exceptional, with good balance and fruit. |
| White - Sparkling |
2018 Vina Kobal Penina Rumeni Muscat Extra BrutŠtajerska more |
4/13/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRFascinating and quite nice. My first experience with an extra brut sparkling wine made from muscat. It was vaguely reminiscent of muscat but I could easily have been convinced that it was semillon. Very dry, moderately complex, and a delight to drink with aromas of peaches, almonds, and egg custard. |
| Red - Fortified |
1994 Dow Porto VintagePort Blend more |
4/13/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 96 pointsThe cork was dry at the top and fell into the bottle when I tried to remove with an osso. It was clearly sound, though. Decanted the wine and started poured a glass immediately. The nose was soaring, complex, and intense from the first whiff with aromas of mint, eucalyptus, cranberries, tobacco, Asian spices, figs, and hot iron. Wow. I expected a free-for-all on the palate but instead I got a beautifully balanced, even graceful, intense, rich, fruity, and elegant palate impression. Wow, again. The finish was long, at least 45 seconds, with more iron and fruit and just a hint of fine tannin remaining. These impressions staid pretty much unchanged for 2+ hours of drinking. What really struck me in the end, though, was that the alcohol was never a feature. I've had more powerful, more complex, and more intense ports in the past but I've rarely had one that balanced all of those traits so gracefully. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
1989 Château Clerc MilonPauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/12/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 90 pointsDecanted about 2 hours before starting to drink and consumed over about an additional 3 hours. The cork was saturated to the top and fell into the bottle when I tried to remove it but was perfectly intact. Bottle fill was bottom of the neck with no sign of seepage. |
| Red |
2017 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Temperance HillEola - Amity Hills more |
3/31/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRA bit tight tonight, though the depth and complexity are there. Perhaps a pop and pour wasn't the best choice. |
| Red |
2017 Johan Vineyards Pinot Noir NilsVan Duzer Corridor more |
3/31/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 80 pointsThe 2017 vintage was a classic in Oregon producing, in my experience, wines of complexity, intensity, and balance. This wine is not one of those. It is certainly intense, and at 13.4% alcohol among the hottest I've seen from this vintage. To may palate it this over-ripe, clumsy, and boring. At $36 per bottle it seems overpriced and has not improved with time in the cellar. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. I'm sorry to see that the style at this winery has changed so drastically. |
| White |
2020 David Hill Gewürztraminer EstateWillamette Valley more |
3/29/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRRather non-descript all around. Not bad but not great. Would not have guessed gewurz had it been tasted blind. |
| Red |
2013 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch VineyardSonoma Coast more |
3/24/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRThe acidity is firmly in the forefront of this wine now. It tastes to me like cherry cola with a healthy dollop of lemon juice. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
1995 Château Léoville BartonSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/17/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 89 pointsNo detailed notes. Decanted about 1 hour and consumed over another 2 or 3. Very deep, almost opaque color with aromas of crushed leaves, cassis, tobacco, plums, and graphite. Mature and nicely integrated on the palate but seemed a bit angular, without the balance I expect from this estate. Perhaps it was an off bottle, though still delicious and classic in so many ways. Purchased with five others as futures and stored in my cellar since. The was the poorest of the 5 I've drunk to date. |
| Red |
2005 Château La Tour CarnetHaut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/3/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 91 pointsOpened for 2 hour, decanted for 1 hour, and consumed over another 2 hours. Virtually opaque, intense garnet-purple color with little fading at the rim. The nose soared from the first pour and never let up with aromas of cassis, leather, herbs, and clay. On the palate the wine was silky, nicely balanced and seemed at peak drinking. The tannins have softened, there's ample fruit, and there's enough acidity to hold it all together. This lacks the power and complexity for a higher score but I wouldn't hesitate to open it for anyone as an example of what mature, well-made Bordeaux can accomplish. Purchased on release and stored in my cellat since. |
| Red |
2005 Château de FonbelSt. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/1/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 88 pointsDecanted about 1 hour and consumed over another 2 hours. Deep, virtually opaque garnet-purple color. Rather lean nose and palate initially but both developed well over the course of the first hour. The nose showed classic aromas of plums, spices and some tobacco. The palate was nicely balanced and moderately rich but there's a ruggedness that seems out of place. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2017 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir La Grive BleueEola - Amity Hills more |
2/24/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 92 pointsNo detailed notes. This bottling is always a great representation of the house style but this vintage is particularly good. Very perfumed, rich, balanced and complex. |
| Red |
2020 Château La Tour CarnetHaut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more |
2/27/2024 - tomandlu wrote: NRDecanted about 2 hours and consumed over another 2 hours or so. Virtually opaque purple-garnet color. Moderately complex nose of cassis, leather, tobacco, and red fruits that persisted for about 3 hours and then closed down. Ripe, silky , and nicely balanced on the palate at first but eventually became rather harsh, tannic, and angular. Not sure what to make of it. Had we drunk it all in the first two hours or so I'd have rated it 90 or so. Later not so good but perhaps it just shut down. Will it keep? Will it age? I haven't a clue. I'll buy more and drink them young and perhaps keep one for the sake of curiosity. |
| Red |
2013 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie VineyardRussian River Valley more |
2/17/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 87 pointsAgree with Corka's review, only I found it even a bit more disjointed and lacking fruit. The cork crumbled when opened though the last 2 mm or so were still intact. Not sure what to make of the future of these. |
| White |
2014 Château Montus Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh SecPetit Courbu more |
1/21/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 92 pointsPurchased from the wine list at a local restaurant. Beautiful limpid pale gold color. The nose was all about apples and other pommes right from the start with hints of hay, grass, and some flowers. On the palate the balance was terrific with good acidity keep it from being heavy but ample fruit and body giving it heft. Long, slightly oxidized finish. Such a lovely, singular, and delightful wine. |
| Red |
2001 Château Gruaud LaroseSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/1/2024 - tomandlu wrote: 93 pointsA virtually identical experience as my prior one on January 1, 2022. This time, though, there was no thinness at all. It was solid from the get-go. Once again it was a great expression of this estate. |
| Red |
2008 Cristom Pinot Noir Louise VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
12/24/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 90 pointsOpened about 1 hour before drinking but not decanted and consumed over another 2 hours or so. Deep red garnet in color. Complex, brambly nose with loads of fruit and tobacco as well. Very mouth-filling on the palate with supple tannins supporting good fruit and acidity though less complexity than I would hope. Nonetheless a very good wine that was far more complete and interesting than the Marjorie drunk alongside from the same vintage. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2008 Cristom Pinot Noir Marjorie VineyardEola - Amity Hills more |
12/24/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 87 pointsOpened but not decanted about 1 hour before drinking and consumed over another 2 hours or so. Still a deep garnet red color. Oodles of Asian spices on the nose along with some herbs and tobacco. Deceptively, and disappointingly, light on the palate with little of the complexity that the aromas led me to anticipate. Sufficiently fruity with some good acidity but rather bland overall in taste. Looking at my prior notes this appears to have been its best early in life and merely survived rather than improving over the years. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2003 Château Brane-CantenacMargaux Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/23/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 88 pointsDrank from magnum. Opened about 1 hour before drinking but not decanted and consumed over about 3 hours. Virtually opaque black-garnet color. Tarry, fruity nose with hints of menthol and spice. Very ripe and intense on the palate but still quite primary. Tasted much more of 2003 than Margaux but clearly Bordeaux. Long, moderately tannic finish. All in all a good wine and nicely balanced but rather simple with no indication of future development. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2015 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir La Grive BleueEola - Amity Hills more |
11/23/2023 - tomandlu wrote: NRNo notes. Recall it having a very deep color, complex and earthy nose, and a full, balanced palate impression. I also recall it having a surprising bitterness on the finish. |
| Red |
2006 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de FamilleColumbia Valley more |
11/19/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 88 pointsCork broke on opening. Decanted about 1 hour before serving. Virtually opaque garnet red color with very little brown at the meniscus. Classic, to my nose, aromas of ripe cabernet fruit but little or no complexity or secondary aromas. Rather monolithic on the palate as well though surprisingly hollow for a wine of such deep color. The wine was quite good just not exciting. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2008 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir IllaheWillamette Valley more |
11/17/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 90 pointsNo detailed notes. Took to a friend's place for dinner. The cork was saturated almost to the top and broke. Decanted the wine and it was fine. Deep red-garnet color. Deep, complex, moderately-intense nose of ripe fruit, some sous bois, iron, and an animale component. Nicely balanced on the palate with moderate complexity and deep fruit. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
1994 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot VineyardSt. Helena more |
11/12/2023 - tomandlu wrote: 88 pointsNo detailed notes. Cork was in perfect condition with barely any penetration showing and there was very heavy sediment in the bottle. Deep garnet-red color. Moderate nose of classic Cabernet aromas but little complexity or tertiary notes. The palate was similar and perhaps a bit lean but the balance was nice. All it in all it was a pleasant drink with dinner but nothing exciting. Perhaps it's past its prime. Purchased form the winery on release and stored in my cellar since. |
| Red |
2012 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie VineyardRussian River Valley more |
11/4/2023 - tomandlu wrote: NRNot decanted but allowed to breathe for an hour or so. Very deep color, more like an 11-year-old Bordeaux than a pinot noir of the same age. The nose and palate were monolithic - cherry cola with some notes of underbrush. To my palate there's nothing wrong with this wine but there's nothing to recommend it either. It's an easy going, plump, pinot that I'd expect to pay far less for. Perhaps I waited too long to open it. Not to my taste. Purchased on release and stored in my cellar since. |
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- Tasting notes: 1,015 notes on 750 wines
