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

2021 Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis

 Willamette Valley more
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3/1/2024 - Empirate wrote: 93 points

Checking in to see if this this (new to us producer) is a re-buy this year. Bottle open 2 h before serving with sweet/spicy glazed salmon over spinach with a baked sweet potato.

Concentrated but light on the palate raspberry, bright florals, balanced, structured/dusty tannin. Pretty delicious and food-friendly 92-93.

I'm no Nostradamus, but this bottle gave the sense that it is early days and has a few years to go before hitting its stride. I'll let my other bottle rest (same for the Apocrypha) and pick up a few more this year if offered.

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Red

2019 Outpost Grenache

 Howell Mountain more
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2/21/2024 - Empirate wrote: 93 points

Darker fruit, med body. Strawberry compote, white pepper. Nice spot, no rush.

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Red

2019 Block Wines Golden Block Boushey Vineyard Yakima Valley

 Grenache more
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2/19/2024 - Empirate wrote: 92 points

In a great spot! Light in color, strawberry and other red fruit, balanced. Delicious.

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White

2018 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley

 more
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2/16/2024 - Empirate wrote: flawed

Premox

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Red

2010 Tenuta Carlina Brunello di Montalcino La Togata

 Sangiovese more
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1/17/2024 - Empirate wrote: flawed

Corked

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Red

2011 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Foss Vineyard

 Russian River Valley more
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1/6/2024 - Empirate wrote: 93 points

Open 1 hour before a meal of Chilean sea bass with paprika and sherry vinegar marinade over new potatoes.

Juicy dark fruit and great balance in the W-S fashion. Advancing somewhat on the palate with increased interest and length. Lovely, attention getting.

I'd expect the plateau for this bottle to last 1-2 years and would drink in that window to enjoy the remaining fruit.

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Red

2010 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve

 Napa Valley more
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1/4/2024 - Empirate wrote: 92 points

Decanted about an hour, consumed over 3h.
Blousy floral nose and deep with layers of dark fruit on the palate. Nice Napa Cab in a (relatively) reserved style. Well balance and medium finish. A decate or more in the tank (as demonstrated by the '94 we had along side it which outshone it in elegance only acquired with age).

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Red

1994 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve

 Napa Valley more
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1/4/2024 - Empirate wrote: 94 points

Slo ox x 4 h, consumed over 3 h.
Exuberant floral nose with hint of age in the dried florals. Surprising youthful in the glass with rim clearing but otherwise rich and deep color, no bricking. Nicely around the corner into tertiary territory on the palate with dried flowers, old leather, layers of still present but soft and mellow fruit. Tannins resolved (tho little sediment, actually).

This is why I like old Bordeaux varietals. Great showing. Will lokely have my last this year with friends who will appreciate it.

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Red

2013 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

 Columbia Valley more
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12/18/2023 - Empirate wrote: NR

Last of six, holding up well. Early tertiary changes but still some spine. Drying of the red fruit and leafy herbalness. No rush over next 1-3 years.

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Red

2015 Vigna del Lauro Friuli Isonzo Cabernet Franc

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12/11/2023 - Empirate wrote: 85 points

Pleasant Monday night with roast red pepper pasta. Hanging in there. Nice for the price. One more will have in the drink now on Monday or Tuesday bin.

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Red

2010 Andrew Will Sorella Champoux Vineyard

 Horse Heaven Hills Red Bordeaux Blend more
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12/2/2023 - Empirate wrote: 92 points

Surprisingly youthful and fresh, if a little disjointed on opening. 2h later, the fruit had filled out in the mid palate and early tertiary cedar notes were present on the finish.

Overall old world sensibility and classic. Excellent pairing with strong flavors of grilled beef and salt stone veggies.

Second of 3. First was too young (2017). I doubt I'll roll the dice on the last making old bones. No rush, expect it will drink at this level for 3-5 years.

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Red

2014 Upchurch Cabernet Sauvignon Upchurch

 Red Mountain more
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11/20/2023 - Empirate wrote: 93 points

Slo-ox x 4h. Paired with mild vegan chili.

Integrated though not advanced. Delicious dark (but not punchy) fruit profile with balanced mouth feel and medium+ length. Disappeared quickly.

No rush but in a nice window.

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Red

2010 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

 more
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11/16/2023 - Empirate wrote: 91 points

Dark fruit profile holding up, still some structure. Opened up with a couple hours in a decanter.

Not sure there is pretty tertiary development in the future but not ruled out. With 2 more, likely will hold one for scientific purposes.

1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
White

2015 Delaire Graff Chardonnay Terraced Block Reserve

 Stellenbosch more
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11/12/2023 - Empirate wrote: flawed

3 in a row premoxed.

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Red

2017 Sequitur Pinot Noir

 Ribbon Ridge more
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11/4/2023 - Empirate wrote: 94 points

Brought to a restaurant for pop and pour, consumed over 2 hours. Delicious tart cherry, orange peel, spice. Crunchy and energetic. Youthful but open for business. Drink now (decant would be better), or preferably hold.

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White

2018 Kelley Fox Wines Chardonnay Lark Block Durant Vineyard

 Dundee Hills more
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11/4/2023 - Empirate wrote: 96 points

Auction purchase to get a sense for aging KF Chardonnay. Holy smokes! If representative, I'd say "very well" for this intermediate-term check-in.

Tasted on opening: Fresh citrus and apple with creamy barrel note in a supporting role. Incredible energy and balance.

No rush. It would be interesting IMO to see how this vintage performs over the next 3-10 years. I have one other bottle and doubt I'll have the restraint. Seeking more.

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Red

2008 Continuum Proprietary Red

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/15/2023 - Empirate wrote: 96 points

Slow ox 2h, paired with grilled beef & portabella mushroom caps. Showed beautifully with still fresh dark fruit, stony minerality, leather, and early tertiary development. Great balance, Medium ++ length.
Holding well, no rush.

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Red

1990 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

 Napa Valley more
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7/27/2023 - Empirate wrote: 92 points

Very pleasant. Tannins resolved, remaining fruit leathery and slightly dusty. Balance and mouth feel are on point. Medium finish with dried dark fruit and touch of cigar box. Well enjoyed with a NY Strip from the grill. For K, appreciated but more advanced than her preference. Best to drink in the near term.

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Red

2010 Vietti Barolo Castiglione

 Nebbiolo more
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7/27/2023 - Empirate wrote: NR

Corked

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Red

2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano

 Nebbiolo more
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7/27/2023 - Empirate wrote: NR

Corked

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Red

2013 Sleight of Hand Syrah Psychedelic Stoney Vine Vineyard

 Walla Walla Valley more
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5/6/2023 - Empirate wrote: 93 points

Slo ox'd 2 hours, decanted another 2 hours. It was another hour before it had filled out and drinking its best.

Dark berry and iodine, moderate concentration, nice balance with food-friendly acidity, medium + finish.

Well enjoyed by some (including me), controversial rock funk for others.

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Red

2014 Rhys Pinot Noir Bearwallow Vineyard

 Anderson Valley more
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4/24/2023 - Empirate wrote: 94 points

1st of 4. Decanted x 2 h, paired with veggie stir fry. Wow embarrassingly high quality for Monday. Why not, though?

Sl clearing rim and I imagined a beginning of orange hue. Generous nose of ripe and mature red fruit with a touch of bramble. Palate follows as expected with great balance, moderate tannic structure and medium finish.

93-94 with likely upside next 3-10 years.

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Red

2017 Passopisciaro Sicilia Contrada Porcaria

 Nerello Mascalese more
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4/5/2023 - Empirate wrote: flawed

Corked

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Red

2017 Passopisciaro Terre Siciliane Contrada Guardiola

 Nerello Mascalese more
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4/5/2023 - Empirate wrote: flawed

Corked

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Red

1996 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

 Stags Leap District more
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12/16/2022 - Empirate wrote: flawed

Corked

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  • Tasting notes: 673 notes on 579 wines

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