| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2005 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Pommard ClonesRussian River Valley more |
9/27/2011 - elliotgl wrote: 89 pointsI wish I could have given this wine a slightly higher score but there is an element in this wine just before the finish that I don't like - I tasted it before in some gamays and it detracts from what otherwise is a superb pinot that is both feminine and concentrated with a very typical RRV profile. |
| Red |
1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena EstateNapa Valley more |
12/12/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 93 pointsA lovely nose that said cabernet - in the mouth a wine of surprising structure given the nose - spice,cedar,cassis and cocoa/chocolate and yet with the structure there is an ellegance about this wine. Needs more time. Will undoubtedly rate higher when things soften. |
| White |
2006 Kongsgaard ChardonnayNapa Valley more |
12/9/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 94 pointsMy prior tasting note was overly cautious as several bottles since then have all been 92-94 point wines with the last being the best. There is no doubt that this case has had quite a bit of bottle variation - This last bottle had the best acidic balance right on through a long and persistant finish.I hope the next case is better. |
| Red |
2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valleymore |
12/9/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 85 pointsI know I am in the minority when it comes to Kosta Browne pinots. I read the glowing 90+ scores and it makes one want to get on their mailing list - that is what happened to me - although the wines are well made to me this is not what pinot should be - I think the Eyrie Reserve, Wesmar, Williams Selyem and others in that vein show the delicacy and feminine side of the grape and don't strive for a Rhone wanabee Parkerized wine. This 2005 RRV is a good example - the alcohol is front and center and I am willing to wager that many wine drinkers could not identify this as a pinot without reading the label. Well made wine, round in texture in the mouth with a core of spice and a medium length finish. Not my idea of pinot!!!! |
| Red |
2003 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Burnside VineyardRussian River Valley more |
11/11/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 93 pointsIn the glass a medium/dark ruby and a nose of dark fruits and spice and if you try you will find a very faint " pinot " nose behind that initial impression.In the mouth a wine that is spicy, laden with dark cherry,some drying tannins and cinnamon. The wine is very well balanced inspite of its intense flavor with only a hint of heat.A very nice and persistant finish. There is still much life ahead of it. |
| Red |
2005 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Hellenthal VineyardSonoma Coast more |
8/24/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsOne of the things I love about CellarTracker are the notes on my wines - a recent note was indicating this was on a down hill slope so I had to taste one of my last remaining bottles - I will add 3 important words - STORAGE - STORAGE -STORAGE !!! The acidic backbone that was prevelant a year ago is indeed gone - the nose still screams PINOT - the wine in the glass still has a ruby color with no fading or bricking - in the mouth there is seamlessness of fruit, forest floor and an integration of the prior acidic backbone and alcohol that creates a feeling of warmth in the mouth with no rough edges.I wish other winemakers would emulate the wines of W.H.Smith, WesMar & Williams Selyem and others and not create over extracted Rhone wannabes - This wine is indeed at it's peak and will not get any better - THANK YOU CellarTracker. |
| Red - Fortified |
1963 Fonseca Porto VintagePort Blend more |
8/12/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 97 pointsThis was the topping of a wonderful evening of GREAT friends - a bunch of us old folks - great food and even greater wine. This was my WOTN that Jay brought - interesting that the bottles had their original price stickers of $15.99. This port is still a baby at 47 - no bricking and still very dark ruby in the glass offering a nose of cherries, berries,caramel,coffee and other things that were difficult for me to identify - In the mouth there were the flavors of the nose plus a momentary hint of alcohol and then the taste and mouth feel of cotton candy - almost ethereal - which continued into a finish that lasted forever and then some. I have had some older Fonsecas dating into the 20's but this was the most memorable. |
| Red |
1982 Château MargauxRed Bordeaux Blend more |
8/11/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 96 pointsThis was the other red wine served at our dinner and for me was preferred over the Haut Brion - but I know others had a differing opinion. In the glass again a dark ruby not showing almost 30 years of age - a nose of dark fruit,plum,cocoa and cola - not coca cola. In the mouth a fuller profile then the Haut Brion with plum,cassis,cola and chocolate flavors carring through into a long elegant persistant finish. When I commented to our host Jay that I preferred the Margaux he summed it up by saying " we are splitting hairs" which we/I was. But that is what makes the world go round. |
| Red |
1982 Château Haut-BrionPessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend more |
8/11/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 95 pointsAn evening celebration of Leos who grew up together for the last 60+years at Restaurant Nicholas - In the glass a dark ruby not showing age with a nose that was both forward and muted if that makes sense showing a candy element along with dark fruits and a hazelnut like element.In the mouth the dark fruit was there along with that hazelnut element in a very sleek and expressive frame that carried everything into a long and persistant finish. A very nice wine for a non Bordeaux drinker. |
| White |
1990 Marcassin Chardonnay Lorenzo VineyardSonoma Coast more |
8/5/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 96 pointsThis was a suprise in that I thought I had drunk the last of these. When I opened the bottle I was certain it was gone based on color - a fairly deep gold but the nose pronounced me as one of little faith. There was a nose of faint citrus,light oak,peanuts? and popcorn? The wine itself was one of sheer elegance in the mouth yeilding a seamless aray of citrus flavors surrounded by oak that had evolved into butter and a softness that continued into a very long and persistant finish. The amazing thing about this wine is that it still had life and was no where near gone as it continued to hold together through out dinner. This has to be one of the best 2 or 3 California chardonnays I have ever had. |
| White |
2006 Kongsgaard ChardonnayNapa Valley more |
7/6/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 89 pointsStill very enjoyable but it is fading fast - Don't cork a partially full bottle as what is left won't survive.A basic problem with most chardonnays in this style --- cest la vie !!!! |
| Red |
2005 Freeman Pinot Noir Sonoma Coastmore |
5/25/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 92 pointsIn the glass a dark ruby and a nose of dark fruits,spice,leather and light musk. In the mouth a wine that is not feminine but still has an elegance about it - that is both soft and voluptious yielding flavors of dark cherry,cola and spice with good depth. The flavors continue into a nice finish. Very nice wine. |
| Red |
1994 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs VineyardWillamette Valley more |
5/21/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 70 pointsIn the glass ruby and bricking to a half inch around the rim. A nose that is almost nonexistant and in the mouth a wine that for all purposes is not drinkable. |
| Red |
1994 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Canary Hill VineyardWillamette Valley more |
5/21/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 80 pointsRuby in the glass with faint bricking at the rim. Muted nose of spice, barnyard and old pinot fruit on coaxing. In the mouth very much four square with a tannic edge that overshadows the remaining fruit. Drinkable but not really enjoyable. |
| White |
2007 Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion DoréeSonoma Coast Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more |
5/18/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsThis will be brief - At $60. a bottle I expected more - MUCH MORE. This is a Cali version of a French white bordeaux and for me it just doesn't measure up. I gave it a 90 so how bad can it be? It is well made, has good intensity but the grassiness in the finish is a negative for me - At $60. I can think of many more wines I would rather have in the cellar. |
| Red |
1995 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Canary Hill VineyardWillamette Valley more |
5/4/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 89 pointsIn the glass a light ruby with a nose of faint leather, faint cherry and spice. The color reminded me of Dave Letts's wines of the 80's - Eyrie Estate. I remember Ken when he was the winemaker at Panther Creek and went off on his own when Panther Creek changed hands. His wines for me have been frustrating - They never have seemed to live up the press's praise and in some years the fruit seems to fade long before the tannins do - this and last nights 1995 Carter are the best I have had in recent memory but for me they still fall short. This is a very pleasant older pinot, still has a nice taste of cherry and spice but I would have hoped for some complexity after 15 years - The finish is OK and the wine is OK but I hoped for more. |
| White |
2006 C. Donatiello Winery Chardonnay Russian River Valleymore |
4/24/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 88 pointsIn the glass a light/medium gold with a slight green hue offering a nose of citrus, pear and faint vanilla. In the mouth the flavors of the nose follow through into a nice finish. You can fault this wine for not having better concentration but for a Cali chardonnay this is very well done in a light elegant style. Wine Library sold 500 cases in a few hours at $13.88 btl -- I should have bought much more!!!! |
| Red |
1985 Domaine Méo-Camuzet RichebourgRichebourg Grand Cru Pinot Noir more |
3/21/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 99 pointsOnce in a while,be it the time in our lives or the people we are with or what ever, a wine is also there that is memorable and perhaps surreal - this is one of those wines. I have been fortunate to have had the 1947 Haut Brion, La Tache from the 60's and 70's and a few others but this seems to eclipse them all.In the glass a nose to die for - roses, asian 5 spice,pine tar,red fruit, dark fruit and if you wait long enough it seems you can find mushrooms,forest floor - the list goes on. In the mouth a rush of red and dark fruits and Michael Broadbent's peacocks tail - again revealing flavor after flavor with a texture,concentration and finish that is nirvana.Maybe it is a 100 point wine but to me 99 is still nirvana. |
| White |
2006 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton RanchRussian River Valley more |
3/21/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsMy wife and I went to Washington D.C.for Valentines Day to see the snow as Maine escaped the wrath of winter this year - Saturday night we had dinner at an elegant restaurant - read expensive wine list - in Falls Church.I really have a hard time with $150-250 bottles of chardonnay on a wine list that aren't Aubert or Marcassin or Kongsgaard. The P&H Dutton was there at an unreasonable but acceptable amount so I ordered it as an old reliable wine we knew - not that vineyard or vintage. The wine was a great choice! In the glass a medium/light gold with a nose of citrus,spice,pear and vanilla.In the mouth a full bodied wine that walks a line of near elegance offering a creamy,maybe some would call oily, melange of flavors that include citrus,vanilla,pear and faint spice. If I am looking for faults the finish could be longer. We had a mushroom pasta dish with a cream sauce and the match was wonderful. Wine searcher turned it up at $23. - a screaming buy at that price. |
| White |
2007 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private ReserveNapa Valley more |
3/19/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsI guess when you are the size of Beringer not all of your wines with the same label will taste the same as the notes on this wine attest to. In my case I think the higher rated numbers are appropriate.In the glass a nose of citrus,maybe pear & oak - in a good way - In the mouth a fairly rich wine with a palate mirroring the nose - the oak is there but i did not find intrusive. The finish carries those flavors throughout. It is no doubt a Cali chardonnay but much better than most at anywhere near its discounted price point of $23. |
| Red |
2007 W.H. Smith Pinot NoirNapa / Sonoma more |
3/18/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 92 pointsThis has become one of my 3 or 4 favorite pinots year in and year out. I have a problem with overextracted, Parkerized pinots and the American pinots that try to be French burgundies. What California pinots have to offer is a wine that is fruit foward with good concentration from well grown grapes that have not been over oaked. The Smiths seem to be able to do this time and time again. In the glass a clear ruby and a muted nose that clearly says PINOT. In the mouth a wine that is feminine but not wimpy - there is good concentration of cherry,strawberry and spices with persistence that follows into a nice finish. With several hours of air time a softness emerges and it is almost Pinot nirvana. Life is good!!!!!!!!!!! |
| White |
2008 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot VineyardSonoma Coast more |
3/4/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsIn the glass a reticent nose showing subdued citrus and pear - In the mouth a harmonius elegant wine offering citrus and pear and just kissed by oak with balancing acidity - The finish is fine and persistant. The wine was definitely better as it warmed and aired in the glass. |
| Red |
2006 Jim Ball Vineyards Pinot Noir SignatureAnderson Valley more |
11/22/2009 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsI seem to find more obscure pinots than one might guess since I live in Maine. They aren't available here which makes it even more difficult to fathom but I do have fun. This arrived last week and I had to try it! In the glass a clear medium ruby and with coaxing a nose of cherry,spice and faint oak. In the mouth a wine that is supprising light on its feet that yeilds cherry,spice as in the nose and a light tannic core that continues into a nice finish. My 90 rating is in part on potential - There is no softness or roundness on the palate which I think will evolve with another 12 months of bottle age. There is very good concentration. A very nice wine. |
| Red |
2005 Bianchi Pinot Noir Signature Selection Garey VineyardSanta Maria Valley more |
11/19/2009 - elliotgl wrote: 90 pointsI guess I am going to join the majority on this wine and disagree with the one taster who had to be tasting a different wine - In the glass a medium ruby with an almost reticent nose of red fruits and some spice that say PINOT. In the mouth a wine of elegance that offers cherry and cranberry with excellent depth of flavor - the finish is average in length but that solid core of red fruits and some spice does persist through out. A very enjoyable wine and joins the McHenry Vineyard and the W.H.Smith Sonoma as great values.----- Probably should have finished the bottle before posting this note - With air the wine develops more depth and the finish lengthens - If anything the wine improves!!!! |
| Red |
2005 Bybee Family Vineyards Pinot NoirGreen Valley of Russian River Valley more |
11/7/2009 - elliotgl wrote: 91 pointsThe wine has changed a little since my last note - on opening it seems much younger and primary than before - after an hour the wine approaches the prior note and at day two the prior note is right on. |
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- Tasting notes: 126 notes on 113 wines
