| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
NV Cramele Recaș Pinot Noir Lautarulmore |
5/9/2022 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRAbsolutely excellent Pinot at the ~£7.50 range. Wow. |
| White |
2017 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards Seyval BlancVirginia more |
7/25/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRResidual sugar at about 1.5% makes this Greenhill's dessert wine entry. White peach, pear, and honeysuckle combine with a bit of petrol in the nose, before giving way to a lovely palate that is happily not to sweet, like a well done Riesling or Gewürztraminer - though lacking the minerality of both. It falls a little flat in complexity, though we're OK with that as that's not what this wine is for. |
| Red |
2016 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards SuperstitionVirginia Red Blend more |
7/25/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRFrom the study of being to superstition, this bottle is primarily Syrah at about 58%, but is blended with about 32% Cabernet Franc, and punctuated by 5% each of Mourvèdre and Tannat... though it looks like a Cab Franc in the glass, with a nose of forest floor and baking space. Otherwise expect a complex wine of muted fruitiness, dried plum and cherry, habanero and hot spice in the finish. |
| Red |
2016 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards OntologyVirginia Red Blend more |
7/25/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRNamed for the "study of being", Greenhill evidently believes that this 100% Chambourcin is an appropriate compliment to those long nights spent drinking wine and contemplating the world. As we'd expect with a good Virginia Chambourcin, the nose is distinctly that of baking spice and then -- oddly -- a pile of wet sticks. Actually we find the nose to be more refined than most other Chambourcins with which we are familiar. Cinnimon stick, smooth cheery in the mouth, and sour cherries in the aftertaste finish off a wine that is happily unencumbered by the overt Christmas in a bottle phenomonon that befalls a great many other wines made from this same varietal. |
| White |
2017 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards ViognierVirginia more |
7/25/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRGreenhill represents Virginia's leading white grape quite well (we've not yet tried their Cabernet Franc). Nose or ripe honey dew, peach, and a sensation we'd describe as the "bottom of a fruit salad" belies a floral touch that is normally more assertive in Viognier. This wine looks in the glass a lot like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and possesses some similar acidity and grassiness when drunk. You'll otherwise taste nice fruit and floral notes that reminded us of a dry Vidal Blanc. Serve this cold in the summer. |
| White - Sparkling |
2016 Greenhill Winery & Vineyards Chardonnay Blanc de BlancsVirginia more |
7/25/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRA sparkling wine made in the traditional method, this Chardonnay from Grennhill's French fourth-generation winemaker is surprisingly always vintage (i.e. always bottled with a vintage year attached). Pale straw colored in the glass, the peach, tropical fruit, banana, and a little mango in the nose foretells a great first sip. The palate is rounded out with notes of lemon zest, mango, pineapple, and a tart effervescence. Really excellent, particularly by standards of a state that produces so little sparkling wine. |
| Red |
2014 KarasArmavir Red Blend more |
12/17/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThis is an interesting wine before you even open the bottle. Karas is made in Armenia, a small nation in the South Caucuses region, landlocked about equidistant between the Black and Caspian Seas, sharing borders with Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey, and formerly a part of the Soviet Union. The winery itself sits within sight of Mount Ararat (of Noah and his Ark fame), about 30 miles west from Yerevan, the capital. The wine I medium garnet, medium brightness in the glass. We picked up the nose from feet away when first poured: red fruit, baking spice, vanilla, jammy. Syrah is the major grape component, with a little Petit Verdot delivering a grassier organic nose. It's runs a little alcoholic hot, with further notes of cranberry sauce and stewed fruit. There's a lot of flavor up front, but is otherwise well balanced with nice fruit texture, just the right amount of tannin in the back corners of the mouth, and quite juicy. The palate finishes off with espresso and a little menthol. Lovely! |
| Rosé |
2016 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Rosé BellerucheSyrah Blend, Syrah more |
11/18/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRTried this in the American Express Centurion Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). This Côtes du Rhône rosé shows as a light, delicate pink color in the glass. Nose is mild with a little rhubarb that mellows into far gentler strawberry and cream after just a moment. It's profoundly agreeable on the palate, easy drinking yet elegant. Strawberry notes feel sophisticated, yet gentle. |
| White |
2016 Wairau River Sauvignon BlancMarlborough more |
11/18/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRTried this in the American Express Centurion Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Pretty typical classic Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in the north of New Zealand's South Island, the Wairau River is a bit on the grassy side, with aggressive lemon citrus that settles into lychee. It's far more mellow at the front of the palate than in the back. |
| Red |
2015 The Federalist Wines Cabernet Sauvignon The FederalistLodi more |
11/18/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRA good rhetorical fit with the city of Philadelphia, in whose airport's American Express Centurion Lounge we tried it, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, California, is part of a series of bold, red, founding-father themed reds produced under The Federalist label. It's Cab-characteristic red fruit is boisterous, with strong cigar notes in the nose. And then… ummm… yeah it's totally different on the palate. Shockingly smooth and gentle compared to what we expected from the nose. Think mellow pipe smoke, gentle tannins, and dark red fruit. |
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut VintageChampagne Blend more |
12/7/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThis is not your run of the mill Veuve, rather, it's the famous Champagne house's "Vintage" edition from 2008. Far more nuanced and refined than their (admittedly tasty, but quite mainstream) non-vintage bottle, the nose of the 2008 is at once floral and smoky like an honest-to-God fire (I believe our reaction when we tasted this was akin to, "WTF, did they char this oak barrel?"). We also found notes of old, wet brick that alumni of The College of William and Mary (Kathleen and Andrew) will remember all-too-well. The moment when you have your nose in the glass and take your first taste is reminiscent of the telltale green flash of the sunset's penultimate moment… it really sings. There's lots of and lots of brioche toast in the mouth, buttered, with mild jam. |
| White - Sparkling |
2009 Jean Milan Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut OgerChardonnay more |
12/7/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThis Blanc de Blancs took us in a completely different direction, with apple juice elements in the nose that were sweet, but not overly so. The palate is strikingly crisp, big and bold, with no bread or toast elements at all (really). It presents like the most luxurious freshly pressed apple juice you have ever had. It's approachable nature makes this Champagne an excellent candidate for a toast with your closest friends, for it's something that everyone can enjoy! |
| White - Sparkling |
2004 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de BlancsChardonnay more |
12/7/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRBlanc de Blancs is always such a fine expression of what Chardonnay can do when made as a Champagne. The Dom Ruinart was no different. Overwhelming toffee notes in the nose make this bottle incredible from the start. A mouthfeel of very fluffy bread backed by palate notes of Portuguese sweet bread make it luxurious. Summer berry fruit make it fun. This was one of our favorite Champagnes of the evening. |
| White - Sparkling |
2008 Lacourte Godbillon Champagne Brut MillésiméChampagne Blend more |
12/7/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRWonderfully nuanced, this bottle threw up a unique nose of cool menthol and peanut butter. The nuttiness continued through the palate in a completely mouthcoating way, actually like a peanut -- or, we think more accurately, cashew -- butter. Cider elements push through at the end. |
| Red |
2011 Roxanich Porco RossoZapadna Istra Red Blend more |
11/11/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThis off the wall red blend inspires a geography lesson. It comes from coastal Istria, Croatia's triangular peninsula that extends directly south from the far north of the Adriatic Sea. Its ridiculous label featuring a flying pig was contextually appropriate pairing with the smorgasbord of meats served at Svartengrens in Stockholm, Sweden. The nose is -- surprise, surprise -- dominated by cured meats, mustard seed, and perhaps a bit of red pepper flake. Highly unique combinations of leather and animals, barnyard, Chorizo and sautéed mushrooms (an olfactory callback to Mesón del Champiñón in Madrid) as it comes more into focus. Cranberry pops through on the palate, with dry tannins that are a bit surprising given how juicy the overall experience is. The wine lingers and leaves much of itself behind in the finish. It strikes us what an excellent choice this would be on Thanksgiving, or any other moment when a feast is in order. |
| Red |
2013 Domaine Jean Guiton Savigny-lès-BeaunePinot Noir more |
1/17/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRBurgundy (Bourgogne, in French), a sizable region in east-ish central France, is known overwhelmingly for its Pinot Noir. Exceptions include the red wines of Beaujolais, made primarily from the Gamay grape, and the Chardonnays of Chablis. For our purposes here, though, we're talking about Pinot Noir. Most drinkers are satisfied simply with the notion of sipping on "a Burgundy", i.e. a Pinot Noir from this region. That said, a number of often subtle climatic, geographic, and stylistic variations produce substantive differences in wines produced in various towns throughout the region. So it is that I often gravitate to the rather substantive wines from the town of Beaune -- where even the lower end bottles tend to be very good, so great values are to be had -- and the more delicate and playful (though usually more expensive) wines from Volnay. So, today, we went with this Beaune, whose nose was one of the most extraordinary I've had in a long time. We opened it for an hour, swirled it bit in the glass, and unlocked an extraordinary spicebox nose of clove and nutmeg. Wow. Continued swirling mellows it into cocoa powder and cherries, and then mesquite barbeque and incense after several minutes. It's cool and smooth on the palate, albeit a bit metallic in the back when you first star drinking. Quite dry and not terribly fruit forward, I'd recommend you enjoy this with food to help balance out some of its eccentricities. Chicken with simple herbs will do nicely. |
| Rosé |
2016 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Rosé Le Grand FricambaultPinot Noir more |
8/15/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThough the French region of Sancerre is known mostly for its white Sauvignon Blanc wines, French Pinot Noir is known mostly for its production in Burgundy, and the country's rosé perhaps most famously comes from the region of Provence on the Mediterranean coast… the three come together nicely in this rosé of Pinot Noir from Sancerre. Pinot Noir actually makes exceptional rosé wines. This bottle in particular demonstrates a slatey minerality, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream in a nose that feels a bit more austere than some other free spirited rosés. It tastes much creamier than it smells, with a little peach and sweet orange in a palate that is surprisingly not acidic at all, and quite floral in the middle. Rosé pairs well with light dishes featuring a strong arugula component, such as the salad we drank alongside this bottle. Give it a try. |
| Red |
2012 Zephaniah Farm Vineyard ChambourcinMiddleburg more |
1/15/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRMeghan knew this was a Virginia wine from the very first sniff. At nearly five years old, this 2012 is older than most Chambourcin you'll drink (generally in the 2-3 year range). That age has given it time to take on unexpectedly refined notes of smoke, green pepper, and burning cedar. Fear not, though, for the warm winter spice and baking spice in the finish still come out to play, just a bit less assertively. Swallow it down and breath out to experience a little clove and mild tobacco. |
| Red |
2014 Neyers Zinfandel Vista LunaBorden Ranch more |
1/15/2018 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRAn eclectic nose of rasinettes candy, chocolate covered cranberries, lots of black fruit jams, and currant is offset by quite strong alcohol that that abruptly clears the senses for what is to come. It turns out to be much sweeter, bright, and fruity than what we anticipated. Think smoother and less brooding than other Zins you may have tried, and quite approachable. It actually shares some similar fruit characteristics to a Ribera del Duero Tempranillo from Spain, and doesn't come across with those hot earthen notes you sometimes find in other Zinfandels. We evaluate it as being bold without being huge. This is an excellent wine for the holidays, but equally delicious all winter long. Try it with Swedish Meatballs or a succulent lamb dish. It finishes with deer jerky flavors in the back of the mouth. |
| Red |
2013 Abadal Pla de Bages Cabernet Franc - TempranilloRed Blend more |
12/3/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThis Cabernet Franc is actually a blend with Tempranillo from the Spanish region of Pla de Bages in the country's far northeast, even north of Barcelona towards the border with France. By far the most fruit forward of the lineup we tried on this night (not a hard bar to clear), we found cocoa powder, green pepper, and a bit cooler, dark red fruit in the nose. Several of us recognized notes of unsweetened baking chocolate on the palate -- a rather tongue coating experience -- with hints of cranberry, cherry, red bell pepper, and a little earthen tannin (that's the Tempranillo talking). |
| Red |
2014 Delaplane Cellars Cabernet Franc BenevinoFauquier County more |
12/3/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRWe tasted the 2014 vintage -- Virginia's signature red grape from one of Virginia's very best wineries -- shortly after it hit the bottle. It was divine then, actually one of the single best Virginia wines that had ever cross our lips. A couple of years on, now, and we find a wine whose best year we suspect to be 2019. Keep your bottles safe until then. Meanwhile, today we're getting a nose of clove cigarette, tobacco, black pepper, generalized spice box, and red stone fruit. Follow that up with more red stone fruit on the palate, unripen red plum, green pepper. You might find some Merlot-like viscosity when you first sip, followed by cranberry that turns quite smooth, and a little menthol in the finish. Leave it open for a couple of hours and you'll swear your drinking the burnt sugar top of a crème brûlée. |
| Red |
2013 Dracaena Wines Cabernet FrancPaso Robles more |
12/3/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRThere are today few more visible advocates for Cab Franc that Lori and Micahel Budd of Dracaena Wines. They've grown through amateur winemaking to producing several vintages of Paso Robles, California Cab Franc over the last several years, and have through social media tirelessly promoted not just their own grape, but the broader global wine community in general. Their 2013 vintage opens a bit astringently in the nose, but follows on with notes of sandalwood, cocoa powder, cardamom, and a little nuttiness. It's much smoother than expected on the palate, whose lack of signature Cab Franc peppery notes is offset with touches of cigar smoke -- or, rather, the woody sensation in your mouth of burning wood in a fireplace or camp fire -- milk chocolate, and after about three hours to air in the glass, white tea and vanilla, like the custard from a crème brûlée. The 2013 vintage is ready to drink now, but the 2015 vintage is still on sale. Order some and have it shipped direct. We're confident you'll have no regrets. 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| White - Sparkling |
2013 Leclerc Briant Champagne Brut La CroisetteChampagne Blend more |
12/7/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NROne of our favorites shared with us by our friends at The Vineyard in McLean, Virginia last night, the La Croisette is our actual honest-to-God Champagne offering on our list this month, made in from 100% Chardonnay grown on a small 1.5 acre vineyard in Épernay, France. The incredibly expressive nose -- I'll call it "transportive", for it really moves your senses to a different moment and place -- throws notes of fresh apple pie and cinnamon which, though quite refined, evokes that gooey goodness that anyone whose celebrated an American Thanksgiving will find all too familiar. Meghan and Kathleen debated the presence of "a candy from our youth" before arriving on sweet tarts as the likely comparison. The fresh -- oh my this feels fresh -- apple pie continues robustly through the palate. Really phenomenal! |
| White |
2017 Milan Nestarec Youngster (Neuburger / Pinot Gris)Moravia White Blend more |
11/15/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NRAnother natural wine -- this time from Italy -- the "Youngster" Pinot Gris is indeed quite young, made from grapes just harvested and fermented this year, as many natural wines can tend to be. Its youth is born out by its qualities: very light, pear juice colored in the glass, a nose of lilly and pear, green and yellow applies with notes of lemon lime spritzer on the palate. Our first wine tasted from any 2017 vintage anywhere is a success! |
| White |
2011 Macea Pinot GrigioToscana IGT more |
11/15/2017 - wine30flight Likes this wine: NROur sommelier took us away from the Czech Republic and over to Italy with this Pinot Grigio made as an "orange wine", a white left to age with the grapes' skins. Yes, it looks orange in the glass, particularly so when drinking by soft candle and filament lights. Orange wines are creations that most drinkers will either love or hate, but that I happen to love. The nose throws up notes of hay made wet from a fresh morning dew, cumin, and sweet grapefruit. You'll find toasted hazelnut when it sip it, but not a lot of fruit on the palate. |
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- Tasting notes: 212 notes on 206 wines
