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Wine Type
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Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
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Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
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Red
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2007 James Cole Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
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Mother Mary of God! Near Pomerol like. Charles Hendricks masterpiece. Menthol & a touch of mint.
Stunning vintage & wine.
This 07 is in perfect shape…at its peak. Still has 7 plus years of life.
Black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate/pudding, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, softened, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark, rich soils, moist, limestone mush, black tea, black licorice, bay leaf, salted caramel, dryish twig, menthol, mint, volcanic ash, sandalwood, dark withering to candied, red, blue florals, lavender framed in violets with perfect acidity and a amazingly, structured, well knitted/tensioned and elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes falling squarely on earthy minerality.
Second wine with an Allen Brither’s Ribcap recently bought on the secondary market for $55.
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Red
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2003 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?
2003 a ripe, warm vintage.
Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.
First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.
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White - Sweet/Dessert
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2005 Château Guiraud
Sauternes
Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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Second Sauternes pairing with my homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Didn’t use the additional crushed pineapple this time. Both preparations are very good. I think I prefer it w/ less pineapple.
In 2014 I attended the Bordeaux En Premiere. One of the six days, we toured 8 Chateau’s tasting multiple vintages at each in Sauternes & Barsac. Then, went back to Chateau Guiraud for dinner. Before the dinner, Bill Blatch then arranged for a Sauternes tasting after tasting at 8 Chateau’s in Saternes & Barsac. We tasted 50 Sauternes in basically in 60 minutes. After that, my hand was like Winne the Poo in the honey jar from dumping. After, my wish wasn’t necessarily for the forthcoming dinner. But rather wished to go to a Dentist for a teeth cleaning I had so much RS in my mouth, but the dinner was fantastic and started with warm Foie Gras & gravy. Perfect as is w/ the Pineapple Upside Down Cake tonight.
This 05 is everything that you taste in the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Perfect paring. Nearly a quarter century and no fading in its evolution.
Dry; stone fruits, pineapple, orange citrus, pineapple. Marmalade, caramel, saline, limestone, honeycomb, beeswax, coconut, vanilla, saline, round acidity with yellow florals, toasted nuts with round acidity for days. Elegance, balance, structure and round, rich polish that goes in and on. Coravined from 375ml.
Bill Batch (who worked for Cristy’s & owned his own negotiate company) has somewhere around 5,000 bottles of Sauternes. He does a Sauternes & Sausage party bi-annually. Good luck getting a well sought after invitation. There are more people in Bordeaux who want to attend then there are available invitations.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Champagne Paul Launois Champagne Contraste #2
Pinot Meunier more
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Bit of a hard transition after the Gimonnet. Not sure many would call blind 100% Meunier and 1 gram dosage.
For 1 gram, there is some sweetness. Grapefruit w/pith, bruise red & green apple, B that leans into a bit of cider, Bosc & some Bartlett pear, white citrus blend, ginger ale, yeasty notes, bread dough, soft, round, punchy chalkiness, alluvial limestone marl, caramel, vanillin, sea spray to fossils, white spice, baguette crust, whither white & yellow flowers, crisp acidity and well tensioned, structured, balanced, smartly polished finish that lasts two-minutes plus.
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White - Sparkling
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2016 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Grand Cru Special Club Cramant
Chardonnay more
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Have really come to enjoy this producer more & more.
This should be opened down-line in another 5-7. However, it is delicious tonight.
Beautiful mousse mouth entry. Both peaches, tangerine, lime-lemon citrus, tangerine, pineapple juice, tropical melons, silvered almonds, foamy cream, vanillin, butterscotch notes, some caramel, bread dough, baguette crust, light yeastiness, yellow flowers mixed in white spring flowers, light yet crispy acidity, extremely well, knitted, balanced with an elegant, smartly finish that lasts minute(s).
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Red
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2014 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon The Sisters
Napa Valley
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93 that is beginning to lean into 94. This 14 shows nice evolution but still needs 2-3 years before it hits the beginnings of its full stride.
This 2014 “The Sisters” is rich, lush & ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark plum that stretches into pudding, dark cherries, black raspberries, some boysenberries. Dark chocolate cake with buttercream frosting, mocha powder notes, melted, salted caramel, mid berry cola, light; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, rich, sweet earth with dry leaves, some dry herbs, dark spice w/ some palate heat, limestone powdered, dry stone, soft leather & slightly dryish tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, hints of lead pencil, touch of dry stems, fresh & slightly withering flowers that are; dark, red with lavender framed in liquid violets, excellent round acidity and a very well balanced, mid structured & tensioned finish that is elegantly polished and lasts a little more than a minute.
Paired with an Allen Brother’s Filet Mignon. A good, well aged Napa Cabernet works well with a less/near no fat cut of meat.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Franck Bonville Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
Chardonnay more
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Good value cuvée. This has gone up just like all Champagne. Better at $35 than $45. But, still worth a few bottles mixed into your regiment.
Bruised; green & red apple, Bosc pear. Some apple cider, lime zest, tropical melons, white peach, pineapple juice, shades of lemon meringue, caramel notes, light vanilla, gritty chalk presses the tongue, white spice, sea spray, bread dough, baguette crust, nice yeastiness, yellow & white spring florals, crisp acidity and well balanced, structured, tensioned and roundly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.
From 375ml. Dosage 8.3 grams. A touch high for me these days. But, tolerable.
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White - Sparkling
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2016 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Terre de Vertus
Chardonnay more
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Nice soft mousse body, yellow peach, tropical melons, pineapple, some lemon meringue, lime zest, slightly bitter apple cider, whipped cream, hard chalkiness, alluvial limestone, saline, sea fossils, bread crust, yeastiness, yellow florals, racey acidity, nicely balanced & structured with a finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Needs a few more years in bottle.
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Red
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2016 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard
Sonoma Coast
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First Summa Vineyard from my allocation. It is quite nice. Still needs a few years.
The body feels thicker than other Pinots I’ve had. Plum pudding, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, highlights of pomegranate & blueberries, mix berry cola, licorice nibs, dry herbs, moist volcanic clay, limestone marl, dry twig, dry crushed rocks, some grilled meats, dry tobacco, used leather, barrel shavings, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, fresh & withering, dark, red, flowers, excellent round acidity and a well balanced, tensioned, structured with a well polished finish that lasts a minute.
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Red
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1986 Château Chasse-Spleen
Moulis en Médoc
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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A perfect bottle, direct import from a Negotiate via K&L. It has seen only Chateau & Negotiate storage.
Love, love, love the style of 80’s Bordeaux. Especially, the very good 80’s vintages. The style at this age is just so good as is the 12.5 ABV.
The fruit is still very solid & fresh. Ruby; blackberries, plums, poached strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries & blueberries hues. Lead pencil for days, some light v/a-bandaid, used tobacco w/ ash, very used leather, dark spice, understated mushroom, baking spices- light nutmeg/clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dry, river stone, limestone, dark rich soil with dry leaves, mix of dry and fresh herbs, touch of mint, moist clay, withering & dry dark, red, flowers, rainfall acidity and a well balanced, nicely structured, softly tensioned, beautiful finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Paired with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs.
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Red
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1997 Jones Family Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
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I tasted this at cork pull and it looked & tasted a bit brickish. Waited to decant but it still needed a hour in the decanter. 97 a great Napa vintage. Well stored bottle bought from auction.
The fruits are lush, velvety & ruby; blackberries, black plum, plum pudding, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, malt balls on the long decant, black licorice, there is a touch of v/a-bandaid but it’s not spoiling and dissipates some in time, dusty to slightly moist top soil, olive tapenade, herbaceous notes, soft, dark spice, half used, dry tobacco w/ ash, sandalwood, moist, grey volcanic clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, notes of black pepper, candied, liquid, fresh & mostly withering, dark, red, purple flowers, very round acidity and a very well balanced, tensioned, nicely structured and a smartly polished, round finish that lasts two-minutes.
Second wine to pair with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs.
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Red
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2015 Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Silencieux
Napa Valley
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Nose of nearly overripe floral fruits of; blackberries, creamy black raspberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, boysenberries & plum. Dry twigs, sandalwood, undertones of crush rocks/limestone, mid berry cola, dark, red florals framed in liquid violets & lavender.
The palate shows nearly overripe, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, boysenberries & plum. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, soft nutmeg, anise-black licorice, moist, grey clay, drip roasted coffee, dry twigs, barrel shaving dust, undertones of crush rocks/limestone, dry stone, dark spice, light, dry herbs, mid berry cola, dark, red florals framed in liquid violets & lavender, great, rainfall acidity and a smooth, elegant, richly polished finish that last 45 seconds.
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Red
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2019 El Molíno Pinot Noir
Rutherford
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This is another 91-92. 92-93 w/ a few more years of cellaring.
Pinot Noir grown in Rutherford. 😮 Bold. 689 cases produced. Thomas Keller at dinner told Burt George Owner of Joseph George retail shop in the South Bay that this was one of the most unique wines he’s had in quite awhile.
When I first put my nose to the glass, I got a good presence of barrel char, smoke, cinnamon stick, glove, nutmeg, vanilla, black licorice, darkish cola, strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, hints of blueberries, dry hay/straw, dark spice, hints of black pepper, fresh, bright, dark, red flowers/florals.
The palate is fresh and settles after about 10 minutes in the glass. Black licorice, darkish cola, strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, dry cranberries, hints of blueberries, dry hay/straw, dry brush, smoke, cinnamon stick, glove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark spice w/ some heat, hints of black pepper, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with limestone, fresh, bright, dark, red flowers/florals. Good acidity, balanced, well tensioned, neatly structured and a nicely polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.
There is some alcohol heat on the finish but it should fade in another 3-5 years. Be good to revisit it then and 5 years more down the road.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Paul Dethune Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut
Champagne Blend more
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91-92. Blanc de Noirs NV is aged and vinified: 33% in 205-liter Champagne oak barrels, 33% in 34 hl oak tuns and 34% of reserve wine from a period of 40 different years aged and vinified in oak tuns.“
Thick, creamy body. Grapefruit, lemons chiffon, lime zest, Bartlett pear, pineapple juice, lighter tropical melons, toasted nuts, gritty chalkiness, alluvial limestone, volcanics, yeasty, brioche, white spice, yellow followers/lillies, touch of spring flowers, excellent round acidity with a balanced, nice strutured and rich, polished finish that lasts a minute.
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Red
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2014 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard
Russian River Valley
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A few things; I still have not opened a bad bottle of Ridge, not even a corked bottle & I’ve had a number of them. First time having this bottling. I don’t drink a lot of Zinfandel or Zinfandel blends but when I do, I prefer Ridge’s style.
96% Zinfandel & 4% Petite Sirah. Decanted 40 minutes.
Intense nose of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries and hints of blueberries, incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty, dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice, some; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon. Liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers.
The palate shows; round, lush & juicy fruits of; brambly blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, liqueured dark cherries. boysenberries, notes of poached strawberries and hints of blueberries. Incense, soft black pepper, mid berry cola, black licorice, light barrel shavings, vanilla, melty dark chocolate, caramel notes, dark spice with some heat, a little; nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, finely crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, used iron pan notes, powdered minerals, liquid violets, lavender and red candid flowers, excellent round acidity, tall structure & fairly big tension, well balanced and nicely, layered, polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.
Still a bit young to me. Better in 5-7 yrs and will drink well for another 5-7 after that. More new wood use here than I am used to in their Zin & Zin blends.
Paired nicely with my Allen Brothers burger.
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Red
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2006 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon Terrace Select
Dry Creek Valley
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2 1/2 hour decant and still shows semi-resolved, round, meaty tannins. I can only imagine how big this wine was at release.
Silly, silly. Dark chocolate cooking bar, smooth expresso, sweet tarriness, anise-black licorice, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, dark, resolved spice, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum & very, dark cherries. Fresh & candied, lavender, violets round acidity, balance, nice tension, structure, well knitted and really well polish lush, finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Yes, there are Sonoma Cabernet producers that stand right in there w/ Napa. This is certainly one.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme
Champagne Blend more
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Really starting to come on. Beautiful mouthfeel & mousse. Apricots, both peaches, tropical melons, pineapple, some green, lemon/lime zest & notes of marmalade. Punchy minerality, pronounced chalkiness, brioche, yeasty, baguette crust, hints of cream, saline, pronounced sea fossils, yellow lilies/flowers, shades of white Spring flowers, racey crisp acidity, perfect; balance, structure, tensioned, length and smartly polished finish that lasts two-minutes.
The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it's a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. Relatively young reserve wines makes up 42% of the composition, 2000 from Oger & 2006 wines from Verzy and Bouzy of note. It’s seen a minimum of six years of bottle aging.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvee Edition 169eme
Champagne Blend more
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Lighter on its feet than the 166eme. Fresher & a bit creamier.
Nice but could use some additional cellaring. Less complexity than the 166eme.
Cream right up top. The fruits are more subtle than the 166eme. Lemon, lime, pineapple, tropical melon, kiwi, white peach, touch of grapefruit & green apple. Very soft, chalkiness & limestone marl, perfect sea fossils & saline, just a touch of white spice, brioche, touch of bread dough, spring flowers, some yellow lilies, racey soft, yet crispy acidity, perfect balance, soft tension & structure, balance for days and a nicely knitted & smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.
The 169ème Édition Cuvée is composed around the 2013 vintage and is a blend of 146 wines from 11 different years. The youngest is from the year 2013 and the oldest dates back to 2000. The 169eme spent 7 years in the cellar. Composed of 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay & 22% Pinot Meunier. The reserve wines are from the House’s extensive library and made up 40% of the final blend.
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Red
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1982 Les Forts de Latour
Pauillac
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Still fresh & youthful. Perfect. Great fill. Still peaking.
Bramble, nicely, fresh fruits of; blackberries, creamy, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, hints of blueberries, poached to dry strawberries. Lead pencil for days, dry tobacco, used leather, liquid herbaceous notes, volcanic & limestone marl & grey clay, eucalyptus/pine tar, black licorice, dark spice, touch of black pepper, mushroom, light baking spices, dry top soil, dry river stone, dry stem, well done toast, dry & withering; dark, red, some blue florals framed in lavender & violets, perfect acidity and extremely well; balanced, structured, tensioned, balanced, smarty polished finish that last several minutes finish. WOTN!
It’s just the left side of the bell curve. Stored correctly it has another 10 plus years of good drinking.
Robert Parker launched his career calling this vintage correctly upon release when others were not.
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Red
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2002 Château Latour Grand Vin
Pauillac
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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This is still taut with dry, meaty tannins. The first time you should open this Grand Vin. Decanted four and a half hours. It has another 20 plus years of good drinking ahead.
Bramble, dry blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dry, dark cherries. Dry twig, dry crushed rocks, lead pencil for days, sandstone/limestone, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, cigar box, ash, leathery, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks and vanillin, slightly, moist, volcanic clay, dry & withering flowers that are dark, red and violets framed in lavender, perfect round acidity, structured, well tensioned, overly balanced to earth and smartly polished finish that lands on earth & spice.
My next 02 should be opened in another 8-10 years and will still drink well in another 20 years properly stored.
Paired with AB Brothers Ribcap, crispy baked potato & cooked carrots.
The 07 Turnbull Napa almost seemed grape juice like after the 82 Les Forts & 02 Latour.
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Red
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2018 Bouchaine Pinot Meunier Estate Vineyard
Carneros
more
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Have not had 100% Pinot Meunier that was not from Champagne and in bubble form. This is from Napa/Carneros.
Still young and would prefer to have this in 3-5 yrs.
The palate is dark fruits. Not quite Santa Rita Hills extraction but more than most Northern California.
It is still a bit angular. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, plum and some poached strawberries. Grainy limestone, dry stone, dark top soil, lots dark spice, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, some pepper, dry tobacco, new leather, grilled meats, dry tumble weed, dry, red, dark flowers with violets, fresh acidity and a balanced, highly structured/tensioned, polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Many would call CDP on this blind.
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Red
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2007 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
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Different source than my storage on this one.
I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.
This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.
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Red
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2013 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige
Red Rhone Blend more
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What I didn’t realize until this week is when I bought this 2013, Sofia & I tasted this with Roger in his cellar before it received the label after reviewing photos.
This was $25 on release and it is beautiful tonight as it was last weekend.
Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, purple fruits, blueberries & some dark cherries. Grilled meats, light black pepper, dry galet stones, spice, dry top soil, dry tobacco, used leather, slightly moist volcanic mineral mixed w/ clay, sandalwood, dry & withering dark, red & purple florals, rainfall acidity, a well balanced, nicely structured, beautifully tensioned, balanced, elegant finish that last two-minutes and lands on minerality and florals.
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Red
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2005 Château Caronne Ste. Gemme
Haut-Médoc
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Rounding up from 91.6.
Allen Brothers Lamb Lollipops and the 05 vintage from Bordeaux.
The 2005 vintage was magical w/ star producers. Very good with the lesser regions like Caronne.
Pretty sure I paid around $25 for this give or take.
The entry is round, lush & rich. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries and poached strawberries. Dark rich earth, moist clay, lead pencil, tobacco/cigar ash, used leather, dry river stone, dark chocolate cooking bar, black licorice, limestone powder, dry herbs, very light baking spices, dark, red, purple withering flowers, round acidity, balanced, highly structured & tensioned finish that lasts a minute.
This could actually use some more time in bottle, 3-5 yrs.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Egly-Ouriet Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut
Champagne Blend more
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Always struggled with their style and further adding to that struggle is their price point. While they are a known quality producer, oxy just isn’t my wheelhouse.
Bruised apple & Bosc pear, apple cider, grapefruit, marzipan, saline, some caramel notes, yeastiness, bread dough, crisp chalkiness, limestone marl, touch of unsweetened graham crackers, withering yellow lilies, pleasant acidity and while it has a nice structure, balanced, but the finish falls into an unpleasant over oxidative bitterness/bite.
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