4/19/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent medium-ruby. Deep nose of potent smoky plum, healthy damp cellar, late-arriving but nostril-filling violets, astringent brambles, earth. Layers of brilliant crunchy cherry and raspberry fruit girded by iron and earthy briar on the ebullient palate. Firm tannin counterpointed by fresh, almost brash acidity. Long finish of echoing red berry, iron granules, fine earth. Young, energetic wine brimming with life. Long evolution ahead.

4/5/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent medium ruby. Lifted, steely nose of rose petal, focused red strawberry, berry, crushed stone. On the palate, so much gorgeous, detailed red berry fruit somehow blossoming on the crisp, laser-like frame. Brisk acidity and smoothed tannin. Long finish of slightly tart but ultimately sweet red berry anchored in iron and noble earth. This wine is propelled by exquisite balance, energy, and precision. Brilliant showing.

4/4/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Disgorged October 2019. Light gold with hints of salmon pink on pouring. Nose of primrose, lightly held berry, lime, flinty diesel. Layers of gooseberry, grapefruit, apple core, light biscuit, and white stone on the palate with hints of gingery petrol and a certain subtle wildness. Insistent acidity and lovely fine mousse. Long finish of citrus and orchard fruit laced with powdered stone and rather welcome astringency. A fresh, transparent, delightful Champagne.

4/3/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby scarlet. Nose of scintillating black and red cherry, rose petal, and faint tar. Layers of dense black plum and currant on the palate cut with asphalt and earth. Freshening acidity and firm young tannin. Hints of oak which quickly blow off. Long finish of black plum, earth, and tar. Young and accessible with air. A long, positive evolutionary road ahead.

4/2/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Pale white gold color. Dense, understated nose of fresh cut lemon, grapefruit, oyster shell, white flowers, traces of apple core. Layers of crisp grapefruit and granny apple infused with flinty white stone on the palate. Bright acidity and firm spine. Longer finish of tart citrus and apple grounded in rocky structure. Fantastic with whole fresh Dungeness.

4/1/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Easter 2024. Crisp, dry, with subtle orchard fruit apparent. Saline finish. Nice!

3/30/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Scarlet with rusty glints. Nose of red plum, faint tar, dense earth, dark violets. Layers of nimble but firmly-etched red plum, berry, hints of asphalt, and sweet earth on the palate. Fresh acidity and youthful, slightly dusty tannin. Longer finish of clear red fruit cut with iron and tar. Lovely wine showing beautifully at this early stage.

3/29/2024 - DougLee wrote:

On the palate, a bit lacking in fruit. Lots of dirt and iron.

3/23/2024 - DougLee wrote:

What to pair with BBQ chicken and pulled pork from Jack’s Barbecue? Had purchased some of this on the basis of the Petrus connection and thought why not. Translucent medium garnet. Whoa, so much currant and fresh plum mixed with fecund green on the youthful nose. Layers of spritely red and black currant, tobacco, and a hint of green pepper on the energetic palate. Juicy acidity and firm tannin. Longer finish of earthy red fruit and satisfying green leaf. A zesty Cab Franc which fit the bill nicely.

3/22/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent darker ruby. Nose of firm but scintillating violets, iron filings, astringent red and dark berry. Layers of red raspberry, fine integrated iron, powdery granite, briar, and earth on the satin-laced palate. Beautiful acidity and smoothed tannin. Long finish of echoing red fruit, ferric granules, sweet earth. Harmony, grace, depth, effortless balance.

3/16/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Dark translucent ruby. Fresh, energetic, truly perfumed nose of crushed red berry, voluminous nostril-filling violets, damp earth. Layers of darker ripe berry, iron granules, iodine, and briar on the deep-drilling palate. Tingling acidity and firm tannin. Longer finish of iron-inflected dark berry fruit. Delicious and brimming with life, with years to go.

3/15/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Dark ruby, barely translucent. Deliciously fragrant, deep-set nose of sweet red berry, acrid violets, stony earth, round plum. Layers of buoyant, strikingly pure red berry fruit cut with molecular iron and fine earth on the satin-textured palate. Freshening acidity and smoothed tannin. Long finish of clear red berry vying with potent granular iron and sweet dirt. Most definitely not rustic. This is one beautiful wine, brilliant with flashes of Chambolle elegance.

3/9/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Light gold. Nose of crushed white stone, grapefruit, traces of apple, oyster shell, fragrant petal. Layers of lilting citrus, granny apple, scintillating steel, and energetic but blade like focus on the palate. Brilliant acidity. White stony spine. Long finish of citrus, grounding apple, and piercing steel. Totally enjoyable in its brash purity at the moment .

3/9/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Mildly amber color. Nose of sweet apricot. Tasted sweet and slightly maderized.

3/8/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Top surface of cork was brown, the sides were usual pale color. Almost opaque rich ruby color. Nose of brisk ripe berry, faint iron, damp cellar, bramble, lovely violets, rare earth. Layers of open knit, voluptuous red and dark red berry fruit cut with just enough fine iron and wiry briar to provide spine and structure. Fresh acidity and fine grained tannin deluged by fruit. Long finish of drenching fruit, bits of iron, and dirt. I am surprised to say this but this was an exercise in hedonism.

3/2/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Light honey gold. Nose of delicate but airy white flowers, white grapefruit, faint apple, sea air, chiseled stone. Layers of silky but incisive lemon-lime, pure white grapefruit, stone, and iodine on the persistent palate. Exquisitely proportioned acidity and blade-like dry spine. Long finish of cool white peach, apple core, citrus, and steel. A wine of aristocratic bearing tonight.

3/1/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Deep translucent ruby. Nose of darker but ethereal violets, dense fresh-cut berry, fine earth, hints of camphor. Layers of drenching raspberry and Bing cherry fruit salted with evenly matched tartness and deep iron-inflected sweetness on the satiny palate. Fresh acidity and firm tannin. Long finish of rich echoing berry, fine dusty earth, and iron filament. Continued beautiful evolution of this wine with more to come.

2/24/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Light gold color. Nose of brioche, grapefruit, apple, diesel, lifted stone. Layers of citrus, crisp apple core, pear, ginger, white pepper, and bready presence on the completely harmonious palate. Charged, fizzy acidity and persistent structure on the tongue. Long, potent peacock's tail of a finish providing tart sweet white fruit grounded in petrol and tactile biscuity texture. Beautifully balanced and exuberant Champagne.

2/24/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Dark translucent ruby. Nose of delicately pungent dense cherry pits, earth, soaring violets, damp cellar. Layers of resolved, silky raspberry fruit cut with fine iron and subtle earth on the satiny palate. Fresh acidity and filed off tannin. Long finish of red berry, ferric notes, and echoing earth. Lovely.

2/23/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Light gold. Nose of rinsed stone, nostril-filling white flowers, apple slice, citrus. Layers of apple core, steely grapefruit, dry centering spine, and cool white stone on the chiseled palate. Brilliant acidity. Long finish of fresh white grapefruit, granny apple, steel, and stone. Whoa. Against all odds, alive and kicking at age 19.

2/17/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose of anise, acrid black cherry, musky violets, leathery earth. Layers of spicy black raspberry, Bing cherry, feral earth, and iron granules on the palate. Freshening acidity and largely softened tannin. Longer finish of echoing red berry fruit undergirded with iron and brambles. Lovely drink.

2/16/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Opaque garnet purple color. Nose of red currant, cedar, hot house flowers, holiday cake spice, hints of eucalyptus. Layers of red plum, blackberry, rich green pepper, earth, and saline on the silky palate. Moderate acidity and softened tannin. Long finish of haunting red fruit and spicy earth. Oh so great with grilled ribeye.

2/14/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Pale gold color. Nose of spearmint, sea air, oyster shell, lime, apple core, grapefruit. Layers of grapefruit, apple, steel, and lime gracing the palate with firm precision. Bracing acidity and righteous spine. Long finish of white citrus, young apple slice, and frosty steel. Excellent showing, and the bomb with Penn Cove mussels.

2/13/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent dark ruby. Nose of fennel, violets, fine earth, berry, plum pits. Layers of classy, integrated red and darker berry fruit cascading effortlessly on the tongue intermixed with finely cut rock and iron. Wonderful balance of fresh acidity counterpointing still-firm but softened tannin. Longer finish of lively red raspberry, deep earth, iron particles, and a hint of holiday spice. Lighter weight but quite lyrical. A wonderful wine experience on our 31st.

2/10/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Light gold. Nose of honeysuckle, white melon, stone. Layers of lychee, apricot, diesel, dry white rock on the palate. Scintillating acidity and steely structure. Long finish of white fruit and a bit of iron. A nice pairing with lobster rolls.

2/9/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose of pristine, soaring pine forest, rich berry, lovely florals, crushed stone. Layers of satiny but brilliant red raspberry, black cherry, iron hints, and powdered rock on the palate. Fresh acidity and softened tannin. Long finish of spicy red fruit, iron, and rinsed stone. Oh yeah this is most excellent Volnay.

2/3/2024 - DougLee wrote:

On the palate quite stony but tasting of diesel and virtually devoid of fruit. Something off here.

2/3/2024 - DougLee wrote:

amber color, sweet taste.

2/3/2024 - DougLee wrote:

amber, almost orange color. Abnormal sweet taste. Premox.

2/2/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Darker translucent ruby hue. After about an hour the nose was giving off scents of full violets, dark berry, sinuous beef blood, faint iron. Layers of lively red raspberry and black cherry fruit laced with fine iron and earth on the exquisitely poised, satiny palate. Lovely balance of lively acidity and integrated tannin. Long finish of red and black fruit brimming with freshness and cut with powdered rock and iron. Very enjoyable showing tonight.

1/27/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Brilliant translucent ruby. Nose of red berry, faint iodine, high pitched violets, stony earth. Layers of crunchy red raspberry, tart but ripe black cherry, iron granules, and fine soil on the surprisingly satiny palate. Fresh acidity and firm young tannin. Longer finish of echoing red cherry fruit amidst iron and earth. Delicious and full of character.

1/26/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent light ruby. Nose of sharp red berry, fennel, damp cellar, light floral notes. Layers of pleasantly brisk red raspberry fruit cut with crushed pebble and saline on the incisive palate. Snappy acidity and serious but filed off tannin. Medium length finish of coppery red fruit and earthy iron filament. Youngish but fresh and good.

1/20/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose of heady violets, sharp ebullient red berry, sea air, bits of ripe currant. Layers of brilliantly ripe red raspberry fruit bursting with youthful energy and hints of astringency and iron on the palate. Tingly acidity and firm but smoothed tannin. Long ringing finish of steely red fruit and integrated iron. Hedonistic excellence tonight.

1/19/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Darker translucent ruby. Nose of hawthorn, anise, cranberry, violets, stony soil. Layers of crunchy raspberry and rhubarb on the incisive palate cut with grounding stone and iron particles. Brisk acidity and firm but filed off tannin. Long finish of stalky red and dark berry, ferric granules, and holiday cake spice. Delicious, multifaceted, extremely satisfying wine.

1/13/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Dark salmon-ruby. Nose of high-pitched florals and sea air cut with faint red berry and white rock. Scintillating layers of intense raspberry and black cherry fruit accompanied by citrus, diesel, and astringent ginger notes. Youthful raw austerity with deep-drilling power and complexity. Wow, this will be amazing with some years in the cellar.

1/12/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose of fresh-cut tart berry, forest floor, soaring violets, sea air, iron filament. Layers of crisp, snappy red raspberry cut with pliant iron granules and powdered earth. Bright acidity and firm but fine-grained tannin. Longer finish of crunchy red fruit grounded in sweet earth. Delicious and transparent.

1/6/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Darker translucent ruby. Nose of sharp ripe berry, heady violets, fertile earth, iron ore. Layers of exuberant primary raspberry and black cherry fruit cut with iron granules and rich earth on the youthful but elegant palate. Driving acidity and firm tannin subsumed by drenching fruit. Long finish of deep plum and berry fruit, integrated earth, and iron. Wow this is good.

1/5/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Decanted for 2 hours and followed for 2 more. Translucent darker garnet. Nose a melange of high-pitched roses, camphor, balsam, plum fruit, sea air, firm asphalt. Layers of red plum and bright strawberry fruit cut with tar, saline, and rocky earth on the satiny palate. Bright acidity and still firm tannin. Long finish of plum, sweet berry, tar, and warm earth. Wonderful with mushroom pasta.

1/1/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Opened on New Year’s Eve. Beautiful pale pink color with salmon hints. Nose of fresh cut berry, alpine flowers, apple, ginger, and stone. Layers strawberry, crushed raspberry, and citrus countering austere structure on the crystalline palate. Energizing, brisk fizz. Longer finish of aristocratic red fruit, a bit of lime, and rinsed stone. A delight. From a 375.

1/1/2024 - DougLee wrote:

Decanted for about 30 minutes. Garnet color. Nose of currant, plum blossom, earth, cedar. Layers of red currant, green hints, black plum, blackberry, and tobacco on the satin-textured palate. Lower acidity and resolved tannin. Medium-length finish of dark fruit, pencil lead, and sweet resolve. Very nice showing, which might have been even better with a longer decant. Half bottle.

12/30/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Pale gold. Nose of alpine-edged white flowers, cool saline, white grapefruit, apple, precision flint. A hint of matchstick quickly blowing off. Layers of delicate but steely citrus, tense apple core, and diesel on the exquisitely-textured palate. Tingly acidity and aristocratic spine. Long finish of grapefruit, apple slice, mountain stream ice water, and a bit of cream. An amazing wine, just getting started.

12/29/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose of wildflowers, damp cellar, meaty tones, saline, young berry. Layers of crunchy dark berry, beef blood, sauvage, and iron on the hearty, pure palate. Fresh acidity and firm tannin. Long finish of mildly rustic, coppery red fruit cut with stone and iron. An excellent village wine full of youthful, unbridled energy.

12/23/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Amber color. Premox?

12/23/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Second bottle this evening. Still pale gold. Nose of sea air, oyster shell, flint, apple core, white stone. Layers of piercing granny apple, steel, grapefruit, and sea bed on the incisive palate. Austere structure and bracing acidity. Long finish of citrus, apple, white rock, and superb salinity. Promise fulfilled.

12/23/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Cork leak. Vinegar like.

12/22/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent brighter ruby. Nose of fresh cut berry, feral violets, sea air, iron particles, hints of fennel. Layers of delightfully primary, crisp, crunchy red and black raspberry fruit cut with deep earth and ferric granules on the charged palate. Firm, young tannin and brash acidity. Longer finish of fresh berry, stone, and saline. Very impressive for its level. Half bottle.

12/16/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Pale translucent ruby. Nose of fervent violets, fresh-cut berry, tilled earth. Layers of dark berry, iodine, and crushed rock on the focused, piercing palate. Brisk acidity and young tannin. Long finish of crisp dark berry and atomized stone. Quite young but already striking and beautiful.

12/15/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Darker translucent ruby. Nose of potent violet scents, heady plum blossom, black cherry, damp cellar, fine earth. Layers of spicy but vivacious pure raspberry and cherry fruit cut with iodine and noticeable but integrated oak notes on the satin-textured palate. Bright acidity and firm tannin. Long finish of brilliant fruit, aristocratic weight without heaviness, and stony tartness. Wonderful showing. Still on an upward trajectory.

12/9/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Barely translucent dark ruby color. Nose of fresh cherry blossom, soaring violets, high-pitched leather notes, deep earth. Layers of pure red cherry fruit, dried fruit, tobacco, and hints of saline on the ebullient palate. Fresh acidity and firm, dusty tannin drowned by fruit. Long finish of ringing red cherry girded by earthy tones, grit, and leather. Superb.

12/8/2023 - DougLee wrote:

Translucent ruby hue. Nose of raspberry, cinnamon, violets, musky cellar. Layers of crunchy black cherry, tart dark raspberry, iodine, fine soil, and a bit of char on the pure, steely palate. Brilliant acidity and firm tannin. Longer finish of cinnamon. holiday spice, dark cherry, and astringent plum. Very young and primary with lots of upside.