4/2/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Golden apple, clear center to rim.
Nose: Ripe pear, slate, beeswax, honeysuckle, slight lees note.
Palate: Pear, mineral, wildflower. A slight yeast/lees note, and silky body -- maybe some batonnage here? A little oxidation, likely large old oak. And very light touch of skin tannin. 3-5g RS. M+ body, M acid, M alc.
Pair with crab or shrimp, soft & mild cheeses, vegetable risotto.

1/31/2014 - defigio wrote:

Competent, but restrained on the nose and tight on the palate. Tart fruit. Good acidity for food pairing, however, and a nice companion to beef carpaccio.

1/31/2014 - defigio Likes this wine:

Dark ruby color, opaque center, M+ viscosity. Blue and black fruit on the nose, purple flowers, organic earth and vanilla. Very round and lush on the palate, a full bodied Barbera. M+ acid, M tannin, M alc. Big but delicious.

8/29/2013 - defigio Does not like this wine:

Underripe dark fruit, plum skin, dry earth, and stemminess on the nose. Decent structure, but the underripe quality of the fruit makes this tart and unappealing after the first glass. Pairing with food (jamon bocadillo, goat cheese) didn't help it.

11/8/2012 - defigio wrote:

Color: Clear garnet to start, became cloudy with successive pours
Nose: Medium intensity raspberry, strawberry. Rose petal. A whiff of leather.
Drinking: Still red fruit-driven, but more sour cherry, oak notes on the palate. A little brown spice. Nicely balanced fruit and acidity, delicate oaking and understated tannins. Would try again in 2014-2015 to see how it comes together.
Pairing: Goat cheese and cranberry

9/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Great condition and fill. Nose of dried currants and black fruit, leather, and organic earth. Great balance of remaining fruit and earth on the palate, tannins and acid still in good balance. Good value for an older California cab. Very nice, but drink up by 2018. :: Matt's birthday 9/6/2013

6/16/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Apple, gingerbread, yeast and brioche. Touch of new oak. M acid, M finish. Rich, nicely balanced, but not terribly complex. Still a delicious bottle. Eric Rodez's Krug background probably apparent here. (Corkbuzz, NYC)

12/31/2012 - defigio Likes this wine:

Golden yellow color, plentiful medium-sized effervescence. On the palate: Green apple, a little tropical fruit, biscuit. A touch of sweetness, good mouthfeel, complexity, and length. Not as much creaminess and yeastiness as I'd hoped, but a nicely structured wine.

12/31/2012 - defigio wrote:

A bit schizophrenic, with fruit, mineral, herb, and floral notes competing in the glass. Gives way to a mineral finish with length, but not entirely pleasant. Might try again paired with crudo instead of on its own, but generally disappointed with the structure of this one.

9/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

A little musty and unfriendly on opening, but after an hour yielded a beautiful lemon, honey, and baking spice concoction. Perfect acidity, ripe citrus fruit still leads, with plenty of power on the palate. A gem. :: Matt's birthday, 9/6/2013

4/15/2013 - defigio wrote:

Appearance: Pale straw, a little dull. M visc.
Nose: baked and bruised apple, some prominent oxidatative quality.
Palate: Like a light amontillado, oxidation dominates. Bruised apple and pear. Marine minerality. M+ acid, a light grip of tannin. M body, M alc. Interesting and well-crafted, but the oxidation puts me off a little and makes it hard to love. Not a crowd pleaser, definitely a geek wine. Will try again tomorrow.
Pair with: chicken and peanut Chinese food

6/30/2013 - defigio wrote:

(No formal notes) Baked apple, light citrus. Nice limestone minerality, sensitively oaked, lively acid, and pleasing finish. A relatively simple white Burg for early drinking (2013-2018). Pair with shellfish, roasted potatoes.

10/17/2013 - defigio wrote:

Filtered transparent garnet color. Tart red fruit, red currant, black cherry. Dry earth, touch of spice from oak. Bright acidity, medium gentle tannins, but simple drinking. Needs food. Good summer red, or pair anytime with lighter pasta, simple cheese and charcuterie.

A step down from this producer's main Il Frappato Sicilia release, simpler and half the price. Not built for aging, carpe diem.

3/23/2013 - defigio wrote:

(No formal notes) Dark ruby color. Black and red fruit on the nose, a little brambly. Candied on the palate. Nicely structured, but with fruit that is just too confectionate for my tastes. Maybe a few years in the bottle would help.

7/3/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

This was still alive and kicking in 2013: Bright and fresh red fruit still there, albeit some development and VA at this point. Moss, dried flowers, leather. The minerality, acid, and overall structure has generally held up well, I was surprised. A nice example of aged cru beaujolais. It's making its exit, however -- drink by 2014.

6/17/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

(No formal notes) Balanced and well-structured, this Fleurie is more like a Moulin a Vent: cherry and dark fruit, granite minerality, rich, just delicious. Solid acid for a beaujolais, probably could cellar for 5 years. A real value.

1/31/2013 - defigio wrote:

Cherry and raspberry fruit, some prominent oak. Medium+ acid, could be mistaken for Oregon pinot noir: juicy, tasty, tart, medium tannins and medium length.

1/31/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Clear and bright, pale straw, clear rim.
Nose: Mineral, slate, green apple
Palate: Mineral-driven, but more fruit than the nose. Ripe grannysmith apple, white flowers, river rock. White bean or chalkiness on the finish. Balanced structure, crisp and acidic but plenty of body and impact. Good QPR. Pair with crab or shrimp with celery and thyme.

1/11/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Translucent clear ruby center, garnet middle and a little bricking at rim. Lighter in color than most CdP I've seen, but tremendous legs/body in the glass. Nose is overripe red fruit, herbal spices, white pepper, leather. Balanced and complex on the nose. Palate is silky and dripping with glycerol. Red fruit, spice, rounded tannins, medium acid, medium-long finish that carries the overall balance of the wine. Excellent pairing with lamb, merguez, goat cheese, grilled meat. Veritas NYC 1/11/13

11/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

A gently sweet dessert wine, with notes of golden apple, caramel, and some oxidative nuttiness. Elegantly aged and integrated. No trace of Muscat aroma here (although that's the traditional grape for wines from this region), so I suspect this is some other blend, possibly grenache blanc. Would make a great blue cheese pairing, or with any fruit or caramel-based dessert. :: Spring Restaurant, Paris 11/2013

1/31/2013 - defigio Does not like this wine:

Tart, underripe raspberry and cranberry fruit. Medium acid, mealy tannins, empty mid-palate and metallic on the finish. There are better values at this price point.

9/14/2014 - defigio wrote:

Dried flowers and tar, mushroom, earth, iron. Faded fruit and soft tannins. Drinking nicely.

5/23/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

A delicate nebbiolo, with cherries and red fruit, floral notes, and gripping but gentle tannins. Reminiscent of burgundy pinot. Vibrant and feminine, pair with milder beef, grilled pork.

12/27/2013 - defigio wrote:

Bottle was flawed or well past its drinking window. Closet must, mold, earth. Barely any fruit left, just dead and departed fruit leather. Undrinkable, barely made it through a glass. A shame.

6/21/2013 - defigio wrote:

Bright light ruby color, quite dense for a rosé. Unfiltered. Big juicy cherry and strawberry fruit, orange rind, some rocky minerality. No sign of oak. Nice texture, M+ acid. Quirky and unusual, but delicious -- would make a tremendous sangria.

5/3/2013 - defigio wrote:

A beauty of a amontillado. Cashew nut, caramel, salty seaside. Broad, complex and balanced, long finish. Dry, 18.5%. Pair with salami and jamon, marcona almonds, and hard cheeses.

12/4/2013 - defigio wrote:

Translucent garnet with magenta highlights, very clear. M visc. Red fruit, cranberry, orange pith, tree bark. On the palate: Bright red fruit on the attack, significant stemmy bitterness. Sour fruit character, with a greenness or underripe quality. M+ acid, low tannins, M alc/body, M finish and complexity. Needs some air to unwind. Pair with ham with cranberry chutney.

3/16/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Bright ruby, translucent center, clear rim.
Nose: Confectionate red fruit, raspberry compote, pepper.
Palate: Juicy red fruit, balanced with savory spices, toast, violet. Balanced structure, medium acid, medium alc, delicate but persistent tannins. Very food-friendly: pair with pork loin, herbed chicken, roasted vegetables, charcuterie. Delicious!

6/30/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Medium ruby color, unfiltered. Clay, mineral-driven, with bright cherry and red fruit, barnyard. Geeky and quirky. M acid, gentle tannins, nice red for summer drinking. Organic Pineau d’Aunis. :: Anfora NYC

11/29/2012 - defigio wrote:

Appearance: Very pale gold, starbright
Nose: Reserved nose of grapefruit, wax, green apple
Palate: Much bigger on the palate: Burst of pink grapefruit, a little honey. Hint of skin tannin? Medium body, significant acidity. (Small amount of tartrate sediment in bottle.)
Notes: Balanced and well-made wine. Pair with white fish, light pasta, hard cheese.

12/25/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Golden apple, baked bread, and a delicious, light-handed, quaffable quality. No oak, full malo. One of my favorite small producer Champagnes this year.

11/29/2012 - defigio wrote:

No formal notes. Bold dark raspberry fruit, leather, well structured. A muscular Oregon pinot noir.

6/1/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Medium ruby, bright, clear rim, M+ visc.
Nose: Ripe red fruit, blackberry, red roses, stemminess, baking spice, rocky minerality. Probably some NFO here, 20-30%.
Palate: Bright red fruit on the attack, secondary punch of rocky earth and darker berries. More pronounced oak (may be up to 50% NFO?) M+ acid, M gentle tannin, M+ body, M+ alcohol (14%?). Long finish, balanced and M complex. A real one-two punch on the palate. Pair with roasted turkey or braised pork, mushrooms and leeks.

9/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Bright ruby, generous nose of red cherries, raspberry, baking spice. Big, ripe, red fruit on the palate, but not candied. Super elegant structure. Gentle tannins, M+ acidity, M body/alc (13.5%?). A cherry-fruit-driven, generous, and gulpable new world pinot. (New York Vintners, 9/25/13)

11/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Unfiltered light medium ruby color, ripe red cherries, roses, and baking spice on the nose. Gulpably structured, with light tannins and mouth-filling fruit and acidity. Not the greatest Drouhin I've ever had, but quite nice for the price in France (pricier in the US). Drink sooner than later. :: Chez Fernand, Paris 11/2013

4/25/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Medium ruby color, almost dark center.
Nose: Bing cherry, raspberry, clove and dry herbal spice. Earth, a touch of coffee.
Palate: Ripe red and black fruit, earth and spice. M+ acid, soft but M tannins, M body, M+ alc. Tremendous balance in the overall structure. A pinot that could probably age a decade.
Very limited production, single clone PN (Clone 23 - Mariafeld), single cooperage.
ASA Oregon Seminar 4/25/2013

5/2/2013 - defigio wrote:

Popped and poured at 55°F.
Appearance: Matte ruby, unfiltered. M+ viscosity. Some sediment.
Nose: Barnyard, damp cellar, dried cherry, strawberry, forest floor, coffee.
Palate: Significant brett/barnyard. Dried cherry, strawberry, organic earth, mushroom. Complex balance of remaining fruit, earth, and wood characteristics. Less acid than expected, soft and light tannins, M body, M+alcohol. Pair with duck, pork fried rice.

4/25/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Light garnet color, translucent center. M+ viscosity.
Nose: Clove spice, organic earth, sour cherry, beet, rhubarb. Some new Fr. oak.
Palate: More generous sour cherry and red fruit, less vegetal than the nose. Smooth and silky mouthfeel. Some (30%?) new oak. M acid, M- tanin, M alc. Delicate, elegant structure. Pair with grilled salmon. ASA Oregon Seminar 4/25/2013

5/28/2013 - defigio wrote:

A nicely balanced everyday Burgundy. Bright and ripe cherries, rose, some earth. Versatile and food-friendly, but not terribly delicate. M body, M finish. Drink 2013–2020.

6/7/2013 - defigio wrote:

Appearance: Dark ruby, barely translucent center, ruby rim. M+ visc.
Nose: Big ripe black fruit, plum, milk chocolate. Toast, probably a little new oak.
Palate: Black fruit, blackberry. More tart on the palate than expected. Dried herb, spice, and tobacco in the back. M acid, M+ woody tannin, M+ body, M+ alc. (14.5%).
Pair with beef bourguignon, stews, mushroom pork risotto.

9/26/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

From magnum: Well-rounded fruit, cassis, ripe red berries, blackberry. Some cedar or pencil lead. Satin tannins at this stage, mouth-filling structure. Beautiful. (New York Vintners, 9/25/13)

11/14/2012 - defigio Likes this wine:

Out of magnum.
Appearance: Medium ruby, dark ruby center, light brick at rim. Bright.
Nose: Dried rose petal, dark cherry, earth, barnyard, wet wood.
Palate: Dried cherry, earthy with a little truffle, roses. Soft and elegant tannins, medium finish. Will probably drink well for another 10 years. An excellent older Bordeaux value.

11/22/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Approached with a bit of caution, having heard the 1971s are, as a category, past their prime. But the bottle was sound and the wine was drinking fine. Leather, dried black fruit, pencil shavings, and a carpet of fine remaining tannin made for a nice pairing with simple grilled meat with mushrooms. Gave it an hour or so of air, but probably could have used a little more -- as so often happens, it seemed to really unfurl after another hour in the last glass or so. Excellent drinking experience -- but if you have these, I'd plan to consume soon.

12/27/2013 - defigio Does not like this wine:

Not sure if this bottle was faulty or damaged, I expected more from this wine: Tight, spicy, and overly hot. Unpleasant cooked fruit character, and prickly acidity on the palate. A big wine, but not pleasant. It's possible this bottle was temperature damaged. I have one more of these and will let it rest for another year or two before trying again. Disappointed.

10/5/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

(No formal notes) Decanted 1-2 hours. Youthful and still tightly wound, but great red fruit, lively tannins, and overall great structure. Cellar for another 2-3 years (tasted Oct 2013). Should be excellent 2016+

5/22/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Appearance: Opaque dark center, medium ruby, unfiltered.
Nose: Dried cherry, black fruit, spice and leather.
Palate: Juicy red and black fruit, warm earth, herbal and brown spice notes, a little tobacco. Still youthful, but opulent. Structurally balanced and nicely integrated. M+ body, fine tannins. Drinking well now (2013), but probably best from 2015–2020.

6/25/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

From magnum, double decanted ~3 hours. Dark opaque core, garnet rim. Nose of dried red fruit, currants, cedar, pepper, a little green stemminess. M acid, M+ firm but balanced tannins, M+ body/alc, M finish. Mature, but this can last another 5-10 years. Food flexible: Pair with grilled pork, veal, duck.
*Also tasted a freshly opened mag, confirmed that the decanting and hour or two of air really helps this mellow out and open. :: Veritas NYC

10/8/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Unfiltered ruby red color, little rim variation, M viscosity. Nose: Ripe red and black fruit, blackberry and cherry, light smoke and toast, purple flowers, herbs de provence. Palate: Tart red fruit, plums, herbal spices, dried flowers. M gentle tannins, M acid, M alc/body, good length. Round in the mouth. Nicely balanced, and carrying its age well. The best Rhone of the evening.

12/4/2012 - defigio wrote:

Appearance: Slightly cloudy, dark ruby, slight oranging at rim. Thick, staining legs.
Nose: Blueberry, rose, violet, vanilla.
Palate: Similar fruit and floral, but less intense on the palate. Also licorice, firm but round tannin. Medium acid. Very round and silky mouthfeel, a little sticky. A little tartrate sediment.
Notes: Scored 88 on opening, much more pleasant after 1-2 hours of air.

1/6/2013 - defigio Likes this wine:

Dark rosé color with a hint of orange. Starbright.
Candied strawberry, pomegranate, rose. Rich body, hearty tannins for a rose, typical of Tavel.