11/11/2021 - jfagan Likes this wine:

The first of my 6 bottles. Day 2 after mistakenly leaving it out on the counter for 24 hours. Brilliant yellow/gold with bright highlights. Exceptionally complex aromas include exotic citrus, honey, lanolin and some high-toned savory herbs. Just wonderful palate entry--viscous but so fresh and lively. The citrus components really come the forefront. Racy acidity is perfectly balanced by luscious ripe fruit. The finish is eternal. Wow! And the good news is that I have another 5 bottles. Now to 2030 at least. Purchased on release and properly stored. Disclaimer: I've represented Morgan since his first release, the 2007 vintage.

3/21/2020 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant medium yellow. Mineral accented citrus, some orchard fruit and fresh herbs on the nose. Bright, fresh and long on the palate with lemon, tart apple and sweet spice flavors. Refreshing and long-lasting finish. This is still quite primary. I expect it will flesh out and open up more with a few more years in the cellar. Drink 2023-2028.

12/31/2017 - jfagan Likes this wine:

1.5 hours from the cellar in the glass. Brilliant deep, clear yellow. Complex and profound aromatics show ripe, exotic citrus, some stone fruit and just a touch of classy oak. Ripe and dense on the palate with concentrated flavors of citrus, pineapple, lifted by wonderful fresh fruit acidity with a pretty oak in the background. Rich, full bodied and lingering on the fresh, vibrant finish. Drink 2020-2025.

7/30/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours. Light yellow. Lemon, seashells, quince and eucalyptus are just some of the youthful but complex aromatic landscape. Viscous on entry, the first flavors show preserved lemon, citrus zest, toasted nuts. There is still some youthful bitterness. The long and powerful finish is a bit warm. This wine is still in its adolescence and should really hit its stride in about 5 years.

4/7/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Medium yellow with some gold. Fresh, lively and very complex, the nose offers a perfect blend of ripe citrus and crushed rock minerality. The broad palate includes preserved lemons, orchard fruit and sweet herbs. Viscous, medium bodied and quite persistent, this wine offers everything I could hope for in an everyday White Burgundy. Drink now through 2022.

5/9/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

PnP and tasted over a few hours. Medium color. Clear rim. Initial notes of strawberry and sweet spice add more savory elements with some coaxing. Gently sweet palate first palate impression includes flavors of red and black fruit and sweet spices carried by good acidity and well integrated tannins. The whole package is persistant in the finish. Drinking great right now.

11/30/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

PnP. Brilliant yellow tinged with gold highlights. Great nose of sea breeze, dried grasses and citrus. Luscious first palate impression lead to ripe but juicy flavors of orchard fruit, tart lemon preserves and that brine-y minerality. Long and luscious on the finish. Really classic and a great value. The Droins are really making great Chablis! Drink now to 2022.

3/29/2014 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Tasted at 60F. Lightly colored with a wide clear rim. Bright, fresh, juicy aromas include red berries and spice with an earthy element. Fruit forward flavors remind me of Gamay. There's good acidity and some sneaky structure. Simple but tasty and refreshing.
Corked but not gassed and tasted again 24 hours later. Seems to have darkened up a bit in both appearance and character. The savory/earthy note on the nose has diminished and the palate is is more viscous. However, the wine has lost a bit of lift. My guess is that while benefiting from aeration, 24 hours is too long.

6/27/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant yellow/gold. Reticent nose of honey, wax, preserved lemon and just a touch of sweet spice. Rich, deep and full bodied, the flavors are very primary and unevolved with notes of citrus rind and roasted nuts. There is some youthful bitterness. I have about 15 years of experience with this wine and am confident that this will blossom with several years in the cellar. Took one for the team. This is just a baby. Drink 2018 through 2025.

12/12/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Bright yellow with gold accents. The nose is slowly showing preserved citrus, lanolin, spice and honey. Deep and powerful on the palate, the still primary flavors are showing citrus zest, spiced pear that are deep and concentrated but quite bright, young and juicy. The oak is nicely integrated with the fruit. While this continues to evolve at a glacial pace, it is a pleasure to drink now but will reward several more years in the cellar.

8/11/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours. Medium dark crimson. Ripe, forward aromas of black fruit, pan-roasted sweet spices and savory herbs. Ripe and viscous on the palate, the flavors reflect the aromas. The acidity is adequate and the tannins are still a bit rough. This is a big, ripe wine with moderate 14.0% abv. Perhaps will not improve. 91pts. Drink now through 2022.

6/28/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted about an hour. Medium read-through color. Light for Zin. Fresh, fruit-forward nose displays smoky fresh berries and sweet spice. The vibrant and juicy flavors include black raspberry, strawberry with some briars and underbrush. Mouthwatering acidity and very fine tannins lead to a long, juicy finish. While not as profound as some of the other single vineyard Zins, this is a unique and delicious quaff that is very satisfying. Drink now though 2018.

9/14/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours. Medium crimson color. Initial aromas are bright and closely held. They include high-toned spicy red fruit. The flavors are also bright and lively with black and red fruit, baking spices and a bit of licorice. With a bit of time this wine becomes very pretty and lifted. There is bright acidity and the tannins are well integrated. This is quite precocious but should drink well for several years. 93pts. Drink now through 2025.

8/7/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Deep yellow in color. Intense saline, mineral nose is Chablis-like but with some more wild elements. Bone dry but richly textured on the palate with mineral-driven flavors of citrus zest, peach skin and quince. There's plenty of stuffing and significant tannins which would lead me to believe that this would age gracefully. I would love to throw this into a tasting of Grand Cru Chablis as a ringer. Drink now through 2019--maybe longer.

5/13/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

With a decent decant, this seems to be one of the more forward and precocious Heritage bottlings from Bedrock. Medium dark with a thin clear rim. Day two Coravin'd for about two hours. Ripe sweet and savory aromas of black fruit jam, dark roasted spices with bright, airy notes. Soft, sweet and vibrant flavors featuring licorice, blackberry, baked blueberry flavors. Ripe and full-bodied finish is warm and satisfying.

1/2/2016 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd for 2 hours. Purple/black, right to the rim. Opaque. Rather closely held with notes of smoked meat, lavender, pan-roasted spices. Firm, young but nicely balanced, the initial flavors feature mostly black fruit. This is very polished and complex yet still rather primary. An excellent Syrah that is a bit more "New World" that the 2010 (tasted side-by-side) but not all jammy or over ripe. Drink 2018-2021

10/25/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

PnP. Dark bright crimson with purple tones. Great nose with high-toned notes of spice and red fruit. Very complex. Juicy flavors of red fruit, sweet spice and licorice. The tannins play well with vibrant acidity to carry the flavors into a long, refreshing finish. 92 pts. Drink now to 2023.

2/5/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted about an hour. Medium dark color, thin clear rim. Gorgeous, complex aromas of sweet spices, red and black fruit. The initial palate impression is viscous, soft and gently sweet. Black fruit, licorice, cinnamon and baking spices lead the flavor parade with red fruit elements following. Perfectly balanced with ripe but apparent tannic structure, bright acidity and a long satisfying finish. This is rocking good and drinking well now. 93 points now through 2023.

8/9/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Light yellow-gold color. Complex aromatics that include ripe lemon, wet rock and some high-toned Alpine herbs. This wine is more forward and developed at this point than I expected. Exceptionally well balanced flavors greet the palate with more ripe citrus, minerals and some late harvest like notes. This can be enjoyed now with or without food. Very persistant and refreshing. 11 more bottles! Drink now through 2024. 92pts.

11/21/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Clear, bright, medium yellow gold. The nose show all I hope for in a White Bordeaux styled wine--preserved lemons, honey, wool and some sweet spices. Dry, luscious but focused flavors echo the aromas with citrus, spice and lanolin wrapped in a richly textured and full-bodied impression. More than adequate acidity helps to carry and lift the long, satisfying finish. Drink now through 2021.

10/28/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted about an hour and tasted over two days. Dark crimson with a thin clear rim. Black fruit, fresh and roasted spices open the aromatic stage. There's some grilled citrus, too. The texture is bright but viscous with the sort of tension I usually associate with Burgundy--Cote du Nuits, if so, more Chambolle that Vosne. There's some sweet stuffing near the finish which is long and satisfying. This very interesting wine could use a few more years in the cellar and will continue to impress for years thereafter. 93pts. 2022-2030

5/17/2017 - jfagan Likes this wine:

I'm glad to see that the Alto Piemonte is getting some well deserved love lately. Here, some 90 miles northeast of Alba at the base of the Italian Alps, racy and distinctive red wines made predominately from Nebbiolo can be bought for a fraction of the price of the better know Barolo and Barbaresco. Here Nebbiolo is often blended with Vespolina (little wasps), Uva Rara, Croatina, and Barbera. At Monsecco, the Zanetta family produces Sizzano, Ghemme and Gattinara but also makes single variety wines from all but Barbera. This wine, the Croatina is the most precocious of the blending grapes.

Decanted for 2 hours. Medium dark in color with a clear rim, the nose evokes tart red Alpine berries, fresh herbal air and a surprising whiff of iodine. Tart, fresh, confident and bright on the palate, the medium weight flavors are focused, persistent and very long. While there is little apparent sweetness, this is not a tart or severe wine. This lovely Alpine red was even better the next night. 92pts. Drink now through 2022.

6/30/2017 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd and I dove right in. Lighter color than typical for MEV. More yellow than gold. The nose leads with sexy, toasty oak. Next comes the citrus, lemon grass, ginger, fresh sweet herbs. You name it; this has everything aromatically that you long for in a great young Chardonnay. The palate is fresh and bright but not at all firm or too primary. The oak now moves to 2nd fiddle as the citrus, lemon meringue flavors are joined by some stone fruits. The long lasting palate impression (finish) is fresh and delightful. I find this to be more generous than some other recent tasters but from my experience, I know this will continue to develop positively for a decade. If you own a case, no reason not to introduce yourself. I just did. 94pts. Arguably the prettiest Chardonnay I've had in quite a while. Drink 2019-2029.

12/12/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted 1 hour. Medium ruby red with a clear rim. With some coaxing, the nose shows fresh red and black cherries, baking spice and a touch of licorice. Gently sweet on entry with fresh flavors of mostly red fruit and lots of sweet spice. The flavors are persistent and nicely balanced. This is a lovely example that will continue to improve for several more years.

1/4/2016 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Light yellow. Gorgeous nose of smoke, minerals and tropical fruit. Dense and viscous on the palate but bright and lively. Layers of tropical fruit flavors are lifted by bright acidity and a strong mineral nerve. The finish goes on and on. From 60-70 year old vines that are interplanted with the Noir. Very impressive! Drink now through 2019.

4/25/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted about an hour. Deep crimson/purple. Very thin clear rim. Savory nose is complex with roasted red fruit and baked spices. The bright flavors offer "cool fruit" and hints of menthol and red currants. There is plenty of acidity that carries the flavors into the finish. I think this is unlikely to develop positively from here. Drink soon of hold onto a bottle in case I'm wrong.

1/13/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd for about an hour. Very dark crimson purple with a thin clear rim. Lovely complex nose of savory herbs, cigar and olive tapenade. Bright, lively and silky on entry, the flavors feature licorice, black plum and dark spice notes. Fresh acidity lifts the flavors and soft tannins are fully integrated. The finish is long, balanced and ethereal. Great example of Owen Roe's excellence with this variety. Now through 2025.

6/21/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Quick note. Dark, smooth and rich, this is "open for business" and delicious. Black plum, licorice, baked black fruit flavors, viscous, long. Spot on to drink now.

5/16/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours. Medium purple/red color. Wide, read-through rim. Lovely sweet and savory aromas of roasted Asian spices, sage and a unique citrus-like note. Sort and polished on entry with lifted flavors of red fruits, spices and licorice. Seamless, bright and focused, the tannins are very fine and the acidity really carries the flavor. The power comes through on the finish. Drink now through 2020.

11/21/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant pale yellow. Vibrant aromas of stone fruit, plum skin, citrus and minerals. Viscous but dry and lively on the palate. The flavors echo the nose with added elements of peach, lemon and crushed seashells. The acidity keeps everything in balance and finish goes on and on. Lovely.

8/12/2016 - jfagan wrote:

Similar to my note from last fall but in a week of great wines with family and friends here on the Maine coast, this IS WOTW in a great line up. Ripe but crazy vibrant, off-the-charts aromatics that are primarily savory but underlaced with layers of red and black fruits-both fresh and preserved. Clean, fresh, and persistent, the finish of fresh red fruit hangs in there. Certainly one of the most "spot on" Bedrocks I've had tbis this year. Now, baby, or certainly in the next few years.

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10/25/2014 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 3 hours. Medium-dark color with read-through rim. Savory aromas of cumin, plum skin and a nice, bright citrus element. Richly textured on the palate with flavors of black fruit, roasted spices and dark fruit liqueur. The flavors are sweet, rich and concentrated with fresh, juicy acidity. Lovely now with a good decant, this will certainly continue to evolve for at least a few more years.

8/22/2019 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Tasted over two days. Day 1: I'm lovin' the Bedrock '11s, a cooler vintage that ripened fully but retained laser-focused, crystalline acidity. Beautifully bright aromas of red and black fruit, high toned spices and old vine wonderfullness through a brilliant lens of freshness. Day 2: Softened and fleshed out dramatically but still featuring the "cool fruit" of the vintage. I think I prefer Day 1 with a good decant. 93 pts. Now through 2024

8/29/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Opened for an hour or so and then decanted for 2 hours. Some fine sediment. Deep purple/black right to the thin, clear rim. Ripe, smoky, savory nose had elements of sage, black fruit and lots of savory herbs. Rich, viscous but lively on the on entry with flavors of dark fruit that's nicely sweet with very well integrated acidity and soft ripe tannins. The finish is long and perfectly balanced with power coming through at the end. I think this "spot on" right now but is in no danger of falling off the cliff anytime soon. Drink now through 2018.

6/7/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted for 2 hours. Some coarse sediment. Medium dark color with a thin, purple-tinged clear rim. Spice, brush and savory herbs on the nose lead to flavors of black plum, sweet spice and blackberry pie. Bright and juicy with good acidity and some ripe tannins, this is "spot on" right now but should continue to evolve for a few more years. Drink now through 2018.

2/28/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Light brilliant yellow. First note are of citrus--more tangerine than lemon. There is also some smoky minerality on the nose. That palate starts off rather plush but there is plenty of focus and balance to the flavors of citrus, melon and a touch of exotic spice. This lingers nicely on the palate and is quite fresh and refreshing. Drink now to 2018.

12/6/2013 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd into a glass for 2 hours before tasting. Opaque purple/black. Deep-as-a-mineshaft nose of black fruit, licorice, tar and roasted spices. Spectacularly rich but elegant on enty with expansive flavors of exotic black fruit, spice and baked compote. The texture is dense but weightless--as only the finest reds can be. The exemplary finish is long, bright and juicy. Certainly among the finest Zins I've tasted. Drink 2015-2025.

6/19/2012 - jfagan wrote:

For this weekend with Joel and Morgan at the Stowe Wine & Food Classic

7/14/2013 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant yellow. Lovely nose of creamy lemon, white flowers and summer herbs. Rich and viscous with a creamy texture, there are flavors of key lime pie, orange brioche and ripe pit fruit. Good balancing acidity and complimentary oak, the finish is fresh, rich and long.

5/24/2014 - jfagan Likes this wine:

2009, 2010 Cotes du Rhones; 5/24/2014-5/25/2014: Coravin'd and tasted 2 hours later. Very dark, nearly opaque purple/black with a very thin clear rim. Closely held nose features pan-fried spices, black licorice and dark plum skin with touch of black pepper. Dense, meaty and backwards on the palate, the flavors of black plum, tar, and roasted spices are firm and long with tongue-coating tannins. Excellent potential but still very primary and firm. Drink 2016 to 2019

1/2/2016 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd for 2 hours. Crimson purple/black just past the the thin, clear rim. Lovely nose with lavender, smoke, touch of leather, and roasted spices. Medium bodied texture with flavors of licorice, black plum and cooked down raspberries. More Old World that the 2012 North Coast (tasted side by side), this has a lively palate impression, seamless balance and a nice warm finish. I wine you can really cozy up to. Stunning value, for sure. Drink now to 2020.

2/9/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Coravin'd for 2 hours. Opaque purple/black with a thin clear rim. The nose is ripe and elegant with high-toned spice and black fruit notes. Soft and lush on entry with enough acidity to carry it off. Full bodied with flavors of licorice and black plum. The tannins are well resolved. I think this should be drunk soon. 92 pts. Now through 2020.

8/4/2013 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant yellow. Fresh, clean nose of ripe pit fruit with hints of citrus and fresh summer herbs. Bright and lively on the palate with flavors of melon, fig and citrus. No heaviness. Good acidity with balancing viscosity make this a very successful example. Drink now through 2016.

8/4/2013 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Brilliant yellow. Fresh, clean nose of ripe pit fruit with hints of citrus and fresh summer herbs. Bright and lively on the palate with flavors of melon, fig, and citrus. No heaviness. Good acidity with balancing viscosity make this a very successful example. Drink now through 2016.

8/1/2014 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Light yellow. Sumptuous aromas of tropical fruit and exotic honey with Indian spices, lead to flavors of ripe guava, sweet stone fruit and a touch of citrus. Full bodied and deep, with enough acidity to pull it off, this is an excellent example. Drink now through 2016.

6/22/2018 - jfagan wrote:

Decanted for 2 hours. Medium light, read-through color with a thin, clear rim. Initial notes of cinnamon and other sweet, baking spices then turn to aromas of fresh blackberries and red cherries. On entry it shows pretty, high-toned and fresh flavors of red and black fruit. Delicious primary flavors and nicely framed by juicy, young acidity and gentle tannins. This vintage seems a bit lighter and red fruited than others. It should develop nicely in the medium term. 92 pts. 2021-2029

5/30/2022 - jfagan wrote:

Still interesting but clearly starting to dry out. Tasted over two days. Drink up.

6/22/2018 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Decanted 1 hour. Brilliant deep yellow/gold. Rich aromatics start with preserved lemons, some ginger, roasted nuts--all fresh and vibrant. On the palate, this wine is beautifully textured--dense without being heavy--as the complex flavors start with citrus then ripe stone fruit, all lifted by vibrant acidity. The components are all playing well together and the finish is endless but humble. This is a classic but relatively precocious vintage. 94 pts. Drink now through 2022.

6/14/2015 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Typical deep yellow/gold. Gorgeous nose of baked lemon, smoked hazelnuts and a dash of sexy oak. Rich and viscous on the palate with layers of citrus and ripe peach flavors with good grip and acidity. Exceptionally harmonious and well balanced, the long, ripe finish just begs you to refill your glass. Drink now through 2020.

10/25/2014 - jfagan Likes this wine:

Day 2. Sparged. Deep purple with a thin, clear rim. High toned, spicy nose has elements of Indian spices and smoky herbs. The initial palate impression is rich and dense but lifted by juicy acidity. The finish goes on and on without any heat. Drink now through 2018.