Excellent pinot that I feel will improve with age and add 2+ points. Didn't get to decant for long but improved in the glass over the next hour. Deep dry fruit with complexity and a solid backbone of fine tannins and acidity. Long finish. Not as expressive as it probably would have achieved with more decanting and/or age.
This had nice body, balance and typical 2016 dust upon opening. Went through a closed phase at about 2 hours and re-emerged at about 4 hours with added depth, complexity and brighter finish. Really liked this bottle.
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This bottle drank very young and took a solid 6 hours in the decanter and glass to start to really blossom. It is full of mostly deep red fruit with tons of brightness, fine tannins and energy. subtle complexity was overwhelmed most of the night by its energy and fruit. Really interesting bottle with the potential for more with age.
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6/13/2023 11:43:00 AM - Andy, thanks. I will work and put together an email to try and plan something. Great to hear on Vangone in Philly! I am wide open those dates so keep me posted!
6/10/2023 2:13:00 PM - Hi Sean. Sounds great. My email is iamandyc@gmail.com. Also, Mark (Vangone) gave me dates of his Philly trip -- September 6-12. He'd like to do a group tasting -- CT folks would be great for that too!
6/9/2023 8:45:00 AM - AndyC - I am talking with Luke at Cornell for a potential tasting/event in July in Philly. I can likely host at my club in the city (Fitler Club) and want to include some CT folks. Can you send me your email? I have FrankenBerrys so will include him as well!
6/7/2023 5:55:00 AM - My daughter lives in Philly so we get down there monthly. Should be able to arrange something! Also, Mark D. from Vangone comes to Philly along with the Fries Family guys. Maybe we could set up a group gathering with other Philly/LV guys for a tasting event. He mentioned the Fall and I asked him for possible dates.
6/6/2023 2:27:00 PM - Andy - let me know if you are heading down to Philly area this summer, would love to meet for a glass or two. Alternatively, if you can think of a meeting place half way between Allentown and the Main Line, we could meet there
1/26/2023 4:21:00 AM - I am definitely going light on 2020 and especially on expensive bottles. Haven't been really impressed (relative to my expectations based on prior experience with the wineries) by the 2020's I've tasted so far regardless of price. Managing my purchases by relationship considerations. Happy that many chose not to release their wines. I am also struggling with the Pride release but if I buy, it won't be many.
1/25/2023 2:44:00 PM - Just curious on how you are approaching the 2020 Napa cabs. Just saw the Pride release of the 2020 vintner select, but of course, no reviews
12/10/2022 6:33:00 AM - Hi FB! I have a small storage account at a wine storage place in NJ where an occasional shipment from wineries or online auctions, etc. who can't ship to PA can send it.
12/10/2022 6:16:00 AM - Andy. I have noticed that you recently purchased Lewelling from Rye Brook W&S. Their website won’t ship to me in PA. What is your secret?
12/6/2022 8:17:00 AM - Hi Sean! That sounds like a great idea. One of my daughters lives in Philly so I get down there regularly (she was there with me at the Lilah event).Happy Holidays! Look forward to a dinner in Philly!
12/6/2022 6:25:00 AM - Hi Andy C! Yes, it was a really nice event and would have been great to meet you. If you are ever down in the Philly area we should do a dinner. I know Franken Berry, Cyclist, possibly a few others would be interested if schedules allow. MM was definitely the best of the bunch - I also enjoyed trying Adamvs as well.
4/25/2022 4:57:00 AM - Hi FB! I am part of their club so I get these as part of those shipments. I personally like their Rock Block wines as they change every year, rarely a dud, and a decent QPR with their discount (sub-$100). Chris Tynan makes their wine and he makes wines with structure that usually need a few years to age/soften. I find the ~6 year mark is usually when they are at their best but some are good in the release year (with a big decant) before they shutdown. Their best wine to me is their BTK altho it's not cheap. Cheers!
4/23/2022 5:52:00 AM - Andy, have been contemplating placing a cliff lede order. I noticed that you grabbed quite a few of the 18 magic nights. Do you have any insight on this one?
1/26/2022 8:40:00 AM - Hi FB! I did purchase some of the 2019 Vintner Select cab and merlot. I find them to be a step up from the regular bottling and better QPR than the Reserves. WA gave the cab 95 points and liked the description in the rating. Betting on the vintage. Will think twice in the future as the price keeps edging up plus their shipping is so expensive.
1/25/2022 6:09:00 PM - Just curious as to your thoughts on the Pride Vintner Select 2019 offer. I typically grab a few, like you, although I skipped the regular cab offering
1/12/2022 12:59:00 PM - Andy- wine access has the 2019 Beau vigne Cult for $75 for limited time. received a glowing review by Vinous. I have not had any of the BV made by Falyard yet, so thought I would give it a shot. it is a pre-order, but shipping free with two bottles
11/14/2021 6:33:00 AM - Thanks for the info. I have bought and drank a few of the Vice Versa 15 and 16 from the Pa stores hoping to stock up at this price. I found them good but not compelling enough to buy more.
11/13/2021 8:56:00 AM - Hi FB! Didn't see much available but they are selling 1.5L 2016 Spottswood Estate Cab for $399 (free delivery) online only. The secondary market is selling a 750ml bottle for $300 or more.
11/13/2021 6:45:00 AM - Andy. Just curious if you have found any compelling wines at the PA state stores as of late I was going to shop around this weekend for some of the remaining Produttori barbaresco
9/13/2021 7:36:00 AM - Hi FB! Yes, you and I bought out the last of the VV Le Petit Vice! I've found it to be a great wine at that price. I had already bought 2 VV Napa bottles but have not opened. $116 is a great price vs. the normal price of $150 and it looks like it is available in the Philly area stores. Personally I'd think it's worth a shot at that price to try a bottle. I like their style of winemaking. Let me know how you make out.
9/12/2021 6:33:00 AM - Enjoyed a 16 Le Petite Vice at home last night. At this point I am guessing that you and I have bought out the remainder of the PA wine boards stock. What are your thoughts on their 2016 Napa cab which can be had now at $116, I believe?
4/20/2020 8:38:00 PM - Hi. I have been part of their club for years and a big fan of what Chris Tynan has accomplished there and with his own label. I haven't tried the 2016 Howell. I normally don't drink their wines young as they typically are tight and tannic young but I did open a 2016 Diamind Mtn. cab recently and with2 or 3 hours, it opened up nicely and was very good. $60 is a good price. 2016 is such a good vintage.
Noticed in your profile you're also from Eastern Pa. I'm from the Lehigh Valley. Crazy times we live in these days, eh? Stay safe and enjoy.
4/20/2020 7:10:00 PM - I noticed you are a fan of Cliff Lede cabs. wondering if you have any thoughts on their recent 2016 Howell mountain cab - they have this currently for under $60 on their website. A Howell mountain red at this price has my attention
10/26/2019 2:41:00 PM - Yes we do Mark and your comments in your profile are remarkably similar to my preferences! Heading up to Sonoma and Napa in mid-November. It's a family trip so not as much tasting as I'd like!! Actually hoping the fires don't wash out the whole Sonoma portion - really sad!
10/25/2019 12:59:00 PM - Hi Andy....did not realize til today how many similar wines we carry in our cellars! Wow! Read over my few comments I made on the '17s and also check all the other comments and discussion that follow on each wine, I put out more info in the follow up questions/discussion. If you have any further 'need to know' questions feel free to hit me up here! Cheers!
11/9/2018 3:29:00 PM - Hi iamandyc. Thanks for posting on my message board. The Carter wines are something else indeed. Definitely next-level in terms of showcasing Mike Smith's talents... though I love the Carters (OG and Verdad are THE two to get when you can in my opinion), I am a growing fan of the Quivet LPV (the 2016 is amazing) and of course the Elysian and Empyrean offerings from Myriad. There are a handful of other great winemakers out there (like you, I tend to follow certain winemakers), and Mike is certainly at the top of the heap!
- And no...it doesn't suck one bit being a local over here! :)
1/10/2018 4:28:00 AM - That's true and in addition, I see we share many of the same wine brands as well! Two that I haven't tried or collected are Rhys and Tusk (only recently learned of this one) -- what is your experience with their wines and experiences with the wineries? Happy New Year!
2020 Maxem Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
5/6/2024 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent pinot that I feel will improve with age and add 2+ points. Didn't get to decant for long but improved in the glass over the next hour. Deep dry fruit with complexity and a solid backbone of fine tannins and acidity. Long finish. Not as expressive as it probably would have achieved with more decanting and/or age.
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2016 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Hillside
4/20/2024 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 95 Points
This had nice body, balance and typical 2016 dust upon opening. Went through a closed phase at about 2 hours and re-emerged at about 4 hours with added depth, complexity and brighter finish. Really liked this bottle.
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2018 Force Majeure Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley
4/20/2024 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 94 Points
This bottle drank very young and took a solid 6 hours in the decanter and glass to start to really blossom. It is full of mostly deep red fruit with tons of brightness, fine tannins and energy. subtle complexity was overwhelmed most of the night by its energy and fruit. Really interesting bottle with the potential for more with age.
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