Tasting Notes 42 found

It’s ok but a notable step down from the contrada bottlings (Feudo, San Lorenzo, etc). Give it at least a few hours. Probably best to lay down a few years but this is not a bottle I’d buy in quantity. It’s very representative of the style but the underlying material quality doesn’t compare to the premium bottlings. (1427 views)

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This bottle has come into its own. I only wish I bought a case. This was my 3rd of 5 and will note a major improvement over the prior 2. Excelllent floral bouquet and soil tone aromatics. No signs of bricking. Tannins more or less fully resolved. Prime drinking window and looking forward to watching further positive evolution. (2496 views)

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Too bad. The first bottle was fine. This has the sherry-like quality with a rancid hit. There’s a well-made wine underneath it all. (1456 views)

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From memory. Tertiary elements and dark fruit. Tannins are still evident but resolving. Northing out of balance at all.

This was in a great place. I don't see much improvement, but it is not in danger of going downhill any time. I'd say consume in the next 5-8 years.

This was a great QPR and would not hesitate to reload. (247 views)

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A Panzer bottle.

This bottle redeemed itself on Night 2. On Night 1 I tried 1.5 glasses from a Coravin and it had a profile similar to a $18 Guigal Cotes du Rhone. It was thin and devoid of any CR character.

Prior to Night 2, I decanted for about 8 hours at room temp; rebottled for about an hour. This proved to be a smart move. The wine took on more weight and depth. Some CR character emerged, but it left more to be desired at this price point. A bit of briny/olive character with a minor ash characteristic.

This is not a poorly made wine, but it begs the question on pricing for this particular vintage. I'll stick with Levet, Jamet, etc. (2373 views)

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My first experience with Levet, and it was fantastically feral (along with the requisite violet, forest and mushroom signatures). I'll defer to others on more tasting notes and focus on decanting. Since these are best consumed with age, I started decanting 48 hours in advance. First decant was overnight (~12 hrs.) Poured back into the bottle and refrigerated. Audouze'd the morning prior to serving, it was big hit with rack of lamb and root vegetables.

Preceded by a 2013 Bertheau Chambolle 1er. (1139 views)

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This is definitely not your everyday pedestrian GV. Kosinski's 11/2016 is spot on. I see potential for some modest upside over the next 2-4 years, but it's drinking so well now. I have not had a GV like this before, and I would not hesitate to reload. It's easy for the price tag to give someone some serious pause. I (and my dinner guests) are glad I took a chance on this bottle. Buy with confidence. (508 views)

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My bottle was not like some of the recent reviews. It was not bad but seemed to be in a dumb phase. On opening the cork was ~1/3 saturated. A very one dimensional wall of dark fruit was all that it offered with maybe a hint of the signature AV violet and forest floor/tertiary elements. This was given plenty of air, and it never evolved over ~90 minutes. A 2012 consumed over a ~6 month period earlier this year (Coravin'ed) proved to be much more representative of my experience with BW. (2012 views)

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This bottle is in an amazing place. Nothing out of balance but the oak treatment steps back and the lemon oil and mineral profile become more prominent as the bottle warms. The acidity remains strong 2hrs after opening. No decant necessary. The Wente, Hyde, and Mt. Eden clonal selection is apparent in a very very good way. Consumed with truffle risotto and preceded by a 2015 Alzinger Steinertal Grüner. Yet another reminder why Rhys deserves your attention. (1582 views)

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A great bottle with a suboptimal cork not suitable for use with a Coravin. Etna volcanic ash character with dark berry helps pinpoint the origin. The bottle was very clean and is best consumed at room temp and best with air. There was some carbonic qualities upon opening that wil eventually blow off. I actually left a glass out overnight, returned to bottle, and consumed later that evening with much enjoyment. (991 views)

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This wine deserves a major upgrade. Probably the best QPR I’ve ever had for a white wine. Makes me want to buy a case no questions asked. Great golden hue that is misleading. Massive electric and mineral components with high citrus. In short, this wine has it all. Enamel stripping acidity that will allow for a glacial tasting study. Great job here! Paired well with a citrus salad and homemade Mac n’ cheese. (1294 views)

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Meh. Not worth the discounted price I paid ($27). It would definitely give me pause before diving into more expensive bottlings. Maybe vintage is a larger factor? I see little to no upside in continuing to cellar. (1815 views)

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My last '12 PMR and likely the top Ceritas experience for me. This poured clear and looked almost identical to a '09 Dauvissat Forets that was next to it. More prominent acid than the Forets, and the saline/mineral components are turned up to 11.

Well advised to open one now to enjoy what I would consider optimal drinking. Would be interesting to review another 4+ years from now. (2071 views)

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A very well made wine with enough funk to let you know its origin. This trends on the darker side of the Pinot spectrum and a good comparator would be a village Gevrey Chambertin (should you need a reference point). I gave this 10+ hours of air over two days and served with picahña. It was great but was definitely eclipsed by a Girolamo Russo Nerello Mescalese that followed. It definitely pushes the QPR for me. (1080 views)

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My first of a few GR's I pick up at the winery last August. This was a fantastic effort that will promise additional upside with about 3-4 years and likely keep for an additional 5-7. Double decanted starting 24 hours ahead of serving with 5 hours each day. This regimen was definitely a wise move.

Dark berry elements, Etna volcanic ash, smooth tannins and medium + acidity. Paired very well with picahña. Go long on Etna! (782 views)

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