This had just arrived, so slightly unfair to fairly assess. Slightly jammy and sweet fruit, but with very attractive spice start-to-finish. Good balance and density. I would be interested in trying this again in the future, but today I'd think it just below 90 points.
Tasted double blind. Lots of oak, good plum and blackberry aromas and flavors. Easily identified as Cali Cab, rather light on tannins and acidly, so best in the near term. Very enjoyable, but simple. Others liked this more than I did.
Tasted double blind. Most identified this as New World Cabernet, but Other than an intriguing mint note, I didn't find a lot to enjoy here. It seemed much older with a musty, almost moldy character. There was some odd problem here, either Brett or heat damage, so lost interest quickly.
Tasted double blind. Plum and black cherry with very charming spice, some tobacco. Good firmness, good length, perhaps not so finessed. I thought it actually Bordeaux, but considerably older than 20 yo.
This had been open, decanted 3 hours. Great spice aromas and flavors with attractive red and black cherry. Bit firm today in the middle with good length, energy and structure.
Tasted double blind. There was a sulfur note along with ultra ripe fruit I couldn't quite enjoy. Would certainly have benefited from hours of decanter time, also not exactly my style of wine.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Served double blind to the tasting group, with almost everybody thinking this from Burgundy. Very elegant and lean fruit aromas and flavors with charming baking spice and lacy textures. Better in another few years.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
Tasted double blind. Easily identified as from Burgundy, but from there I was quite confused. This was ripe, but more forward than I'd ever expect for 2005, not quite showing Grand Cru density, and also showing more maturity and earthiness than I'd expect.
2012 Paul Lato Pinot Noir Happiness Hilliard Bruce Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
This had just arrived, so slightly unfair to fairly assess. Slightly jammy and sweet fruit, but with very attractive spice start-to-finish. Good balance and density. I would be interested in trying this again in the future, but today I'd think it just below 90 points.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Martin Stelling Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Tasted double blind. Lots of oak, good plum and blackberry aromas and flavors. Easily identified as Cali Cab, rather light on tannins and acidly, so best in the near term. Very enjoyable, but simple. Others liked this more than I did.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1999 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor Flawed
Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
Tasted double blind. Most identified this as New World Cabernet, but Other than an intriguing mint note, I didn't find a lot to enjoy here. It seemed much older with a musty, almost moldy character. There was some odd problem here, either Brett or heat damage, so lost interest quickly.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1992 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Anniversary Release
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Tasted double blind. Plum and black cherry with very charming spice, some tobacco. Good firmness, good length, perhaps not so finessed. I thought it actually Bordeaux, but considerably older than 20 yo.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2000 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì San Lorenzo 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
This had been open, decanted 3 hours. Great spice aromas and flavors with attractive red and black cherry. Bit firm today in the middle with good length, energy and structure.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
Tasted double blind. There was a sulfur note along with ultra ripe fruit I couldn't quite enjoy. Would certainly have benefited from hours of decanter time, also not exactly my style of wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2011 Soliste Cellars Pinot Noir Foret 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Served double blind to the tasting group, with almost everybody thinking this from Burgundy. Very elegant and lean fruit aromas and flavors with charming baking spice and lacy textures. Better in another few years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2002 Domaine Pierre Gelin Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
Corked.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2000 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasted double blind. Charming, very mature cherry aromas and flavors, modest intensity, lots of forest floor. I thought this actually 30 yo Burgundy.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2005 Domaine de Montille Corton-Clos du Roi 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
Tasted double blind. Easily identified as from Burgundy, but from there I was quite confused. This was ripe, but more forward than I'd ever expect for 2005, not quite showing Grand Cru density, and also showing more maturity and earthiness than I'd expect.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No