Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 4 *shared* bottles] from 11/16/18]

Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted Saturday, November 17, 2018 by srh with 145 views

Flight 1 - Winebar (12 Notes)

  • 2017 Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel

    France, Provence, Côtes de Provence

    "77% Grenache, 13% Rolle (Vermentino), 4% Cinsault, 3% Syrah, & 3% Tibouren from 10-12 yr old vines in lower elevation vyds with clay & gravel soils; 100% s/s fermentation tanks with a controlled fermentation temp (14ºC) are used as well as 'bâtonnages' of the yeast lees. Aged 3-4 mos in tank on yeast lees." [Info from U.S. Importer]

    N: Minerals with just a HINT of barnyrd? Poss flowers?

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt adequately counterbalanced by an acidity which DOES pretty much define the wine into the LONG, VERY slightly bitter finish with a touch of ALMOST raisiny swtness. For now & through '20. 13% ABV; My VG/VG+, but I'd def question the QPR of this vendor's $19.95, which is not even remotely competitive. :( 92 pts The Wine Front, 91 ea wine-pages.com, Steven Spurrier, & Decanter, 89 WS & WA, 88 WE @ $23, and 17.5/20 Matthew Jukes.

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  • 2017 Carl Loewen Riesling Alte Reben

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    Supposedly 10.5 g/l of R.S.

    N: Closed; Slate, poss apples? Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S. *almost* certain) NICELY juxtaposed by a tart acidity which lessens its grip as it morphs into the LONG, tangy/swt finish with HINTS of a very, VERY slight bitterness. Still coming together? (Probably NEEDS into '20, though could take more without problem.) My VG+, but more down the line would NOT shock! 94 pts Suckling, 91 ea John Gilaman & Mosel Fine Wines. [This vendor's $19.95 is $2 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's limited entries.]

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  • 2014 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Old Wente clone selection from 42 yr old vines; "We press the whole clusters for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage. After aging 19 mos in 30% new François Frères FR oak barrels, this Chardonnay was fined and settled in tank. It was then bottled without filtration."

    N: ATTRACTIVE sandalwood with undertones of butter? Lemons & spice with swirling?

    P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish oak/frt BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by an acidity which calls the shots into & through the LONG, TANGY/swt finish with POSS a burgeoning, INCIPIENT quasi-bitter flatness? [Or, does it just NEED a BIT more time?] For now & into, if not through, '20. 14.5% ABV; My EXC-, which could well be a downrate. 95 pts ea WA, Vinous (Galloni), & WE @ $65, 94+ Vinous (Tanzer), 93 Prince of Pinot, 90 WS, & 18/20 Jancis Robinson! [This vendor's $53.95 now puts in in the top 20% of wine-searcher's listings.]

    Note: I also tasted this on 4/27 & 8/11/2018 with similar TNs.

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  • 2017 A.J. Adam Hofberg Riesling Kabinett

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    From a Grand Cru, "side-valley vyd on the Dhron river with weathered Devonian slate in mixture with quartzite. Riesling vines are today 30-65 yrs old, & some are still ungrafted. Fermented spontaneously in big, s/s tanks where it is also aged." 8.5% ABV; Typically ≈ 55 g/l R.S. & & 9.5 g/l T.A.

    N: CLOSED; MINERALS? Intensity lurking?

    P: LM body; RNDISH entry with SWTISH, red apple frt met by a TART acidity which is at least somewhat mitigated by its dialectic with the front P. The finish is LONG, tangy/swt (60:40) with PERHAPS just a *glimpse* of a very, VERY slight bitterness? Approachable now, but could stand cellaring through '20... EASILY. My VG+/EXC-, the higher arguably for potential. 95 pts Suckling & 92 Mosel Fine Wines. [This vendor's $21.95 is $2 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's limited listings.]

    Addendum: Held up BEAUTIFULLY for 4+ hrs in a sm tasting glass! So, my "rating" above SHOULD be EXC-/EXC. :)

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  • 2016 Domaine Michel Gros Chambolle-Musigny

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

    The main parcel is from Les Argillières, a lieu-dit that directly abuts Musigny on its northern border. The rest is from Les Maladières, Les Mombies, & Les Nazoires.

    N: Vanilla, earth, spice, with berries WAY underneath? Flowers with swirling? Intensity lurking?

    P: LM, poss Med, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt quickly met by an astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, still VERY slightly puckerish, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with notes of a swtness to come. NEEDS through '21 (I'm guessing), then drinking for the ff 5-6 yrs? My EXC-/EXC, & I could WELL be underrating. 88-91 pts Burghound. [This vendor's $83.95 is a stunning $15 < the lower of wine-searcher's 2 entries!]

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  • 2015 Hartford / Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Clones: 667, 777, 115, Pommard, uninoculated by yeast; Aged 11 mos in 100% FR oak (34% new); 14.5% ABV, 6.0 g/L T.A., & 3.52 pH; 1,500 cs

    N: Vanilla with poss some toast & notes of alch? Berries WAY underneath?

    P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which slowly transitions to a LONG, balanced finish which is ULT pleasant, though with a mild bitter/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. For now & 3-4 yrs more, + could improve for 6 mos or so. My VG+/EXC-. 96 pts WE @ $50, and 95 ea WA & Jeb Dunnuck. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

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  • 2016 Roar Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    646 cs made

    N: Fragrantly, typically RIPE frt (straws?) for this AVA

    P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which transitions into a LONG finish with a bitter/swtness (70:30) to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '19 (poss longer) to HOPEFULLY lose the bitterness. 14.7% ABV; My VG+, with more poss IF cellaring improves it. 93-95 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 93 WE @ $54, & 92 WS. [This vendor's $46.95 puts it in the top 15% of wine-searcher's postings.]

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  • 2013 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.

    77% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, & 8% Syrah this vintage?

    N: Garrigue, berries, poss vanilla

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which loses most of its bite by the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy finish with a bitter/swtness (35:65) to the dusty tannins. For now (IF one can ignore the early/mid-P structure), & should at least approach its 10th. My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $29.95 is NOW $20 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's limited U.S. sources!]

    Note: With now *six* TNs for this [2016 (12/17), 2017 (3/4), and 2018 (5/26, 6/23, 10/13, & 11/17), I think most would either find it "ready" now or within the next few mos. ;)

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  • 2014 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

    Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

    Typically, "60% aged in big oak barrels for 24 mos and 40% in new 225 l
    barrels for 18 mos."

    N: CLOSED, but seems ripe, poss some alch?

    P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish, choc-tinged frt met by an astringent pucker which at least somewhat calms down by the LONG, poss very, VERY slightly faint finish with a tangy/SWTNESS to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, I'm guessing, then should at least approach its 10th. My VG+/EXC-. [This vendor's $29.95 is at least $4 < wine-searcher's lowest.]

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  • 2014 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    97.7% C.S., 1.3% Merlot, 0.5% P.V., 0.3% Malbec, & 0.2% C.F. "Blended in early 2015, the wine was then aged for 24 mos in 50% new and 50% once-used AM oak barrels from our MO cooperage, The Oak. Early blending assures a balanced core and allows the components to achieve a seamless harmony during barrel aging. After bottling in the spring of 2017, each bottled was aged an additional 15 months before being released iAugust 4, 2018."

    N: VANILLA with lots underneath, but tough to parse

    P: Med, poss MF, body; NICE frt fairly quickly met by astringent pucker which pretty much extends into the LONG, still puckerish finish of the same ilk, but ULT with a swtness to the dusty tannins. At least somewhat more structured than I recollect the '12 & '13, this NEEDS through '21, could take more, & should be VERY long-lived. 13.8% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. [This vendor's $63.95 (a special?) is $4 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's MASSIVE posting!]

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  • 2015 Lapostolle Carménère Cuvée Alexandre

    Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta

    95% Carmenere & 5% Syrah, 1.8 Tons/acre ave yield, fermented in s/s tanks using 100% natural yeasts, with skin contact up to 4-5 wks; Aged in mostly medium toast FR oak barrels, 15% new, 23% 2nd use, & 62% 3rd use; 2.669 cases bottled 10/12/16

    N: Earth slightly atop vanilla with notes of pyrazines

    P: LM body; NICE, earth-tinged frt QUICKLY met by an astringent pucker which loses the bulk of its "bite" by the LONG, VERY slightly bitter finish with a notable swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '21 (poss even longer), then should make its 10th. 14.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, arguably the higher based upon the QPR of this vendor's $17.95, which puts it in the top quartile of wine-searcher's offerings. 95 pts Suckling, 93 Descorchados, 90 Tim Atkin, & Gold @ the '17 Mundus Vini.

    Note: Today I noticed more early/mid-P structure than I had on 9/29/2018. So, poss an ave of the 2 with respect to drinkability?!?

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  • 2017 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Zin, C.S., P.S., Syrah, & Charbono aged in a combination of FR & AM oak barrels (30% new)

    N: RIPE berries with other unparsables; Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a tangy/SWTNESS (40:60) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, poss '20, then drinking for the ff 3-4 yrs. NICELY done in the style! My EXC-. [This vendor's $35.95 puts it in the top 10% of wine-searcher's LARGE field.]

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Flight 2 - Shared Bottles (4 Notes)

  • NV Pommery Champagne Brut Royal

    France, Champagne

    THANK you, Arturo, for my 1st exposure to this producer's Champagnes! :)

    N: Attractive bread dough with notes of toast

    P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt with a creamy not met by a palate cleansing, tangy acidity which carried into & through the quite LONG finish with a subtle swtness & a very, VERY slight bitterness the DEFINITELY encourages more... of SOMETHING! Artfully done wine that could CERTAINLY do double duty both as an aperitif *&* accompaniment to at LEAST lighter fare. 12.5% ABV; My EXC.

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  • 2006 Bodegas Altanza Rioja Dominio de Heredia

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    THANK you for sharing this, Esther! :)

    N: MATURE, "natural" oxygenation*; LOTS there, but tough to parse

    P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish "frt" NICELY counterbalanced by an acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly, transitions into a LONG finish with a tangy/swtness to the few, very, VERY fine, firming tannins. Drinking BEAUIIFULLY, & should hold for another 3 or 4 yrs, I'd guess. [*Some, however, felt showing signs of oxidation.] 13.5% ABV; My EXC. 84 pts WS (Tasted: 15-Oct-2009) & Bronze @ '09 Decanter World Wine Awards.

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  • 2003 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    THANK you for sharing this, Ed! :)

    N: Slightly closed; RIPE berries with toast & pyrazines, rest tough to parse

    P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a very, VERY slight bitterness & a distinct swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. For now & at least making its 20th, though a more experienced taster felt perhaps NOT that long. My EXC/EXC+. 90 pts WE, and the ff '06 Competition Results: Silver @ Indy Intn'l & Bronze @ S.F. Chronicle.

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  • 2003 Château Raymond-Lafon

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    budosyu, this was TOO thoughtful of you to share this! :)

    Planted to 80% Semillon & 20% S.B.; Typically, aged "3 yrs in barrels made of hand-split oak staves;" Ave. annual production is 60-70 barrels.

    N: APRICOTS with distinct notes of honey

    P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with SWEET frt NICELY balanced by acidity as it seamlessly morphs into a LONG, tangy/swt finish. LOVELY stuff for now & at LEAST a handful more! My EXC+. 92 pts ea WS & WA, 18/20 Gault & Millau, and 16.5/20 Bettane et Desseauve

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