Winebar [8 HIGH end Reds & 10 Shared Bottles] from 12/21/18

EVERY wine a delight. Of particular note to me, however: My first ever Diamond Creek, a winery of which I'd "heard" since the very late 70s early 80s. :)

• 2004 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  N: Slightly closed; Smoke, toast, poss coconut? Intensity lurking
  
  P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish "frt" met by some puckerish astringency which fairly seamlessly transitions into a very LONG,tangy/swt finish to the very, VERY fine tannins. MAY *still* be on the upswing? For now & likely approaching its 25th? My EXC/EXC+. 18, 17.5, 16+, & 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson, + NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.

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• 1999 Falesco Lazio Montiano

  Italy, Latium, Lazio

  Typically, 100% Merlot grown 300 metres above sea level in soils of volcanic origin rich in stones; Alcoholic fermentation in s/s, malolactic fermentation & 12 mos of aging in FR oak barriques;
  
  N: FRAGRANTLY *ripe* berries with an earthiness?
  
  P: LM, poss Med, body; LOVELY frt met by an astringent pucker which never loses touch with the frt as it evolves into quite a LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. LOVELY for now, & not at ALL tired, might this at least FLIRT with its 30th? QUITE a REVELATION! My EXC+/Exceptional-. 95 pts WA, 91 RJonWine, & 88 WS.

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• 2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  "Tenuta Nuova means new property; Tenuta Nuova is a place where nobody planted Sangiovese before; Tenuta Nuova is the will of Casanova di Neri to produce a powerful yet drinkable Brunello with a high ageing potential. The project began with the study of varied local microclimates & their optimal exposures. Through a cautious & passionate research Casanova di Neri has used the most sophisticated scientific investigations to determine the clones, rootstocks, cultivation practices, plant density per hectare, & every possible particular to obtain excellent Sangiovese grapes." 4,830 cases made
  
  N: GORGEOUSLY *ripe* (but can NOT parse); Intensity lurking!
  
  P: LM body; SCRUMPTIOUS frt met by astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, BALANCED finish with tangy/swtness to the still firming, dusty tannins. DEFINITELY not even CLOSE to peaking! (Perhaps will still drink well approaching its 40th?) My Exceptional-, full blown Exceptional a "lock"... eventually. 97 pts WS (Suckling) & their #1/Top 100 for '16, 96 pts Int'l Wine Cellar (D'Agata), 95 RJonWine.com , 92 WA, & numerous other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.

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• 2016 Domaine de L'Arlot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

  "Between Romanée Saint Vivant, Echézeaux, & Richebourg...this vyd neighbours on a few of the greatest wines in the world. A number of respected experts consider Les Suchots to be among the very finest 1st Crus from Vosne Romanée."
  
  N: RIPELY *gorgeous*, nothing out of place; TOUGH to parse, but with a DEFINITE earthy note; Intensity lurking!
  
  P: LM body; Very NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which never loses touch with the frt as it evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/SWTNESS to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '20, probably '21, then EASILY making its 10th. My EXC/EXC+, the higher a fairly certain bet down the line. 93-95 pts WA, 91-93 Burghound, 90-92 Vinous (Tanzer), & 16++/20 Jancis Robinson.

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• 2007 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  "The 2007 harvest produced five unique 100% Estate Cabernet lots. These were cold soaked and tank fermented separately and then barreled down in 65% new and 35% neutral French Oak for two years. The wine was then bottled and allowed to age for an additional year before release." 500 cs made
  
  N: Closed; RIPE berries with toast & undertones of pyrazines? Intensity lurking
  
  P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish fr (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by some astringent pucker which loses its toughness as it transitions into the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swt choc bent to the dusty tannins. For now & the next 4-5 yrs, + may not yet have peaked. Consider yourself FORTUNATE *if* you have some of this! 14.2% ABV; My EXC/EXC+, arguably the higher for rel QPR for this AVA. [Tasted @ $64.99, though likely none available.] 95 pts WA

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• 1998 Jim Barry Shiraz The Armagh

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  "In 1968 the vyd was planted by Jim Barry & yields < 2 ton/acre. The soil is sandy gravel & receives an ave rainfall of 600 mm/yr. The vyd lies on a NW facing slope which acts as a natural sun trap, ensuring the frt is always fully ripened when picked."
  
  N: CHOC atop RIPE berries; Intensity lurking
  
  P: MF body; LOVELY, almost swtish frt met by astringent pucker which DOES lose its bite by the very LONG, BALANCED finish with a bitter/SWT choc tint to the dusty tannins. For now & making its 25th, poss longer. My EXC+. 93 pts WS (Steiman in '08), 92 WA, 17/20 Jancis Robinson in Dec '12, + numerous other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.

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• 2015 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

  "Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of N facing vyd. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible & earliest drinkable of all our wines."
  
  N: Very Intense, RIPE berries! (Wouldn't attempt to parse)
  
  P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker that flirts with the frt as it transitions into the LONG, beautifully BALANCED finish with a lovely swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '21, then drinking for MANY more. An OUTSTANDING wine! 14.5% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 97 pts ea Connoisseurs' Guide & Suckling, and 93 pts WE @ $225.

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• 2015 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Howell Mountain

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  94% C.S. & 6% P.V. grown @ elevations ranging from 1,500-1,850 ft; "The juice was fermented in a combination of 95% s/sl tanks & 5% 500L new FR oak puncheons. Fermentation was hot & fast with temps reaching a max of 90F, & the juice macerating on the skins/seeds for 7-9 days. The wine was aged for 20 mos in 100% new FR oak (Darnajou, Sylvain, Orion, Ermitage, Nadalie, & Dargaud et Jaegle) barrels. Only free run wine was used in the blend. Racking occurred immediately after the completion of malolactic fermentation, then on a quarterly basis until bottling." 56 barrels bottled on July 19th, 2017.
  
  N: CLOSED, but seems RIPE/deep, pyrazines with swirling? Intensity lurking
  
  P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt firmed by a bit of astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. For now & 5 yrs more, which strikes me as being REMARKABLY approachable for this AVA! 15.6% ABV; My EXC/EXC+. 96 pts ea Jeb Dunnuck & Vinous (Galloni), and 95+ WA.

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A diverse, VERY fascinating contribution, not the least of which was the opportunity to taste my 2nd ever AGED Tawny Port.

• 2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  THANK you for sharing this, Dan! :)
  
  88% C.S., 5% C.F., 3% Malbec, 3% P.V., & 1% Merlot [possibly 95% from To-Kalon & 5% from MBar Ranch?]"...hand-harvested into small bins & carefully sorted in our gravity-flow cellar. The clusters were gently destemmed directly into traditional FR oak tanks for cold soak, fermentation, & extended maceration – a total of 31 days of wine to skin contact. The new wine was drained & gently pressed into 29% new FR oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The final blend was assembled through repeated tasting trials over the 18 mos of barrel aging, then bottled in August of 2016." 15% ABV, 0.55 g/L R.S., 6.4 g/L T.A., & 3.64 pH; 19,637 cases made
  
  N: Ripe cherries, poss pyrazines; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which QUITE resolves by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the minimal, very, VERY fine tannins. For now & the next 4 yrs? LOVELY stuff! My EXC/EXC+. 92 pts Suckling, 91+ WA, 91 Vinous (Galloni), 90 ea Decanter & WE @ $63, & 88 WS.

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• 2006 La Velona Brunello di Montalcino

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Mike, THANK you for sharing this Brunello label that was new for me! :)
  
  N: Smoke with an attractive blend of cherries & oranges; GORGEOUS!
  
  P: LM body; LOVELY frt met by some astringent pucker which quite resolves by the LONG finish with a tangy/swtness to the relative few dusty tannins. MAY not QUITE have peaked? For now & SHOULD be "safe" to make its 20th. My EXC/EXC+. 94+ pts WA (Galloni), 93 WS, 92 ea Suckling & Tanzer, 91 pts WE @ $55, and 15/20 Jancis Robinson.

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• 2003 Cayuse Tempranillo Impulsivo En Chamberlin Vineyard

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Dr. Tom, WHAT a *pleasure* that you shared this Tempranillo which some feel to be THE finest outside of SP! :)
  
  N: Very RIPE, fragrant, but tough to parse; Poss jammy? Some oranges? Intensity lurking?
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with RICH, ALMOST swtish frt firmed by an astringency which EVENTUALLY pretty much resolves by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness that encourages more. For now & approaching its 20th. 14.1% ABV; My EXC, poss EXC/EXC+. 97 pts WA (Dunnuck), 90 Tanzer, & 87 WS.

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• 1991 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  I can't thank you enough for sharing this TERRIFIC wine, Danny! :)
  
  N: Closed; RIPE, smoke/earth, poss pyrazines, rest tough to parse; Intensity lurking?
  
  P: Med body; Very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which never comes close to losing touch with the frt as it evolves into the quite LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swt choc tinge to the inoffensively dusty tannins. Has yet to peak? For now & approaching its 35th? 13% ABV; My Exceptional-, poss full Exceptional with a bit more cellaring.

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• 2015 Hacienda de Encinillas Gran Vino Tinto Seleccion Especial

  Mexico, Chihuahua

  Arturo, THANK you for sharing this wine, MY 1st ever from Chihuahua! :)
  
  N: RIPE berries with notes of smoke & something I can't quite parse
  
  P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG finish wth a bitter/swt choc veneer to the dusty tannins. Approachable now, but DESERVES another yr, then drinking for 4 yrs more? Impressive! My EXC, poss more with time?

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• 2015 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Poggio Valente

  Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana

  Frank, THANK you for sharing this! :)
  
  Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
  
  N: RIPE berries with notes of vanilla; Intensity lurking
  
  P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt met by astringent pucker which pretty much maintains into & through the LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a hint of swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '21, then easily making its 10th. My EXC. [This vendor's $27.95 is @ the top of wine-searcher's class.]

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• 2016 Dominio de Eguren Protocolo

  Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

  THANK you for the opportunity to retaste this, Steve & Kim! :)
  
  100% Tempranillo, planted between 1946 & 1986 in multiple vyds managed by Dominio de Eguren in Manchuela, Spain; The soils are poor calcareous clay with a high proportion of limestone & surfaces spotted with pebbles. "Cold maceration followed by a 6 day fermentation with 2 pump-over’s daily. Controlled micro-oxygenation during the fermentation. 8 day post fermentative maceration;"
  
  N: RIPE, JAMMY plums; Intensity lurking
  
  P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by JUST a tad of astringency which quite resolves by the LONG, tangy/swt finish. For now & probably through '20. 13.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. 91 pts Suckling & 88 Jeb Dunnuck. [This vendor's $5.95 is @ THE top of wine-searcher's large listing.]
  
  Note: I found this at least SOMEWHAT more approachable than I had on just 11/10/2018.

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• 1992 Rockland Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  José, your generosity & PERCEPTIVENESS are *legion*! ¡Otra vez, MIL gracias! :)
  
  N: RIPE berries; LOTS goin' on, but can't parse
  
  P: LM, poss Med, body; LOVELY frt met by some astringent pucker which slowly, fairly seamlessly, transitions into a LONG finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins -- & an OCCASIONAL *glimpse* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. Poss this has not even yet peaked? Considering the structure still showing, could approach its 35th? Very, VERY impressive stuff! My EXC+, with some level of Exceptionality likely down the line.

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• NV Graham Porto 30 Year Old Tawny

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  WOW: Along with the 40 yr old a ways back, what CAN I say, Dr. Tom?
  
  N: Smoke, rest tough to parse
  
  P: Med body; An ELEGANT swness slipping SEAMLESSLY into a very LONG, BALANCED, wonderfully, GRACEFULLY swt finish. 20% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 95 pts & an "Editors' Choice" WE @ $102, 94 Decanter, 17.5 (3x) & 19/20 Jancis Robinson, and a boatload of other solid press listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.

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A *terrific* lineup overall! :)