Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 7 *shared* Reds] from 01/04/19

Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted Saturday, January 5, 2019 by srh with 303 views

Flight 1 - Winebar (12 Notes)

  • 2016 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Meursault Les Narvaux

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

    Typically, from 55 yr old vines grown in clay & limestone soils with a little bit more chalk on a steep slope with E exposure above the Premier Cru parcel "Les Genevrières”. "Grapes are lightly pressed in a pneumatic press at a low pressure to get a slow extraction. After a gentle racking of the must, the wine is put in FR oak casks of 228 liters (15% new) for both alcoholic & malolactic fermentations with wild yeasts & wild anaerobic bacteria. Aged 16 mos on fine lees. A month before the bottling, the wine from the different barrels is put in a s/s tanks to make the blend."

    N: Intensely fragrant MUSHROOMS & earth intertwined with smoky oak

    P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish, pleasantly chees-like frt BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by acidity which seemlessly transitions into a very LONG finish with a delicious TANGY/swtness (60:40) that verges upon pucker. VERY *impressive* for now & through '23 (?), + I can see improvement through '19. My EXC/EXC+. 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson. [Outside of an outlying $59.99, this vendor's $74.95 is currently 3rd lowest of wine-searcher's 4 U.S. postings.]

    Note: GLAD I'm cellaring the '14, which was then but $49.95 from the same vendor!

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  • 2015 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Vieilles Vignes

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune

    45 yr old vines mainly from the parcel Les Vermots Dessus

    N: Butter slightly atop lemons & minerals

    P: LM, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt counterbalanced by an acidity which sets the parameters into & through the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt (60:40) finish. For now & through '21, poss a tad longer. My EXC-/EXC, & I'd certainly listen to a case for the higher based upon the QPR of this vendor's $33.95, for which I no longer see competition.

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  • 2016 Alois Kracher Pinot Gris Trocken

    Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee

    100% Pinot Gris "fermented & matured in s/s tanks, 7 mos ageing time;" 13% ABV, 2.9 g/l R.S., & 6.5 g/l T.A.

    N: Fairly fragrant pears slightly atop minerals

    P: Med, poss MF, body; VERY RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt invitingly counterbalanced by a VERY slightly spritzy acidity which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, tangy/swt (65:35) finish. LOTS of stuffing for now & through '21, poss more. My EXC-/EXC. 91 pts WE @ $25, 90 Falstaff Magazine, & 86+ WA. [This vendor's $19.95 puts it in the top 1/3 of wine-searcher's postings.]

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  • 2016 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    76% Carneros-Napa & 24% Carneros-Sonoma barrel fermented in 34% new, 33% once, & 33% twice-filled FR oak barrels where it is aged for 9 mos on the lees with "regular" hand stirring. [Apparently 100% malolactic]

    N: An almost piercing sandalwood slightly atop butter

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish OAK/frt very nicely offset by an acidity which elegantly defines it into & through the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt finish with PERHAPS an OCCASIONAL *hint* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. For now & into, perhaps through, '20. My EXC-, & I'd entertain a contention for more based upon QPR for this AVA. 91 pts WE @ $35, 90 pts & "Highly Rec" CA Grapevine, & 89 WA. [This vendor's $28.95 is in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's large field.]

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  • 2010 La Dame de Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    64% C.S. & 36% Merlot

    N: Slightly closed; VANILLA atop ripe berries; Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which ULT loses the bult of its bite as transitions into a LONG finish with a BITTER/swtness (70:30) to the dusty tannins. 13.7% ABV; My VG+, unless the bitterness resolves, & I'd personally not risk the resulting wait. 92 pts Decanter (but 85 from their panel), 88-90 John Gilman, 16.5-17/20 winedoctor.com , 17 & 16.5/20 Jancis Robinsone, & NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [This vendor's $71.95 puts it in the top 1/3 of wine-searcher's postings.]

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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: Fragrantly RIPE, dk frts, POSS blk rasps?

    P: Med Body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by JUST a bit of astringent pucker which QUITE resolves by the end of the LONG, very, VERY tangy, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the FEW, very, VERY fine tannins. For now & into '22. Well done in a riper style. My EXC-, but poss a wine primarily for lovers of high acidity. 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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  • 2015 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    "Made with grapes coming from our vyds in Neive, Crù San Cristoforo, Currà, & Fausoni. The soil is clayish tuff with some sandy veins." Typically, "vinified in s/s for 20-25 days, then aged for 18 mos in FR oak barriques."

    N: Closed; Vanilla with undertones of roses & tar? Intensity lurking

    P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly morphs into quite a LONG, BALANCED, PUCKERISH finish with definite hints of swtness to the dusty tannins. This SHOULD be *fabulous*, but when? '23/'24 (guessing, maybe longer? My EXC, quite probably a couple of notches higher... eventually. 92 pts WA. [This vendor's $45.95 is ≈$5 < wine-searcher's next lowest.]

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  • 2016 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Pétalos

    Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo

    27,000 cs made

    N: Ripe berries, poss with undertones of pyrazines? Intensity lurking

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which pretty much holds into the LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a fairly elegant swtness to the still more or less considerable, dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, poss '21, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. 92 pts ea Suckling & WS as their #35/Top 100 of '18 @ $21, 91+ John Gilman, & Silver_Points_93 @ '18 Int'l Wine Challenge. [This vendor's $16.99 puts it in the TOP 20% of wine-searcher's extensive listings!

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  • 2016 Venus La Universal Montsant Dido

    Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant

    "A blend of mostly Garnatxa & Syrah with trace amounts of Merlot & C.S. grown in various plots ranging from granite to limestone throughout the appellation. Aged in a variety of neutral vessels." 5,500 cases made

    N: Slightly closed, but def RIPE -- & unparsable. Intensity lurking

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which quite resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. For now & the next 4 yrs, + might still improve a bit. My EXC-/EXC. 93 pts WA & 89 WS. [This vendor's $19.95 puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's current listings.]

    Addendum: I did not find this as structured as I had on 11/17/2018 or 04/20/2019.

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  • 2013 Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot Sonoma County

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    98% Merlot & 2% C.S.; Aged 17 mos in 100% FR/AM oak (27% new FR oak); 14.5% ABV, 0.05 g/L R.S., 6.3 g/L T.A., & 3.61 pH; 11,426 cases made.

    N: RIPE, perfumey, rest tough to parse

    P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which does QUITE resolve by the LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the relatively inoffensive, dusty tannins. For now & the next 3 yrs, I'd guess, + may still improve. My EXC-, though one could argue for more based upon the QPR of this vendor's $19.95, which is as good as anyone on wine-searcher. 89 pts WS, and 88 ea Wine & Spirits, WA, & WE @ $28.

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  • 2015 Torrin The Maven

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District

    100% Grenache, addt'l info avail from their https://www.torrinwine.com/Torrin-Wine/Maven

    N: RIPE berries with notes of pyrazines & vanilla

    P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtisht frt met by an astringent pucker which slowly morphs into a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '20, then making its 10th? 15.9%** ABV; My EXC-, which is at least SOMEWHAT of a downgrade because of poor QPR. [Think of the FR & SP Grenaches &/or Grenache dominant blends that come in @ 1/2 - 2/3 this vendor's $74.95, which is virtually identical to wine-searcher's 1 current entry.] 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck & 96 Vinous (Josh Raynolds).

    **I've used the 15.9% of dclaggett on 4/9/18 since he has a cs -- & the winery didn't include ANY stats in the link I cited above.

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  • 2016 Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva

    Uruguay, Maldonado

    100% Tannat fermented in 150 HL cement tanks, then aged 6-12 mos on the lees in FR oak barrels and casks; 14.5% ABV, 5.5 g/L R.S., 5.3 g/L T.A., & 3.7 pH; Bottled August 2017

    N: RIPE berries, rest tuf to parse; Intensity lurking!

    P: Med body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by astringent pucker which does a surprising job of resolving by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into '22, I guess, then approaching its 10th? My EXC-/EXC, the higher for the QPR of this vendor's $12.95, which is @ the head of wine-searcher's class. 92 pts Suckling & 90 WE @ $20.

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Flight 2 - Shared Wines (7 Notes)

  • 1990 Newton Claret

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Danny, THANK for sharing this SUPERB wine! :)

    Had been decanted for ~ 2 hrs before I tasted it

    64% Merlot, 33% C.F., & 3% C.S.

    N: Earth, almost a funkiness, which blows to RIPE berries with a BUNCH of unparsables; Intensity lurking

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a bit of puckerish astringency which seamlessly evolves into quite a LONG finish with a tangy, bitter/SWTNESS to the dusty tannins. QUITE a PROFOUND wine which should EASILY make its 35th, poss 40th, & would be even BETTER with food! 12.5% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-.

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  • 2013 Tormaresca Primitivo Puglia IGT

    Italy, Puglia, Puglia IGT

    Dr. Tom, THANK you for sharing this IT take on Zin! :)

    100% Primitivo from the Masseria Maìme Estate @ San Pietro Vernotico in the Salento region, "fermented separately in temp-controlled s/s tanks. Maceration occurred at tempt held at or below 80 F, lasting between 8 & 10 days. Malolactic fermentation was completed by the end of winter, after which the wine was aged for eight months in s/s. The wine completed another 4 mos of aging in the bottle before being released." 8,000 cases imported

    N: RIPE berries with an overlay of smoke; Intensity lurking

    P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which, while staying within hailing distance of the frt, transitions into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a bitter/SWTNESS to the DUSTY tannins. NEEDS another yr, poss more, then easily making its 10th. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC for this ELEGANT "Zin". 87 pts WS.

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  • NV R. Urbina Malbec

    Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

    ¡¡Mil gracias, Oscar!!

    Tasted blindly

    N: RIPE berries dueling it out with vanilla; Intensity lurking

    P: Med body; VERY NICE, ALMOST swtinsh frt nicely counterbalanced by a hint of puckerish astringency that seamlessly evolves into quite a LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/SWTNESS & OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of a very, VERY slight bitterness to the relatively inoffensive, dusty tannins. QUITE impressive! For now & 6-7 yrs more? 13% ABV; My EXC/EXC+.

    Note: I entered NV since I neglected to record the vintage. :(

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  • 1995 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Vintage Selection Pedroni-Bushnell Vineyard Dry Creek Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    My first Pedroncelli TN here, & it looks like you started me RIGHT @ the TOP, José! :)

    N: Oranges, poss cherries, showing "natural" oxygenation; Intensity lurking

    P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a refined swtness & an OCCASIONAL, very, VERY slight bitterness to the spice-inflected dusty tannins. For now with food, where it should SHINE -- & be able to take another 5-7 yrs of cellaring? QUITE a substantive, yet potentially elegant, food wine! My EXC+, Exceptional- eventually?

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  • 1992 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    José, I'm *particularly GRATEFUL as this is so close in age to the '91 tasted last wk! :)

    Part of a collection of dubious storage

    N: FRAGRANT, [naturally] oxygenated aromas, but COULDN'T parse

    P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves as transitions into a LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy finish with a TANGY/swtness to the decidedly inoffensive dusty tanning. My EXC/EXC+. For now & likely making its 30th.

    Note: 2 more experienced tasters than I felt this was further advanced than they might have expected.

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  • 2007 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    THANK you EVER so much for this TREAT, Dr. Tom! :)

    Supposedly 103 g/L R.S. & 4.5 g/L T.A.

    N: RIPE (but unparsable)

    P: Med body; SWT frt with acidity & alcohol to balance; VERY LONG finish with a refined swtness. Flavorful as this is right now, it struck me as being still tightly wound with YRS of development ahead! 20% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 97+ John Gilman, 94 pts RJonWine, and 18+ (2x), 18, 17.5+, & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson, + numerous other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [This vendor's $72.95 would appear to be the BEST U.S. price on wine-searcher!]

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  • 2015 Piaggia (Vannucci) Carmignano Il Sasso

    Italy, Tuscany, Carmignano

    THANK you for allowing me to retaste this, Kim! :)

    N: RIPE cherries atop earth; Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEEDS into, poss through, '20, then drinking for 3, poss 4, yrs more. 14.5% ABV: My VG+/EXC. 95 pts Vinous (Galloni) & 89 WA. [This vendor's $23.95 remains VERY competitive.]

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