Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whites, 8 Reds, & 7 *shared* bottles] from 10/11/19

Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted Saturday, October 12, 2019 by srh with 134 views

Flight 1 - Winebar from 10/11/19 (12 Notes)

  • 2018 Clement et Florian Berthier Sancerre Rosé

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre

    “From 30-35 yr old vines planted on the clay-limestone soils of Sainte Gemme, a small village located in the heart of the Centre-Loire area; Traditional vinification with low temp fermentation & maturation on fine lees in tank;”

    N: Closed; Grapey slightly atop minerals with hints of oranges?

    P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish, applish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by a crisp acidity which directs the package into & through the LONG, balanced, tangy/swt finish. Nicely done in a versatile style for now & through '21. My EXC-; 91 pts Vinous (Raynolds). [Check with this vendor if interested in their competitive pricing.]

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  • 2017 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    "Sourced from a 3 ha plot within Vaillons with vines 35+ years old. Exposure is S/SW with kimmeridgian (clay & limestone) soils; Manual harvesting is carried out at optimum ripeness levels (between 12 & 13°). The grapes are pressed in our pneumatic press, & the musts then undergo cold maceration for 5-7 days before being settled & vinified. The alcoholic fermentation lasts 15-18 days @ the Domaine. The malolactic fermentation is usually initiated in Dec. The wine is aged for around 14 mos, including a period of time in FR oak barrels if necessary. The wine is racked 2x before being bottled in late autumn."

    N: CLOSED; Hints of flintiness? Intensity lurking?

    P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish, applish frt counterbalanced by a lovely accidty which SEAMLESSLY leads the way into & through the very LONG, BALANCED, tangy/swt finish. For now, should improve through '20, then drink nicely through '24? VERY nice stuff! 13% ABV; My EXC, more eventually? 91 pts WA (Kelley, 8/30/19) & 17/20 Jancis Robinson (Harding, tank). [This vendor's $39.95 puts it @ the TOP of wine-searcher's currently limited postings.]

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  • 2017 Domaine Feuillat-Juillot Montagny 1er Cru Les Jardins Blanc

    France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru

    "The parcel of 'Les Jardins' is located on a SE slope in Montagny. The vines are relatively young (average of 20 years). Alcoholic & malolactic fermentations take place in thermo-regulated vats. The wine is aged on fine lees for 8-10 mos. Light filtering before bottling;"

    N: CLOSED; Hints of butter/lemons

    P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish OAK™/frt met by an acidity which pretty much defines the wine into & through the LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness & OCCASIONAL *hints* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. Could use 3-6 mos, then drinking through '22. My EXC-, arguably > for QPR. [I saw no other source with which to compare this vendor's $22.95.]

    ™...'cept it apparently sees NO oak. [Noting butter, I just ASSUMED... ]

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  • 2017 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    "Ma Belle-Fille Vyd was planted in 1999 [supposedly with the Calera, Mt Eden, Hudson, & Hyde clones] in volcanic-origin, Rhyolite soils with a S/SE exposure @ 1,700-1,900 ft elev. Harvested 8/11-9/15/17; 100% natural yeast fermentation in 100% FR oak barrels from select artisan coopers; Barrel aged sur lies 12 mos with weekly bâtonnage; Bottled unfined & unfiltered on 2/7/19, released 9/1/19."

    N: Closed; Lemons, butter (but with restraint); Intensity lurking?

    P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish oak/frt counterbalanced by an acidity which SEAMLESSLY transitions into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with a subtle firmness. Very, VERY well made for now & through '24? 14.3% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 97-99 pts WA, 95 Vinous (Galloni, 5/1/19), & 90 WS. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price.]

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  • 2017 Dujac Fils et Père Chambolle-Musigny

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

    "Under the name Dujac Fils et Père, Jeremy & Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac established partnerships with some of the top growers in Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey Saint-Denis, & Chambolle-Musigny. The resulting wines are made with the same care & attention the family lavishes on their estate bottlings." Typically, "Grown in soils of clay & limestone; Fermented in s/s tanks with natural yeasts; Aged for 14-15 mos in 1, 2, & 3 yr old FR barriques; Bottled unfined & unfiltered."

    N: Attractive straws (poss wild) & red rasps

    P: LM body; LOVELY, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which stays in touch with the init frt as it works its way into & through the LONG, balanced finish with hints of eventual swtness. NEEDS through '22, probably '23, then EASILY making its 10th. NICELY done! My EXC, more quite poss down the line. 88 pts John Gilman, 87-89 Burghound, & 16/20 Jancis Robinson (Harding, tank). [This vendor's $79.95 is $5 < wine-searcher's lowest!]

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  • 2017 Famille Masse Givry 1er Cru En Veau

    France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Givry 1er Cru

    N: TOAST atop RIPE berries (plums, poss blk rasps?); Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, BALANCED finish with an already PLEASANT tangy/swtness to the relatively few, unoffensive, dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, could take 1-2 yrs more, then approaching its 10th? My EXC, even higher for QPR? (Stylistically this reminded me of a firm, Santa Lucia Highlands P.N. because of its ripeness.) [Check with this vendor if interested in their pricing, which IS enticing for a 1er Cru red Burg, albeit Côte Chalonnaise!]

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  • 2017 Morgan Pinot Noir Twelve Clones

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    "Over 12 unique clones from the Arroyo Seco & Chualar Loams (granitic) soils of the Double L (47%), Rosella’s, Boekenoogen, KW, & Tondré Vyds; The grapes were picked & hand-sorted in the vyds. Upon arriving at the winery, grapes where sorted a 2nd time before being destemmed. Whole berry fermentation started using native & cultured yeasts in small, open top tanks. After fermentation the wine was transferred to FR oak (40% new) for 10 mos of aging. 14.2% ABV, 6.3 g/L T.A., & 3.44 pH."

    N: Slightly closed; RIPE straws, poss blk rasps, with notes of flowers?

    P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which somewhat works itself out by the LONG, balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the relatively few, dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, POSS '21, then drinking through '23. My EXC-, & I'd certainly listen to an argument for more based upon QPR. 93 pts WE @ $35, & 92 The Tasting Panel. [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price!]

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  • 2016 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Mourre des Perdrix

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

    “A single vyd cuvee of 69% Grenache, 15% ea Syrah & Mourvedre, and 1% Cinsault from a half-plateau with a NE exposure @ Le Mourre des Perdrix at Courthézon. The terroir is composed of different soils: (red clay, with round pebbles & sandy marl). Vinified in s/s & big oak vats for 3-4 wks with gentle extractions; Aged in big oak vats, barrels, & demi-muids;” 16% ABV

    N: Closed; A creamy RIPENESS to the berries with garrigue underneath?

    P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG, plummy finish, but with a burgeoning quasi-bitter flatness? NEEDS through '21, & IF the finish comes together, my VG+ could be QUITE low. 96 pts & “Cellar Selection” WE (Iijima, 12/31/19) @ $50, 94-96 ea Dunnuck & WA (Czerwinski), 94 ea WS & Suckling, 93 ea Jeff Leve (9/18/18) & Vinous (Raynolds, 12/1/19), 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Hemming, cask), and 4*(*)/5* (oak vats, 10/’16) drinkrhone.com ! [This vendor's $47.95 puts it in the top 1/3 of wine-searcher's current listings.]

    Addendum: I was MUCH > impressed with this on 6/13/20!

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  • 2014 Compania de Vinos del Atlantico Yecla ELO

    Spain, Murcia, Yecla

    “Elo is 100% Monastrell (ungrafted, original rootstock) from an arid, single vyd (El Alterón) planted since 1973 @ 2,526 ft elev in rocky, chalky, limestone soil.” Typically, “The harvest takes place approximately 25 days earlier than what is customary of the region, at the moment when the grapes are most flavorful & balanced. They fill open s/s tanks with whole clusters for a slow press & 28-day maceration which then goes to 2-3 yr-old 500 L FR oak barrels for 1 yr, ff’d by a rest in a 2,000 L cement tank. Once bottled, Elo spends a min of 8 mos ageing in the cellar before being released.” 2,700 bottles were filled in September 2016.

    N: Closed; RIPE, poss jammy, berries with notes of pyrazines

    P: LM body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtish frt (with hints of grapefrt?) met by an astringent pucker which pretty much works itself out by the LONG, balanced finish with an almost elegant tangy/swtness to the relatively few, but still FIRMING, dusty tannins. For now with food, but DESERVES 1-2 yrs, then making its 10th. 13.00% ABV; My EXC-. 93 pts WA (12/'17). [Check with this vendor if interested in their COMPETITIVE price.]

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  • 2016 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    “90% C.S., 9% Merlot, & 1% C.F. from their S&J and Benjamin Estate Vyds, + the Round Pond Estate, Delouise, & Shooting Star Vyds; Aged 20 mos in 33% new and 67% once & twice-filled FR oak barrels; 14.5% ABV, 0.67 g/100ml T.A., & 3.63 pH; 25,000 cases bottled June ’18.”

    N: Vanilla & pyrazines atop RIPE berries

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays in touch with the init frt/swtness as it evolves into a LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the fairly innocuous, but firming, dusty tannins. DESERVES through '20, then drinking through '24? My EXC-, though I supposed one COULD argue for higher based upon the QPR for *this* AVA. 90 pts WA & Silver from the '19 Critics Challenge @ $58. [Check with this vendor if interested in their COMPETITIVE price.]

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  • 2016 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    88% Zin, 9% P.S., & 3% Alicante Bousche from a vyd "on the W side of Sonoma Valley, the majority of which was planted 90-120 years ago, portions of it being replanted between 2013—2018;" Harvested 9/21-26 @ 25.1˚ Brix ave; "Grapes destemmed & crushed; Natural primary & secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap & pressed @ 9 days; Aged 12 mos in 100% air-dried AM oak barrels (15% new, 30% 1 & 2 yrs old, and 55% 3, 4, & 5 yrs old);" 3,250 cases made.

    N: RIPE blkberries, poss plums? Intensity lurking?

    P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the unoffensive, yet firming, dusty tannins. LOVELY stuff drinking VERY nicely right now, but should hold into '23, I suspect. 14.8% ABV; My EXC/EXC+. 94 pts ea Vinous (Galloni) & Palate Press ("Highly Recommended"), 93 ea Dunnuck, Suckling, & WA (Kelley), 91 ea Connoissers’ Guide, WS, & CA Grapevine ("Highly Recommended"), and 90 The Fine Wine Review! [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]

    Note: Today this had significantly > air than when I tasted it on 5/25/19.

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  • 2015 Macauley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    N: Earth, coconut, with notes of pyrazines -- & other unparsables

    P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it seamlessly transitions into a LONG, BALANCED finish with an ELEGANT tangy/swtness to the few, UNOFFENSIVE, yet firming, dusty tannins. For now & through '22. My EXC, but I have to wonder 'bout the QPR -- even for this AVA. :( [Check with this vendor if interested in their pricing.]

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Flight 2 - Shared Bottles from 10/12/19 (7 Notes)

  • 2012 Celler de Cérvoles Costers del Segre Cérvoles Blanc

    Spain, Catalunya, Costers del Segre

    THANK you for sharing this, Robert! :) It seems like EVERYTHING you contribute winds up being a new label for me! ;)

    “55% Macabeo (Finca Cametes) & 45% Chard (Finca Oliveres) from vyds @ 700-800m elev;” Typically, “Fermented & aged for 8 mos on their own lees in a 'Foudre' of 3,000 L (Macabeo), & in new FR oak barrels (225 L & 600 L of Saury, Dargaud, & Jaegle and Berthomieu) with frequent bâtonnage giving it shape.”

    N: Attractive flowers with undertones of butter, poss spice?

    P: LM body; RNIDSH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish oak/frt met by an almost puckerish acidity which seamlessly evolves into a LONG, BALANCED finish with an ELEGANT tangy/swtness. LOVELY stuff for now & into (probably through) '21! 14% ABV; My EXC/EXC+. 91 pts Guía Peñín (6/1/13), 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Centelles, 11/4/14), & Silver @ ’13 Mundus Vini.

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  • 2016 Domaine de la Charbonnière Vacqueyras Cuvée Spéciale

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras

    THANK you for allowing me a retaste of this, Steve! :)

    100% Grenache from 50-60 yr old vines planted in red limestone soils with some clay/pebbles; Typically, vinified for 4 wks in oak vats with easy cap punchings & pumping overs; Aged 8-9 mos in large oak barrels & 600 L casks, followed by 4 mos in enamel vats; ≈350 cases bottled unfined & unfiltered.

    N: Closed; Choc with notes of earth; Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, balanced finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '22, then EASILY making its 10th. 16% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, but for the patient. ;) 93 pts Suckling, 92-94 ea Dunnuck, Vinous (Raynolds), & WA (Czerwinski), 92 WS, 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Hemming), & 3(*)/5* drinkrhone.com (oak vat/casks)! [This vendor's $27.95 is $2 < wine-searcher's lowest.]

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  • 2010 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d'Alba

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉

    N: Earth, almost a mustiness, which DOES blow off to muted notes of tar & flowers

    P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker which DOES pretty much work itself out by the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy, slightly tangy finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. Although others felt it was drinking fine now, I'd say it NEEDS through '21, then drinking through '26? 14% ABV; My EXC- (90,91/100 using that metric), more eventually? [As of mid Oct '19, wine-searcher still shows 2 sources of 750 ml bottles @ $40 & $45. (Mine was from their 1 L bottle)].

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  • 2017 El Enemigo Chardonnay

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Oscar, WHAT a *fascinating* wine! I can't thank you enough for sharing it! :)

    Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉

    N: Lt grassiness, notes of asparagus? Lemons underneath? Intensity lurking?

    P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt BEAUTIFULLY offset by an acidity which SEAMLESSLY transitions into a very LONG, impeccably BALANCED, tangy/swt finish. Very, VERY *nicely* done for now & through '21, though may WELL go longer because of the balance & acidity. My EXC+ (94,95/100 on that metric). [As of mid Oct '19, wine-searcher shows numerous sources from $20-$25].

    FYI, 1st, knowing the general price range of the Enemigo reds, I was THINKING this was a $50+ Chard, my "score" above therefore not giving even the SLIGHTEST "break" for its REAL price pt (of which I knew nothing). 2nd, a VERY experienced taster, albeit NO fan of S. Am wines in general, wasn't NEARLY as enamored of this as I. :( So, I'm thinking this is quite poss a "like it or leave it" style.

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  • 2016 St. Amant Winery Souzão

    USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

    Bob, THANK you for so GRACIOUSLY sharing this unusual CA varietal! :)

    Likely from their St. Amant Vyd vines planted in 1980

    N: RIPE berries interlaced with smoke & notes of earth

    P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which pretty much works itself out by the LONG, BALANCED finish with an attractive tangy/SWTNESS to the FEW, innocuous, dusty tannins. Nicely done in the flirting with R.S. style. For now & probably through '21. 14.5% ABV; My EXC-. Bronze @ '19 S.F. Chronicle @ $18

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  • 2013 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Rick, you're TOO *generous* in your sharing of this wine! :)

    N: Vanilla with notes of earth

    P: LM body; [Sadly, as I was VERY much rushing here, I’ll have to go with my notes of a wk ago, not necessarily a bad thing given how CONSISTENT this has been tasting for me.] ;) 15% ABV; My EXC, poss more down the line? 98 pts WE & "Cellar Selection" @ $80, 96 winealign.com , 95 WA, 94 ea Suckling & Decanter (Morris), and 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (Speller). [This vendor's $65.95 now puts it in the top 15% of wine-searcher's entries.]

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  • 2016 La Massa La Massa Toscana IGT

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Eugene, THANK you for allowing me to retaste this AMAZING value! :)

    Supposedly 65% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot, & 10% C.S. from vines 30-45 yrs old, planted in clay schist, calcareous marl, siliceous limestone, & sandstone soils @ 1,033-1,510 ft elev;

    N: RIPE berries with notes of pyrazines

    P: LM body; Very NICE, almost swtish frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, balanced finish with a potentially elegant tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS a bunch of time: Guessing through '23, poss '24, then making its 15th? 13.5% ABV; My EXC (92,93/100 on that metric), with more certainly poss down the line. 93 pts ea WA & Suckling, 92 Vinous (Galloni), & 90 WS.

    Note: I noted MARKEDLY > structure today, when it had CONSIDERABLY > air than it had on 9/14/2019, when it was basically PnP.

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Closing

The Givry & Morgan Pinots wound up being an interesting back-to-back in that I found the Givry to have at least some of the characteristics I commonly associate with Santa Lucia Highlands P.N.s.

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