Wonderful start to an evening of BIG and special wines with friends. A classy welcome glass as we walked in the door, I would have loved to drink many more glasses but I knew what was to come!! Crisp fruit and mineral, strong mousse. Flavors softened and intensified as it warmed. Not sure the dosage, clearly present. This was drinking youthfully and will improve with age
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
This was the best AT pinot I have had so far. I am not sure if it was the age (have only had younger Antikythera) or perhaps Winedog1s careful preparations. Slow oxed from the evening before, then decanted in glass for two hours before first trying—tasted over the next few hours. Completely open, intense aroma, red and blackberry fruit, sweet and round with a hint of earth. Incredibly long finish. Made me excited to have a few bottles if later vintages—if they get anywhere near this it will be a win.
This was a stunner. Decanted 4-5 hours before going back in bottle to bring to dinner. Very happy with the prep as it showed beautifully. Big blue and purple fruits, hints of meat and savory complexity, smooth mouthfeel. Despite the crazy high alcohol this is just so dangerously easy to drink as it is not noticeable at all. Wow wine.
A completely new to me Napa cab and a true surprise. It fit perfectly with our theme despite being a cab it had a similarity to the SQN wines. Big full fruity precise style. I said I didn't want any new Napa cabs in my life, but I’m afraid this is one I will need to seek out.
This was by far the most interesting wine of the night. I had to keep going back to it, switching glasses, trying to understand it. Not the instant hedonism of the other wines in our line up, and nothing like expectations —I guess I expected something more ‘porty’ given the variety. This had the same 24 slow ox and 2 hr decant, but it took a few more hours to open. Reticent nose at forst but once it got going the complexity was astounding. Dark fruits, very strong white pepper, herbaceous, vanilla and cherry coke. Lots to think about. I would love to try this wine again one day without any comparisons. So excited to have made the list at last.
My first TTT, generously opened by Winedog1. Slowoxed 24 hrs and decanted for 2. This was perfectly open and ready to go. Reminded me of the NOK from my bday. Big and delicious spicy plummy fruit. Possibly WOTN
The backup bottle that we had no business drinking after all the other wine… but yum and so good to try. I always enjoy Priorat but haven’t mastered the best producers or blends. This was very floral perfumed on the nose, balanced and integrated on the palate. No score because I was beyond scoring at that point but an excellent wine to punctuate an epic wine night.
NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve 94 Points
France, Champagne
Wonderful start to an evening of BIG and special wines with friends. A classy welcome glass as we walked in the door, I would have loved to drink many more glasses but I knew what was to come!!
Crisp fruit and mineral, strong mousse. Flavors softened and intensified as it warmed. Not sure the dosage, clearly present. This was drinking youthfully and will improve with age
Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2016 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Antikythera 95 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
This was the best AT pinot I have had so far. I am not sure if it was the age (have only had younger Antikythera) or perhaps Winedog1s careful preparations. Slow oxed from the evening before, then decanted in glass for two hours before first trying—tasted over the next few hours.
Completely open, intense aroma, red and blackberry fruit, sweet and round with a hint of earth. Incredibly long finish. Made me excited to have a few bottles if later vintages—if they get anywhere near this it will be a win.
Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2019 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Syrah Two Become One 97 Points
USA, California
This was a stunner. Decanted 4-5 hours before going back in bottle to bring to dinner. Very happy with the prep as it showed beautifully. Big blue and purple fruits, hints of meat and savory complexity, smooth mouthfeel. Despite the crazy high alcohol this is just so dangerously easy to drink as it is not noticeable at all. Wow wine.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2018 Argot Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard 96 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
A completely new to me Napa cab and a true surprise. It fit perfectly with our theme despite being a cab it had a similarity to the SQN wines. Big full fruity precise style. I said I didn't want any new Napa cabs in my life, but I’m
afraid this is one I will need to seek out.
Read 5 Comments / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2015 Next of Kyn Touriga Nacional Número Um 96 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
This was by far the most interesting wine of the night. I had to keep going back to it, switching glasses, trying to understand it. Not the instant hedonism of the other wines in our line up, and nothing like expectations —I guess I expected something more ‘porty’ given the variety.
This had the same 24 slow ox and 2 hr decant, but it took a few more hours to open. Reticent nose at forst but once it got going the complexity was astounding.
Dark fruits, very strong white pepper, herbaceous, vanilla and cherry coke. Lots to think about. I would love to try this wine again one day without any comparisons. So excited to have made the list at last.
Read 5 Comments / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2019 The Third Twin Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo The Third Twin Vineyard 97 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
My first TTT, generously opened by Winedog1. Slowoxed 24 hrs and decanted for 2. This was perfectly open and ready to go. Reminded me of the NOK from my bday. Big and delicious spicy plummy fruit. Possibly WOTN
Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2017 Clos Mogador Priorat Gratallops
Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
The backup bottle that we had no business drinking after all the other wine… but yum and so good to try. I always enjoy Priorat but haven’t mastered the best producers or blends. This was very floral perfumed on the nose, balanced and integrated on the palate. No score because I was beyond scoring at that point but an excellent wine to punctuate an epic wine night.
Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No