USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
(2/8/2025)
Balanced and lively, with a nice textural richness. The excessive acidity of past vintages seems to be tamed as the vines age. I think they may be on to something here.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
(2/8/2025)
Time has served this bottle well, as there was enormous improvement from the last one I had, in 2018. Concentrated and robust on the palate, with bright cranberry and raspberry notes, some orange peel, smoked meat and spearmint. I would have wagered and lost that there was meaningful stem inclusion here, but apparently that is not the case. Well done.
I was a bit nervous opening this as my last was badly corked, but this one was in fabulous shape. The aromatics were powerful, with some mintiness complementing the notes of lavender and fennel. Some smoke and dark fruit joined in on the palate, with a layered and silky mouthfeel and expansive finish. I suspect this is peaking, but should hold for another decade+.
Patience rewarded. Everything was in balance and firing on all cylinders. Lifted red and black fruit, vibrant and textured, with floral notes a bit of cigar box. The oak has fully integrated. Elegant and powerful, a superb example of what can be done with Merlot here.
Too young to be rated. Unsurprisingly shut down at this stage. The elegance of the bottling showed through, but several years are needed for the fruit to round out IMO.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
(2/9/2025)
A perfectly stored specimen of this relative rarity, bottled for the brand's 25th Anniversary. Rich and ripe, with a harmonious mix of roasted meat, white pepper, dark berry jam and black olive. More nimble than clumsy despite the relative richness. I don't see this one tailing off for decades.
2022 Presqu'ile Aligoté 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
(2/8/2025)
Balanced and lively, with a nice textural richness. The excessive acidity of past vintages seems to be tamed as the vines age. I think they may be on to something here.
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2023 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne-Aligoté 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Aligoté
(2/8/2025)
Oak-dominated, at least at this stage. Maybe with time it will integrate.
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2001 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
(2/9/2025)
The crumbling cork said it all. Oxidized beyond any rehabilitation.
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2013 Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur 94 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
(2/8/2025)
Time has served this bottle well, as there was enormous improvement from the last one I had, in 2018. Concentrated and robust on the palate, with bright cranberry and raspberry notes, some orange peel, smoked meat and spearmint. I would have wagered and lost that there was meaningful stem inclusion here, but apparently that is not the case. Well done.
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2009 Domaine Bruno Clair Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Flawed
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
(2/9/2025)
Sadly, a slightly off bottle, as there was a volatility that never blew off, and the fruit was subdued. Not corked, just affected.
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2000 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina 95 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
(2/9/2025)
I was a bit nervous opening this as my last was badly corked, but this one was in fabulous shape. The aromatics were powerful, with some mintiness complementing the notes of lavender and fennel. Some smoke and dark fruit joined in on the palate, with a layered and silky mouthfeel and expansive finish. I suspect this is peaking, but should hold for another decade+.
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2007 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT 96 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
(2/9/2025)
Patience rewarded. Everything was in balance and firing on all cylinders. Lifted red and black fruit, vibrant and textured, with floral notes a bit of cigar box. The oak has fully integrated. Elegant and powerful, a superb example of what can be done with Merlot here.
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2021 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
(2/8/2025)
Too young to be rated. Unsurprisingly shut down at this stage. The elegance of the bottling showed through, but several years are needed for the fruit to round out IMO.
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2006 Qupé Syrah The Good Nacido Bien Nacido Vineyard Block X 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
(2/9/2025)
A perfectly stored specimen of this relative rarity, bottled for the brand's 25th Anniversary. Rich and ripe, with a harmonious mix of roasted meat, white pepper, dark berry jam and black olive. More nimble than clumsy despite the relative richness. I don't see this one tailing off for decades.
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