100% pinot, 3g/L, 10 years on the lees. Nice zip for a blanc de noir, though I like even more in my sparkling. Would pair well with the opening dishes of a tasting menu. Ready now, but could age another 5-10ish years.
50/50 chardonnay/pinot noir; 0 dosage; 7 years on the lees. Personal preference would be for a bit more chardonnay to up the acidity, but this is nicely balanced with a pleasantly round texture. It would pair well with seafood or veg. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
Black fruits and baking spices, but it's the anise note that really makes this interesting. That, and the tannins that glide well over the palate but grip hard and linger on the finish. Lay this down for at least 5 years and drink by 2040.
First time with Rebula—into it! Lovely body, balanced acidity, nice salinity. Nods to Burgundy, but at a tenth the price. Lovely now, but has the stuff to age for the long term. One of the most surprising finds of the evening. Get some if you see it!
Mostly merlot, some cab suav, and pinot noir? Weird. But a fun, mid-weight Wednesday wine. Aged in Burgundian oak. Not something I'd seek out like the Rebula, but I wouldn't be sad about seeing it on a restaurant menu at the right price. Drink now and over the next decade.
Elegant, crisp, achieving its Burgundian ambitions, though unfortunately that includes a price that's just a bit hard to swallow for a domestic chardonnay. Still, in the age of tariffs, this is a good backup to keep in mind. Drink over the next 5-10 years.
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Surprised to say that I was less wowed by Mimi's pinot than by the Sisters chardonnay. I was surprised to hear from the rep that this was a Pommard clone; it has the light body and some of the bright red top notes, but was a bit earthier than I typically associate with those. Drink now and over the next decade.
95% cab, 5% franc from 11 blocks picked on 10/18. Everything you expect from a To Kalon (including a price tag that makes this a nonstarter), but at this FAR too early drinking date, nothing in particular that sets it apart from the crowd of producers working with the same fruit. Drink 2028-2040.
More ready for a taste than the 2022, this still showed ample tannin, but gave a better hint at the ripe fruit, silky mouthfeel, and aromatic complexity one expects at this level. Nice. Drink 2030-2040.
Among the fuller bodied reds, this didn't perform as well as OG Bordeaux. I'd rank it closer to the Seña.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Real potential in the aromatic profile and body here, but it's too early to properly evaluate. I worry that the alcohol in this (and most right banks of late) is just creeping too high for me. Give it at least 5 years, then drink through mid-century.
WOTN! Even too young, with too little air, in far too distracting an environment, this showed elegance and complexity unmatched this evening. Everything Bordeaux should be, standing a shoulder above all of tonight's imitators from Italy and the New World. Stock up and drink 2030 - 2060.
75% carménère, remainder cab sauv and merlot. Top-notch winemaking, elegant tannins, and judiciously herbaceous flavor profile. Give it three more years of bottle age and drink (with meat) through the 2030s.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Classic second wine conundrum: 2016 offers far too many right bank Bordeaux with pretty noses, elegant tannins, med(-) body, and too-high alcohol to make it worth paying the Angélus premium. At a third-to-half the price, I'd be thrilled with the find! In any case, give this a light decant and drink over the next decade.
2021 consistent with all prior vintage tastings. Seña remains one of the best deals at its price point for complexity, deft winemaking, and wow factor. You really can't help but take notice of these wines. Give the 2021 lots of air if opening soon. Ideally drink in the 2030s.
Hailing from more limestone-heavy soils, the Enrico VI is currently still dominated by its tannins. It needs either lots of air or more time to compete with the Gattera from the same vintage, but over the long term? We'll have to grab a few bottles and wait until at least 2030 to find out!
Mid-weight, refined, gorgeous nose with a lovely mineral component that sets it apart from so much Napa cab, lingers long on the finish. Give it another 3 years in the cellar and drink over the next 20. Runner-up for WOTN! Sadly, double the price of the Pichon...
Ripe for an albariño! Agree with earlier commenter that I wouldn't have been able to identify the varietal, particularly given its fuller body and slight sweetness. This was a nice sip, nothing more. Drink now.
So weird! Unlike any other wine tonight or in recent memory. Layer upon layer of flavor to uncover, but unfortunately at present fully subsumed by massive tannin. This needs at least another decade in the cellar; I'd be thrilled to see what it becomes in the 2040s.
2013 Berlucchi Guido Franciacorta Extrême Riserva Palazzo Lana
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
100% pinot, 3g/L, 10 years on the lees. Nice zip for a blanc de noir, though I like even more in my sparkling. Would pair well with the opening dishes of a tasting menu. Ready now, but could age another 5-10ish years.
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2016 Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Bagnadore Riserva Dosaggio Zero
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
50/50 chardonnay/pinot noir; 0 dosage; 7 years on the lees. Personal preference would be for a bit more chardonnay to up the acidity, but this is nicely balanced with a pleasantly round texture. It would pair well with seafood or veg. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.
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2020 Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Extra Brut Rosé
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
100% pinot noir; 4 years on lees. Fun! But not one I'd put effort into seeking out. Drink now through 2030.
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2020 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barolo Vürsù Vigneto Campè
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
A great start to the reds! Light, forward, and ready, with a relatively long, earthy finish. Drink now and over the next decade.
Personal note: In a better vintage or at a lower price, I'd be all over this. Sample more from La Spinetta!
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2023 T-Oinos Assyrtiko Clos Stegasta
Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Tinos
Full bodied, typical assyrtiko, in need of a bit more acid for me, especially to age. Drink over the next few years.
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2022 T-Oinos Mavrotragano Rare Clos Stegasta
Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Tinos
Black fruits and baking spices, but it's the anise note that really makes this interesting. That, and the tannins that glide well over the palate but grip hard and linger on the finish. Lay this down for at least 5 years and drink by 2040.
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2022 Movia Rebula (Black Label)
Slovenia, Primorska, Goriška Brda
First time with Rebula—into it! Lovely body, balanced acidity, nice salinity. Nods to Burgundy, but at a tenth the price. Lovely now, but has the stuff to age for the long term. One of the most surprising finds of the evening. Get some if you see it!
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2019 Movia Veliko Rosso (Rdeče)
Slovenia, Primorska, Goriška Brda
Mostly merlot, some cab suav, and pinot noir? Weird. But a fun, mid-weight Wednesday wine. Aged in Burgundian oak. Not something I'd seek out like the Rebula, but I wouldn't be sad about seeing it on a restaurant menu at the right price. Drink now and over the next decade.
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2022 Lingua Franca Chardonnay Sisters
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Elegant, crisp, achieving its Burgundian ambitions, though unfortunately that includes a price that's just a bit hard to swallow for a domestic chardonnay. Still, in the age of tariffs, this is a good backup to keep in mind. Drink over the next 5-10 years.
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2022 Lingua Franca Pinot Noir Mimi's Mind
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Surprised to say that I was less wowed by Mimi's pinot than by the Sisters chardonnay. I was surprised to hear from the rep that this was a Pommard clone; it has the light body and some of the bright red top notes, but was a bit earthier than I typically associate with those. Drink now and over the next decade.
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2021 Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
95% cab, 5% franc from 11 blocks picked on 10/18. Everything you expect from a To Kalon (including a price tag that makes this a nonstarter), but at this FAR too early drinking date, nothing in particular that sets it apart from the crowd of producers working with the same fruit. Drink 2028-2040.
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2022 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
Too young and too short a decant to evaluate. The 18 gave a better picture.
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2018 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia
Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
More ready for a taste than the 2022, this still showed ample tannin, but gave a better hint at the ripe fruit, silky mouthfeel, and aromatic complexity one expects at this level. Nice. Drink 2030-2040.
Among the fuller bodied reds, this didn't perform as well as OG Bordeaux. I'd rank it closer to the Seña.
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2019 Château Belair-Monange
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Real potential in the aromatic profile and body here, but it's too early to properly evaluate. I worry that the alcohol in this (and most right banks of late) is just creeping too high for me. Give it at least 5 years, then drink through mid-century.
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2019 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
WOTN! Even too young, with too little air, in far too distracting an environment, this showed elegance and complexity unmatched this evening. Everything Bordeaux should be, standing a shoulder above all of tonight's imitators from Italy and the New World. Stock up and drink 2030 - 2060.
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2021 Clos Apalta
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta
75% carménère, remainder cab sauv and merlot. Top-notch winemaking, elegant tannins, and judiciously herbaceous flavor profile. Give it three more years of bottle age and drink (with meat) through the 2030s.
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2016 Château Angélus Le Carillon de l'Angélus
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Classic second wine conundrum: 2016 offers far too many right bank Bordeaux with pretty noses, elegant tannins, med(-) body, and too-high alcohol to make it worth paying the Angélus premium. At a third-to-half the price, I'd be thrilled with the find! In any case, give this a light decant and drink over the next decade.
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2021 Seña
Chile, Aconcagua Valley
2021 consistent with all prior vintage tastings. Seña remains one of the best deals at its price point for complexity, deft winemaking, and wow factor. You really can't help but take notice of these wines. Give the 2021 lots of air if opening soon. Ideally drink in the 2030s.
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2020 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Bricco Gattera
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Today, this is more elegant and far less tannic than the Erico VI. We really loved it. Buy some and drink over the next 10-15 years.
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2020 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Enrico VI
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Hailing from more limestone-heavy soils, the Enrico VI is currently still dominated by its tannins. It needs either lots of air or more time to compete with the Gattera from the same vintage, but over the long term? We'll have to grab a few bottles and wait until at least 2030 to find out!
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2021 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Mid-weight, refined, gorgeous nose with a lovely mineral component that sets it apart from so much Napa cab, lingers long on the finish. Give it another 3 years in the cellar and drink over the next 20. Runner-up for WOTN! Sadly, double the price of the Pichon...
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2023 Familia Deicas Albariño Atlántico Sur
Uruguay
Ripe for an albariño! Agree with earlier commenter that I wouldn't have been able to identify the varietal, particularly given its fuller body and slight sweetness. This was a nice sip, nothing more. Drink now.
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2018 Familia Deicas Preludio Barrel Select
Uruguay, Canelones, Juanicó
So weird! Unlike any other wine tonight or in recent memory. Layer upon layer of flavor to uncover, but unfortunately at present fully subsumed by massive tannin. This needs at least another decade in the cellar; I'd be thrilled to see what it becomes in the 2040s.
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