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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
White - Fortified

NV Alexander Jules Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado 19/27 (K&L Wines collaboration)

 Palomino Fino more
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7/16/2015 - peternelson wrote: 96 points

Salted nuts, caramelized/toasted nuts as well with fragrant honey, light aldehyde note; amazingly slick, bone dry, smooth, light and elegant but intense, bright and cutting with precise acidity; light hay, band-aid and caramelized notes in the super long finish. Stunning wine.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    1/16/2016 6:35:00 PM - This was popped and poured, probably with the shipper Alex Russan, in our store. I love his wines.
Red

2007 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche Del Falletto

 Nebbiolo more
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6/19/2013 - Paul S wrote: 95 points

Piedmont 2013, Day 3 - Visit to Bruno Giacosa (Neive, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy): A tremendous wine – this was a clear step up from everything else we tasted at Giacosa, and was indeed one of the two or three best wines of the entire trip. The nose was a little tight at first, but it opened up slowly to show reserved but quietly insistent aromas of black cherries and blackberries, almond fruit, a suggestion of meat and mineral, some balsamic notes, and just the lightest dusting of smoke and spice. Very pleasant. The palate was still very much dominated by its structure, with firmly muscular but somehow very refined tannins that coated the tongue and teeth, and supple, sweet acidity that left a real sense of fresheness in the mouth. However, weaving its way above, around and underneath that great structure was an effortlessly powerful beam of pure black fruit, black cherries, blackberries and plums - pure Serralunga. These were then seasoned with reams of spice and a little edge of smoke as the wine wound its way into a super long, powerful finish. Very full, very powerful, yet somehow still really neatly controlled and perfectly integrated, so that even with all its power, this was still a noble wine, showing a lot of finesse and elegance. A very complete package. This is a great wine, but it is still a baby. Give it 10 years a least if you want to start enjoying it, 20 if you want to try catching it at anywhere near peak. Superb stuff.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    10/22/2013 12:38:00 AM - I so agree! Tasted this at a Young's lunch a couple weeks ago. You shoulda been there! (Although i would have rather had it at the estate like you did...)
White - Sparkling

1988 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut

 Champagne Blend more
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11/23/2002 - peternelson wrote: 95 points

Red Carpet: Lighter yeast than Bollinger 95, big acids, almond nose; flavorful in mth, toasty fin., long & complex; still tasted fin. in the car.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    6/26/2018 8:57:00 PM - I remember this. I still tasted the finish in the car... That would have been more adventurous if I drank the bottle in a paring lot somewhere!
White - Sparkling

1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires

 Chardonnay more
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12/10/2016 - peternelson Likes this wine: 95 points

Brilliant gold color; this showed like a boulangerie at 6:30 in the morning--wafting with fresh bread and grain notes, a hint of candied lemon and lemon zest, a nuance of earth like a peach pit; incredible balance, with lots of power and not afraid to show it. Mouth filling and rich but without being clumsy in the least. Super extended finish... I like this. Glad I picked up two more. 95 for the '95.
New label, most likely from newly released batch from the winery. I just found out this is no longer available. Can't wait for the next release (the 2002!)

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    12/14/2016 12:10:00 PM - My distributor just informed me that she misspoke and that there is no news on the next vintage BdM. You could be right!
Red

2003 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

 St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/3/2014 - peternelson wrote: 95 points

Fantastic nose of mocha, ripe but not jammy cassis, blackberry; weighty on the palate but not heavy, with iron dust, tobacco, soft leather, soy, lovely truffle and perfume. Amazing nose, layered, balanced, complex, with a lower acidity, but the weight and tannins make up for it. 93 before decanting, 95 after.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    2/23/2015 10:50:00 PM - I would say it's doing well now, a little on the earlier/safe side, and continuing for another 3-8 years. I would say go for it now or wait a year or 2 with no regrets!
Red

2010 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato

 Nebbiolo more
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7/22/2016 - peternelson wrote: 95 points

At the winery with Elena: Wild soft strawberry, red/black licorice, clove; super silky,, refined, elegant, pure all the way through the palate; good power while having super fine chalky, powdery tannins; intense fruit, floral, lovely, long. Like an intense and wild Burgundy. Kinda like that perfect wine. I need to get some of this

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    8/17/2016 3:12:00 PM - Oh my god--I'm looking for some as we speak! Amazing.
Red

2001 Château Gazin Pomerol

 Red Bordeaux Blend more
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10/5/2013 - peternelson wrote: 94 points

Monopole: Hit of the night: plum, slight raisiny (but not in the Amarone sense), wet tobacco, red currant, sous-bois; nice dark notes in the mouth, hint of tar; exceptionally balanced and structured even if supple and seductive. Buy if you can. This is a smoky, raisiny, red-fruited, but powerful and suave, quintessential Pomerol (and only “just across the street” from Petrus). This was a steal at $120.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    10/16/2013 10:54:00 PM - This is doing great right now and at the top of its game. 3-5 years could not hurt it, but it really depends how you like your wines aged. I think it's in a good place, and I would go for it if the occasion is right (holidays and all coming up!). Of course, better if you have more than one!
Red

2013 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque

 Syrah more
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4/20/2017 - peternelson wrote: 94 points

More blackberry aspect than La Mouline, richer, full, ample tannins, pretty powerful but in balance and slight perfume from Viognier; exotic notes, fruits on the palate. Classic La Turque, power and balance and walks the line between La Mouline and La Landonne. This was amazing. I liked the Mouline at first, but kept going back to this, the Landonne simply being too big, tannic, and a bruiser.
With Philippe Guigal in B.H.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/8/2020 2:03:00 PM - Good question! I would have to read through my notes and figure that one out. You can search Guigal La and they will all come up. Also, there are a few good articles on the character of each "La-La" wine. Here's one of them: https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/rhone-wines-cote-rotie-hermitage-chateauneuf-du-pape/rhone-wine-cote-rotie-producer-profiles/guigal-cote-rotie-rhone-wine-mouline-turque-landonne-ampuis/
White - Sparkling

2007 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Louis Salmon

 Chardonnay more
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1/8/2023 - peternelson Likes this wine: 93 points

Darker, much finer bubbles than the Henriot; brioche, fish-oil, tangy fruit, nice pedigree, balance. Tied for #9 and #10th place. I thought it was quite good. guessed '07 DP. Yarom Group DD Champagnes at Blooming VIP Chinese.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    1/13/2023 2:59:00 PM - 10! Not my rating. I really liked it but sometimes group mentality is far different from my preferences...
Red

2017 Château Mercian Jyonohira Ortus

 Katsunuma Red Blend more
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10/15/2022 - peternelson Likes this wine: 93 points

Top class Bordeaux blend. Excellent dark fruits, cassis, blkberry etc., nice structure, some herbal notes, good grip. Haven't had anything close to this yet in Japan besides the Hokkaido PN. At the winery w/Toshi and gang.

Also drank at:
Sanyo Wine (good, fun cat labels, Delaware, Koshu, and other grape wines)
Maruki--Marquis Winery(good Koshu but we tasted other reds which were not as good)
Fugiclair (Nice big fancy tasting room, cheap plastic cups and a wine dispenser--many places use cheap tiny plastic cups and an auto-dispenser for about 100 yen for 20ml taste. Got potato chips here)
Marufugi (tried to be French, nice Japanese style building, awful wine)
Haramo (Had the Black Queen grape wines, had a decent aged Koshu 2012?)
Katsunuma (horrible)
Kurambon (cool spot with old wine antiques, decent wine, "Kimagure" whimsical wine)
Mercian (top wines were excellent, lower priced wines very basic; beautiful tasting room and winery and grounds)
Grace (excellent quality all-around; beautiful tasting room and winery)
Huggy (first winery we visited, unassuming but good quality)
Soryu (really cheesy place, funny cellar below the tasting room, no wines available to taste!)

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    12/17/2022 11:11:00 AM - I agree, very expensive for the wines worth drinking. I notice a funny thing in secondary or tertiary (or lower) wine markets. It doesn't matter the clout or history or pedigree of the maker or the significance (or insignificance) of the region in the world market, prices seem to reflect the local significance of the wine. There's a lot of less than stellar wines that sell for exuberant prices, just because they tend to be better wines in their relative markets. Mercian is a perfect example. Their top tier wines are really good, but are exalted like the crown jewels because they stand apart in their region, not because they are intrinsically great wines.
White

2018 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots

 Chardonnay more
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9/24/2020 - peternelson Likes this wine: 93 points

Excellent GC Chablis, lovely fragrant nose, crunchy tree fruit, but with perfect weight and concentration behind it, clean, silky balanced mouthfeel, slight white pepper tingly spicy impression that was cool and unexpected (chalk it up to youth?). Long, and in a word, excellent. Nothing wrong with a young Chablis at all. But turned into water when retasting after the 3 Granges and Chris Ringland Shiraz! Langham Hotel Terrace w/Yarom and gang

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/17/2021 4:15:00 PM - Ha! No way! I was referring to Penfolds Grange.
Red

2019 Château La Marzelle

 St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more
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6/8/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 points

Deep, dense and intense, with non-stop waves of licorice, dark red fruits, cocoa and coffee bean. The wine is round, fleshy, fresh and the lift in all the sweet fruits on the palate make this all come together perfectly. The wine is a blend 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 92-94 Pts

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    6/14/2020 2:22:00 PM - No, but I will check out your site now! Thanks

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    6/13/2020 1:02:00 PM - Brian Bohr and I tasted your samples the other day and found the Marzelle a really nice surprise and great value. The Fonplegade, however, must have taken a dive lagged behind. I don't think I've had Marzelle before and will try to get some when it's released. Thanks for sharing.
White - Sparkling

2008 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année

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11/25/2019 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Clear brilliant yellow; fresh yellow peach, peach pit, touch of oak, very ethereal, precise, elegant yet powerful. So young, so 2008, rich but bright, high acid, tight. Needs a few years. Capital Seafood for DD.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    11/26/2019 11:06:00 PM - Oops, yeah that last part should be with the 07 Comtes note!
White - Sparkling

2014 Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru l'Esprit

 Chardonnay more
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9/3/2019 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Chalk, yeasty autolysis, very cool saline aspect with a hint of anise in the nose which is really intriguing; powerful, quite expressive without giving itself away. Long long finish. The real deal here, and a bit less than the Chetillons. With Rodolphe Peters at the estate.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    12/15/2020 1:08:00 PM - I would say the Esprit possibly is more approachable now than the Chetillons. The Chetillons is more intense, but also a bit more closed down. Not more austere, but more compact, with buried fruit and great terroir transparency (i.e. minerality). Hope this helps. I hope one day and can try these two together again.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/21/2020 11:30:00 AM - I absolutely love Chetillons, one of my favorite champagnes, and the '12 is stellar. If you can afford it, buy it. That won't be around very long. Very good investment in my opinion--you'll can have that for at least a decade or two in your cellar.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/18/2020 11:45:00 PM - I'm not sure. I haven't had many 2014's, but I was in Champagne that summer and remember it raining quite a bit. BdB's are supposed to be better in the Cotes des Blancs, Pinots not so much. And if the Esprit is any indication, coupled with the fantastic white Burgs that year, should be pretty good.
Red

2008 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/10/2017 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Killer Napa cab, gorgeous black fruits, pure, some minerality, balanced with good structure and long. No detailed notes, but great stuff and has a very long life ahead of it. Taylor's with Khoi and friends

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    1/13/2018 10:24:00 PM - Did not know that. Good point.
Red

2010 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots

 Pinot Noir more
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6/22/2013 - cookie7 wrote: 93 points

Pop and pour - note after 3 hours. Obviously young. Somewhat muted nose with hints of stems and soy. Very pure palate bursting with cherries, underbrush and minerals. This will be an amazing wine in 10-15 years and last for decades.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    10/13/2014 2:23:00 PM - Good notes--Did you get your wine last night? Seems pretty clearly VR after the fact!
Red

2001 Ramey Jericho Canyon Vineyard

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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12/14/2013 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Monopole: Fragrant pure blackberry, cassis, blueberry; clay, soil, sweet truffle; palate is medium silky with good grip, medium plus density, pure, concentrated, but extremely well balanced with mineral and berry notes with smoke and just a touch of oak spice. This is incredibly balanced, complex, with long finish and great tangy acidity to keep it fresh. Awesome. 93-94

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    12/16/2013 11:24:00 AM - If it's any indication, we bought a case at auction and it sold out of our store within a week! (We have a small boutique wine store called Monopole Wine). That was the best CA cab/cab-blend I've had in a while. Do you still get any of the Jericho fruit?
Red

2010 Fattoria Galardi Terra di Lavoro

 Roccamonfina IGT Aglianico more
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10/8/2013 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Crustacean: volcanic impressions, earth, almond, licorice, anise and a touch floral; soft, pungent fertilizer/manure; big black tannins, weighty, serious aglianico.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    10/23/2013 3:56:00 PM - Sorry, I always put the location where I had it. Just a habit as refreshes my memory on the wine more quickly! This is the name of a restaurant in Beverly Hills.
White - Sparkling

2000 Duval-Leroy Champagne Femme de Champagne

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12/8/2012 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Pure apple tart, cinnamon, lemon and pears; precise, long finish. This rocks despite its hefty price tag. 93-94

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    10/12/2013 11:41:00 PM - Such great stuff. We have 1 more bottle in the shop--I hope someone I know buys it and shares! ; )
Red

2010 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

 Bolgheri Sassicaia Red Bordeaux Blend more
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9/19/2013 - peternelson wrote: 93 points

Dark ruby red with black core; perfumy with cassis, cherry, plum; dried violets, clay mineality, very aromatic with dried herbs-spices, but still vibrant fruit with great lift; Not at all oaky, balanced, ripe, medium fine tannins, concentrated with bright tangy acidity and a long finish. Absolutely lovely. Tasted with Piero Incisa della Rochetta. 40% new French oak for 12 mo.; 85% CS, 15% CF; Sassicaia = "place of many stones"--gravelly soils. 93-94

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/23/2013 9:48:00 AM - It was a Kobrand event at the Sofitel in Los Angeles. Great event with all of the owners/managers of 7 great estates represented, moderated by a Master of Wine.
Red

2007 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 Mt. Veeder more
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3/24/2013 - dream Likes this wine: 93 points

This captures the richness of the vintage without being over the top. There are lovely flavors of blackberries, cassis and minerals along with a hint of bitter chocolate. Full-bodied and very balanced with tannins that show a slightly green edge which suggests it was picked on time rather than the typical Napa cab which is picked overripe. The finish clamps down and the wine retains a fine texture and good freshness that suggest it will age beautifully. I wish more Napa cabs were made like this. 93+

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    6/4/2013 6:10:00 PM - Couldn't have said it better myself.
White - Sparkling

NV Jacques Selosse V.O. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

 Champagne Grand Cru Chardonnay more
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9/19/2015 - peternelson wrote: 92 points

Yellow-gold color; straw-yeasty notes with light honey, chardonnay character with slight waxy aspect, walnut, sweet sweaty sock. Sounds disgusting but actually very nice, like a slightly funky Vin Jaune or Nicolas Jolly wine, and even reminiscent of a light sherry. Creamy in the mouth, bubbles dissipated a bit quickly, but very high acidity, chalky dry finish, almost tannic. Enjoyed this and how it evolved in the glass. 92+

BdB, very low doseage, I. and V.O. are blends of 3 vintages (Initiale=younger vintages and lower on the slope; V.O.=older vintages, higher on slope, more time on lees; Substance=solera from 1986); disgorged 2013, 3600 bottles. Grapes from Avize, Cramant, Oger.

  • Comment posted by peternelson:

    9/21/2015 10:07:00 AM - I am very lucky to be part of a Champagne tasting group. We also shared a Jacquesson Terres Rouges which was funky and yeasty (but bright and fruity at the same time)! I want to drink more aged and oxidative styles!

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