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

NV Joseph Perrier Champagne Cuvée Royale Brut Nature

 Champagne Blend more
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3/12/2022 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Oinorama Wine Fair 2022; 3/12/2022-3/14/2022 (Zappeio): oxidative, yeasty, nutty, almond, buttery, heavy, too upfront, same palate, yogurt like, thin body, high acidity, carbonation, med finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    4/22/2024 11:30:00 AM - There seems to be a big variation in the tasting notes with other members too
White - Sparkling

NV Bérêche et Fils Champagne Brut Réserve

 Champagne Blend more
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12/24/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Random wines tasted during service (Oinoscent): Sampling from magnum
Bright, citrus, apricot, yeast note, fresh, joufyl, pear, apple notes, full body, acidity elevated and sligthly out of touch, bruissed apple in palate, long finish
Something is wrong here, feels out of condition. Again. Bad storage ?

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    12/27/2023 4:46:00 AM - 01/2023 B19, dosage 6g/lt. But I don't think that is the problem. Its a certain lot we bought of 12 magnum bottles, with huge bottle variation
White - Sparkling

NV Guillaume Sergent Champagne Premier Cru Le Chemin des Chappes

 Champagne Blend more
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1/26/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Pure Spirits Champagne portfolio tasting (360 restaurant): 50% pinot meunier 50% pinot noir, 1er cru, extra brut
Fresh, dry, nutty, a bit less fruit than Les Pres Dieu, the palate feels different, wide fruit profile, creamy, more in balance than Les Pres Dieu too

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    12/24/2023 1:03:00 AM - It's sort of a typo. This is what I was told during the tasting, but they obviously misspoke there since a few months ago I tasted it again and I wrote down noir/meunier. Well spotted. Fixed it. Thank you for noticing and reaching out
Red

2019 Château Cos d'Estournel

 St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend more
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10/31/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 65% CS 35% Mer 13.50%
Big bold beast in the nose, coffee, spice, thick fruit core, black fruit, some pyrazine notes lurking in the back, indian spice mix creeping from behind.
Palate showing beautiful texture, juicy notes, blue and black fruit notes, elegant tannins, ethereal, med to full body, long finish
Already showing its decadent oriental side. Gorgeous !

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    12/23/2023 2:37:00 PM - You know, I'd leave it open for a couple of hours (no decant) and then slowly drink it, just to witness all the ways it would evolve. Cos d' Estournel is just an astonishing wine, truly unique
Red

2019 Château Rauzan-Ségla

 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend more
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10/31/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

2019 Bordeaux Tasting, MW tasting (Vintner's Hall, London): 62% CS 35.5% Mer 2% PV 0.5% CF, 14.50%
Big bold black fruit flavors but not heavy at all, black currant, floral notes
Palate is juicy, fine and elegant tannins, black fruit, med to fill body, long finish. Elegant flavors, beautiful structure, layered, only a touch warm

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    12/23/2023 2:35:00 PM - Not long, I asked about the big ones (Haut Brion, Margaux etc) for which they said 2-3 hours. For all the rest, probably half to an hour
White

2021 Wittmann Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Großes Gewächs

 Rheinhessen more
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7/3/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

10th MW Symposium, Wiesbaden - The day after: Tight, dense, layered, showing depth, some smoky notes, white peach, some bitterness too
Palate shows tight structure, complexity, high acidity, nice, riper fruit nites, white peach, white berries, green apple and pear notes, underripe tropical fruit notes, med finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    12/21/2023 6:06:00 AM - Yes, they definately require some patience. I did a small tasting back in June of Morstein and Kirchspiel and for both of them, 2018 was far more pleasant
Red

2021 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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6/30/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

10th MW Symposium, Wiesbaden - Day 2: Alcohol 14.5%, 3.3 g/l residual sugar, 5.6 g/l acidity, 3.7 pH
Vineyard: 242 hectares of vineyards, spread over eleven vineyards in 8 different appellations (AVAs). The vineyards are managed according to biodynamic principles, and vinification is gentle., Vines 30+yo, Soil Type: Basalt, schist, clay, volcanic lime, pebbles or gravel.

Vinification: In 2019, bud break occurred around the same time as 2018 but was delayed compared to our historical averages due to cold, saturated soils from the wet winter. May was cold with an unusual amount of rainfall which delayed flowering in some areas. Canopy management was key in 2019 because of vigorous canopies and moderate temperatures leading to less stress on the vines. July was cooler than average, but August and September warmed to push ripening ahead. Harvest weather patterns remained dry and fruit quality was excellent with well-developed flavours and structure. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard called El Venadito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery’s Yountville Vineyard.

Maturation: Aged for eighteen months in 48% new oak (58% French, 42% American) and 52% older French and American oak barrels before bottling. Coopers included Ermitage, François Frères, Demptos (French and American), Canton (American), Dargaud Jaegle, Orion and Taransaud.
Oak influence: Ample and generous, the palate seduces with its fruity aromas (black cherry, blackberry, black plum) spiced with vanilla. Characteristic notes of violet, black fruit and tobacco blend harmoniously with fragrances of spices, pastry, dried earth and aromatic herbs.
Months in bottle: 1
-/-

94% Cabernet Sauvingon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% merlot, 1% Malbec
The wine is fruit forward, ripe black fruit, smoky, vanilla, finesse, oaky
Palate is dense, with sweet notes, vanilla, shows spice notes, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, med body, med finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    10/30/2023 2:01:00 AM - I do apologise for such a lengthy description of the wine, but since we were given the details, I thought I should share them.
    The wine was as described - and if I may add - and as expected. Big and bold, very ripe and very much in the style of this label, fresh, ripe, with a lot of oak derived flavors.
    Those were 4 long days with wines everywhere to taste, so I went robo - mode and kept taking notes
Red

2019 Black Sheep Finds Syrah Holus Bolus "Franc de Pied"

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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10/11/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

Tasting Ground official tasting, Holus Bolus (Oinoscent): 13.50% Santa Rita Hills
Sourced from a vineyard called John Sebastiano in Sta. Rita Hills, also a cool coastal location about 10 miles from the Pacific. The soils here are a mix of clay loam with a few bits of limestone, though not too much. This block is planted with a “suitcase clone” from the Rhone Valley called the Alban clone. John Alban is a wine maker in our area and has brought budwood over from France. The vines are also planted without rootstock so we call them “franc de pied” or French foot as they are a French selection and not on American rootstock. In the vineyard, the vines produce less fruit, have smaller clusters and make a more savory wine.

The winter of 2018-2019 had good above average winter rainfall (all of our rain comes between December-April) after a very dry 2017-2018 winter. The Syrah was harvested on September 20 under good conditions. Harvest chemistry was 3.60pH and total acidity of 5.3 grams per liter with potential alcohol of about 13.8%. These grapes are partially destemmed, about 70% and 30% left as whole bunches. Fermented with native yeasts for about 15 days in 2-ton stainless steel tanks. The hard press wine is separated and declassified and the remaining wine is aged in about 10% new oak, mostly 300 ltr French oak for 14 months before bottling.

Bottle uncorked at 09.35, tasted at 12.00
-/-
Far more reserve and “serious” than 2019 Presqu’ile Syrah with its deep fruit core and nuanced spice frame. This is not shouting or parading like a peacock but walks slowly at you with the certainty of a big-ass lion! Ethereal and dense, spicy and seductive like a top Rhône wine
Palate shows velvety tannins, juicy texture, , fresh red fruit framed masterfully by a rustic spice frame, med body, electrifying acidity and never ending finish
Outstanding quality! As far as I can remember, this is probably the best American Syrah I’ve ever had

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    10/17/2023 12:58:00 AM - I did try to distance myself and not consider how nice the guys are, when I tasted the wine.
    But the wine is bloody amazing plus I tend to like the more elegant approach to Syrah. I would put this against any Cote Rotie or Cornas.
    And I am probably going to, in a future blind tasting .
Red

2013 Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Villero

 Nebbiolo more
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7/11/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Sampled at Oinoscent during service, courtesy of customer. Tasted after 2hr in decanter
The wine shows typical pale cherry color, fragrant nose, dense core of ripe fruit, sour cherries, floral notes, rose/carnation, fine spice frame.
Palate with tight tannic structure, earthy, the red fruit is underripe, stalky, sour cherry, med body, high acidity, med finish. Still very youthful

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    7/12/2023 8:21:00 AM - Yeah, depending on the day, it might be necessary. But don't worry about it, just send me a message and I'll set you up

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    9/10/2023 11:42:00 PM - Nope lost that too. Please text me again on insta and we can pick it up from there. Thank you
White

2018 Weingut Knoll Riesling Smaragd Ried Schütt

 Wachau more
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6/30/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

10th MW Symposium, Wiesbaden - Day 2: Alcohol 13.5%, 4.6 g/l residual sugar, 6.4 g/l acidity, 3.2 pH
Vineyard: Ried Schütt
At the end of Mentalgraben, a small valley between Loibenberg and Höhereck, Ried Schütt is located on an alluvial fan. After warm days, in the night due to this north facing valley, downstreaming cool air keeps freshness and acidity.
Yield: 45-55 hl/ha, 30+yo vines
Soil Type: Alluvial fan of pure, maigre erodation of Gföher Gneis, with good depth.
Vinification: After selective, manual picking the grapes are crushed with stems, macerated and after some hours pressed. Sedimentation without any additions overnight. Fermented in big, old casks of 10 to 40hl, mostly with selected yeasts at a temperature between 24°C and 27°C, first racking after about 2 to 3 weeks. The wines stay on the fine lees for around 6 to 8 months, they are then filtered and bottled.
Maturation Yes.
Oak influence: No flavouring effect, only aging.
Months in bottle: 2
-/-
Hottest, warmest, earliest vintage, more opulent, milder, better for food
Nice ripeness in the fruit, peach, apricot, vanilla, feels richer, stone fruit
Palte shows tea and chamomile, med body, the acidity feels lower, again warmth, bigger palate than 2016 tried before, med finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    8/16/2023 1:04:00 PM - I see your point, but as you can understand, I'm just copying and uploading all the information we were given from the official booklet of the symposium, so everyone can have access to them. But of course, they could have made a typo here.
    Thank you for reaching out to correct this.
White

2020 Villa Maria Chardonnay Taylors Pass Vineyard

 Awatere Valley more
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2/7/2023 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

New Zealand London Annual Trade Tasting (Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls): A touch flinty, fine oak frame, smooth, buttery, ripe fruit, stone fruit, almond

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    7/9/2023 3:07:00 AM - I love wines from Central Otago. The winemakers tend to be more laid back and their wines are not shouting, the wines need you to be patient, let them take their time to unfold. A 10yo+ Pinot Noir from Central Otago is a thing of beauty
White

2019 Wittmann Westhofener Morstein Riesling Großes Gewächs

 Rheinhessen more
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6/21/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: flawed

Tasting Ground official tasting, Wittmann, A tale of 2 vineyards (Oinoscent): corked, not a lot but still ....

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    6/26/2023 5:36:00 AM - Nope, it was definately corked.
Red

2018 Enderle & Moll Pinot Noir Liaison

 Baden more
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1/26/2022 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Pure Spirits 1st grand tasting (George Lycabetus Hotel): Pinot Noir from Baden, 13.50%
The fruit is darker, cherry, spicy, earthy, oaky, currant, fruit in alcohol, black currant, a touch of olive.
Palate is nice, tasty, low to medium tannins, cherry, sour cherry, medium acidity, body and finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    6/24/2023 3:48:00 AM - No, but it was my first time trying the wine. So, maybe I got a good bottle ?
Red

2018 Nervi-Conterno Gattinara

 Nebbiolo more
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2/14/2023 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Pure Spirits Portfolio Tasting (Oinoscent): Floral notes, cherries, berries, welcoming, fragrant, palate with juicy tannins, thin oak/spicy frame, almonds, some bitter notes in the medium finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    5/10/2023 9:22:00 AM - Its very smooth and easy to drink, nice in the nose, tasty, elegant, its a more ethereal varietal approach.
Red

2018 Raul Pérez Bierzo Ultreia St. Jacques

 Mencía more
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2/9/2022 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

Trofelia Tasting (Oinoscnet): Sampled from magnum
Very elegant, smooth, juicy, nice herbal notes, cherries and cinnamon.
Ultra-smooth in palate, nice and juicy again, velvety tannins, fruity, a touch herbal, feels a bit tired though , lacks strength in mid-palate, medium finish.

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    11/4/2022 5:49:00 AM - Hampe, this was sampled via Coravin (so that could justify the "tired" note), it is perfectly drinkable now, but there is no reason to keep a few more years. You could lose the freshness though
White - Sweet/Dessert

2018 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance

 Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat more
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4/8/2022 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Klein Constantia Tasting (WSPC): In the nose the wine is bright and fresh ,a few rubbery notes that clear off, grapey, apple, pear, tin peach and apricot, tin pineapple, very elegant, with floral notes, quince jam and kumquat.
In the palate the wine is all kumquat, beautiful texture, luscious, a thin oak frame, nice acidity, tin apricot, tin peach, grape concentrate, long finish
Its very smooth in the palate, seamless

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    10/10/2022 10:07:00 AM - Keep in mind that there is a major shift in winemaking after 2013. Everything before that were heavier, everything after that went for more elegance and finesse.
    All of them are brilliant in their own court, if you ask me though
Red

2013 Clos Saron Pinot Noir Old Block Home Vineyard

 Sierra Foothills more
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9/9/2022 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Brouht to drink at Oinoscent during service
bottle no 482/756, 13.40%, 30 min open before tasted. Home Vineyard, own-rooted vines planted on 1980, clay/loam and volcanic ash slope, 1600ft elevation, Sierra Nevada Mountain
-//-
The wines shows slighly hazy color
The wine shows old world nose, earthy, dried red fruit, sour cherry, currant, a touch spicy, thin oak frame, a few floral notes.
In the palate, the wien shows medium body, elevated acidity, edgy tannins, lively energy, still quite youthful, earthy and spicy again, walnut, sour cherry, medium finish
Needs time to open up. Very interested to see an older and younger vintage of this

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    9/10/2022 11:16:00 AM - Are you sure ? Because I also have the 2016 vintage in the wine bar. Maybe they release each vintage when they feel it's ready, but not in a specific order.
Red

2014 Tertre Rôteboeuf

 St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more
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3/23/2022 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: 94 points

Random wines tried during service (Oinoscent): 100% merlot
The wine shows purity, depth, ripe fresh cherry, berry, currant, a touch smoky, coffee, thin oak frame, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pulp-y and juicy
In the palate, the wine shows elegance, ripe and juicy tannins, blue fruit, black fruit, a touch warm, its still tight, thin oak frame, spicy sweet medium to long finish
Outstanding quality

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    6/18/2022 9:01:00 AM - It seems I've been lied to...
Red

2006 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne

 Syrah more
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6/1/2022 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

Tasting Ground official tasting, 2006 Guigal lalala (Oinoscent): 100% Syrah, 11200 bottles total production, limestone clay rich in iron oxide, 2.3ha No decanting as suggested by Philippe Guigal, bottle uncorked at 10:00, tasted at 14:00

The wine shows high intensity in the nose, very dense profile, dark fruit, dark spice, overall a very dark core (!!!), more graphite, a touch coffee, with more time in the glass you get some toffee next to prunes and plums.

In the palate, the wine is still tight, the oak is very much upfront, spice, coffee, tannins are tight, the fruit needs some time to emerge showing fresh juicy cherries and currants, full body and long finish

This is the most backward of all, still needs time

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    6/2/2022 6:06:00 PM - I don't think it would. Apart from the fact that this is what Philippe Guigal and his father before him were doing , I also left a bit of wine in each bottle to see the evolution of the wines. They hadn't changed much, certainly not for the better.
    Decanting would "force" the wines to open quicker but probably to the expense of the wine itself. Mr Guigal said that if they were decanting the wines, it would be for no more than 30min and only to get rid of the sediment.
    After all, these wines are kept in oak for 40 months, they had plenty of oxygen already!
White - Sparkling

2017 Domaine Belluard Vin de Savoie Ayse Les Perles du Mont Blanc

 Gringet more
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2/24/2021 - kostaslonis wrote: 88 points

Pure Spirits Portfolio Tasting (Oinoscent): Traditional method sparkling wine from Gringet which (I was told) is a clone of Savagnin.
The wine shows nice golden color.
In the nose, the wine shows fresh riep citrus fruit, mineral, crispy fruit.
Smooth in the palate, nice body, ripe citrus, pear and green apple. A lot of carbonation offers creamy palate and medium finish.
Halfway between a nice prosecco and sparkling from Alsace.
Refreshing sparkling

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    5/21/2022 3:17:00 AM - noted, thanks
Red

2018 Aivalis Armakas

 Nemea Red Blend more
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11/20/2021 - kostaslonis Likes this wine: NR

Aivalis tasting (Aivalis Winery): This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 35% Agiorgitiko, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 300-600m altitude of vineyards, wild yeast, matured in 500lt French oak
The wine shows beaufitul ruby/purple colour
The wine shows ethereal profile, floral notes, light sweet spices, blue fruit, ripe red and black fruit, dense, iron fist in velvet glove.
In the palate, the wine shows beautiful ripe black fruit, high extraction, ripe blue black fruit, nice balance, nice acidity, great use of oak, long finish
Quite like a high-end Napa

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    1/18/2022 3:54:00 PM - For those in favor of such beasts, i'm guessing 94+. A monster of a wine
White

2014 Hatzidakis Winery Assyrtiko de Mylos Vieilles Vignes

 Santorini more
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6/30/2021 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Random wines tried before service (Oinoscent): Courtesy of a customer

The wine shows high intensity in the nose, powerful oaky profile, oxidative with honey, walnut, butter, lime, saline, Aegean freshness, earthy, almond, tin peach and pineapple, preserved lemon.
The wine shows strength in the palate, full aggressive, high acidity, salinity, mineral, there is almost a touch of CO2 tingle on the teeth, lemon, the oak is more to the back now, the fruit is upfront. The wine shows medium body and finish
Despite the initial reaction, the wine is less heavy and dense in the palate than expected.

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    1/12/2022 3:19:00 PM - I would say 5-10 more years. The problem with Hatzidakis wines is that they tend to have big bottle variation issues.
Red

2018 Realm Cellars The Bard

 Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more
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7/14/2021 - kostaslonis wrote: NR

Random wines tried before service (Oinoscent): The wine was sampled at Oinoscent, via Coravin, bottle brought by importer.

The wine shows dark ruby colour.
The wine shows pure black fruit, ripe to overripe prunes, chocolate and toast.
The palate is big, plush and smooth, velvety tannins, medium to high acidity, broad and almost sweet, full body with long finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    9/6/2021 6:51:00 AM - I guess you could drink them all now if you wanted it too, but I tend to avoid drinking them at such young age. It doesn't mean of course that I won't taste them at any given chance.
    I was not really certain about the state of the wines though, since they were brought to the bar where I work at midday by the importer, in the middle of July in Athens.
    From the 4 wines we had though, the Bard was by far the most drinkable (and probably in best shape too).
Red

2013 Seresin Pinot Noir Rachel

 Marlborough more
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1/16/2017 - kostaslonis wrote: 88 points

New Zealand London Annual Trade Tasting (Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls): Red fruit, spices and sweet oak, the palate is light, tasty, red fruit and spices again, straightforward and easygoing, lacking complexity but would be nice to have on its own, med finish

  • Comment posted by kostaslonis:

    7/18/2018 4:45:00 PM - If I had a case, I would drink them all till 2020, but I'd keep a couple to see how they would evolve (for scientific reasons of course!)

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