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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2023 Turley Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard

 Lodi more
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5/6/2024 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 91 points

As with previous vintages, a playful, subtle wine--floral notes, but also wild strawberry and a vivid raciness and some salinity. Felt the 2022 was perhaps a bit more reserved than the 2021, and now the 2023 seems even more down the reserved line. Will see if a bit of age changes that (as with the 2022).

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    5/9/2024 1:48:00 PM - Thanks for your note. These seem to unfurl with a couple years in the bottle. My last bottle of 2021 which I drank last week was entirely different than earlier ones - more fleshed out and fulsome, less restrained - and better in my opinion. Cheers.
Red

2019 Turley Zinfandel Cedarman

 Howell Mountain more
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12/18/2023 - dariuskoenig Likes this wine: 92 points

I really like the Turley Mountain Zins and Cedarman has become one of my favorites. Less about the fruit (still plenty), more about the savory characteristics that extend on the palate. I am finding 4 years to be optimal for many Turley Zins, rich Zinfandel fruit still plentiful but enough time in the bottle to fully come together and express the rugged and high altitude terroir. This was a demonstrable improvement over the last bottle I had nearly a year ago. Cedarman is a great price point in the Turley lineup.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    12/18/2023 12:00:00 PM - Totally agree with your aging protocol, for the same reasons. Five years is about the same. If you purchase any of the Petite Syrahs, double it (at least). Cheers.
White

2019 Peay Vineyards Viognier Estate

 Sonoma Coast more
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2/7/2023 - silton Likes this wine: 93 points

Terrific balance and verve - one of the better bottles/vintages of this typically lovely wine. I have a hard time holding onto these but a little bit of bottle age gives them a bit more range. With halibut & a citrus/mint salsa, grilled polenta and green beans.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    11/27/2023 3:56:00 PM - Your “balance and verve” assessment is dead on.
White

1996 Tyrrell's Sémillon Vat 1

 Hunter Valley more
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9/16/2023 - NickBri Likes this wine: 95 points

Very honeyed and spice-racked. Some toastiness and only mild viscosity. Crunchy green apples and complexity. Picked it as a Chardonnay at first...

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    9/25/2023 12:54:00 PM - Just wanted to thank you for documenting this. With only 54 remaining bottles in the CT universe, available notes are sparse. I've been holding my lone bottle for the right time...sounds like it might be now! Cheers.
Red

2019 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard

 Paso Robles more
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7/28/2023 - Old Gray Hare Likes this wine: 95 points

Third and last bottle. There has been a consistent explosive, though very well balanced & complex flavor with seemingly a different flavor present in each sip. Plum, garrigue, cherry, among others. Some pepper hints sneak in occasionally. Mouthfeel is on the acidic side but the only blemish is a bit of heat at the end. Third night was just as remarkable as the first. This was definately a WOW experience.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/29/2023 1:25:00 PM - Great note. Thank you. For my palate, the Pesenti bottling overdelivers across vintages, especially at 4-5 years of age. Cheers.
Red

2010 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe

 Nebbiolo more
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7/16/2023 - L.S. Silver Likes this wine: 95 points

Bright colour for its age: garnet with an orange tinge.

The aroma smells of roses and red fruit with a hint of green character in the background, something mint-esque. There is some earthiness but overall is quite bright and floral. The aromatic intensity is moderate, as Barolos go, nothing overpowering but really beautiful.

The tannins have a velvet texture that stick to the tongue but without lasting too long. The acidity is mellow but the wine comes out nicely tart, bright and smooth. The flavour of this wine is amazing and the complexity is good.

I expect this wine will keep another 8 to 10 years. As I understand it, Barolos go through a stage of floral aroma with some fruit and earthy notes before they age into tertiary flavours. I expect this to evolve to the tobacco, dried fruits and leather notes around 2030. This is a really really lovely wine, thoroughly enjoyed!

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/17/2023 8:06:00 AM - This is a really terrific note. Thank you!
Red

2010 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard

 St. Helena more
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1/1/2023 - Michael_D Likes this wine: 91 points

I think I may have held this too long. Still quite good, but definatley past its peak. No acidity to speak of remaining.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    1/5/2023 8:06:00 AM - Thanks for this note. I had the same experience with the 2009 over the holidays - lots of secondary and tertiary flavors. Blind I would have guessed an Amarone. A good experience and experiment on ageability, but won't let them go further than 8 years from now on. Cheers.
Red

2002 Château Léoville Barton

 St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more
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10/3/2022 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 points

2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting (Fribourg): 2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting. Key takeaways: 1/ 31 out of 32 wines were in flawless condition which indicates either luck or less bottle variation in the vintage, 2/ On average still early days with the fruit predominantly primary, 3/ solid hedonistic quality with only few laggards, but also no blow-outs, 4/ structures built on both tannin and acidity, but common mid-palate weakness, 5/ best wines were Valandrau, Palmer and a surprise underdog Lagrange (all 95), 6/ biggest disappointment was a cooked Figeac (87). More comments and full list of wines included in the tasting story.

Tasting note:
Cold black coffee, peppery spice and green, minty herbs. This frames a dark cherry fruit core. Fair to say there is great precision and depth. Palate is well balanced with lots of structure and a leathery aftertaste. The only fly in the ointment was a bit of perceptible heat. Otherwise a highly enjoyable and classic Léoville Barton that could even stand its ground against better vintages. While different in style from Poyferrée, these two were eye to eye in this vintage.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    10/14/2022 11:55:00 AM - Thanks for the detailed notes and packaging it in a story. I have two of the myriad wines tasted, and I really appreciate the notes on those wines and also their stature relative to the others. Cheers!
Red

2015 François Villard Côte-Rôtie Le Gallet Blanc

 Syrah more
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7/18/2022 - Mario17 wrote: 91 points

Nez assez Syrah avec ces notes florales et de poivre blanc. Bouche assez fraîche, élégante avec une belle pureté et ayant de la poigne. 91-92

Very Syrah like in terms of aromatics, flowery, white pepper. Palate is fresh and elegant, nice grippy tannins but with no excess. 91-92

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/22/2022 7:43:00 AM - Thanks for adding the translation.
Red

2011 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Sweetwater Vineyard

 Russian River Valley more
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4/11/2022 - NoahCap wrote: NR

I think Pinot Noir like this isn't trendy anymore among the "cool kids". We're all supposed to like Burgundy these days. This is unabashedly New World Pinot, and, honestly, I think it's great. It's well made and is straight up delicious. I love the Burgundy style as much as the next person, but there will always be room for this type of wine in my book.

Quite young looking in the glass- just a touch deeper in color than your typical Burgundy. The aromas are concentrated, powerful, perfumey. It's not overpowering, but it is the sort of wine that you can smell in the next room as soon as the cork is popped. Fruits are red and ripe, a bit candied, ripe cherries along with grenadine syrup, classic cherry cola aromas. Not much earthiness. In the mouth, tannins are very smooth, acidity is medium, tastes fresh and not at all tired. Fruits are exuberant and super lively. Again, there is that classic cherry cola flavor of the Russian River Valley.

I first became a wine nerd on a trip years ago to the Russian River Valley- tasting my way through many of the wineries in Sebastopol, Guereneville, Healdsburg. I visited the area three times in three years, and haven't been back since. These trips have many wonderful memories for me, and the aromas/flavors of these wines can be so transportive; they will always be special to me. For whatever reason, the Sonoma Coast Chardonnays tend to recall those times more than the Pinots, but this one really does hit the spot. One whiff of the glass and I'm back in a tasting room on the Sonoma coast, watching the fog roll through the vines. Not everyone is a fan of this style of wine, I get that, and even fewer will have the sense-memories that this evokes, but for me, it's perfect. Is this a useful tasting note? Probably just for me.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    4/13/2022 11:55:00 AM - The first two paragraphs are useful as a tasting note, and the last paragraph resonates with anyone who's had that experience anywhere in the world. Thanks!
Red

2018 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard

 Paso Robles more
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2/19/2022 - redhead6971 Likes this wine: 91 points

Anton’s Wine Tasting Notes
Winery: Turley Zinfandel Pesenti
Varietal: Zinfandel and others.
Area/Appellation: California, Paso Robles, Pesenti Vineyard Vintage: 2018
Price: $45 Auburn Wine and Spirits West Wichita, KS.
Color: Opaque dark ruby. Legs: Slow to medium
Nose: Black raspberries, certain earthy ash type component very loamy, blackberry.
Palate: still fairly closed and tight, Black raspberries, black licorice,
Finish: More black raspberries and black licorice certain amount of tannins and structure.
Comments: The acids are in sync with the fruits here and this is really yummy. This is also really young and this will age beautifully from 2025 to 2030.
Pairing Suggestions: Nothing fancy just barbecue pork and barbecue ribs.
Score in terms of Vintage: 91
Score for the Wine: 91+
Value for the Money: Very good
Date Tasted: February 13, 2022
Tasted by: Anton

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    2/21/2022 7:25:00 AM - Terrific note. I really appreciate the detail you provide on all of your notes.
Red

2016 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve

 Sonoma Coast more
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1/6/2022 - SirJ Likes this wine: 91 points

Great PN from Hirsch, but needs more time in the cellar. A little restrained, but much better day 2. The nose shows finesse, but on the palate it needs more time. Wait for at least 2 - 3 years.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    1/17/2022 12:01:00 PM - Thanks for this note and the differentiation between first and second day. I'll follow your rec on hold period. Cheers!
Red

2018 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California

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11/6/2020 - Vinsboro Does not like this wine: NR

Chez Genèse/Compass Virtual Tasting (Home, Greensboro, NC): Dark purple-red. Vanilla bomb nose. Hot. Sweet and viscous in the mouth, with background baking spice.

Editorial: Definitely the house style if you know Rombauer's Chardonnay. It has its fans and place, but just doesn't appeal to me. I originally scored this 80, but removed the score because the wine tastes exactly like the winemaker and Rombauer's customers want it to taste. Not my thing, but it may be yours and there's no harm in that!

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    8/21/2021 7:47:00 AM - I’ll bite. No. Do tell.
White

2019 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Bianco

 Grechetto, Pignoletto more
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8/10/2021 - ocassiuso Likes this wine: NR

Grechetto. Brilliant, pale straw. Citrus and white flower aromas, diminished intensity. Dry, with pronounced acidity and I think some drying tannins and phenolic bitterness. Not fruity: lemon zest, salty and savory. Medium-bodied, 13.5°. Moderate length. I suspect this could use 3-5 more years in the cellar, but I don't know what the outcome might be.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    8/20/2021 2:41:00 PM - This is a dead-on note. Way more accurate than Eric Guido’s this week at Vinous. Lemon zest and saline and savory: bingo! Thanks.
Red

2012 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

 Willamette Valley more
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7/19/2021 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 92 points

Forgot to make a note when we drank this last week, from a magnum. Drinking really well and improved from past bottles, evolving well in the cellar but still plenty of time.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/26/2021 8:01:00 AM - Appreciate your mentioning the format since I have one too and evolution can differ from 750ml bottles. Cheers.
Red

2010 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard

 St. Helena more
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2/15/2021 - guitarguy wrote: 88 points

As with all Turley Zins of a certain age with bottle age, this was on the edge of pruned. In those days the winemaker was looking for ripe and with bottle age, this turns into prune/overripe notes. I’ve begun to drink their Zins in the 4-8 year age when they seem to shine. The nose is more prune influenced, with moderate blueberry and pepper notes alongside. Drink now.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    2/16/2021 10:55:00 AM - Thanks for this note. I drink the Turley Zins at age 4-5, but have held the Haynes (for no good reason, come to think of it). I'll start opening them now, and look for stylistic differences between the Ehren J./Tegan P. regimes. As an aside, the Petite Syrahs seem to age much better than the Zins. Again, thanks for your note and cheers.
Red

2016 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve

 Sonoma Coast more
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1/30/2020 - GTFreek wrote: NR

Burgundian style, tart and a little closed. These wines need time to reach fruit expression.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    1/8/2021 1:38:00 PM - Thanks for your note. I was given one of these as a gift and have no experience with the producer. I'll sit on it for awhile.

    I see you're in NC. Where? I'm in Greensboro.
Red

1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm

 McLaren Vale more
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8/31/2020 - Goldstone Likes this wine: 93 points

Monthly Boys' Wine Night (Eric's House, Hong Kong): Only briefly decanted after extracting the broken cork. Too rushed to make detailed notes after 14 previous bottles. Beautiful but needs another 10 years.. but almost silence-making. I loved this, as always.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    9/1/2020 8:51:00 AM - "Almost silence-making" really captures this wine. It is always a stunner. Thanks for your note.
White

2013 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay Watson Ranch

 Napa Valley more
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7/14/2020 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 92 points

Decanted for only 20 minutes, so the wine continued to open in the glass during dinner. A very attractive - after it warmed up a bit - nose of white fruit, minerality, citrus and white flowers. The medium to plus bodied palate showed stone fruit, yellow & green apple, citrus, and minerality. There was plenty of acidity to balance and cleanse. This is one fine CA chard. Give it some air up front and allow it to warm to cellar temps and you will be rewarded for the next several years.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/17/2020 1:05:00 PM - Thanks for your detailed note. I drank my first one of these a week ago and was surprised at how deep and full it is at 7 years and 12.2% ABV, yet still youthful. "This is one fine CA chard." Indeed. Thanks again, and cheers.
Red

2012 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

 Willamette Valley more
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7/2/2020 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 91 points

Zooming in on 2012 Pinots....and they are zooming along!: Zooming in on 2012 Pinots

All wines pulled and stood upright at 2:00 am then poured through a screen and decanted at 3:30, then immediately transferred to jars and sealed for transportation at 4:30. Wines consumed over 3 hours beginning at 6:30 pm.

Wines for this tasting were 2012 Pinots from California and Oregon, and included the following:

- 2014 Aubert CIX (Starter)
- 2012 Domaine Serene Evenstad Res (benchmark)
- 2012 Hartford Court Far Coast
- 2012 Thomas
- 2012 Le Cadeau Merci Res
- 2012 Occidental Elizabeth
- 2012 Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill
- 2012 Marcassin Marcassin Vineyard

Groups Top 3: (1) D.Serene Jerusalem Hill; (2) Marcassin; (3) Occidental Elizabeth and Le Cadeau Merci (tied). My ratings:(1) Marcassin; (2) Occidental Elizabeth; (3) D. Serene Jerusalem Hill; (4) Le Cadeau Merci Res; (5) Thomas; (6) Hartford Court Far Coast; (7) D. Serene Evanstad Res.

Note: Wines were served double blind, but I knew what they were (I was the server). All wines were very good, some were just better than others...ratings may vary a lot, but scores were all very good!

2012 Domaine Serene Evenstad Res: My last bottle! This was our "benchmark" wine. I picked this wine as a benchmark because I was sure it was a wine everyone was familiar with and would be a good barometer for the tasting. This is a great drinking pinot, and typically a crowd pleaser. Also, it was a good wine to start our tasting with.

The nose was floral and fruity. The palate was dominated by tart red "Dundee" cherry notes, with some earthiness and baking spice, and some toasty oak. The palate was a little reserved (not in a bad way, but would have been better for me if less reserved). Color was dark and finish was medium. A solid 91 point wine and a great to start to a fantastic 2012 Pinot tasting! Hold or drink (doubt it will get much better, but will certainly keep for another year or two with no trouble.)

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    7/3/2020 1:31:00 PM - Really nice lineup, and informative notes. Thanks for sharing so completely and thoroughly. Your attendees are lucky to have you as a friend!
Red

2006 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

 Sangiovese more
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6/11/2020 - tim m wrote: 95 points

Couldn't wait until this weekend to try another bottle so unopened a second one tonight. This was much better. I'd say it's time to drink this. I wouldn't wait a lot longer. Already showing some signs of reduced fruit, more earth.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    6/15/2020 4:10:00 PM - Appreciate your having a second go and publishing the updated impression. Thanks.
Red

2012 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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5/28/2020 - LoireFan wrote: 92 points

The bottle of California pinot noir I've enjoyed the most in a long time.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    5/29/2020 9:56:00 AM - I agree. The 2009-2012 Peay Pinots are really singing right now. Thanks for your note.
White

2011 J. Rochioli Chardonnay Rachael's Vineyard

 Russian River Valley more
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5/26/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 92 points

Showed better than the last bottle. Great aromatics on opening. Pear, green apple and minerals. the oak is well integrated. Medium body and finish. Great balance.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    5/27/2020 6:13:00 PM - Thanks for your note. I've been drinking through the 2011 Rochioli Chardonnays, and find them highly variable across vineyards and some bottle variation within vineyards. Your comment "showed better than the last bottle" sounds about right, and the next one might fare better (or worse). Hope it's better!
Red

1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm

 McLaren Vale more
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5/13/2020 - walkerjfw wrote: 89 points

Its been 4 years since tasting, this was a last minute pull to have with some grilled steaks. Cork crumbled, strained and decanted

Prior notes: "Great nose of black fruits, spice, pepper. Palate repeats with rich dark fruits, blackberry, vanilla, plums, oak. Medium mouthfeel and finish."

Color faded a bit, garnet with mild separation. Nose was primarily dark fruits, leather. Savory palate showing cherry, plum and cedar. Palate picked up intensity about 90 minutes in, seemingly more viscous and expressive...some spice/pepper in the finish. Nose started to show more caramelized sugar notes. Medium weight and finish.

A restrained version of its youth, very pleasant to drink now. Technically past its "prime" but still nice, went well with the beef...almost like an Aussie version of a claret at this phase...

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    5/15/2020 10:00:00 AM - The phrase "almost like an Aussie version of a claret at this phase" is super helpful. Thanks.
Red

2018 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges

 Cabernet Franc more
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5/1/2020 - cjsadler Likes this wine: 90 points

A puzzling wine from Baudry. Blind, would never guess Chinon. On the palate this explodes with raspberry fruit and finishes with tart acidity. I might have guessed that it was some natural wine experiment with a grape that's not cab franc. Ultimately, this is a delicious, gulpable wine (the acidity could use food, though), but feels atypical for the region and producer.

  • Comment posted by Vinsboro:

    5/1/2020 12:00:00 PM - This is a really insightful note. Thank you. I visited Baudry last summer. I loved the wines, but thought some of them looked and tasted like they went through carbonic maceration, at least partially. I'm sure they didn't, but it was surprising. Or more accurately, as you say, puzzling. Thanks again. Cheers.

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