| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2016 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave HermitageSyrah more |
2/7/2024 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 98 pointsBest young Chave I’ve had. Given the amount of sediment and lack of air needed I would have guess it was ten years older. Nonetheless it was very satisfying. It has olive brine, smoke, black pepper and game but only in the background to the generous amounts of ripe blue/black fruit. Plenty of structure and acid but as mentioned below ready right from the start. |
| White - Sparkling |
2013 Jérôme Prévost Champagne La Closerie Extra Brut Les BeguinesPinot Meunier more |
9/8/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 pointsDrank from a magnum that I was told was 2013 (nothing on the label) but the cork showed LC 17. Whatever year it was it showed well enough. Sour white fruit, dried herb, mineral, and some reduction. Drink or hold.
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| Red |
2020 Kobayashi Winery Red Wine v.1Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/8/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 pointsMy preference for Kobayashi leans to the Syrah’s the the whites. As the prior taster noted this does have a kids vitamins element to it. Texturally I also found it gritty. If blinded here I might guess something like a Bedrock or Sandlands Bordeaux varietal but with more weight. Overall not feeling the harmony between the Franc and Merlot here but it does slowly grow on you. Maybe it just needs time.
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| Red |
2019 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry VineyardPaso Robles Syrah Blend, Syrah more |
3/2/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 pointsThis was very likable from the start but better with time. Pitch black and glass staining but with nice acidic lift. Blackberry, blueberry, anise, smoke, mineral, violets… Slight heat especially on the nose that will take time to settle. Give it five years to come out of its shell.
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| Red |
2020 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Syrah Head Held HighCalifornia more |
2/24/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 pointsOpened in the bottle for a few hours. While approachable could likely use a decant. Dense dark fruit, black pepper, dried herbs, mineral and loads of mint. A few points step up from the Grenache.
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| Red |
2018 Cuentaviñas Rioja AlomadoTempranillo more |
10/6/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 pointsThis bottle really benefits from an overnight in the bottle. Not the most exciting bottle but well balanced and soft (but with structure). Plush dark fruit (plum and blackberry), currants, tobacco and dusty earth. Lots of wood on this. Needs a few more years but like mentioned does open up overnight.
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| Red |
2018 MacDonald Cabernet SauvignonOakville more |
9/25/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 99 pointsIn case you didn’t know this is the best wine being made in Napa. Absolutely destroyed the Scarecrow and Conterno Cerretta that we drank by it’s side. Dense black fruit at the core with herbaceousness, mint and mineral providing lift. Clearly young but drinking well now.
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| Red |
2016 VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill RanchOakville more |
6/24/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 pointsIt’s been three years since my last note on this wine. Back then I scored is 99. This time around I’m less enthusiastic but nonetheless still beautiful Napa wine. Like I’m finding in many 16’s a powerful cassis note has come into the foreground. Fortunately this one is still massively structured and tannic and will grow out of it. Syrupy raspberry, red cherry, vanilla, graphite, tobacco and cassis. Lots of lift here from the acid.
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| Red |
2012 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin VineyardSonoma Coast more |
7/5/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 pointsStill plenty of life here. These were bought direct at release and are continuing to improve. Full bodied with moderate acidity and alcohol that’s finally starting to settle. Ripe cherry, strawberry, balsamic, wet earth, prune/raisin and herbs. Given the considerable weight it is not a wine everyone will love. Probably approaching the peak.
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| Red |
2016 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino Collepianomore |
6/16/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: NRYoung and aggressive is right. This is like an Amarone barrel sample. So much alcohol upfront I suspected (kind of still do) that it’s flawed. Brown and syrupy with little fruit other than a fortified note. I will reserve scoring this.
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| Red |
2017 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Saffredi Toscana IGTRed Bordeaux Blend more |
2/24/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 88 pointsDon’t understand the 17 of this wine. Yes it’s really young but it’s also just not great. My last bottles were totally muted ( a year plus ago). This bottle was loaded feral/animal funk and resin/pine on the nose and palate. Yes, I know wines like Brunello can have this element and shake it after several years but this wine is not that. Texturally it’s dense and has what you want but just not right on the palate or nose. Still it’s more than drinkable…just disappointing.
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| Red |
2017 Saxum Paderewski VineyardPaso Robles Willow Creek District Red Blend more |
2/24/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 94 pointsSame impression as last time this is big/ripe/sweet with the Zinfandel front and center. Well crafted as always but bigger than how big most Saxum’s typically are. Saxum on steroids. There’s enough texture and depth to make it world class but probably too much for many.
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| Red |
2019 Famille Dutraive Fleurie Les DeduitsGamay more |
9/29/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 90 pointsNot really my style as preference leans to more polished but not too bad. Plenty of sweet/juicy/tangy red fruit with savory edges. Texturally both effervescent and syrupy. Brown ruby color with a clear rim and a very hazy/murky center. Reminds me of a barrel sample.
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| Red |
2015 Hors Catégorie Vineyards Syrah Hors Catégorie VineyardWalla Walla Valley more |
6/9/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 pointsDecanted five hours. Too young and funky at this point. Nice deep texture and mouthfeel with plenty of dark fruit, lavender, smoke and dark chocolate. Unfortunately the finish is clipped off by a green note. Not for everyone and was easily bested by the Bionic Frog that was also drank.
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| Red |
2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Exposition Three Weill a Way VineyardSonoma Valley more |
5/6/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 89 pointsBought direct from Bedrock in April 2020. Needs about an hour air to open up and gain presence but overall time to drink (and likely peaked a few years back). Medium ripe red fruit, lots of earth, pepper, smoked game and mineral. Overall it just has an old wine quality to it with an overly wet wood/cedar note. Drink now and the 12’s though stylistically bolder are in this phase also.
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| Red |
2018 Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana IGTSangiovese more |
1/24/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 88 pointsDecanted for a few hours then back into the bottle for almost the entire afternoon/evening. Clearly still young and a waste to open now as this literally tasted like nothing. Not sure I fully understand Bibi Graetz and all the critical praise as they always come off watered down to me. Overall this is decent enough (as is the 15 and 16) but Decanter giving this 100 points is a problem. I get that they want to boost some $25 Spanish or $30 California Cab to 97 points (also very questionable) but this is no value play at almost $100. Keep in mind this is the publication scoring $10 Delas CdR in the mid to high 90’s... Overall give it time but will never be more than 90 points.
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| Red |
2018 Realm Cellars The BardNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
2/11/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 pointsMy first note was maybe too optimistic. Yes this is too young but surprisingly inspires no joy at this stage regardless of time open. Muted flavors, harsh tannins and high acid. Not what I want in an under $100 Napa blend. The nose however remains potent and delivers. Hoping time helps.
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| Red |
2012 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin VineyardSonoma Coast more |
7/25/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 pointsPurchased direct at release. Splash decant and back into the bottle for a few hours. The fruit here is still muted but the profile of the wine no way suggests it is too young. Ruby almost brown coloration with strawberry and mineral. It was good but just lacked depth. I’d wait another 3 years and see.
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| Red |
2016 Caiarossa Caiarossa Toscana IGTSuperTuscan Blend more |
7/1/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 pointsBig wine from the start. Green Cabernet Franc notes on the edges give way to ultra ripe blackberry/black cherry, cassis and anise. Other than the green pepper there is not a ton of interest here and actually feels too far into maturity. Nonetheless a very tasty modern wine. Blind would have guessed high end Chile.
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| Red |
2014 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullenger VineyardOakville more |
1/11/2021 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 92 pointsSoft and plush on the palate with dusty black cherry, vanilla bean, cassis and earth. One of the better Nickel’s I’ve had recently but still too musty and sour for my preference. Will benefit from time but doesn’t really need much in my opinion.
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Comment posted by MAXIMUM SATISFACTION:
2/8/2024 1:27:00 PM - Don’t blame me if you disagree! It did keep improving with time open.