| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More... |
|---|---|---|
| White - Sparkling |
NV Piper Sonoma Chardonnay Blanc de BlancsSonoma County more |
12/9/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 96 pointsThe Sixth Annual World's Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine (Houston, Texas): Retail $22. 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc. Incredible nose of yeastiness and subtle but ripe fruit. Whoa on the palate. Rich, yeasty, complex. Wonderful. Outstanding. 96 Points. |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Lanson Champagne Brut Black LabelChampagne Blend more |
12/19/2023 - Frank Murray III wrote: NRBlind Champagne Tasting--Bring A Bottle That Represents Value: 8 grams of dosage. 50% Chard, 35% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier. 2016 base, with 40% reserves. We were told at the table that this was $18 at Costco currently, which really nailed the theme last night for 'bring a value Champagne'. Some toast in the aroma, then initially grippy and tight, with what I thought was some imprint of petrol. Sweetish kind of fennel in the finish. Not bad for $20!
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| Red |
2017 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountainsmore |
12/4/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 pointsRetail $49? Under cork. I have a limited experience with Rhys and this wine (like the Chardonnay) is listed as an "Alesia" wine. According to the website, the Alesia line is a more approachable cuvée while the non-Alesia line is a wine that is perhaps a bit more complex. I am pretty sure this is the latter, but that is not an option here on CT, for whatever reason. this wine, though? Pretty fantastic with great fruit (Bing cherry), earth, weight, and enough verve to keep it beyond interesting. A pretty fantastic California Pinot Noir.
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| Red |
2017 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Anderson Valleymore |
10/30/2022 - blaine wrote: flawedLightly corked. Still drinkable but not great. Cork looks great. Way above average flawed bottles in my Rhys collection
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| Red |
2020 Linne Calodo Cherry RedPaso Robles Willow Creek District Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more |
11/9/2022 - mikemaan wrote: 95 points2020 CHERRY RED
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| White |
2022 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneismore |
8/22/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 pointsRetail 25€, Restaurant 38€. My son and I just arrived in Como, on the banks of the eponymous lake after a week in France and Switzerland. The six hour train from Lyon was long and essentially devoid of any decent food so we were hungry. I found a quaint place not far from the lake and ordered this as I am a fan of the grape and region (does Arneis exist outside of Piedmont? Good question). We started with some Iberico ham. Holy mother of Jesus. Then Linguine Carbonara—the first of the trip that rivals my own, and then a caprese. Whoa. The wine? Fantastic. Light to medium straw in the glass with lemon, yes, but also green apple and some earth, curiously. The palate is tart, even bracing, with a good balance of fruit and minerality. The fruit never quite catches up to the acid, but this is a delight. Excellent. 92 Points.
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| Rosé |
2021 Henri Bourgeois Val de Loire Petit Bourgeois Rosé de Pinot Noirmore |
11/3/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NRIts fine for what it is, and maybe a bit more than that. But it anit rose season in the northern hemisphere anymore!
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| White |
2018 Raptor Ridge Chardonnay Gran Moraine VineyardYamhill-Carlton more |
6/16/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 pointsRetail $30. Under screw cap. Once I started doing my annual tastings of American True Rosé, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines, Raptor Ridge has often submitted samples. And while my reviews have not always been overly glowing or effusive, I hope they have been seen as honest. I have never visited the winery nor have I met (outside of a recent Zoom call) the owners or anyone associated with the brand. Having said all of that? I really, really want to visit the winery and meet those involved. Why? It seems abundantly clear that the folks at Raptor Ridge are doing it all the right way--trying to produce the best wines while simultaneously trying to do what is best for the planet. Bravo. As for this wine? The pale straw wine with aromas of lemon curd, verbena, and even eucalyptus might be my favorite I have tried from the winery thus far. The palate is fruity, tart, and focused, providing those who fear an oaky Chard respite from the storm. Lovely.
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| Red |
2019 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap Districtmore |
12/7/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 pointsRetail $125. The older CRs were fantastic, truly. I love me some wine with some age on it, one where the fruit has mellowed, even faded, and the secondary, even tertiary elements come out to shine. Yeah. My wheelhouse. So when this 2019 was poured near the end of the tasting? I was skeptical, even dismissive. But holy cow and sweet baby prophet. Whoa. Dark, but short of brooding with dark berry and fleshy fruit, spice, earth, mocha—all there on the nose. The palate, however? Holy goodness: rich fruit, spice, earth, depth, but above all? Balance. The previous wines were all stellar, but this was a notch above. Whoa. 95.
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| White |
2020 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Private ReserveNapa Valley more |
7/6/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Does not like this wine: 91 pointsRetail $48. Big. Ass. Bottle. Under cork. I have had a few vintages of this wine now and while I once thought that the wine was becoming more "modern" with the use of both lighter (marginally) bottles and a lighter influence of oak, this 2020 seems to be a backpedal in both regards. Rich, even unctuous nose, of lemon curd, lemon meringue pie, and a healthy dose of oak. The palate is much the same--this is certainly a throwback to "traditional American Chardonnay" with plenty of oak, loads of creaminess, and oak. Wait, I already mentioned the oak. Look, this is not my style of Chardonnay, but I get it, there is still an audience for this style of Chard. It may be diminishing, but it is still there. And they deserve to have the ability to drink what they like, and this is, frankly, an excellent iteration.
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| Red |
2007 De Ponte Cellars Pinot Noir Baldwin Family ReserveDundee Hills more |
6/19/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 pointsRetail $80. Under cork. Heavy bottle. It has almost been three years since I popped the first of the three bottles of this wine that I purchased back in 2010 and I will try to wait another long while before opening the third. While the incredible community here on Cellar Tracker suggests that this wine should have been consumed in 2017, I beg to differ. Whoa. Gorgeous color in the glass, even if a bit on the dark side for Pinot, with an amazing nose of dark berry fruit, vanilla, hints of oak, spice, and bushels of verve. Whoa. The palate does not disappoint. Holy cow. Really great fruit, followed quickly by the spice, and a whole lot of intrigue. While the critics found this vintage to be lacking and too austere, the locals consider this one of the "classic" vintages, displaying what is best about Pinot from the region. I side with the locals. Yowza.
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| Red |
2015 Cecchi Chianti Classico Riserva di FamigliaChianti Classico DOCG Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese more |
12/21/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 pointsRetail $45. 90% Sangiovese,10% Cabernet Sauvignon. While a Chianti through and through, this wine is both fruitier and richer than most wines that I have tried from the appellation. Great fruit, even over a half a dozen of years out with black cherry and plum taking front stage. Add in some sage and even basil with a healthy dose of earth? Yowza. The palate is also rich, but in an Old World kind of way, with plenty of fruit and a whole lot of verve. Yeah. This is up there with the best Classicos I have tried.
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| Red |
2017 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Redwood Ridge VineyardSonoma Coast more |
11/24/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 pointsThe Third Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir (My House, Houston, TX): Retail $62. A very intriguing nose (a good thing) with not exactly red fruit, certainly not black fruit, but not quite blue fruit. A touch of sweetness, and a rich, wet, earth note. Yum. Really wonderful fruit, great balancing acidty, healthy tanins, and a fabulous finish. OK. Whoa. Outstanding. 94 Points. thedrunkencyclist.com
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| White |
2014 Trione Sauvignon Blanc River Road RanchRussian River Valley more |
8/23/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 pointsRetail $23. When I see a bottle of six-year-old American Sauvignon Blanc in my cellar, I get nervous. Usually, I ignore it since I assume it is likely on a downward slope and once again I had waited too long to open a wine that I was particularly excited about upon purchase (I also want to avoid the inevitable reprimand from my wife who thinks that we should drink every bottle we acquire within minutes of bringing it into the house). This bottle? Decidedly a tick on my side of the ledger. When I visited the winery back in 2105, I rated this wine 89-91 Points, but holy cow has it evolved. Still a very light straw in the glass with just a hint of green, the palate is accentuated by tropical notes (mango guava), salinity, and minerality. The palate? Off the charts. Rich, on the verge of unctuous, with myriad flavors and a finish that lasts for several minutes. Whoa. Had I known back in '15 that this wine would turn out THIS good? I would have backed up the truck. thedrunkencyclist.com
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| Red |
2011 Kelly Fleming Wines Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
4/17/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 96 pointsRetail $200. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I am not sure what I did or whom I flattered to end up with a 12-year-old, $200 Napa Valley Cab, but I would gladly do it all again, whatever it was. Whoa. Initially, this was quite closed and nondescript, but after a bit of time open? Holy cow. Dark, even *really* dark fruit with cassis, bramble berry, and black raspberry, yowza. The palate is dark, even *really* dark, with all that black fruit that introduced itself on the nose, but here accompanied by a subtle tartness that was otherwise hidden. Some earth, some spice, and silky, nearly integrated tannins. Whoa. This only got better once open, and while the $200 tariff (library wine) is steep, it might well be worth it. 96 Points.
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| White - Sparkling |
NV Lanson Champagne Brut Black LabelChampagne Blend more |
3/29/2023 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: NRRetail $38. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier. A new bottle, but similar notes. One of the top selling champagnes in France. And there is a reason: it's stellar. 91 Pts.
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| Red |
2021 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's VineyardSanta Maria Valley more |
11/21/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 pointsThe Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir: Retail $25. Beautiful translucent ruby, wonderful fruit on the nose, close to a black cherry kool-aid, along with earth and mineral notes. Quite dry and fruity, great depth, really fantastic. 95.
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| White |
2016 Chimney Rock Elevage BlancNapa Valley White Blend more |
12/7/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 96 pointsRetail $50. Heavy Bottle. 79% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Sauvignon Gris. Tasted along side the 2020 Elevage Blanc and while the 2016 has more of a muted nose, holy cow. As it warmed a touch, I picked up a panoply of fruit aromas: peach, pear, citrus. There was also a mineral aspect and a slight honeyed, caramel note. The palate is so complex, with great fruit and weight. The mid palate is just amazing. Rich, on the verge of unctuous but completely stunning. While this is not labeled as such, it technically is a Sauvignon Blanc and I can count on one hand the list of other SBs I have tasted in the class of this 2016 Elevage Blanc. 96 Points.
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| Rosé |
2021 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence RoséGrenache Blend, Grenache more |
10/10/2022 - SteamboatMate Likes this wine: 76 pointsMildly Sweet
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| Red |
2010 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot NoirSta. Rita Hills more |
11/25/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 94 pointsRetail $50. Under DIAM10. It has been more than a minute since I popped a bottle of this wine, and I am happy to say, it is doing quite well, thank you very much. It's been more than eight years since Wes Hagen and his step-father, Steve Pepe, had a falling out and Clos Pepe Estate ceased to exist. I hear now that the Estate is up for sale? A cool $10 mil will do it. As for the wine, this is fruitier than I remember and rather remarkable given the dozen years since the harvest. Rich, luscious fruit, the SRH classic eucalyptus, and just a hint of earth. The palate follows suit: rich cherry fruit, incredible acidity, and just a hint of tannin. This continues to be my benchmark for all wines from the region. Whoa.
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| Red |
2019 Metz Road Pinot Noir RiverviewMonterey County more |
9/5/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 92 pointsRetail $36. Under cork. Responsible bottle. Before I get started on the wine, I have to say that it was beyond encouraging to lift a premium bottle of wine and not need sa forklift to assist me in the task. Part of the Schied Family Wines portfolio, the website state a commitment to sustainability. Well, with a bottle weight close to half of other wines in the price range, I am inclined to believe them. Fairly light in the glass with bright red berry fruit (cherry, raspberry), earth, spice, and, well, verve, I could not wait to taste this wine. Yowza. Bright, fruity, balanced, earthy, this wine checks all of the boxes. And while it might fall just short of "Whoa" worthiness, it is a stellar wine in every respect.
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| Red |
2018 Chalk Hill Pinot Noir Sonoma Coastmore |
12/24/2020 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 90 pointsRetail $29. While Chalk Hill is almost synonymous with Chardonnay, this relatively affordable Pinot is quite impressive. Black cherry, a bit freshly tilled earth, vanilla, and a slight meaty component characterize the nose of this garnet/crimson, nearly translucent wine. The palate comes off a bit thin, but there is plenty of nuance here, and the wine continues to develop complexity the longer it remains in the mouth. Excellent. thedrunkencyclist.com
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| White - Sparkling |
NV Mailly Champagne Grand Cru Brut RéserveChampagne Blend more |
10/22/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 pointsRetail $50. 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay. 100% Grand Cru. Another bottle and another evening of lamenting how much I love this wine but am dismayed by the rather meteoric rise in its retail price. Similar notes again, but my reviews of this wine are likely limited. Too bad as this is really good stuff (although this bottle seems to be a little less so).
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| Red |
2019 Sanford Pinot Noir Block 5 Sanford & Benedict VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
11/21/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 91 pointsThe Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir: Retail $92. Rich, almost stewed fruit, with a meatiness and a bit of barnyard. Fruity and balanced on the palate with a zingy tartness. Nice. 91 points.
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| White - Sparkling |
NV Gruet Winery Cuvée 89 BrutNew Mexico Champagne Blend more |
3/1/2021 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 89 pointsRetail $15. 100% (?) Chardonnay. When I saw this wine on the clearance shelf in my local grocery store (I love my H-E-B!) at 50% off, I was intrigued--just about any traditional method sparkler is worth a flyer at that price. When I looked a little closer at the label and saw that it was made by Gruet, one of my favorite domestic producers, I grabbed six bottles (and paid for them, naturally). That is about all I know about this wine ("89" was the year that the New Mexico winery was founded). One sight said it was a Chardonnay, but I have yet to verify that claim. Deep golden color in the glass, to the point of a fear of oxidation (it's not). Ripe pear and peach dominate the nose with a smattering of yeastiness. The palate is rather austere (I imagine the dosage is fairly low) with good fruit flavors and plenty of mineral notes. More character, perhaps than the standard Brut from Gruet, this is a wonderful diversion--too bad I can't find any more information (or any more bottles)!
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Comment posted by The Drunken Cyclist:
1/15/2024 11:40:00 PM - Well, yes. I tasted it blind with 49 other domestic sparklers with other wine writers here in Houston. One of the top wines on all accounts. Sorry?