| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
1998 Penfolds Bin 389South Australia Cabernet-Shiraz Blend, Red Blend more |
6/22/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 92 pointsYes, any doubts about Penfolds 389 from a superb vintage aging gracefully should be dispelled. This not only delivered concentrated, bountiful and focused fruit on night one, but was even showier and generous on night 2--after Argon gas preservative. Having said this, I would be reticent to hold this much longer. It's a brooding delicious value--if you bought it way back when--but it's so glorious now, I would not chance this going on longer. At 22 years it belies its modesty; first rate but drink me! |
| Red |
2000 Château BourgneufPomerol Red Bordeaux Blend more |
6/7/2020 - Arturoonwine Does not like this wine: 80 pointsThis one is past its prime. It’s mellow but the fruit is barely there. The acids come out strongly without any requisite matching body. The wine is drinkable but really offers no pleasure anymore-it’s too late. If you have any give it a shot, but drink it right off; and certainly don’t keep it for a second night. |
| Red |
2010 Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Copertino RiservaNegroamaro more |
6/5/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 90 pointsThis one got a 91 rating in the latest wine spectator. A 10-year-old wine at $15 a bottle seemed like an incredible bargain. Well, I found it for $10 a bottle!, and I bought all 11 bottles they had. Not a mistake. The wine has the smell of aging in older barrels and a little bit of brett is definitely there. Having said that, it’s balanced, smooth, characterful and above all—interesting. If you can find some I would definitely go out and get. This is the perfect pasta pizza wine where you can actually have something to discuss while enjoying. Different from Salice Salentino, but based on the same grape variety. |
| Red |
2007 Clos du Val Pinot Noir Carnerosmore |
5/31/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 88 pointsSo, who hasn’t had a mixed experience with Clos du Val? At 13 years of age, this is a healthy, structured wine with good bones and a square-shouldered profile. Isn’t this really always the case with CdV wines? For me, all of their reds scream for bottle age, and their decidedly French approach to Napa Valley is as predictable as hurricanes in September. |
| Red |
2009 Terre da Vino Barbaresco La Casa in CollinaNebbiolo more |
5/31/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 88 pointsI’ve written reviews, and gotten paid for them, for over 20 years. I am not embarrassed to say I misjudged on this one. This was an ugly duckling a few years ago, allacid, tannin and Brett. But it has remarkably turned into a very decent drink. It has all the hallmarks of identifiable nebbiolo. It won’t win awards for finesse or a well-integrated finish, but it’s satisfying and delivers earthy pleasure now at 11 years of age. If you have some, and I know many people bought this on the WTSO website, it’ll offer you satisfaction over the next few years. Actually has the stuffing to improve some! |
| Red |
1998 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich RonchiNebbiolo more |
5/27/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 94 pointsIf you still have some and have waited 22 years you’re in for a glorious treat. Overtly floral, with sweet mountain fruit on the nose, joined by decadent, integrated fading roses and forest floor all in wrapped in velvet. Pure silk in the mouth with the famous pinot noir analogy coming through here. Texture is middle weight, not a touch heavy handed but so satisfying with each sip. I think this is at absolute peak, but so many will have drunk this too soon. In a good vintage, this wine needs 20 years in the cellar. |
| Red |
2003 Château Beau-Séjour BécotSt. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/26/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 89 pointsGee, I don’t want to rain on the parade here, but I think this wine—and my bottles are healthy—definitely shows the issues with 2003. The bouquet is seductive and outgoing but it shows some of the green that probably came from having to pick too early to prevent raisining and extreme alcohol. The mouth texture is chewy but again with green elements; a bit plodding in its weight and without much grace. I think this is a super estate that regardless shows the difficulty of the year. I cannot say I love it and it is definitely time to drink. Please consider this as a wake up call to your cellar. |
| Red |
1998 Château BonalguePomerol Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/23/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsThis wine is at its peak with no downside. It is the texture of silk with expressive nose of berry, sweet earth and velvety mouth texture. It drinks far above its weight class and I would easily use this as a textbook example of what merlot does in the proper soil. So easy to love and I would consider drinking up--not because it's tired, but because it's showing all so very nicely now. Tannins are resolved but not gone. Balance is wonderful. |
| Red |
2010 Antonio Vallana e Figlio Spanna Cuvee Bernardo VallanaColline Novaresi Nebbiolo more |
5/23/2020 - Arturoonwine wrote: 92 pointsI bought a case of this so have the ability to taste as the years progress. Unlike Vallana's regular Spanna bottling and the supposedly lighter Campi Raudii bottling, this top of the line bottle is a puzzle. Although light in body, it remains tight as a drum with unexpressive nose, ripe but light mouth texture and simple, charmless flavors. I agree with other posts that this is far better after 24 hours. The nose begins to express pressed roses and mountain red currants. Flavors also begin to soften but with little complexity. Having experience with this estate going back to vintages from the '60's (!), this strikes me as one of those wines that will be much better left to our children. I would keep it under wraps for decades! 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2) |
| Red |
2001 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Countymore |
5/23/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsMay I add my kudos to Mark Lyon, now of Eco Terreno Wines, for his early masterworks @ Sebastiani. This wine is still so very vibrant, with sweet fruit, warm berry compote on the nose and palate, plus a wonderful melding of oak underpinning that seals it all around. This is a triumph 19 years later and, at an original cost around $15, some value. If you have any--well stored of course--enjoy! No rush!! |
| Red |
2008 Sterling Vineyards Vintner's Collection MeritageCentral Coast Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/30/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 90 pointsRemarkable how few comments there are regarding this Meritage. It’s a central coast blend, predominately Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol is 13.5 and the balance is very good. Perhaps this wine only needed some bottle age, at a price point where most people would not cellar it. A nicely crafted wine giving great pleasure at 12 years of age. Beats most cheapie bordeaux running away. |
| Red |
NV Austin Hope Troublemaker Blend 1Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend more |
4/28/2020 - Arturoonwine wrote: 85 points10 years in the bottle has not hurt this one, but it hasn’t helped much either. It’s still got a jammy mouth feel, with a nice herbal quality on the nose and finish. It’s just too sweet but, more importantly, the alcohol feels weighty and a bit ponderous. Still healthy and happy but there’s just too much there there... |
| Red |
2016 FEL Pinot Noir Savoy VineyardAnderson Valley more |
4/7/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 93 pointsIf you can still find this, try it for the individual that it is. Don’t compare to Cote de Beaune burgundy, but rather revel in the beauty of Mendocino Pinot Noir. Completely satisfying, round, sensuous and delicious. It’s $40 plus price tag is a steal to anything comparable in burgundy. Cliff Lede’s hand shows in this balanced, 13.7% alcohol beauty. Drink it now and over the next 18 months. |
| Red |
2012 Château Lilian LadouysSt. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend more |
4/3/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 92 pointsGorgeous deep, brooding color. It’s a beauty—typical St. Estephe in its direct, powerful ‘un-pretty style that’s a throwback to those who like it direct, saturated and satisfying. Showing great tonight and will not disappoint. I’m almost reticent to let everyone in on this bargain. You’re welcome! |
| Red |
2000 Château Gruaud Larose La Roseraie de Gruaud LaroseSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/28/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 90 pointsAnyone know what this wine truly is? Some say it’s the third wine of Chateau Gruaud Larose, in the same way that ”Pauillac” is the third wine of Chateau Latour. But I’m just not sure. Anyway, this one is a delight; soft, focused, ephemeral, fragrant and totally evolved. Clearly, in this great vintage, they felt it was a useful bottling. If you were to have access to this wine, I would definitely not hesitate if properly stored. An eye opening pleasure. |
| Red |
2012 Château ArnauldHaut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend more |
3/26/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 92 pointsThis wine is drinking fantastically now and is a big surprise. A special bottling from Chateau Larose Trintaudon, this has it all. Beautiful perfume, tender mouth texture and just the right acidity for meal matching. It’s not cheap but it is a testament to the huge holdings of this estate and what they can do with careful selection and aging in 100% new wood. You won’t be disappointed. |
| Red |
2007 Il Chiosso FaraNebbiolo more |
2/26/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsThis wine is austere and that won’t change. Having said that, it is filled with the sweet nose of dried roses, cherry and the ethereal notes that mountain Nebbiolo produces. It’s seductive on the nose whereas the mouth texture is dry and a bit lean. Not thin or lacking, just long, lean and refreshing. If you’re looking for a fascinating accompaniment to game birds or rustic fare, this wine grows on you. |
| Red |
1978 Angelo Papagni ZinfandelMadera more |
1/2/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 92 pointsProbably no one will ever read this. A 42-year-old Zinfandel made by Angelo Papagni with a California Appellation. Still wonderfully deep in color, with plums towards prune on a Brambley singed compote. Juicy and healthy if a bit vegetal. I wish I could have met Mr. Papagni who seems to have worked his magic with such love and devotion. I remember drinking his barbers and especially his Charbono years and years ago. This wine was so much fun to share tonight. BTW—this wine continued to be ravishing on a second night, (under argon gas preservation) it’s massive fruit carrying over and transforming the wine’s ‘gutsiness’ even further. I wish everyone could taste this formidable effort. |
| Red |
2000 La Grange Neuve de FigeacSt. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/2/2020 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsSweet, ‘pretty’, sensual fruit that beguiles you. Remarkably, this STILL needs time to be coaxed into form! Develops for hours in the glass. The bouquet of cedar-wrapped, glowing fruit emerges right away, but the flavor interest, body and texture takes its time. Be sure to uncork 2-3 hours ahead, or decant, in order to get the creaminess of this terrific vintage. |
| Red |
2004 Alkoomi Black Label Shiraz ViognierFrankland River Shiraz Blend, Syrah more |
12/29/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsStill kicking, this is almost like a ‘first harvest’ wine. Springtime fresh, sweet berry, graceful lifting nose. Not heavy at all, almost pinot noir-like. This may sound odd and it’s very ready to drink, but overall delightful and retaining liveliness. |
| Red |
2006 Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGTSangiovese Blend, Sangiovese more |
12/27/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 96 points85% Sangiovese, 15% Malvasia nera. Structure, texture, wonderfully balanced with typical Sangiovese acidity that keeps it all lithe. Here’s the thing~it’s STILL young! I enjoyed it on night one as it grew and developed in the glass—a good wine. But on night two—after argon gas preservative, it was stunning. The coming together of all these ripe, fabulous elements increased the pleasure to exceptional heights. If you only have one, keep it for 3-4 years. If you can’t wait, or want to try one now, uncork in the morning and pour that night. If properly stored it is only beginning what it can be. 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2001 McWilliam's Shiraz Coonawarramore |
12/25/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 90 pointsJust a quick note. McWilliams recommended that this should be drunk by 2010, but I still found it vibrant with cassis and plum supported by good acid and refreshment profile. The single vineyard fruit really comes together in a dusty, smooth texture that is deft and gains with each sip. |
| Red |
1997 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet SauvignonSanta Cruz Mountains more |
12/25/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 96 pointsWow! Dusky, intense mountain fruit-direct with iodine/leathery element, laser-driven and fabulous perfume of high octane but pinpoint energy. Old world styling that’s not overweight, dagger-like on a perfect medium frame. Acidity is perfect as well, drawing out this amalgam of 75% cab, 23 % merlot and 2# cab franc. Lithe, perfectly ripened fruit. That elusive quality of grace, without leanness or undernourishment. A joy. |
| Red |
2008 Lisini Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese more |
12/17/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 91 pointsConflicting notes here. This is a beautiful wine that is simply over-oaked. ‘08 simply doesn’t have the ‘stuffing’ for the 42 months of large oak barrels Lisini uses. A dark,deft brooding nose of warm, dark cherry, violets and roses. Satisfying deep flavors w/super acids, but the finish screams and dryness with a mean and bitter finish. Having said all this, the Lisini name will never deliver a bad Brunello. It’s good—But drink it NOW while the fruit still sings. |
| Red |
2005 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines Louvau VineyardDry Creek Valley more |
12/17/2019 - Arturoonwine Likes this wine: 92 pointsCan14 years be the magic number for a dense Zin of impeccable ripeness and balance? Blackberries, black raspberries, sweet baby Italian plum all add up to wonderful freshness and acidity. Today people are falling over themselves for single-vineyard, old vine zins. 14 years ago this stood out as a holy vineyard producing magnificent balance and lengthy flavors. If you can, find yourselves any example of Louvau, Dry Creek Zin. I suggest waiting for 6-7 years from the vintage date for optimal enjoyment. Tiny production—worth the search. |
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- Tasting notes: 93 notes on 93 wines
