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Wine Type
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Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
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Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
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White
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2021 Open Claim Vineyards Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
more
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Opened and let breathe while coming up from refrigerator temp.
Heavily scented with notes of lemon oil, green apple, Asian pear, and starfruit come laced with aromas of baking spice, French oak, vanilla custard, white flowers and paraffin with hints of chalk.
On the palate the medium framed Chardonnay comes with above-moderate acidity and good density across the mid-palate. Flavors hit the palate with firm notes of oak and baking spice that come with notes of baked apple, lemon, pear and star fruit that are accented with notes of chalk and saline, white flowers, vanilla and toasted marshmallow. Long through the dry spice laced finish.
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Red
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2012 Tulpen Cellars Chateau Papa-Chan Yellow Bird Vineyard
Walla Walla Valley
Grenache Blend, Grenache more
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Decanted off the light sediment.
Aromas show a mix of dried rose and other flower petals, herbs, suede, tobacco and traces of white pepper that show notes of dried red fruits of strawberry, cherry and cranberry and hints of red vines and cocoa.
On the palate the medium frame comes with structured acidity, moderate tannins and alcohol. Flavors follow the nose and the finish lingers moderately and pleasantly.
53% Grenache, 42% Syrah and 5% Viognier
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White
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2021 Denison Cellars Chardonnay Eola Springs Vineyard
Eola - Amity Hills
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Eola Springs Chardonay, barrel fermented and aged approx. 9 months.
The nose comes with good intensity of aromas that display notes of French oak set against aromas of fresh lemon, carambola, green pineapple, granny smith apples, river rocks, saline, honey, lime blossoms, and white flowers, that come with a hint of spice.
On the palate this wine shows structured phenolics an above moderate acidity. Flavors coat the palate in notes of mango, nectarine, lemon curd and green apple that come with nuances of jasmine, spice, honey, meringue and stony minerals. The finish lingers on and on.
92/93
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Red
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2019 Denison Cellars Pinot Noir Bjornson Vineyard
Eola - Amity Hills
more
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Fruit sourced from Kristjan’s and Kaitlyn’s blocks on the Bjornson Estate vineyard.
Wonderfully scented in the glass with aromas that show a mix of dark cherry, plum, blueberry, and pomegranate that come laced with camphor, tea, rose hip, potpourri, spice, herbs de Provence, and hints of earth and cocoa.
The palate shows impressive structure with mouthwatering juicy acidity, firm yet refined tannins. The wine expands on the palate showing good volume but remains light on its feet. Flavors come with good intensity and show notes of cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, and plum that show camphor and menthol qualities along with earth, herbs, tea, floral pastilles, and cocoa. Long through the structured finish.
A wine that wholly shows the Eola-Amity qualities.
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Red
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2020 Teso La Monja Toro Victorino
Tinta de Toro, Tempranillo more
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Pre-phylloxera and ungrafted old vine Tinta de Toro. Aged 20 months in new French oak.
Scents of dark cherry, blackberry and plum come streaked with blue and purple fruits, spice, liquid violets, toasty oak nuances, vanilla, cigar box and herbs with trace aromas of fig preserve, fine soft leather, felt tip marker and warm earth notes.
The palate shows good density with an almost creamy texture that works well with the full fine-grained tannins and structured moderate-plus acidity. Suave flavors of black, blue and purple fruits comingle with spice, leather, herbs, floral pastilles, toasty oak and vanilla creme. The grippy finish lingers with a show of class.
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Red
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2013 Herman Story Syrah White Hawk Vineyard
Santa Barbara County
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Corked- Bummer
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Rosé - Sparkling
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2018 Lundeen Pinot Noir Brut Rosé
Willamette Valley
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Gorgeous pink in the glass with rose gold reflections.
This is 100% Pinot Noir that was 90% pressed directly off the skins with 10% having limited skin contact before the wine was blended together. Primary fermentation in French oak; 5 years en tirage; Disgorged by hand late winter of 2024.
The nose show no shortage of raspberry, pineberry, white cherry and strawberry shortcake notes that come with almond, orchard blossom, rose water, biscuit and hints of rhubarb, spice and sea mist.
The palate shows good fruit for an ET, dry with good volume and weight.
Flavors foll suit from the nose with strawberry, cherry and raspberry notes that come with rhubarb and homemade shortcake, almond biscuit, florals, saline and a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. The wine finishes with impressive balance between the fruit and autolytic notes.
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Red
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2015 Domaine Magdalena Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Mountain
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Decanted of the moderately heavy sediment.
This wine is in a beautiful spot right now, loaded with notes of cherry, black raspberry and cassis that are accompanied by violet notes, spice, mountain herbs, and earth.
That palate shows the power of the Red Mountain tannins, that have integrated nicely into this wine and are balanced by the juicy acidity. Dark cherry flavors, infuse with notes of cassis, black raspberry, spice, herbs, and violet liqueur. The finish hangs on with purpose and finesse.
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Red
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2018 Bodegas Pintia Toro Pintia
Tinta de Toro, Tempranillo more
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Detailed with notes of dark cherry and plum fruit that comes with scents of aged balsamic, luxury chocolate, fine leather, vanilla, cigar tobacco, spice, and floral pastilles with hints of sandalwood.
The palate is seamless and elegant with suave fine-grained tannins, structured acidity and the abv which is well integrated into the wine. With an almost creamy texture the mouth is full of silky textures. The wine feels fresher than previous vintages and more finessed. Big but polished. This should age exceptionally well.
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Red
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2015 Herman Story Grenache Bien Nacido
Santa Maria Valley
more
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Detailed with wild strawberry and framboise notes that come with scents of exotic spice, shisha, jasmine tea, floral pastilles, Vosges Naga milk chocolate fondue, sassafras, cinnamon and ylang ylang.
The palate is lush and warming like a velvet blanket on a winter night. Spicy with exotic spices that are woven with strawberry preserves, framboise, wild berries, florals, hookah smoke, tandoori, and jasmine that linger through the finish with the full abv.
I have long said Russell's best work is with Grenache!
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White
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2021 Fernand & sons Coteaux du Giennois Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc more
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On the nose this wine presents with a huge amount of greenness; cut grass, green bell pepper, herbs and dare I say it... a fresh can of tennis balls. Scents of flint and gooseberry come in tow as well.
The palate shows high acidity and a touch of phenolic bitterness. More savory flavors than fruit here, with the "green" quality most prevalent. The wine finishes sternly with a flinty quality.
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Red
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2009 Force Majeure Collaboration Series IV Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
Red Mountain
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Decanted off the moderate-plus sediment and left to breathe.
Aromas hit the nose with moderate-plus intensity and notes of star anise, cardamom spice, graham, dried herbs, bay leaf and mocha combine with notes of cassis, muddled plum, blackberry that come laced with nuances of vanilla, violet pastilles, worn leather, earth and mushroom.
The palate shows a medium-plus frame with juicy acidity and firm smoothed out tannins. The flavor profile follows the nose leading with the fruit notes of cassis, plum, blackberry that bring in the spice, mocha, earth and herb notes. Moderate through the finish. Still drinking well.
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Red
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2014 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Kiona Vineyards
Red Mountain
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Definitely a wine that needs some airtime, but once allowed to unpack a little notes of cedar and cigar box are still dominant and come with notes of juniper, sandalwood and spices come laced with notes of bay leaf, herbs, briar, bell pepper, smashed blackberry and cassis while notes of dark chocolate, polished leather, and coffee grounds chime in all with a warming sensation from the ABV.
On the palate the wine remains oak dominant. Acids are moderate plus while tannins remain broad shouldered and firm. The palate has a streak of vegetal greenness that is slightly off-putting at first but fades to bring in the notes of coffee, dark chocolate, cassis, blackberry, vanilla and creme de violette. The wine finishes with a firm touch.
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Red
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2010 Côte Bonneville Syrah DuBrul Vineyard
Yakima Valley
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Decanted off the moderate plus sediment.
The nose suggests a more feminine style Syrah that has aged gracefully; notes of violets and lilac come laced with scents of sandalwood, blueberry and huckleberry fruits with touches of marionberry, spice, toasted star anise and caraway seed, leather and hints of olive, earth and oak.
The palate well integrated tannins and a juicy core of acidity that leaves the mouth salivating. Flavors are smooth and interlaced nicely with notes of blueberry cream and huckleberry fruits, violets, spice, leather, anise and caraway. The wine finishes effortless and elegant.
this has aged exceptionally well.
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Red
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2017 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir The Puncheon
McMinnville
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Decanted slowly of the light sediment and "wine diamonds". Only 30 cases produced.
Aromas of crushed rose petal mingle with scents of spent walnut shells, spice, tea, lingonberry, pomegranate, cranberry, Linzer Torte, sea mist and hints of smoke, rock, earth and herbs.
Youthful on the palate, tight and crunchy even, with slow building firm tannins. Flavors show a burst of wild raspberry, pomegranate, and cranberry that show notes of tea, rose, herbs, spice and saline. Long through the finish. Can't wait to see where this goes.
If you open anytime soon, let this breathe.
Pinot noir from each of the single blocks fermented in open-top “puncheons,” custom-built 500L French oak barrels standing on end with one of their heads removed. The final cuvée is meticulously assembled from these lots, producing a complex and intriguing wine of great depth, complexity and longevity. Aged 12 months in once-filled French oak.
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Red
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2012 Baer Winery Ursa
Columbia Valley
Red Bordeaux Blend more
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Aromas show the evolution of the wine but also the staying power.
Savory scents of herbs of sage and marjoram come with notes of tomato leaf, roasted bell pepper, white pepper and decaying florals play in front of the notes of wild blackberry, plum, dried blueberry, cocoa, and hints of chocolate mint, earth, cigar box and coffee.
The palate shows above moderate acidity that brings lift and liveliness to the wine. Tannins have integrated nicely and are moderate with a velvety texture. Flavors, for me are in a really nice spot right now showing good balance between fruit and savory notes that are woven together nicely. Sage and suede leather come with notes of coffee, cocoa, blackberry, black plum, bruised mint, earth and cigar tobacco. The finish lingers easily.
Decanted off the light sediment.
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Red
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2018 Clos 93 Priorat A la Memòria del Pé El Lloar Vi de Vila
Carignan more
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The 2018v is 100% old vine Carignan, grown organically, fermented with native indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for 16 months in French oak. 600 bottles produced.
Notes of sun kissed strawberry, fuzzy raspberry, lingonberry jam and prune mix with notes of red vines, floral pastilles, cardamom, spice, slate, suede and hibiscus tea. The palate comes with slow building tannins that unfurl with airtime. Long and elegant on the palate.
Clos 93, so called because it was the 93rd winery (or Clos) to register with the Consejo Regulador de Priorat, was created only 10 years ago. The fruit come from vines in the town of El Lloar, where they are just one of two wineries. With some 108 wineries now registered in Priorat, whilst Clos 93 may not be the newest winery, but it is officially recognized as Priorat’s smallest winery, producing just 12,500 bottles.
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White
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2020 Zarate Albariño Rías Baixas Tras da Viña
more
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The nose is packed aromas of ripe yellow apple, melon and canned pear, with scents of Meyer lemon. Yeasty with notes of saline, chalk, mineral, smoke, and an underlying greenness.
The palate shows a suppleness from the lees aging. There is moderate-plus to high acidity and quite a bit of bitterness to the wine. There is a tension here with an almost Chablis like quality. Flavors show the ripe stone fruit notes, prickly pear, and smoky lees with notes that show a touch of flint and linger with hay and a greenness.
Proper temperature matters here.
Well-made but yet seems like an off vintage for this specific cuvee.
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Red
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2021 One True Vine Pinot Noir Summer Dreams Twilight
California
more
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All the feels of Sonoma Coast.
With airtime and once in the glass aromas of Redwoods and Cascadian forest floor, camphor, coastal fog, and white pepper that give way to notes of tea, redcurrant, wild berries, and dark cherry with hints of woodsmoke, graphite and florals.
Luscious and well textured on the palate; a wine that comes with racy acidity and structured tannins. Flavors show good balance between fruit and woodsy, earthy notes. The wine finishes long with highlights of spice, cola, tea, fruit and menthol. Young, but it has the components to age well.
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Red
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2011 Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Lewis Vineyard
Columbia Valley
more
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Decanted and let breathe (which it still needs). Light sediment
Deeply scented with notes of smashed blackberry, cassis, plum and blueberry that are met with scents of mocha, cigar box, suede, black licorice, vanilla, and touches of black pepper, herbs, shoe polish and felt-tip markers.
The palate is full and rich with velvety full tannins and a touch of VA.
Rich flavors of macerated blackberry, cassis, leather, mocha, pepper, liquid violets, anise, herbs and touches of pepper and vanilla creme. The finish is slightly warm and lingers with good fruit intensity.
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Red
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2011 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc The Pearl Union Gap Vineyard
Yakima Valley
more
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Decanted of the moderate sediment.
Nicely perfumed in the glass with notes of dark cherry and raspberry filling with notes of cassis, floral pastilles, vanilla, cardamom, white pepper, sage, lambs ear, coffee, forest floor, camphor, with hints of toffee and burnt sugar.
The palate shows a full, elegant and ripe Cabernet Franc with velvety textures and well-integrated smooth tannins. Acidity is moderate. Flavors show the notes found on the nose with dark cherry, black raspberry, herbs, florals, spice, suede, coffee and toffee. The wine finishes seamlessly. A suave new world CF.
100% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels
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Red
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2011 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes
Carignan Blend, Carignan more
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corked
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Rosé - Sparkling
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2013 Soter Brut Rosé
Yamhill County
Champagne Blend more
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This medium bodied brut rose is delightful showing scents of Rainer cherry, white peach, pineberry and hints of apple that give way to the notes of bloomy cheese rind, milled buckwheat, bread dough, raw pine nut and almond with traces of floral bouquet, Himalayan salt and a leesy character.
The palate is dry with moderate-plus acidity and weight. The compact and fine mousse is playful on entry. The wine lingers on the palate showing flavors that mimic the scents finishing with a combination of strawberries and cream along with floral nuances.
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White - Sparkling
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NV Frerejean Freres Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut
Champagne Blend more
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50% Chardonnay 50% Pinot Noir (old vines) - 6-years en tirage (30% Reserve wine). Dosage is around 3g/L.
On the nose aromas of pain grillé, and almond meal come packed with notes of chalk and sea mist before giving way to notes of slightly oxidized apple, white cherry, citrus, and crushed white flowers with hints of flint and minerals.
The palate comes with above moderate acidity and structured phenolics. Dry and long on the palate with a tight and compact bubble structure. The wine displays no shortage of chalky, flinty and sea brine characteristics with additional flavors of bruised apple, lemon pith, English biscuit, pain grillé, almond, white flowers and hints of sel gris. The dry finish lingers and is compelling.
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Red
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2020 La Ca' Növa Barbaresco
Nebbiolo more
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Decanted and let breathe for several hours to help open up.
From the warmer 2020 vintage this wine shows a slightly more perfumed nose than the 19v.
Gorgeous and layered aromas recall scents of wild raspberry, cranberry sauce, fresh pomegranate that weave into red rose and floral bouquet notes, spice, menthol, orange peel, forest floor, and fleeting hints of leather, tobacco and rooibos. Sexy.
The palate is textured and full of energy on the medium-bodied frame. Very accessible (with air). The snappy acidity works in harmony with the slow building, full tannins and the impressive mid-palate density. Flavors show the vivid red fruits of raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry sauce and red apple that work in concert with the menthol, orange zest, spice, rooibos tea and slightly dried rose petals. The finish is long and so very attractive. This has an almost feminine touch to the classic and traditional side of Barbaresco.
93/94
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