Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Winebar [4 Whites, 5 Reds, & 5 *shared* Bottles] from 10/19/18
Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted October 20, 2018 by srh with 167 views
Flight 1 - Winebar (9 notes)
White
2017 Sigalas Aα
Unoaked, 75/25 :: Assyrtiko/Athiri from vines > 50 years old grown in black lava, volcanic ash, & pumice soils
N: Minerals with undertones of gun flint
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by ALMOST puckerish acidity which transitions into a LONG, init still tangy finish, but ULT showing a balanced tangy/swtness with hints of honey. IMPRESSIVE, but the acidity COULD be an issue for some. For not & probably through '21. My EXC-. 89 pts WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is $3 < wine-searcher's next lowest price.]
N: Minerals with undertones of gun flint
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by ALMOST puckerish acidity which transitions into a LONG, init still tangy finish, but ULT showing a balanced tangy/swtness with hints of honey. IMPRESSIVE, but the acidity COULD be an issue for some. For not & probably through '21. My EXC-. 89 pts WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is $3 < wine-searcher's next lowest price.]
White
2016 Domaine Costal Chablis Les Truffières
From 20 yr old vines grown in the limestone soils of the 1.26 ha Truffières Vyd located in the commune of Villy, N of the town of Chablis; Vinified in s/s where it's aged for another 10 mos in stainless steel prior to spending 3 mos in demi-muid barrels (600-L); Neither cold-stabilized, fined, nor filtered
N: Slightly closed; Butter (or at least SOMETHING wood oriented) atop honey with minerals WAY underneath?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt met by a tangy acidity which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, tangy/swt (60:40) finish with the outside POSSIBILITY of an incipient quasi-bitter flatness? For now & poss through EARLY '21, + could improve for the next 6 mos or so. LOTS of substance for "village" level, & my EXC- might well be an underrate. [This vendor's $23.95 is $6 < wine-searcher's next lowest current listing.]
Note: While "butter" is, at the least, uncommon in Chablis, this bottling IS a collaboration between Kermit Lynch & the Collett Family, and I recall seeing a video of Kermit on Wine Library T.V. where he expresses his personal dislike of malic acid.
N: Slightly closed; Butter (or at least SOMETHING wood oriented) atop honey with minerals WAY underneath?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt met by a tangy acidity which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, tangy/swt (60:40) finish with the outside POSSIBILITY of an incipient quasi-bitter flatness? For now & poss through EARLY '21, + could improve for the next 6 mos or so. LOTS of substance for "village" level, & my EXC- might well be an underrate. [This vendor's $23.95 is $6 < wine-searcher's next lowest current listing.]
Note: While "butter" is, at the least, uncommon in Chablis, this bottling IS a collaboration between Kermit Lynch & the Collett Family, and I recall seeing a video of Kermit on Wine Library T.V. where he expresses his personal dislike of malic acid.
White
2016 Ojai Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: CLOSED; Butter slightly atop lemons/minerals?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt splendidly counterbalanced by a tangy acidity which morphs into a LONG, ULT tangy/swt finish. DESERVES/needs into mid '19, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs, quite poss more. Artfully done! 13% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]
N: CLOSED; Butter slightly atop lemons/minerals?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE oak/frt splendidly counterbalanced by a tangy acidity which morphs into a LONG, ULT tangy/swt finish. DESERVES/needs into mid '19, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs, quite poss more. Artfully done! 13% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. [Check with this vendor if interested in their very COMPETITIVE price.]
White
2016 Foxen Chardonnay Block UU Bien Nacido
Davis Clones 04 and 05 yielding around 2.5 tons/acre; Whole cluster pressed on gentle cycle with spontaneous fermentation in 100% FR oak puncheons (20% new); Aged sur lies for 8 mos; 1,450 cs bottled June 12, 2017; 13.2% ABV, 0.924 g/100ml T.A., & 3.21 pH.
N: Butter slightly atop lemons with undertones of minerals
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish OAK/frt met by some ALMOST astringent acidity which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slight bitter, but ULT toasty, swtish finish. For now & through '21 (IF the oak doesn't go power crazy), + could well improve for 6 mos or so. My EXC-. 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck, and 91 ea WA & WE @ $34. [This vendor's $28.95 puts it in the very bottom of the TOP quartile of wine-searcher's postings.]
N: Butter slightly atop lemons with undertones of minerals
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish OAK/frt met by some ALMOST astringent acidity which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slight bitter, but ULT toasty, swtish finish. For now & through '21 (IF the oak doesn't go power crazy), + could well improve for 6 mos or so. My EXC-. 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck, and 91 ea WA & WE @ $34. [This vendor's $28.95 puts it in the very bottom of the TOP quartile of wine-searcher's postings.]
Red
2016 Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Old Vines
1.040 cs bottled unfined & unfiltered
N: Smoke, cherries, poss a "grn' note? Straws with swirling; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by some astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NICELY done! Deserves another yr or so, then drinking for the ff 3-4. 12.8% ABV; My EXC-, poss EXC with a bit of cellaring. 96 pts WA & 94 Prince of Pinot (with a Pinot Geek) @ $42. [This vendor's $35.95 is ≈ $4 < than anyone else on wine-searcher!]
N: Smoke, cherries, poss a "grn' note? Straws with swirling; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by some astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NICELY done! Deserves another yr or so, then drinking for the ff 3-4. 12.8% ABV; My EXC-, poss EXC with a bit of cellaring. 96 pts WA & 94 Prince of Pinot (with a Pinot Geek) @ $42. [This vendor's $35.95 is ≈ $4 < than anyone else on wine-searcher!]
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2016 Ojai Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard
Should you be interested, I’ve uploaded info for this vintage which you can peruse at your leisure. 😉
N: FRAGRANTLY RIPE straws, poss red rasps; Notes of smoke?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly astringent finish with hints of swtness to come. NEEDS through '20, then drinking for 3 or 4 yrs more. 13.0% ABV; My EXC, & with the potential for at least a notch more? [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price.]
N: FRAGRANTLY RIPE straws, poss red rasps; Notes of smoke?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly astringent finish with hints of swtness to come. NEEDS through '20, then drinking for 3 or 4 yrs more. 13.0% ABV; My EXC, & with the potential for at least a notch more? [Check with this vendor if interested in their *very* COMPETITIVE price.]
Red
2015 Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva
90% Sangiovese & 10% C.S. aged for 12 mos in FR oak; 14.5% ABV, 5.5g/l T.A., & 3.49 pH
N: Vanilla atop RIPE berries; Intensity lurking
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt fairly quickly met by astringent pucker which transitions into a fairly LONG, somewhat nondescript finish with hints of swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '21, then should make its 10th. However, will the finish come around? My VG+, which, IF cellaring helps, is at LEAST a notch low. 94 pts ea Suckling & WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is as good as any on wine-searcher.]
N: Vanilla atop RIPE berries; Intensity lurking
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE frt fairly quickly met by astringent pucker which transitions into a fairly LONG, somewhat nondescript finish with hints of swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '21, then should make its 10th. However, will the finish come around? My VG+, which, IF cellaring helps, is at LEAST a notch low. 94 pts ea Suckling & WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is as good as any on wine-searcher.]
Red
2013 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli
From vyds > 25 years old in the N. area (Pelagrilli); Fermented in s/s @ controlled temps, then aged in 225 L FR oak for 24 mos, ff'd by aging in bottle; 14.5% ABV, 5.6 gr/lt T.A., & 3.5 pH; 1,660 cs made
N: CLOSED; Smoke, vanilla, berries WAY underneath?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with hints of swtness to the dusty tannins. 96 pts Suckling, 92 ea WA & WS, 91+ Vinous (D'Agata), and 91 WE @ $42. [This vendor's $43.95 puts it in the top 20% of wine-searcher's listings.]
[Neglected to record score or impressions re drinkability; sorry. :( ]
N: CLOSED; Smoke, vanilla, berries WAY underneath?
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with hints of swtness to the dusty tannins. 96 pts Suckling, 92 ea WA & WS, 91+ Vinous (D'Agata), and 91 WE @ $42. [This vendor's $43.95 puts it in the top 20% of wine-searcher's listings.]
[Neglected to record score or impressions re drinkability; sorry. :( ]
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2016 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard
N: CLOSED, but seem ripe; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by astringent pucker which loses MOST of the astringency before the LONG, albeit very SLIGHTLY faint, finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, then drinking for 4 yrs more. NICELY done! 15% ABV; My EXC-. 94-96 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 94 WS, 93 WA, & 90-93 Vinous (Galloni). [This vendor's $33.95 is ≈ $4 < anyone else listed on wine-searcher.]
P: Med, poss LM, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by astringent pucker which loses MOST of the astringency before the LONG, albeit very SLIGHTLY faint, finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, then drinking for 4 yrs more. NICELY done! 15% ABV; My EXC-. 94-96 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 94 WS, 93 WA, & 90-93 Vinous (Galloni). [This vendor's $33.95 is ≈ $4 < anyone else listed on wine-searcher.]
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Flight 2 - Shared Bottles (6 notes)
Red
2015 Casta de Vinos Cirio 4 Barricas (Mourvedre & Cabernet Sauvignon Valle de Guadalupe
THANK you for this IMPRESSIVE wine, Arturo! :)
N: Earth, minerals, & berries with undertones of pyrazines; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by a tangy, very, VERY slight astringency which fairly seamlessly morphs into quite a LONG finish with a very, VERY slightly spicy (cloves) aspect to the very, VERY fine tannins. VERY well made for now & through '21, I'm thinking. My EXC-/EXC.
N: Earth, minerals, & berries with undertones of pyrazines; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by a tangy, very, VERY slight astringency which fairly seamlessly morphs into quite a LONG finish with a very, VERY slightly spicy (cloves) aspect to the very, VERY fine tannins. VERY well made for now & through '21, I'm thinking. My EXC-/EXC.
Red
2005 Château Brane-Cantenac
THANK you for this ELEGANT treat, Dr. Tom! :)
51% C.S., 43% Merlot, & 6% C.F. aged 18 mos in FR oak (60% new); 43% of production
N: Slightly closed; An initial creaminess slowly yields to earthiness with undertones of cherries, & POSSIBLY some (natural) oxygenation
P: LM, poss Med, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by a pucker with very, VERY slight astringency which morphs into a LONG, BALANCED, pleasant finish with a very slight spiciness & a refined swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. DEFINITELY in its "window", & I suspect it will hold another 3-4 yrs without question. 13.5% ABV; My EXC, poss EXC+. 94 pts Decanter, 17,17.5, 17-, & 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson, + NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.
51% C.S., 43% Merlot, & 6% C.F. aged 18 mos in FR oak (60% new); 43% of production
N: Slightly closed; An initial creaminess slowly yields to earthiness with undertones of cherries, & POSSIBLY some (natural) oxygenation
P: LM, poss Med, body; Rndish entry with NICE frt met by a pucker with very, VERY slight astringency which morphs into a LONG, BALANCED, pleasant finish with a very slight spiciness & a refined swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. DEFINITELY in its "window", & I suspect it will hold another 3-4 yrs without question. 13.5% ABV; My EXC, poss EXC+. 94 pts Decanter, 17,17.5, 17-, & 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson, + NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg.
3 people found this helpful
Comment
Red
2014 Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Saffredi Toscana IGT
Dan, you're DEFINITELY "hearing the wines" -- like a certain mutual friend! ;)
60% C.S., 30% Merlot, & 10% P.V. from the soils of predominantly sandstone origin, with little organic substance or clay, of the Saffredi Vyd (Pereta), 250 meters altitude; Fermented & macerated @ 26-28C in inox steel for 15-20 days; Aged 18 mos in 75% new barriques; 14.5% ABV, 5.7 g/L T.A.
N: Smoke, toast atop berries; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; Rndish entry with very NICE frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker (but ALWAYS with the the frt present) as it seamlessly transitions into quite a LONG, beautifully balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins & OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of bitterness. SENSATIONAL stuff that NEEDS through '21, then drinking for 5 yrs or so more? My EXC/EXC+. 96 pts Suckling, 93 ea WS & Vinous (Galloni), and 92 WA. [This vendor's now $59.95 puts it in the top 15% of wine-searcher's *wildly* SKEWED listings.]
60% C.S., 30% Merlot, & 10% P.V. from the soils of predominantly sandstone origin, with little organic substance or clay, of the Saffredi Vyd (Pereta), 250 meters altitude; Fermented & macerated @ 26-28C in inox steel for 15-20 days; Aged 18 mos in 75% new barriques; 14.5% ABV, 5.7 g/L T.A.
N: Smoke, toast atop berries; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; Rndish entry with very NICE frt fairly quickly met by an astringent pucker (but ALWAYS with the the frt present) as it seamlessly transitions into quite a LONG, beautifully balanced finish with a tangy/swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins & OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of bitterness. SENSATIONAL stuff that NEEDS through '21, then drinking for 5 yrs or so more? My EXC/EXC+. 96 pts Suckling, 93 ea WS & Vinous (Galloni), and 92 WA. [This vendor's now $59.95 puts it in the top 15% of wine-searcher's *wildly* SKEWED listings.]
2 people found this helpful
Comment
Red
2001 Henry's Drive Shiraz
¡Muchas gracias, Arturo! :)
N: Dusty, ripe berries with (natural) notes of oxygenation
P: Med body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by a very, VERY slightly puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, spicy (allspice), bitter/swt (35:65) finish with a slight poss of an incipient quasi-bitter flatness. For now & should make its 20th. My EXC-. 93 pts RJonWine & 90 WS.
N: Dusty, ripe berries with (natural) notes of oxygenation
P: Med body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by a very, VERY slightly puckerish astringency which evolves into a LONG, spicy (allspice), bitter/swt (35:65) finish with a slight poss of an incipient quasi-bitter flatness. For now & should make its 20th. My EXC-. 93 pts RJonWine & 90 WS.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2001 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey
Dr. Tom, your generosity IS unending... :)
N: HONEY atop apricots with minerals WAY underneath? Intensity lurking
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with SWT frt & enough acidity to balance. The finish is LONG & satisfying. Could stand more acidity? So probably best to drink now. 13.5% ABV; My EXC. 92 pts RJonWine + NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [Shared @ this vendor's $59.95, the only currently listed source on wine-searcher (assuming it's still in stock).]
N: HONEY atop apricots with minerals WAY underneath? Intensity lurking
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with SWT frt & enough acidity to balance. The finish is LONG & satisfying. Could stand more acidity? So probably best to drink now. 13.5% ABV; My EXC. 92 pts RJonWine + NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [Shared @ this vendor's $59.95, the only currently listed source on wine-searcher (assuming it's still in stock).]
Red
1990 Azienda Bricco Asili (Ceretto) Barbaresco Bricco Asili
THANK you for the *total* treat, José! :)
N: Leather, notes of orange peal, poss violets; Natural oxygenation
P: Med, poss LM, body; VERY nice "frt" met by some astringent pucker (but without ever losing touch with the "frt") as it transitions into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. An *awesome* wine for now & likely making its 35th. 13% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 95 pts WA & (are you sitting down?) 79 (?!?) WS. [Wine-searcher is still showing 2 U.S. sources for this!]
N: Leather, notes of orange peal, poss violets; Natural oxygenation
P: Med, poss LM, body; VERY nice "frt" met by some astringent pucker (but without ever losing touch with the "frt") as it transitions into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. An *awesome* wine for now & likely making its 35th. 13% ABV; My EXC+/Exceptional-. 95 pts WA & (are you sitting down?) 79 (?!?) WS. [Wine-searcher is still showing 2 U.S. sources for this!]