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Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 2 *shared,* VERY impressive bottles] from 11/02/18
Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA
Tasted November 3, 2018 by srh with 160 views
Flight 1 - Winebar (12 notes)
White
2015 Famille Masse Givry Clos de la Brûlée
N: Slightly closed; Butter (restrained) with sandalwood & undertones of lemons
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt NICELY counterbalanced by an acidity which dictates the action into & through the LONG, tangy/swt finish with almost a lip-smacking character (because of the acidity). LOVELY stuff for now & prob through '21. My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably for the QPR of this vendor's $18.95, the only source I saw.
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt NICELY counterbalanced by an acidity which dictates the action into & through the LONG, tangy/swt finish with almost a lip-smacking character (because of the acidity). LOVELY stuff for now & prob through '21. My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably for the QPR of this vendor's $18.95, the only source I saw.
White
2017 Sigalas Aα
Unoaked, 75/25 :: Assyrtiko/Athiri from vines > 50 years old grown in black lava, volcanic ash, & pumice soils
N: CLOSED; Minerals?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt deftly off-set by an acidity which lends itself to the LONG,balanced, tangy/swt finish with OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of honey. NICELY done for now & through '20, poss a bit longer. My VG+/EXC-. 89 pts WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is as good as anyone on wine-searcher.]
N: CLOSED; Minerals?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt deftly off-set by an acidity which lends itself to the LONG,balanced, tangy/swt finish with OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of honey. NICELY done for now & through '20, poss a bit longer. My VG+/EXC-. 89 pts WA. [This vendor's $19.95 is as good as anyone on wine-searcher.]
White
2016 Shaw and Smith Chardonnay M3 Vineyard
From the sandy-loam overlying quartzite & shale soils of the Lenswood, Woodside, & Lobethal Vyds @ 1,254-1,815 ft, yielding 3.2 tons/acre; Wild yeast fermented for 15 days in new, 1, & 2 yr old FR barriques & puncheons with partial malolactic fermentation; Aged for 11 mos in new-3 yr old FR barriques & barrels, then bottle aged for 8 mos; 60,000 bottles made;
N: FRAGRANTLY toasty butter (almost popcorn) with notes of flowers
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with LOVELY oak/frt beautifully counterbalanced by an acidity which evolves into a LONG (still developing?) finish with a VERY slight bitterness & a burgeoning swtness. Deserves/NEEDS through '19, then drinking into & probably through '23. IMPRESSIVE in a big, yet elegant style. 13% ABV; My EXC, poss more with time? 95 pts James Halliday, 93 Australian Wine Review, & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $27.95 is $7 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's 2 U.S. listings.]
N: FRAGRANTLY toasty butter (almost popcorn) with notes of flowers
P: Med body; Very RNDISH entry with LOVELY oak/frt beautifully counterbalanced by an acidity which evolves into a LONG (still developing?) finish with a VERY slight bitterness & a burgeoning swtness. Deserves/NEEDS through '19, then drinking into & probably through '23. IMPRESSIVE in a big, yet elegant style. 13% ABV; My EXC, poss more with time? 95 pts James Halliday, 93 Australian Wine Review, & 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $27.95 is $7 < the next lowest of wine-searcher's 2 U.S. listings.]
White
2017 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: Sandalwood with undertones of butter, poss spice; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt counterbalanced by an elegant acidity which, without losing touch with the frt, morphs into a LONG finish with an incipient quasi-bitter flatness? HOPEFULLY still evolving? RIGHT now my VG with a relatively poor QPR @ this vendor's $45.95, which is @ the head of wine-searcher's class.
N: Sandalwood with undertones of butter, poss spice; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt counterbalanced by an elegant acidity which, without losing touch with the frt, morphs into a LONG finish with an incipient quasi-bitter flatness? HOPEFULLY still evolving? RIGHT now my VG with a relatively poor QPR @ this vendor's $45.95, which is @ the head of wine-searcher's class.
Red
2014 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia
Apparently "from 5 ha of prime vyds in Bussia Soprano... spread across 3 separate parcels with vines averaging 35-40 yrs old, with no vines < 20 yrs old;"
N: Vanilla slightly atop flowers (violets?), smoke with addt'l swirling, rest tough to parse; Intensity lurking
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a distinct swtness to the still somewhat puckerish tannins. NEEDS through '21, poss longer, then at least approaching its 15th. My EXC-/EXC, more than likely the higher. 93 pts Suckling, 92 WA, & 91 Decanter. [This vendor's $68.95 is $6 < its closest competitor on wine-searcher's fairly skewed posting.]
N: Vanilla slightly atop flowers (violets?), smoke with addt'l swirling, rest tough to parse; Intensity lurking
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which only somewhat resolves by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a distinct swtness to the still somewhat puckerish tannins. NEEDS through '21, poss longer, then at least approaching its 15th. My EXC-/EXC, more than likely the higher. 93 pts Suckling, 92 WA, & 91 Decanter. [This vendor's $68.95 is $6 < its closest competitor on wine-searcher's fairly skewed posting.]
Red
2016 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir
This Vyd has a cool but relatively dry climate with light silica over sandstone soil.
N: INTENSE ripe straws/red rasp gelatin
P: Med, poss Med Full, body; Rndish enty with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringency which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a VERY slight bitterness & notes of an evolving swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. Approachable now, but deserves another 6-9 mos, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs. My VG+ for now, CERTAINLY more *if* the P should catch up with the vigor of the N! 95 pts ea James Halliday & The Wine Front, 92 Suckling, and Silver_Points_90 @ the '18 Int'l Wine Challenge. [This vendor's $57.95 puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's listings.]
Addendum: Based upon the bottle of 12/29/2018, this was *QUITE* an underrate.
N: INTENSE ripe straws/red rasp gelatin
P: Med, poss Med Full, body; Rndish enty with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringency which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a VERY slight bitterness & notes of an evolving swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. Approachable now, but deserves another 6-9 mos, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs. My VG+ for now, CERTAINLY more *if* the P should catch up with the vigor of the N! 95 pts ea James Halliday & The Wine Front, 92 Suckling, and Silver_Points_90 @ the '18 Int'l Wine Challenge. [This vendor's $57.95 puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's listings.]
Addendum: Based upon the bottle of 12/29/2018, this was *QUITE* an underrate.
Red
2016 Shaw and Smith Pinot Noir
N: Closed; RIPE blk (poss red?) frts; Intensity lurking?
P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins, but also with at least the potential for a burgeoning quasi-bitter flatness. NEEDS into '20, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs or so. My VG+/EXC-, poss the higher IF one's focus the QPR of this vendor's $27.95, which is as good as anyone on wine-searcher. 95 pts Suckling, 93 The Wine Front, & Silver_Points_90 @ the '18 Int'l Wine Challenge.
P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, balanced finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins, but also with at least the potential for a burgeoning quasi-bitter flatness. NEEDS into '20, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs or so. My VG+/EXC-, poss the higher IF one's focus the QPR of this vendor's $27.95, which is as good as anyone on wine-searcher. 95 pts Suckling, 93 The Wine Front, & Silver_Points_90 @ the '18 Int'l Wine Challenge.
Red
2015 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
N: Slightly closed; Ripe berries with vanilla & spice; Intensity lurking?
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which pretty much loses its bite by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a swtness to the relatively few dusty tannins & OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. NEEDS into Spring '20, then (safely) drinking for 3-4 yrs more (though the winery & Jeb Dunnuck seem to think it will still be drinking well in 2035?). My EXC-. [This vendor's $35.95 is $9 < the next lowest on wine-searcher!]
N: Slightly closed; Ripe berries with vanilla & spice; Intensity lurking?
P: MF, poss Med, body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which pretty much loses its bite by the LONG, BALANCED finish with a swtness to the relatively few dusty tannins & OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. NEEDS into Spring '20, then (safely) drinking for 3-4 yrs more (though the winery & Jeb Dunnuck seem to think it will still be drinking well in 2035?). My EXC-. [This vendor's $35.95 is $9 < the next lowest on wine-searcher!]
Red
2015 Klein Constantia Estate Red Blend
44% C.S., 29% Shiraz, 15% Malbec, & 12% Petit Verdot; "Each parcel is carefully identified and blocks are split into multiple portions in order to harvest at the perfect ripeness. Reverse tronconic tanks are used during the fermentation process. Malo-lactic fermentation takes place in 40 % new French oak barrels after alcoholic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 12 mos before blending and bottling." 14.51% ABV, 1.7 g/l R.S., 5.6 g/l T.A., & 3.66 pH.
N: RIPE berries with DISTINCT vanilla & notes of earth; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, pos MF, body; RNDISH entry with nice, almost swting frt met by a puckerish astringency which loses almost all its bite by the LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterswt finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins -- & a potential burgeoning quasi-bitter flatness. NEEDS through '19, poss longer, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs or so. My VG+/EXC-, the higher poss for focusing upon the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's entries. 92 pts Suckling, 91 WA, & 90 Vinous.
N: RIPE berries with DISTINCT vanilla & notes of earth; Intensity lurking?
P: Med, pos MF, body; RNDISH entry with nice, almost swting frt met by a puckerish astringency which loses almost all its bite by the LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterswt finish with a swtness to the dusty tannins -- & a potential burgeoning quasi-bitter flatness. NEEDS through '19, poss longer, then drinking for the ff 3 yrs or so. My VG+/EXC-, the higher poss for focusing upon the QPR of this vendor's $23.95, which puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's entries. 92 pts Suckling, 91 WA, & 90 Vinous.
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Red
2016 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature
79% C.S., 12% P.V., & 9% Malbec harvested Sept 19–Oct 27, 2016 @ 23.0°–27.0° Brix; 14.5% ABV, 0.59g/100ml T.A., & 3.75 pH
N: Smoke & toast atop pyrazines; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which morphs into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, poss through '21, then approaching its 10th. LOTS of potential in a big, yet potentially elegant, style! My EXC-/EXC. 96+ pts WA. [This vendor's $57.95 is $11.64 < than the only CURRENT, VERY early, wine-searcher entry!]
N: Smoke & toast atop pyrazines; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which morphs into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, poss through '21, then approaching its 10th. LOTS of potential in a big, yet potentially elegant, style! My EXC-/EXC. 96+ pts WA. [This vendor's $57.95 is $11.64 < than the only CURRENT, VERY early, wine-searcher entry!]
Red
2016 Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor
Apparently 69% C.S., 20% Syrah, & 11% Petit Verdot
N: CLOSED, but SEEMS ripe with notes of vanilla?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which leads into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, poss through '21, then approaching its 10th. LOTS of potential in a big, yet potentially elegant, style! My EXC-. 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck & 96 WA. IF you've an interest in this, you need to "RUN, not walk" to this vendor's $59.95** as it's an ASTOUNDING ≈ $20 < than anyone else listed on wine-searcher's ALREADY large posting!
**HOPING that wasn't a typo on our tasting sheet! [Also, until I get this entered into a "Tasting Story", the vendor is Vintage Wines, Ltd. of San Diego, CA]
N: CLOSED, but SEEMS ripe with notes of vanilla?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which leads into a LONG, still very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a bitter/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, poss through '21, then approaching its 10th. LOTS of potential in a big, yet potentially elegant, style! My EXC-. 97 pts Jeb Dunnuck & 96 WA. IF you've an interest in this, you need to "RUN, not walk" to this vendor's $59.95** as it's an ASTOUNDING ≈ $20 < than anyone else listed on wine-searcher's ALREADY large posting!
**HOPING that wasn't a typo on our tasting sheet! [Also, until I get this entered into a "Tasting Story", the vendor is Vintage Wines, Ltd. of San Diego, CA]
Red
2015 Wirra Wirra Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Ringer
100% C.S. (vines ave 20 yrs of age) from the shallow red clay over limestone to deep sands over ironstone soils of the Seaview, Blewitt Springs, & Onkaparinga Hills Vyds, elev. 262-787 ft; Fermented in a 2t open fermenter, & aged 17 mos in FR barriques; 13.5% ABV, 0.5 g/L R.S., 7.2 g/L T.A., & 3.4 pH:
Known as "The Angelus C.S." in Australia;
N: Vanilla with RIPE berries & notes of pyrazines; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish rt met by an astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, then approaching its '10th. A relatively elegant style, particularly for AU. My EXC-. [I saw no other U.S. source with which to compare this vendor's $49.95.]
Known as "The Angelus C.S." in Australia;
N: Vanilla with RIPE berries & notes of pyrazines; Intensity lurking
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish rt met by an astringent pucker which transitions into a LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '20, then approaching its '10th. A relatively elegant style, particularly for AU. My EXC-. [I saw no other U.S. source with which to compare this vendor's $49.95.]
Flight 2 - Shared Bottles (2 notes)
These were TRULY spectacular! I can't thank the contributors TOO much! :)
Red
1996 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages
Simon, I *quite* enjoying chatting with you, not to mention your sharing of this SPECTACULAR wine! :)
11,300 cs made
N: GORGEOUS, surprisingly youthful frt, but not something *I* could parse
P: Med body; LOVELY frt met by some firming structure which flows, SEAMLESSLY into the Very LONG finish which slowly, gradually tapers into an aspect that encourages another sip/bite of food. Drinking IMPECCABLY, & I can see it holding for another 3 or 4 yrs more. 14.4% ABV; My Exceptional-. 92 pts WE @ $32, #1/Top 100 '99 WS, 87 Tanzer, 18.5/20 Jancis Robinson, & other reviews accessible via the "Pro Reviews" tab on this pg. [Wine-searcher still showing 2 U.S. sources @ $85 & $150.]
11,300 cs made
N: GORGEOUS, surprisingly youthful frt, but not something *I* could parse
P: Med body; LOVELY frt met by some firming structure which flows, SEAMLESSLY into the Very LONG finish which slowly, gradually tapers into an aspect that encourages another sip/bite of food. Drinking IMPECCABLY, & I can see it holding for another 3 or 4 yrs more. 14.4% ABV; My Exceptional-. 92 pts WE @ $32, #1/Top 100 '99 WS, 87 Tanzer, 18.5/20 Jancis Robinson, & other reviews accessible via the "Pro Reviews" tab on this pg. [Wine-searcher still showing 2 U.S. sources @ $85 & $150.]
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Comments (1)
Red
1974 Giovanni Sordo Barolo
José & Torben: W-O-W !! :)
Had been decanted for ≈ 90 mins
N: GORGEOUS roses, notes of smoke, with undertones of orange peel? Poss leather?
P: LM body; Very NICE frt BEAUTIFULLY off-set by an acidity which pushes the wine into & through the very LONG finish. Drinking OUTSTANDINGLY right now, & I can see it holding into its 50th! Moreover, it still packs the acidity & "frt" to accompany food even @ its advanced age! 13% ABV; My Exceptional-/Exceptional. [Wine-searcher still showing 1 U.S. source @ $80.]
Had been decanted for ≈ 90 mins
N: GORGEOUS roses, notes of smoke, with undertones of orange peel? Poss leather?
P: LM body; Very NICE frt BEAUTIFULLY off-set by an acidity which pushes the wine into & through the very LONG finish. Drinking OUTSTANDINGLY right now, & I can see it holding into its 50th! Moreover, it still packs the acidity & "frt" to accompany food even @ its advanced age! 13% ABV; My Exceptional-/Exceptional. [Wine-searcher still showing 1 U.S. source @ $80.]