1/26/2014 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Rich, deep golden hue and lots of viscosity in the glass. Nose of ripe orchard fruit, poached pear, golden delicious apple, butterscotch, star anise, nutmeg, honey, popcorn, brown butter, motor oil... Lots of complexity and depth. On the palate, lushly textured, with sour lemon curd, ripe apple, pear compote and honey notes upfront, with lots of buttery and butterscotch notes to support. Nice tartness on the finish. Acid is still lively and 14.5 percent alcohol is in check, although somewhat noticeable. Quite good- remains balanced and complex for all its opulence, and doesn't verge into the territory of being obnoxiously oaked or unbalanced. Still drinking well, although I think now is the time to drink it.

4/30/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Deep gold color. Complex, evolved and ever-changing nose; notes of cedar and dry tobacco (despite no barrel aging), high-toned sweet herbs, pine needles, creamed corn, stone fruit and citrus. On the palate, medium bodied. Almost comes across as forward on the attack, but acid and green notes spring forward on the midpalate, and the finish not only lingers for a long time but continually evolves. Very interesting, but certainly not for everyone.

4/26/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Deep colour. Nose is dense, showing ripe stone fruit, hazelnuts, tangerine and orange, with lots of lactic notes, rancid butter character, and buttery oak. On the palate, nicely balanced, with adequate supporting acidity and good length. Rather oaky, and somewhat bourbon-like. Good. Reminiscent of a California take on Meursault.

4/17/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Fresh and lively nose, with notes of red fruit, sauerkraut, brine, charcoal and pepper. Light and fresh; fine grained, vibrant and herb-tinged. Tart with light, chalky tannins. Here's a charming everyday Pinot that worked beautifully with a roast pork loin. Get a case or two.

4/11/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

High-toned and delicate nose showing sour cherry fruit and floral character, with pickle juice/brine/sauerkraut notes. Toasty and smoky oak use is evident. Somewhat animal, as well. On the palate, lean, lithe and very acidic. Tannins are aggressive and fine grained, and oak isn't quite integrated. Length of finish is above average though. One to revisit in a few years.

4/3/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Clean, fresh and pure nose primarily displaying fresh citrus character, white flowers and deep riverbed minerality. On the palate, balanced and fresh, with poise and elegance. Precise and sharp, echoing the citrus notes on the palate, with some fresh herb and grass characteristics and distinctive minerality. Although not too complex aromatically, this has the class and length of finish to make up for it.

3/29/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Dense and purple. Nose was rather tight, but showed dark fruit- Creme de cassis and blackberries supported by a bit of well integrated French oak, and mint and herb nuances. Full bodied, but balanced. Creamy textured, with lush fruit. Tannins were quite angular and aggressive at first, but after a but of time became more round and integrated. Alcohol is a bit noticeable on the finish, but overall, a nice example of Napa cab.

3/29/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Clean and fragrant, showing notes of green apple, citrus, pear and underripe stone fruit, with marked white flower, chamomile and honey characteristics. Classic Riesling petrol note is quite apparent, as well as paraffin wax character. Somewhat oxidative. On the palate, acidity is quite assertive. Rather light bodied, but very drinkable. Citrus driven and zesty, and very mineral. Nice length as well, although the finish hollows out a bit. Nice value.

3/16/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Pretty aromatic profile, displaying ripe pear and stone fruit, honeyed tones and a veritable bouquet of flowers- Lily, white flowers, chamomile, rose petal and lavender all on display. A bit of a vanilla yogurt character is notable also, and a certain river-bed minerality. Any oak treatment is well integrated. On the palate, this is rich and quite lush, with ripe and honeyed pear and golden delicious apple notes leading the way, supported again by vanilla yogurt and a certain soapiness? Finish is somewhat hollow. Acidity is only moderate, but this manages to not come across as too heavy. Palate-coating texture, and high alcohol is discernible, but not problematic. Interesting.

3/7/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Very forward and dense nose, showing ripe plum, cherry and kirsch, with floral overtones of violet, lavender and rose petal. Classic Pinot "barnyard" character is present, along with something vegetal (olive brine perhaps?), and significant oak. Sweet vanilla, cinnamon and oak tones were really expressive at first, but integrated into the wine much better after a while. Still very tightly wound.
On the palate, very dense and concentrated. Fruit character is, to me, perfectly ripe; cherry and strawberry really dominate. Very pure. Balanced and lavishly textured, but 14% alcohol is noticeable, and the oak is quite apparent as well. Tannins are quite plush. Finishes very linear, with an austere mineral character emerging on the finish. Comes across as very modern- this was actually mistaken for a California Pinot Noir when tasted blind.
I've declined to leave a numerical score as I have mixed feelings about this wine; on one hand, it is expertly made and the fruit that went into it is certainly of the highest quality. On the other hand, this is so far from being approachable; it's still quite closed, the oak is very obvious, and the alcohol isn't as integrated as it should be. This is one to be left alone for quite some time.

3/2/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Starting to develop, with some garnet appearing in the rim. On the nose, the fruit is starting to take on a slightly oxidized, dried character. Plum, cherry and a certain kirsch liqueur character are present on the nose, with notes of tomato leaf and smoked rosemary present as well as a certain "bloodiness". Cigar and cedar is starting to come forth as well. On the palate, fairly open and quite plush; plum and kirsch dominate. Tannins are forward and round, with a bit of sinew, displaying the character of the vintage. Decent, will be drinking well for the next few years.

2/23/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Lots of Mediterranean character here, with the nose showing ripe red and black fruits with a slight jammy quality, and a very apparent garrigue character, with emphasis on the lavender component. Notes of cinnamon, pepper, vanilla and black tea. Just a touch port-like. On the palate, full bodied yet balanced, with a chest-warming finish. Fruit comes across as somewhat macerated, tannins are upfront and quite mouthfilling. Ripe and rich, with notes of char on the finish that suggest oak usage, and a savoury character. Spicy and with a pronounced anise note. Nice, but still young. I think this will show nicely in a couple of years.

2/22/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Tasted blind and drank casually so please don't mind the casual note. Secondary and tertiary notes have really come forward, with an upfront note of kirsch being the one dominant fruit element. Otherwise, very mineral and earthy; notes of scorched earth, fine minerality, mediterranean herbs, purple flowers and a very distinct barnyard note. Somewhat more fruit present on the palate, with cherry and plum present, but again, really dominated by earthy, mineral and garrigue notes. Very structured; tannins are focused and intense, and the wine still comes across as appropriately fresh and bright. You really taste the limestone here. Complex, poised and interesting. A very interesting wine.

2/11/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Surprisingly deep colour for a Chianti here. Fresh and bright on the nose, showing red fruit, candied cherry, olive brine, charcoal and vanilla notes, as well as an animal, gamey aspect. Likely to be some brett present here? On the palate, a nice balance between structured and big, with lots of acid and aggressive, grippy tannins balanced by sweet, somewhat dried red fruit and a bit of oak. Some herbaceous notes on the long finish, and just a touch of heat shows through. Nice level of intensity though, and definitely to be consumed alongside a nice bistecca.

2/7/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Nose is juicy, forward and inviting. Juicy, with a veritable fruit salad on display- Blueberry, blackberry and strawberry notes, and a sort of sweet black olive character. Has a confected quality that suggests carbonic maceration, as well as a bit of heat, and a savoury root vegetable character. On the palate, fruit forwardm light on its feet, tasty and refreshing. Palate-exciting acid and a bit of tannin. Very charming. A nice sipper on its own but definitely a versatile food wine.

2/7/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

High toned and fresh on the nose; a lactic/vanilla yogurt note immediately springs forward, supported by green apple, white peach and citrus fruit, and an element of white lily. On the palate, this is quite acidic and very focused, primarily showing green apple and citrus notes with a bit of stone fruit, and a finish fading to a gravelly minerality. Good length. Nice overall.

1/21/2013 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Bright with a deep gold colour, and visible viscosity. On the nose, this is youthful and forward, showing tropical pineapple notes, supported by crisp green apple aromas, citrus, ripe pear, fresh cream, butterscotch, vanilla, brioche and smoky gunpowder. On the palate, full-bodied and textured, with concentration and richness quite evident. Tropical and a little bit oaky, but still balanced. Fresh, but no malolactic fermentation means that the acid is a bit hard. Alcohol is in check, and length is quite long as well. Not subtle, but fun.

1/17/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Pale yellow colour showing some green hints. Fresh and aromatic nose; fruit-forward showing notes of ripe pear, green apple, honey, burnt orange and marked minerality. Medium bodied and acid driven on the palate, but rich texturally, with pear and orange notes, a honeyed texture, and crisp minerality. Briny, bitter note present on the finish. Oak use is felt rather than tasted. Decent length. Quite nice.

1/14/2013 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

100% Sauvignon blanc. Straw coloured. Fresh and vibrant nose, primarily citrus driven with lemon peel, lime juice, green apple and white flower notes, and wet stone minerality. Secondary notes of herbs and grass; tarragon perhaps? Notes of cream and hazelnut from barrique aging. Medium bodied and acid driven on the palate; fresh and lively, carrying on with lemon and green apple flavours. High-toned minerality, and cream notes on the finish. Nice example of a modern styled Bordeaux blanc.

12/31/2012 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Forward and seductive on the nose, displaying lemon curd, creme brulee, vanilla, ripe pear and golden delicious apple notes. On the palate, acidity and sweetness balance and give the impression of slight off-dryness. Very fine bead. Medium plus bodied and fruit forward, with apple pie and baked pear notes, fading to a brown butter and vanilla finish with hints of minerality. Long finish. Absolutely delicious, not the lithe and lean style I generally prefer for Champagne but a great example for its style. This has the necessary freshness to make it easy to drink, and is just starting to show some evolution. Come back in the next 5 to 10 years, although it's perfect for this new years eve as well.

12/24/2012 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Deep, golden colour with that fantastic, over-the-top Gewurztraminer nose. Showing classic lychee and rose petals, as well as golden delicious apple, asian pear, nutmeg and candied ginger notes. Beautiful nose. On the palate, lush, oily texture with balanced acidity. Very slightly off-dry. Once again, lychee, asian pear and apple flavours dominate, with some spice notes on the finish. Finish is unfortunately rather hollow and shows some heat and bitterness, but a very cool wine nonetheless.

12/6/2012 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Popped and poured- Probably should have treated this with a little more respect than that ! At first I found this surprisingly approachable, with a nose showing ripe, sweet red fruit and cherry liqueur with complex and ever changing secondary notes of composting leaves, motor oil, permanent marker, leather, smoke, tar and smoked meat notes. Oak use was notable, but not excessive. On the palate, this is quite full bodied without being overextracted. Nice acid balance, and although the alcohol level is somewhat chestwarming it's not problematic. Lots of upfront sweet, red fruit mingled with spicy notes and smoke. Round, integrated tannins, and a long finish. Still tightly wound, though, as it seemed to shut down a little, and continue to evolve throughout the course of the night. Nicely made- very seductive. One to revisit over the next 15 years or so.

12/6/2012 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Rather fruit-forward nose (for a Barolo, that is), showing dried cranberry and cherry notes, with marked floral component and underlying tar minerality. Notes of dark chocolate and cream suggest oak treatment. On the palate, full bodied with ripe and rich red fruit flavours dominating, but remains balanced, with bright acidity. Less oaky on the palate. Chalky texture with a long, tannic finish. Very nice. Decidedly modern in style, but with classic Barolo character that should please traditionalists as well. I can see this aging well for 5-8 years, but frankly it's quite pleasing right now.

12/2/2012 - braisedlambshank Likes this wine:

Entry level Bierzo from Descendientes de J Palacios, a blend of several vineyard sites and 100% mencia. Purple, almost opaque colour with some fading to ruby at the rim. Displaying notes of roast plum, black currant, fennel, lavender, black pepper and liquorice on the nose, brown sugar and molasses suggesting oak use, with a high-toned raspberry element and underlying charcoal earthiness. On the palate, full bodied with acidity that remains lively and refreshing. Extracted texture, somewhat creamy, with firm, well integrated tannins. Flavours of blackcurrant, raspberry, liquorice and soy/umami notes, giving way to a stony, charcoal and mineral finish. 15 percent alcohol is well integrated, with heat not being particularly noticeable, and the wine still remaining relatively light on its feet. Punches above its weight for an entry level wine- very classy.

3/17/2011 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Light ruby core with garnet rim. On the nose, a marked volatility is present, with sauerkraut and salt-and-vinegar potato chips being immediately noticeable. Still displaying some fruit characteristics, with rhubarb and dried cranberry being discernable, a somewhat herbal streak of rosemary, copper, and classic aged Burgundy notes of earth, mushrooms, something remniscent of the smell of a dank root cellar, and finally a hint of charcoal. On the palate, this is still drinking well, although the volatility on the nose is present on the palate. The fruit is drying out, with rhubarb and cranberry being most obvious, with notes of bell pepper, rosemary, thyme, charcoal and a sort of minerality. Chalky texture; somewhat sharp acidity. Tannins are well integrated and settling into a nice juiciness, and finish is quite long. Unique and interesting; not perfect but has a rustic charm all its own. Drinking nicely now, and seems to have the stuffing to go ~4 years more.

3/11/2011 - braisedlambshank wrote:

100% Syrah. Deep, purple-red colour, with some extraction visible in the legs. On the nose this is very classic northern Rhone, with high toned aromas of sweet red fruit, lavender and cherries in eau-de-vie, with a pungent layer of tar, graphite, bacon fat and black pepper beneath. Savoury, fruity and complex. A note of brown sugar suggests some oak aging. On the palate this is medium bodied, with well integrated and correct levels of acid and alcohol, and a layer of fine-grained tannins. Red fruit and lavender on the attack fade to a savoury finish of tar, black pepper, smoke and gunpowder. Length is above average. Still tightly wound, with a slight hollow point on the midpalate; this will be showing better in a year and will drink well for 5-7 years. Good example; very old world in style.

2/23/2011 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Single vineyard Fiano from the folks at Terredora; unconventional in that this is a late-harvest wine that has spent some time in French oak (6 months in 50% new barriques). Nose is more remniscent of a white Burgundy, showing vanilla and yogurt, backed by white flowers, stone fruit, minerality, green apples, butter-poached pear, and a delicate touch of characteristic Fiano dried herbs and pine nuts. In the mouth this is full bodied, with a nice, round texture and a creamy mouthfeel, yet with a crisp and clean finish. Follows the nose, showing lemon peel, clementime, white peaches, vanilla bean, coconut cream and limestone, as well as a slight hint of olive brine on the finish. Impressive weight and richness, but still manages to maintain freshness, with nice, mouthwatering acidity. Acid is extremely well integrated, and the length of the finish is impressive. This is extremely good, and undervalued.

1/6/2011 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Dense, intriguing nose; displaying sour cherry and violet components over deep minerality: gunsmoke, pencil lead, graphite, scorched earth, ash, etc. and a hint of some barrel aging. Slight raisined fruit note as well; while there is some fruit, this is a very minerally, earthy wine. On the palate this is medium-plus bodied with gritty, somewhat drying tannins. True to its nose it doesn't deliver much fruit, with sour cherry and vanilla upfront but fading to a smoky, earthy and leathery finish. Well balanced; acid and alcohol are in check, with a bit of a rustic character. Nice length, interesting wine. Very good value and would make an excellent pairing for an aggressively seasoned, rare cut of beef or pork.

9/17/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

100% Aglianico, from Basilicata in the very south of Italy. Deep ruby colour, with a garnet tinged rim. Intense nose; aromas of ripe plum, supported with blackberries, blueberries, potpourri, baking chocolate, a certain burnt sugar character, and a thick, tarry earthiness. Medium-full bodied, and nicely balanced; ripe and sweet but not quite jammy fruit flavours are balanced with bitter chocolate, leather and tarry, smoky graphite earthiness. Tannins are slightly gritty but well integrated, and come through on the sinewy finish. Supported structurally by a seam of bright acid. Good length and real intensity. A characterful wine especially for its price.

9/9/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Pale yellow colour. Fresh and youthful nose seems to be free of oak influence or at least very gently oaked. Quite expressive, showing green apples, pears, wet gravel minerality, white flowers, stone fruit and a slight buttery quality. On the palate, this is medium-light bodied, refreshing and acid-driven, confirming the nose; lots zippy of green apple, pear and mineral flavours. Smoothly textured, yet with a crisp, razor-sharp finish. Nice level of concentration and decent length; reminds me of a good Chablis. I really enjoy the acid balance; this wine truly excites the palate. Best over the next couple of years.

8/8/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Entry level Lacrima based wine from Luigi Giusti in Marche. Brief period of oak aging. Nice, inky violet-purple colour. The nose of this wine is absolutely unbelievable; potent like no other I've ever smelled, complex and just beautiful. All kinds of floral nuances dominate, with violets, rose petals and white flowers, above a layer of sweet, ripe cranberries, cherries and strawberries. Interesting nuances of cinnamon, coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, pepper, tar and a Gewurztraminer-like honey aroma. Goes on for days; you can smell this across the room. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a nice, clean acidity and integrated tannins. Exuberantly fruity, with the same sweet berry and cinnamon nuances. A hint of swedish berry, and a touch of Kool-Aid perhaps? Finish is dominated by tarry, peppery character. Quite unique and unforgettable; a nice introduction to the Lacrima grape.

8/4/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Deep, inky purple colour with glass staining legs. The nose is still slightly closed, despite the wine being six years old, but nonetheless is impressively concentrated, showing notes of plums, black cherry, pomegranate, wet hay, a certain dank muddiness and a slight prune-like quality. On the palate this wine is massively full bodied and obnoxiously tannic, again despite being six years old. Dense flavours of dark chocolate, plum and an intriguing pavement-like earthiness are quite interesting, however the alcohol is a bit of a problem, showing through on the finish and warming the chest on the way down. Nonetheless, interesting and unique, and certainly a well made wine for its price as well as a good example of the region. Needs more time to rest and a substantial piece of protein to calm those tannins; I would certainly like to try this again in 4-6 more years.

7/23/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, but the Syrah component of this wine is certainly expressive. Dense, constantly evolving nose of black pepper, garrigue, black licorice, dark fruits, and fresh asphalt on a hot day. The palate is equally dense and intense; hugely mouth filling, with black pepper and licorice coming through most prominently. Tannins are quite supple and well integrated even in youth but will help this wine age. Massive bodyweight due to 14.5% abv, yet it's well integrated with just a bit of heat coming through on the licoricey, hot-pavement tasting finish. Very good now, especially considering the price, and will be better with a few years' age. Decanting would help this also. Not very fruitforward; fans of fruity new world GSM blends may not appreciate this. I will be seeking out more of this.

6/19/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

71% Malbec, 20% Merlot, 9% Tannat. Dark purple colour. Intriguing nose of blackberries, black cherries, pepper, tar, dried violets and scorched earth, with subtly integrated oak and a bit of heat. Full bodied with black and red fruit flavours with an underlying graphite minerality, supported by a spicy and earthy finish. Nice acid balance, just a little bit hot. Tannins are a bit gritty and drying. A bargain, and a nice food wine for sure- paired very nicely with a medium-rare bone-in rib steak. Still comes across as fairly youthful and can likely age further.

6/16/2010 - braisedlambshank wrote:

Entry level Pinot Noir from Le Clos Jordanne, from the strong 2007 vintage. Deeper colour than expected from an Ontario Pinot Noir. Nose is lively, primarily fruit driven with sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry notes, a touch of freshly ground pepper and a slight green note. There's a bit of a prune juice note as well, suggestion some oxidation. On the palate this is mid-weight, with the sour cherry and spice flavours carrying the wine. Lots of acid and gritty, somewhat green tannins, and a slight raisined characteristic that seemed to disappear after a bit of aeration. Nice length, good concentration; however, slightly disjointed tannins and acidity. Nonetheless, quite good for a 25 dollar Pinot Noir. A couple of years might help this.