Comments on my notes

Red

2010 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis Nebbiolo

10/22/2023 - prof b wrote:

This drank amazingly right from open and remained interesting for hours. A good balance of fruit and structure at this stage.

prof b commented:

10/24/23, 2:19 PM - I was surprised myself. I was looking for the 2006 but apparently I only have the riserva. So I tried one of these. No decant, minimal sediment. The structure had settled on this bottle plenty but the 'tar' was entirely clear with an interesting almost funk of tertiary and primary flavors mixing together. Lots of life on this wine, for sure. If you own a good number, opening one now is a useful snapshot.

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White

1986 Castellare di Castellina Chianti White Blend

4/25/2021 - prof b wrote:

I took a random shot in the dark on this one and it was worth it. Some slight oxidative notes were present but bright white fruits brought this together. Very interesting.

prof b commented:

12/20/22, 4:32 PM - Yes, white chianti

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White - Off-dry

2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Mosel Saar Ruwer

8/17/2021 - prof b wrote:

98 points

I found a slight, recent leak from this bottle so I opened it the following day. This was decanted for about an hour as it warmed up a bit. Holy crap, this was an amazing bottle. There were apricots along with other white fruits, honeycomb, a slight salinity and an epic finish. The acidity kept it all in balance. Amazing.

prof b commented:

8/17/21, 11:28 AM - No hurry. I've got five more and will keep some for the long haul.

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Red

1985 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Nebbiolo

4/25/2021 - prof b wrote:

This bottle was hand corked after a bulk purchase from the winery door back in the day. I recently acquired several of these. Other what was just stated, the bottle and cork were in pristine condition. The wine did show some very slight oxidative notes but there was plenty of ripe red fruit and tar as well. Very enjoyable.

prof b commented:

4/26/21, 6:47 AM - LOL, but no. Just the first time seeing humans in a very long time!

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Red

1967 Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa Nebbiolo

12/2/2020 - prof b wrote:

95 points

Perfect fill and easily removed cork on this bottle I purchased ~1 year ago from a reputable retailer. Decanted four hours and served with freshly made pasta and fresh black truffle. The wine itself shows rhubarb, strawberry, and tar on the nose. On the palate, the tannins are gone but the fruit remains along with tertiary components including the tar and some worn leather. Combined with the food, absolutely amazing.

prof b commented:

12/4/20, 11:07 AM - Perhaps in the post vaccine world! For now, just my fiance and I...

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Red

2010 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo

7/23/2020 - prof b wrote:

Decanted four hours at this point. Really, really young but worth the check in. Lots of oak at this stage but the fruit and acidity is there for this to develop into a very nice wine. Hold.

prof b commented:

7/24/20, 11:48 AM - Happy to help

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Red

1976 Robert Ampeau & Fils Volnay 1er Cru Santenots Pinot Noir

1/31/2020 - prof b wrote:

Opened and tasted immediately, then slow-oxed for ~three hours before serving. Right upon opening this showed some light red fruits but these faded quickly and all that remained were tertiary elements. So basically just an old wine.

prof b commented:

7/17/20, 5:09 PM - Would it have been better immediately? Yes. But it wasn't going to be good either way.

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Red

2006 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo

4/16/2020 - prof b wrote:

My first bottle from from this vintage. A very nice version on Tondonia but still quite primary, as expected. I think this will evolve into a wonderful wine with time. Hold.

prof b commented:

6/7/20, 8:40 AM - Yes, the Tondonia is pretty much always a great wine. I've got five more. Ordered a case of 07.
prof b commented:

6/7/20, 12:28 PM - Indeed, and 5 bosconia!

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Red

1987 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace Diamond Mountain

1/31/2020 - prof b wrote:

Same bottle as Salil. I agree it started promising before falling apart. I bought this bottle ~10 years ago from a collection in which the wines were typically in great shape. Not so much for this bottle.

prof b commented:

2/2/20, 6:19 AM - Good to know, I did save some of the bottle for the next day and it did not emerge from slumber.

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Red

1996 Château Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

5/12/2019 - prof b wrote:

Drank over three hours. This was a solid, polished but old school bordeaux. medium to light bodied but with clear fruit and some tannin. enjoyable, but i'd argue overpriced.

prof b commented:

7/10/19, 12:24 PM - ~$60

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Red

1977 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2/8/2015 - prof b wrote:

95 points

I wanted to try out my new Gabriel-Glas Gold glasses and when I noticed this had started to leak in the past couple of days, I pulled it out for dinner. The cork completely disintegrated but I was able to get ~90% out eventually. The remainder fell into the wine so I immediately decanted into a narrow based decanter where the wine remained for two hours prior to dinner. The wine remains a deep crimson with only a hint of bricking along the edges. Tart cranberry, dry cherry, and plum round out the surprisingly vibrant fruits with the tertiary elements also showing as sweet tobacco, scorched earth, and worn leather. The tannins are completely integrated and the finish reveals surprising acidity (medium plus). The flavors pleasantly linger on the palate.

prof b commented:

3/15/19, 8:28 AM - It was the reserve, sorry.

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White

2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Mosel Saar Ruwer

1/23/2017 - prof b wrote:

93 points

laser beam like focus with bright acidity and lovely finesse. this wine moved me. can't wait to try the last glass tomorrow.

prof b commented:

1/24/17, 10:56 AM - Happy to help

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Red

2005 Nervi Gattinara Nebbiolo

7/15/2015 - prof b wrote:

Drank over two nights, better the second night. This is a nice example of traditional nebbiolo at a bargain price. I'll have to pick some up from a more reputable vintage to stick in the cellar for a while.

prof b commented:

7/19/15, 5:09 PM - I hear you Knurd on Gattinara providing a better experience than entry level Barolo. I think part of that is the small number of Gattinara producers that make it to the US vs the much larger number of mediocre Barolo producers. Still, I do really enjoy well aged Gattinara, Spanna, etc. Its easy to overlook these areas. If I were to come across a nice deal on the handful of producers I'm acquainted with, I'd be a buyer.

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Red

2006 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon Ashmead Single Vineyard Barossa

7/1/2015 - prof b wrote:

flawed

brett

prof b commented:

7/2/15, 5:06 PM - This is my third of three bottles. The other two were clean. Brett isn't the same thing as a wine being corked. Brett can come from anywhere including the equipment and barrels.

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Red

1994 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo

9/27/2014 - prof b wrote:

94 points

Slow ox for three hours, then double decanted to remove sediment. served with grilled leg of lamb, couscous, and roasted brussel sprouts. Mushrooms, funky earth, and dark fruits on the nose while the palate revealed that same funky earth, menthol, blackberries, and blueberries. The tannins were not evident to me but there was plenty of acid and fruit. I suspect this wine has plenty of future but it is so tasty now...

prof b commented:

10/10/14, 6:26 AM - I'm not sure on decant time. Unlike usual, I didn't take a taste when I first opened it. It smelled nice right off the bat though. If you aren't giving it any air, I'd drink it over a bit of time.

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Red

2009 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Valley

7/17/2014 - prof b wrote:

far more integrated and much more enjoyable than my last bottle.

prof b commented:

7/19/14, 5:20 PM - No, I drank it over four hours and it didn't change much during that time. I did not decant but the first glass sat around for an hour before I really started paying attention to it.

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Red

2010 Coleman Nicole Pinot Noir Roman's Lot II Santa Lucia Highlands

3/30/2012 - Uclkyle wrote:

77 points

Not very good.

prof b commented:

5/1/12, 5:02 PM - Such a low score without details is irresponsible.

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