3/22/2008 - sivilli wrote:

The nose is ripe on this wine - shows ripe white peaches, lemon curd, as well as a touch of minerality. On the palate, this is balanced, but lacked distinctiveness you would expect of a wine of this class. Was not as racy as I would like, but overall pretty nice for the vintage

3/22/2008 - sivilli wrote:

This wine showed a lot bigger than I expected - the color is a dark, cloudy purple. There is already a large amount of sediment/sludge in the bottom of the glass. On the nose, this is primary - showing dark black berries, floral aromas, a bit of tomato leaf and some grapeyness. A fair amount of chalky minerality. This is very tannic at this stage and shows a lot more ripeness than I would expect. Overall, a very good wine, but one that should be held for 5 years.

7/18/2007 - sivilli wrote:

I thought this might be a bit tired seeing as it is a 2004, but this wine was incredible. It poured a beautiful brassy light gold. The nose was intensely mineral, but it also offered a great floral grassy component. On the palate the minerality almost tingled the tounge - everything was in balance.. the acidity was perfect, there was a nice honeyed fruit character supporting the minerals and the wine finished long, crisp and clean. A revelation with fish with italian olives and capers.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Showed exactly like my last bottle, and I am glad I am drinking the last of my 2 bottles. This is showing ripe on the nose, with a lot of dark fruit and cassis pushing everything else out of the way. On the palate the fruit carries through, but there is not a lot of underlying structure - the tannin is disjointed and there is still a hole in the midpalate. The wine has a moderate finish that also shows a little heat.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was very structured and unforgiving - it is just too young to offer any enjoyment at this stage. Shows a lot of left bank typicity - cedar, cassis, leather.. but the nose is not at all intense and the palate is tight. Will taste again in another 5 years.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This wine was a bit muted on the nose - some apple/pear, along with a huge dose of minerality. On the palate, I think this wine could lose a bit of sweetness and it will be in beautiful balance between the mineral and clean crisp fruit.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was my first Fanti wine, although I had read a lot about them. I was expecting a really big, fruity, approachable wine - that was not what I got. Poured a dark ruby, maybe a little darker than some traditionalist brunello, but by no means an inky black. On the nose, this wine showed a lot of earth and minerality - iron, sun baked earth, stone, along with dark cherries, currant, and rare meat. Did not show a lot of wood, either, although there were some spice notes (not sure if this is barriqued or not - I think it is) On the palate, the wine was tannic and a bit disjointed. Needs time to integrate, but this will never be a monster. I was a bit impressed by the structure/style of the wine, and a bit unimpressed because this was not profound. Maybe with time.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This wine was very vibrant aeromatically - I loved the fresh crisp red fruits - pomegranite, cranberry, bing cherry. There was also a substantial mineral component. Could be from the old world if served blind. In the mouth, it lacked any candied flavors (a big plus), but was not quite as giving and "together" as I would have liked.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This wine hits my sweet spot - I love the 2001 vintage in Chateauneuf, I love the traditionally styled wines of Vieux Donjon, and I love paying $30 for wine this good! Unfortunately, I will now have to look harder for wines this good at this pricepoint, because I know I am paying more for this wine in each subsequent vintage. Anyway, this wine is great, typical Chateauneuf - the nose shows tons of pepper and garrigue, but with a lot of dark fruit and spice supporting it. The palate still shows a lot of structure, but this wine is so enjoyable right now.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

The nose shows telltale Chablis notes - crisp green apple, the slightest bit waxy and LOADS of wet stones. I found this wine to be a bit sulphury/leesy 2 years ago, and it has improved a lot since then. The wine has medium/medium minus body, but it shows good steely fruit and finishes with a mouth full of stones. Very nice at this point, should continue to drink well for years.

7/16/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was probably opened too early - was entirely unremarkable at this stage. Color was lighter cranberry color, as expected for the vintage. The nose offers crisp red fruits but is not particularly delineated or expressive. The body of the wine is light and a bit tannic. The red fruits carry through, but the midpalate is hollow and it does not finish long. I liked the Rosellas better in this vintage at this stage. I know the vines are very young in this vineyard, so I am somewhat skeptical about its improvement.

7/2/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Pulled the cork out in 2 pieces, it was soaked all the way through and crumbly - not a good sign. This was poured double blind to the tasting group - poured a hazy garnet with significant bricking. Showing clear signs of age. On the nose, this wine performed fantastically - the nose was showing clear tertiary aromas - forest floor, leather, spice complexity. It still showed very fresh though, and there was still some fruit left. On the palate, the mouthfeel was light, but the flavors were ethereal and harmonized. It was spicy and vinous - I am amazed at how this showed. Really a special wine that had everyone stumped. I have had great luck with these old Farrell Pinots.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This wine was starting to show a bit of petrol on the nose, and was starting to shed some of its sweetness. OK right now, but should get a lot better with time. Nice acidity will be in better balance once some of the baby fat is shed.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was really tannic at this stage - probably a product of the young vines used. Nose shows red fruits, cedar and road tar. Hard to evaluate on the palate due to the degree of tannin - which were pretty sandy at this stage.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Out of the half bottle, the acidity was screaming on this wine. Compared to the clos de bourg and le haut lieu, the le mont is showing a lot more steely and stony at this stage. I would not go near this one for quite a few more years until everything pulls together a bit more.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Was a bit disappointing - I love clos des papes, and I love 2001 Chateauneuf, but this seemed to be lacking a bit at this stage. The structure of 2001 lends itself to aging, so it is unfair to judge this wine so early. Overall, shows kirsch, red fruits, alcohol on the nose, and shows little depth or interest on the palate. No sign of TCA, but could just be an off bottle.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Decanted one hour - this bottle showed a bit more shyness than the last one i tried - the nose took a couple hours to open up and the tannin seemed a bit more disjointed this time. Nose is classic - cedar, stones, a little mocha. Palate is a bit hard right now, but shows some length/persistence.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Tasted double blind, this showed really well - pours a vibrant ruby. There were notes of pepper, herbs, underbrush/soil and red fruits on the nose. On the palate, this had good acidity and balance - the red fruits came through, and a certain spicyness (pepper, cinnamon, cedar). Finish was medium plus. A really nice wine, and I guessed it was a more elegant, grenache based chateauneuf. I was surprised when it was revealed, this was pretty impressive.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was tasted double blind, and I had no freaking clue what this was - pours a deep gold color, and the nose has huge intensity - tropical fruits galore - papaya, mango, guava. There is no minerality or earthiness to speak of. On the palate, the wine was dry, but had a lot of sweet fruit - there was also a noticeable touch of alcohol. I have never tasted a wine like this, really a new experience.

5/21/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This was showing some nice maturity and complexity that comes with bottle age - this was a brassy gold color - very beautiful in the glass. The nose was waxy and nutty - lanolin, green apples and a burst of strong spearmint cutting through all of it. On the palate, shows great balance and finesse - nice lifting acidity and a persistent finish.

4/22/2007 - sivilli wrote:

This wine is absolutely beautiful - a brilliant straw color in the glass. On the nose, shows incredible precision and delineation - the minerality is the star here - but it is also so floral and fresh. Rainwater, wet stones, blooming flowers. The wine is so balanced in the mouth, there is no heaviness, it is so nimble, light and ethereal showing great harmony. It finishes long and clean with a great bolster of acidity. There is so much to love here, a truly fantastic wine.

3/13/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Oak and ripeness on the nose - a bit grapey, but opened up to show more complexity with time. There is nice spiciness that makes this pretty attractive. On the palate, the oak shows through, and this is pretty full and intense. The finish is long and mouthcoating. Pretty nice.

3/13/2007 - sivilli wrote:

The bottle had been slow oxygenated for about 4 hours - this poured a lucid garnet with browning at the rim. Nose has an explosive brewed coffee note - can't miss it. As it is swirled in the glass, the complexity shows itself - decayed leaves, figs, underbrush, tobacco. This had a robust and clearly delineated nose - very nice. On the palate, this seemed a bit dried out to me - the tannins were completely resolved, but this faded a bit and didn't show the length or complexity I had hoped. Overall, very enjoyable and should be drunk soon.

2/5/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Ruby, not very bright - definite cloudy appearance. This continues to show well - nose is fresh and expressive - crisp red fruits, green tea, nettles. On the palate, a little more seamless than last time - midpalate has more oomph. Acidity is in balance, and finishes long.

2/4/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Nose shows nice restraint - none of the raisin notes I hate so much in Australian Shiraz. This has a lot of dark fruit but also a nice floral lift. There is also a fair amount of spice, but not too oaky. This is round and full on the palate, but stops short of being candied or sweet. Nice wine.

2/4/2007 - sivilli wrote:

Tasted blind - deep dark straw, great clarity. Nose shows some chenin typicity - honey, wax, flowers, pear. This smells a little more exotic than I would expect - smells like it is from a hotter terrior. On the palate, clearly dry but a little flabby - would expect this to have a little more supporting acid. This is my first closel papillon, and I did not like it nearly as much as the baumard examples I have had.

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

This was really impressive - showed quite a bit better than I expected. This was wide open - nose was fresh - red fruits, garrigue, and that great warmth you get from Chateauneuf. On the palate, showed some structure, layers of fruit, and very nice length. Fantastic wine for the price ($25).

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

I have a eurocentric palate, and do not drink much cali cab, but I am a huge fan of Rivers Marie pinots, so I took a shot on this. While it is definitely ripe - no mistaking this for anything but California - this was a pretty balanced wine to my palate. Showed cab typicity - dark fruits, cassis, a little oak, and is overall a pretty nice wine. Major complaint is this wine is a bit hollow in the mid palate, which seems to be common with the 2003 vintage. Overall an enjoyable wine, and I am a believer in Thomas Brown. Will improve with time.

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

This was further toward the lighter, red fruited spectrum of aglianico, which is surprising given the vintage. While this is nice, my palate tends toward the bigger more bruising versions of aglianico - terra di lavoro, deconcillis, bocca di lupo. This is a good value, we drank it with pizza, and it was nice. Very little tannin, which was a bit surprising.

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Good QPR on this wine - far from complex, and maybe merlot is not in vogue, but insert this wine into a blind tasting and you will be surprised. Not a world beater, but varietally correct, fresh, juicy, and crisp.

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Tasted blind - Nose is expressive and robust. Shows ripeness, but the herbaceous notes show cabernet franc typicity - 2 of the 4 correctly identified as Chinon, which should allay any fears from traditionalists due to the ripe year. Palate is extremely structured and very backward, but there was still an underlying complexity that suggests this will be special with age. Should hit its peak in 10 years.

12/15/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Oaky nose - shows a lot of dark black fruit. Really strong barbera jamminess. A little heat at the end. On the palate, pretty structured, wave after wave of sweet fruit. Definitely new school, but you shouldn't be drinking much barbera if you can't tolerate ripe fruit. Great value, and will match great with tomato/garlic heavy foods.

11/2/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Lifted, aeromatic nose (a little VA?), red fruits, smells "crisper" than some cali pinots show. On the palate, this dissapoints - shows a bitter edge and finishes a bit clipped. Not complaining too much for 19 bucks, but didn't show quite as well as I had hoped. My first 2005, this was VERY young, will buy a few more and hold em to see if it comes together a bit. Bravo on the screwcap.

10/26/2006 - sivilli wrote:

No decanting, followed over four hours in the glass. Nose is ripe, but restrained, showing a little VA. Asphalt and distinct cassis note make this wine smell almost like a cabernet. Still showing a lot of structure on the palate, but the tannins have softened some. Needs more time. Nice.

10/19/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Very earthy, stinky nose showing a bit of brett. Simple, rustic, not much more than just OK.

9/9/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Darker than the 2002, nose still shows Chinon herbs, but the fruits are a bit darker. This smells ripe, but in a pleasing way - not overripe like some 2003 southern rhones. On the palate, this is loaded - this has some heft and weight behind it while still showing red fruit crispness. Young, but very nice at this stage. Has tannin to shed, and this should age very well.

8/26/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Pours a light salmon with very fine bubbles and mousse. Nose is a bit light - strawberries and a sort of briney saline quality. On the palate, does not show as much muscle as I expect from this house and finishes unexpectedly short. Not a great showing, and definately did not justify the price.

8/12/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Very tight, but still showing promising aeromatics as soon as the cork is pulled. Obviously drinking Bordeaux this young is a bit of a waste, but the potential is clearly there. Very concentrated, shows a lot of coffee and blue fruits on the nose... ripe, but not excessively so. Should be pretty wonderful stuff in 10 years.

7/30/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Steely and high toned. This was nice, pleasant, but really did nothing to distinguish itself. 100% Grand Cru fruit as I understand it, and remarkably better than most big house NV, but I will continue to look to Pierre Peters and Gimmonet for NV grower champagne.

7/20/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Wow! Decanted for a couple hours and consumed with dinner. This was pretty dark for a nebbiolo. First sip shows the obvious wall of tannin that could be expected. As the wine sits in the decanter, the aroma grows and grows. Great nebbiolo typicity - charming and structured at the same time, showing classic personality and a boisterous fruit profile. Nose is youngish - plenty of red fruits, anise, flowers, should develop into something extraordinary. Palate presence shows true harmony and length. Plenty to love here, but hold for ten years.

7/5/2006 - sivilli wrote:

WOW!! Ordered off the list at Lotus of Siam, this was an absolute revelation with the food. This is nothing but pure Mosel slate on the nose. It is just so deep and minerally. This is pretty thick on the palate, almost like an auslese, but shows very little residual sugar. This was just so intese and harmonious. Nothing sticking out, it was just perfect. Really incredible wine that was a perfect experience with thai food.

7/4/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Wow, this is really ripe! Pours a dark purple with ruby glints. Looks like a barriqued barbera. Nose shows some pinot typicity, but is dominated by black fruit. Thick and rich on the palate. This is the first vintage of this wine I have tried, but this was too big for my tastes. We had this at a wine bar before going out, so an argument could be made for this wine as cocktail wine.

6/26/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Tasted this after a 2000 La Loviere. Not sure if the enviornment hurt the showing, but this showed horribly. Upon opening, nose immediately shows roasted black fruit, surmaturite, and lots of heat. Sweet black fruit on the palate that doesnt show enough brightness. Really just too ripe. Can't complain too much given the $19 price tag, but this is a producer I tend to enjoy (pinot at least) and I know they make nice wine for $19 (2004 Willamette pinot).

6/26/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Decanted 30 min - pretty inky, 70% cab 30% merlot if I remember correctly. Smoky, earthy and leathery nose. Not showing too much Graves character yet, probably will come with time. Tannins are present but unobrusive. Impressive length considering the pedigree (but not the vintage).

6/17/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Was in the mood for some great wine, opened this with a little trepidation. I have had a couple of 2003 cdps that have shown really bad: roasted fruit, hard green tannin, high alcohol. I have heard reports of the same with this wine. Pouring straight into the decanter, I immediately smell for that burnt, roasted fruit... none! I pour a small glass... freaking intense!!! Dried herbs, iron, sweet cherry.. wonderful nose. On the palate, this is rich, concentrated and wonderful... tastes like the essence of grenache! I love this wine, and will have to seek out more, one of the best wines I have had this year. Usually I find most critics too generous and too score happy. Definately not here, this is amazing wine. Believe the hype.

Since there seems to be a lot of bottle variation, I note that this wine was sourced from Premier Cru and was delivered to me 1/26.

6/10/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Ordered off the list at Hacienda del Sol for $60. Label says 13.2% alchohol. Hmmm, are you sure this is a Loring? Much more restrained than the '02 and '03 Rosellas that I have tried, this could have passed for a Cote de Nuits from a ripe vintage. This had a lighter strawberry color and the nose showed some lighter spice notes, along with some blackberry and heat. On the palate, showed the Loring signature fruit, with pretty significant depth. A nice wine, and doing pretty well at age 5. The first Loring I have tried with this much age, and it makes me more confident about holding the current releases for more than a few years.

6/6/2006 - sivilli wrote:

This bottle was actually showing a few notes of age - some of that young fruit is transitioning to a little decaying earth. Still shows a bit sweet and tinny to me - nice, but not much benefit to aging in my opinion.

6/6/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Similar notes as the last bottle - this stuff rocks. It has that great harmony and intensity of flavor that is so elusive. The smells of wet stones, white flowers and beeswax all combine to form something beautiful. Powerful acidity and persistance on the palate, just insanely bright.

6/6/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Unfortunately, this bottle was not showing as well as the bottle I had a year ago - last year, it was just exploding with provencal herbs, spice, iron, etc, where this bottle was a bit more primary and grapy. It was still showing its underlying power - a lot of unresolved tannin here, but this is shutting down. Clearly on its way to greatness though based on prior tastings.

6/6/2006 - sivilli wrote:

Wow, this stuff is pretty big, maybe the biggest Rose that I have had (bigger than the Pax I had last week). Shows sugary strawberry and heat on the nose, pretty heavy body swirling it around. Frankly, this was great to drink during the summer, but I will continue to look to france since I like my roses a but fresher.