4/22/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This followed an '89 Saint Pierre, and IMO was the far superior and more complex wine. Gorgeous red-fruited nose, oozing with raspberry, sour cherry, and strawberry aromas. The fruit is well balanced with juicy acidity, and pleasant tar, tobacco and pencil notes on the lengthy back end. Gorgeous and with a long life ahead. A stunner.

4/22/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

In a word, a crowd pleaser. Shows the rich and opulent character of the vintage with ripe plum and blackberry fruit, and some oak, tobacco and cedar on the back end. A bit one dimensional, fat, and lacking complexity, but enjoyable if you don't think too hard about it. Nothing wrong with this wine, and although it's thoroughly quaffable, it's just not of its place, nor is it something to contemplate. Could easily pass for a Napa cab from the same era. By contrast, an '89 Duhart Milon that I opened just afterward was much more balanced, subdued, and thought provoking.

4/9/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

In a few words, nervy and acidic, but not without charm. Drank over 3 nights to track its evolution because this was difficult to enjoy on day 1, even for my acidophilic palate. The nose is quite lovely and very complex, showing floral, red berry, and mineral notes. Reminds me of a hypothetical cross between a Northern Rhone syrah and beaujolais, and the closest comparison I can think of is Hervé Souhaut's Souteronne (gamay grown in the rhone). Bracing acidity overrides whatever fruit may be there, but with LOTS of air, this achieves a bit more balance. I love the rustic character of this wine, which clearly speaks of its place (like Forjas del Salnes wines from the same region). Distinctive, laden with river rock, tobacco leaf, peppercorn, and a bit of sweet-tart candy notes. I enjoyed the complexity here, but don't drink on an empty stomach, and best to hold 5+ years.

4/7/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Upper shoulder fill, with a cork that was mostly saturated but still extractable in one piece with my trusty Durand. I've had my share of older CdV cabs (from '77-'82 mostly), which I find to age surprisingly gracefully, but this was the oldest vintage I've tried. Pretty dark garnet color, with a slightly subdued nose of tobacco and black fruit that took about an hour to open up. Big core of dusty red cherry fruit, with some earth and spice notes, and a smooth, fully evolved finish. Still drinking well on day 2. I popped and poured but think this would benefit from the slow ox method next time.

4/5/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

My only bottle, purchased at release. Slightly murky garnet with a bit of bricking. Lots of cranberry and the tell-tale mandarin character I identify with Summa vineyard. Bright to the point of nearly tart, with some baking spice and raspberry notes to add complexity. I like low pH wines, so I find this to be in my wheelhouse for New World pinot noir. These wines strike a great balance between fruit and acidity. Probably better a few years ago, but this drank quite well over 3 nights.

4/2/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Shows more vanilla spice than I like in my cab, this must have been a massive oakbomb in its youth. This particular bottle had a very good fill into the neck, with a pristine cork, so storage was likely very good (I purchased at auction a few years ago). Very youthful with a deep purple color, ripe black fruit nose, and blueberry, black plum and mocha notes on the palate. Big and pretty rich, so distinctly New World, but a bit more rugged and less showy than Napa. As others said, this is throwing off tons of sediment and the last glass (on night 2) was pretty cloudy and chunky, even with meticulous decanting. In my experience, these older Leonetti cabs age very gracefully, and this was another enjoyable bottle. That said, it seems like this vintage is creeping toward the era of "internationally styled" bigger/oakier reds, because I recall the '88 and '89 not seeming overtly oaky.

4/1/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

I think this is the oldest California wine I've had, and you'd never guess its age from the vibrant purple color. This particular bottle was in great condition with a very top shoulder fill. Interesting capsule, plastic with a perforation that you can tear off like a gallon milk jug. Brambly fruit, with underbrush, tobacco, cassis and cedar notes. Started to fade pretty quickly, and was at its best shortly after opening, but still a very good showing.

3/29/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Mid shoulder fill and protruding cork, so not in the best condition. Interestingly, this is labeled as "Grand Vin de Siran" with Lalande and Bordeaux Superior on the label rather than Margaux. I thought this might have been a second wine but looking through CellarTracker label images from this era, it seems like this is how they appeared at the time. I read Neil Martin's glowing reviews of a few bottles (ex-Chateau) and was hoping for an epiphany, but not this time. The cork shredded, even with a Durand, and although the wine did not seep through to the top of the cork, this had some tell-tale signs of oxidation, with nutty, Sherry notes on the nose. Despite this, underneath was a pretty wine, with tobacco, cassis, cherry and red currant notes.

3/31/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

From a vintage you don't see very often, following the tragic frosts of '56 which decimated huge swaths of vines. Not sure how affected Pichon Baron was, but they made a really excellent wine in '57. Starts out a bit herbal, with tobacco leaf and forest floor notes. Very youthful color and texture, with bracing acidity, this hardly seems like a 60+ year old wine. Tart red fruit profile (red currant and cranberry), medium-bodied with a smooth and bright finish.

3/25/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is perhaps the most compelling '75 Left Bank I've tried to date (besting Latour, among others). Like many Medoc wines from this vintage, there are savage tannins that overshadow the fruit, and this was giving very little on day 1, other than its stunning nose. But on day 2, this had transformed into a balanced and very enjoyable claret, with cassis and red berry fruit and an interesting nectarine note on the finish. Still rather primary considering its age, I think this still has decades of life ahead of it. This and the '66 remain benchmark wines for this estate in that era.

3/24/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is one of the first "serious" bottles of wine I ever purchased, as a poor grad student in NYC. It has rested virtually untouched for over 25 years and may have rested another 25 if I didn't pick up another bunch at a good price at auction. This newfound bounty prompted me to check in on my small existing cache since the last bottle I opened was a decade ago. I know the consensus is that '95s will take a long time to come around (if at all in some peoples' opinions) and this fits squarely in that mold. This really only began to open up on day 3, and I should probably have decanted. By the last glass this was showing cassis, pencil lead, cherry and some leather notes. Still has a wall of tannins that threaten to overshadow the fruit, but they began to recede a bit with air and time. Lots of upside here, but still needs another decade at least.

3/23/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This was graciously and fortuitously opened by our hosts, since I had never tried this vintage of Montrose but have some on the way. I do tend to like this vintage a lot, as it may represent the last gasp of the classic claret style prior to the Parkerization of Bordeaux. Classic St. Estephe, a bit burly but a bit more refined than Cos in this year. Cassis, blackberry, tar, underbrush, and leather, with tannins that slightly overshadow the fruit.

3/23/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This was generously shared by our hosts with appetizers for an exquisite pre-birthday dinner. I adore Chartogne-Taillet but this was my first experience with this bottling, which I believe is the debut vintage. 100% chardonnay blanc de blancs. Slightly oxidative in style, with mineral, marzipan, pear and apple notes. Classy, fine mousse.

3/24/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

While not quite as youthful as the first bottle I had several months ago, this was still a stunner. Labeled as "pinot chardonnay," whatever that means. Medium gold color, with lemon curd, mineral and pear notes. Slight bit of sherry/nuttiness upon opening but not obtrusive and seemed to fade into the background with air. Nobody could believe this was a 50 year old wine, let alone a California wine. Picked up some creme brulee notes after a few hours. Unbelievable bottle, and I'm glad to have a few more because this may just outlive me!

3/23/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

I was bit concerned about the upper shoulder fill but upon opening, I could tell there would be no issues with the condition or storage of this wine. Slow-oxed for 6 hours before drinking, this is what I would consider "textbook" Pauillac, even though it is my first experience with Mouton. A stunning wine that showed no signs of fading over several hours, with abundant cassis, pencil lead, tobacco leaf and black cherry flavors. Classy and smooth, toeing the line between power and finesse.

3/22/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Upon opening this was a bit austere, acidic and bit tannic, but the rough edges smoothed out with bout 2 hours in a decanter. Cranberry and red currant fruit, with savory notes of herbs and cigar box. Bright, elegant and a bit nervy. I do love me some Burgundy with some age on it.

3/13/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Wow, this was awesome. I've loved what other producers (Copain, Rhys/Alesia) have done with fruit from this vineyard but this is the first time I've tried the Halcon version. Ringer for a Northern Rhone (maybe stylistically closest to Cornas or Hermitage) with abundant granite, smoke and game meat flavors. Good freshness and acidity keep it interesting.

2/24/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Shockingly good for this vintage. Gruaud was on a tear in the '80s, and this is no exception. Sports a rustic nose of tobacco, green peppercorn, leather and forest floor. On day 1, the palate was a bit dilute and couldn't quite match the alluring nose, but it filled out considerably by day 2. There is a pretty core of cherry fruit and rosepetals to go with the woodsy cigar box and bell pepper notes. Reminds me a bit of the '88 but a bit more angular.

2/20/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This particular bottle has a label that looks like it's been stored in dumpster water, but with a base neck fill and pristine cork, it's what's inside that matters. Drank over two evenings and showing its best on day 2. Pretty red fruit nose laced with cherry, currant and strawberry. Balanced fruit and acidity, with tart cherry and hints of cardamom. Really quite stunning and in no danger of fading. Many of the '86s I've tried seem to be near immortal.

2/6/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This bottle had one of the lower fills in its lot, so I hope that its siblings will show better. There seemed to be a bit of fatigue on the palate when I first opened it, and a nose that showed a bit of overripeness/surmaturité which might be attributable to poor storage or perhaps the character of the vintage. There is a core of pleasant red fruits, but it seems a bit one dimensional. Fast forward to day 2, where there was certainly improvement, but still a lack of complexity. Red currants, cherry and red plum fruits predominate on the palate, with a smooth tannin-free finish. This is a fruit forward wine, and I'd be curious to pair it blind with a CA cab from that era. From memory, it is quite similar to an '82 Clos du Val Reserve cab, so I think this might fool some people if served side-by-side.

1/28/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

From my experience, Trotanoy was killing it in the '70s and early '80s, at least compared to most BDX estates. This is the first wine I've had from this maligned year, but I would put this a notch up on both the '78 and '79 Trot, at least based on its alluring nose alone. Tobacco, black tea, shoe leather and bay leaf aromas are stunning and complex right out of the gate. Not quite as glorious on the palate, but still an excellent aged claret, leaning toward vegetal in style, with woodsy forest floor and cigar box notes to accompany the fading plum fruit core. This was better on day 1 than day 2, so pop and pour is the way to go.

1/30/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Very typical to the Levet style, which is to say, this shows more similarity to Cornas than Cote Rotie. Burly, gamey and a bit feral, with black fruits, olive tapenade, smoked meat and iron notes. The tannins are still quite raw, and this probably should have been decanted. I expect this to improve over the next 5-10 years.

1/22/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

This bottle was great, and a big step up from my last one, tasted a few years ago. A peppery and brambly version of zinfandel, in a style that I like. Cigar box accents to go with the silky black fruit frame, with no apparent heat from the 15.5% ABV. Drank very well over several evenings.

1/13/2024 - GrapeScott wrote:

Upper mid-shoulder fill, Mahler-Besse. Cork was in good condition and came out in one piece, but there were signs of previous seepage. Not as good as a previous, stunning bottle but still very enjoyable. Margaux elegance, with plum, cedar and cassis notes, a bit oxidized on the finish.

9/18/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

The last three vintages of Latour-Martillac have way overperformed their price point, and seem to be getting better each year. Everything in balance here, with classic Pessac flavors of red berries and gravel. While obviously young and unevolved, this is quite pretty and elegant, with a bright core of cherry and red currant fruit, and some tobacco and lead pencil notes. Fantastic value.

9/16/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Birthyear wine for our friend Mike. Opened about 3h. slow oxed, before drinking with a lovely dinner of braised lamb shanks. The cork was in excellent shape, clean at the top and saturated ~1/2 way. Rather port-like on the nose, with mocha and asian spice notes. Surprisingly rich and fruity for a wine this age, with a minty/eucalyptus note that became more pronounced with air. The oldest CA cab I've tried to date, and my first from the '60s. The previous evening we had a '74 Mondavi pinot noir, which was also excellent. Collectively, these two wines did a lot to reaffirm my belief that the '60s and '70s were the golden age for CA wine.

4/11/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

My wife loved this and wanted to go back to Costco for more, especially at the sub-$13 price tag. Has an interesting floral nose marked by acacia honey, marzipan and asian pear. A bit hollow but pleasant enough for the price, and loads more interesting than most sparklers in this price range.

7/23/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Astringent with diacetyl/buttered popcorn notes. Hopefully not representative since I have 7 more bottles.

7/1/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

From magnum. Hand written vintage label but confirmed by branded cork (3 other bottles in the same lot have normal labels). Top shoulder fill with a protruding and saturated cork. Opened around 2pm and served 6 hours later. Gorgeous nose of cedar and pencil shavings. Initially a bit shy and slightly green, this continued to open up and improve with each glass. Red fruited profile with currant, forest berries, red plum and cigar leaf. Gorgeous, spice laden finish. This has plenty of life left in this format.

6/30/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

It's hard to find Txakoli for $10/bottle, and likewise it's hard to complain about a $10 wine with this much character. The nose reminds me of chenin blanc, with lemon curd and pineapple, and both an oily and saline character. Tastes like the sea, briny and limestoney, tart and refreshing, like lemonade on a hot day. Neither deep nor complex, but quaffable, and would be the perfect foil for oysters.

6/24/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Pretty herbal, very reminiscent of a cab franc-based Loire rose but with a bit of spritz and a lot more acidity. Some watermelon rind fruit, with the typical saline, seashell-like finish of Txakoli. Not nearly as good as Ameztoi, but also half the price.

6/23/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Drank over several nights to track its evolution. 15% ABV and showing every bit of it. Big, clunky and inelegant, with the only redeeming quality being an intense smoky, ferrous minerality on the nose. Blackberry and ripe plum with a chewy, tannic, hot finish. This is a beast of a wine that I did not enjoy very much.

6/21/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Gorgeous stuff. Sappy and energetic with abundant cherry, sandalwood and herbs on the nose, and red currant, persimmon and baking spice on the palate. Finishes a bit chewy, but with a floral flourish. In a great place right now but should hold for another decade or more.

6/20/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is indeed spoofy, but I find this bottle less off-putting than the last bottle I had 3 years ago. Perhaps it's the additional bottle age or perhaps it's me, but this was inoffensive to borderline enjoyable. Has a rich roasty nose of espresso, tobacco leaf, bing cherry and ripe plum. A donut wine that hits you in the face up front and ends strong, but is a bit hollow in the middle. Dry tannins and a bit of alcoholic heat mar the otherwise long finish. An OK showing for pretty much the worst era in BDX if you ask me, particularly on the Right Bank.

6/18/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Served in Grassl champagne glasses, my new favorite vessel for sparklers. Dry and a bit austere, but that is a style I favor. Pear and citrus on the nose, with an assertive, prickly mousse, lemon and grapefruit flavors and a tart, mineral-tinged finish. This begs for food and is not an apertif wine IMO, so mea culpa on that.

6/17/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

From 500mL bottle. Leaking likely due to faulty cork. Despite the loose cork and previous seepage, the color was a medium shade of yellow, appropriate for its age, with no signs of premature oxidation on the nose or palate. Flinty nose with quince and pear notes. Burgundian in style, dry almost austere finish, clean and subdued oak regimen, laser-like focus. Shows notes of seashell, lemon, ginger and apple skin on the palate. To my taste, among the best in CA chard.

6/4/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

I feel like this chateau has been on a roll the past three vintages, which have all shown a very consistent style. I might give the slight edge to 2019 over 2020 (and both over 2018), but this is really splitting hairs. Lovely, crunchy red berry fruit nose of raspberries and wild strawberries, with a bit more black fruit (cassis, plum) on the palate, with a pronounced mineral streak. While not exactly restrained, I would put these in the "traditional" camp, as the use of used barrels and amphorae for elevage means there is really no trace of oak. Excellent stuff for short to mid-term drinking.

6/4/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

13.5% ABV. Floral and loaded with red berry notes. Very Margaux. Shows a bit more oak than I like upon opening, but by day 2 and 3 this has integrated nicely. Good value here.

6/2/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Much better than my last bottle from 2 years ago. This had no signs of reduction or off aromas and was singing right out of the gates. Feral, gamey nose with a dark berry and plum fruit core and a bit of drying tannins on the back end. Toes the line between traditional and modern styles. This is very old school on the nose but is a bit more plush and richer in the midpalate than you might see from an ultratraditionalist. Nonetheless, this is quite enjoyable, and continued to improve with air, so I'll try to hold off on my remaining bottles for a 5+ years.

6/1/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Traditionally-styled Cornas that is just starting to enter its secondary development. Smoked meat, game, minerals, garrigue, leather and brambly berry fruit on the nose. High-toned core of blackberry and red plum fruit, with a bit of orchard fruit/tart peach to add complexity. Finishes tart, tarry and moderately tannic. Excellent now, with significant upside.

5/31/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is still drinking pretty well at nearly 20 years of age. RRV pinots are no longer my cup of tea, nor is really this style in general, but this was still quite enjoyable. Black cherry fruits and a bit of menthol and cola on the nose. Big and rich, balanced by a good dose of acidity, and showing a bit of heat on the finish.

5/30/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Once again, this is a fantastic pinot that is right in my stylistic wheelhouse. Pretty black raspberry fruit with mineral accents on the nose, with crunchy red fruit and crushed rocks on the palate, finishing a bit chewy. This is a very mineral-laden and slightly rustic Burg that has been drinking well for the past few years but definitely has the stuffing to improve with age.

5/28/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

A surprisingly elegant take on syrah for Gramercy, though perhaps it is bottle age rather than stylistic intent that is responsible. I picked a 3-pack up at auction last year for ~$17 each, so the bar was pretty low in terms of expectations. While no QPR hero, this was solid, and delivered a nice core of boysenberry fruit with some tapenade and coffee notes. I like my syrah a bit more wild--gamey and smokey à la Northern Rhone--and this was not that, but it was smooth and utterly drinkable. Faded considerably by day 2, so I'd recommend pop-and-pour and don't hold too much longer.

5/28/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

This has aged well, and is every bit as good as my last note from a decade ago. As much as I like Comptche, Peters and Demuth, the Abbey Harris vineyard is really in a class by itself, and hits all the right notes for me. Pours a medium-light ruby with a bit of bricking at the rim. Brilliant nose brimming with crunchy red fruits like raspberry and wild strawberry, accented by spice and a bit of orange peel, and juicy acidity. This has mellowed out considerably and has entered its secondary development where it is drinking really well right now.

5/26/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

I'm more of a left bank guy, but there are a few right bankers that really do it for me, and Trotanoy is one of those. This is not at the level of the magnificent '75, or even the excellent '78, but it is still quite good. Really excels on the nose, which is laden with earthy damson plum, and doesn't quite deliver on the palate, which is a bit more lean and rustic. Quite honestly, I favor this style over some of today's bruisers, and without the massive structure, one can appreciate the nuance of flavors this delivers, with notes of tobacco, red plum and forest floor.

5/18/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

I probably don't drink enough Oregon pinot. The best examples strike a unique balance between New and Old World, with more Burgundian character than the CA pinots I enjoy from Santa Cruz Mountains and Anderson Valley. This was drank over two days and showed best on day 1, becoming a bit muddled by the second evening. Rich black cherry fruit with sous-bois and some stemmy spice notes. I suspect this saw a high degree of stem inclusion and that they weren't 100% ripe, because this shows a bit of greenness. Balanced acidity and a long, dark-fruited finish. Good value at $33.

5/16/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

One of the first AP Vin wines I ever purchased, sealed under screwcap. This was incredibly youthful and showed extremely well even though this is no longer my preferred style. Fruit forward and showy, a bit dark and brooding, and brimming with black cherry fruit, accented by a baking spice and loam notes. A bit one dimensional, but it has a bit of a backbone to it, and my only other fault is the high alcohol (14.7%) shows through a bit on the finish. Nonetheless, this was an easy drink and I am impressed how this has held up after nearly 20 years. Bravo, Andrew!

5/3/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is fine for a $30 bottle of wine. I like it less now than I used to because I've gravitated even further into the traditional camp, and this is definitely a modern wine, albeit not as gloopy as many from this era. This is the reason I go for less ripe "off" vintages like '97 and '01 over '98, '00 and '05. In any case, this shows rich chocolate, plum, and vanilla notes on a medium frame with silky tannins. Drank well upon opening but started to deteriorate on day 2.

5/1/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

This is in a pretty fantastic place right now. Purchased on release, this is my first of 4 bottles. 15.9% ABV, but you would never know it. This has everything I like style-wise in zinfandel: peppery and brambly, a bit rustic, with earth and underbrush notes. Not at all sweet, raisiny or overblown, this actually carries some pretty bright acidity which gives it a pleasant lift. Finishes with dry tannins and a bit of tarry fruit.

4/26/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

The personification of elegance and grace, brimming with floral and cherry aromas. This is in a perfect spot right now, and is a stunning value. Soft and refined, with a good dose of acidity and little to no tannin remaining, this shows pretty plum, berry and loam aromas. With extended air, it became a bit acidic and shrill, so I wouldn't decant, but it drinks beautifully as a pop-and-pour.