3/25/2024 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This is a beautiful wine with a great sense of place. The purity of fruit is impeccable and the acidity makes it a wonderful food wine. I am impressed with the quality, balance, precision of the wine. This pre phylloxera plants are something else.

1/20/2024 - Merengue wrote:

Classic and classy brunello, with sois bois, currants, black cherry, forest floor, balanced and light. Superb. Drank with a 2006 Sestinthat just had all that but on steroids!! Superb wines.

1/20/2024 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Wonderful wine! Ilarsen tasting note below is spot on!!

1/19/2024 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This is a big eloquent pinot both on the nose and on the palate. Big fruit that leans toward a syrah (without the pepper) but its acidity keeps it fresh and enjoyable. There is a lot of stem here perhaps and its reflected on the nose. This is versatile in the sense that is drinkable alone as a cocktail but also went well with a beef stew with vegetables.

11/5/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Same as the others about 75-90 mins of air in decanter. This one had no sediment. Beautiful freshest red fruit nose, cherries, strawberries. Ah the serralunga clay chalky soils. The youngest of the group but this has tannins and muscle even at year 13. Crunchy prototypical nebbiolo fruit with power but yet so light on its feet. Beautiful crisp cherry sweet fruit. Persistent acidity with a long tannic finish. This was the one paired with meal of porcini rubbed grilled filets and portobello mushroom risotto. Tannins were totally tamed by the food! Great wine and mine WOTN.

11/5/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Decanted for fine sediment. Sat about an hr in decanter.
Wow this is a lot more “perky” than the cogno. A bit more of everything, pungent nose, espresso, cocoa powder, caramel toffeeisn note, less earthy, long finish with vanilla bean notes. No tannins; was this a wine that saw a lot more french barrique? Its delightful and barolo in its essence still but more modern for sure. Half a % more alcohol than the 98 Cogno but it does smell and feel a tad bit hotter on the finish. 45 mins later, the vanilla has blown off.

11/5/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

1998 elvio cogno
Rusty maroonish and not translucent. This threw a lot of fine sediment when decanted. 75 mins after decanting; aged nose of autumn leaves, fine leather. On the palate, fresher than what it looks, the leather and earthiness translates to the palate, aged plum and a bit of orange peel, tiny menthol notes! Low acidity and receded tannins on a medium finish. Delicious and Delightful for a 25 yr old wine.

10/22/2023 - Merengue wrote:

This is an interesting oldie wine; it has tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, earthiness, autumn crushed leaves but at the same time the fruit remains and gives it a sweet tinge that keeps this fresh and delightful. All in a mid weight frame that is easy drinking. Loved it. Paired with black pepper crusted steaks and green peppercorn sauce. 92pts.

9/23/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

2013 Armada
Surprisingly little funk to this! Quite clean nose, kalamata olives, a bit of bacon fat, herbs (rosemary). On the palate, this is med weight, medium acidity with some tannins on the cheeks, a touch meaty but with melange of dark berry fruits also with a long finish. Classy syrah, still youngish at 10 and while tannins and acidity could point to further aging, i think this delightful in an adolescent way right now. 93/94pts.

9/2/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

From Magnunm. Perfect cork. Let it sat and breathe in glass for about 15-20 mins. At first smell, heavy prominent nose of old saddleback leather and , cedar. Completely old world left bank aged bordeaux nose. At first sip, the nose translated tonthenpalate with leather, earth and cedar notes but the wine was complex and layered with fruit and fine tannis after and ending with some mint and spicy notes. After about 1hr since popping, this baby came together, the leather mellowed, gobs of sweet fine fruit, no tannins and perfect elegant mid bodied wine that was so world class with a long spicy finish. What a delight.

7/24/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

I wonder if i was having another wine as the notes are quite different!! This was nice on acidity (med high), not a big wine, actually quite classic in profile, light tawny, forest floor notes, dry cherries!! Perfectly balanced was a delight with Home made bolognese!!

5/7/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Notes here say this needs time. Not my experience, i think i caught this at a beautiful place and close to peak. Yes it has fruit but also minerality, cedar, leather, beautiful acidity with just a mellow mouthfeel, rounded and smooth with no tannins. For those liking tertiary notes, they might prefer this more aged but to me it was just beautiful! Absolute gem at 10 years. Great with grilled steak. I always love My MT Eden with that sta cruz fruit profile!! Loved it so much that i pulled the trigger on 6 2016!!

5/1/2023 - Merengue wrote:

Old world in style this had a pronounced brett note that did not blow off. Not the level of quality i am
Used to with Rhys. Off bottle?

3/2/2023 - Merengue Likes this wine:

What an absolute pleasure is this Littorai at 10 years old. Elegant, refined, subtle fruits, no tannins, perfect balance on a light frame. The color was an instense but translucent cherry red. Great pairing with modern indian, Chicken Tika Masala, Palaak Chat, Dal!! Stunning. Can’t wait ofr my other Littorai to hit the decade. Wow wine. One of the best Ameerican pinots i’ve had in my life. My wife said “close to perfection” and i can’t disagree!

1/2/2023 - Merengue wrote:

A ton of Brett! Opened on NYE and was disappointed. Still Bretty on Jan 2.

12/22/2022 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This was crisp and clean, precise. Loved the petrol nose contrast with the dry fruit, mineral (rock like) finish. Touch of honey and green pear!! We had this for lunch with sushi, No name roll ((tuna dominated)) and a lobster roll!! Paired perfect with the tuna roll but the lobster roll brought up a hyper mineral fishy note. This surprised me. Elegant crsip beautiful elegant wine.

9/23/2022 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This was a beautiful light amber color, shiny and translucent. Cork was perfect proving this was stored perfectly. On the nose, a bit of menthol and medicinal upon popping but after just 15-20 mins of air this turned into plums, tar, leather. On the palate, the early alcoholic and menthol notes quickly turned sweet dried fruity notes, with leather and earthiness! This was beautiful but the tannins never resolved. They just might not whcih kept this from being utterly stunning and perfect. Still a beautiful wine!!

4/17/2022 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Pnp, Restrained nose, little fragance but not very eloquent, little hints of fruit, bitter cocoa powder but mostly gravel, chalk and a tad of new tire rubber. On the palate, this is mid weight, elegant, restrained, quite mineral and saline, low on fruit for a malbec and for the youth. Quite tannic showing structure and a bit astringent with low acidity. This will be an ager and has the structure to last. Hopeful the fruit will shine at some point but this is quite a complex and super interesting wine. Have five more; looking to follow its evolution. Btw no traces of oak.

2/15/2022 - Merengue Likes this wine:

At 9-10 years this is in a beautiful place. Superb balance, red fruited notes , cranberry, cherries, but orange peel as well, perfect acidity that lifts everything, no tannins and a long smooth finish.

1/11/2022 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This is a superb wine. Upon popping the cork the nose was super expressive combining red fruit and mature oak. Decanted it for 45 mins and first sips were heavy on the oak. 30 mins later and the second glass was a combination of sour cherries, sweet cocoa, plums, cedar, leather, tobacco with medium acidity and very little tannins. The wine balanced beautifully and by the third glass it was a melange of integrated seamless flavors that reminded me of aged first growth bordeaux.

12/31/2021 - Merengue wrote:

I was disappointed tonight with this bottle. It was all tannins and high acidity with little fruit and little brunello tipiciry. Color when pures was gorgeous but wine did not improve with time. Off bottle or dumb phase?

6/28/2021 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Tame nose, not very expressive; just a tad medicinal, Candied cherry fruit, orange peel, some underbrush as if this would have some whole cluster fermentation; medium to full bodied the finish is long with some tannins and heat lingering stimulating the gums. At 2 hrs of opening this was smooth and tannins resolved as well as the heat gone. Classy big pinot. Tasty.

12/6/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Young incredible fruity syrah, black cherry, blueberries, a touch of pepper, olive tapenade and bacon!! Smooth and complex with a ling long long finish. The quality in the winemaking is quite evident.

4/19/2020 - Merengue wrote:

This is finally coming around. Still youthful with above avg acidity, this os light bodied for a cabernet, has beautiful ruby red color and is translucent. Age has done wonders for this wine but still needs food.

4/12/2020 - Merengue wrote:

Bought this in Palermo neighborhood Buenos Aires in january 2017 at Lo de Joaquin store. Shiny glisteling look, more blue fruited than red fruited but quite nice. Deep rich fruit with a candied edge and some sweet vanilla bean essence and violet notes. Finishes a bit hot and has some mouthfilling fine round tannins which points to another 3-5 years minimum of life. This is close to peak. Very noce surprise.

4/6/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

My my how has this evolved. Big fruit expressive wine, red cherries, strawberry jam, a touch of cherry cola taste. It also has that stemmy component but its superbly well integrated and givea complexity to the wine. Medium acidity, medium alcohol, the finish points a little bit of cough medicine sprinkled with spicy/earthy sweet notes (nutmeg?). A terrific wine for a san mateo appellation.

3/17/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Was afraid given the notes so decided to check on one. This was bought during a trip to Montalcino and shipped directly by Roberto. Beautiful clear ruby color. Fresh strawberry fruit and dry autumn leaves. Refined and elegant with orange peel acidity. This is a beautifully clean expression of Brunello. Some really pure and refined tannins at the end points to further aging potential but its already in a beautiful spot.

3/3/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Very burgundian, initial whiff of cherries give way to a nose of sage and lavender. On the palate, this has fresh strawberries and cranberries, mid acidity and resolved tannins with a bit of a candied red fruit finish (maybe sweet cherries again coming full circle). This feels ready to go despite its youth. Nothing californian in this one but a delightful versatile pinot, good enough to awaken the senses without needing high complexity to be utterly enjoyable.

2/21/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Reduced maraschino cherries and strawberry compote, leather and a touch of mild oak with dry italian herbs (sage). On the palate, delicated and mid weight carrying enough fruit and flavor punching way above its weight. A delight and amazing value as i paid $29 for this bottle. Best value on planet earth.

2/16/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Beautifully light and feminine with strawberry notes and a nice sage streak. Good acidity and smooth tannins for a lightweight frame.

2/9/2020 - Merengue wrote:

Too young right now. Save till 2025 at least. Has great potential, dark fruits, chocolate, espresso and vanilla on the nose but on the palate just a wall of tannins with some fruit. I did not pick the acidity others mentioned in the notes. Great potential but just too young.

2/9/2020 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Had this last night, great and eloquent nose, red and black fruits, a touch flowery, long lasting scents. On the mouth, medium bodied frame, nice acidity, tannins went away after 20 mins. Better nose than palate but a nice elegant syrah that left me wanting for some peppery notes.

6/15/2019 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This is evolving and inproving quickly with age! A grassy semi bitter verdejo is turning into a gold colored honeyed rounder almost burgundy like white. Delightful.

2/9/2019 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This is at or close to peak. Incredibly balanced, it is a melange of flavors of tobacco, cedar, currants, dry leaves, mint and herbs. Just an outstanding blend of primary, secondary and tertiary notes (if thats possible) on a pure clean precise frame with no tannins. Outstanding. A beautiful extremely enjoyable wine.

2/6/2019 - Merengue wrote:

More approachable than expected, nice mélange of dark and blue fruits laced with herbal and peppery notes, savory olives and some tannic grip at the end and medium acidity. Bright future ahead, leaves me with the impression that it will come around and be a nice well rounded modern styled St Joseph.

11/15/2018 - Merengue wrote:

Brett bomb right after opening. The brett started blowing off at about the 30 min mark but was still predominant on the finish despite the red cherry beam. By the 90 min mark it was gone and the wine was much more enjoyable. Wine turned a bit darker profile wise as well. My earlier notes suggested this was an age thing but its not. If you pop one, give it 90 mins of air but be disciplined or face a big mouthful of manure like sensation.

5/18/2018 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Outstanding, beautiful beam of fruit, explosive nose, earthy, a kiss of oak, balanced just crazy good.

4/30/2018 - Merengue wrote:

Just delightful, complex, fruit, acidity, underbrush, A touch herbal due to whole stem fermentation, earthy but wonderful balance. Classy wine.

4/21/2018 - Merengue Likes this wine:

This was drinking nicely today. Pnp it was ready really right out of the gate, nice balancing act of blueberries, acidity, a bit o milk chocolate, with just a tad of tangible oak. On a medium elegant frame, this gained acidity and structure at around the 2hr mark whenit tasted more. stefania like. Ready and pleasant now but has the suff to age 5-7 years more. Quite a bit of sediment at the end.

4/15/2018 - Merengue Does not like this wine:

Another bretty bottle over shadowing any fruit brightness. I thought this was a flaw, but i guess thats this years style.

4/13/2018 - Merengue wrote:

Just a delight, perfectly balanced with beautiful blackberry fruit, nice acidity, rounded integrated tannins, a bit of charred oak giving it a smoky deep note. Wish i had more.

4/8/2018 - Merengue wrote:

This bottle showed its age and may have suffered heat damage as it lacked freshness and fruit was plummy/pruney/stewed. Drink up if you have any.

2/25/2018 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Beautiful young chardonnay, very balanced, burgundian like with no butterscotch notes, very refined classy, citrusy, almonds and hazelnuts.

8/20/2017 - Merengue Likes this wine:

Beautiful raspberry beam, purity of fruit, impeccable balance elegant yet intense a wonderful way; one of the best domestic pinot noirs around. Just classy and world class at the same time.

7/29/2017 - Merengue wrote:

A well made wine, Blackberries, black cherries and raspberry notes, Low acidity and integrated tannins, with an elegant medium body. Everything is smooth and balanced until a gigantic wave of oak and coconut hits you on the finish and persists for a while. American Oak is a bit too much for me, i hope it integrates but there is a lot of it.

7/10/2017 - Merengue Likes this wine:

2010 Buty Rediviva of the stones; this is a majority syrah blend (60% plus) with cab sauvignon (30% plus) and a splash of mourvedre. I am finding i enjoy 100% syrahs less and less and this a great blend with red currants and white pepper spice plus some plushness while being lively and fresh with good acidity. Really nice.

5/26/2017 - Merengue wrote:

I thought this bottle was great, light to medium bodied, elegant and refined, cherry notes, sweet cherry caramel, a bit of cola, beautiful acidity and a light touch of stems. Very nice. Wife loved it. She seems to enjoy Kutch.

3/5/2017 - Merengue Likes this wine:

My last bottle out of eight. Few wines inspire me to write tasting notes, this is one of them. Ruby red with the slightest bricking but not all the way to the core; This is just singing, beautiful aged pinot showing some smoky and spice notes, clove, nutmeg, vanilla bean; on the palate this is fresh yet mature, dark cherries. Elegant and mouthfilling with a medium finish. Beautiful from a weak vintage.

2/26/2017 - Merengue wrote:

beautiful elegant and feminine wine, with acidity, truffle and earthy dry cherry notes. Delightful but will only get smoother and more elegant with more age.

1/6/2017 - Merengue wrote:

Much improved on night 2 with effervescence gone and funk almost all gone. Now showing dark red fruits and spices. I recommend not touching these for three years at least.