10/3/2023 - fdaner wrote:

Tasted during our visit this week at Il Poggione. The bottle had been opened in the morning and we tasted mid afternoon. Wine is dark ruby in color with a super expressive nose of leather, tobacco, dark red fruit and spice. I would have guessed an older Brunello based on just the nose. It's very deep and expansive at first sip with layors of darker red fruit, spice and herbs. It has lively acidity and firm but balanced tannin. The finish is extremely long and pure. This is one 2018 that should be left alone for 5 years. Many of the wines we've tried this trip are either early drinkers or have very fine tannin and showing really well. This is excellent now but has the potential to develop nicely. The extended aeration I believe really helped. There is no riserva in 18 as it all went into the straight Brunello. If you want to try now open at least 4 hours before serving. This is also an incredible value at 40E. This was the wine of the trip for me slightly edging the Baricci with Fuligni and Le Ragnaie right behind them.

9/21/2023 - fdaner wrote:

Really big and beautiful wine but very young. Unlike other 15's this one really needs time. Menthol notes and chalky tannin are at the forefront but subside with time. Cherry, floral and spice notes emerge with time in the glass. Tannins remain firm but turn a bit fine as well. This didn't budge much on day 2. Still very pretty with plenty of firm tannin and substantial depth and flavor. This is terrific now but should be stunning in a few years. I will let mine sleep for now.

9/18/2023 - fdaner wrote:

Red and blue fruit notes take a while to come around. This is somewhat light and pretty and could be on the downhill side. Tannins fully integrated and very nice mature wine. It wakes up with food and was an excellent match for lamb chops. It's very balanced with a light mouthfeel and very classy. Darker plum notes emerge with time and food. I would have guessed aged Ridge Zin or BDX if tasting blind. If you have a few I'd definitley check on one. Don't see further upside for holding.

6/15/2023 - fdaner wrote:

Served at home in Conterno Sensory glasses. This was at it's peak about 30 minutes after being open. Huge nose of red cherry, cranberry, exotic spice and floral tones. It's deep and slightly firm with waves of flavor that unfurl one after the other, cherry, spice, along with floral and tar notes. It's powerful but balanced by a classic profile with slightly chewy tannins. The finish goes on forever and keeps you wanting for more. This is in its early drinking window but would expect a bit more development once the tannins ease a bit. It will be hard to let these sleep but this should be near perfection in in 5+ years.

10/30/2022 - fdaner wrote:

Taken to Oak and Ola in Tampa for dinner. Wine was decanted immediately and served in Riedel Pinot glasses. It's shimmering ruby in color with plenty of dark red fruit and spice notes on the nose and with the first few sips. First impression is nice but perhaps wanting a bit more. There's some structure to the fine tannin and everything seems in place. As time passes more and more is revealed slowly and you start to take notice. At the one hour mark everything you were hoping for is there. Layer after layer of red fruit and spice are balanced with a bit of mineral notes and fine supporting tannin ease into the background. The final glass is outstanding both on its own and with the seared Salmon dish. You smile knowing it's one of those nights where everything was perfect.

If you open now decant and give this beauty the time to reveal itself. Saluti !

10/20/2022 - fdaner wrote:

This is very expressive from the get go. Some nice herb and leather notes with red berry and plum notes quickly coming to the forefront. Fine and silky texture this is surprisingly open and just flat out delicious. Nice acid and a bit of structure hold everything in place for a solid finish. This is a great RDM for the price and one to drink over the next several years.

7/25/2022 - fdaner wrote:

Classically built with expressive plum and black cherry intermixed with some earth and mineral notes. It's medium bodied and balanced but a bit firm with nice dusty tannins that show on the finish. Extended decanting subdued the wine a bit and the tannins but it came back alive with food. This is very good right now but expect it should improve nicely over the next 2-5 years. Really nice wine and a heck of a qpr for Brunello.

1/22/2022 - fdaner wrote:

Ruby color with expressive notes of earth and spice followed by dark red fruit. This really shows the classic style of Pinot Noir with earthy tones and spice followed by firm but fine tannins. This continued to develop and pick up weight through 90 minute decant and dinner. Red berry notes start to come into play nicely balanced with acid and the tannin subsides a bit to let the fruit step forward. It's an excellent food wine now with a good decant but this is oh so young. I estimate 2025 at the for it's early drinking window and will continue to develop for years. I expect this reach another level and higher score and reward those who wait.

1/16/2022 - fdaner wrote:

This is in a really nice spot right now. Very expressive with deep red cherry and some menthol and tar. This really picks up some weight and richness with decanting. It was really good following in the glass and after decanting. This is a tremendouc value. In a really nice spot in the beginning of it's drinking window.

1/9/2022 - fdaner wrote:

Bright ruby in color with a super expressive nose. It's initially a bit shy with the first few sips showing red fruit and spice. It really opens up with decanting 60 minutes or so. Great energy and deep flavors of red fruit that finish with a distinctive saline note that adds to a mouthwatering finish. It continues to open up and pick up depth and a bit of weight with time. This is outstanding now but will get better and reward cellaring. I'll give mine a few more years before trying.

1/2/2022 - fdaner wrote:

From Coravin:
Starts off a bit shy but really opens up after 30 minutes or so in the glass. Deep berry fruit, spice and slight floral and mineral notes. It really expands across the palate and picks up weight and heft. Firm structure appears over time showing the effect of 50% whole cluster. This has really deep flavor and leads to a long and persistent finish. I'm still tasting it 10 minutes after the final sip. What a fantastic wine but oh so young right now. I'll leave the remaining bottles for at least 3 years but would like to see this after 10 years of age. I expect it to pick up a point or 2 as it ages.

12/31/2021 - fdaner wrote:

Beautiful red fruit jumps from the glass with hints of Asian spice. Really expressive from pnp but continues to unfold with a short decant and in the glass. Deep red berry and spice with supple tannins carrying through to a long finish. This is showing really nice right now but no rush to open. A great wine and value in Pinot Noir.

10/15/2021 - fdaner wrote:

Decanted at dinner and followed over 90 minutes. Ruby red in the glass the wine is super expressive on the nose. Floral and juicy berry notes are inviting on the nose and follow on the palate. Medium body with red berry fruit with dusty tannins and some herbal notes following the fruit. It has a bit of structure but very drinkable now. Paired with 36 hour sous vide tri tip it was very good on it's own and great with the beef.

9/19/2021 - fdaner wrote:

Shared a bottle over a light lunch in Florence at Enoteca Pitti Gola across from the Pitti Palace. What a treat to try a Chianti Classico Riserva in it's prime. Beautiful ruby in color with just slight bricking at the edge. This opened nicely over time in the glass. Bright red cherry and some slight earthy funk on the nose and palate. It was medium body and somewhat silky with some nice weight but no firm tannin. A very good wine in it's prime.

3/9/2021 - fdaner wrote:

What a beautiful wine and showing so well right now. A great example of what makes 16 such a special vintage. The nose was so expressive with lots of red cherry, plum and floral notes. Similar notes on the palate that build with terrific presence. The tannins start firm but are very fine and never get in the way of the wine. It finishes with a long finish that leads you back to wanting more. We enjoyed with an Elk Tenderloin and Veal chop and when had with food the tannin really recede and it reaches even new heights. My favorite 2016 so far and a terrific value as well.

12/12/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Terrific base Barolo classically built but so expressive right now. The nose jumps from the glass with dark red fruit and beautiful floral tones. It's layered with flavor with some spice and orange peel that show up on the finish. Tannins are fine and persistent that stay present but don't get in the way. Give it 2-3 hours of air to help open up. Wonderful now but see some potential upside. Excellent qpr as well.

12/6/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This starts out a bit tense and tight. It was quite shy on the nose. Initially though it delivers layers of flavor on the palate with deep red fruit, tar and a pretty orange peel note. The tannins are slight and rich at first and it's very expressive. After an hour of being open it really unwinds and builds power with even deeper flavors. It feels classically built but showing so much now. I was surprised so much more was revealed with time. I wish i could have followed it over a few hours or decanted. 95 for the first impression and 97 on what was revealed with time. Fantastic wine and as good as any 2016 I've tried.

12/3/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Really beautiful wine with floral, cherry and mint tones on the nose. It's very expressive and persistent and deep in flavor with similar notes on the palate. This is medium body and weight with the tannins showing up on the long finish. It shows some of the Serralunga imprint with power and tannins but approachable now with air. It should develop nicely over the next few years. I'll be buying more. Very good.

11/28/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Last bottle and it was the best. Opened on T-Day for dinner. So light and transparent in color. This glides across the palate with mineral laced red fruit and some spice notes that add lift and energy. The red berry liqueur notes linger on a very long finish. This a beautiful Oregon Pinot. I love how these wines have aged.

11/28/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This was my 3rd bottle in the last year. It's just starting to get into its prime drinking window. Bright red fruit notes of tart strawberry and cherry along with Asian spice and slight black tea notes. It has some fine tannin on the finish and turns a bit silky with air. It gains depth and complexity with air. Just a great bottle of Pinot. No rush to open as this one was built to last. I'll give the last one a few more years.

11/23/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Cordero got on my radar with the terrific 16 Monfalletto. I was excited to try the Gattera with a bit of age. This is a beautiful, expressive and young wine. It has a terrific nose of red cherry, floral and slight mint tones. It's packed with flavor and fine tannin. It was a sheer joy to drink. It picked up a bit of depth and power with air. It was also a fantastic match with Risotto and mushrooms. Highly recommend and I bought some more as I'll give the next bottle at least 2 years. This should be stunning at age 15.

11/14/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Deep ruby color with a beautiful nose of cherry, tobacco and orange peel. It shows similar flavors with cherry, orange peel and cedar intermixed with fine tannins that lead to a long finish. This is my first time trying but believe based on my experience and prior notes this is just entering it's drinking window. We followed over 2 hours and enjoyed with a simple pasta with clams, chorizo and tomato. The acid in the dish really brought out the cherry and finish of the wine. Wonderful wine, loved it and bought some more. I think it could still develop a bit more with time as tannins come back with some additional air time.

10/31/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Wine has some very slight bricking at the edges around the glass. It opens with a powerful and deep nose of dark cherry and slight tar notes. Initially it is surprisingly big in the mouth with very deep flavors that are a bit one dimensional. It really unwinds quickly and teasingly starts to reveal itself. More layered flavors unwind and reveal more soy and balsamic notes. The tannins melt into the background as the complexity and personality of the wine really shine through. Longer and much more layered flavors lead to a wonderful finish. I think the wine is in a perfect spot for me and in it's prime drinking window with hints of secondary development. I started getting some sediment with about a third of the bottle left. In hindsight I should have decanted 1 hour prior to drinking. I have followed this one since first purchased in 2013. I've loved it every time but last night was on the verge of epic. Matched with risotto and shaved truffles was my wine and food moment of 2020.

10/24/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This opens up with an exuberant and expressive nose of cherry and floral tones. The nose itself is worth opening right now. Not surprisingly it's wide open right on the palate with silky fine tannins in a super expressive expression. Layers of flavors of cherry, floral and a touch of menthol unfold and get deeper with more time in the glass. It was an excellent match with a veal chop and I preferred it with food which tamed it a bit. It was terrific on day 2 with a bit of the exuberance tamped down with a bit more classic expression. This really delivers for the $ and I think will pick up a point or 2 in the next few years as it develops in bottle.

9/24/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Bright and exuberant wine ruby in color. It is really expressive with dark cherry, spice and earth. It's broad and deep with quite a bit of structure and fine somewhat chalky tannins . A slight tar note shows up on a long finish. I followed this for an hour and not surprisingly the tannins become more pronounced with time. This shows tremendous promise and the score reflects where I think it will be in 3-4 years. I pumped the bottle after the first glass to follow it over a few days. I won't open another one until 2023 at the earliest. + It held up and improved over 2 days and not surprised. Won't open another for at least 3 years.

9/17/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Wine has a very expressive nose of dried cherry and spice. It's supple and easy going and any tannin are very fine. Cherry and orange peel dominate the early taste and some tar shows up on the finish. It's easy drinking and picked up a bit of weight with air. Finish is a bit short and it's not too serious but a solid entry level Barolo. Drink now and over the next few years. Updated: at it's best with 3 hours air. It has a longer finish and more weight. I would expect some improvement over the next 3-4 years.

9/17/2020 - fdaner wrote:

I've had 2 bottles over the last month with very consistent experiences. This opens up with a very expressive nose with floral and cherry notes. It follows with complex flavors that have a slight richness to it and an excellent finish. Tannins are fine and slightly ripe but the wine already shows terrific balance. It's expressive, classy and flat out delicious. It picked up some additional weight and depth over 3 hours and never showed signs of shutting down. It will be hard to give these more time as good as good as it drinks now. Modern but classy Barolo and my qpr of the year at $40.

9/8/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Wine is very dark with a huge nose of black fruit, dark chocolate and cassis. It is deeply layered with similar notes with a refined silky mouthfeel. This is pure Napa in style but retains energy,freshness and balance. Fantastic on it's own and even better matched with a bone in rib eye. I don't drink wines like this as much as I used to but glad to have a few more. This is in a sweet spot now and would not hesitate to open. Decant or filter for sediment.

9/4/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This is a really impressive young Barbera. It has dark berry fruit with floral and slight stone notes and closes with racy slighly dry tannins and a long finish. It really opened up after a 90 minute decant. This has the stuffing to continue to develop and go many years.

8/30/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Wine opens up with red cherry,floral and slight menthol tones on the nose. It's broad and expansive on the palate with red cherry then tar and menthol notes that build along with firm but finer tannins that show on the finish. The fruit more than handles the tannin and I would not hesitate to open now but would like to see where this goes over the next 5 years. We served with an excellent Parmigiano-Reggiano and the cheese really cut through the tannin nicely.

8/29/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This was pnp at a local restaurant and consumed over an hour or so. It shows a beautiful dark ruby color with an expressive nose of dark fruit and sous bois. It has deep serious flavors of dark red berry along w slight sous bois and tea notes. A silky slightly rich mouth feel adds a layer of complexity and wow factor. It really opened up over time and is in a nice window. Decant for an hour or so if you drink now but this could still use a year or 2. Soliste is our favorite Sonoma producer blending new world flavor with a nod to old world winemaking and style. This was a perfect match with Salmon and also great on it's own.

8/29/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Double decant at home then brought to dinner about an hour later. This is just entering its drinking window. Ruby red in color with a very expressive nose that reflects plenty of energy and verve. Bright red berry fruit jumps from the glass with slight cola and baking spice. It has layers of flavor and continued to peak throughout the evening. Some fine tannins show up on a slightly firm and wonderful finish. I think this could still develop and pick up a point or 2. Try now with one hour decant or hold till 2022. Murto is such a great wine and tremendous value.

8/22/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Inky black and a strong primary nose of blackberry and cassis. Very suprised how young this is. The nose was so young and reminded me of Napa during harvest. On the palate still quite a bit of structure with deep flavors of black fruit and cassis. This really developed on day 2 with more complexity and finer tannins. Leave this alone or decant for several hours.

8/18/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Had the last bottle in 2012 and impressions are very similiar. Upon opening this has strong Gevry flavor of animale and dark red fruit. Still a bit tense and firm up front it really opens up with 2 hours of air and food. We served with Coq au Vin and the wine realy transformed. Deeper flavor with less game and more bitter cherry and spice. The finish was long and expansive. 90 without 92 with food. I think these are just entering their drinking window and perhaps could get a bit better with a few more years.

8/15/2020 - fdaner wrote:

What a beautiful wine this is. It needs about 45 minutes to unwind and reveal a deep perfume of red cherry, baking spice and tea notes. It hit similiar notes on the palate and terrific balance. Reminded me of a 1cru Chambolle. It really transformed in the glass and over the 2 to 3 hours of being opened.

8/14/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This is clearly in it's drinking window now. It has notes of tar, dark red fruit and hints of menthol that fill out and expand in a seemless finish. Tannins are super fine and barely percievable. It hasn't taken on any secondary characteristics but it's in beautiful shape right now and everything I want in Barolo. We paired with Pork Rib Roast and it worked perfectly.

8/2/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Fantastic expression of Chardonnay. Bright clean flavors with green apple, citrus, and slight mineral. It developed deeper flavors and got better over the course of our meal It was excellent on its own and a great match with fish. Wonderful wine in its prime drinking window.

8/2/2020 - fdaner wrote:

This is in it's prime drinking window with about a one hour decant. The wine is pure elegance with dark fruit and hints of cocoa and earth. Tannins meld with some air and the mouthfeel is silk. It has a long perstitant finish and is very balanced.

7/28/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Dark cherry, spice and a touch of menthol are on the nose and give way to a big wine that envelops the palate. This is a big wine that right now is powerful and very expressive. It's deep and has tremendous flavor and a long finish. Right now the tannins are still front and center but with a few hours of air and some food it shows terrific balance and the tannins fade and turn somewhat silky. This is a terrific wine but needs a few more years. If you open now give it several hours and enjoy with food. I can't wait to try this in 5 years.

6/28/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Outstanding wine entering it's sweet spot. It has strawberry, cherry and baking spice elements in a deep and fine finish. Slight sikly tannins pick up with some time in the decanter. This is really good and in prime drinking condition.

6/22/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Opened and decanted for one hour. It has a deep and dark nose of sweet black fruit that match it's color. The tannins are fine and somewhat silky but show a bit of grit and structure with additional decant time. The dark black fruit profile has notes of blackberry, tea and a bit of exotic spice. The lingering finish leaves you wanting for more. To me this is just entering its drinking window and can easily continue to age. Great wine and another example of the outstanding value of Oregon Pinot. Glad I just purchased the Covid Case special and some other library wines still available.

6/7/2020 - fdaner wrote:

Very similiar to my note from 11/19 but this bottle actually seems a touch older. Fully resolved tannins at this point. It needed about an hour of air to pick up some weight at close in on the experience of the prior bottle. I might hold one for a few years longer to see how this will hold up but my other bottles I will drink this year.

12/26/2019 - fdaner wrote:

Nice base level Brunello with notes of dried cherry and flowers. It really picked up some weight and depth with some decanting. I think it's in a good spot now and would drink in the next few years. Not up to the 13 but a solid wine and showed better with food.

11/30/2019 - fdaner wrote:

Opened for Thanksgiving this is showing so much more than it did a few years ago. It has a lovely red nose of strawberry and cherry that give hints of whats to come. Really nice silky tannins on a light/medium weight pinot. It's deep in flavor of red cherry and a bit of baking spice. Just delicious.

10/27/2019 - fdaner wrote:

The 2012 is a real beauty that is just starting to emerge. If you drink now decant for 1 to 2 hours. Wonderful nose of red and black fruit that follows on the palate. There is a slight richness to it and the tannin is silky but present providing nice structure. This is still pretty young but very much in the Bressler style. A beautiful wine.

10/24/2019 - fdaner wrote:

The 2010 I believe is just starting to enter it's drinking window. Brought to dinner and followed over 90 minutes after decanting. The wine is very deep in every aspect of color, nose and taste. It has dark fruit showing black raspberry and plum along with cassis and some smoke and mineral elements that add a layer of complexity and depth that separates this from many other Cabs and put's it in the extraordinary level for me. Nice acidity and fine grain tannins support an extremely long finish that coats your palate. This was at it's best after one hour and it kept rising to new heights. Very ripe and modern but classically made managing oak influence. Open now and decant for an hour or 2 or let it continue to develop as it still is young and built to last for many years.

10/21/2019 - fdaner wrote:

Tasted at Frog's Leap winery. Consistent with the house style this is a mid weight classically made Rutherford Cabernet. Bright deep nose of dark cherry and a bit of plum. Similar notes on the palate with moderate tannin and acidity. This has some nice depth and complexity now and a clean bright finish. This drinks well now but given a few more years I expect it will pick up a bit of weight and depth. We also tasted the 12 and 08 which were wonderful. If you're looking for more classically made Cabernet with little oak influence and not over ripe flavors then Frog's Leap is for you. It's also a terrific value especially at the club price of $55. Excellent and recommended.

10/20/2019 - fdaner wrote:

Bottle might have had a bit of travel shock but it was closed and not revealing much. It took several hours to open up and still was pretty closed but with dinner it came alive and shows tremendous promise. This has serious structure and tannin and should be left for several years. It has serious potential.

10/13/2019 - fdaner wrote:

Dark in color with a nose of red and black fruit. Taste very similar on the palate with cassis and earth tones complementing the fruit very well. It has a nice backbone of acidity and silky tannin. This has some real verve and energy to it and is outstanding for it's price point. Upon initial opening it's a bit bigger and there was a slight bite in the finish but one hour in the decanter brought everything together. This is still young and should age wonderfully. It's made in a classic style that I really appreciate.

10/6/2019 - fdaner Likes this wine:

I brought to dinner and decanted about 45 minutes. This wine is still young and has deep primary notes of blackcurrant and dark fruit. It's seemless, silky and somewhat lightweight on the palate. The dark fruit and currant notes standout along with some cedar and earth tones. Everything is balanced by nice acidity and it has a long persistent finish. It's excellent right now but I think it will peak in 3 years or so and pick up another point or 2.