12/25/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

I had the good fortune to procure a few bottles of the 2021 Hartwell XX this year. I'm not usually good on patience, so we had to give it a try for a special occasion. I'm writing this note retrospectively, which will leave many of the important nuances and details out. There was something compelling about this wine that made me feel as thought it should be venerated.
Double decanted for 8 hours before dinner. It leaps from the bottle with a inkiness that almost seems too perfect. While pondering the color, you are overcome with intense aromas of black fruit and currant. This is a big wine, with all the trimmings for Christmas.
The old Hartwell property has a special place for my wife and I and somehow opening this felt like the apprehensions on meeting your favorite author or artist.
What we came away with was an indrecilby well made wine, memorializing a property we love. My next note will be much more detailed and follow my standard WSET model for TNs. Suffice it to say this wine is worth the money, and then some.

10/12/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Gifted bottle. Deep purple. High viscosity. Mid-aromatic with floral notes and strong cassis and black fruit. On the palate, still strong dark fruit flavors. Some small notes of cherry. 11 years old and had miles to go. Wasn’t overly tight when opened but serious tannins that hinted at another 10 years on longevity. A beautiful wine that references the hands of Benoit. Left me appreciative.

8/21/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Really beautiful wine. Loved it. Could easily get to 100 pts after a few years of maturing.

8/21/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Exceptional bottle for such a young wine. Has depth and complexity with a rich black fruit nose and taste. We didn’t really let this open as much as we should have, but we’re really shocked at the approachability.

6/7/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Very nice.

6/4/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

This keeps getting better with age. Previously scored it a 94, and thought it was good. Gave it 4 hours tonight and it’s excellent with some strong tannins and acidity to grow. Outpost doesn’t fool around and this 2019 is a great showcase blend. Well done.

5/27/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

An exceptional bottle. Still young at 8 yrs, and dominant. Beautiful back fruit with well structured soft and complex tannins. Notes of vanilla and cassis with a balance that’s incredibly pleasing. An outstanding wine.

5/9/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Great flavors on this "Marina" from Sabelli-Frisch. Easy drinking with very well balanced fruit and alcohol. Soft and gentile tannins. On the nose, a herbaceous almost grass aroma, followed by red raspberry and unripe red cherry. The Palate is clean, with a nice medium finish. Medium body with high Alcohol (but again, balanced). Very nice wine - will definitely be buying more Sabelli-Frisch in the future.

4/27/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

The 2013 is a stunner, just barely below the 2014 in my estimation. The quality of Marcassin always astounds me. The exceptional use of oak to create a non-overpowering flavor of oak and vanilla while adding tremendous complexity. The Alcohol and Fruit are in staggeringly perfect balance. This wine is of outstanding quality and the ripe red fruit (red cherry, red currant and raspberry) is so harmonious with the long finish.

4/27/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine, big ripe black fruit. Only problem with this wine was drinking side-by-side the 2019 Macdonald. Given it was open on it's own, I'd likely give a slightly higher score. Pronounced nose, with Black Current and Blackberry. Some Red fruit on the palate and pleasant. Full body with a long finish. Great wine for a great night.

4/27/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Opened at a Private wine dinner. Easily one of the best wines I've ever had. The 2019 jumps out of the glass with traditional ripe black fruit. Black Currant and rich dried black plums. Rich and decadent. Was double decanted for 12 hours (per instructions) and opened for 1 before tasting. I don't think I can say enough about the quality of this wine. It's in a different class altogether. Can't even begin to imagine what this will be like in 10 years... Outstanding Gramme and Alex.

3/23/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Incredible Syrah. Decanted 5 hours. Still tight but getting there. Marionberry and cassis on the nose. Big black fruit and soft tannin on the pallet. Alcohol and fruit in perfect balance. Damn.

3/22/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Really nice wine. Great alcohol balance with fruit. Pleasant surprise from BD14. Will buy more

3/10/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Exceptional.

2/18/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Nearly perfect. Dry with great dark fruit and tannin.

2/3/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Outstandingly balanced Cab. Beautiful soft tannins with a current and plumb aroma. Lovely.

1/30/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Exceptional bottle of wine. Character and nuance. Black fruit, cassis and some leather/tobacco. Beautiful.

1/1/2023 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Very young. Tight but complex. First Cab Sauv from Paul and it’s beautiful. Strong black fruit aromas that give way to supple fruit with a bright acidity in great balance. Pleasant tannin that vibrates the gums, shouting to let this lay for 7-10 years. A hell of a way to introduce a new varietal.

12/29/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Surprisingly different from the 2018 (and not for the better).

12/25/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Insane complexity. Medium viscosity. Perfectly balanced fruit and alcohol. This is a rare wine, with black fruit but a surprisingly red fruit character. Decanted 4 hours, and still could have given considerable nuance to more aging. A beautiful wine with a very long finish (~1:30 to 2 min). Notes of black currant on the aroma, but a raspberry/cherry on the palate.

12/18/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

This was exceptional last night - a major hit of the evening. Was a magnum that we decanted for about an hour. Typical Hendry Cab but the age really brought out a beautiful perfume note on the nose, and the tannin was very well matured into a soft and round taste. Tasted like a slightly lower acidity and alcohol with this fair amount of age. Still the tell-tale Hendry black fruit and earth with blueberries, blackberries and currant. Beautiful wine.

12/18/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Opened for a Holiday Wine party and decanted for 4-5 in cellar (55 degrees). Was exceptionally structured with a surprising note of red fruit and soft tannin. Insanely well integrated, couldn’t believe the balance from this merlot heavy blend. Long finish that kept a smile on my face for at least a minute. Felt like a delicate wine with finesse. I didn’t taste off the cork, but would be willing to bet it mellowed considerably by the time we tried it after decanting. My 3rd experience with Realm and I’m very taken back by it.

12/4/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

4th bottle now, and they keep getting better. I have to let one of these open for a little more time but it’s so damn good off the cork. Really nice red fruit on the nose and palate and insanely well balanced. This is such an enjoyable wine.

12/4/2022 - bigdogsteve wrote:

Great mouth feel, like really great. More red fruit than expected with a really nice balance of soft tannin. Slightly higher taste of alcohol but it is clearly the result of it being so young. Gave it 3.5 hours in the decanter and still tight but approachable. Inky and dense with an abundance of currant on the palate. Will lay very well for 10 years and be a stunner.

12/2/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Actually 93+, big and brooding. Ripe sweet fruit and tannic. Classic Zin notes backed up by the body of petite Sirah. Really nice end and pleasant surprise for a 2020.

11/23/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Exceptional bottle.

11/11/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Delicate and tasty, Ripe Red fruit with high acidity and well balanced alcohol.

10/21/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Wow

10/21/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Exceptional syrah. Deep purple. Wonderful taste

10/17/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Nice taste, little overly sweet with a lacking complexity.

10/17/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Nice bouquet, still so very young. Tannic.

10/5/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

In the glass it seemed a noticeably darker purple than historical Hendry Cabs. Aroma’s of ripe black fruit (blackberries and plumb) with hints of some gentle red fruit and a touch of vanilla caramel. Maybe some fresh raspberries. At first taste, it’s super clear this is a powerhouse wine and it’s young. Very young. George is completely right, this is a very young wine, but its elegance shines through from the first taste. It is opulent, big and well integrated with big, big tannin (the good, softer, enjoyable ones). It definitely tastes like it needs to be open for a while if you’re going to drink it in the next 5-8 years. I’d suggest double-decanting for 8 hours if under 5 years old. Absolutely needs food if you’re popping this in the first 5 years. Seems like it’s got staying power to go for a few decades to hit peak. A 10/10 wine.

3/31/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Very nice

3/2/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Aged perfectly. Outstanding Cab with wonderful fruit in excellent balance with alcohol and tannin.

2/2/2022 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

About as close to a perfect wine as I have ever had. Double Decanted, per instructions for 12 hours, last hour and a half in decanter before tasting. Drank at a wine dinner, along with other outstanding bottles, but this was the clear and outright winner of the evening. Didn't have the opportunity to "formally" taste it, but could easily see every aspect was perfectly integrated. It had a harmony unlike any other wine on the table. Can't wait to see what this wine is like in 10 years.

12/28/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

As close to perfect as I’ve ever had.

11/20/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

We had the red blend as a recommendation a few weeks ago and thought it was outstanding. Called up and had the Cab Sauv delivered to try it out. After the rest period, popped it for some friends that also love vino. After about an hour and 20 min, it was still crazy tight. Pleasant, grippy tannin in line with some of the Napa greats. Needs a lot more time, which I’m sure is obvious. Based on the structure, will rewarded the patient.

11/15/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

A very well structured Pinot at an incredible price. Drinks like a bottle in the $100-$125 range. Big red fruit and cherry on the front with not a hint of over-extraction. Great acidity and a long, delicious finish that make the bottle seem small.

11/13/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

A stunning blend from Dan. Needs what feels like days to open in this young wine, but a few hours allows for an approachable right bank blend. Heavy merlot (at 75% with 25% Cabernet) with a surprisingly tight, grippy (not unpleasant but overwhelming) tannin. Hours in the glass shows a balanced acidity and fruit that comes to the front. It's got structure and nice mouth feel but characteristics need more time to age and develop. Looking forward to this wine in 10 years when it's ready to drink...

11/12/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

First drank this wine in 2013, and 8 years later it has aged beautifully. Easily my favorite right bank blend in all of Napa. Magic in a glass.

11/2/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Another great vintage from Hendry. Very approachable right now, but will also age well. Black cherry and currant - classic cabernet black fruit.

10/24/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Really deliciously different offering. Wonderful quaffing wine with red raspberry and rhubarb on the palate. Super easy drinking and a really nice change.

9/23/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

First vintage of George's Reserve series, a new and exciting program at Hendry. This chardonnay couldn't possibly taste more like a very young chablis. An initial hit of oak gives way quickly to a harmonious balance in acidity. Complex and characteristic that's quite unlike the Unoaked and barrel fermented chardonnay offerings from Hendry. This is a beautiful wine that will age and evolve for well over a decade.

8/1/2021 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

First shipment from DuMol after finding out my favorite wine was made by the winemaker there. Popped the Syrah on a Sunday evening after a long weekend at a family reunion. First tastes off the freshly opened bottle was exciting. Depth and structure well represented, but tight - waiting at the starting gate for the bell. Sat in the glass for about 30 min and blossomed into an incredibly beautiful and decadent Syrah. Great balance on the alcohol with strong and structured black fruit and tannin (but nothing over-extracted or overbearing). If anything, had the profile of a great wine that could be enjoyed now, but would significantly reward the patient in the next 4-9 years. It's official - Andy Smith is my favorite winemaker.

12/14/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Nice bottle, opened at a family event. I liked the wine, would buy again.

12/14/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

First experience, as far as I can remember with Crane Disciples. Loved the label. Wine was very good, great price ($39.99). Would definitely get more, and give other wines from this produce a try. Didn't realize it was a Zin blend, was thinking it had a heavy Syrah influence.

11/26/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Needs a lot of time to open. Very young. Big and bold with lots of tannin. Great wine

11/21/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Great Sparkling wine!

11/2/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

East beats West. Same comments as West, needs 3 hours at least if you're going to open it in the next 5 years...

11/2/2020 - bigdogsteve Likes this wine:

Great showing in a difficult year. Being an atlas peak wine, this thing is well structured. Needs time - decant for at least 2-3 hours in the first 5 years of release. Delicious.