4/25/2023 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

An Exploration of 2009 St. Emilions (plus a few bonuses) (Los Olivos, CA): Served blind. A restrained nose showing hints of dark fruits and a slightly yeasty note which blew off with time. Dense and complex, displaying blackberry and raspberry notes, some cigar box and spice. Balanced and energetic. Very approachable, but I am optimistic it will develop positively from here.

8/14/2022 - JonnyG wrote:

Aussie Night 2.0 (Buellton, CA): I struggled with what I perceived to be a lack of typicity as well as a lack of concentration. The wine was dilutive and heavily sulfurized, with lime and slate notes and a sunburnt finish that evoked Riesling.

7/3/2022 - englishman's claret wrote:

The 63 Nacional defies age, its rich blueberry, plum, and ink remarkably dense and potent. There’s a spirity element, but this is so rich and boasts such good acid that it works. The finish lasts forever - fig, blueberry, ink, espresso. Amazingly, this isn’t fully ready. About 14 hours later, this is more elegant but less dynamic, less impactful.

11/10/2021 - JonnyG wrote:

"Imposter Night" (Los Olivos, CA): A hard wine to figure out, not very generous in terms of fruit flavors at this early age, and there was a significant bitterness on the finish. If truly underripe, time will not cure these ails. Easily called out as the "imposter" Burgundy in its blind pairing flight.

10/9/2021 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour, then poured back into bottle to take to a restaurant. The aroma of the wine while pouring into the decanter was amazing. The wine was absolutely gorgeous. Incredible purity. Still plenty of fruit, strawberries with damp earth and a bit of truffle, but also beginning to hint at tertiary development. Wonderful.

Had with lamb ossobucco and filet mignon ravioli with porcinis. The wine was perfect with the food.

2/4/2021 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Served blind, and confidently identified as CDP, displaying lavender, baked cherries and ripe red berries. Despite the typicity, I found it overripe and a bit bombastic, reminiscent of Chapoutier's Aussie bottling. Subsequent testing showed this to be at 16.0% alcohol.

4/15/2021 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Pretty much as expected, with ripe, round fruit, some bitter chocolate notes, a creamy texture and plenty of punch. A bit clipped on the finish. Best with food. Always leaves me wanting more nuance though. Or is it typicity I crave?

2/1/2021 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

My first of a pair of recently acquired bottles, evidently well stored and in excellent condition. The cork was easily extracted intact, revealing a wonderfully typical nose of dried cherries, tar and rose petals. The palate was correct and echoed those notes, but there was no acidity or structure to speak of, making the wine best enjoyed using olfactory senses.

10/15/2020 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

2009 Bordeaux Night (plus some nice bonus wines) (A Pristine, COVID-Safe Setting Somewhere in Los Olivos): In a restrained style I really liked. A clean nose of graphite and saline. Cool and clean in the mouth as well, with dark berry and menthol notes, some bitter chocolate and some pyrazines. Good density. Glycerined texture.

6/19/2020 - Burgnick Likes this wine:

Double decanted to serve. The real deal. The beauty of this is the attack of the palate covers the entire palate precisely. Going to the nose, it was flagrant, explosive and pungent. By consensus, it smoked the 82 Petrus on the side.

2/29/2020 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

I find Kongsgaard Syrah to be amongst the absolute best produced in the US, and amongst the greatest relative values given the sheer quality. I had not previously tried one with 20+ years of age, however, so was a bit unsure what I would find with the handful of 1999s I grabbed at auction recently for less than $75 each. Turns out I got quite a value indeed, as this was a fascinating and rewarding wine. When first opened, the wine was virtually shut down, even the nose entirely unyielding. Returning to it over time, the wine began to evolve. Initially, the dark, dense appearance was mismatched with the palate, which came off as green and somewhat stemmy. With more time, however, the wine took on weight and delivered a creamy texture and a depth of complex flavors: black fruit, violets, bacon, licorice and mocha, all concentrated and intense. Who knew it had the stuffing to go this long?! I feel very fortunate to have more.

1/12/2020 - CodeGust Likes this wine:

Good spice and peppery finish. Goes great with a Seahawks scoring drive.

11/20/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

A stunningly beautiful wine, from every perspective imaginable: producer typicity, maturity, taste and texture -- yet I still could see this benefiting from even more age, amazingly! A perfectly stored bottle that sang from the moment uncorked. Powerful, enticing nose with that Chave animal aspect, loads of sweet red berries, floral fragrance and spice, plus a little heat. Concentrated, powerful and seamless, with a rich mouthfeel and expansive finish. Each uninterrupted sniff-to-swallow, lingering tipping of the glass made time stand still. A tremendous accomplishment indeed, and a joy to get to taste.

7/21/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:

The hit of the dinner at our new fav little Italian place in Miami.....explosive nose of florals and perfume. There's no mistaking the grapefruit and other tropicals in play inside your mouth with this beautiful Sauvignon Gris/Semillon blend. Perfect weight and acidity. Came close to giving it a 95......with all that being said, I still cringe at the price point every time I buy.

7/18/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Bordeaux Night in the Santa Ynez Valley (An Anonymous Winery's Gorgeous Cellar Table): Served blind. Not showing much at this point in its evolution. Not a dumb phase, just a bit one-dimensional. I do see tremendous room for improvement with time, as the quality is evident even now. Notes of peach, beeswax and vanilla. I would imagine the wine will take on weight over time and that the components will harmoniously emerge, just not yet.

4/1/2019 - msuwine wrote:

This earthy and integrated Cabernet blend is drinking impressively right now, with an Old World sophistication that I've never tasted from the Central Coast. Dark garnet in color with a brick-colored rim; full in body; nose of boysenberry, cocoa powder, gravel, and bay leaf. Tastes of blackberry, espresso, green olive, and eucalyptus, with a dusty tannins and a pleasant sweetness. Blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, and 14% Petit Verdot. 14.5% alcohol.

This doesn't have the silkiness or depth of a fine aged Napa Cabernet, but it's quite good. I think the main issue with this - and many Paso / Central Coast Cabernets - is the mid-palate, which seems abbreviated and leaves the wine tasting a bit too fruity, dusty, and acidic (kind of like a Brunello). This isn't my personal preference, but this wine is as good as I've tasted from the Central Coast (note JonnyG's helpful comment below, too, about the appellation). Drink in next few years.

12/10/2018 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

One more enthusiastic note on this beauty, which I seem to find with pleasing regularity on restaurant wine lists. This bottle added some smoky depth to the crunchy, textured, dark red fruit, green pepper, graphite and slate notes I've previously highlighted. Give it a hard decant, or (if you have the time) let it breathe for 3-4 hours.

2/16/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

A Fine Set of Wines with Friends, Both Old and New (Los Olivos, CA): Age continues to serve this wine so well. Dusty plum notes, licorice, and orange peel, with a thread of smokiness woven in. Lovely, harmonious and thoroughly enjoyable, a fine example of a complex, rustic winner that complements if not exceeds the heights of more "elegant," refined reds.

4/6/2018 - jonnyoro wrote:

I completely understand how this can be a 100 point wine. Brought up from the cellar, opened and poured- too cold and should be decanted. Starts off a bit of a brett bomb but once it warms up and settles down, it really shines- the flavors of roast beef, lavender, pepper, tarragon, and ripe berries come through- there is a bit of VA which adds a bit of a balsamic note so this is not a “clean” wine but that’s what gives it a certain charm that adds to its terroir. I love this wine... and it will only get better- 2020-2040 I’ve no doubt...

11/21/2017 - greg@newsomehh.com wrote:

Really enjoyed this Pinot, smooth

1/31/2018 - jmoon Likes this wine:

Was delicious and well balanced but not as thrilling and deep as in its youth

12/16/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Fully mature, and on the lean, firm, bright side, you find wet earth, smoke, tobacco, flowers and cherries on the nose. The perfume is more interesting than the medium bodied, firm, palate. The red fruit is firm and there is a distinct, green edge in the finish. There is a lot to like here, but not a lot to love.

10/19/2017 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Exactly what the evening called for, robust, rustic and just enough complexity to keep us on the edge of our seats. Dark red and black fruit, a bit of wooliness and some smoked meat.

7/6/2017 - CamWheeler wrote:

Midweek with the GMs: Dark coloured but has good aromatics - floral, orange, apricot and fig. Reasonably honeyed on the palate, showing some age, but has the acidity kick through to perks things up. This bottle needed drinking now.

12/15/2016 - CamWheeler wrote:

Beat your 2016 WOTY Dinner: Served blind. Bursts from the glass with flint, spices, apple, peach, a crystalline lemon element and a real saline element. The palate asserts superb presence, with texture, stunning depth and a beautiful mineral shine that pervades the entirety of the wine. Supreme balance and length. The power and intensity of Montrachet and the mastery and control of Chardonnay by Ramonet presents a compelling and unforgettable package.

9/23/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

My first Andremily. I was impressed to a degree, but hardly blown away. Energetic and approachable, with concentrated, glycerined layers of herbal and black fruit flavors, plus a touch of licorice. Impressive lift, but also some heat in the finish. Not opulent to my palate - missing a bit of 'punch.'

9/22/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Completely shut down, sound asleep. After several hours in the glass, this did show some sense of what is to come: medium bodied, black and blue fruit, bitter chocolate. Let it lay for at least five years.

6/19/2016 - JonnyG Does not like this wine:

Age has not served this well. Whereas I'd hoped the syrupy oak would integrate, the overwhelming vanilla and extracted sweetness just didn't work, no matter how hard I tried.

4/25/2016 - bestdamncab Likes this wine:

Tour des Deux Rives 2016 San Francisco, (San Francisco, Ca.): Tour des Deux Rives 2016 San Francisco, nose of plum, cigar box, spring flowers, dark fruit, not quite the 2012 but very tasty indeed, has softer fruit and more cherry fruit than the 2008, medium body, long, flavorful finish.

4/5/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Still wonderful, but seems to be shutting down a bit relative to may last bottles in late 2015. To revisit in 3-5 years.

1/11/2016 - TerroirHunter wrote:

Whew. Quite a ride. Opened while my soon-to-be wife and I were constructing our wedding cake at 10PM the night before the ceremony with parents and future in laws voraciously stuffing flowers into vases. Everyone stopped in the middle of their duties to roll their eyes back into their heads in delight. I did it on several occasions. Don't worry, the cake turned out fine.

12/22/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Some Winning Reds at a Lovely Pre-Holiday Dinner (Beverly Hills, CA): A stunningly intense and ripe Shiraz, with a profound bouquet of lavender, baking spice, dark fruit, licorice and mocha. A velvety, glycerined texture. Full bodied, with a lush mouthfeel. Notes of blackberry, lavender, pepper and smoked meats. Reminded me of a Clos des Truffiers in some respects, yet was singular and distinguished more than anything else. Looking forward to the rest of my 6 bottles.

1/23/2006 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine:

A spicy nose, with jammy black fruit and nice smoky characteristics typical of a good Pessac Leognan wine. The palate is even better, actually very nice, with a refined quality to the tannins, even though one can detect some marmalade. Better than Smith Haut Lafitte, but pales in comparison to the far superior Haut Bailly 2004.

10/11/2015 - liber Likes this wine:

4th of 24, pnp, perfect cork and level, essentially as November 2014 note, lovely cherry fruit cut with tobacco, high quality and developing nicely, long life ahead. Very fine (18.5/20).

8/25/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote:

It's always sad when great wines don't deliver, especially when the exalted bottle is pricey as well. I've had great bottles of 1967 d'Yquem before, but not this time. The color was that beautiful, orange, amber, copper hue. The nose, with its butterscotch, creme brulee, orange and sweet aromas seemed more subdued than exuberant. On the palate is where this bottle fell short. While there was good concentration of flavor, this bottle lacked the length and vigor the wine can produce. It's important to always keep in mind with old bottles, each is a unique tasting experience, some are going to be better, while others will be worse the for wear. The no great wines, only great bottles comment works perfectly here.

7/14/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Just barely entering its drinking window. Intense, gripping nose of tropical fruit and honey. Lovely viscosity. A dazzlingly complex palate, almost too busy though I suspect the favors will harmonize over time. Lychee, honeyed mango, candied citrus, saffron, and piercing acidity. Very long finish. Less botrytis than other vintages I've had.

6/18/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

A stunningly good Bordeaux white, displaying hallmark intensity while remaining utterly harmonious. Lovely, slightly viscous texture and clean, lush mouthfeel. Sweet pear and citrus blends seamlessly with a grassy aspect, through to a long satisfying finish.

6/18/2015 - JonnyG wrote:

I wanted to like this wine much more than I did, but my patience was not rewarded as the wine never displayed much nuance or complexity. A bit too dense, with evident oak, tart pear and some lemon on the palate. Clipped finish. Maybe an off bottle?

5/21/2015 - JonnyG wrote:

A Pre-Birthday Dinner with the Guys (SY Kitchen, Santa Ynez Valley): More or less consistent with my last note, this wine continues to come off as one-dimensional and a bit uninspiring. A ripe strawberry nose; unobjectionable on the palate, but no nuance or texture yet. Maybe with some age after it goes to sleep?

5/5/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

What a tour de force, with tremendous prospects in the future. Very expressive on the nose, ripe and inviting. Fine grained tannins complementing rich, balanced dark fruit notes on the palate. I detected mocha, violence, licorice and smoky flavors. Plenty of acidity to keep things in line. Very impressive.

2/28/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

A Matter of Taste: London Edition (Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea): This was graciously poured by Elisabetta Geppetti, who was probably looking for a well-deserved break by this point! While clearly a remarkable wine, this was not its best showing, I’m afraid, coming across as a touch green, and very tannic, without either silkiness or power; I thought is was the Syrah dominating on the nose, with pepper and restrained fruit, and later learned through the kind help of CT member Lipsman that this was the first year they used Syrah rather than Alicante; rich, red fruit on the palate; fully integrated oak.

2/25/2015 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

A dense, weighty and robust Pinot, vibrant and forceful. Notes of plum, Asian spice and concentrated cherry, smoky and ripe. Chewy tannins with no overt oak. Surprisingly good relative to my own expectations from past bottles not reviewed.

9/10/2014 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

Lush but not cloying or jammy,with well integrated oak and a lovely texture. The Cab Franc dominates on the nose, but on the palate the several varietals combine into an impressive Super-Tuscan and great QPR.

5/11/2014 - JonnyG wrote:

A corked magnum, grrr.

5/26/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Inky, dark with purple accents in color, the wine is intense, rich, concentrated and showing a beautiful purity of sweet, velvet textured fruit. The wine leaves an impression on your palate that stays put for at least 40 seconds or more. Another great wine from Manfred Krankl!

5/12/2014 - JonnyG Likes this wine:

The best 2002 I've had, though tonight a Salon is on the menu. This was a fully delivering bottle, visually, via aromatics and on the palate. Ripe and ready, though surely will improve for many years.

2/21/2014 - CamWheeler wrote:

Wines of the Mediterranean: Cheesy, with some pineapple and lemon rind. Texturally very good with nice flow and length. Has richness but also good acidity to carry it.

3/25/2014 - salil wrote:

My least favorite of the Lupicaias. There's plenty of ripe red and dark fruit here tinged with herbal and cedary notes, but there's a slightly roasted, overripe quality to the aromatics that I found offputting. It doesn't show the overripeness on the palate though; there's a polished texture with fine grained tannins and good acidity, but it doesn't have the finesse of the other wines in this flight.

9/9/2013 - JonnyG wrote:

A bit of a disappointment. Lacked complexity and acidity.

2/5/2014 - Baggio wrote:

Really, really good. Beautifully blended. One of the best Mourvedres I've had.