2/22/24, 10:18 AM - Hi Rob! Hope all is going well. Been traveling the last 5 weeks but back home. We haven't had another event including winemakers since we last saw you. But the local guys have been getting together monthly at restaurants in the greater Bryn Mawr area enjoying our wines together. Jarod has been the organizer. We have another one coming up on Tuesday (next week). If you're going to be in the area and want to join us, please let me know and I'll send you the details. Think we'll be doing another around April 21st or so. Cheers!!
2/14/24, 1:56 PM - Sounds like a great idea!! Let's do it!
1/7/24, 9:43 AM - Hi Mark! Sadly was my last one and finished up my stockpile of the 2016 Sinegal. Consistently good wines. Back to shoveling snow :(
12/27/23, 8:57 AM - Haha! Yes we did! Admit I was still weary on Xmas day after my 4 bottle bonanza the night before! Happy New Year!
12/24/23, 6:13 AM - Merry Xmas Marc! One last bottle of that wine tucked away for the future. Enjoy the holidays!
12/11/23, 4:45 PM - Hey FB, perfect idea for our next get together! Wild stuff about the insane Venge auctions on WineBid. Glad for my bank account that I missed out on those! Happy Holidays everybody!
12/11/23, 4:59 PM - Hey Mark! Us Pennsy guys will love to get together with you the next time you are up this way and enjoy wines with you!! FB is on notice to make this happen! :)
12/11/23, 6:06 PM - Mark - that is fantastic! Phils are a fun team again! I originally grew up in North Jersey, so I'm a dreaded Yanks fan. But am afflicted by incurable NY sports teams mediocrity! I've enjoyed my last 40+ years in PA and have even been twisted by my kids to enjoy Philly teams (unless they're playing the Yanks, Jets, Rangers or Knicks). Now you know why I drink so much wine!! Was in Clearwater this year for Spring Training game myself. Look forward to meeting you! Cheers!
12/13/23, 2:52 PM - Mark -- you bet I'll contact you the next time I'm down there. Spring Training or otherwise! I'm sure you have lots of empty bottles to make candles -- so environmentally conscious!! Eddie G was a legend in NY. Those were the Flyers heyday! GREAT STUFF!
11/5/23, 11:26 AM - Hi FB! Think this will improve with aging?
10/27/23, 9:23 AM - Hi there ThistleB! You and I seem to have both been a long time member at O"Brien! I'm also in PA (Lehigh Valley). Are you still a member. Admittedly thinking about dropping out as in retirement I can't keep buying all this wine!! Have enjoyed their wines. Cheers!
9/22/23, 6:25 AM - Hi MT! Peter is a good guy and they do a good job for tastings/hosting -- hope yours went well. B Cellars has become one of my favorites for reasonable priced (for Napa) cabs that consistently deliver. I'm referring to the non-Beckstoffer based wines as those are highly priced like everywhere else. Enjoy your trip! Jealous!
9/25/23, 5:45 AM - Great! Let me know!
6/28/23, 11:57 AM - Hi guys! For me, I thought it needed 2-3 hours to open up and integrate. My bottle was not a fruit bomb -- a touch more earthy and flinty but smooth with air. Hard to say on a magnum since they seem to age slower. I usually track the wine with sips upon opening and each hour in the decanter to decide. Let me know how your experiences go.
4/26/23, 3:12 PM - Hi FB! Totally agree that these age well and great QPR! Enjoy!!
12/13/22, 11:01 AM - Hi JR! Fair question! It was smoother on the 2nd day but on neither day did it have the energy, flavor or structure I tasted a year ago. It was just "blah". SO maybe it's bottle variation (only bought 2). But just so much less a wine than a year ago. Today, we used what was left for making a bolognese sauce! I'm a big Mike Smith fan so just seemed like a one-off experience.
12/5/22, 2:44 PM - Hi there. I was at that event too! Wish I had gotten to meet you and sean7711 there! The MM 2020 IMHO was better than other 2020's I recently tasted in Napa in a recent visit. Feel that the vintage doesn't wow me at all. Also didn't feel that the other wines there at the event measured up to the 2018 and 2019 MM or the Maxem chardonnay but it was fun to taste them.
12/6/22, 5:48 AM - Opportunity lost! Must admit that at this stage of my income cycle (retired), I am oversubscribed to wineries already, so I need a new one to wow me to further indulge. Most of the wines other than MM and Maxem (both of which I already buy from -- love all of Sam's wines including Arkenstone and Vangone) didn't clear the bar for me. Loved the 2018 and 2019 MM and the Maxem chard. Liked Covert, especially the 2014 cab and the cab franc, but at those prices I pass but will look to find some steals at auction sites. Didn't really like any of the Adamvs cabs on this night -- too lean and tannic for my taste. Was slightly disappointed in the Chappellet Prichard Hill cab -- not as dynamic as I hoped. Had been at the winery a couple of weeks ago and had already had the other wines they were pouring-- amazing to me how they changed their Signature cab over the last couple of vintages from a brooding/earthy beast to a more refined, early drinking cab. Cole was pleasant across the board but not exciting to me. The Simon cab was a nice simple cab but having to buy a six-pack was off-putting. I love supporting and building relationships with smaller independent wineries. How about your thoughts?
10/28/22, 7:53 AM - Hi Frank! Yes I bought 3 of the "non anniversary" ones and that's enough for me! Not guessing the more expensive ones are really better!
10/25/22, 11:29 AM - Hi Marc! Thanks for the wishes and it was an amazing night of wines!
10/25/22, 11:28 AM - Hi! Really appreciate the note. It was an amazing night of wines! 65 is the new 56 right?
10/16/22, 6:28 AM - I've had multiple vintages of this wine from Rudius and always one of my QPR favorites from this vineyard. Shame Rudius is history. The 2015 vintage was definitely darker and more serious than other vintages. I liked it but think it could use more age to mellow and integrate.
10/16/22, 6:25 AM - Hi FB! I bought from No Limit Fine Wines. They ship to PA and they have had good wines over the years at reasonable pricing. These bottles have also shown up on WineBid. It was very nice -- not highly complex yet. Will be visiting Bruce Phillips in November.
9/16/22, 5:34 AM - Hi FB! Yes Ancillary has closed shop because of the Carter/Smith parting of the ways. Always felt is was a nice pinot and a good QPR.
9/19/22, 12:14 PM - Isn't that always the case?!? Thanks for the followup note!
9/19/22, 12:13 PM - Sean - thanks for great note. I may open one for my 65th coming up soon! Anyone going on their Napa in Cabo extravaganza?
6/29/22, 8:00 AM - FB and Mark, sorry for the confusion but the bottle was actually a 2016 Bone Ash NOT a 2019! Agree that it seems like many latest vintages actually perform better without too much of a decant and putting back in the bottle helps keep it going strong.
6/29/22, 7:57 AM - Hi there DQ and FB! FB - I think it is in a good spot with some air but clearly will keep for 10 years. I personally was in the mood for something decadent and my kids who I was celebrating their new home with, are fans of the style - and this did not disappoint. It is big on the fruit DC, but my bottle did have layers of flavors on this night. A 2016 Bone Ash I had a night later (which I incorrectly entered as a 2019) was disappointing as it was all soft fruit.
5/29/22, 6:13 AM - Decanted this for about an hour and drank slowly over 3 more. Definitely improved with time in the decanter and glass. My bottle on this evening was performing really well and felt worth the extra coin vs. the base cab.
5/17/22, 7:03 PM - Hi Mark! Yes I did. Probably about 2 hours on day 1. Drank about half the bottle and recorked. Finished on 2nd night over 2 hours after a short decant (maybe 20 minutes). It's still really nice just not as exciting as my first 2 bottles.
4/12/22, 5:02 AM - I started looking on auctions for the older vintages since my only experience was with the 2016. Did acquire a 2010. Thanks for your comments on the 2012!!
4/5/22, 6:02 AM - You have the right idea! I buy 3 each year and generally regret that. SO much better than a lot of those Wine Access NDA cabs I experiment with.
3/31/22, 7:33 AM - Hi guys! Great conversation and notes. From the Lehigh Valley and you made me so jealous with talk of those wines in Philly. I had posed a question in my review of a 2016 Bevan Tench yesterday when I wondered about the switch from Smith to Bevan at Carter. I too love Carter wines (and I compared Tench to the 2016 OG) and a bit more than Bevan for elements of mouthfeel and sophistication vs. my experiences with Bevan wines (obviously both big Napa cabs). Do you guys feel Bevan will improve or "overblow" Carters' wines. Agree to avoid the big money on 2020! I know Mike released many of his 2020 Myriad cabs as well (and they sold out quickly).
4/1/22, 7:59 AM - The Vangone is amazing -- both the 2015 and 2016 vintages were epic. It's still under the radar and available at a little less than release pricing by online sellers. No Limit usually stocks some. Agree with #1 on VV, especially the SV's but the 2016 Le Petit Vice was an amazing QPR. Cheers all!
3/2/22, 10:08 PM - Hi FB! I originally bought 2 and drank them both and enjoyed them. Then a sale where they were sold for $65 and free shipping motivated me to buy 4 more. I have been on the hunt for sub-$100 bottles that I like. I can't justify owning too many duplicates of $150+ bottles. I'm a retiree!! :)
2/26/22, 1:47 PM - Ozzie - Thanks for thinking of me on the Maxem! I got busy as the auction was ending or else I would have battled it out more! :)I love Maxem pinot and I especially love that vintage! Been waiting for it to start showing up. Missing out is clearly a first world problem!
1/27/22, 4:36 AM - FB, interesting question! I like the QPR of all the appellation wines with my club discount. I love the rock block wines and their BTK. Their Songbook and Poetry are great but they force you to buy 6 at a time -- at that pricing, no can do!! They are often best with a few years in the cellar as I find them tight early on and structured to age. The 3 bottlings you asked about are all so different! If you forced me at gunpoint, I'd probably pick the diamond mountain as it performs for me like a cross of the other 2. But each is so different. I love all three AVA's regardless of winery but a great Howell Mtn wine is a weakness!
1/25/22, 8:13 PM - Wow Rockin - those are some big names and wines I have enjoyed. My only bottle wasn't anywhere like that. Hope it's bottle variation or shock that I experienced! Here's to my next attempt.
1/19/22, 12:48 PM - Hi! Yes with the fires the past couple of years, damage to some of his property/vineyards up in the eastern hills, he decided to call it quits on his personal label. There are no more Rudius wines to purchase from him. He is concentrating on the winemaking he does for TOR, Boich and others.
1/19/22, 6:27 AM - Hi FB! I buy directly from Turtle Rock. Member of their club. Ship direct to me. Same for Keplinger which I love their non-cabernet red offerings of syrah, grenache, etc.
1/8/22, 8:41 AM - Hi! It was best on second day but was good on day 1 with about 1-2 hours. Builds depth with air.
1/2/22, 4:26 AM - Hi Travelme! Happy New Year. I hadn't heard about the end of Ancillary. Too bad, I liked what they were producing at their price point. Is Mike no longer the winemaker for Carter? Those are some of my favorite wines, period. Any more info about Carter? Thanks!
12/26/21, 7:46 PM - Hi CS! Probably drank it over another 2 hours. A sip in a glass later that night was falling apart, so I wouldn't go past 5 hours or so total. It needs air to deepen and build secondary flavors. I'm jealous you have 3 to go! Enjoy!! If you like this style, then I'd try Vangone. The 2015 is a dream now. They may still sell them at the winery -- haven't caught on commercially yet (Sam Kaplan makes it).
12/23/21, 2:03 PM - I think if I had decanted for a couple of hours, it would have been even better but it was an impulse open after some brunellos missed the mark. 2013's are tricky with all their structure.
12/14/21, 4:25 PM - Mike - is this Chenin dry or off-dry? Haven't bough Chenin from US before and trying to get a sense of this wine. Thanks! Happy Holidays!
12/10/21, 5:37 AM - Hi FB! Yeah, Beau Vigne has been going through a lot of changes. I think they've been sold twice since 2018 or 2019. I think the last vintage that Ed and Kirk Venge were involved in were 2017? They were holding fire sales on that vintage, which has turned out decently well. I think the latest owners (Seven Apart label) use Erickson and he was involved in 2018+ BV and does the Seven Apart. I buy the Seven Apart Expedition -- really good and fair pricing for Napa. They are using the prior BV vineyard sources for Seven Apart I believe. I'll be interested to see if they keep making the BV label.
12/8/21, 9:27 AM - Hi AGELVIS! I had staged the bottle upstairs at room temperature (65 or so) for a couple of days (Bring up 3-6 at a time as we drink wine every night 😇). The first night, it was a PnP. Only drank about 6 oz. but it sat in the glass each time for about 30+ minutes. I just recorked the bottle and left it on the counter. I didn't decant the 2nd day. Guess you could consider this a 24 he. slow ox! 🤔 So I guess a healthy multi hour decant upon opening could provide similar results!?!?
12/5/21, 6:28 AM - Hi Grateful! I had bought two from the winery and tried them both. I had enjoyed previous vintages but their 2017 just didn't perform, especially for a $60 bottle. Probably a vintage thing as I usually enjoy Pott wines including those he makes for others.
12/3/21, 5:03 AM - Hello FB! Ed announced he is not selling any of the 2020 vintage. I received my 2019's but haven't drank any yet. From 2018, I have sampled each but only drank a bottle or 2 of each. Broken Shale is my favorite so far. Haven't tried the reserve. Also a bit tough since my experience with '18s in general make me believe they'll get better with another year or 2 in the bottle.
12/1/21, 8:00 AM - Hi MFLESH! I just had my 2nd bottle of the 2012 vintage and both were amazing. Stumbled upon these at an auction site. Saw your notes on the 2013 (which they are selling online at their site). Looks like I should dive in given your notes. Do you have experience with any other vintages? How did you learn about this winery? Seems interesting with a great winemaker...
12/2/21, 4:51 AM - Thanks! I have contacted Decades and they say they have more vintages available. Waiting for their sales director to email me with details. Is AO, Alpha Omega? Are there other PV makers you like? Looks like a new obsession is setting in ;)
12/2/21, 6:50 AM - The only other Napa PV I've had is from Young Inglewood (2013). Good but seemed pricey. Had 2 Washington State PV's which were good -- 2014 Terro Estates and 2015 B. Leighton. Both were better 2nd day and earthier than NV. I'll check out your suggestions.
12/3/21, 4:53 AM - Thanks for the referral. Rod at WH was very responsive. He said they only made the PV once - in 2013! Their 5 rows all gets used for blending. He suggested trying Davis and St Supery. I decided to buy some AO as they had 2018 and 2019. Guess I'll monitor the auction sites for older stuff. Love a challenge!
11/25/21, 6:50 AM - Thanks! I still have memories of great Brunellos from the late 90's!
11/20/21, 6:35 AM - Hi Rich. I'm hoping just bottle variation as I have another as well. 🤞🏻
11/19/21, 5:35 AM - It does get embarrassing at my house at this time of year as boxes arrive every day! UPS and FedEx folks always shaking their heads as they delivery box after box. The I get all the looks at the recycle center as I drop off the boxes and styrofoam! Yes, I have a wine addiction! No wonder I can't get my 30-ish year old kids and significant others out of my house!!
11/10/21, 10:22 AM - Hi Doug. I'll give that a try with my last bottle. Thanks for the advice!
7/23/21, 3:31 PM - Hi. Sorry I have no idea really. The style is very different from the older stuff I have from the late 80"s, 90's and 00's. I've stopped buying too many of these since I've gotten into the smaller Napa labels for the relationships they offer vs. corporate labels. This was my first post 2011 bottle. If I had to guess, I'd say give the 2014 another couple of years.
10/19/21, 8:15 AM - Haha. Probably so! I have a friend who really scours the PLCB inventory and closeouts and found a closeout on the 2016 Le Petit Vice for $49 and bought all six remaining bottles!!
9/14/21, 12:57 PM - Hmmm.... Yet Vinous and other CT folks loved it! I only had one bottle so I'll never know! ;)
9/8/21, 12:26 PM - I always liked Beau Vigne and even the Edward Lewis wines he made. I did buy the 2018 and 2019 Cardano lineup. The only knock I have is that the wines don't taste drastically different (haven't tried the Reserve yet).
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