3/8/2024 - nectar14 wrote:

Quite corked

1/22/2024 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very good, rich but balanced and full of excellent Cab Franc character. Will hold for another decade.

12/20/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Mature and ready, with a good beam of dried cherry along with dusty earth, dried violet. Probably best with food, with strong acids and still a good dose of tannin.

12/20/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Delicious take on NZ Sauvignon. A bit of a salty edge to boisterous green fruit and herbal flavors, big and bold but balanced. I really enjoyed this.

12/20/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very clearly articulated flavors, well-balanced, expressive. Delicious orchard and light citrus fruit is juicy and very satisfying. A solid buy each year, even if it's not a screaming bargain in Italian white.

12/20/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very delicious, with the dark fruit, alpine herbs and wild scents that a good Lagrein should have. Could drink a lot of this.

10/28/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Took some hours to open up. Pleasant, dark 'roasted' cherry and currant. Good density and richness to the flavors, but not overdone. Balanced and solid finish. Drink over next 8 years.

10/28/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Really nice dry riesling, with some good weight on the frame. Apple and grapefruit pith, slate, and lemon. Will age nicely another decade.
91

9/17/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Dark ruby with purple highlights. Took a day to open up. Toasted walnut, smoked meat, tart blackberry and plenty of earth. Rich and wearing a thick coat of fruit, the savory elements are currently buried. The tannins are salty and ripe, and this wants a bit more time - at least another 4-5 years if not 10. More to come. 93+

9/17/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

I agree very much with the previous taster -- this is rich, but it's not heavy. Vanilla and something buttery on the finish, but what I think distinguishes this from many new world examples is the acid and quartzy underpinning. Fans of most California chardonnay will enjoy this, and it may just open a few minds.

9/17/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

This is really very nice - a friendly Nebbiolo with red fruit and some richness covering the still considerable structural elements. Tannins coat the front teeth and gums, and there is plenty of crushed rock and even a whiff of pine to please the purists. A worthy bistro purchase or Thursday night red, keeping the heavier hitters for the weekend.

9/17/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Pretty saturated in color for this grape and locale - a dark ruby red with a bit of cloudiness. Volcanic and very savory on the nose; band-aid is an apt descriptor, but this is pleasant in its way of accompanying the barely-ripe red cherry and cranberry flavors. Chalky, ashy tannins give it grip while the pale red fruit and salty volcanic flavors linger. If you've ended up with this wine in your glass, I suspect you've done it on purpose -- so I won't need to explain how it's not for everyone. But it's not trying to be. 11% alcohol.

8/18/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Developing nicely, maybe even a tiny bit faster than I might have expected. This showed a mix of cedar, truffle, brown leaves and currant/ berry fruit that is just moving from fresh to dried spectrum. The acid is surprisingly med+, even a tiny bit bracing, but not at all unpleasant. Tannin is present, medium. I would suggest waiting a year or two to let this move more toward maturity; I think it's likely to sort itself out. That said, it is enjoyable now, even if the midpalate is a bit dominated by the acid and tannin. Should be good over the next 10 yrs.

8/18/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Definitely new world with the plentiful oak, but it's well-integrated, providing coconut along with the tart pineapple and candied lemon. Relatively intense with a long finish. Drink over next 5-7 years -- it should age a bit. For richer foods, probably not lighter seafood.

8/18/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Delightful, with all the Cabernet Franc character that you want, elegantly presented with enough power to hold your attention. Can still age another 5-10 years. Delicious now.

8/13/2023 - nectar14 wrote:

Broad and quite ripe, dark fruit and not a lot of cedar or tobacco. Tastes like it came from a warmer place than the mountaintop. Drink over next 5-7 yrs. 90

8/13/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

This was classy, quite mature, with a lot of wood - mainly pine or balsa from the grape, rather than aging vessel. Dried cherry, perfume, and a long finish. Drink now and over next handful of years.

7/28/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

It was nice. I think the most notable think is the elegance and balance. Not powerful and not overly complex (though not simple either). Put it with some food and it will elevate. Drink now and over the next 5 years.

7/27/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very nice, good example of the variety. Fairly low acid, giving it a soft impression on the palate, but plenty of extract. Floral, dark berry, some dark herbs and a warm but balanced finish. Drink now and over the next few years.

7/13/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Still fresh and green-tinged appearance - not looking oxidized. Very pleasant, balanced, well-made CA chardonnay with white orchard fruit and pale citrus, a bit of well-judged oak, and some wet stone in there. I don't have experience with Hanzell chardonnay aging, but this ought to go another 5-10 years, I think. Glad I got to try.

7/13/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very nice Italian white, with a whiff of white mushroom along side the lemon and green apple flavors. Easygoing but not soft. Well-made. Drink over next 3-4 years.

7/4/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

At 10 years old, this is quite savory, with brown leaves, dried fruit (mostly in the background), and turned earth. Acid is medium+ and the finish is moderate. Very good. Drink within next few years.

7/4/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Delicious, just north of medium weight, with excellent depth to the strawberry, stone, and leather characteristics. Well-made, long finish. Will be good for another 5-10 years.

6/24/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Still very nice, holding up well. Pale straw with amber edge. Nose of crushed granite, lemon, green apple. Medium body, lean and mineral with solid acid and good white and citrus fruit mixing with the granite on the finish. Drink now and over next 3 years.

6/21/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Still a very good wine. The color has faded to Amber, and the fruit is now a dried character, but the acid and length is still there. Some tannin is also present. I think this will be best over the next five years.

6/20/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Very tasty, some tropical fruit, but a dry saline finish. Easygoing great summer wine. I would buy this again.

5/24/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Really beautiful bottle drinking very well, still with many years Still ahead of it. Solid acidity, lots of wonderful gravel scents. Drink or hold

6/19/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Delicous - focused, smooth. Like a pepper-seasoned blueberry cobbler with peach. Very well done.

6/19/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

A bit oxidized, too much so, but still delicious and mineral.

6/13/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Popped at restaurant. Deep ruby garnet. Nose of fresh red cherry intermixed with dried cranberry, pine, and a bit of rose. Lively and sappy, with great balanced acid and still firm tannin. Finishes long and lovely. Excellent wine that will still repay some years in the cellar. Drink now (probably with a decant is best) through 2030.

6/4/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Clear pale bright green gold. Nose of green apple, lime and limestone. Solid acid, medium body, assertive flavors, and medium finish. Reminds me of vermentino + dry riesling. Nice stuff.

6/4/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Pours a dark, saturated red with some garnet at the edge. Nose of ripe, somewhat medicinal red cherry, menthol, and gravel. Ripe and plushly textured with a broad swath of flavor and solid finish. Whisper of tannin is still present. This is not syrupy or overripe - it's quite good. I think this could still have a 5 year drinking window even now, depending on storage.

5/29/2023 - nectar14 wrote:

Rich, lots of dark fruit, a bit hot with alcohol. Still noticeable oak. Took on a camping trip with friends -- many enjoyed it. Big rich style.

5/21/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Garnet ruby. This was not tired at all, and opened up nicely over a couple of hours. Dried cherry, limestone, and some forest floor aromas. There is still some sweet pinot fruit in here too. Very tasty, and should drink well for another decade.

5/25/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Had a while back... balanced, authentic, delicious. Such a benchmark. Can age another 10-25 I think

5/25/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Still tight but delicious. Rocky, purple grippy fruit and lots of structure. I might wonder if it will ever open, but I think it will... Still upside.

5/25/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Time to drink, but this was quite nice. Medium bodied, red fruit, good soil signature. Enjoyable. Not terribly long on the finish.

1/12/2023 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Well-focused, some tropical, yellow fruit aromas and flavors. Pleasant bitterness, like a good apricot on the finish. Unique and very good. Drink now and over next 5yrs.

5/15/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Simple but tasty and evokes the locale. Very enjoyable .

5/5/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

I do think it's fair to say that this was the most nuanced, detailed, and delicious rose I've had. Great acidity and length. Can age a bit also.

5/5/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Young and structured. Wonderful scents of dusty red fruit, dried cherry. Perfumed, but a bit strict at the moment. Allow a few years to settle and develop, and I think the fruit will come out a bit.

2/21/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Nice and earthy, with a dense dark core and a bit of muscle. Will hold several years. Not a light wine; more about density and power.

4/27/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Really nice stuff. Fruit and secondary elements all in good balance, excellent length. Quintessential burgundy

2/28/2022 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Lovely label art. Nose opened over 2 days. Stone fruits and then some pineapple, and real class on the palate. Medium body, good focus and restraint, with a long finish. Very nice right now, but ought to hold several years. Good stuff.

2/3/2022 - nectar14 wrote:

90. Tart, a bit barn-yardy and stony. Cool vintage example , and a nice change of pace.

2/3/2022 - nectar14 wrote:

Very dark. On opening it was lush and beautiful, and nicely focused . After 2 hours, wood dominated and remained for 2 days. Then it improved again. Big tannins. Decant or cellar for several years .

12/31/2021 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Agree with other note; the structure here is buried beneath beautiful, and well-judged fruit. The elements of cab franc are subtle - there is a little green tinge, some tobacco, and earth. Mainly there is bright red and dark red fruit. Went nicely with our poulet a la Basquiaise.

12/31/2021 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Delicious Sonoma pinot noir. Light-medium color, with wonderful savory and light herbal aromas, including truffle and bay leaf, and flavors of cranberry and pomegranate, long and lifted finish. Low alcohol (12.1%), medium+ acidity to high acid, and really lovely. Drink now with some air, or over next decade, though the fruit is lovely now.

12/5/2021 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

Dark and brooding, though not harsh on the palate at all. Black fruit, digging a bit into the earth, rich, long finish. Likely better in 5-10 yrs. 93+

12/5/2021 - nectar14 Likes this wine:

A bit of this remained in a bottle opened 1-2 days prior, and was generously shared by Dane at the tasting room. This was the best wine I sampled on our Napa trip. The fruit and structure were both in balance, with lovely dark currant and berry, whiffs of cedar and pine. Lovely.