11/25/2023 - drdan8 wrote:

Nothing special in this vintage. The 2018 although well crafted, comes across as generic.

11/24/2023 - drdan8 wrote:

Primary grenache blend. Nose of bright red fruit, evergreen, and assorted herbs. Persimmon, under ripe strawberry, cranberry, and red licorice on the palate.. Certainly not a powerhouse CDP; more towards the elegant and refined side. Medium body with manageable tannin.

10/25/2023 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

Down the drain....flawed bottle.

8/12/2023 - drdan8 wrote:

Nothing to get excited about here...but serviceable with light seafood or crustaceans. Pale yellow to the stem. Light whiffs of floral elements and citrus. Under ripe apple and lime pith on the simple palate. A tad hollow and abrupt on the back end. A basic offering from Galicia.

10/15/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This is probably the finest Brunello I have had he pleasure of consuming in the last 15 years. It's all here.... precision, power, nuance, and refinement.

Stored for 10 years in a 54 degree active with controlled humidity. Pristine cork with black stain half an inch up. Poured to a wide bowl for 30 minutes aeration with periodic swirling. Did not decant for sediment.

Poured much darker than your typical Sangiovese offering. Beautiful nose of menthol, strawberry jam, leather, rose petals, white orchid, and several scents that I can not place. Pristine palate of strawberry shortcake, hazelnut, cocoa, and assorted red fruit. The longer the wine sat in the stem, the more often different flavors emerged (wintergreen, mushrom, spices, etc..).

Some refined tannin still present; leading me to believe purists still have 8-10 years for maximum enjoyment. It is in he beginning of its drinking window now... and oh what a drink it is ! Just wish I had procured several bottles when the price was somewhat reasonable. Bravo to the winemakers.

6/25/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Removed this from a 54 degree active and let sit in a wide bowl for a spell to bring it to proper temperature. Sampled from a Zalto Pinot stem.

Of course the PN from Malconsorts is definitely grand Cru status; irregardless of the formal classification. There was slight browning to the rim even at the young 11 year juncture.

The nose on this is absolutely beguiling ! I can only recollect a few other wines in the last 15 years that impressed as much... aged Rinaldi Barolo, Rousseau Chambertin come to mind. A veritable explosion of sour strawberry patch, wintergreen, stewed rhubarb, menthol, and dried autumn leaves. Just could not keep my nose out of the stem.

The palate conveys elegance, refinement, and precision throughout. Robust red fruit, mushroom, and sour cherry elements. I did not pick up a vegetal streak as others have alluded to...although there are some very pleasing green elements that add to the complexity of the wine.

I probably should have waited longer...but alas my curiosity got the best of me. This is a contemplative wine for sure...and it reminds me how special red burgundy can be.

These upper echelon offerings of course have become unaffordable for me in today's market... but it was a distinct pleasure to drink this. Would have scored higher if not for the stratospheric pricing of high quality red Burgundy these days reflecting crazy QPR.

Open these for fellow wine aficionados and they will be impressed!

5/14/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

I thought this was delightful as an entry NV Brut Champagne. Did not check the disgorgement date prior to consumption.

Upon popping the cork, one is struck with the scent of a ripe apple orchard in full bloom. Honeysuckle, daffodil, lemon oil, and white flowers complete the bouquet.

Beautiful dry presentation with Macintosh Apple, lemon peel, and some lime pith on he palate. A wonderful vein of steel like minerality courses through the taste. Probably lacks the robust presentation of a NV Bollinger in comparison, but the austerity and grace here keeps the wine interesting.

Great QPR at my sub $40 price point. Would be an excellent choice as a NV house Champagne for both mundane and special occasions.

5/8/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This is a stunner from the Moon Mountain district...precision, elegance, refinement, and expertly crafted.
Popped and let aerate in a wide bowl for 90 minutes. Super dark in coloration almost like black squid ink.

The nose gives off succulent rose petal, blueberry compote, purple plum, and cinnamon stick. Medium to full bodied on the palate with decadent dark fruit and spice in a well balanced package. The tannin is smooth and silky.

If I had one derogatory note it would be that the finish was slightly clipped; but that is a minor observation. This balance here is extraordinary. The Caymus crowd will probably be wondering where the super octane is, but this wine is all the better for it.

I have to procure a few more of these to gauge its evolution over time. I believe I will be richly rewarded !

4/17/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

What a masterful and gorgeous drink this is ! Now of course I may show some bias as I always enjoy Knights Valley wines and my palate tends to really appreciate CF blends more so than CS blends. I just feel the Cabernet franc variety brings greater interest, nuance, austerity, and complexity to the table when properly crafted.

Removed from a 56 active and poured to a wide bowl for 75 minutes. Enchanting nose of violets, iris, dark flowers, menthol, and blueberry paste. Still some rough tannin after the aeration, but nothing overly coarse or concerning at this young age.

Medium bodied on the palate with an explosion of dark cherry, blueberry, and baking spice. A definitive vein of salinity that I love so much kept the wine precise and interesting. Nice lingering finish.... I would classify this as a contemplative wine that would pair with a great variety of dishes.

Let this rest for 3-5 years and you will be amply rewarded !

4/2/2022 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

I am not going to put forth a numerical rating here... in the event that this is an outlier bottle. Fortunately I do not have another for comparison. I have been an ardent fan of K Beautiful and Cattle King.

Removed this from a 56 degree active and splashed to a wide bowl for 60 minutes. There was no detectable Brett / TCA. Nose giving up little other than some extremely sharp and acrid blackberry. Upon the initial taste, the wine was overwhelmingly sour to a fault ....vinegar and acetic acid everywhere. Minimal fruit presentation. Do we have a faulty bottle here ?

I have never been a fan of CS and Syrah blends.... the marriage of the 2 varieties is difficult to master. Two very dominant and expressive grapes that tend to clash if not properly vinified. I appreciate and understand the experiment...but it didn't seem to work here.

Hopefully just a bad bottle...but would not repurchase to find out. Down the drain after the first sip. Wife said it was the worst wine she ever encountered.

3/26/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Revisiting this wine after consuming my other bottle 7 years ago. The juice is still alive and well.... and showing just fine. It reminds me how my palate and wine preferences have evolved over the years. 7 years ago it was about hedonistic fruit, richness, and a bold flavor profile. These days I seek out nuance, complexity, and the element of surprise.

Actually found this bottle in the back of the cabinet and was not recorded in my CT account. Nice surprise... I would probably not purchase this today other than as a dessert wine.

Expansive nose upon the cork release... Rich black cherry, loam, and blackberry coulis. Medium browning on the pour; but no surprise there. The fruit profile is about the same as 7 years ago / black cherry and blackberry. Not much in the way of secondary/tertiary notes. This has probably evolved as much as it is going to. Still enjoyable in a fruit forward fashion. Very well crafted for what it is.

3/21/2022 - drdan8 wrote:

This is beyond reproach a well crafted Riesling. I am not going to put forth a numerical rating as it just was not suitable relative to my palate preference.

The rendition of this noble grape I tend to enjoy gravitates towards a bone dry offering. Think Wachau or Alsace such as Veyder Malberg or Weinbach. I don't know what the RS levels are for this wine, but it came across on my palate as relatively sweet with some background spritz. Once again that is a matter of preference... If I had to categorize this wine in the German classification, we are probably looking at a robust Kabinett or Spatlese. Just not my preference.

Some petrol, lime pith, and grapefruit on the nose. Some faint honeysuckle and white flowers contribute to the bouquet. Sweet lemon oil, stewed baked apple, and key lime pie essence on the palate.

Many people will enjoy this rendition of Riesling.... I just was hoping for more acidity, balance, and austerity. As with all wine, it all comes down to individual palate preference.

3/5/2022 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

Holders of this wine should take this review with a grain of salt. When I think of quality Pinot Noir I am gravitating toward Volnay, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, or even select Willamette offerings. I couldn't disagree more with the Air Guitar reviews.... But that is the beauty of Cellar Tracker opinion. There can be vast differences in palate preference from various wine lovers.

Removed from a 56 active and let slow ox for 1 hour. Poured to a Zalto Pinot stem to gauge the nose. Explosive bouquet of mega extracted raspberry coulis in a sweet confectionary style. On the palate there is overwhelming sucrosity with more raspberry and hints of overripe strawberry. The sweetness and lack of balance/acidity was overwhelming. Yes there are some hints of mushroom, birch, and undefined herb; but the sweet and confected fruit overwhelms everything in its path.

Maybe this needs 5 years to shed its primary baby fat.... but I just don't see this developing in a good way. A little restraint would have been a welcome respite here. Was this a whole cluster / stem inclusion fermentation ? Don't know much about the Argot approach. I certainly would not repurchase at $70!+. This almost bordered on what I would expect from a Napa/Australian box wine.

Apologies to those who disagree with me.... just my honest impression.
But once again it all has to do with palate preference.

2/6/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Notes of honeysuckle, verbena, and tangerine on the nose. Limpid yellow color on the pour...The palate was quite rich for a village level offering with sensations of pineapple, lemon, and assorted tropical fruit. Nice paring with branzino and fresh string beans. Great QPR here

1/29/2022 - drdan8 wrote:

Removed from a 55 degree active...poured to a wide bowl for 75 minutes before sampling.

Veri inviting bouquet of blueberry syrup, coffee bean, menthol, and orange "sweet tart" candies. Medium bodied on the palate reminiscent more of Bordeaux in character rather than Napa. A wonderful assortment of tart red/dark fruit coat the palate.

I am not sure I was feeling the love with this wine. The finish was abrupt and significantly clipped; although this is not uncommon in predominant Merlot blends. I just felt there was something missing in regards to volume
and presentation here that I do not believe time will heal. On a positive note, the wine did expand slightly with more air time.

Much prefer the Bard or Farella offerings from this lineup... even if we may be comparing apples to oranges. Is an arbitrary 91 score too low given the deft craftsmanship here ? Probably.... But I just felt there was some intangible element missing here.

1/15/2022 - drdan8 wrote:

This is a well crafted wine but leaves something to be desired in comparison to some of the previous Ornellaia vintages ( 2006-2008).

Removed from a 56 degree active and poured to a wide bowl to rest for 90 minutes. Really refined and enticing nose of dark fruit, boysenberry, tobacco, menthol, and cherry. No notes of distinction.

Rather generic on the palate with a melange of dark fruits, leather, and assorted faint spice. This just felt hollow and didn't offer any excitement. Somewhat clipped on the finish. Almost conveyed the impression that it couldn't decide if it wanted to be old world ( Bordeaux) or new world ( Napa) in style. The wine just felt confused and linear in comparison to other great Ornellaia vintages.

Thumbs up to the stylish 25th anniversary bottle design. The contents inside just didn't reflect well on the price point; irregardless of the pedigree. Although the 2010 Bolgheri vintage was well heralded, the Ornellaia was not one of the standouts IMHO. I don't believe time will further improve its evolution; but that of course is a guessing game.

1/1/2022 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This Alban proved to be a very special sensory experience. The Grenache couldn't have been more different than the Alban syrahs ( Seymour) in that it showed with great elegance, refinement, and poise. That doesn't mean the wine lacks stuffing or bravado.... it just shows impeccable balance!

Wine was stored for 7 years in a 54 degree active cabinet. Uncorked and slow oxed for 1 hour. Absolutely tantalizing bouquet of wild strawberry, potpourri, persimmon, charcoal, vanilla taffy, and menthol.

Medium bodied on the palate with a seamless flow that just glides so gracefully. More underripe strawberry, ash, fig paste, and dark cherry. I am not getting much dark fruit here... but that's the way premier Grenache is supposed to be. The finish is just a tad clipped IMHO, but that is a minor observation.

The precision here is remarkable! Paired with beef bracciole, baby artichokes, kale salad, and stuffed sausage bread. Would have scored even higher if not for the short finish. The wine reminded me of a stellar Colombis ala Isabel Ferrando. Just a fabulous rendition of Grenache ! This may develop a little more nuance, but it's prime drinking window is definitely now.

12/1/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

A very enjoyable albeit simple Galician Albarino.
Enjoyable nose of hyacinth, lemon/lime oil. Good citrus fruit definition on the palate. Great QPR for a weekday quaffer for shellfish.
Would repurchase at $16.

11/20/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

Removed from a 54 active and poured to a wide bowl ( with occasional swirling ) for 4 hours. It probably could have benefited from 24 hours easily. It was premature to open this young Hermitage but just wanted to check on its evolution.

Really beautiful nose of black licorice, bacon drippings, cherry, autumn leaves, and sweet blueberry. Due to its infant status, very acidic on the palate. Well delineated suggestion of cherry fruit, menthol, and underripe raspberry. Still exhibiting voracious tannin as expected.

I still prefer JL Chave Hermitage to the Chapoutier offerings for their complexity, vinification style, and overall enjoyment. This is really not ready for consumption now, but I wanted to take one for the team. Bury this in the back of the cellar for 15 -20 years. No rating as it is much to youthful to properly evaluate.

10/14/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

Boxler has a well constructed Riesling here...but I felt the wine showed a bit too much perceived residual sugar for an Alsatian offering. If this was a German wine it would probably be classified in the kabinett / spatlese genre.

Explosive on the palate with dried apricot, pineapple, guava, and assorted tropical fruit. Smooth and seamless. I would have scored this higher if it exhibited less sweetness and greater austerity.

Would probably pair marvelously with Thai or spicy Malaysian cuisine.

10/10/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

I found this well crafted wine to be superb in almost all aspects. A sense of power and refinement / gracefully elegant while still being assertive.

Removed from a 55 degree active and consumed on PNP. Pristine cork. Assertive nose of boysenberry, crushed blackberry, menthol, and sweet pipe tobacco. Mouth filling and round on the palate with good precision. Rich dark fruits, charcoal, and milk chocolate engage the palate...although the fruit is starting to fade to the background with secondary notes emerging. Tannin is refined and engaging.

This wine may hold for another 3-5 years, but it is perfectly acceptable to consume now given its pedigree and satisfaction at this stage of life. Certainly in its drinking window....

10/2/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

Extremely well crafted and enjoyable... but I question the tariff on these wines. You can consume a Pulido, Bevan, Morgado, or Peter Michael for 60 percent less money and still enjoy the same premium experience.

Removed from a 54 degree active cabinet and let slow ox for 1 hour. Inviting nose of dark cherry, blueberry preserves, and menthol. Slight browning to the rim on pour. Fruit still well apparent but slowly fading to the background. Not much secondary characteristic here as I was hoping for. Was anticipating some umami, mushroom, truffle essence... Albeit dissapointed.

Tannin is resolved....and the wine shows a silky/seamless texture. Just expected more for the price point. When dropping this type of coin... I would much prefer Colgin.

9/16/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This is one very well crafted wine, but it needs considerable time in bottle and/or a long decant to reveal its charm.

Opened and poured to a decanter for 1 hour. The wine remained stiff and rigid and would have improved with several more hours of air time. But alas I grew impatient.

Complex nose of cedar shavings, mulberry, tobacco, and blackberry. Medium to full bodied on the palate with dark plum, licorice, and assorted dark fruits. Tannin structure is built for the long haul here. Great grip and acidity that will soften with time.

Give these 5-7 years for more complexity and enjoyment in the future. Typical of Mt Veeder offerings, these take some time to open up.

9/13/2021 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

Removed this wine from a 55 active and poured to the decanter to rest for 90 minutes. It probably could have benefitted from a 3-4 hour time frame.

I was not too impressed with this atypical Paso blend of merlot, petite Syrah, CS, and petit Verdot. Reticent nose even after 90 minutes of black plum, evergreen, and menthol. Medium bodied on the palate. Seemed disjointed and not properly balanced. The different varieties seemed to clash with each other ..... resulting in a lack of harmony and focus.

There was a bitter/acrid note throughout. Clipped and non descript finish. Would not repurchase at this price point of $60 +. The only redeeming factor was the beautiful deep plum nose.

9/2/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Another excellent Pinot from Foxen. This bottle displayed great purity, precision, and drinking pleasure. There is beautiful restraint and cut here. The enveloping flavors of red cherry, rhubarb pie, tart persimmon, and tangerine were on full display in a compact package. The laser focus here is outstanding !

8/24/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

A tad early on this one...but a delicious Grenache/Syrah blend.

A little funk on the initial nose but it dissipated quickly. Good presence on the palate with blackberry paste, dark fruit, and macerated cherry with inflections of mineral. Average finish.

Would repurchase in the $40 range...

8/22/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

Stored in a 54 degree active cabinet for about 7 years after purchase from a reputable merchant. Cork was tight as a drum; had to utilize
ah-so to extract.

Limpid golden yellow to the stem. Faint nose of honeysuckle, baked apple, and ginger shavings. The wine was not oxidized. The palate left much to be desired in that the wine lacked complexity, verve, and definition. Some bruised apple/lemon oil tastes with a clipped finish. The wine did not develop further nuance after being open several hours. Considering the price point/pedigree, the wine was not that enjoyable. Maybe the wine needs further time although that is doubtful.

Recently had the pleasure of consuming a 2010 V Girardin C-C and a 2013 Aubert UV-SL.....both wines left the Martray in the dust by miles.

8/15/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Some of these white wines hailing from Italy/Piedmont really do offer spectacular value and charm. Other notable producers such as Bruno Giacosa and Corregia have lifted this once forgotten variety to global curiosity.

The 2020 Fenocchio opens with a bright and charismatic nose of pine needle, white flowers, almond paste, and hibiscus. A light crystalline yellow in the glass; medium bodied with good mineral undertone and acidity. Not really a complex offering, but there is satisfaction to be had in this simple pleasure.

Good mouthfeel on the palate with flavors of almond, lemon oil, and tangerine. Short to medium finish. A quite flavorful summer wine from the Piedmont region. Great QPR at around the $17 mark !

8/7/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

A perfectly acceptable and satisfying Calistoga Merlot .... not pushing any boundaries here, but delicious nonetheless.

Removed from a 55 active and consumed on PNP. Slight browning to the rim. Black raspberry, dark cherry, and menthol tones on the nose with hints of volatility. Medium to full bodied on the palate with cherry, raspberry, and espresso tones. Tannin pretty much resolved with a nice suggestion of bitterness on the back end.

Paired with grilled beef tenderloin, scallion infused white rice, and charred broccoli florets. These appear ready to go as I don't expect much further evolution here....

7/21/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

I enjoyed this as an aperitif on a warm summer evening. Very crisp and linear with good acid levels.
Shy nose of lemon/lime oil, jasmine, and white flowers. Quite tart on the palate ( in a pleasing way ) with a focused presentation of lemon and lime wrapped in a compact package. If there was such a concoction as fermented lemonade, this fits the bill. Very tart, high acid, but ultimately enjoyable as a summer quaffer.

7/17/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

I enjoyed this wine immensely... Yes it is painfully young and exhibits significant oak influence at this preliminary stage. However one can sense the excellent craftsmanship and the promise of a great CF rendition in the near future.

Removed from a 55 degree active cabinet and let sit for 30 minutes. Enticing nose of black raspberry, menthol, unsweetened dark chocolate, clove, and dark cherry. Medium/full bodied on the palate with black/blue fruit in a compact package. Elegant and silky tannin even at this early juncture. Nice traces of very pleasing vegetal character ( asparagus ) and beetroot usually associated with Cabernet Franc. But there is no mistake that this is a Napa wine... there is no trace of the pronounced acidity/austerity sometimes found in the Loire or Argentinian renditions of this variety.

I would repurchase this in a heartbeat to see how this develops in 5-7 years. Even now a very enjoyable drink if you can look past the young oak influence. Paired with a veal dish with mushrooms, späetzle, and charred Brussels sprouts. Very good QPR in my opinion. Better than some previous vintages.

7/14/2021 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

This is one sickly sweet mess... Confected, lacks acidity, and gives Spanish Grenache a bad name ! This may appeal to the cocktail wine crowd, but it is certainly not an enjoyable drink.

7/10/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Wound up opening this since I could not locate the 2012 Chappellet Pritchard that I wanted to try early.!I really have to be more diligent about classifying the location of my bottles !

Poured to a wide bowl for 1 hour and let it rest. This wine remained tight even after the aeration. Bold nose of blackberries, cracked white pepper, cedar shavings, black licorice, and dark fruit.

On the palate the wine exhibited good structure and finesse. Medium to full bodied with rich dark fruit and spice elements. Tannin was silky but needs further time to resolve and integrate ( typical in 2013 ). However the wine lacked a "wow" factor that I have previously experienced with some Colgin or Ovid wines. It is certainly not generic...just felt there was a little something missing today. At the $150-$200 price point, I expect a unique experience.

Maybe time will allow this to blossom and develop.....

7/3/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Removed from a 55 degree active cabinet, splash aerated to a wide bowl decanter, and let sit for 1 hour at room temperature.

The nose on this adolescent is tantalizing. It exudes refinement, sensuality, and a sense of precision. Ripe cassis, blackberry, cinnamon stick, menthol, and birch essence welcome you. Over time it reveals some plum skin and a melange of red fruit.

On the palate, the wine offers a burst of flavors that command your attention. Like a gorgeous and intelligent woman in a peacock blue leather dress that enters a crowded room; you just can't help but turn your head and appreciate the beauty. Stewed blackberry, tobacco, dark plum, and bitter chocolate entice the senses. Rendered more in a Bordeaux style ( think Cos D'Estournel/Ducru B ), the wine balances overt pleasure with beautiful restraint. Tannin management is superb with that trace of salinity on the back end that I seek in higher caliber wines.

I think this can easily blossom for another 5 years. A previous poster commented that this wine requires contemplation and thought. I could not agree more......

6/29/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

I really enjoyed this with a braised veal/leek dish recently.
Deep crimson color on pour. An abundance of spice notes on the nose with cinnamon, paprika, green pepper, and dark fruit.

This Malbec blend really impressed with its puckering acidity and sharp linear focus. Orange/purple sweet tarts on the palate balanced out the dark fruit.

I would definitely repurchase.

6/27/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

This is a perfectly acceptable Rutherford Merlot...but nothing to get too excited about. Dark crimson on PNP with just the slightest browning at the rim.

Aromas of dark cherry, menthol, and red fruit on the nose...all balanced out with a rustic/earthy note. Somewhat monolithic on the palate, with dark cherry and a hint of purple plum on the palate. A perfectly enjoyable wine but I question the tariff for whats in the bottle. These are ready to go if you are holding them.

6/20/2021 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

Very light translucent hue... Giving up little on the nose other than some grapefruit pith and honeysuckle. Chock full of minerals and slate on the palate with suggestions of citrus fruit. Rather dull and insipid; certainly not the best rendition of Carricante I have experienced.

6/13/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This Columbia valley gem needs a a while to come around and display its charm. Removed from a 55 degree active cabinet and poured to the decanter. Intermittent vigorous swirling for about 30 minutes before consumption.

Menthol, dark plum, and Christmas spice on the beguiling nose. Medium bodied on the palate with more plum, chocolate, clove, and some earthy elements on the attack. Caressing tannin indicates this wine can improve with a few years.

A very nice find at this price point of sub $50. Will add a few to see how this wine develops with time.

6/10/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This was a very enjoyable CDP at its price point. I have to agree with Harley that this seems further along the ladder of maturity then I expected it to be.

Deep crimson in color with a bouquet of kirsch, herbs, blackberry, and a waft of menthol. Full and viscous on the palate with dark fruit, plum, and a touch of wintergreen. Tannin management is quite good here.

I would repurchase...

5/31/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Removed this young Pinot from a 54 degree active cabinet and gave it a brief 15 minute rest/splash decant.
The nose on this young Radian is reminiscent of walking through a wild strawberry patch in the morning. Fragrant red strawberry, rhubarb, and violet essence abound.

Extremely lithe and seamless on the palate. Although its presence would be characterized as lite/medium bodied on the palate, there is a sense of unbridled power and precision here that is hard to describe.

Extremely silky and free flowing with its strawberry essence, assorted crunchy red fruit, and a hint of blueberry preserves.

I think this may shut down shortly and emerge even better in 4-5 years time. This is definitely a repurchase of this limited production SRH Pinot !

5/31/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This wine was absolutely singing upon opening. Served at about 52 degrees after removal from an active cellar. This rich Chardonnay poured a very lite yellow/amber to the stem.
An explosion of honeysuckle, flint, tangerine oil, hibiscus, and vanilla taffy on the nose. Pristine citrus fruit on the palate...but this was more about the spice than the fruit. Just layer after layer of ginger shavings, clove, and nutmeg to enhance the citrus and tropical fruit.
This just makes its presence known, and is completely unapologetic about it.

Opened at Il Nido BYOB in NJ. Paired with fresh Langoustines in scampi butter followed by a perfectly cooked halibut dish with leek and artichoke reduction. Just a match made in heaven

This wine IS drinking at prime at the moment. I would be hesitant to hold these much longer in the cellar as the downward slope may not be far off. Drink up !

5/30/2021 - drdan8 wrote:

When am I going to learn that these Howell mountain offerings albeit Merlot, CS, or Cabernet Franc need to time to develop, integrate, and round out ?
On PNP this wine was rather austere, chalky, and notably astringent. Into a simple decanter and let sit on the counter for about 2 hours. Put a slight chill on the wine after 2 hours.

Nose developed caramel, baking spices, dark cherry, and a whiff of menthol. Much more exuberant on the palate after the aeration with dark fruit, molasses, cocoa, some chocolate, and a hint of cinnamon. A tad clipped on the finish. My experience with the La Jota wines is that they are much more old world in style...which is neither a plus or minus in my book.

Quality craftsmanship here. I would certainly wait 3-5 years from here on in for better development.

5/16/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Extremely enjoyable at 11 years in. Removed from a 55 degree active cabinet and decanted for sediment. Let sit for about 60 minutes in the decanter.
Slight brownish hue to the wine. Subdued fragrance of blackberries, camphor, olives, dark cherry, and balsamic vinegar.
This grenache/syrah blend comes across with refinement, elegance, and subtle power. Secondary characteristics of soy, mushroom, and leather starting to emerge; but the rich bold dark fruit still remains in the background. Easily has another 5-7 years to develop further complexity.

4/11/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

The wife and I really enjoyed this with a rainbow trout dish with almonds and brown butter.
Poured a limpid concentrated yellow to the stem. Not too much on the nose other than unripe pineapple and Fuji apple.
Explosive on the palate with the profile being much more about the spice mixture as opposed to the fruit. Cinnamon stick, shaved ginger, clove, honey, some star anise, and tart lemon oil. Relatively good persistence on the back end.

The oak/butter notes were in the background, but not highly perceptible. Kongsgaard wines and the word restraint usually don't appear in the same sentence, but I really enjoyed the 2013 rendition of this masterful Chardonnay. Definitely at or nearing its peak performance.

4/8/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

Quality young Riesling here and very enjoyable on PNP. I don't think it rises to the level of complexity and breadth of the cuvee Ste Catherine, but that is a story for another day.

Limpid golden yellow hue on pour. Fresh scents of honeysuckle, apricot, and jasmine. Just a suggestion of residual sugar on the palate, but still basically a dry offering. Fresh ginger, apple, honey, and apricot marmalade on the palate. Decent length...

Paired with a simple prawn dish.

3/20/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

A really nicely crafted predominant Merlot blend from Phil Titus acquired at a $32 price point (with discount). Can certainly hold its own against the higher price point Merlots from Pride, Cakebread, etc...

Deep ruby in color. Served at 58 degrees. Quite expressive nose of blackberry, dark plum, bay leaf, and cinnamon flecks. Medium to robust on the palate with rich dark fruit and an average finish. A tad clipped on the mid palate, but the overall roundness of the wine makes it barely discernible. The small petit Verdot component adds structure and limits the wine nicely. A nice spice component adds interest.

No new ground broken here.... but a very nice drink at the sub $40 price point. Probably will procure a few more bottles as cellar defenders/ daily drinkers.

3/16/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This old vine Grenache was extremely tart and mouth puckering on PNP with little aromatic profile. In to the decanter for 90 minutes....

What emerged was a seamless and quite enjoyable Calatayud offering.
Some roses, underipe strawberry, birch, and assorted red fruits on the nose. A very nice ruby color in the stem. Very crunchy red fruit on the palate with persimmon, more strawberry, red plum, and menthol.
Tannin was slightly coarse, but not obtrusive in any way. The wine maintained its tart/acidic profile throughout.

More old word in its rendition than some of the other rich fruit laden wines coming from this region. A very nice surprise ...

3/14/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This was really stellar at its price point of $57.
Enveloping Cabernet nose of bakers chocolate, blackberry, espresso, and earthy elements.

Rich but well structured on the palate...it does not go over the edge. Pristine fruit profile with blackberry, dark plum, and black cherry; all tied together with a good dollop of acidity and mineral structure.

Repurchase here ....

3/11/2021 - drdan8 Likes this wine:

This wine is a steal at $29 for those who love big bombastic reds in the genre of CDP. This Syrah / Grenache blend explodes with scents of violets, dark cherry, mesquite, and herbs.

Rich and enveloping on the palate with dark cherry, chocolate, blackberry, and roasted plum. Tannin is slightly coarse, but some bottle age will remedy that.

Definite repurchase to be paired with hearty meat dishes such as elk, rabbit, or beef tenderloin.

3/9/2021 - drdan8 Does not like this wine:

Meh .... Average at best with little expression of the variety. Much prefer the original renditions from northern Spain.