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Comments on my notes

(577 comments on 492 notes)

1 - 50 of 492 Sort order
White
2022 Bodega Chacra Chardonnay Mainque Patagonia
Hmmm...I definitely would have blinded this as Burg. I would not have been confident placing the village. Elements of Puligny (minerality), Meursault (slight saltiness) and St. Aubin (body/mouthfeel) make that challenging. Roulot's fingerprints are all over this...similar to his Bourgogne Blanc with an added touch of mint (very slight) on the finish. Regardless of its origin (Argentina), delicious stuff.
  • jviz commented:

    3/2/24, 6:50 AM - Excellent note, I agree with your comments

White
2018 Guffens-Heynen Pouilly-Fuissé Les Trois C. Chardonnay
2/27/2024 - geraldsng Likes this wine:
95 points
Puligny flower. Energy. Precision. Loads more extract. Transcends the vintage (most thought it was 2017).
  • jviz commented:

    2/28/24, 6:16 AM - I agree, it’s a very nice wine, check your score though, I think the five might’ve been an error

Red
2019 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Le Corton Corton Grand Cru Pinot Noir
6/20/2023 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine:
95 points
Lots of interesting tertiary stuff going on here to the point that I could easily have guessed this as a decade older than it is. The aroma is pungent with gamey scents and oiled leather, true Corton. The fruit is glossy, but not especially primary, and the oak is subtle.
  • jviz commented:

    2/21/24, 6:43 PM - My note on this wine from January was absolutely identical to yours. Good to know and cheers

White
2014 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay
1/22/2024 - jviz wrote:
94 points
WOTN. This was in a nice space, having lost some of the verve of youth, but not with any advanced or oxidized features. Regal and stately very classic in a sense, but less opulent than I would have imagined for a wine of its caliber. Clean delivery, good integration and intensity of flavor, and long on the palate.
  • jviz commented:

    1/23/24, 7:49 AM - This bottle could have clearly held a few more years. I think the choice of whether to pull one depends on the number in your cellar. If I had only one, I’d hold a couple more years as these have really become special occasion wines. You’re rolling the dice that the bottle is one of the good ones. If Meadows’ bottle was premoxed in the common usage of that term, that implies that some number out of the case will be faulty, but to me isn’t a call to go open them all right away. Maybe get a light to check the color though and pull the darkest one!

White - Sparkling
N.V. Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Le Mont Benoit Champagne Blend
1/22/2024 - jviz wrote:
93 points
Fresh and well composed, this displays a round, lush mouthfeel for its low dosage. Integrated and balanced, it is a sunny wine that evokes joy.
  • jviz commented:

    1/22/24, 7:56 PM - This is true. Not quite Prevost tough yet thankfully. Cheers

Red
2014 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Vare Vineyard Oak Knoll District
Lots of hype around these wines and the new Jasud release. I look forward to hearing how Jasud differs from Beta.

Not sure how to score this, so I won’t. Polarizing. From a unique and different take on Napa cab, it’s really intriguing. For scratching the typical Napa cab itch, this won’t do it. Depending which side you trend towards, you’ll either love this or have no desire to finish the bottle.

Purposefully pop and poured so that this could be followed for 3-4hrs out of the decanter to see the profile. Translucent purple in the glass. 12.7ABV! All the fruit here is underripe (black cherry, black currant) with a hint of pyrazines, black tea. On the palate, it has ripping acidity, especially for a Napa cab. Sour red and black fruits with a finish that is remarkably similar to a cherry Jolly Rancher. Odd.

I’d say double decant this for 24hrs, but I also think it is what it is right now until it’s had 20+ years of sleep.
  • jviz commented:

    1/18/24, 9:57 AM - great note

White
2021 Emrich-Schönleber Halenberg Riesling Großes Gewächs Nahe
1/5/2024 - jviz wrote:
94 points
This was opened at the Goldener Hirsch restaurant in Deer Valley. It was notable for notes of light petrol, lemon oil and pungent minerals followed by bright, incisive acidity with loads of concentration. 90% of the way to a Keller GG was my comment. This was detailed and truly excellent
  • jviz commented:

    1/5/24, 8:27 PM - Thanks for the catch. Not sure how my previous note was duplicated, but I updated my thoughts on the Halenburg, which was outstanding.

Red
1998 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard Syrah
11/11/2022 - glou.sf Likes this wine:
96 points
Beautiful and complex nose of dark cherries, sweet fruit, game, smoke, plum, and violet. Lots of acidity on the palate with excellent balance and notes of dark fruit, cherries, and a bit of leather. The tannins are still grippy and add structure. Very long finish. Amazing experience to drink this, the nose itself is to die for. A complete wine.
  • jviz commented:

    1/4/24, 5:52 PM - Great note! I had the 94 courtesy of a friend this fall and it was astounding. Glad your bottle showed well

White
2014 Comando G El Tamboril Navatalgordo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León Garnacha Blanca, Grenache
1/27/2023 - jviz wrote:
96 points
Oily and mineral, with some round tropical fruits. It has incredible weight, intensity; interest. It’s a truly singular wine and I can’t wait for the one I have on the way.
  • jviz commented:

    12/13/23, 1:33 PM - To be honest, I haven't had much grenache blanc. Some have compared this wine to the Rayas blanc, but I've not tasted one yet. There was an interesting wine I had from the Languedoc called Domaine de l'Horizon Côtes Catalanes Blanc which evoked some similarity. Both evoked thoughts of a a fruit-forward Jura chardonnay. Havent' had the Grange des Peres white but that's kind of unicorn-y too and I can report back soon. JV

Red
2015 Domaine de la Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de l'Hérault Syrah Blend, Syrah
12/10/2023 - jviz Likes this wine:
95 points
Opened PnP at a big group tasting where I thought it really shined. Initially polished and velvety with candied rhubarb and eucalyptus. I thought it was exotic and nearly as good qualitatively as the 14 Rougeard Le Bourg opened alongside.

Saved a glass and a half for day 2 and I have to say, I liked it better the first time around - came across as more charming and polished. On day two, as the wine oxidizes it becomes a bit more angular, and reminds me quite a lot of trevallon. For those holding, I think this is a wine that might be best to try young? I sure enjoyed it the first day
  • jviz commented:

    12/11/23, 5:10 AM - I hope you do and to be honest that may vary a bit by vintage. I have found a number of 2012 and 13. Rhone wines to be somewhat tight and closed, You know the type with firm coarse tannins. And again, this did recoil on day two for me. I had the 2010 when it was young and that was revelatory but I don’t think I was analyzing it quite so thoughtfully. Trust your experience, of course but I do have a bit of a hypothesis that young wines (thinking about Bordeaux and burgundy for example) are much more velvety on release than they used to be. 2015 Rougeard comes to mind

Red
2015 Domaine de la Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de l'Hérault Syrah Blend, Syrah
12/8/2023 - Nutty08 Likes this wine:
94 points
So very interesting and I which I had more time with it. Lovey berry fruit, red fruit highlights. Comes across as rather elegant and seamless with just a hint of white pepper. Almost seems like there is cinsault in the blend. Lighter on the palate than expected--but by no means is this lacking concentration or energy.
  • jviz commented:

    12/10/23, 9:07 PM - Hi Decanting Queen - our bottle was really neither of those things (closed or over the hill). I thought it was a great moment to open one, but enjoyed the profile and structure good deal more on day 1.

White
2015 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia Viura, Macabeo
12/2/2023 - jviz wrote:
95 points
Another marvelous wine from LdH. I really like the gravonia blanco bottling in its youth. It’s already polarizing enough, but as much fruit and freshness as it will ever have makes this a more charming wine to share. I’ve said before I think it is one of the world’s best, most unique wines, and stand by that comment. And while the reserva and gran reserva wines are even better, they are more serious, especially as they age, while a young gravonia can really open the eyes of a novice drinker. If a red wine could do what this does, all the complexity, interest, evolution in glass, etc; well it would be $1k/bottle and named Rayas. These wines have a high annual production and have started to increase in price, but I find it more than justified. In any case, this was my first taste of 2015 and I find it in line with other vintages. No particular flaw or shortcoming. It’s a delight on PnP

Day 2 (and 3) don’t show the wine budging much. Plenty of golden apple fruit, walnut and juniper. It’s a sturdy vintage I imagine will hold up well.
  • jviz commented:

    12/8/23, 10:24 AM - Thanks all, I am an unabashed fan

White
2021 Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay Berserker Cuvée Temperance Hill Eola - Amity Hills
10/28/2023 - SH Wu wrote:
87 points
Had an oppressive amount of reduction, which muted a lot of the other aromatics. Air softened this effect a bit - but still a bit much. Not sure of how much of this is from bottle variation?

At the core, this is a solid chardonnay with juicy citrus fruits, decent minerality, and a crisp finish. Quite nice in context of price.
  • jviz commented:

    12/3/23, 4:48 PM - Based on the glass in front of me, I suppose the amount of reduction may vary from bottle to bottle, which is often the case. Mine was excellent, but in no way oppressive. even a hint that remained in the fridge until day #4!

White
2019 Didier Dagueneau Silex Vin de France Sauvignon Blanc
11/18/2023 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine:
92 points
2 ounce tasting at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Quite pale. Really quite excellent viscosity Nose is very soft. I’m not getting much. Really builds excellent flavor and structure in the mouth however. Could even describe it as Powerful. The palate is what makes this what it is along with its appearance. 5-11-17-9: 92/100.
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 5:20 PM - “The score is what makes this what it is” ?

  • jviz commented:

    11/19/23, 3:45 PM - No worries. And now I wish I could delete the comment!

Red
2016 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard Howell Mountain
11/17/2023 - sean7711 Likes this wine:
97 points
Pulled this on a whim. Heavy sediment from laying on its side. If pulling this to drink I recommend standing up for 12-24 hours to let it settle. Even with a 2 hour double decant, still a touch hot. Best sips were the last.

Blue/dark fruit nose, chocolate shavings, cassis. Thoroughly enjoyable, still have one bottle left.
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 6:10 PM - Nice note, thank you

Red
2019 Pierre Gonon St. Joseph Syrah
11/18/2023 - brooklynguy wrote:
Not decanted and takes less than an hour to be fully open. Very dark in fruit and mineral profile on the nose, almost tarry. Clean though, and fresh. Something floral emerges too, like candied purple flowers. Good acidity on the palate and the wine is well balanced. Enjoyable wine that seems to be fully approachable now, and doesn’t really seem as though there is anything in reserve - this is the wine. It’s not very articulate or detailed, and it’s more power and concentration than nuance and grace. That’s the vintage, I suppose. This is not a wine I’m going to age for very long.

And now after writing this I read my previous note - quite a different impression this time. Perhaps I should have decanted this.
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 5:25 PM - I totally see your point but imagine that the wine will compose itself more gracefully over time than you picture

Red
2014 Château Rayas Côtes du Rhône La Pialade Red Rhone Blend
11/18/2023 - Collector1855 wrote:
92 points
Expressive nose as we know it from the Rayas stable, with strawberry and cinnamon spice. Surprisingly translucent color pointing to a very light wine. The palate confirms it. Light and even a touch acidic. 13.5% Alc. This could have benefitted from some more hanging time. LOL, I thought that I would never write such a verdict for a Southern Rhone wine. Nose 94, palate 90
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 5:23 PM - Haha. 2014 was tough for ample ripening it seems to me as well 😂

White - Sparkling
2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Champagne Blend
11/18/2023 - hprphf wrote:
94 points
Fresh with layers of white fruit, very good. 94
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 5:19 PM - Let’s say you only had one bottle. Ready to go or wait a bit longer?

Red
2010 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Grenache
11/18/2023 - Topper wrote:
95 points
At the Pressoir Rayas dinner, in a flight of 07, 08, and 10 Rayas Reserve, this was the star, and perhaps will eventually be the best wine of the evening but it remains dense and slightly impenetrable though bursting with fruit and spice. If you were smart enough to buy this on release, hide it in the back of your cellar for another ten years and you will have something truly special.
  • jviz commented:

    11/18/23, 5:18 PM - Yes, that’s the plan ;)

White - Sparkling
N.V. Ulysse Collin Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Enfers Chardonnay
11/8/2023 - dcwino wrote:
96 points
Grand Jury du Vin - Republic of Georgia; 11/1/2023-11/9/2023 (Republic of Georgia then stopover in Paris and Dijon): Decadent complex nose displaying succulent rich yellow fruit with a hint of red, lemon curd, baked apple, sour apple, a hint of red currant, brioche, cinnamon and other sweet spices, rain water and fine limestone dust. Beautifully integrated palate, nicely layered succulent yellow and red fruit, very find medium generous mousse, rich and sumptuous but also beautifully balanced and detailed, bright acidity, strong mineral, and a long succulent yellow and red fruit driven finish with cinnamon at the end. This is a very complete Champagne that is drinking incredibly well. There is no need to wait, however.
  • jviz commented:

    11/15/23, 8:36 AM - I'm holding the 2015 version of this wine and have not tasted it to date. Do you think it stands to improve?

  • jviz commented:

    11/16/23, 1:43 PM - no worries, I appreciate your thoughts. JV

White - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme Champagne Blend
10/20/2023 - aquacongas Likes this wine:
94 points
blind, base 2015
Guessed 170. This is more typical Krug style. Powerful, lemon zest and roasted almonds. the last 4-5 editions had been fresher and lighter. Prefer 169eme. 94
  • jviz commented:

    10/20/23, 6:52 AM - same re/169, which for me is probably the best since 164

Rosé - Sparkling
2017 Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Champagne Blend
10/9/2023 - jviz wrote:
93 points
My overall impressions are that this wine was 1) still quite youthful and exuberant 2) had a really strong fruit profile of blueberry and cranberry 3) a slight acrid note that I don’t love 4) moderately oxidative in profile. This improved with air over the course of a few hours.
  • jviz commented:

    10/9/23, 7:13 AM - no rush.

Red
2015 Pierre Gonon St. Joseph Syrah
9/28/2023 - Aravind Asok wrote:
Off the list at La Saveurs du Marche in Vienne. Provenance doesn't get much better. Haven't had a Gonon St. Joseph rouge in a while. A lovely St. Joseph, but I don't get the hype. Very pure red fruiy, olive, soft game. Clearly very elegant, but still very primary. At this pricepoint, there are plenty of other St. Joseph I would prefer to drink.
  • jviz commented:

    10/3/23, 9:22 PM - Like and such as?

White
2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia White Blend
9/23/2023 - jviz wrote:
93 points
A lot of the fruit has faded from this bottle since I had it last. It is totally serious, with sherry, sliced mushroom, waxy hazelnut, not a ton of citrus in this case. It certainly remains in balance, deeply interesting and complex but lacking in the fruit department.
  • jviz commented:

    9/23/23, 12:23 PM - All depends on what one is looking for. I enjoyed this a great deal. This would pair amazingly with hard cheeses. But if I had some fresh seafood, I might reach for a younger gravonia instead. Happy drinking.

White - Sparkling
N.V. Bérêche et Fils Champagne Brut Réserve Champagne Blend
7/29/2023 - jviz wrote:
93 points
Bereche MV with age is a thing of beauty. This bottle had been stored at room temp for about two years, just a little experiment and it showed great! Nutty and complex, with hazelnut, orchard fruit, and ginger. Nowhere close to oxidized, this remains for me the best MV champagne under $70
  • jviz commented:

    9/19/23, 8:43 AM - looking back on my notes, about 3 years is all, so perhaps my note is a bit of an overstatement. The interesting thing here was it was not stored in a cellar, but just under my counter. And performed great after 2 years in that context, although perhaps developing a little more quickly than I might have expected.

Red
2018 Di Costanzo Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard Coombsville
9/10/2023 - jviz wrote:
94 points
This was excellent. Dark chocolate covered cherry with bitter cocoa, pencil lead and a long penetrating finish with balanced acidity and concealed alcohol. Brooding and quite good.
  • jviz commented:

    9/13/23, 10:33 AM - It improved with air, but was perfectly enjoyable to me now. A lot of 18s have a slightly darker fruit profile and this was no exception. It's really well balanced and sure, could probably age a long time into the future, but I don't see a particular reason to hold. I would decant it next time though.

Red
2015 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc
8/28/2023 - BLam Likes this wine:
92 points
Louis brought this interesting wine to the family gathering. It was my first Cabernet Franc wine from Loire. The pale ruby color was similar to my familier Pinot, so as the nose with more oaky feel. The palate was sharp but structured to age well.
  • jviz commented:

    8/29/23, 10:31 AM - Not a bad one to start on!

White
2021 Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County
8/19/2023 - jviz wrote:
86 points
Drinkable, but blousy, tropical, alcoholic and dilute. A cocktail wine at best and nothing Chablisienne about it in the slightest. I bought this based on a Vinous 94 and will recalibrate
  • jviz commented:

    8/19/23, 9:05 PM - Try a bottle out and let me know if you agree

Red
2019 Ridge Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Red Bordeaux Blend
Purchased a half bottle at SW Steakhouse in Vegas. Minimal decanting as I had dinner.

With that said it was still an absolutely beautiful and balanced wine. Dark red fruit, cedar, vanilla, and graphite. Medium+ body with fresh acidity, firm tannins, and an incredibly long finish. This wine kept me wanting more. I’ll be purchasing some bottles for the cellar after this as I look forward to see what this wine develops into with age.
  • jviz commented:

    8/19/23, 6:22 AM - Sounds lovely!

White - Sparkling
2016 Emilien Feneuil Champagne Cuvée Totum Champagne Blend
5/5/2021 - adnorthup wrote:
flawed
Opened two bottles, first one showed wonderful orchard fruit initially but finished with a very unpleasant over oxidative style note showing no freshness at all. Another bottle was opened showing no real fruit and the same unpleasant qualities on the finish. Both bottles from the same source, so maybe an issue with the batch...anyone have an alternative experience?
  • jviz commented:

    8/14/23, 9:41 PM - Would love to know if you try another. I bought several 2016s from SommPics and all sucked. The flaw is on the finish. It’s almost mousey but not quite. More of an acrid nuttiness. I am told by a pro that this is ethyl acetate, which occurs when a ferment gets too warm. Had it in the Puits and to a lesser degree in Basses Croix & Les Gilles

White - Sparkling
N.V. Jacques Selosse Initial Champagne Grand Cru Chardonnay
6/27/2021 - jviz wrote:
95 points
This just crushed an 06 Pol Roger SWC with its depth and interest. I know these wines are not enjoyed ubiquitously but it’s not like they are WAY off the beaten path. Balanced acidity with apple notes and brioche. Comes across my palate as a clean, suave wine with layers of fruit and nuance. This bottle was a 17 DG and well worth its tariff.
  • jviz commented:

    8/2/23, 8:16 AM - this looks to have been the 2019 disgorgement

White
2014 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses Chardonnay
7/30/2023 - Mrbuzz wrote:
Gorgeous!
  • jviz commented:

    8/1/23, 5:55 PM - Ready?

White
2021 Morgen Long Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills Eola - Amity Hills
7/18/2023 - jviz wrote:
93 points
Another killer 21 from SML. Well within the house style. Laser focused with ginger and lime peel. Lithe and almost Riesling like fine petrol notes. Of course these will be long lived. I just need to get my hands off of them.
  • jviz commented:

    7/22/23, 9:30 AM - Thanks for making them! I need to place another order to ship in the fall if you have any 21s (or library wines) left…

Red
2018 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Ceniza Coombsville
7/7/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Of the SVD's from La Pelle, this one needs the most time. Not surprising given the cooler climate and general characteristic's of Coombsville. Nevertheless, this is a really fabulous wine.

Showing lots of eucalyptus and herbal qualities, this is super firm with fruit that is hiding beneath strong tannins. At times the expression peeks out, only to be reigned back in. There are more mineral driven aspects to this wine vs its peers, and it is more BDX like with a hollow mid palate and dry finish at the moment. All the qualities are there for this to be excellent once the tannins recede some, so I would put it towards the back of the cellar and wait for it to come around. When it does, you will be very satisfied.
  • jviz commented:

    7/13/23, 5:21 AM - Lovely note, thanks

Red
2015 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc
7/11/2023 - jviz wrote:
95 points
A truly great bottle. This 2015 was excellent, and came off as especially elegant and approachable in light of the vintage. At 12.5% alcohol, transparent ruby in the glass this has notes of red plum and capsicum. Its softened, polished tannins with minimal wood influence are just silky. This is a delight to drink now and should be great throughout its lifetime.
  • jviz commented:

    7/12/23, 5:33 AM - Not that anything was wrong with it, but in quite a warm/solar year, I’ve had other wines that come across as overripe, higher in alcohol, and in a sense, heavier. This wine was none of those things and it seems to me like Rougeard managed the conditions well. I edited my note for clarity.

Red
2019 Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py Gamay
This was the stinkiest and most reductive wine I’d ever encountered upon opening, but there is an incredible wine lurking underneath.

EDIT:
Oops, I was very wrong on this one. It had the potential to be good, but with an additional 2 hours of air, this was so mousy that I assumed that Didier Barral was the winemaker. As JVIZ points out, this wine gets minimal SO2, and the off flavors prove it. I’ve complained about this endlessly, but not sulfuring your wines is as careless as not using Diam corks.
  • jviz commented:

    6/29/23, 5:53 PM - bottle variation unfortunately I think as this wine is really clean and pretty. And I'd wager that reduction is not the issue, as these wines have minimal added sulfer. In almost 150 notes below you don't find a single other mention of reduction - the bottle may well be flawed but that probably isn't it.

  • jviz commented:

    6/29/23, 7:26 PM - Lol, I’ll take it! Wishing you better luck on the next bottle, I really do think it’s a fabulous wine

White
2009 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia Viura, Macabeo
4/8/2023 - Jd6725 Likes this wine:
94 points
Awesome wine. Rich but clean and super pretty. Wide array of flavors and in a great spot. Probably near peak. No hurry to drink but if you have a few, then definitely try one soon.
  • jviz commented:

    6/27/23, 10:35 AM - 09 has been among my favorite vintages of Gravonia as well. I had an 01 of this a month ago and was surprised at how well it had held on. Still plenty of fruit, so depending on how tertiary you like your flavor profile, I'm looking at the 09 as a particularly long lived rendition of this bottling.

White
2017 Moreau-Naudet & Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Chardonnay
5/9/2023 - Jd6725 Likes this wine:
90 points
Possibly a slightly off bottle. Overly sweet. There was a little seepage out of the cork. Never quite came around but totally drinkable
  • jviz commented:

    6/27/23, 10:33 AM - any butterscotch/caramel notes of oxidation? I haven't had the problem with this producer but certainly that could bolster the perception of sweetness? Will have a look at my capsules!

Red
2016 Turley Zinfandel Mead Ranch Atlas Peak
10/26/2022 - cos65 wrote:
flawed
Good fill and cork.
Moderate gas and VA.
Unfortunate.
  • jviz commented:

    6/25/23, 5:47 PM - Because your bottle might be flawed too, and not only that he named the flaw, and didn’t leave a score. Don’t be a buffoon

Red
1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
6/16/2023 - Eric wrote:
M&PD Tasting: Lark (Seattle, WA, USA): Mmmmm, racy, green, spicy, really feminine, energy here is fantastic, vibrant, really savory, loaded with Umami. Exceptional bottle.
  • jviz commented:

    6/17/23, 10:07 PM - The most underrated 89 in my opinion

Red
1989 Vieux Château Certan Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
6/8/2023 - DaleW wrote:
flawed
Corked!
  • jviz commented:

    6/8/23, 1:17 PM - Condolences

Rosé
2020 Dominio del Aguila Pícaro del Aguila Clarete Viñas Viejas Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
6/4/2023 - alanr wrote:
91 points
Don’t have much experience with wines in the Clarete style, but I need to get more! Appearance is that of a dark Rosé, more of a salmon color, fresh on the nose, with some light spice notes, hints of melon; palate is flavorful, plenty of acidity, some light but noticeably tannins, strawberries, honeydew, peppery spice notes again coming through on the finish. Quite interesting and delicious!
  • jviz commented:

    6/4/23, 9:14 PM - Yeah, I agree - super interesting and quality bottling. Just tried the 18 for the first time last week. Impressive stuff

Red
2014 Château Montrose St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
5/19/2023 - MasterWis Likes this wine:
94 points
Difficult to read. Needs a good 6h decanting before starting to open and soften. Its very dark, woody, powerful. Needs massive food to go against and balance.
Expecting higher score after few more years of ageing
  • jviz commented:

    5/21/23, 11:20 AM - I felt the same way tasting this wine a few years ago. It’s pretty stern. Kind of think it will end up like 1986 tbh, dictated by structure more than fruit

Red
2015 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
5/15/2023 - jviz wrote:
92 points
Served blind to me. Super pretty wine. Transparent in the glass, aromatic with a bit of VA, flavors of cherry, eucalyptus, rose petal, chalky, firm tannins and high acidity. Having had a 14 Bonneau last night, it is hard to tell that these are even in the same region. And this drinks more like a 14
  • jviz commented:

    5/16/23, 1:02 PM - The regular Henri Bonneau CdP (not Celestins or Marie Beurrier). That was a late pick and rather dense/full bodied. To put it in perspective I thought this wine was a more modern Barbaresco

Red
2017 Coche-Dury Bourgogne Pinot Noir
1/31/2022 - mye wrote:
Blinded. Tons of tightly coiled power on open. Popped into a decanter for an hour, and the wine shows sweet red fruit, earthy, man full of intensity on the fruit tho. Guessed 1er cru red from a classic producer. Surprising for a BR.
  • jviz commented:

    5/12/23, 5:48 PM - We had the same thought. This is marvelous for the level

Red
2016 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud Red Rhone Blend
12/13/2021 - jviz wrote:
Hmmm... Looking back on my old notes, I must have really enjoyed this, but this particular bottle was quite pruney. Purchased at retail from the same lot as the others, it's highly extracted, with dense licorice notes, raisined like Amarone, high in alcohol, with some RS and a lengthy finish; but one I didn't totally love. Hoping this is bottle variation.
  • jviz commented:

    12/13/21, 10:54 AM - You know; I've tried this wine three times; and while my taste memory isn't perfect, looking back on the prior notes (2019, 7/2020), I think I'd have picked up on the overripe fruit as being problematic. So I'm hoping its only an issue of individual bottle variation, but this just felt like ultra late-picked fruit in a warm vintage, not a heat damaged bottle or something along those lines. So I don't know what to reply re/drinking windows, other than that this wine remains totally primary, and not shut down. If it is a representative sample, it's not holding up well. I'd love to be wrong if someone else has a different experience.

  • jviz commented:

    12/13/21, 11:03 AM - I think that's the right call - and I see you have some skin in the game! If you decide to open one and remember, please mention it here as this was my last bottle and won't come across the feed any more :(

  • jviz commented:

    5/7/23, 5:14 PM - Have you tried one yet?

Red
2000 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
5/5/2023 - jviz wrote:
92 points
From .375, this was in a pleasant place. Still plenty of fruit, very clean, somewhat masculine, with signature features of Pauillac. Maybe not the most complex but still pure and enjoyable.
  • jviz commented:

    5/5/23, 4:08 PM - Poignant question. I’d say that would be pushing it in 375, perhaps from 750 or larger. 10 feels like a safer bet

Red
2010 Château Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
4/30/2023 - DoubleD1969 wrote:
I couldn’t resist. After trying the 1995 and feeling underwhelmed, I opened the 2010 several days later. Wow! There were similarities, but there was a lot more fruit - like Ranier cherries - that was nicely balanced by the tobacco, menthol and forest floor [not cedar] notes. Loving the 12.5 ABV. Pop and poured initially. Then corked it and later finished the following day. Enjoyed it so much I bought more.
  • jviz commented:

    5/3/23, 4:15 PM - This is a nice take and a fun, enthusiastic note. Would you wager that some of these BAMA wines may show better young? I’ve had a smattering of 95-00 versions and they are interesting, but of a type. I wonder if youth offsets a bit of the rusticity? Makes me want to pop a 9 or 10 I have laying around…

White
2020 Theo Dancer Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay
4/14/2023 - jviz Likes this wine:
90 points
similar to prior notes. It's very good for the level, although probably a touch behind the domaine BB.
  • jviz commented:

    5/3/23, 5:19 AM - I don’t see a need to age them at all. They have settled nicely in bottle. It’s not like there is extensive oak or reduction that needs to fade. You should open one and see if you agree!

White - Sparkling
N.V. Jacques Selosse V.O. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne Grand Cru Chardonnay
4/26/2023 - Bullethead Likes this wine:
95 points
I like VO better than Initials. Nice one disgorged in 2013
  • jviz commented:

    4/26/23, 5:04 PM - What do you like about it more? I’ve had Initial a few times, not yet on VO

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