6/26/2016 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

This is a wine of elegance and of perseverance.
Bottle in perfect condition. Wine was still little tight upon opening with a slightly harsh tannin structure, but the bouquet of roses and game was apparent right out of the gate.
Every fresh pour from the bottle revealed notes of animal, scorched earth, chestnut and briny roses. As more oxygen got in, bottle showed more notes of rusty nail and blood.
Palate became silker as the time went on and to be honest, the best was the last sip of the bottle.
This wine offers tremendous value (speaking in relative terms here) and shouldn't be judged by poor vintage alone.
Fantastic effort!

4/19/2016 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

One of the finest display of a mature wine!
It hit all cylinders tonight with wonderful aroma of barnyard, leather, tobacco, dark fruits and green peppers. On the palate it brought out the ripe vintage that was just pleasure to drink! As the time went on, most of the pepper notes started to fade away with the remaining characteristics staying intact. It was utterly delicious bottle of wine and will seek it out!

2/21/2016 - jinatnrt Does not like this wine:

Picked it up from distribution as part of library release. After opening 2005 vintage, which was completely shut down, I was hoping that '96 would be ready. Well, it isn't.
Whether it went past its prime years, or is going through shut down period, wine is stubborn to open up. We've decanted it for about five hours and the wine flirted with us a tiny bit. Nearly completely muted nose with palate showing a bit better, but not by much. Two bottles left and I'll stash them away with hopes of one day blossoming....not banking on it!

2/22/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Completely mellowed out tannin, coupled with vibrant fruit and dark earth made this last bottle that much enjoyable.
Expect to find darker fruits, chocolate, pruney notes without much trace of harsh aglianico tannins. Bravo!

2/14/2015 - jinatnrt wrote:

It's tough to put a number to this wine.
There was a slight TCA taint to the wine, although it was so subtle that we consumed it in entirety. Fruit was still live and well coupled with still rugged tannin structure. After 25 years you would think everything is mellowed out, but it wasn't the case here.
I appreciated the fact that it was still alive but saddened by a bit of TCA taint. I would not seek out this wine again it were available - there are way too many better Burgundies out there at this price point!

2/15/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Oh oh oh oh oh!
This was an absolute stunner!
I was pouring this for "normal" wine drinking crowd and reserved it only for them. I initially tasted both bottles to make sure they were sound, and they were. When the guests had left with half bottle unconsumed, I was very pleasantly surprised by how well the wine had evolved in the past two hours. It drank like a lovely Burgundy with a slightly sweeter palate. I thoroughly enjoyed a little funk on the nose and a great balance. I would recommend this wine to anyone who loves Burgundy and well balanced New World pinots. I suspect it'll get better for the next few years.

2/7/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Notes consistent to my previous tasting notes.
Sweaty leather belt, bell pepper, barnyard, smoke, tobacco were in addition to good fruit backbone and completely dissolved tannins. Drank beautifully! Glad I was able to purchase few more bottles!

1/25/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Opened, decanted, enjoyed over two hour period.
Went through a fairly quick transformation over half hour period and stayed enjoyable until the bottle was completely emptied out.
This is well matured, with rounded out tannins. Initially there was definite influence of new oak, but even that melted into the wine itself. It is still rather primary with some secondary characteristics starting to show. Give another seven to ten years if you like more earth and complexity, dive in right now if you enjoy purity of the fruit. Absolutely delicious!

1/25/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Delicious bottle! So much life still left (probably got minimum ten more years to go before it starts to go south)!
Loved the bright fruit, mellowed tannins, and awesome notes of milk chocolate, fresh blackberries, vibrant acidity. Better bottling than the last.
Not quite a rustic version of aglianico, but certainly a good, mature one.

1/18/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

This house continues to impress me with their consistency!
Opened and decanted for one hour and enjoyed for another two. During these three hours the wine evolved into a classic pauillac with all the notes of dirt, pencil shavings, fairly softened tannins coupled with wonderful notes of darker fruits. Initially there was a massive amounts of brett but eventually blew off (I don't mind it at all but one of my guests had some hard time). This will definitely keep for much longer.

1/18/2015 - jinatnrt wrote:

It took about an half hour for this monster wine to open up. Seemingly shy at first, it display all the richness of California chardonnays can possibly display. It will certainly be loved by many but I'm a bit torn. Slightly too rich for my palate.

1/17/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Hit the sweet spot!
better than five previous bottlings.
Very simple but well made burgundy. This drank like a decent bourgogne Rouge! Last bottle! :(

1/15/2015 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Wonderfully aged bordeaux! Classic notes of graphite, earth, vanilla dominated the nose with hints of bell pepper. On the palate all the tannins have been completely mellowed out but the fruit still remained strong. It's a wonderfully matured wine. I was very thankful.

1/15/2015 - jinatnrt wrote:

Vigna Colonello has a different composition than limestone driven Mosconi. It is rather a loam soil promoting more lush style of wine with southern exposure for more sunlight.

1999 - was not able to taste
2008 - much more fruit forward than older vintages of Mosconi - absolutely completely different wine made with same grape variety from a different vineyard site. bright red fruits, very fresh and extremely approachable for its age. is this barolo?
2009 - very similar. slightly higher in tannins.

1/15/2015 - jinatnrt wrote:

Bussia Soprana wines have switched from using smaller barriques to larger casks from 2006 (mixed cask + barriques starting 2006 & switched to all cask in 2007). Mosconi has predominantly limestone soil with average vine age of 50. Now that being said...
1996 - fairly high acidity, delicate red fruit and floral nose, super soft. really lovely.
1997 - more intense perfume than 1996, similar qualities on the nose. sweeter on the palate with touch reduced fruit notes (influence of new oak?). feels much more advanced than 1996. seemingly ripe burgundian.
1998 - now barolo shows more brute strength. still got all the elegant touches with more tannin and bit more austere. got much more years ahead but drinking beautifully.
2000 - nearly identical to 1998 but slightly more approachable. once again feeling more advanced in age than wine two years younger.
2006 - fairly rugged but still approachable. it's definitely more "polished cowboy" still got all the beautiful fruit and flowers underneath all the muscles.
2007 - even more rugged and austere than 2006 (knowing the switch into all cask from using barriques - placebo effect?) less approachable now, probably can age for a long time to come, much more classic style of barolo.

12/24/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Big darker fruits! Was drinking this and Meo Camuzet's Marsannay side by side. Felt like a burlier and more rambunctious cousin of finer Marsannay. Nevertheless, this was the crowd favorite. Bigger pinot noir without so much sweet/riperness. Well done!

12/26/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Same notes as before, but it started to show some decomposition. Probably turn into a completely different beast in couple of year's time. Still pleasurable to drink, but some may find it offputting.

12/24/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Spicy! Overall a interesting and fun wine to pop open for the public to see different types of wines prevalent in this world. Truly magnificent given the price point.

12/24/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

I felt less strongly about this bottle than my previous two bottlings.
It lost more fruit qualities and started to show more decomposed notes. Still firm on the palate and fragrant on the nose, but there was definitely a small clash between the fruit and the decomposition. It is possible that there wasn't sufficient enough time in the decanter for this wine to shine. Two more bottles to go (luckily!).

12/24/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Fantastical bottles! It was better than my previous bottle. Perhaps it needed an extra year of bottle aging to find a sweet spot - and it certainly was!
Just an easy, well-balanced, lovely bottle of Burgundy that anyone can appreciate and the snobs and sip away. Was a definite crowd pleaser.

12/26/2014 - jinatnrt Does not like this wine:

Nothing there. Perhaps I should've given it more time and air, but from my recollection from the previous bottle, that was not needed. Maybe this was just a bad bottle. Proceed with caution!

12/25/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Consumed out of a magnum. Lovely Bordeaux, classic Pauillac style. Bold and firm with a bit of elegance. Got a plenty of dirt and funk but a good fruit backbone to support it. Medium plus body, medium acidity and fair amount of tannin structure remaining. Exactly what I was looking for in a Bordeaux, perfect!

12/19/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Another "wow" moment with this wine.
I've first encountered 1994 Musar owing to a recommendation from a restaurant sommelier after enjoying 2002 Bruno Clair Clos St. Jacques few years back. It was clearly one of the wines that etched an impression in my memory bank.
I've opened this bottle (1 of 2) tonight due to heavy seepage. I was utterly disappointed in seeing that and hit the panic button, thinking that wine is over the hill and that the money is wasted. Having a completely obliterated cork reaffirmed my notion. Once every piece of cork came out of the bottle, wonderful aroma of ripe strawberries permeated in the air. There was hope.
Upon the first swirl and the sniff, I was taken back to the very first time with this particular bottling. Amazing!
Everything I looked for in this bottle was there - ripe strawberries, musk, game, bandaid...so unique, so funky, so great!
Last time I must have consumed the whole bottle in one hour time, but tonight I was drinking solo (I blame the seepage again here) and working at the same time that it took me five hours to finish!
On this fifth hour, I feel obligated to write this - wait a minute, am I drinking perfectly matured grand cru Burgudny???
Nose was mesmerizing. All the delicate fruit and earth without almighty bandaid hanging around (still there, but I won't even blink an eye). VA seems to be a common occurrence with Musar, and it was prevalent in this bottle as well.
But who cares?!?! According to Serge Hochar, VA, Brett, and all the other characteristics that we now see as flawed, are another set of character of the wine. Just like human beings, what's wrong with being flawed (now, corked is a different story - definitely don't think any winemaker intended cork taint in his/her wine). I have a habit (like many of you out there) of linking fine wines to people, and '94 is a special one.
It's not for everyone, but certainly many will find its beauty! Bravo!

12/19/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Deliciously approachable cabernet from Napa.
It wasn't over the top ripe, nor did it fall short on the palate.
Beautiful aromas of cassis and vanilla slowly opened up while we quickly drained this wine. Would've liked to see how it would evolve or even age. Did not feel alcohol of 14.5% at all. Nicely balanced cab. Drink up!

12/14/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

Same notes as before. A classic, well aged pauillac. Still going strong!

12/14/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Clean minerality, toned body without much flab or being too skinny. Beautifully balance white burg from a riper vintage. Due to the vintage (im assuming), this mineral driven white burg shows a hint of richness. Either way, its a superb piece of work. Should last many more years to come, but drinks wonderfully now.

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

OMG I love it!
I thought I was going to be gurgling away a simple dessert wine, boy was I wrong! This is a serious contender for any lovers of classic dessert wines such as Sauternes and Tokaj. This will stun anyone and won't break your bank!

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

This was a really "pretty" Cornas! Definitely made in more traditional style, not necessarily a blockbuster-Parker-loving wine. That keeps the price in check - thank goodness! Classic syrah nose of black pepper, game, fresh blackberries. Medium palate with good amount acidity, making this a wonderful food wine. Absolutely pleasant on its own too!

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

I'm going to say it flat out: I'm biased when it comes to Chateau Simone.
It's one of my go-to wines for any occasion, knowing that they will always provide versatility. 2007 didn't seem as balanced as 2006 and could probably use little more time to mellow out. Still got its classic plummy (never overripe), little dusty, balanced tannins. Higher than usual acidity but never out of funk. You will almost always make your dinner companion happy by opening this bottle.

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

The most impressive wine (and the most forward wine) of Rosenthal tasting. Impressive forward nose of fresh plums, violets, and perfectly ripe (not overripe) strawberries. Medium body with medium plus acidity. Just enough earth in there made it a cool old world classic. Perhaps a slightly weightier than your normal Rossos but absolutely perfect and a stunning wine at any dinner table!

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

So the beauty of this wine comes from the north-facing vineyards. Generally wines of Provence will be hotter and riper, but Chateau Simone across the line are generally more elegance while still displaying richness of Provencal wines. Nose of the pine forest, oily body but light on the palate. Simply delicious.

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Not as intense as 2011 vieilles vignes but equally enjoyable. Usage of only 25% new oak is the key to keeping this chardonnay in balance. Wonderful find for a white burgundy lover who is generally skeptical about maconnais.

12/11/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Bea consulted more these nuns but have no other involvement with them.
Nose of candied flowers with a lush palate. Slightly hot. Thought it would be whole lot funkier and oxidized but it is whole lot cleaner and really pretty. After it warmed up a bit, more complex bouquet poured out. Really good wine for the value.

12/5/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Lush nose upon opening of tropical fruits and honeysuckle. Classic white burgundy with ripeness. However there is still enough acidity to give it a good balance. Wine was very good the first hour, then started to fade, but came back real good after three hours or so.
Love marc colin!

12/2/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

2003, it was a warm year right? After 11 years, I wonder if premature oxidation would apply in this case. Wine is definitely oxidized showing notes of caramel, hazelnuts apply ripe tropical fruits. I cant say I dislike it since I generally tolerated oxidative style of wines. Purchased one bottle to see if its worth an investment but cannot take chance for a high end white burgundy that is oxidized. Still got pretty good acidity as well as salinity. Should definitely be a good food wine at this point and accept the fact that its oxidized.

11/30/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Lovely balance of minerality and power. Not an over the top Meursault 1er cru nor is it "all about finesse"
Might not be the most impactful higher end white burgundy but certainly enjoyable.

10/28/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Last bottle - why does it taste the best of all the bottles I've opened in the past year?!?! Earthy yet elegant fruit nose remained with a sturdy backbone to boot. Drinking very nicely right now.

10/21/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

Finally something decent from vineyard 29. Still live well and kicking it. Be careful with drinking window for these guys, I wouldn't go beyond 15 years to drink. They are not meant for aging but meant to be enjoyed fairly young for the power. Powerhouse for sure.

10/14/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Great nose of ripe golden apple, honey and mango. Alcohol came out when the wine warmed up a bit but overall excellent acidity and body.  Delicious.

10/10/2014 - jinatnrt Does not like this wine:

Opened and decanted. Enjoyed over two hours. Not much change during that time. There's a subtle glimpse of full-bodied Napa Cab in there but all that's left is ruins. Smell of Italian seasoning dominated the wine and was not quite enjoyable.

10/10/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted. Enjoyed over two hours. Went through many transformations during that short period of time. Most predominant notes were sweet sour cherry notes. Along the way came tar, smoke, meat, and mixed herbs. It stumped few people in the blind tasting with some suggestions of aged burgundy from a hot vintage as well as southern rhone. Another educational wine, yet very yummy in a tart way.

10/9/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

This particular bottle displayed more riper fruit qualities similar to some of pinots I find in California. There seems to be a lot of bottle variations even in this infant state.

10/8/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Same tasting notes as before. Wonderful bubbly.

10/7/2014 - jinatnrt wrote:

Expected more. A lot fruit qualities have faded without presence of tertiary characteristics of aged wines. Try to hold for few more years if you can.

10/1/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Delicious
Brett notes were not apparent in this bottle unlike the others I have tasted. Popped and poured, enjoyed over two hours. Beautifully sweet strawberry nose. Tannins have mellowed out but still has a bit of harshness.

9/30/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

My favorite of the three single vineyard sites - Stone Corral (translated into English from Spanish - Corral de Piedra, which is a Mexican land grant), Rincon and Rosemary's Vineyard (vineyard surrounding his mother's - Rosemary house).
Full of red fruits and sharp minerality. Offering great balance and subtle elegance. I would love to see how these single vineyard wines evolve in the next few years.

9/30/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Definitely better than the estate chardonnay in balance. Reserve for more special occasions.

9/30/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Great to see that Californians are finally making concerted effort to make more balanced wines!
Simple and delicious chardonnay! There is, however, a kick of oak in the back end.

9/28/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

Full, rich, buttery, yeasty, lovely mousse. Exactly as expected!

9/27/2014 - jinatnrt Likes this wine:

got a whole lot of character. this is my fourth bottle or so and it's definitely growing on me.