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Comments on my notes

(30 comments on 28 notes)

1 - 28 of 28 Sort order
White
2019 Failla Chenin Blanc Olivet Ranch Russian River Valley
1/7/2022 - Carib Likes this wine:
93 points
Very refreshing minerality with underlying tastes of almond, quince and citrus. Lovely light color, medium density. Drank it with a curry fish stew, quite a ying to this yang. Listen to "I'll Drink to That" podcast by Levy Dalton, his interview with winemaker Ehren Jordan. This really helped put the wine in a historical context. Jordan worth following; buy more.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/21/22, 4:34 PM - I loved the interview and have listened to it many times. Great story.

Comment
Red
2014 Ramos Pinto Douro Duas Quintas Red Blend
9/12/2022 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
86 points
Purchase at the winery. Apparently I was trying to fill up my case. Simple and not offensive. Will not improve with age. Decent crunch, that I enjoyed.

  • dlduchon commented:

    9/13/22, 4:22 PM - Better day two, I would bump my score up to 88.

Comment
Rosé
2020 Domaines Ott Côtes de Provence Rosé Château de Selle Rosé Blend
4/18/2022 - Amerique wrote:
92 points
Round, full-bodied peach fruit, excellent structure, notable viscosity, ample finish, seemed to lack acidity which is characteristic of Bandol Roses.

  • dlduchon commented:

    6/11/22, 3:57 PM - FYI, this is not their Bandol version. But I understand you point.

Comment
White
2020 Loosen Bros. Riesling Dr. L Mosel Saar Ruwer
12/23/2021 - dlduchon wrote:
80 points
Muddling.

  • dlduchon commented:

    5/21/22, 5:25 AM - I am a big Loosen fan, tasted at the wineries in the Mosel and Pfalz many times. I have over 60 bottles in my cellar. This wine was terrible and should not have the Loosen name on it even for $10. I did not feel the wine tasted damaged in any way, just not a good experience. I Want to make sure Loosen fans know this wine is not up to their standards.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
White
2020 Gaspard France Sauvignon Blanc
5/14/2022 - dlduchon wrote:
82 points
A touch oxidized with a back end weird, non-vinifera grapey flavor. Would not have guessed it as a SB in a blind tasting.

  • dlduchon commented:

    5/15/22, 4:52 PM - Was better the second day.

Comment
Red
2020 Thevenet & Fils Bussieres Les Clos Bourgogne Pinot Noir
4/2/2022 - dlduchon wrote:
86 points
Tart and tangy as noted. Time may help assimilate.

  • dlduchon commented:

    4/3/22, 4:08 PM - Improved day two. Add a point or two.

Comment
White - Sparkling
2012 Perrier-Jouët Champagne Belle Epoque Champagne Blend
7/11/2020 - nmichaud1 wrote:
flawed
Dégustation à l'aveugle entre amis: Nez sur le champignon, quelque chose semble clocher, cependant en bouche tout est relativement en place sans connaître exactement le produit. Finalement, nous semblons dire qu'elle est défaut. Je crois tout de même que cette cuvée a beaucoup d'énergie et mérite un temps en cave.

  • dlduchon commented:

    9/4/21, 11:19 AM - Oui

Comment
White
2017 Chalk Hill Chardonnay Estate Bottled Chalk Hill
12/21/2020 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
85 points
Mediocre at best. Probably was better younger.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/28/20, 2:58 AM - What I tasted was from a gray labeled bottle.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
1995 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
11/29/2020 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
93 points
A wonderful bottle, just drinking so well. Delightful Bordeaux.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/23/20, 5:44 AM - I am working through two cases of this wine so have had many bottles. At its age I would only decant it off the sediment if it was going to be poured into glasses shortly after to be consumed and then slowly contemplated in the glass. You miss a lot of the evolution in the glass if you decant it for a long time. I typically just open it an hour in advance and cork it back up. I serve it at 65 degrees F. Let me know how it goes.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
2/16/2020 - dlduchon wrote:
87 points
A simple basic Zin, not much going on. Lacks intensity and a short sour finish.

  • dlduchon commented:

    2/16/20, 5:35 PM - Had another glass after being opened a day, and was impressed as it picked up some grip and structure.

Comment
White
2005 Rapet Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay
5/4/2013 - rwilmeth wrote:
Premature Oxidation. This hasn't been a problem with the Rapets -- but unfortunately this wine should have been in its prime. Unfortunately, undrinkable.

  • dlduchon commented:

    1/26/20, 8:43 AM - Saw your review of this when posting mine. We had a bottle with dinner in Chicago with family and thankfully not oxidized as I have five more bottles to go. The California Chard drinkers in the group enjoyed it more than me. We also had an 06 PV which was austere and more my cup of tea.

Comment
Red
2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
12/17/2019 - dlduchon wrote:
87 points
A bit too raisiny for my palate, unlike any Beaucastel I have had and I have tried them back to the early eighties. Has some vibrancy on the finish to counterbalance it. If you like The Paso or Aussie style you should like this one.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/18/19, 3:25 AM - I have 16 more bottles to go. The last one I tried came out of a just opened wooden case that I purchased upon release. I am hopeful there is some variation within the case! Looking to enjoy some of the better bottles.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2013 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
4/4/2019 - dlduchon wrote:
87 points
A bit muted with a flat finish. Perhaps going through a dumb stage.

  • dlduchon commented:

    9/14/19, 10:50 AM - Closed may gave been a better wine word.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2014 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard Paso Robles
8/1/2019 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
89 points
A bit too rich/ripe to be my favorite but still a great wine. If you like the Paso style (but not the crazy 99 overextracted pointers) you will enjoy this more than me.

  • dlduchon commented:

    8/2/19, 9:14 AM - No I had to pop and pour but next time I will let it breathe> It was quickly consumed so I did not get to taste it the next day.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2013 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard Russian River Valley
7/27/2019 - dlduchon Does not like this wine:
79 points
Un-wine like cherry cola RRV flavor profile. Flat, overripe style finish. Difficult to drink. No.Pinot qualities. They need to be ripping out the Pinot in RRV and plant Grenache.

  • dlduchon commented:

    7/29/19, 8:35 AM - No, it is RRV Pinot in general. I enjoy the opposite spectrum of Pinot. I have the same issue with hot climate Pinot from other producers. I have been to Millbrook several times and purchased and enjoyed those wines.

  • dlduchon commented:

    7/29/19, 9:08 AM - I have. Just finishing up what what I still have not drank.

Comment (See all 4 comments)
White
2008 Les Clos de Paulilles Collioure Cap Bear Blanc Grenache Blend, Grenache
2/4/2016 - dlduchon wrote:
88 points
Quite light and refreshing for a Banyuls. Purchased at the the winery after dinner. Perfect after dinner.

  • dlduchon commented:

    6/21/19, 9:36 PM - Sorry about that. I am back In Collioure today and I will see if I can taste the correct wine.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2013 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
6/9/2019 - dlduchon wrote:
87 points
Big oak hit at first that faded a bit with air. Disjointed.

  • dlduchon commented:

    6/9/19, 5:18 AM - Big disjointed oak hit at first that faded a bit with air

Comment
Red
2012 Linne Calodo Problem Child Paso Robles Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel
12/9/2018 - dlduchon wrote:
83 points
Sweet, syrupy, unbalanced wine. Difficult to drink. What is this? Tastes like low end Zin with residual sugar. No refinement. Probably got 98 points from Parker.

  • dlduchon commented:

    2/19/19, 3:12 AM - I drink through the bottles that I have over time to assess the progress. I still have bottles left so there will be future reviews. Occasionally when I retaste a wine I have a different experience due to the age or the food pairing, but this wine has been consistent. I do give away wine I don’t like for charity auctions but this wine is unknown and has a bizarre name and I would not be comfortable giving it away.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2011 Domaine Michel Lafarge Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots Pinot Noir
7/30/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine:
91 points
Floral up front, then exotic sweet pear, olive, and wild herbs. On the palate, I found silky textures with ripe apple, spice and contrasting saline-minerality. A buzz of acidity lingered through the finish, along with hints of ripe apple.

  • dlduchon commented:

    9/13/18, 5:11 PM - Is this a review of the Blanc?

Comment
Red
2011 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Central Coast
8/4/2018 - dlduchon wrote:
83 points
Interesting wine, but bizarre flavors for a Pinot. It was too much the first day, but improved the next day, but still difficult. Why would any one want to make a Pinot have this flavor profile?

  • dlduchon commented:

    8/17/18, 3:20 AM - I was a very long time WS customer and was hoping for improvement. After the decline post sale, I cut back my purchases to the Chardonnay, Zin and what they say is “elegant.” After so many disappointments along with price increases I have given up buying any more.

  • dlduchon commented:

    8/17/18, 10:05 AM - Please note I have a few good reviews of WS wines that I enjoyed, it is not a blanket dislike of WS.

Comment (See all 4 comments)
Red
2012 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog Walla Walla Valley
2/25/2018 - dlduchon wrote:
85 points
I am in the minority on this one. Heavy handed and over extracted. I found it difficult to drink. If you like this style you should love it, if you are in pursuit of balance you will not. For the review the discussed balance of this wine, my perception of what balance is can’t occur with a wine with level of extraction.

  • dlduchon commented:

    2/26/18, 6:34 AM - I don't believe additional age will be particularly helpful to this wine. At this level of extraction and flamboyance I think it will just get more difficult to drink.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2011 Domaine le Galantin Bandol Mourvèdre Blend, Mourvèdre
1/12/2018 - dlduchon wrote:
flawed
Corked. But mildly so. I let Laura drink it as she has a high tolerance.

  • dlduchon commented:

    1/12/18, 4:55 PM - Laura says it is too corked to drink. Next bottle.

Comment
Red
2012 Linne Calodo Nemesis Paso Robles Syrah Blend, Syrah
10/28/2017 - dlduchon Does not like this wine:
79 points
Overripe, unbalanced, insufficient acidity, and hot done in the Paso cult wine style. Cumbersome, disjointed and grapey. Difficult to drink more than a glass without your palate being tired. Flat, alcohol aromatics.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/8/17, 7:44 PM - From the area, Venteux or Tablas Creek who pursue balance over überextraction. Pursuit of balance is in the minority in PR.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2006 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Precious Mountain Sonoma Coast
1/31/2016 - dlduchon wrote:
82 points
Purchased on release and cellared. Opened the wine to a big hit of oak, so I decanted with the hope of some semblance of balance. No luck. This wine had little fruit or substance other than the oak hit. A touch of acid on the finish but nothing on the front end to balance it. Drink up this wine has little future.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/24/16, 11:53 AM - If you look at my reviews I am typically disappointed with most WS Pinots. I bought it for 20 years, but it just does not have the Burgundy flavors that I like in a Pinot.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
White
1982 Viard Meursault 1er Cru Chardonnay
12/8/2016 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
87 points
Cork dropped in with the capsule still on. Nonetheless it tasted like an old Meursault, with a nutty finish and a touch of fruit and wood. Enjoyable. A glass the second night was fading, but still drinkable.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/14/16, 3:19 AM - Had another glass 8 days later and thoroughly enjoyed it for it oxidative qualities.

Comment
Red
2004 Rapet Père et Fils Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile des Vergelesses Pinot Noir
8/29/2014 - dlduchon Likes this wine:
89 points
Nice wine. I am a big PV fan. This is a good wine from an average vintage. Enjoyed it very much. Good balance, terroir, and vintage characteristics.

  • dlduchon commented:

    2/9/15, 4:27 PM - Had another bottle, perhaps better this time, probably due to a better pairing with dinner. I give it an 89

Comment
Red
1999 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
12/26/2014 - dlduchon wrote:
flawed
corked, but only slightly. I still drank it and could tell it was a good wine beneath the taint

  • dlduchon commented:

    1/26/15, 5:52 PM - Opened another bottle at a Wine Spectator top 100 wines party and it delivered. Great wine and if you are lucky to have one of the unflawed bottles it will be fabulous CDP.

Comment
White - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine Bruno Sorg Crémant d'Alsace White Blend
8/4/2013 - rwilmeth Likes this wine:
88 points
Bright, crisp, acidic wine, light in color, nice and even bubbles, with dry apple, tangy grape, and a hint of vanilla. Great aperitif wine, great producer and great quality for the money. Hard to find in the US.

  • dlduchon commented:

    12/6/14, 6:12 PM - Yes. Had tonight! We need to find in the US

Comment
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