1/22/2021 - Wink Likes this wine:

Drinking well right now. Fully integrated tannins and oak. Excellent left bank Bordeaux from a hot vintage.

9/25/2020 - Wink wrote:

Badly corked!

7/9/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of the 2009 Eloge. Drank tonight with USDA prime ribeye steak prepared on our charcoal grill. No formal notes. Just a wonderful, full-bodied steak wine. Terrific fruit and length. Refreshing acidity. Sweet integrated tannns. No noticeable oak. Can’t wait to open another of these.

5/17/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

It has been many years since I opened a bottle of this wine. I prepared prime filet mignon in the grill and wanted to have a special “quarantine wine” to accompany the steaks. By any measure, this was a classic Bordeaux on both the nose and palate. There was power, complexity, length, balance, and varietal typicity. There was pleasant acidity. In contrast to the last bottle I opened, the tannins were soft and integrated. The 2004 is clearly a cut beneath Mouton at its best, but delicious nonetheless. And ready to drink now IMO.

3/26/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

No formal notes Delicious, vibrant Brabaresco. It paired wonderfully with a quarantine casserole.

3/19/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of this case. Did not take notes. Overall impression: this is an excellent to outstanding Oregon pinot. Paired superbly with a "sheltering in place" casserole.

2/15/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of the 3-pack I got on release of the 2014 vintage. Wow, what a stunner! Took to Valentines Day dinner. No formal notes. Amazing wine with power, finesse, and beautiful balance. LOVED it. Surprisingly approachable, given its youth.

2/5/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of this case. Dark garnet. Nose of blackberry, blueberry, mint, cedar, and graphite. Medium palate of blackberry, cassis, and anise. Excellent length. Refreshing acidity. Youthful tannins. Integrated oak. Delicious wine.

2/3/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

Dark garnet hue. Expressive nose of black cherry, blackberry, eucalyptus, and smokey earth. Ripe, tart palate of blackberry, blueberry, mint, and leather. Good length. Drying tannins on the finish. Youthful and not fully together. Not my favorite vintage of La Lagune. Palate doesn't live up to the lovely nose.

1/5/2020 - Wink Likes this wine:

I haven't opened a bottle of this since 2012. Well, it was worth the wait. This is among the best American Bordeaux blend wines I have ever tasted. Brilliant in every way: powerful but nuanced, complex but pure, varietal typicity but notable individuality. Just a superb, balanced wine that keeps you reaching for the glass. Still too expensive, but you can't have everything...

6/11/2019 - Wink Likes this wine:

I have not had one of these in a loooong time. It is such a delightful wine. Clear garnet. Nose of dark fruit, leather, and earth. Bright, refreshing palate of red and dark fruits. Superb length. Acidity keeps you reaching for the glass. Sweet, mild tannins. Totally integrated oak.

4/21/2019 - Wink Likes this wine:

Drank with prime beef tenderloin for Easter dinner. I did not take notes. little to add to my 1/4/15 note on this wine. Pretty much a perfect Bordeaux.

2/2/2019 - Wink Likes this wine:

Rich, creamy, intense, and flavorful. Balanced by wonderful, refreshing acidity. Superb.

1/14/2019 - Wink Likes this wine:

Nearly opaque dark purple with a ruby rim. Nose of earth, dark fruit, leather. Ripe full palate of savory blackberry, prune, hoisin, smoked meat, and licorice. Superb length. Refreshing acidity. Sweet tannins. velvety texture. Excellent!

1/9/2019 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of this vintage. Very good Napa Cab with mild but definite herbal notes.

12/22/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Drinkable but totally forgetable BdM.

12/19/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Drank this wine with grass fed beef and sweet potato. In every way this wine was correct: good color, pleasant nose, varietal appropriate palate, good length, integrated oak, integrated tannins, nice acidity, overall good balance. Everything as it should be. But missing excitement, surprise, complexity, and "it factor".

12/17/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

This wine is a WOW tonight. Could be the best Cab Franc I have ever had.

12/6/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

This wine has lost its youthful hard edge. It is s delightful, balanced Seavey Cab with ripe fruit, superb length, refreshing acidity, sweet tannins, silky texture, and integrated oak. Faint bell pepper note. Lovely.

11/27/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of this vintage, purchased on release from the winery. Dark color with a purple rim. Nose of cassis, blackberry, graphite, and cigar box. Full, ripe palate of blackberry, plum, prune, mocha, and a very faint green note. Superb length. Silky texture. Unobtrusive oak. Refreshing acidity. Sweet tannins. Yum!

9/24/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first bottle of this wine, purchased on release from the now defunct Ponzi scheme Premier Cru. Popped and poured. Nearly opaque dark garnet. Generous nose of plum, blackberry, cedar, and a touch of menthol. Ripe, full palate bursting with blackberry, blueberry, and plum fruit. Silky texture. Intense black licorice on the finish. Pleasant acidity. Mild tannins. Lovely, lovely wine (100% Merlot!) that is drinking extremely well right now. I look forward to the other 5 bottles in this lot. This wine is not structured for long term aging. I will, therefore, be opening the rest over the next several years.

9/22/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

My first Grasevina. Floral nose. Light weight, dry palate. Minerals. Nice acidity. Interesting quaffer white.

8/20/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Loved this wine. The first time I opened one since receiving it from the winery. Superb balance of power and finesse. Refreshing Mt Veeder acidity. Sweet tannins.

7/6/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

My last bottle of the 2012. More black pepper than I remember.

7/5/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

This is my 6th bottle of a case. I haven't opened one since Sept 2015 (about 2 1/2 years). The tannins have receded, but it remains a youthful, structured wine. This is a wine of restraint, elegance, balance, and complexity. The mountain top fruit provides verve and minerality. LOVED this bottle. Full disclosure: my wife said "meh" (well not that exact word). Her normally sharp palate missed this one, I think.

6/27/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Light straw color. Opulent nose of melon, mango, lemon, and a hint of vanilla. Ripe full palate of tropical fruit, citrus, and minerals. Excellent length. Refreshing acidity. A well-integrated and balanced wine. Not as much glycerine as its French counterparts.

6/22/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Nothing profound here. Very approachable drink-now CdP. Lush, ripe fruit. Excellent length. Pleasant, refreshing acidity. Mild sweet tannins. Ready to go.

6/4/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Decent, drinkable quaffer Oregon Pinot. Nothing special, but OK QPR.

5/31/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

I haven't opened a bottle of this wine in 2 years (see my June 6, 2016 note). It was approachable then, and even more so now. Nearly opaque dark garnet. Nose of blueberry, cassis, and menthol. Ripe, velvety palate of blackberry, cassis, and a faint hint of herbs. Excellent length. Pleasant acidity. Integrated oak. Soft tannins (is this really Red Mountain?). I doubt this will improve with more years in the cellar.

5/29/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Quite a decent, inexpensive Bordeaux quaffer from an excellent vintage. Worth a try.

5/17/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Nearly opaque dark garnet. Nose of cedar, spices, and dark fruit. Ripe, full tongue-coating palate of blackberry, cassis, and black licorice. silky texture. Excellent length. Integrated oak and tannins. Pleasant acidity.

5/15/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Really good. Perhaps a bit simple. I'll finish the bottle tomorrow. Maybe I'll feel differently.

5/13/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Wow! This wine is a stunner. Beautiful, balanced, complex, and delicious. Superb.

5/9/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Always a reliable, value Aussie Shiraz. Dark fruit profile. Good varietal character. Excellent length. Refreshing acidity. Notes of salinity. Mild tannins.

5/8/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Excellent QPR Barolo with varietal typicity, minerality, and tannins.

5/6/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

This is my fifth bottle of this wine out of the cellar. I wrote tasting notes 3/20/11, 6/16/11, 4/10/13, and 9/17/13. So it has been over 4 1/2 years since I last had it. It was worth the wait. Translucent dark garnet. Nose of blackberry, smoke, menthol, and black licorice. Full palate of ripe blackberry, black cherry, fig, and minerals. Black licorice and mild bitter herbs on the nice, long finish. Refreshing acidity. The previously tight tannins have faded considerably. the 2005 Vieux Tele has finally reached its potential.

5/3/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

A reliably excellent wine from Toro. The 2012 is no different. Not much to gain from further cellaring.

5/1/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Good quaffer Napa Cab from Nakedwines.com. Ripe fruit. Nice purity. Refreshing acidity. Good length. Mild tannins. Excellent QPR.

4/30/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Very nice QPR quaffer from Portugal

4/24/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Excellent Cali Pinot from Martinelli. Voluptuous, silky and spicy. Skews to the dark fruit end of the Pinot Noir flavor spectrum. Drinking well despite its youth. The oak is mostly integrated. Should be even better in 2-5 years.

4/21/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

I haven't opened a bottle of '09 Gloria since Jan 2013. Nose of leather, minerals, menthol, dust, and dark fruit. Medium bodied palate of blackberry, cassis, earth, and minerals. Excellent length. Refreshing acidity. Integrated oak. Sweet tannins. Drinking very well considering its youth. Lovely.

4/14/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Superb rosé. Loved by all who tasted it.

4/6/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Excellent Barolo with freshness, typicity, minerals, and integrated tannins. Ready to enjoy now. It should last many more years in the cellar, but it is hard to believe it will get much better than it is today.

3/26/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

No longer young, this earthy mid-weight Barolo has excellent QPR. Drinking well.

3/23/2018 - Wink Does not like this wine:

If someone was giving away bottles of this wine, I would not cross the street to get one

2/25/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

My last bottle of this wonderful value Bordeaux from an excellent vintage. I have enjoyed every bottle in the case. It has been fun to observe the evolution of this wine to maturity. Tonight the wine retains incredible freshness coupled with nice power and density. I will miss this wine.

2/20/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

This is the most "ready to drink" bottle I have opened. Finally settling into the drinking window. Lovely, feminine Barbaresco.

1/28/2018 - Wink Likes this wine:

Excellent medium bodied Bordeaux that skews to the dark fruit end of the spectrum. Nice balance. Refreshing acidity. Sweet tannins. Entering the drinking window with a decant.

1/15/2018 - Wink Does not like this wine:

Just not good. Very disappointed.

1/14/2018 - Wink wrote:

Well, this wine is not flawed per se. But, it definitely tastes over the hill. There is wide bottle variation in this case of 2004 Collemattoni. I have had others like this one. The most recent bottle, however, tasted fresh as a daisy. This wine has the brownish tint of a mature Brunello. Unfortunately the nose is very heavy in earthy, autumn leaves, wet leather notes. The palate is more pleasant. Tannins are faded. Oak is not noticeable. If I didn't know better, I would have guessed this wine was 40 years old. A 13 year old Brunello should not taste this faded.