5/30/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

fireworks on the nose: lemon and lime candies, herbs, flowers, light-roast coffee, dates...

supple and smooth, full and sweet but there's a gorgeous acid line to keep it long and balanced

always a privilege to drink old Terrantez!

5/30/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

pristine cork! hooray!

savory and meaty on opening, this took a couple hours to open up

aromas of pan drippings, beef blood, oyster shells, blood orange, strawberry and cherry, a little apline breeze and mushrooms

a little tart and tense on the palate, not an especially rich or full Musigny, but it is complex and there is a beautiful interplay of ripe fruit and classic Pinot earthiness, tannins are resolved, I don't expect there to be a huge upside, but if I was in the company of another de Vogue Musigny 2001 anytime soon, I would open it several hours before drinking, it really improved a lot with air

5/30/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

in a nice spot, totally mature, probably best now and for another few years

opens with intense cooked meat aromas, but eventually blue and red fruits come up, definitely a little vanilla and spice from oak, but its nicely integrated here

lively and fresh, nice body and texture for an 11-year-old Bourgogne, fruit is a little syrupy and candied but nothing too sticky or heavy here, earthy and meaty finish, great with lamb shanks

5/30/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

gorgeous weissburgunder, fruity and fresh

aromas of apple, pear, pineapple, corn silk, white flowers, a little spice too, is that a touch of oak? Hard to tell, it's so fresh and lively on the nose

silky, almost full-bodied, sneaky acidity, this has intense acid structure but it's very juicy and smooth, so balanced and composed that the acid only creeps up as the long finish fades, sneaky serious wine, surely worth following a few years, maybe a lot longer, but I would drink it while the fruit is super fresh

5/29/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Fabulous blanc de noirs right here. Apple, baked and fresh, peach, citrus, nut oils and skins, a little minty herbs and white flowers, pleasant oak spice, a little toast and yeasty bread... Intense acidity, layers of crunchy fruit, integrated autolysis, long finish is all about tart fruit and nascent toasty richness. This will be much better when the oak is fully integrated, which should take just a few years. Try again in 3 to 5.

5/26/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Just fabulous, there's not much Garnacha out there along these lines, maybe compare it to high-toned Nebbiolo, maybe it's like certain Pinots, is it ok to invoke Rayas?

Aromas of raspberry, tart red cherry, a little strawberry and triple sec, fennel pollen, sweet raw almond, myriad airy herbal tones, a little roses, lavender and petrichor

juicy and a little candied on the palate, fresh and tart mid-palate, gorgeous floral and almond notes as the intense red fruit fades, gentle tannic grip, very fine and elegant overall

surely worth following at least a few years, it is more tense and tightly-knit than usual, and should be much more interesting in 6 to 12 months

5/25/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

blueberry and prune, wilted flowers, a little green tobacco and roasted nuts

ripe and dark, a little chocolatey and nutty, rather straighforward, chunky tannins and adequate fruit, drink soon

5/25/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

plum, blueberry, blackcurrant, white and blue flowers, this is quite floral, a little poblano and citrus, this is bright and juicy on the nose

serious structure for un-oaked Cab, this has a fair amount of fine tannin, as well as incisive acids and dense fresh fruit, subtle herbal and floral tones lend significant intrigue

long on crunchy blue and black fruits, many delicate floral and herbal nuances, bravo

5/25/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

lush and ripe nose, blue and black fruits, tobacco, herbs, a little antique cabinet

firmly dry, classic Chianti Classico, fruity for a second and then the tannins and acid ally to turn it tart and grippy, tangy cherry and herbs meld beautifully on the finish

nice stuff, on the ripe side but plenty fresh, I would want to have it with grilled meats, should be worth following a few years, but it is in its window so I wouldn't push it

5/24/2023 - viniferatu wrote:

Aromas of black and red fruits, black walnuts, green vegetal and herbal tones, tobacco... juicy and quite tart, this leans into the vegetal and savory side of Cab Franc, and it is quite tense, but there's an easiness to it, and the finish refreshes even if it isn't particularly long. This will be more interesting in 6 to 12 months, I'm sure, and will be worth following at least a few years, maybe a lot longer, but you have to like this style.

5/24/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

yeasty, peachy, melon, a little flowers and herbs

crisp and fruity, yeasty finish is a touch herbal, fresh and easy, but you have to like cloudy pet nats

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

smells like a steak on the grill! a little veg and graphite, green tobacco, blackcurrant and blackberry jams...

medium-bodied, fresh and vibrant, crunchy fruits, significant meaty and veggie nuance, very Medoc, nice stuff

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

aromas of petrichor, cheerios, apple, citrus...

pure and fresh on the palate, one of the very best Finger Lakes Chardonnays I've had, lovely purity and fruitiness, subtle creamy, mineral and cereal notes lend intrigue,

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

primary and floral, banana and melon, pear...

medium to full, fruity and ripe, fresh enough, a little soft overall, crisp as everything fades, minerality builds, nice though somewhat anodyne and diffuse

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

overripe orange, berries and wilted flowers, yeast and petrichor too, this has a loose and wild vibe on the nose, a little VA but quite pleasant

medium low acid, juicy, soft but refreshing enough, chillable red for sure

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

primary, yeasty and savory on the nose, a little peach and citrus

fresh and juicy on the palate, medium acid but lively and crisp, slightly tannic and grippy, serious length, very savory and herbal finish

5/23/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

only 20% muscat, but it really comes through, of course it does

aromas of sweet citrus, yellow peach, apricot, herbs and flowers, could smell this all day

tactile and fresh on the palate, a little tannic grip, juicy before turning yeasty and herbal

5/20/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Aromas of creme de cassis, dark cherry, blueberry, dusty gravel road, thyme, sage, spring flowers, a touch of leather... Full-bodied, plush and deep texture, pretty soft tannins for Cab, sweet dark-fruited inner perfume, a little jammy but overall fresh and composed. Long finish is primary, all about the ripe dark fruit, this will gain interest with time in the bottle.

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

black fruits, jams and jellies, animal fur, tree bark, olives, bee pollen, buddleia...

sweet ripe fruits, tannic but quite fine despite their significant clout, sauvage, animal and herbal, olives and meat

a bit rustic, but very intense and complex without being super heavy, really interesting Languedoc

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

gorgeous violet and cherry, crushed stones and alpine breeze, nice texture from fine tannins, lively and mineral through the finish, nice ripe fruit and, forest tones linger too, killer Chassagne rouge right here, especially considering the very hot vintage

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

jellied berries, a little beet and pine forest, ripe and dense but quite lively, loosely knit, but not without support from structure, this is probably best in the next 3 to 5

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

blackberry, blood orange, herbs, a touch of nut oils and peony

tactile and grippy, dark fruit, significant herbal and earthy intrigue

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

savory and herbal nose, oysters, broth and leafy stuff, a little citrus and apple

tart and mineral, classic and lean

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

spicy, creamy and floral on the nose, pears and sweet citrus, ample and lifted aromas, quite rich but not too rich

surprising acidity on the palate, this has incredible acid structure, very fresh fruit washes over the palate with incredible spicy and mineral tones infusing everything, this is super serious, gorgeous silkiness and depth, intense finish, long and complex, acid carries everything, this is stupendous and will be worth following at least 5 years, if not 10 or 15

5/19/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

aromas of corn silk, pear, grapefruit, a little cream and daffodils...

crisp and juicy, great acid cut, beautiful fruit, so fresh, hooray for 2021!

5/18/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

super aromatic, gorgeous dark cherry, plum, roses, mint,

full, fresh, primary, tannic enough to think it will develop textural interest

5/18/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

sweet and almost jammy nose, lots of berries and cherry, licorice and flowers

tangy and loosely knit on the palate, a little jumbled and diffuse, but fresh enough

5/18/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

juicy and herbal, nice fruit skin bitterness and lightly grippy tannins to offset the intense primary fruit, easy glou glou but not without seriousness, drink up in the next year or so i should think

5/18/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

aromas of pineapple, orange, apricot, toasted spice, butter, marzipan, flowers...

thick and unctuous, oily texture, layers of fresh and cooked fruit, mineral and herbal nuances galore, subtle fruit skin bitterness, long and intense finish, this is intense and balanced, it will be more interesting in a few years, and if you like rich honeyed and nutty wines

5/18/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

peach, mango, passion fruit, flowers, a little herbs and armpit

rich and enveloping on the palate, oily and thick, lots of fruit

nice stuff, a little hot, but plenty fresh overall

5/13/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Flippin' fabulous, this is so distinctly cool climate Chardonnay, but it's also quite succulent and luscious, with a dynamic texture and perfectly ripe fruit. Goodness, this is good! Aromas of petrichor, oysters, moss, flax, green pears, a little cream and daffodils, a touch of shredded wheat as well... Full and dense on the palate, layers of ripe yellow and green fruits, intense minerality, deeply buried acidity, there's a gorgeous interplay of ripe fruit, creaminess and salinity that makes this almost gulpable despite its considerable weight. Long finish is all about minerality and concentrated fruit, subtle herbal and vegetal notes come through, and a precise acid line builds as everything fades, but that takes time and it is overall a bit soft as Goisot goes. Great balance and freshness here, this is a baby, and will be much more interesting with a few years in the bottle. Might be worth following well over a decade, but i wouldn't push it without regular check ups.

5/4/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Charming Savigny. Aromas of dried strawberry, framboise, a little cranberry and orange juice, pine forest and dried flowers, nice soil and fungus nuances too, this is ripe but also so very Burgundy, and delicate nuanced Burgundy at that. Fresh and lively on the palate, there's an engaging interplay of lush juicy fruit and subtly bitter and savory non-fruit elements, acids are gentle but provide important support, tannins are light and fine and will mellow in just a few years. I wouldn't be surprised to see this in fine form in 15 to 20 years, but I don't think many bottles will make it that long.

5/2/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Cote Rotie with no oak, this is lovely! Aromas of olives, cured meat, a touch of smoked fare as well but very delicate in the smoky department, violets, thyme, blood orange, plus there's sweet raspberry, blackberry and cherry trying to outdo each other, but even if the trio would work together they would not overpower the non-fruit chorus. On the palate it is quite juicy and fresh, alternating between nuances of crunchy and softly ripe fruits, the savory, herbal and floral elements are certainly present as well, with a beautiful inner perfume billowing on the finish, which is also quite juicy, but plenty serious, with tannins finally coming out and framing the gush of fruit that carries everything long. This is gorgeous Syrah, love the purity and freshness here, there's structure to spare, and this probably won't budge much for many years, but it has a joyfully juicy personality now, so I would recommend trying it soon. I'm sure it'll get better with air, but it has been top notch since the cork was popped.

4/29/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Stupendous Muscadet here, Pepiere's cru communaux bottlings are worth chasing. Aromas of apple, lemon, underripe pineapple, lettuce, lanolin, petrichor, subtle flowers and bitter herbs.... This is about as rich and ripe and textural as Muscadet gets, there's beautiful silkiness, clear stony and salty notes, and bouncy acids, as well as rather juicy fruit. The finish tingles and shimmers, so many salty and mineral nuances emerge as fresh fruit subsides. This is great stuff, and should be worth following at least 5 more years, if not 10 or 20.

4/28/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Aromas of stale white bread, clean smoke, lime, tangerine, crunchy apricot, a little honeysuckle and herbs... Bone dry, with bracing acids, subtle silky ripeness, but no easy sweetness, enveloping and coating through the very stony finish. Gorgeous dry Riesling here, and rather delicate and airy for Alsace Grand Cru. Love this. Should be worth following at least 5 years.

4/27/2023 - viniferatu wrote:

Nice stuff, and if the northern end of the Cote de Nuits is supposed to have a meaty and earthy character, this adheres to that idea. Aromas of ripe dark fruit, speck, pine forest, a little roses and brighter fruit like raspberry or cranberry... Easygoing and smooth on the palate, this is pretty much ready to go, but it has fresh acidity and fine tannins to carry it through many years of development, i would expect this to become quite meaty and savory in time.

4/27/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

80% 2019

aromas of yeast, white bread, citrus, crab apple, white flowers, very Chardonnay... crisp and zippy, but also creamy, beautiful fine mousse, nice pop of fruit to offset the incisive acids and significant mineral and herbal nuance, lovely and classic, could save it for a few years, I'm sure, this will develop nicely over the short term

4/26/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Gorgeous stuff. Arneis, Nascetta, Favorita, Erbaluce... are interesting enough, but Timorasso is the most promising white grape in Piemonte for me.

Aromas of strawberry and citrus candies, white flowers, a little sage, mint and other herbs. Viscous and silky on the palate, with integrated mineral grip and loads of ripe juicy fruit. Finishes with a wave of ripe fruit and beautiful herbal and stony nuances, this is delicious. Drink over the next 3 to 5 I should think, I wouldn't push it too long, though the intensity and balance here does bode well for the future.

4/24/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Delish, and quite complex for $22 Pinot. Aromas of moss, speck, grilled bivalves, cranberry, seedy blackberry... fresh and juicy, the smoky and meaty elements are a nice accent, this seems to have the balance to age for a few years, but it is joyful and pure today, so i wouldn't push it personally, drink them up, v nice stuff

4/24/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Gorgeous Sancerre, delicate yet powerful, ripe yet showing beautiful characteristic Sauvignon greenness, this is on point. Aromas of pineapple, lime, gooseberry, yellow peach, mango, mint, ripe jalapeno, yirgacheffe, white flowers... There's an incredible balance of elements on the palate: fresh ripe soft fruit, tart citrus, green leafy tones, deep yet ethereal umami complex, silky glycerin, salty minerality... This is so light on its feet, but it is not light in body, it coats every corner of the palate and the finish leaves gorgeous long lingering impressions of green vegetation, pineapple and mango, tart citrus, salty stones... there's also a hint of vanilla and wood spice, but the oak is so subtle amd integrated that it is almost not worth talking about, this has the purity and freshness of a wine raised in stainless steel... So very Sancerre, but also exceptional, and at the top of its class, and if it weren't for those gooseberry, jalapeno and coffee notes (quite pronounced on the nose, but sublimated on the palate and finish) I'd be tempted to compare this to Riesling. Yummy and lively, its fabulous combo of purity and intensity makes me think it'll be worth following at least another 3 to 5 years.

Forgot about it on day 2, but on day 3 it is great, feeling a bit more ripe and juicy, this is a lush 2021, but still electric and crystalline. What a wine!

4/22/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Just wailing on the nose, yes there are vegetable and leaf notes, but this is exuberantly, joyfully, perfectly ripe and fruity, a beautiful melange of sweet macerated fruits -- blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry -- mingles with graphite, mocha, roasted poblano, spring flowers, violets... whispers of thyme and citrus provide gorgeous high notes. On the palate this is medium-bodied, tense and coiled, tart and juicy, the tannins firm up on the mid-palate, but all the flowers and fruit on the nose really come through in a stupendous inner perfume. The finish gushes juicy fruit as the tannins fade, and myriad subtle floral and herbal tones resonating alongside. This is not very tannic for Cab, but it does show classic Cab structure, with pronounced acid and tannin, though both elements are so neatly folded into the fruit, it is a most elegant and fresh, yet at the same time quite serious, rendition of this all too often hackneyed and manipulated grape. I don't know anyone else who makes Cab quite like this, it almost tastes a bit more Medoc than Napa, but the sweet fruit does say Cali, it is fruity in a way that Bordeaux is not, but maybe that's just because anyone making something so serious in the Medoc would be using a fair bit more new oak. Anyway, this is absolutely fabulous stuff, and surely worth following decades.

This is doing just fine on day 3, the floral aspect is more present than ever, and the fruit is less juicy, but this is still totally delicious.

4/21/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Sneaky density and structure, this comes across as rather light for Zin, but it is quite serious at the same time. Dark fruit, cherry and berry preserves as well as fresh fruits, a little herbal and floral quality too, but mainly exuberant ripe fruit. On the palate it is medium-bodied, with fine tannins that grip on the finish as waves of fruit subside.

4/21/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

This has deepened and sweetened with time in the bottle: red and black fruits, a little prunes, sweet tobacco and vanilla, licorice, mint and thyme, a hint of violet liqueur... full and textured, dense and structured but not heavy, nor overly tannic, though it does turn firm and dry on the finish. I would not save this too long, but it should be worth following 5 or so years.

4/21/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

100% Nebbiolo from Barolo and Barbaresco, and it is very pretty. Aromas of red cherry, roses, a little mint and mushrooms... Elegant and open-knit on the palate, nice cherry and red plum fruit, supple tannins until the end, firm finish is composed and fresh. This is ready to go, though it may soften and open up a bit more. I wouldn't push aging, personally, but it might be more interesting in 5+, you never know. Fantastic, delicious, and elegant today.

4/20/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Last time I had this it was primary and fruity. Now it is decidedly tertiary, but it has fruit and freshness still. Aromas of tobacco, cured meat, dried blood, cranberries, red cherry and prune, a little dried flowers too... tangy, herbal and savory on the palate, lots of tobacco and stewed meat notes, tart dried fruit too, a nice gush of tart plum and warm spice makes for a delightful finish. This seems to be mature, but it does keep opening up more with air...

In fact, after a few hours this is both fruitier and meatier... but it's the fruit that has emerged in a greater way. This is definitely mature, but still quite elegant and fresh.

4/17/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

Delish. Aromas of orange juice and zest, strawberry, fennel, mint and rosehips. Fruit is the focus on the palate, this is juicy and fresh, though at times there are candied or syrupy notes. Finishes with moderate acidity and minerality, and pleasant lingering notes of red fruit, citrus and herbs.

4/16/2023 - viniferatu Likes this wine:

So tasty, so fresh. Aromas of lime and white grapefruit juice, apple, stone dust, a little iris and green herbs. Juicy and stoney at once, this has a beautiful playfulness, bouncing between so many flavors, citrus and perfectly tart apple, many delicate herbal notes. This finish is dynamic and long, moving through juiciness, to subtle pithy and stony notes, then into gorgeous fresh citrus and delicate herbal grip. This is excellent, there's just not much wine out there that can muster intensity like this on such a light frame. Could save it, I'm sure, for many years, but it is so nice right now.

4/15/2023 - viniferatu wrote:

Ripe and juicy. Rather GGish. Integrated minerality and poised acids keep it fresh. Lovely powerful dry Riesling, probably worth following many many years.

4/15/2023 - viniferatu wrote:

Delicious auslese that is very close to maturity. Aromas of fresh sweet orange juice, pineapple, lemon candy, chartreuse-like herbal stuff, honey... Certainly sweet, but quite fresh, and in perfect balance. Cheese wine. Bisque wine?

4/15/2023 - viniferatu wrote:

Intense and distinctive. This starts off with lots of sponti, but aromas of Meyer lemon, kumquat, crunchy white peach, green melon, citrus blossom, and airy herbs emerge with a little air. Super stoney, super earthy, there's gorgeous vegetal and floral intrigue on the inner perfume, crazy acid cut, this is very dry. Long and complex finish features the vegetal, herbal and mineral side of this wine, there's great length and complexity here. I dunno about aging this very long, but its definitely not fading in the next few years. I want oysters.