8/7/2021 - ddingley Likes this wine:

Great wine. Big bold fruit balanced with leather, tobacco, herbal notes, with a silky mouthfeel and very long finish. Smooth but seems a long way from fading; could be at a lengthy peak right now.

3/28/2021 - ddingley Likes this wine:

Nose of chocolate and blackberry with herbal notes. Palate was similar with distinctive sweet pepper after the fruit. Medium weight, long and versatile with food. Opened up gradually and seems like it could go for many years.

5/2/2020 - Cadby wrote:

Steven Seagal, slightly entertaining youth, doesn't age well

12/26/2019 - strijbosmh Likes this wine:

Muuuch better than the previous bottles. This was singing. And not singing quietly in the back. This was Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms. Den alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras in B flat minor. Double choir. Full power.

Crazy intense nose. Bell pepper. Earth. Leather. Brooding. Palate is full bodied. Almost of La La quality (I wanted to open a '05 La Mouline tonight....). This is Côte Roti.

Finish lasts as long as the bridge on the river Kwai.

12/5/2019 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine:

Don Juan or Casanova

For the better part of my life I have been referred to as “Don Juan.” I’m not sure why as my prowess as a womanizer falls far short of that definition. Needless, there are those that to this day still use that moniker around me. I guess my reputation could stand “a little” shot to move things along.

Now the term “Casanova” has not been used in that same vein, it’s just a catchy tie-in to the wine that I had the other day.

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2010

Tenuta Nuova means “new property;” a place where nobody has planted Sangiovese before, and the wine named as such is considered by some, myself included, to be the flagship of their winery. Produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes, the grapes undergo meticulous destemming and hand sorting prior to fermentation. Afterward spending no less than 36 months in oak followed by one year in the bottle before it is allowed to be sent out for consumption by those who seek one of the finest examples of Brunello around. Others must also think so as this is only the second wine that I have had that achieved the high honor of receiving TWO 100 Point Reviews!

Breaking open, actually using the good ole Coravin to extend the pleasure received from this wine over a two-day non-consecutive period, the wine for a reasonably special occasion, I knew the wine would only heighten the focus and elevate the pleasure for the day. And it certainly did that!

The wine itself is nothing less than elegant and substantive; opening with deep dark black/blue fruit that melds with a rustic, almost forest-like, quality lending minerality to the wine. The tannins are present but nearing a softness that leaves you with a subtleness that combines with the near-perfect acidity, bringing you closer to a finish that unlocks a spiciness that stays with you for an extended period of time, long enough so you can bask in its magnificence.

You don’t need to be in a rush to open this wine, it has been masterfully crafted to allow many more years of aging to occur before you need to entertain that thought. Should you have multiple bottles on hand however, don’t be afraid to open one as this wine can add to your enjoyment now, just give it an hour or two of decant time.

Though my “Don Juan” status is still in question, there should be none concerning this wine. While the 2010s are probably very hard to come by, newer vintages should be available and from the samples I have had, compare very favorably to 2010, so enjoy.

Cheers

3/11/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Londer is our all-time favorite CA Pinot producer. We are sad that they no longer exist. The 2010 Paraboll still needs more time in the bottle. It is drinking much better than when we first tasted it on release. Initial nose is very tight, alcohol and tannins dominate. After about 45 minutes ripe cherry and blackberry come up to the acid. Over the years, we have had at least a dozen cases (probably more like two dozen) of Londer through the entire Pinot spectrum. Our favorite remains the Estate Grown, followed by the Ferrington Vineyard. The plain old Anderson Valley is also outstanding. The Paraboll might catch up, but it will be a couple of more years. Alas, we won’t have any in the cellar by then. Larry and Shirlee – we miss you!

4/3/2019 - ddingley Likes this wine:

Just a fantastic wine. Reminded me of a lighter 90s Araujo Eisele vineyard Cab with a combination of fruit and Cuban cigar. This was not overpowering, but rather fabulously deep in a midweight wine. Only drink this paying close attention, like a great Burgundy.

5/9/2018 - ddingley Likes this wine:

Served at monthly wine dinner after 2+ hour decant. Smooth, very rich and almost Rhone-like for a Pinot with fuller body and darker color, and slight medicinal cherry with gobs of fruit that knocked it down a point or two for me. Still very fun and good wine

11/3/2013 - ddingley wrote:

Powerful red fruit nose, rich and silky, initial cherry palate but not too much cherry. Can't put my finger on the mid-late palate but liked it

11/9/2010 - Wino73 Does not like this wine:

At first sniff I swore my dog just walked by after playing in the rain. The wet dog smell so strong I set the wine down for about 20 minutes before taking the first sip. This softened the wine a bit but still it remained a bit hard to swallow. Its pretty tart for a Cabernet. I cant even tell what Im tasting. I don't like it that much. Seems unbalanced, acidic, and difficult to get down. Wish I could be more specific. I did like it at some point though because I bought it. Will try again tomorrow.