11/5/23, 3:50 PM - Yikes. Is that 3 bottles in a row that are off? Was your case damaged in shipping or stored improperly?
7/17/23, 9:17 PM - No decant but run through aerator. Seemed a bit off to me - almost like it was another 5-10 years aged at least relative to the many other reviews. All 4 of us who had this after the Rhys pinot were sort of taken aback because it was just so different and not just in a pinot to cab type of transition.
1/1/23, 10:40 AM - You don’t need to score a wine to save a note. There are many people who never give an actual score since they don’t believe in them. I think that’s why you giving a score at all is confusing everyone. I won’t give a score for wines I think might be flawed or that I don’t feel I can properly rate for whatever reason. In any case thanks for clarifying the 50. It just caught everyone’s attention as you never see scores that low.
6/28/22, 4:18 PM - Price increases in a year like 2020 is a bit much imho. With Mike Smith out as well seems crazy but I guess there is so little 2020 good wine they figure why not. I’ll tell you why not, after loyally buying for years I’m done here probably permanently other than aftermarket deals I see coming with the current economy. That said I don’t think the business for small wineries buying expensive fruit is easy so I don’t begrudge them. But at the same time I never understood the need to push customers away like wineries seem to do. I drank a 35 dollar burgundy the other day I could drink all the time and be content. I just need to totally convince myself of that …
6/25/22, 12:09 PM - No actual decanting, maybe opened bottle 30 minutes ahead and then used Vinturi aerator. I generally age to smooth things out and soften tannins - not for secondary characteristics to dominate. Still need the fruit. For my taste timed this right here but has way to go.
6/25/22, 3:33 PM - We are on vacation so no decanter here so went with vinturi for whatever that’s worth. I would have decanted otherwise.
5/3/22, 6:54 PM - Welcome to the red Burgundy rabbit hole. Looks like you might be getting sucked in. Good luck as it's fun to learn and try to figure out. I still have zero idea what I'm doing but got hooked.
1/15/22, 10:07 PM - Assuming that is a typo on the score.
10/10/21, 12:55 PM - Thanks for the note which is helpful but 89 doesn’t seem consistent with it which didn’t seem to have many negative and you called it top notch. Seems like you are a tough grader but trying to understand what’s holding it back. In any case seems like it’s time to drink my one bottle.
10/10/21, 9:35 AM - Need to get you back on a red burg kick since you help me calibrate against the professional reviews. Was on the fence on a 2017 Roncieres but this convinced me to hit add to cart. I really need to stop now though since I think I'm exceeding my storage when these all start to ship.
10/7/21, 3:43 PM - Another $350 Napa cab. Just what we all need. I keep hoping I'll find some discovery that is "only" in the low 100's, but it's hopeless. Anything relatively new is done at the extreme high end which I guess has to be to survive as a business in Napa. Also means it's always the same players since you can't risk that investment on the unproven.
8/30/21, 11:17 PM - Is the world ending? What is going on here? A 93 for the mighty OG in the best of the decade 2106 vintage. I kid since I sometimes think we get a bit carried away with the scores for Mike Smith's wines. There is a core group of his fans (to which I include myself although my scoring scheme is compressed / more conservative) where I almost automatically assume these will get 97 or higher. Interesting to see what some others will come back with on their next try. I only have one so I'll be waiting a bit. Of course it could be a bottle variation thing or could just be a question like you said of where one hits the too much is well just too much point. Alcohol on this is pretty low at 14.9 though (of course may not be that accurate) so is this a case of somehow leaving a bit of residual sugar although also sounds like it's really missing the acid to balance things out.
8/29/21, 11:07 AM - Just reading these comments and wanted to highlight the earlier point about the rating scale for red Burgs. Too me it's completely different than the scale for Cali pinot. They seem to dole out 95-98's like crazy now in Sonoma now but never do that for Burgundy short of Grand Cru's from the top producers. Not saying that some Cali's don't deserve high scores just that the reference scales are not the same. For burgundy all the scores seem the same - village = 89-91, premier = 90-93 except the "top" premiere cru sites., grand cru 92-95 except the very top $500+ bottles. Trick in burgundy is finding a few producers you like the style since it varies so much and then crossing your fingers. At least that's my take so far. Have had some really good red burgs in my early exploration (new obsession for me) though and don't see them all rated 90 like the publications do. Even the Boillot simple burgs I've had are all in the low 90's to me. But the hierarchy means they get rated like an 87 which in general is ridiculous.
6/11/21, 8:33 AM - Seemed in it's drinking window to me. Don't really see it getting any better. I don't generally buy this style of CA pinot to age. I've shifted my style preference to more in the Kutch, Rhys camp and those I see more evolution over time. Of course now I'm getting into Burgundy but not sure I have the patience to wait long enough on most of my purchases.
4/4/21, 11:27 AM - Thanks for the feedback. I don't have enough experience with older bordeaux to really make any conclusions on what happened here. In general though I would lean to more fruit and less secondary characteristics so I probably am better off drinking a bit early rather than a bit late, and I don't really mind some tannins assuming not harsh. I am also starting to think I can appreciate wine better without food. I know it's supposed to be the other way around (especially with many old world wines) but sometimes it seems to throw off my palate. It also seems to prevent me from concentrating on the wine itself. Btw, I am in no way saying these are even remotely through their evolution. Was more just making the comment that for me maybe it's better to error on the under side. Every bottle to me is like a lottery ticket I never know what is going to happen with so many variables at play. As mentioned in some of my recent notes I also seem to fall prey to expectations and have things underdeliver. Things seem best when not expecting much and then a wine just hits all the right notes in the right setting. Maybe I jinxed myself by my initial impression and raising my expectations to such a lofty level ...
3/28/21, 7:17 PM - "unremarkable for the price point" is a bit of an understatement. $400+ wine? I assume you didn't want to risk being dropped off the list for 2018. I still hate that Napa never drops prices for "lesser" vintages. Easy to skip bordeaux vintages because of the excessive supply but Napa holds the waiting list over your head - some places much less so than others. It's more similar to Burgundy I guess in a lot of ways. Sounds like there is hope it will get a bit better.
3/13/21, 12:54 PM - Have you had the 2015 Clos de Vougeot? If so how does this compare? I thought the CdV was amazing but a bit more than I’m willing to spend. I’ve almost caved a few times but luckily (?) those sold before I did.
1/26/21, 8:21 PM - Had a bit that was left on the second day and it was more developed and holding strong so I have high hopes it will continue to improve and that I can catch the next bottle at just the right time. Per my description it had all the right pieces and was certainly very good - just didn't sing to me that day. I honestly am beginning to believe, for me at least, the final experience is really dependent on so many factors other than the wine itself and for some reason lately I seem to most enjoy some of the bottle I open with little fanfare or expectation. I had a 2013 Macphail the other day (my last Macphail bottle) that I really enjoyed and was really just hoping it would be passable, and for whatever reason it just fit what I was looking for perfectly. I guess this is what makes this hobby so much fun, the continued search for something and the constant surprises.
1/1/21, 6:16 PM - Don't want to sound like I'm not giving credence to the price increases and the overall ridiculousness of most of the prices (namely Napa for me where you can read my complaints about many a winery deserting their supporters and now Burgundy where the small supply is a recipe for disaster), but I looked at this wine completely differently. I'm finally getting a bit more into Piemonte wines and thought the QPR (even at the $42 I paid) as being excellent. A 91.7 average score on 236 reviews is pretty impressive given the number of reviews (and the likely bottle variation with this volume). I think a fair number of people even have the perspective that Barbaresco specifically doesn't get the respect in the marketplace it deserves (which of course is fine by me). I guess the main thing this shows is just how insane all the pricing is if you take a step back and look at it as you can choose many different reference points to justify what is or isn't a "deal". It really just is grape juice at the end of the day. Definitely picked a bad hobby (should have invested my wine money in bitcoin - lots of people somehow think that is also a bargain I guess)... Cheers and here's to hoping for better wine moments in 2021.
12/30/20, 5:34 PM - Thanks for the detailed reviews of all the 2019's. Always great to get your early take on the vintage. Looks like another stellar one especially for the Falstaff. Looks like I need to try one of my 2017's soon.
12/26/20, 2:00 PM - Thanks for catching. I’ll blame that stupid slider bar on the iPhone app.
10/20/20, 8:09 PM - Description doesn't sound like a 97. Did you mean 87?
4/25/20, 10:13 AM - With the 2018 offer closing soon, just wondered if you or others had any comment on the fact the this wine is now $150 at offering when the 2014 was only $95. This seems crazy on one hand but I guess is more a statement on what a deal they were before as $150 isn't crazy in the messed up world of Napa cabs. I can't begrudge Mike trying to get the price the market will bear since he easily sells out anyway but at this price I'm leaning towards passing and saving my money for the Carter offer later which isn't that much more expensive for Mike Smith wines I generally prefer (although we are comparing different vineyards). Note I'm cutting my purchases way down to just a few this year even though 2018 is supposed to be an awesome year, but honestly that's the rule rather than the exception - what we've had 2 poor vintages - 11 and 17 in the last 10+ years so I'm trying to get rid of this fear of missing out on the latest vintage of the decade hype / BS. That said there is an aspect to supporting small businesses now that also comes into play. Hard to tell how wineries are really holding up - seem ok with the increased at home alcohol consumption but the restaurant / bar side is taking a huge hit.
2/23/20, 7:28 PM - I’m jealous. At current pricing it’s past my pain threshold. Any other CdV’s you’d recommend that are more reasonable? Given the size and variability of the grand cru it all makes me nervous. I generally stick to Sonoma where I know what I like.
8/3/19, 9:58 AM - I have to finally ask ... what's up with all the red and white burgundies? It's a total shift from your usual M.O. Even on the pinots, Bevan and Wren Hop are the complete opposite of a burgundy. I'm liking my personal shift to the Kutch's and Rhys's of CA pinot but I still struggle to fully appreciate red burgundy. I do have 6 or so bottles I've been cellaring for a while and have been debating if it's time to give them a go.
6/9/19, 7:59 AM - We'll be in Tuscany staying on the Fontodi grounds (close to Panzano) for a few days. Did you make it there as well or just the ones listed in your tour. I was planning to taste at Fontodi (obviously), Scalette, and Rampolla. Wanted to add Felsina but think it's a bit out of the way (we are with our older kids who will complain about being hauled around to too many wineries) Any particular must do's (was thinking of adding La Massa)? How was Ristorio di Lamole as that is on our list. Did you eat anywhere in Panzano to recommend. Where else would you recommend for dining / winebars. We will probably do a day in Sienna as well. Hope you had a great time.
6/4/19, 3:31 PM - Parker's window is to 2033. Do you really think it's that important to drink sooner rather than later? Of course there's the "window" and there's the optimal point which is probably what you are getting at here.
3/7/19, 9:16 PM - I did doublecheck with my wife on her assessment to make sure it wasn't just me. She agreed in that it was good but far from great. She commented on how long it took us to finish the bottle which never happens with any of the other Carter's. Maybe just a slightly off bottle. I still think a lot of a wine's magic is just the randomness of it all and we may have just caught this on an off night. Sorry to say I only have one 2016 Verdad so I plan on giving that another couple years before giving it a go.
2/1/19, 7:25 PM - Couldn't figure out a way to comment on the overall UGC notes so I'll place it under your WOTN. Excellent notes and thanks for sharing. I thought last year's UGC in DC was one of the best tastings I had ever been to and probably the only opportunity I'll ever get to taste that many wines of the same vintage at the same time. Unfortunately they skipped DC this year and I couldn't make any of the others so I enjoyed reading your summary. Looks like you missed the Pichon's which are usually there and supposed to be up there with the Lynch. For 2016 I went with Montrose, Rauzan Segla, And Larcis Ducasse, albeit a bottle each so far. Think it's hard to go wrong with any of the quality names.
1/17/19, 10:09 PM - Was just in the process of picking my winery visits for Tuscany this summer. We are staying at Fontodi and my other top 2 were Poggio Scalette and Felsina and then I just noticed your notes. Looks like I picked well. I'm a 100% sangiovese Super Tuscan fan so Flaccianello, Carbonaione, and Fontalloro are the faves.
1/13/19, 9:16 AM - OK, you got me and I have to ask... Why didn't you write that comment as your tasting note. That would have been useful :-)
11/25/18, 11:56 AM - Thanks for the somewhat dissenting assessment. We are often all on the full Mike Smith bandwagon (myself included and rightfully so in most cases) so it's good to hear some of the possible critiques as well, especially as to where that line is of being too "big". That's always one of my personal key concerns. Hope it comes around for you as it likely will. I allocate most of my Mike Smith budget to Carter but the latest round of reviews has me debating on whether to start adding more Myriad. That said 2017 is going to be an interesting decision as it seems a likely drop in quality over the 2012-2016 amazing run.
11/14/18, 8:44 PM - Great note. Been waiting to see more reviews of the Dumol cabs. Huge fan of Andy's so decided to dip my toe in the water on the 2016's. Just went one Napa cab (a lot of Meteor in the mix) and then one Ballard (Spring Mtn). My biggest issue is the price of the Dumol's isn't any better than Larkmead (which I think we all complain about now) and so wasn't willing to go all in with no reference point on sites I'm less familiar with. Can't wait to give a try now though.
11/4/18, 1:28 PM - How would you rate/compare the 15 McDougall vs the 16? I skipped the Fall offering with the 16 (mainly due to my limited cellar space) so I'll be looking to backfill at some point but sounds like having a few more 15's around might work as well. Good to see the 17's are showing so well already. Think 17 is going to be a pinot only vintage for me. I'm sure some of Napa cabs will be still be very good but Napa never lowers prices for not so great vintages.
11/4/18, 6:54 PM - Looks like a very cool event. Thanks for putting together. I'm going to add another 15 and plan to try one soon given this note.
11/2/18, 9:17 PM - Realize your note is a bit old but I'm really on the fence on ordering some of the 2016 cabs from my first allocation. I'm a huge fan of Andy's cabs from his Larkmead days so was thinking of giving a few a go, but I'm not a huge fan of the prices. This is the cheapest and at $90 a pop for a sonoma bottling is pretty steep, and over a $100 for basic Napa puts it up there as well. Far from outrageous by Napa standards but still more than the likes of Myriad and Rivers Marie. Have you tried any other Dumol 15's or 16's to make any recommendations. Given I like Andy's winemaking style I'm pretty confident this is a low risk bet but appreciate any thoughts. The vineyard sources are quite a bit different than Calistoga valley floor.
6/6/18, 7:05 PM - Nice note. I was just thinking maybe we should wish for some additional reviewers just to make sure we haven't all become total fanboys, but then I realized that the small allocations would be even harder to get so forget that thought. I'm still annoyed I couldn't get a Verdad last year. Although adding a 2nd OG was not a bad consolation prize. Wish I could afford more more than 1's and 2's or I guess should say I wish I didn't think spending that much money on wine is insane (and I know the price for the quality is not even that bad relative to lots of others).
2/26/18, 9:40 PM - Anything in particular that has changed your opinion on the 11's. Is that an in general comment or just applicable to Kutch. I am trying to finish my last few 11's off across the board as I don't want to push my luck with them but they've been across the board way better than advertised. Just had a 11 LaRue the other day that was excellent with the plain Sonoma Coast bottling holding up well. The only ones I think may need a bit more time are couple of Occidental Elizabeth's but I'm more worried that they don't match my tastes as much anymore although hoping the 11 vintage will tone down the ripeness.
2/27/18, 7:08 PM - I was referring to maybe my incorrect assumption that they may be a bit overripe / heavy (based on Kistler pinot reputation) as I general have shifted over the Kutch, Ceritas profile more now. Although I still like some of the "bigger" pinots from the likes of Dehlinger and Paul Lato who still strike the appropriate balance. I was just reading a couple of reviews and I may be wrong about this Occidental as they sound more in the balanced camp. 2011 helps keep things in check as well.
2/26/18, 9:32 PM - I was slightly confused by the notes as there are notes for the 14 and 15 Weitz where each mentions the Realm Absurd, but not each other. How did the 14 and 15 Carter's compare to each other. Same score, but any preference? Thanks.
1/26/18, 7:15 PM - Great notes from this tasting. My notes from the DC version aren't quite as descriptive but good to know some others agree with my general reactions to some of the wines as well. My faves were Rauzan, Baron, and Canon with a couple others just a bit behind. However this is the one wine I keep thinking back to and wondering if it was even better than I remembered. The best ones kind of draw you in like that for whatever reason.
12/9/17, 8:41 PM - That's a good point about this being a "gateway" pinot as well. I like to open these these for people who are just learning how good pinot can be. I'm pretty sure I'll always have a few of these in the cellar. However for my own changing preference I'd probably go Kutch SC over this for entry level although I suspect the majority of people would probably lean towards the RM. Of course that's the beauty of this is you can have bottles covering the range of styles and I still like both types. I think the other thing that I'm starting to be intrigued by is the surprise you can get with whole cluster and a little less ripeness. It is much more hit or miss but I think it builds suspense as you never quite know what you are in for. I have to watch out though or I'll be getting into Burgundy next.
7/15/17, 2:56 PM - Were you able to get any of this before it sold out. I tried about an hour after the offer opened and it was already gone. For some reason I never received an email reminding me the offer was starting this year. There must have been a very small number of bottles. I just ordered another OG instead after debating whether to go with the le BAM. I only order about 4 bottles a year (maybe that's why they screened me out of the initial offer?) so hard to choose. Really don't think I can go wrong though.
6/14/17, 5:59 PM - Good to see Larkmead getting some props. Checking my old tasting notes I go 2010 then 2009 and 2004 are basically tied, and then way down my list is the 2005. I wasn't crazy about the couple bottles of that I had. Looks like might be time to break out another 2010. Was holding off on the 2012 for a bit longer. Of the Firebelles 2004 has always been my favorite.
4/22/17, 8:33 PM - Good to hear a progress report on these and that they are drinking well already. Trying to start thinking about my justification for buying the 2015's. With another price increase almost guaranteed coming, given the generally lower 2015 volumes, these are getting above my pain threshold even if the Carter ToK's are my favorite of all cabs.
4/28/17, 6:39 AM - So just a $5 increase which I agree is better than I was expecting. That puts it right at my pain threshold but not over so tough decision. As my cellar is at capacity I've limiting purchases this year. I'm debating between the Myriad G3 and regular cab offering, the Carters, and then the Rivers Marie one. The Carters are certainly the highest priced here but imho the best (typically). Any chance you or anyone will get a sneak peak at the 2015's before the general offering.
4/22/17, 8:27 PM - Glad to see you enjoyed it as well. When it really kicks in, it becomes one of those wines you think about afterward. Wish I had another to see how it further develops although I have a few other Wren Hops still in the queue. I do worry about waiting too long on some of these higher alcohol pinots though. If the fruit fades too much, I wonder if the alcohol will start to show through. In any case, a little time may do them further good based on the way this behaved for you.
12/30/16, 3:50 PM - The Calistoga bottling is from Larkmead vineyards although the newsletter doesn't specifically call it out like the other vineyards. I wonder if Larkmead didn't let them use the name. The Napa bottling is a bit from the other RM vineyards - Panek, Pellet, Lore - and then some from Kennedy which I've never heard of. Glad to hear the wine over delivered. I am letting mine sit for for a bit. Have been wanting to try the 12 Calistoga which I was planning to taste up against a 12 Larkmead at some point soon.
7/3/16, 2:04 PM - Just curious. What's the longest you've left a bottle before trying it again, and was it OK. I still don't trust letting it go much longer than a month and I really just use the coravin to drink a bottle across a few weeks rather than using it to sample a long term ager.
6/23/16, 6:10 PM - It's actually what I intended to say as it Mike's "Carter wines", not "Mike Carter" wines :-) Although I had to read it twice before I realized it was correct.
6/23/16, 6:55 PM - Yep it's for my old school 26" yeti. Used to live in North Andover MA so ridden heavily in MA/NH. Favorites were Dracut/Lowell and Fomba with Harold Parker and Fort rock not too far behind. In No. VA now where riding is decent but not as good and spent 4 years in San Diego where I thought the mountain biking was surprisingly crap for the most part.
5/28/16, 11:50 AM - Looks like 2014 is another awesome year at Carter. How would you compare to the 2012 and 2013? From your scores doesn't seem a noticeable drop from 2013.
5/27/16, 7:34 PM - Was this at Bassin's CA barrel tasting? If so are you planning to put up any more notes from there. Btw, I actually liked the 13 Reserve slightly better even though it definitely was bigger and more tannic so I agree with your comment above. Did you try the Tate wines as I'm curious to hear another opinion.
4/15/16, 5:42 PM - Thanks for all the updated notes on the Herold wines. Very useful to see them compared to each other. I picked up one of these recently at a killer deal (well at least relative to the list price :-) ) Also wanted to highlight that we have a split in naming style on CT with half of these being tracked as "Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold". Have to love the confusing naming style of these. Larkmead seems to be joining this with a white and black label cab that are something like Larkmead Vineyards vs. Larkmead.
1/23/16, 2:46 PM - Just opened a bottle and giving it a bit of time to breathe. My initial reaction was more positive. I'll add my notes later tonight. Trying to decide if I want to order off my latest allocation.
Thanks for letting us know about this problem. We will review your comments and be in touch soon with an update.
Search