1/14/2024 - KenK Does not like this wine:

Really nice aromatics of lime zest, acacia petals, with a hint of petrol, very inviting & classy. Palate however comes across rather simple & diluted. Good minerality, tangy structure & taught bitter edge. Very well made wine from possibly suboptimal grapes.

2/26/2023 - KenK Likes this wine:

This was in an excellent place tonight. A so called seamless wine. Dark rich aromas of blackberries, expresso, and peppercorns. Textually smooth and rich with a pretty underlying frame giving nice lift. The fruit matches the structure perfectly. Pure deep and delicious black fruits with nice spicy elements throughout. Drink or hold. One of the best wines of year, but then again it’s only February…

4/5/2022 - KenK wrote:

Dried out and dead in terms of flavors. Over the hill or hurt?

8/27/2021 - KenK Likes this wine:

Perhaps a perfect wine in reality. From the aromas alone this was clearly going to be amazing. Chiseled and bright while also deep and rich with a finish that does not seem to end. The texture and balance create perfect harmony. A wine of real breed that impresses, Even served blind everyone got this right. A very special treat!

5/29/2014 - KenK Likes this wine:

Truly epic. Pristine bottle despite a hand written stocking label saying 2001 Leoville Poyferre and being identified by imprinted capsule and cork. Begins with beautiful rich sexy bold aromas of mint chocolate, sweet lush dark cherries, and a touch of creme fresh. Large scale classic Bordeaux flavors come in waves of layers with wonderful density, purity, and has a rich mouthcoating texture that simply cannot be described fairly. Sweet cedar, creamy black cherry with a dark concentrated middle. Vibrant and so balanced. Extraoridnary long finish featuring nutmeg and allspice. A real wow wine, that blows my mind, not just for the age and condition, but for what is in the glass. Blind I would have guessed a 1990 first growth, wow. This thing is crazy great. One of the very best wines I have ever had the honor of trying. 100 Points

10/28/2020 - KenK wrote:

Primary ripe plummy aromas with a pleasant sweet floral note. Lighter weight with nice purity and delicacy yet nothing jumps out as particularly interesting or notable outside of nice tart acid driven lift and a slightly chewy finish. Good upfront fun sour cherry and cranberry fruity flavor. Clearly well made offering a fresh easy to drink well balanced wine, but left me wanting for more complexity. Time should mellow the structure, but don’t see this gaining complexity.

11/9/2020 - KenK wrote:

Good, but fruit was not as dense and bold as one would expect. Nothing special, but ok. Wonder if it was a slightly hurt bottle, but no sense of being corked, heat damaged, or oxidized.

6/27/2020 - KenK Likes this wine:

Antonio Galloni Vinous tasting with Claude Blankiet. A diverse property lots of slopes and exposures. Bought in 1996, had one day to make decision to buy or not. Base of canyon, lots of different soils, years of discovery. Big drainage area creates unique complex soils. 2011 was bizarre year with lots of rain and botrytis. Feel soil and a cooler climate can produce great Merlot in Napa Valley. Can’t have clay or lots of exposure. Limestone absorbs moisture and deeper in canyon keeps it cool. Cab franc for backbone.

My note: Big rich blackberry flavors with floral notes and tremendous balance. Long dark spicy flavors a pretty wine with a plummy dense extracted quality, yet remains balanced. A lot of purity and notable for not coming across hot, yet big. Still young and primary, but delicious.

11/26/2014 - Christine Havens wrote:

From Ovid Vineyards is Experiment EØ.4, a compelling blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. As one might expect, the Cab Franc contributes an expressive, highly aromatic nose of blueberry crumble, butterscotch, Christmas fruit cake and star anise. Richly textured, with an intriguing creamy countenance that lends density and weight. Finishes with cedar, spice and the merest touch of green bell pepper. Nice acidity and intensity.

5/23/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote:

Krug 2002 Clos du Mesnil Release Tasting (Aviary - Chicago IL): Ripe apple and quince with some baked apple, lemon peel and toasted rye bread. Very big and powerful start-to-finish with an intensely mineral-driven, eye-opening finish. Not as pleasurable today as the Krug 2002 in the next glass, but this will be a better wine in 5-10 years, so I'd consider this 97-98 points based on its upside potential.

3/25/2013 - KenK Likes this wine:

Appealing brooding nose of animal, leather, wet soil, and sleek black fruits. Nice depth to palate with somewhat showy dark rustic fruits, black pepper and hint of bacon. Zippy acids and tannins give this some some nice heft. a little rough old style Rhone, but I really liked the depthnof the dark fruits.

1/13/2013 - KenK wrote:

Nice sweet sour black cherry nose.
Great density with wonderful structure, showy black cherry fruits. Toasty, vanilla finish. Packed and creamy dark sweet fruits with impressive balance.