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Comments on my notes

(82 comments on 82 notes)

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Red
2017 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm McLaren Vale
10/12/2020 - AusWineJuan Likes this wine:
92 points
High expectations with this fabled wine in Australian oenology. Only thing I realised after drinking was that I should be charged with infanticide - a beautiful wine that I did no favours to by drinking it so young. Will need to pick up some more and forget about them until 2025 as a minimum. A rich palate - plums, blackberry, cherry and fruit abound. Some integrated spices and that McLaren Vale pepper poking through. One thing holding it back though is a warmth of alcohol that (deceptively) initially appears placid but detracts from the quality of fruit used. I hope this will improve with the cellar-age. If so, 92+ for sure.
  • KristianT commented:

    3/3/21, 4:26 AM - Take it from one that has followed d'Arenberg and Dead Arm since the mid-1990s. Dead Arm ages spectacularly well, but at a glacial pace. If you open your next bottle in 2027 it will taste almost exactly as it does today (which is still a great taste, but you expect to see something in return for keeping a wine 10 years in the cellar). Only when these great wines turn about 15 years old, they start to enter the second stage of their development and at 20 years you will truly be wow'ed! Enjoy.

Red
2007 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes Red Rhone Blend
12/7/2013 - KristianT wrote:
92 points
Delicious. This is first and foremost a really well made wine. You can feel the craftsmanship of the winemaker. Earthy and spicy/peppery notes. Very mouth filling with an almost chewy texture. Long and lingering aftertaste with a very fine fresh touch at the end. Very good QPR.
  • KristianT commented:

    12/7/13, 12:03 PM - Definately no rush openening this wine. As stated, it drinks very well now, but has not peaked yet. That being said, it is more fruit driven than more classic Gigondas like Raspail-Ay and St. Cosme and will probably not keep as well as these two. I think I will drink my remaining bottles over the next 3-4 years.

Red
1996 Château Léoville Poyferré St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
3/2/2011 - GlöckliWein wrote:
91 points
This wine is at the MOMENT not very evolved- the smelling notes ar e quite nice,
but the TASTE ist not showing very nicely, like you would exprect ! it is "farmhouse" smell & taste
viollets, hints of spices,aND NICE EVOLVED Wood.. vanilla very soft in taste ... but not much more !
Where is the Leoville celebrety !? it quit disappointing! for this monet -- after eration of more than 15 hours !

not giving me this much energy/ Fun/ Love, Velvet gloves I would have expected !!! (91/ 100Points !) what a shame !
  • KristianT commented:

    3/2/11, 5:49 AM - I wouldn't give a 15 year old Bordeaux like this 15+ hours of air. Didn't you try it just after popping the cork?

Red
2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
10/23/2005 - Kirk Grant wrote:
94 points
Lithe and elegant yet at the same time quite powerful. Flavors of plums, blueberries, and a hint of oak. My first Beaucastel and I think I understand why people love this wine so much...
  • KristianT commented:

    6/14/10, 9:41 PM - I think you will understand it even better, when you get a fully mature bottle.

Red
2003 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
6/11/2010 - The Garbageman wrote:
94 points
This is the third bottle that I have had; one each year around this time and I have four bottles left. It seems to get better each year and more layered each time. Lots of milk chocolate with a touch of oak and understated fruit at the core. Lots more also going on. This is really starting to open up and I'm glad that I have some more bottles left. I'd give it 5 stars...excellent value.
  • KristianT commented:

    6/14/10, 11:31 AM - Interesting to hear that is is so approachable already. In more "normal" vintages Dom. de Chevalier really needs a lot of time to come around.

Red
1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
6/2/2008 - Jeff Leve wrote:
97 points
This dark colored Chateauneuf du Pape looks like a young wine. Jammy black cherries, licorice, cinnamon, earth and spice aromas are all over the place. Full bodied and concentrated, this youthful wine offers a rich, flamboyant, palate feel, freshness and a long, jammy black cherry finish. This might be the finest young Beaucastel ever made.This will improve with age. I am probably being a bit stingy with the high score I gave it.
  • KristianT commented:

    6/3/10, 1:51 AM - Sounds excellent - since you still call it young (and a Beaucastel from a good vintage is young for a loooooong time), how long time will you project it needs to mature?

Red
1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
5/31/2010 - rdsboca wrote:
95 points
This wine is in a great place. Fully integrated sweet tannins with a massive backbone that holds up in the mid and back palate. Upon entry, blasted with the grenache profile for cherries and a touch of forest floor. The finish was aminute long. For my tastes, these wines start to sing after the 10 year period.
  • KristianT commented:

    6/1/10, 5:01 AM - judging from the past couple of year's tasting notes of the 98, it seems like it is only now at 12 years old it starts to show. I have yet to open any of mine for the same reason (but is very tempted to try one soon).

Red
1990 Château Léoville Barton St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
5/22/2010 - tooch wrote:
96 points
Keith's Birthday Dinner (Lula Cafe - Chicago, IL): A serious claret. Compared to the other wines of the night, this had a more distinct roasted mushroom component that I really enjoyed. In addition to the boomers, this had an attractive earthiness that I really enjoyed.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/25/10, 7:42 AM - How about maturity and further potential? Do you think it will improve further?

Red
2007 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
5/15/2010 - tooch wrote:
86 points
Nose has tart and sour cherries, with blueberry cobbler, creamy vanilla, and lush blackberries. The nose comes across as similar to a Central Coast big boy. An extremely dense and full bodied wine. After initially opening, the wine was very awkward...disjointed and hot. The mouthfeel of the wine is quite nice - quite silky. Hoping that this is just in a dumb phase of sorts, and hoping that in another 3-10 years these bottles will mature into the beauties they're "supposed" to be.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/16/10, 2:50 AM - I think you are right - the initial fruit is wearing out and the wine needs time to mature now.

Red
1997 d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings McLaren Vale Red Rhone Blend
5/10/2010 - Ricky99 wrote:
93 points
unbelievable fruit and extract.... just a nice bottle of wine
  • KristianT commented:

    5/10/10, 12:50 PM - I for one can only second how incredible well Ironstone matures

Red
1990 Château Léoville Barton St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
5/7/2010 - jcoleman wrote:
96 points
just spectacular! really hitting its stride now. great cedary bouquet, lovely complex attack, great mid palate and long long aftertaste!
  • KristianT commented:

    5/8/10, 8:10 AM - Sounds great - I have been circling around my last bottle of this for a while now... sounds like it is just at about right now

White - Off-dry
1990 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert Vendange Tardive Alsace Grand Cru Gewürztraminer
5/5/2010 - wineismylife Likes this wine:
92 points
Dallas 2nd Wednesday Group - May 2010 (SteveW's house in North Dallas): WIML92

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of apricot, lychee, light peach notes and a hint of cinnamon. Flavors of peach, apricot and soaked pears. Medium acidity and body. Drink or hold but I'd drink.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/7/10, 12:36 AM - This is an incredibly interesting wine (although I tend to prefer the Brand VT. from the same vintage). I agree that it should hold for quite a while, but doubt it will improve much.

Red
1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/25/2010 - dre wrote:
3 Decades of Chateau Beaucastel with Tomas Perrin. (Ambrosia Event Center. Victoria, BC.): Bright nose of black tea, sage, bay leaf and a touch of menthol. This smells fantastic.
The palate shows tonnes of new leather with hints of black tea, orange rind and black pepper. A good dose of acidity keeps this fresh. The long finish is all leather. A very elegant wine.
Drinking well now but I would hold another 5-10 years.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/7/10, 12:25 AM - Sounds great - I think I will try to keep my hands of my 98s a little longer.

Red
2007 Mollydooker Enchanted Path McLaren Vale Cabernet-Shiraz Blend, Red Blend
5/5/2010 - A&C wrote:
88 points
This is nice, and what I've come to expect from a mollydooker. Nothing to write home about, but a well made wine with some nice fruit, and some high alcohol. Great for a weeknight quaff.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/6/10, 6:44 AM - Considering the price, you would expect so much more than this.

Red
2007 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Red Rhone Blend
5/4/2010 - tantotinto wrote:
94 points
Tasted this at a dinner hosted by Laurence Feraud. Of the wines we sampled, the 2007 was my favorite at this point in time. It has a wonderful nose of Provencal herbs and plum. Rich and fruit-forward but not cloying. Not fully integrated at this stage. Almost Burgundian compared to the 2006 and 2005. Tannic finish but nowhere near that of the 2005 that we tasted later. She indicated that it would probably continue to drink well for another year and then shut down for about five years. Second favorite was the 2006 followed by the 2005. The 2005 is still incredibly tannic and Laurence thought it needed ten years in bottle. All three vintages should be excellent with time.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/5/10, 6:08 AM - When you mention your "favorite of the evening" - are you talking about Ms. Feraud or the wine? Jokes aside. I would not presume to disagree with Ms. Feraud in her estimates on how long it will shut down, but did she say anything about when she expects the 2007 to peak?

Red
2006 Lillian Winery Syrah Blue Label Santa Barbara County
4/30/2010 - inkana wrote:
94 points
Audouzed for for an hour or two, then one-half an hour in the glass before tasting. Inky purple and opaque. I agree with some that the aroma was a bit reticent at first, but it gave way quickly into aromas of blackberry, cedar, with high notes of black pepper and violet, and a touch of smoke and leather. On the palate, this was very full-bodied: blackberry, pepper, the subtle note of violets and a soft smokiness on the long finish. A deeply extracted style, but beautiful complexity, even this early. I will keep the rest for a of couple years, then check in again to see how they have developed. BTW- tasted and written before reading professional reviews.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 1:16 PM - I have not opened any of my bottles yet, but am amazed by the lengthy decanting most tasters advocate.

White - Sweet/Dessert
1990 Château d'Yquem Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
5/1/2010 - Remony wrote:
94 points
Julia's 50th (Old Rectory): A half bottle as an afterthought at the end of this very self-indulgent dinner, to follow earlier halves of Climens '59 and Yquem '01. Straight from the cellar. Deeper colour than the '01, and very appley on the nose and in the mouth. Tarte Tatin was Julia's verdict. Long, and very good indeed, but not remotely in the league of the '01. Perhaps a little unfair to judge it so late and at the end of a heavy evening.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 1:04 PM - sounds like a seriously good night. Interesting that a almost perfect vintage that should start to close in on maturity is topped by the young 2001. A similar "showdown" would be interesting in another 10 years.

Red
2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County
5/2/2010 - vinocerus wrote:
87 points
The strangest Carlisle I've had. Deep purple color, nice spicy/blackfruit/lavender/aniseon the nose. Smooth creamy texture but the palate had this odd citrus/saline character that were new to me with Carlisle. Definitely not corked or flawed or Bretty. Not that bad a wine, just different from my previous experience with this particular bottling.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 1:00 PM - It does sound like an off bottle

Red
2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/9/2010 - gblacave wrote:
93 points
My first Beaucastel and a very nice experience - this was drinking incredibly. Very primary with lots of red fruits, figs and tobacco dominating the nose along with a nice dallop of asian spice. Bright and lively throughout showing nice acidity. In the mouth, it was again lively and complex with round flavors of dark fruits, lots of spice -primarily the asian variety- and a touches of tobacco and leather. Delicious and, though admittedly a novice at Beaucastel, I can only see this getting better over the next decade and a half.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 12:58 PM - Beaucastel is one of the great classics in my book - and I can promise you that the 2001 will continue to improve as you predict.

Red
1995 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
4/30/2010 - La Cave d'Argent wrote:
88 points
This wine was purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion. It was presented to our tasting group as part of a St. Julien single-blind theme tasting. My taste was unblinded. The wine was double-decanted, initially allowing one hour in decanter. Moderate sediment was noted. Upon arriving to the tasting, the wine was re-decanted and serially tasted over the ensuing three hours. Opaque red-garnet color. The nose showed moderately intense aromas of assorted dark fruits, exotic spices, vanilla and cola. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, somewhat coarse tannins and flavors similar to the nose. The finish is medium in length and a bit astringent. Hopefully all this needs is a bit more time in the bottle to tame the tannins, although I hope that the fruit doesn't die out before the tannins settle down. If the tannins soften and the fruit holds, it may merit a higher score. Drink 1/13-12/20.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 12:53 PM - I had this recently, and found it to be in much better balance than you describe here. Perhaps it was decanted to much for a 15 year old wine?

Red
2006 Domaine de Chevalier Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
4/10/2010 - Zweder wrote:
91 points
Importer tasting (@ RdG): Tasted from ½ bottle. Exclusive bouquet with good dark flavors of cassis, plums and coffee. Pleasant oak. Same in the taste. Medium to full bodied. Soft tannin. Elegant as well. Already very nice drinking.
  • KristianT commented:

    5/4/10, 12:11 AM - I think the ½ bottle is helping this one on its way. In my experience Dom. de Chevalier is one of the more restrained wines around in its youth.

Red
2007 Herman Story Grenache On The Road California
4/30/2010 - NuTricks wrote:
95 points
Deep ruby color. Wonderfully fragrant nose right outta the bottle and that only got better over the evening. Baking spice, red currant, raspberry kirsch w/ some smoke and tar. Full bodied and balanced. Great finish, but caught a bit of heat 'tho the juicy fruit mostly hid that. I, too, have to agree that this is the best Cali grenache I've had.

Glad I joined his wine club and while I did receive another bottle in today's shipment, the one I drank has been in the wine fridge for a few months ( just in case there is such a thing as travel shock).
  • KristianT commented:

    4/30/10, 11:43 PM - Sounds very good - but is this wine just for drinking young, or does it hold some potential for further aging?

    (PS: In my experience, there is indeed a thing like travel shock - so rather safe than sorry :))

White
1999 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Alsace Gewürztraminer
4/24/2010 - Nanda wrote:
92 points
Golden color. Full nose of sweet lychees and rose water. Palate has medium to full body and an unctuous mouth feel. Moderately sweet. Loads of lychee, tropical fruits and spice. Long, full flavored finish. Excellent.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:52 AM - it really proves that also the "lesser" (a term that does not go well when talking about Zind-Humbrecht) wines of this great house also age very well.

White
2004 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim Alsace
4/25/2010 - David Meddings Likes this wine:
89 points
Popped and poured at 9C. Drank over 2 days and gave just as much on day 2. One of Z-H's lower end bottlings but this still gave alot of pleasure. Medium dark yellow. Complex nose, with orchard fruits predominating coupled with faint notes of petrol and gunpowder. On the palate this has a round and viscous attack that gives way to a steady development of creme brulée, lemon and sundried apricots with a saline, mineral backbone and refreshing acidity holding it all together. There is some sweetness here, but it comes across as a toasted sweetness, adding a welcome note of complexity without becoming intrusive, and as you are appreciating there's sweetness to the palate you are simultaneously experiencing a surge of acidity. All in all, the package makes for a complex, intense, and enjoyable experience. This is not a linear or particularly focused riesling. The acidity seems a bit disjointed tonight and this is all the same ever so slightly astringent on the final. Finishes long with a reverberating echo of lemons squeezed over crushed slate on a hot summer day. This wine shows better as it warms - I'd serve it at cellar temperature next time without fear of it becoming flabby.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:50 AM - Very nice and detailed note. I guess that the acidity would be more balanced in a couple of years.

Red
2005 Mollydooker Enchanted Path McLaren Vale Cabernet-Shiraz Blend, Red Blend
4/26/2010 - johnecase wrote:
87 points
Is it wine or something else? Taking my last sips of this 2005 now, which I have never tasted before. I opened and served it yesterday with a great piece of filet mignon here in Wailea on vacation. Opened about 45 mins before dinner. This wine is shockingly similar on day 2 to day 1; heavy, syrupy, tannic. It tastes... good? Interesting? Strawberry and tar flavors were kind of hidden by the tannins. This wine is remarkably similar to other (less expensive) mollydookers like the Boxer. I can't reall detect varietals in it even though it clams to be Shiraz and Cabernet.

On the down side, it added nothing to the food and maybe even conflicted. On the plus side, it's a good, interesting drink. But, I doubt I would never pay for this bottle again. Much better food wine available at similar prices.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:31 AM - I agree 100% - I understand that these wines create a great fuzz, but they seem to be made to work on a "one-sip-only" basis. That way you have the wow-factor without having to try to get through a whole glass let alone a whole bottle.

Red
2000 Clos Triguedina Cahors Prince Probus Malbec
3/14/2010 - jpinsb wrote:
92 points
Tasted this against a heavily spiced Yucatecan dish,a fish bathed in achiote and sour orange, the wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. To say that a wine pairing was a challenge is a gross understatement. This held up to the challenge. Oddly, so did the Reisling served along side, the Triguedina having the depth of flavor to compete and the reisling a perfect counterpoint. The great black wine of Cahors comes through again.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:26 AM - It is a remarkable wine that really needs time to come around. I had the 1994 just recently, and that was also beautiful. I would imagine that the 2000 would be even better given the vintage.

Red
1999 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/26/2010 - Pknut wrote:
Good raspberry and black raspberry fruit, high acidity, good richness, still fresh . . . but still doesn't get from good to great. The finish is particularly juicy and tangy, the acidity is showing high, and there's still some dry tannin left here. Hold for a bit longer and try again in a couple of years.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:20 AM - Did you decant it before drinking it? This is still fairly young for a Beaucastel, so I would imagine that it needs a bit of air to open up. I will also hang on to my bottles for some years more.

Red
1998 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Red Rhone Blend
4/26/2010 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote:
94 points
Monday Night Bordeaux and Rhone, plus '48 Ch. La Tour Blanche (Lupa Trattoria, San Francisco, California): Slightly bricking dark red violet color with pale meniscus; entrancing, charcoal, dried berry, garrigue, anise, lavender nose; tasty, youthful, garrigue, plum, berry tar, licorice palate; medium-plus finish
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:15 AM - I fully agree that this is a very very good wine, which is closing in on full maturity. But will it be even better in the future?

White
2001 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain Alsace Grand Cru
4/25/2010 - sdr Likes this wine:
92 points
Now at its glorious best. Very lightly sweet, as it should be at indice 2. A little gold has crept into the color. Rich and full bodied with aromas and flavors of apricot, beeswax, dried peach with just a hint of Rangen smoke. A bit more acidity would be welcome, but it was the perfect match with the lightly sweet cuisine at PF Changs.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/27/10, 2:13 AM - This is a wonderful wine indeed - and is drinking very well now as your note clearly states, but don't you think that there is further evolution ahead of this wine?

Red
1996 Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
4/25/2010 - Harry Cantrell wrote:
95 points
Garnet. Nose was initially shy, but opened throughout the night. Finally got that sweetness That I seem to find in HB, but with more tobacco and black fruits. Taste was medium weight, mouthfilling. Lovely.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/26/10, 5:22 AM - How about anticipated maturity and lifespan?

Red
1998 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Red Rhone Blend
4/25/2010 - the godfather wrote:
97 points
best pegau i've tasted to date
  • KristianT commented:

    4/26/10, 5:20 AM - It is a beauty indeed - and perfectly mature by now (but should keep for another decade)

Red
1996 Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru) St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
4/25/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote:
92 points
TN: Selbach, Cotat, Belliviere, Breton, Brainaire, Usseglio, de Malle: I wish I had bought more of this back in the day. The cork was popped about 6 hours in advance and the wine just decanted prior to serving. Ruby in color with some purple hues. The nose was great. Funk, cassis, cherries, spice and leather. Really deep. On the palate, this is complex. Not mind boggling, but intellectually stimulating as well as delicious. Went great with the food but sipped well on its own. Layers of cassis, earth and spice. Long finish. Its an old cliche, but this is why you cellar wine.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/26/10, 5:15 AM - A mature bottle from a classic Château in a classic vintage is pretty hard to beat - and Branaire in my opinion is really a safe bet to fulfil that role.

Red
2004 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
4/24/2010 - jhannah27 wrote:
This wine is way too young!! Why can't I keep away from it?! Every time I open the cellar it just seems to call out my name with it's seductive bottle shape and elegant white label. Damn you Pontet Canet! Damn you to hell!!!
  • KristianT commented:

    4/25/10, 6:36 AM - yes, patience is a virtue that is challenged in the cellar.

Red
1996 Château Cos d'Estournel St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
4/21/2003 - JustOneMore wrote:
95 points
Perfect yet young. Huge tannins with tobacco and smoke.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/24/10, 8:26 AM - Fascinating how the majority of notes of this wine keeps calling it young. I wonder how long time it will need to mature. 25 or 30 years?

Red
2007 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/23/2010 - EyeDoc wrote:
93 points
This is a 92 to 94 pointer for me - an outstanding wine - clean with great primary fruit - Not real complex but delicious to drink now.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/24/10, 8:23 AM - The complexity will come for sure. But you will have to wait some years (10+) for it to fully mature

White - Sweet/Dessert
1999 Château d'Yquem Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
3/6/2010 - Zweder wrote:
92 points
Regular dinner group (@ EM): A light weight d'Yquem. Of course complex and a beautiful wine, but for d'Yquem a bit disappointing.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/24/10, 8:21 AM - Hard do disagree - do you think it will improve over time?

White - Sparkling
1996 Pol Roger Champagne Blanc de Chardonnay
4/19/2010 - wineismylife Likes this wine:
91 points
DAWGS April 2010 - Flights at Urbano's (Urbano's in Dallas, TX): WIML91-92

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with tiny beading. Nose of yellow pears, yellow apples and a little dash of nutmeg. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and a some lemon zest. Bright acidity, medium body. Drink or hold.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/21/10, 8:40 AM - This is such a magnificent wine in 1996 - It rivals (IMHO) Cuvée Winston Churchil in lesser vintages. It should mature for decades more.

Red
1996 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
9/13/2003 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote:
93 points
Nice cherry, coffee nose; cherry, cassis, coffee palate, with firm tannins; medium-plus finish
  • KristianT commented:

    4/21/10, 1:14 AM - How about maturity? Is this Dominus fully mature now or will it evolve further?

Red
1995 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
9/13/2003 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote:
93 points
Caramel, cassis nose; lovely, tasty, cassis, espresso palate with integrated tannins; medium-plus finish
  • KristianT commented:

    4/21/10, 1:14 AM - How about maturity? Is this Dominus fully mature now or will it evolve further?

Red
1998 Château Cabrières Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige Tête de Cru Red Rhone Blend
11/6/2009 - mchrist wrote:
not 100% certain I had a bad bottle or not - was not corked, but something seemed off. did not get any of the pepper I typically see in CDPs. the wine did have a slight "tawniness" on the palate, with fruit that seemed mostly flat. I will be drinking the other bottle I have and would caution folks who own a few of this one to drink up.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:43 AM - I have had similar experience like this with other vintages of Cabrieres - they are not bad per se, but incredibly dull when they are like this.

White
2005 Château de Mayragues Gaillac Clos des Mages Mauzac
5/23/2009 - Chomsky wrote:
Terrific. 100% Mauzac; biodynamic; oak-aged, but it must be in older wood because there's no sense of oak other than in the texture, which has an element of softness to go with the wine's vivid acidity. There's not much fruit, but the wine is brilliantly focused with great nutty richness on the finish.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:36 AM - nice notes: I think that Alan Geddes of Ch. de Mayragues is producing one of the best dry whites in the region. Really worth trying out.

Red
2003 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega Yamhill County
4/3/2010 - jrobs7777 wrote:
93 points
Smorgasbord of Wines With Focus on 2006 (Our House (2033 Brandywine)): A mild disappointment, but I still have this as 93 so it is a very good wine. Chocolate milk dominates the nose, with raspberry and lighter fruit. Smooth and decadent on palate. Chocolate dipped fruit, mocha, etc. Maybe a little too unfocused. Could use a bit more backbone and while this has a very nice finish, it is shorter and less intense than I remember. A little nip of heat? Possible. This is really lovely but its missing that extra oomph.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:31 AM - How well do you think this will keep? Pinots are always (IMHO) hard to predict, and with the likes of SQN we hardly have any reference points at all. I have not tasted this one (yet), but have got one bottle. The question is if keeping it further will do it any good.

Red
2005 Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe2O3~1a, b & c Central Coast
4/12/2010 - thenapalist wrote:
98 points
This is just now starting to come into it's own. I've experienced some VERY nice bottles of this but I have to say this might be the best. Not ultra jammy by any means nor is it overly ripe or juicy. This against the Raven is like night and day. Right out of the bottle you can tell this wine has class. The fruit is pure precision with mouth fulls of dark fruit (blackberry, raspberry, blueberry) and secondary notes of milk chocolate, vanilla and some cotton candy. The gaminess is there but not in over abundance. Beautiful floral notes in the aromatics. Don't know that this will get any better. It might lush out a bit and shed some grip but don't know if this is a 20-30yr wine. IMO, the drinking window on this is now-2020.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:27 AM - Very nice notes - I will look so much forward to trying this one later this year.

Red
2006 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate St. Helena
4/19/2010 - Clarkmeister wrote:
93 points
Tannic and backward - needs time to really strut its stuff. Had a truly impressive finish, and you can tell the fruit is hiding in there, but really needs more time. Could be really great in a few years (will definitely surpass the 04 given time) but right now it's not at the level of the 04, 05 or 07.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:18 AM - I am not very familiar with the "evolution curve" of Spottswoode - how long time would you guess that it needs from now?

Red
1990 Château Léoville Barton St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend
4/18/2010 - rjonas Likes this wine:
94 points
Superb example of a classic. Deep ruby color, faint funk at opening, big nose and long, satisfying finish... Decanted for 1 hour and consumed over the next two hours... Exquisite...
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:16 AM - Hard to beat a classic estate in a classic vintage. I have one bottle of this beauty left and is undecided if I should drink it sooner rather than later. What is your estimate of the potential from now on?

Red
2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/19/2010 - KVM wrote:
90 points
Med red, looks mature and a little cloudy. Perfumy, overripe strawberries. Very velvety and full bodied. Finishes clean and balanced. Probably at its peak. Consistent with my recollection of the previous bottle last summer.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:15 AM - Although definitely more mature and approachable now than it has ever been, I doubt we have seen the peak of this wine yet.

Red
1998 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/19/2010 - tooch wrote:
92 points
Chateauneuf de Pape Tasting (Urbana, Washington, DC): Light nose at first....but the aromatics really built up. Soon, deep, dense kirsch and cassis flavors combined with barnyard notes to create a really nice nose. Out of all the wines tonight, this wine matured the most in my glass. Soon, more of the classic CdP notes took hold....raw meats, and horse flavors. Really enjoyable bottle.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:12 AM - I have been tasting the 98 regularly since release and agrees that is is really a classic wine which is drinking beautifully now. But what is your view of its potential from now on. It should keep for a long time, but will it evolve further?

Red
2007 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Red Rhone Blend
4/19/2010 - tooch wrote:
92 points
Chateauneuf de Pape Tasting (Urbana, Washington, DC): Thank god for Pegau. In a vintage dominated by overripe wines, Pegau saves the day (or should I say, vintage). Yes, this is more fruit driven than the traditional Pegau, but for the 2007 vintage this is great! By far, the best 2007 CdP I've smelled thus far. It does lack some of the depth that you can anticipate from older vintages of Pegau...but I am imagining great things from this wine in a decade or two. Really encouraging!
  • KristianT commented:

    4/20/10, 2:09 AM - I agree - let us hope that it lives up the the expectations in ten or twenty years.

Red
1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
4/18/2010 - KingSlacker999 wrote:
94 points
Perfect amount of funkiness and fruit. Bit of leather, iodine, herbs. Needs at least an hour of air to come together, drinking very well right now. Good long finish. Nicely integrated tannins. Could improve even more in a year or so.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/19/10, 1:04 AM - Good to hear that the 95 is starting to come around. I have not tasted it in years, but have not dared to open any from my cellar just yet. I have always believed that this one would need 15-20 years to mature.

Red
1996 Château Lafon-Rochet St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
4/18/2010 - mattwoolley wrote:
86 points
something not quite right here. Opened with usual earthy tones but the fruit struggled to make any impression on the nose - all about a fairly offputting almost vinegary beef stock character. Took a 3 hour decant for this to even start to dissipate but still a struggle. Palate had typical blackcurrant fruit with chalky tannins and was certainly an easier drink with roast beef. Hoped for more.
  • KristianT commented:

    4/19/10, 1:01 AM - That does indeed not sound right. I had this a couple of months ago and that bottle was very good and classical elegant.

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