9/12/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

Corked

7/2/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

Interesting, per my comments on the note just below, the last bottle was just... off? I didn't want to leave its only sibling in the cellar alone, and I'm glad I didn't. Pop and pour, great typical syrah nose of smoky bramble, palate is lush and dark fruited with little tannin or acid sticking out. Maybe this is just an early peaker and the last bottle was just over the hill? Huh

7/2/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

Oxidized, sherry vinegar, color extremely advanced

6/10/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

No formal notes. Probably the best Pagani I've had across different producers and vintages back to '08, and one of the better Ridge I've had of late. Kudos to Dino and Team Ridge.

5/4/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

Effervescent and amazingly refreshing, would fall in love with this over time but not surprisingly this was guzzled and revered in minutes.

2/14/2017 - alr6767 wrote:

Really stunning. Sea shells, citrus zest especially lime, brioche, little to no age showing. Creamy mouth feel with hidden acidity that surrounds the tongue, amazing focus and purity of fruit, striking persistence. Best '02 I've had yet.

11/14/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Super corked

10/21/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Three hour decant. Very dark red. Nose of strawberry, raspberry, toasted oak. Cranberry and cherry on the palate, some grip and acidity there to provide a decent balance, though the alcohol sticks out a little bit on the finish with mild oaken tannin.

This was a nice entry level Pinot. Not sure I would buy again at retail, but it won't preclude me from checking out more of the producer's line-up.

10/21/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

My first with this producer, and my first 2014. This really didn't have much to distinguish itself in the way of nose, texture, or favor, and didn't really pair well with salmon, asparagus, and potatoes. This could have been from Macon or Central CA, no Les Clos terroir that I could find. Not worth the price of admission at half the tariff. Hard pass

10/20/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

4 hour decant. Purple, ruby rim, very thin meniscus with slight bricking. Graphite, casis, lavender on the nose. Palate is gorgeous with blackberry, cassis, earth. Medium acidity provides ideal balance and supple mouth feel. Slight twinge of heat with very fine resolved tannin.

Delicious. This delivers on the promise that I bought into years ago. Still could use a few more years to settle the finish a little more. Bravo!

9/26/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Consumed over 7 days, this is a heck of a port. It was just starting to unfurl on the last day, but was never difficult to enjoy due to heat or tannin. The future is bright for this one. How much better can the Nacional be?

9/3/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Consumed over two days, left 2/3 bottle overnight in the wine fridge, the second being better for me. This shows the cool year, very tight with a green pepper line at first and opening up to more chocolate and leather nuances. Restrained cassis, a slight vanilla. Fine tannin which provide a more classic structure than a '13 of this consumed recently that was over exuberant in my opinion. Finishes balanced more than flashy and long with a slight bitterness that is pleasant to me and no detection of heat. A decent amount of sediment. Classic Napa cab lovers would do well to drink this wine over the next 5-7 years before the fruit fades and the wine becomes all bones.

8/31/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Brought to Bobo's, this was very young, primary and inky with earth and liquor notes. No way to tell where this was going, but all really enjoyed the fruit and tannin cutting in to the flavor of the bone in rib-eye and fillet. A big wine in flavor and texture, not much heat, and a medium+ finish. Have two more, that seems about right. Will spread them out over a few more years, maybe the last one will make it in to a '13 horizontal.

9/1/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Followed over 4 days out of 375ml. Shimmering gold color. Petrol and quince nose transitioning to candle wax and almond. Palate very dense and sweet, zingy acidity, marzipan, perception of tannin, no fizz. Finishes medium+. Happy to have another bottle, but won't hold it more than another few years.

8/26/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Very well liked, the bottle was drained by the group before I got more than a few sips. I can't rate it based on the small sample, but this was a nice mountain pinot with dark cherries, herbs, and plenty of acidity. Sadly, my only bottle.

8/27/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Two years since my last bottle, and this is really in a good place, with similar characteristics to previous bottles but slightly more harmonious and settled.

8/27/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Hard to rate this given the setting (altitude, many other wines, food ruling the day). I will say this for others though: TONS of sludge sediment, make sure you stand this up for weeks and then carefully decant and filter as I did.

8/26/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Even better than the last bottle. This showed more depth and complexity with deft balance. My half baked theory is that Pagani is almost too warm in the ripe years, and really shines in the cooler years. This is certainly my fav Pagani and one of my fav Bedrock. Punches above it's weight and price.

8/1/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This was less enjoyable than the last bottle. I found the middle to be watery, and the finish hot and thus unbalanced. I'll chalk it up to the difficult vintage.

3/19/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

5.5 years since my last bottle, this needs more time. Opens beautifully with power and finesse but quickly shuts down into a wall of tannin. I'll give my remaining bottles 4+ years.

3/6/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

No formal notes, but this was leaner and more herbaceous than the '07 recently consumed.

3/8/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Pobega right off the truck.

Translucent ruby red. Slight reduction on the nose, violets, tar, a touch of charred french oak, faint bramble. On the palate, tart blackberry. Medium+ acidity and medium+ weight on the mid-palate. Medium+ finish with slightly herbaceous drying tanning.

My tasting group wished that it was a little less acidic and the tannin was slightly less bitter and that this probably needs food at this stage but could improve if the tannin subsides. 13.0%

2/26/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Pop and pour day 1, dark red semi opaque, very primary with a relatively muted nose and palate that share clay, dark fruits, and some floral elements. Decent acidity and medium+ mouth feel, finish is a medium with subtle fruity tannin.

Cork back in, into the bottom of the wine fridge overnight, the nose has more perfume, zesty cherries, and the orange oil. Shows good balance and class, not much heat and as it warms a nice dark chocolate transitioning from mid palate to the finish.

All in all, an outstanding Monte Rosso that needs more time and one I will be watching over several more years expecting some marginal improvement if the back end of the wine fleshes out more. Right now it is mostly about upfront nose and fruit experience. 15.0%

2/22/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Pop and pour. Dark red-purple color slightly lighter at the edge. Fine oak, dark cherry, sweet and spicy with a hint of herb/earth nose. Sweet cherries, some tart blackberries and copious black pepper. Medium+ palate with acidity firmly in check. Finishes long and peppery with a hint of butterscotch and drying tannin that could use a few years to mellow out. Happy to have more in the cellar for the next few years where they should only improve. 15.7%

2/13/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This is by far the best Dehlinger I've had yet. This is a pretty big one, dark and high powered from the nose to finish, but shows a balance and refinement to the concentration that makes this. Main knock is the touch of sweetness that touches off the very ripe dark fruit, but there is enough acidity to keep it from being too much. 14.5%

2/11/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This needs tons of time. It is just impenetrable right now, even after a splash double decant, then into the wine fridge overnight. There is very good material here. There was also a TON of sediment in this bottle, so stand this up for days and then carefully decant. Not really sure how to rate, but will hold the rest for at least 5 years.

2/11/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This was better than the last bottle, but was still just a bit lean.

2/9/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This was a better bottle than the previous. It spoke more of the variety than the previous bottle did, and had less of the soapy waxy properties with a little more acid and less bitterness. Not sure what the difference was, maybe time from bottling, but I'll hold my last bottle for a year or two for yet more science.

2/3/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

This was a stunning wine. The finish goes on and on, and the wine was so balanced and ready to go yet could hold for years. What a cool blend, 90% cab franc and 10% merlot. 13.4%

1/6/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

Either I got a bad bottle or I am missing something. This was not giving much pleasure over being decanted and drunk over the course of 4 hours. Angular, acerbic, and not much different than Priorat 1/3 the cost of entry. Was overwhelmed by a Porterhouse. I'm no expert, but I can't see this improving with age. Score withheld

1/6/2016 - alr6767 wrote:

No formal notes, but drinking just lights out right now! Fragrant perfumed nose, ample fruit with structure to match, and a delicious long finish. That said, this has a little room for improvement, so I'll enjoy my remaining bottles over the next 5-8 years.

12/27/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Four+ years after my first bottle, it has settled down. The highlight is certainly the nose, with sweet and subtle perfumes of oak and a touch of dried herbs. The palate is light+, medium acidity with a big-time milk chocolate covered berries thing going on. The finish is not particularly long but has a solid amount of tannin all things considered.

This was actually best by itself as an aperitif. It did not hold up to a sous vide flank steak. I have a bottle left and will consume it with a more subtle dish next time.

12/27/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Followed over 4 days, this can go for years and years. The most pure expression of fresh orchard fruit, honey and perfectly balanced acidity. Finish got longer each day. Spectacular! 9%

12/7/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Straw color. Nose of lavender, honeysuckle, lemon, a little marzipan. On the palate, peach, pear, lemon. Medium acidity with medium+ viscosity. Finishes medium+ with some mineral type structure and a slight bitterness, perhaps from the oak.

A really nice f(x). Reminds me more of a BDX than anything. What a weird blend of cool grapes! After I tasted, I read M. Officer's notes and he points out quinine, which I totally agree with. One bottle left, won't last long. 14.3%

12/6/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Slightly off-pale gold. Nose is stone fruit, some lime and lemon. Palate is lemon and lemon zest, slight soap taste, waxy texture, and low acid. Bone dry. Finishes with more lemon and a bitter note that I just couldn't get past.

A glass left for day 2 was shot. I got these for science, and I admit I don't drink much $18 Riesling from anywhere, let alone from California. Not sure how long I will hold my other two bottles.

11/23/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Needs. More. Time. From the list at Elévage across from Bern's. Pure, focused, got soooo much better with air and warming up. Let the sulphur blow off, then get in with the exotic honeysuckle-laced tropical fruit with a vuttery buttress. Really great with swordfish.

11/18/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Brought to a tasting for Zinfandel Day. No formal notes. Better than '12 but not by much. 15%

11/18/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Dark dark color. Beautiful nose of smoke, anise, camphor, and a little barrique. On the palate, ripe fruit, still super primary. Narrows a bit in the middle, with medium- weight. Finish is medium- with fine drying tannin.

Decanted 3 hours. Not much sediment. The nose was GORGEOUS but the taste couldn't cash the check.

11/16/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Fantastic! (that's what the cardboard box said on the sticky label). Also a great young wine that is worth following over the next 10 years.

10/26/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

In an awkward phase, give this a long slow-o or hold for 5 years. After it comes out of sleep it will be great, and 5 years later the VV will be staggering.

10/16/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

A bit hot at first, but cooling down and decanting really opened it up. Pepper, blackberry, tobacco on the nose, dark ruby color with thin meniscus. Blackberry, coffee, cassis on the palate, with a bit of tart acidity. Linear through the midpalate, finishes medium+ with slightly grippy tannin.

Not sure if this was representative or needs more time. 14.5%

10/10/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Per at least one other note, this is approachable now with a little bit of air. As expected the nose is primary, and right now the palate is a wall of dense fruit, a little bit of olive brine, and very fine tannin. The material here is nice, and I think that there is good balance. I bought this bottle at a discount to see if I should buy more, as I am on the fence with regard to '12 in the Northern Rhone. I like this, and might have bought a few more bottles, but I moved too slow and now the discount is gone :( As such, I think I will stick to my original plan of treating '12 as a good vintage to look for on restaurant lists but not one I will go deep on in the cellar.

9/10/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Drank over several days, was still improving through day three though not quite approachable. Reminds me a bit of 2001. We will have to wait 10+ years to see where this goes. '13 is a perplexing vintage for me so far in Mosel.

9/4/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

See my recent note on the Kabinett. This was better integrated with better raw materials, but needs 5-7 years until it is really approachable. 7.5%

9/2/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Translucent ruby. Nose a little reduced at first but quickly blows off, revealing some game, herbs, five spice. Ripe raspberry, cranberry, a touch of tea, cocoa and blueberry. Silky mouth feel, medium+ acidity which manifests as a tang. Finish is long with power and nuance, including fine but ample tannin.

This is my favorite of the '13 I have had so far. This has a lot of potential, but don't be afraid to drink one now. From 500ml. 12.5%

9/1/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

A cooler, dark fruited rendition of Monte Rosso. A bit disjointed at first, by the end of 3 hours in the decanter it had come together. I'll stash my last few bottles for two years but not much longer.

8/31/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Too young to judge at the moment, but there are some serious raw materials here, including a good amount of sweetness and a swath of acidity. I don't know where it will go, but I really enjoy guzzling this by itself or with some light cheese. 7.5%

8/31/2015 - alr6767 Likes this wine:

Dark garnet, fairly opaque. Tobacco, cassis, leather, herbs, drying flowers on the nose, perhaps slight VA. On the palate, dark cherry, mint, toast, rosemary, sage. Medium acidity and medium mouth feel. Long finish with slightly drying tannin.

This bottle just oozed class. All aspects are well integrated. Prototypical Sonoma Cab from a really great vintage, and amazing with dinner from HOPR. I hope my young Sonoma cabs perform this well at age 18. Little to no sediment. 13.8%

8/27/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

This is a wine I cannot assign a score, because I know nothing about Gewurztraminer and also because I didn't really like it. Perfumed floral nose, grapefruit and lychee palate, medium- mouth feel and finish with grapefruit-like acidity that seemed out of whack. Not very complex, even when warmed and then when recorked and retasted on day two.

8/8/2015 - alr6767 wrote:

Lucky enough to drink this bottle with my wife while having a Japanese Kobe Wagyu dinner at home. Decanted 2 hours, it didn't last long enough for me to jot down any formal notes, but I remember classic cassis, bell pepper, and sweet tannin. A real success for the vintage, I imagine that in a more "on" year this could be quite large scaled, but I really liked the balanced and "classic" nature of this bottle and vintage.