Comments on my notes

N.V. Gonzalez-Byass Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Tio Pepe Palomino Fino

4/23/2021 - CC_H Likes this wine:

90 points

Second note for this and I'm taking it up a notch. This is a super fresh bottling (Jan 2021) and easily stands up to a couple of much more highly regarded finos / manzanillas I've had recently. Pungent and expressive nose of briny green olive, hay, chalk and almonds. The palate is richer than I remember with a beautiful, almost creamy texture, good balance and wonderful weight and freshness through the long finish. A fresh bottle served ice cold can't be beaten for the money. A bit of a legend of the wine world and it shows. Lovely. Contrary to popular belief, these finos deteriorate rapidly once open so try to drink within 48hrs.

CC_H commented:

11/26/21, 11:58 AM - I'm not 100% sure what your code signifies but in the UK the bottles actually clearly list a month and year now. I think this is probably just unique to the UK market because most Sherry producers use quite complicated codes. In fact many codes actually list the exact day in any given year it was bottled. I always use this web page as a guide -

https://www.sherrynotes.com/2014/background/sherry-bottling-codes/

If indeed your bottle was from October then I bet it was showing wonderfully. It's a vastly underrated Sherry.
CC_H commented:

11/27/21, 11:38 AM - Wines like Tio Pepe don't actually have vintages in the classic sense. Given the solera system and volumes at play here, the wine is almost constantly being drawn off and bottled, probably on a monthly or even weekly basis. I've visited the Gonzalez Byass cellars in Jerez and it's a big operation. Therefore it pays to buy bottles gradually throughout the year as they're released rather than stocking up by the case. Enjoy!

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Red

2015 Substance Cabernet Sauvignon Washington

12/18/2020 - CC_H Likes this wine:

93 points

Second note for this wine in recent months and consistent with my last score. Hitting its stride at five years of age. Just a beautiful, saturated ruby colour in the glass. The nose is wonderfully defined; blackcurrant, spiced plum, Chinese five spice, blackberry, blueberry, menthol and a touch of minerality. The palate is so well balanced - Concentrated, perfectly ripe fruit, umami, sumptuous texture, just enough grip from the tannin and a long finish. Excellent Cabernet and absolutely knockout for the money. Shame you can't find it in the UK anymore.

CC_H commented:

1/28/21, 1:18 PM - Out on a whim but is it a London store?

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Red

2016 Miguel Torres Carignan Vigno Vignadores de Carignan Old Vines Dry Farmed Maule Valley

5/22/2020 - Psdycp wrote:

89 points

Nose is quite shy even after an hour in the decanter. Interesting craneberries and mulberries compote with some toasted cumin and foxy barnyard aroma can be found on the nose. This is certainly not the typical notes we are used to as it almost smell like the wine is not clean. Palate on the other hand has nice depth and strength from entry to finish. Flavours on the palate are not that different from the nose. Quite a powerful structure for a shy nose. The old vines clearly have done their magic here. The full bodied mid-palate displayed lots of salty minerals with very fine tannins and soft acidity as the support. This reminds me of some of the red wines from Valencia Spain. If you are an old world wine drinker, you will probably find this an interesting wine. New world wine drinks who prefer fresh and ripe fruits with delicious notes, this is not for you. Ready to drink now with some decanting and given its concentration, it will last for another 5-8 years.

CC_H commented:

9/30/20, 12:42 PM - Great note and agreed, although I'm taking the score a notch higher!

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