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Comments on my notes

(1,423 comments on 559 notes)

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Red
2019 Colgin Cariad Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
3/17/2024 - bsumoba wrote:
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: Unfortunately, myself and the rest of the tasters had a similar experience with this wine and was not becoming of the Colgin’s I have had in the past nor did it reflect the high scores seen from critics. This bottle (I am hoping bottle or at minimum, bad phase) had its moments where I thought it might come around, showing lovely red fruit notes right at PnP (which ultimately led me to the 91+ score at the end of this TN), but with air and time, it became a bit bitter and high on the acid. Others mentioned a green note but I did not get that as much as they did and it was mentioned that after 6 hours of slow ox air that green note all but disappeared, giving me hope that this is a phase. If I had to score today, 91-93.

Okay Day 2: Much better. The fruit was much more apparent and more obvious than on Day 1. The bitterness and acid was still a bit elevated. Tannins were a bit more grippy. I think knowing that this is Colgin, I hold them to a higher standard and even though I say things such as elevated acidity and slight bittnerness is that my history with Colgin is that it could be on the ripe side but it is almost always balanced.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/18/24, 11:01 AM - Almost sounds like you got an off bottle.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/18/24, 11:16 AM - Colgin that's green, bitter and high acid does not compute. Lol. Certainly something amiss.

Red
2019 Colgin Cariad Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
1/30/2024 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
98 points
This is a brilliant vintage for this wine. Wonderful aromatics, ripe fruit, plush tannins, huge depth of flavor and amazing purity make for one of the better wine experiences I've had in the past six months. For all its up front charm and rounded edges, there is plenty of spine to keep it together, and it doesn't get flabby or unfocused, but rather hones in with more air. Finishes super long and gets longer with more air. If opening now, I suggest 12 hours of decant, since it just kept developing the entire time we had it open, and that was with 5 hours of double decant to start.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/13/24, 12:41 PM - I wouldn't worry at all about too much air. You're probably fine with 6-8 hours double decant beforehand, but it's not going to start falling apart by any stretch.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/13/24, 2:20 PM - Not sure which Impensata, but mountain sites are always a bit trickier...

Red
2021 Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Aphex Ecotone Vineyard Napa Valley
11/6/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Nigel and Shae got their hands on some Ecotone (formerly Thorevilos) fruit, and as you might expect, it doesn't disappoint! This wasn't a structured tasting, and I didn't take notes, but I'll give you the rundown from what I recall.

First, overall the 2021 vintage looks like one to lay down. They are not PnP ready like many 2019's. I had two dozen or so this past weekend and virtually none were open for business. So if you combine that with Nigel's style of making long lived wine, it means if you acquire these, you probably need to give them a decade.

That said, with a long decant, the Ecotone actually opened up quite a bit. This is a BIG wine, dark and brooding, with hints of PV (if I remember correctly) making it show even more seriously than the 2021 Bella Oaks I had alongside. It displays massive depth, with unreal concentration managed impeccably by excellent acidity, fabulous structure and lovely layering. Shows off black/blue fruit with hints of scotched earth and embers, getting earthy right from the start while illustrating the complexity to come. Overall, this is utterly fantastic, and it'll be fun to get some bottles so I can watch them sit in my cellar for 10-20 years. :)

All kidding aside, obviously if you can get this wine, don't hesitate for a moment. Kinsman is just killing it.

This will ship in fall of 2024 like the other 2021 cabs, but not exactly sure when it will be released.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 1:23 PM - Yeah, I needed to create a new wine and forgot to ask Shae if she has a name yet. Certainly a treat to try, and I assume only Coterie will get it first time around but we shall see. Since you are customer #1, you'll probably get 20 mags and 5 3.0L. Lol.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 1:51 PM - Hahaha. Hey, I mean you posted the pic of your wine so...:)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 2:40 PM - Photo 3: 2018 Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon La Voleuse Du Chagrin Geeslin Vineyard. Haha. Too bad I can't imbed the picture here.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/27/24, 6:23 PM - Coterie letters just went out and the rest in a couple weeks from what I understand.

Red
2017 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville
Well folks, I brought this to dinner thinking it would be a good comparison to the 2017 MacDonald and it was absolutely destroyed. Here's hoping this was just a bad bottle. Easily the worst wine I had on a trip where I drank over 50 wines. This felt flabby, manipulated and without any character or promise. The most "meh" offering I can ever remember having from Realm, and I typically really enjoy most everything they make, especially the BTK. Some rumors about when this was picked out there - hope they are not true. I will refrain from posting a score on here giving the benefit of the doubt, because it would start with an 8. I see other CT'ers I respect had a good experience, so let's hope it was just this one time. Have a number of bottles left.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/6/20, 7:54 AM - Hi Winelover - yeah, that is a reasonable description of what it was like. Although, having to next to the MacDonald showed just how lacking it was and there was certainly some question about manipulation etc. All I know is this one was not what I've come to expect from Realm.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    12/22/23, 7:40 AM - Hi B&B - I haven't checked back in, but that's because with a few exceptions, I don't have any 2017's in there!

Red
2021 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville
11/27/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Like the 21 Crane, I gave this 15 hours of slow ox and it still needed more. Suffice it to say it's hard to over do the oxygen on these 2021 wines. They are really built for the long haul. And just like the Crane, once this opened up, it was incredible. It took even a bit longer to come into its own, and I think it probably more age worthy than the Crane, but when it hits, it's stunning.

Nose has TK classic white flowers, creme de cassis and blackberries. It was a little reticent and muted to begin, but slowly emerged with more time in the glass. This is a HUGE wine, with endless depth of mostly dark fruit that shows the most spectacular purity when it peaks out from behind the stiff tannin wall. More earthy elements than the Crane, this gets gritty and grainy in the middle, and just pumps out flavor and intensity while chugging toward a monster finish. At the end of the night, it started giving off cotton candy notes and other really incredible flavors. Going to be a fun ride with these. Another nearly perfect effort.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/28/23, 7:20 AM - Yeah, 2021 is not like 2019 in my experience. Way more tannic and closed off. I think you have to treat them like 2018 or even 2010/2013. Both Realm TK and Crane were amazing once they hit their stride, but it took a lot of O2. The vintage itself looks strong.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/28/23, 2:52 PM - I had a 2021 Bard right out of the chute but didn't take notes. It certainly isn't going to be vinegar in 4 hours. I wasn't overly impressed, and it's really trailing these awesome SVDs (not surprising, given the 8000 cases or whatever they make of it), but it was tight and not ready for a PnP. Everyone has their own experiences, but no way it's gonna be dead with 4 hours of O2 unless it is an off bottle.

Red
2021 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend
11/6/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Quick note since this is final blend and my first note was a sample. Overall, just a fantastic wine. I didn't take any formal notes, but what stands out is the gorgeous maraschino cherry core, silky texture, crazy layers, firm back end acidity and overall elegance. This personifies "yum" in the most serious wine connoisseur terms. :)

While just about every 2021 I had over the weekend (at least a dozen) were super closed down, this was way more open for business. I think is will have a good shot at being the best of the vintages to date.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 3:25 PM - You should've told me you were there. I am on the wine committee and Shae hosted our table. Thanks for attending!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 3:50 PM - Extremely worthy cause. Always appreciate the support.

Red
2019 Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Rhadamanthus Diamond Mountain
11/4/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
98 points
Our groups last night at Blackberry Farms was capped off by two wines in which I had been thinking about for awhile.

19 Kinsman wines I've been told are approachable early so this bottle made the trip to Tennessee. So well in advance of dinner, Rhadamanthus was prepared by the sommeliers with a double splash decant and held at cellar temp along side the 2nd largest private collection in the country.

Rhadamanthus was presented along side another selection, this time off the restaurants list. 2001 Martha's Vineyard.

I got to say I have a love hate relationship with Napa. I love to taste them now but only like to drink them with significant age. I'm fortunate enough to have these in the cellar but "god willing" I'll drink these in a window with secondary and tertiary flavors. Nigel's wines have some of the most compelling fruit from the best terroirs in the Valley. The balance, structure and energy are all there to reward those with the cellar space to store these for the long haul.

As a side note, even the 2001 Martha's was young. In fact AG's recent 2022 review marks the drinking window as 2021-2041 and I totally agree.

98+

19 Bedrock Cuvee Karatas
19 Kinsman Eades Rhadamanthus
01 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard
21 Sadie Family Kokerboom
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/23, 2:41 PM - I see you've been on another rough trip. Not sure how you do it. :)

Red
2019 Keplinger Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch Oakville
10/25/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
98 points
TXRDW/Lucio's Houston.

Rob was a very generous host and brought some incredible wines to the table from the 2019 vintage. All wines sourced from Vine Hill Ranch.

VHR

Keplinger

Arrow & Branch

Memento Mori

Helen Keplinger's wine is beautiful. Of the wines at the table this was my favorite to drink right now. A friend described this as having elegant power. Fresh, without being overdone, tons of depth with enough acidity to keep things in balance. I totally agree with these notes that never made it onto CT. So I'll write them here!

98+

Drink or hold
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/29/23, 7:22 AM - Nice lineup MJP! I seem to remember something similar...:)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/29/23, 7:39 AM - I'm glad you got some notes up. Work has just taken me out of the game for a bit. Hopefully get back to it soon.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/29/23, 12:20 PM - Yeah, we have the big charity even this Sat. Shae will be at our table, so should be fun times!

Red
2019 Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mole Hill Napa Valley
9/18/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
In a word - spectacular! My first Mole Hill but won't be my last. This is amazingly powerful and age worthy, but still open enough to drink now with a little air. That may be owed to the generous vintage.

Starts with lots of cassis fruit, tilled soil, iron ore and super expressive violet flower notes. The palate is seriously packed with layers of massively concentrated fruit, but like all the greats, it isn't heavy, cloying or overbearing. It handles the size with grace, showing off super well integrated tannins, a suave and silky mouthfeel and a skyscraper like finish that goes on for days. Easily the best wine I've had from Lail, and a superstar in the making. This will age well for a few decades, so you can wait, but it's sure fun to have now. Nearly perfect.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/19/23, 8:47 PM - I've got the Georgia. I certainly enjoy it, despite the price.

Red
2020 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
3/29/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Macdonald is here to slay the 2020 dragon, and amazingly they pulled it off. Using only old vines, which are less compromised by smoke, they produced 150 cases. That means most list members will get a bottle or two in their allocation.

As we all know, this was a downright miserable vintage, even if you avoided smoke taint. So even with a tremendous effort, this isn't going to be a 16, 18, or 19 vintage. To my palate, it most resembles the 2017, which was another difficult vintage where MacDonald managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

To make things just a wee bit harder on Alex, we had this (CSIMM1161's place) next to a 19 Colgin Tychson Hill and a 12 Araujo Eisele. Nevertheless, the MacDonald held its own. The nose was gorgeous, showing creme de cassis, anise, white flowers, black olive and tilled soil. The palate is firm and rides a bit higher than previous vintages, while displaying some of the hallmark dark chocolate flavors, but errs on the earthy and mineral driven side. With a little less body than other vintages, the 2020 makes up for it with crisp acidity, excellent balance and refined tannins. Finishes medium length on a savory note. Quite an achievement and still the only 2020 Napa Cab I'm buying!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/4/23, 4:05 PM - MJP: I didn't get a chance to go to VHR on this trip.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/5/23, 9:19 AM - MJP: Many of the top wineries decided to make a 2020. No chance I am spending $500+ for the vintage however, unless they have some crazy aftermarket like Screaming Eagle where you can unload it if necessary.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/5/23, 9:42 AM - Lol. To each their own. I think AG gave Harlan 92-94 which may be right if they really had the fruit in before the most significant fires. I had the 2020 Promontory and to my palate, definitely not close to 100. But hey, no qualms with others thinking differently.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/26/23, 8:30 AM - Hi Shay - yes, last I heard the plan was 1-2 bottle allocations. The production was very small. Cheers!

Red
2018 La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Red Hen Vineyard Oak Knoll District
7/7/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Another great effort from Maayan and La Pelle, this SVD showed LPV like qualities of embers, blackberries and crushed rock. While I didn't take detailed notes, what I did write down was "rock solid" and "excellent". There's a lot of complexity going on here, and it will probably fall somewhere between the Coombsville and St Helena bottling's with regard to opulence and fruit intensity. I loved all these 2018's, and I think if you bought this wine you'll be very satisfied. I would give it a few years before popping the cork.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/18/23, 2:15 PM - Lol, absolutely! Ask Chris or Brian for it, so I don't have to post for the public.

Red
2020 Promontory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
5/19/2022 - Cristal2000 wrote:
I have similar feelings to what I see in some notes here. Harlan is releasing a 2020 at all its properties it seems, which is an amazing risk. I can think of no other winery near its status doing so. If these wines end up with taint down the line, it will be ruinous for their reputation. No matter what anyone says, there was a ton of smoke in the valley well before harvest, even if by some stroke of luck they picked before the second fire (not sure how convinced I am of that either).

The barrel sample was thin, primal and really not indicative of this property. Did it overtly show taint? No, but the finish did end on a bitter note, which of course leads one to wonder. No matter how you look at it, this will be a loyalty test for their list, and I am afraid I will not pass. If rating, not good.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/20/22, 4:52 PM - I don't foresee myself passing their loyalty test in 2020. Just can't father spending $700+ on a 2020 wine. Kind of absurd to expect people to do it.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/20/22, 9:29 PM - Lol. There you go. That's quite a hypothesis. I still cannot believe they are releasing 2020. It seems like a crazy risk.

    All is well here. I hope for you too!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/21/22, 9:39 AM - I also had two 2020 Bond samples on this trip, just haven't had time to get to those reviews. Suffice it to say, they were sketchy at best.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/21/22, 10:04 AM - An easy offramp there it seems.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    7/16/23, 3:26 PM - Gents - overall, the reality is none of these wines is exclusive enough for them to be in a position to kick many people off for skipping a vintage. Harlan is only a "deal" on the list in the very best vintages. Promontory was a decent buy 4-5 years ago, but with their price increases it's now about where Harlan is with value. And Bond is already above auction all the time, and sometimes I find it cheaper retail.

    I will say Lisa complicated matters buy throwing 100pt scores on both 2020 Harlan and Promontory. She put her reputation on there line there, so it now makes me curious to see how they turn out. That said, I already turned down Harlan, but they did let me buy 2021 instead so that was fine with me. Turned down Bond. Next year, I will almost certainly skip Promontory, which is the hardest because it's my favorite of them all.

    Since I wrote this note, Eisele, Dalla Valle, Screaming Eagle etc. have all decided to release a 2020. So some of my comments need to be updated on who was taking this chance. At the end of the day it's a business, and I think there's just too much at stake for these folks. Harlan has the ability to hold massive inventory instead of flood the market with it, so that's a definite advantage. Everyone is going to buy Screaming Eagle. Very curious on the other two I mentioned, since they will likely distribute the bulk of it and it will be cheaper retail by quite a lot I think.

    All in all, I think it's important to remember that very few wines are truly hard to get in Napa and convey significant value to their list. Forcing us to buy 2020 in my mind is a violation of that agreement with their loyal wine base, so I'd be inclined to let them go if they pulled that on me.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    7/16/23, 7:06 PM - IDRBW: I would invest in some nice metal straws to be sure you have a chance to experience the 2021 when you finally decide to pop the cork! Lol.

    Look, even in August there had been plenty of smoke. And BTW, you know what kind of fruit you are picking in August...somewhat unripe. No matter the tag line. But like you said, the sky was covered for months with fire and smoke, so even without taint, it just wasn't a great year. I am sure Harlan will come up with a drinkable wine, but at over $1000, it's got to be amazing for me to pay up.

    But to each their own. If people have it on auto-pilot and the 2020 is in their cellar, I hope it's good.

Red
2018 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard Paso Robles Willow Creek District Grenache Blend, Grenache
10/1/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Bright purple, this is so energetic and wild it tastes like a barrel sample. Densely packed with abundant flavors of blackberries, layer cake, licorice and hints of new oak, this shows off incredible levels of concentration with sweet tannin and plenty of structure. It has the iron fist in a velvet glove nature that allows it to overwhelm your palate with flavor without the least bit of heaviness. Finishes super long and spicy. This is a baby right now and needs a few years, but it's fantastic.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/16/23, 10:27 AM - Hi B&B: I ordered some of the 2020's, but mainly for friends. I am more comfortable with the 2019, although I am sure 2020 will be good, just not amazing.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/16/23, 10:27 AM - Hi B&B: I ordered some of the 2020's, but mainly for friends. I am more comfortable with the 2019, although I am sure 2020 will be good, just not amazing.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    7/10/23, 9:33 PM - Hey B&B: If there is one 2020 I would potentially buy, it would be the Rocket Block. I may go ahead with one or two, but likely won't load up. 2021 appears to be a nice vintage that is perhaps a bit more austere than 2019. Definitely curious, since I haven't had it yet. G2 is certainly one to target. Good luck! I seem to have a lot of Saxum in the cellar these days - time to pop corks! :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    7/11/23, 7:26 AM - I haven't had a chance to taste the 21's yet. Time has been hard to come by and when I've had some, I've gone to Napa. In Napa, it appears 21 will be a great vintage and one to target since 22 will be very hit and miss given the heat spikes.

    I am on the FC list. I enjoy those wines and I think they compare favorably to Paso. I dropped Andremily because it was just too over the top extracted for me. I do like Turtle Rock and Saxum, but that is about where I leave it in Paso, aside from the occasional in person purchases.

Red
2015 Realm Cellars The Absurd Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
11/12/2018 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
96 points
Escaped fires in my area and decided to have some fun. No formal notes and will just summarize my thoughts and conclusions from having the 2015 Realm Absurd, 2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Carter La Verdad and 2016 Quivet LPV all back to back.

My order: Carter La Verdad barely over Myriad Elysian, followed by Realm Absurd and then Quivet LPV. The Verdad showed even better than when I had it a few months ago, and is easily 99-100 all day long. It's a bit more tightly coiled and structured than the 2015 version, with tons of depth and earthy mineral driven layers that continue to change and unfold in your mouth over time. It's got epic purity, no hard edges and finishes super long. In comparison, the Quivet LPV (obviously same vineyard and winemaker as Verdad) had a lot more upfront fruit, was really great but lacked the structure and complexity of the Verdad. I'd say 95-96. The Absurd was super unresolved, showed boat loads of oak and dense pure fruit, but really needs time to come together. All the stuffing is there, but it was the least ready to drink - 96-97. And finally, the Myriad Elysian showed by far the most scorched earth and crazy black tar mineral driven notes, with insane levels of power and concentration that really showcased just how incredible that site can be. For me 98-100.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/26/23, 10:35 PM - The Absurd is truly a conundrum. The price is super high, but the aftermarket is higher, so it retains value. I don’t think it’s any better than the Scarecrow’s of the world, perhaps a notch lower, but that’s mostly because it has so much oak influence. It can be overbearing. So it’s more of a stylistic thing for us as consumers. Some love it, I am hit and miss depending on how much vanilla and oak is showing.

    Hope that helps a little!

Red
1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley
6/6/2023 - csimm wrote:
TOP SHELF WINE WEEKEND: The roots (literally) and history of this wine are indeed an interesting lineage to follow insofar as the To Kalon fruit and the MacDonald connection. For that, I am forever appreciative to have tried this wine. I have to respectfully differ from a few of my Cellar Tracker colleagues in that it feels as though the wine itself is past its prime. A noteworthy academic assignment to be sure, and one that is fodder for curious conversation and debate, but it did not offer much to me beyond a light brown Colheita tawny port thing, with sherry, leather, nuts, and maybe a fleeting hint of golden raisin to add “complexity.” In reality (my reality at least), the profile is mostly just walnut powder and wood at this point, with a bitter finish signaling that the departure of the fruit happened some time ago. One can certainly embark on an archeological mental expedition with this wine and try to pick pieces out of it that may have been or could have been back in the day, but for me it’s more of a fossil hunt at this stage.

I see a lot of high scores here, so I don’t know how much of that is the romance of what this wine represents for folks (which is pretty cool) or how much is just a complete wiffle on my part to not “get it.” The scapegoat is usually, “Well, you just don’t understand old wines.” I mean, I kinda think I do, every once in a while at least. It’s not that complicated, right? Maybe I’m just someone who, when the breakup happens, I don’t ever feel the need to look up my old high school girlfriend decades later. Sometimes things end and it’s over. Keep calm and carry on; the beat goes on; keep on keepin’ on, and all that.

A moment of silence for the ’94 Mondavi. A precious light that once shone down from the heavens like a beacon of hope to all grapes of the world, red and white alike. May those who continue to taste its fictional fruit carry the palate memory across the threshold of wine eternity. Life may end, but love for the 94 is evermore. Vinespeed my once-joyous juice.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/7/23, 4:58 PM - How did I know IRBDW would be commenting on your note...:)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/8/23, 4:26 PM - IRBDW's friends are also 90, so what are they waiting for? :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/9/23, 11:54 AM - I am a very hardened wine snob...

Red
2019 Château Cheval Blanc St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
Wild and Crazy Memorial Weekend - Saturday (Chris' Castle aka Melissa's Manor): As if the tasting wasn't crazy enough, we had a 2019 Cheval Blanc and a 2010. For me, this pairing separated the boys from the men....the guys who prefer little girls to grown women! Of course, the 2010 was clearly the better wine, yet there were some in the group who are young and impetuous, and they were wooed by the 2019's sexy aroma...like falling for a siren's song, they were too enchanted to see the forest for the trees....admittedly, the 2019 had the sexier nose. However, it is like seeing a beautifully dressed woman, and being smitten by her clothes rather than by what is underneath! The 2010 was so much more expressive, still young enough to woo you, but old and mature enough to keep pleasing you throughout the night!

This was my first sign that some of us were still too susceptible to quick impressions, and unwavering once wooed! We will see that again with the SQN flight that happened later in the evening!

OK...you're here for Cheval Blanc, so back to the 2019...this wine deserves a 95 just for the nose! It is quite intoxicating and lures you in with gobs of cherry blossom and violets, coupled with baking spice and even some fruit cake and cocoa. However, the palate is gobs of red fruit, chocolate and violets. Tannins are smooth, acidity is hard to judge at this stage, but I am assuming it is sufficient to give this wine a long life. A solid wine for such a youthful Bordeaux, and will no doubt shine bright down the road, but for now, too primary to rate higher.Solid 95 with lots of upside.

Note to self....I am liking Cheval Blanc more and more each time I taste it! Wish I had more of them!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/30/23, 8:27 PM - 2019 was better, just sayin'. :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/31/23, 9:08 AM - IRBDW loves 'em older MJP, so that probably fits your profile as well. The 10 was awesome, and in a great window. I was kidding a bit, although I do think 19 will be as good if not better at the same age. When you pop the cork on all these wines clearly just depends on what you like in wine, and for me the energy plays a significant role. The 19 is far too young (despite an off the chain nose), but I adore it even at this early and unresolved stage. One thing for sure is the 2010 was an amazing vintage and produced an amazing wine. We had other BDX wines from lesser vintages that didn't do as well. Just like in Napa, it's vintage to vintage.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/31/23, 9:35 AM - Lol. The 2010 CB was definitely not too old. It was in a great spot. Now the 1983 Margaux on the other hand...

    I would rather pull the cork too early than too late, but that is just me! I still enjoy the young things. :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/1/23, 3:29 PM - Nothing like helping your palate with more wine/champ. Lol. Controlling intake and going oldest to youngest is the best thing I do. Small pours are always a must. Prison King out.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/2/23, 8:02 AM - That is a story that can only be explained over a few hours with multiple bottles of wine. If you see Alex MacDonald, he may be able to provide the short version. Lol.

Red
2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
5/28/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
98 points
Memorial Madness at Case de Chris y Melissa - Day 2 of 2: Crazy good right now. I am glad I popped it and the CT notes for this wine definitely helped make my decision on which one to pull for IRBDW; that and the fact that the 12 was my oldest vintage of this iconic wine. On the nose and palate, a bit more dark fruited and what I felt was more terroir driven character than some of the others on the table. In a good spot at 11 years from vintage. Drink up with some decanting or hold for a few more years. For my palate…drink up!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/1/23, 10:32 AM - This should have been opened day 1. Love PK.

Red
2018 Promontory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
5/30/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Had this blind next to 18 Harlan, 18 Colgin Tychson and 16 MacDonald. A fabulous wine in every respect, it didn’t quite get to Harlan’s level, but it made a distinct impression.

Of all the wines, this was easily the most elegant and nuanced. It had the most complex and delicate nose, showcasing tobacco, eucalyptus, and mint, reminding me a bit of what I would expect from a fine Bordeaux. The palate was already resolved and nuanced, with exceptional precision and purity. The fruit was present, but it was very well rounded with earthy and mineral driven flavors driving complexity even at this early stage. It didn’t quite get to the depth of the Harlan (or MacDonald) but it was pure class the entire time, with wonderfully refined tannins and a long and savory finish. I find Promontory to be the most consistent wine from Harlan. We had a 15 the next day and it was even better. These are killer.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/31/23, 9:44 AM - Yep, and that isn't ever going to stop with Harlan sadly...

Red
2016 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
5/30/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Had this blind next to 18 Promontory, 18 Harlan and 18 Colgin. The only non-2018 of the bunch, and it had far more decant time (most of the day vs an hour or two).

This showed MUCH better than when I had it two weeks ago. I imagine this is owed to a proper decant (thanks Alex!). This was the most unique wine of the bunch. I always find MacDonald to have just a bit different profile than others from To Kalon, with a touch more cherry, spice and crushed dark flower on the nose. While I kept going back and forth between this and the Harlan to determine which was which, after more time it finally became clear. The palate is packed and stacked with enough goodness to rival the Harlan, with dark fruit complimented by significant savory elements. There is a bit more black olive here than in the others, and overall it highlights how wonderfully fresh, age worthy and complex a wine this vineyard can create. Ends with a massive finish. I probably don't need to tell anyone reading this to get it if you can.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/31/23, 9:10 AM - If you like older wines, I'd give this at least another 5 years, although it will probably go another 20. These wines are made for age, so that shouldn't be an issue. Just a matter of what you want when you pop the cork!

Red
2016 Futo Oakville Red Bordeaux Blend
This was a 2016 vintage blind of: Abreu Thorevilos, Colgin IX, MacDonald, Scarecrow, Bond St. Eden, Eisele, Futo Oakville, Colgin Tychson and Vice Versa M7. Each wine had a decant of approximately five hours before the first sip, except for MacDonald, which had around three, and the Futo, which I believe was PnP. There were nine tasters, including CSIMM1161, wine proprietors and a prominent winemaker.

I’d really love to post notes on all these wines, but unfortunately time is scarce, and I don’t think I would be able to get to it anytime soon. I am sure CSIMM will post a ton on each, so that should fill the gap. Instead, I am going to give the broad strokes here.

The first thing to note is all these wines could have used more air, especially the MacDonald. We shorted it in the tasting, and I think there was an impact on how it showed. The other thing that could have impacted how the wines showed is bottle shock. Most of these bottles were packed onto an airplane a couple days prior. While I didn’t note any overtly off bottles, there is no doubt it could have played a role.

I know a lot of folks that hate blinds. It can really test your palate, and crowing a winner means the other great bottles must “lose”. If you haven’t done it before, it can also wear you down and things can blend, so it does take a methodology and consistency to do it well. That said, all these wines were spectacular.

While we didn’t have the group rank order them all, we did ask for a top 3. The consensus was 1. Magnificent 7 2. Futo and 3. Scarecrow. There were certainly others than received votes in the top 3, but overall, it was uniform across the group. Those top three were easily 99-100 pt wines, and the others were not far behind. A few comments on each (in no particular order outside the top 3):

1. Magnificent 7: almost universally the #1 wine in the tasting, this had all the elements of perfection. Suave and powerful, with super refined tannins, excellent purity, unreal depth, and a finish for days. Nothing harsh and pure class without any element out of balance.

2. Futo: super focused wine with precision, this wrapped power and grace into a regal package. Showed dark chocolate and powerful fruit intensity backed up by impressive levels of freshness and acidity. Simply outstanding.

3. Scarecrow: the most opulent, plush, and sexy wine of the bunch. While some of the other wines were trying to get all the pieces to fit together, this one was complete on every level. Beautifully integrated with supple tannins and wonderful energy and balance.

4. Colgin IX: the only mountain/hillside wine of the bunch. This wine really progressed over the course of the tasting to the point where it was gaining on the leaders. Lovely red soil profile with deep mineral driven flavors, the mid palate began expanding over time and produced a complex, powerful yet refined wine with fantastic length.

5. MacDonald: this was one of the wines that was a bit discombobulated, and I attribute that mostly to lack of decant time. It showed more spice and woodsy character than usual and was a little rough around the edges despite clearly having the class, pedigree, and overall intensity to be amongst the best wines in Napa.

6. Colgin Tychson: this had a soft, supple entry with opulent fruit and gorgeous floral notes. The mid palate stayed tight throughout, and it never really blossomed into what I am sure will be an epic wine. I love this bottling, and this is going to be spectacular with a bit more time.

7. Eisele: another wine here that needed more time to unfurl. This showed possibly the best complexity of the bunch, both on the nose and in the glass. It had all the hallmark savory character, but the fruit was wound up tight and there was a bit of oak obscuring things. I’ve had this when its blown my mind, just needs more air or more time.

8. Abreu Thorevilos: the most disappointing wine for me in this tasting. I was expecting it to vie for top honors and it couldn’t get out of its own way. It was super unresolved and reductive, with oak and tannin obscuring most everything. This is a fabulous vineyard and winemaker, so I am sure it will come around, and part of me wants to attribute this showing to bottle shock.

9. Bond St Eden: another wine that was within striking distance of the leaders. Rich, textured, beautiful and still grippy, it showed a ton of class with hallmark red earth notes and killer concentration and length.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/18/23, 10:16 AM - Nope, neither of them. :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/18/23, 4:47 PM - IRBDW: the only thing I'll say is blinding wines is eye opening. Removing your inherent bias is humbling, even for people who make wine for a living. Always a good gauge of whether you like a wine due to some factor other than the wine itself. What was amazing is that we had 9 people with very different preferences in wine, and yet the top wine was virtually universally selected, along with the next 3-4.

Red
2015 Abreu Las Posadas Howell Mountain Red Bordeaux Blend
5/10/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Brooding, beastly, unresolved with massive power and insane potential. This wine is so raw, concentrated and packed to the brim with density and goodness it's kind of ridiculous. Certainly not a wine you'd ideally want to open now despite it's gorgeous nose, it's bruising but in a really fun way. There is seemingly no end to the depth and length, but in between you get some harshness, overt oak and general wild character. I personally find it super interesting, in a science experiment sort of way. It's aging in glacial fashion but I bet this will be spectacular in a decade or so. Unlike most Napa wines, you can comfortably lay this down for the long term.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/11/23, 7:16 AM - I couldn't tell you offhand. I picked up a bunch for Abreu up off auction recently so beginning the journey. I do remember the excellent one we had at your place. Otherwise, little experience with the winery. This is the only LP I bought - possibly for the best, although I do enjoy the bruiser.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/11/23, 9:38 AM - I find the potential mesmerizing, but it would be hard to wait as long as necessary for ideal timing.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/11/23, 9:56 AM - Yeah, I got it for a bit over $300. Most all Abreu wines are cheaper aftermarket, aside from monumental vintages and scores on Thorevilos or Madrona, although even then, it just touches direct.

Red
2020 Kinsman Eades Syrah Aberro Bien Nacido Block Z Santa Maria Valley
5/3/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
96 points
Bottle shock be damned, I opened this immediately. For those familiar with the bottled up beasts known as Kinsman, rest assured this definitely doesn't fall into that territory. PnP and while it certainly can use some air, it's fully approachable. The most striking thing about this wine is the energy and building length. It's got good depth, but not mind numbing power, and I find it incredibly enjoyable to drink as it displays crisp acidity, a wonderful flavor profile that vacillates between fruit, savory and meaty while consistently driving the palate towards a long and mineral driven finish. Great effort, as expected!

Little Day 2 update for those that care: The tannins have come out to play today, clamping down fairly hard. The profile is way meatier, the concentration has really picked up and the finish is more massive. All in all, just proving how well made these wines are and the long life ahead. Man, that finish...
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/4/23, 11:37 AM - B: it's a rough life. Not sure how we do it...

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/4/23, 4:36 PM - FYI, threw in a little day 2 update

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/4/23, 4:44 PM - Then I have achieved my goal :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/5/23, 7:16 AM - If I'm not mistaken, the Syrah's from Aberro are one and done, and they only made like 80 cases, so I doubt there will be any tasting of them.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/5/23, 7:37 AM - I think the Chenin is the only one, but certainly that may have changed.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/10/23, 7:11 PM - Hi IRBDW: I'd say stylistically it was more Rhone than Paso, and not in the Shiraz ballpark. It was more energetic and less opulent than a great Paso wine, with some of those old school peppery notes to go along with excellent building length. Not quite as reserved as a young Rhone and showed more fruit, so it spanned that old and new world gap fairly well.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/10/23, 7:12 PM - Now that I think about it, the most direct comparison I can think of is a Paul Lato Il Padrino from the same source.

White
2022 Kinsman Eades Chenin Blanc Aberro Diamond Mountain
5/5/2023 - csimm wrote:
96 points
There's a noble nose on this Chenin that sports a whiff of the exotic at first, but then rolls right into freshly cut honeydew, warm honey, and even the slightest hint of petrol aromas. It smells kinda like a fruit salad at the Four Seasons in Bora Bora on the deck of your overwater bungalow that is prepared by a dude named Jacques Pierre Francois Chevalier; he's wearing a tuxedo but he never sweats, because he is just that smooth.

The attack on this thing is like a Swiss Special Forces Army Reconnaissance Detachment: regimented, polished, Zoolander-ishly handsome ("being really, really, ridiculously good looking"), and effortless in a way that you know is anything but elementary. Every component is beautiful and deliberate. Notes of tangerine, white melon, lychee, lemon verbena, pineapple rind, and the essence of a Beckham kid's lemonade stand in the Cotswolds.

Where this specimen really reaches elite status is actually AFTER you take your first sip, because it's in the gorgeously seductive aftereffects when the execution really begins to take hold. The finish is a true Cersei Lannister creeper, lingering and captivating. You can't stop experiencing it even if you wanted to. If you're busy flapping your jaws and stuffing your facehole with Flamin' Hot Cheetos, you might miss the extra layers of flavor that continue to build even when you think you're done with your swallow.

I know this all sounds horribly Kinsman fanboy of me and all, but the subtleties in this Chenin are just as compelling as its more conspicuous elements, and a thing that can encapsulate both nuance and sensation is a thing to which one should pay attention.

Drink it now just cuz you can't help yourself, or hold for a bit. I have no doubt there is even more complexity to come. It'll be one of those bottles you wished you hung on to for a decade but know full well your bottles aren't lasting beyond this summer. Oh, and don't be a goober like me and serve it too cold. The flavors especially glide when they rise slightly above cellar temperature.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/6/23, 8:32 AM - Absolute Kinsman FANBOY! Lol. Nice short story as always!

Red
2016 BOND Vecina Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
2/13/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
98 points
Had a Super Bowl face off between 2016 Bond Vecina v 2016 VHR. As many probably know, they are both from the Vine Hill Ranch vineyard. Bond has leased blocks from VHR for a long time right at the base of the mountain, in a prime location. Both wines achieved 100pt ratings from prominent critics, but the Bond is over twice the price of VHR. I set out to see whether I am just throwing dollars down the drain buying the Bond.

Doubled decanted both about 5 hours before consumption. Cutting right to the chase, these are VERY different wines, despite being sourced from the same general vineyard. The Bond is more concentrated, displays bluer fruit, is not as well integrated, has bigger tannins, sharper edges and overall shows the most potential. If you're drinking one today, you'd want the VHR; in 5+ years, I'd take the Bond.

Nose of black cherries, blackberries, asian spices, forest floor and dank earth. Very firm with big time tannins, it shows fantastic purity and freshness, with lively acidity and big time cut. Anything but fruit forward, the Vecina shows amazing levels of minerality and earthy notions to complement concentrated blue fruit, along with a nice crushed rock component. The strong tannins make this clamp down tight as it transitions from mid palate to the finish, with a somewhat astringent end. However, the finish is epically long. Good now but better in 5 years.

The value proposition is always hard at $500+ dollars a bottle. But as many have noted, if you're drinking wine at this level price is usually not a barrier. This is a great wine.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/14/22, 7:22 PM - You should have no problem getting the regular VHR. He makes a lot of it, and it goes widely to distribution at release price and often times less. The extended age obviously is harder to find.

    In general, I think that's Bruce's biggest issue with a direct list - why do you need to buy it from him when he distributes it all around and you can just pick it up at the local store? And it is also bothersome when you find it cheaper there after paying list price. Not to mention that he sells it for 35% off plus to all those distributors...but don't get me started. Lol :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/14/22, 7:42 PM - Wren460: That is a recent development, and it's also because the 2016 was such a highly acclaimed vintage. Even right now, you can get the 2015 for $199 and 2017 for $179 (in CA no less), but many were even less not long ago. That is actually how I picked up some 14 and 15 a while back.

    Inflation is hitting everything of course, but I have always seen these wines at release price, and many times under. I'd guess 50% goes to distribution, and I'm sure Bruce tells them to keep it all at least at release price, but often times the economics of it won't allow compliance. Now if the wine is getting 100's all over the place, sure, perhaps it'll be at par or even rise over the years. But in other less fabulous vintages, I am sure you'll see it for less.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/14/22, 8:00 PM - Yeah, that's understandable. In your situation I understand why you would buy direct. And to be honest, I will probably grab at least a 3-pk tomorrow so long as the price doesn't go up. It's a good vintage and I always like to make sure I have some before tasting and then possibly getting more.

    Man I hope after raising the price on the 2018 release it doesn't happen again in 2019. I would think just due to how much wine he makes, Bruce wouldn't do that...but not having a 2020 to sell could definitely influence things. I still can't really believe I bought the 18 Extended Age for $300 - guess was just curious.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/16/22, 7:08 PM - I'm glad you all are as deluded as I am regarding "cutting back" on wine buying. :) Us crack...I mean wine addicts will ALWAYS find something to buy. Napa's having a down year? But look over here, I am really into champagne, or burgundy or Bordeaux....it's a nasty habit. I thought I was going to really be good, and I can already see I am not. Ugh...wine...

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/18/22, 10:44 AM - I'm sure all us addicts are at different phases of acceptance. I am happy to take the blame for you IRBDW. I am not sure if you're married, but I can imagine you telling your spouse "it's ALL Cristal2000's fault!" and where that would get you...:)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/19/22, 7:35 AM - I'm done buying wine at least twice a year. Doesn't seem to stick...

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/19/23, 8:29 PM - Man, you didn't let her open the Bond?!?! Finders keepers my friend. Lol.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/20/23, 2:58 PM - I mean not PnP, but hey, if you tell your niece to pick something you deal with the consequence! Lol.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/20/23, 6:47 PM - It's kind of funny that we tend to think age allows us to get the value out of wine. Sometimes, especially in Napa, those thoughts can betray us. I've had plenty of over the hill or just plain dead wines at age 12-15 from Napa. I also personally tend to like the energy and concentration of younger wines, so for me more age doesn't always mean better. That said, often times it does in the early years. A lot depends on your preference. It's also harder to pop a bottle knowing it costs $750 than other wines that are seemingly more disposable, at least in my case.

Red
2019 Impensata Merlot Ecotone Vineyard Napa Valley
4/1/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
96 points
Merlot from Napa at this price point is something to behold, but there's no doubting the quality in the bottle. From Ecotone Vineyard (formerly Thorevilos of Abreu fame), this is the first nearly pure merlot wine I've had from anywhere not on the right bank of Bordeaux. Lots to like here.

Rose petals, blackberries, plums, herbs and hints of spice box provide entry into a juicy, powerful yet well contained wine. Very fresh, bright and elegant, there is wonderful layering, good acidity and a fun to drink quality that makes it irresistible. Next to the 18 Englehard Cab, this was less serious, more plush and opulent. Nice earthy character on the finish. Not sure about the QPR, but the wine is excellent.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/6/23, 9:59 AM - I took at run at the Merlot, because I need more Cab like a hole in the head. It won't be an automatic purchase by any means at this price, so vintage to vintage. I am very curious about the upcoming 19 Las Posadas Cab.

Red
2019 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Spinning Plates Napa Valley
4/1/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
2021 Vice Versa Barrels and a Spinning Plate: The new entry level VV cab, meant to compete with the Realm Bards of the world. First sip and I have to say, the polish on this wine is simply amazing for the price point. Take all the VV SVD’s, remove a bit of depth & complexity but keep all the class & sophistication and you have Spinning Plates. Delivering black cherries, hints of cigar box, mocha, baking spices and lovely violets, this is super elegant with gorgeous tannin integration and impressive layering. Medium to full bodied, it is a great entry into the VV lineup and will be very competitive at the price point
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/4/23, 7:51 PM - Hi FB: Yes, that is accurate, although Patrice would say he is trying to be precise in style vs just pushing all the leftover juice together in a wine. It seems like he accomplished that mission. There is also a huge ramp up in case production similar to what Realm did with Bard. So far, so good.

Red
2021 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend
3/30/2023 - Cristal2000 wrote:
98 points
Barrel sample. I'll start by saying in general, I think 2021 is going to be a fabulous vintage. 2022 is going to be hit and miss with the heat spikes, and we all know how 2020 went, so at least for me, this is the vintage to target.

In a word - spectacular! This appears to be on a similar trajectory as 2019. Soaring, gorgeous aromatics with white flowers, black cherry and fragrant earth dominating. On the palate the purity prevails at this early stage, with juicy, deep and stunning fruit concentration. Displaying excellent tension, layers for days and a monster finish, it's clear this wine will compete for best ever from this new label (if super historical vineyard).
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/4/23, 2:06 PM - Bill!!!! I echo all CSIMM's comments. That was super generous of you. We definitely need to find time to hang out again!

Red
2019 001 Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Ecotone Vineyard Napa Valley
4/1/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
As others mentioned, this is a new project from Ecotone vineyard, which formerly comprised the famed Abreu Thorevilos. They smartly chose Graeme MacDonald to consult on winemaking. Jack was nice enough to give us a preview of the 2019.

For those who have had Thorevilos, this is a slightly more reserved wine, and like MacDonald Cabs will need a generous amount of air to show its best young. Starts with a complex nose of tobacco leaf, menthol, dark flowers and spice box. The palate is powerful but seamless, with exceptional tannin integration. There is a tight core of pure fruit with layers just begging to unfurl. Elegant with lovely nuance and serious length, this shows a ton of promise. I happened to have a little left later the same day, and it was starting to really round into form. Definitely a wine to put on the priority list. 96-97+.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/2/23, 2:26 PM - That would have been a good question to ask. Lol. I've heard in the mid-200's but we shall see with all this price inflation in Napa.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    4/3/23, 6:24 PM - I believe he said around August of this year.

Red
2019 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Hartwell XX Stags Leap District
3/26/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
I wasn't thrilled with the high price tag on this wine. It is hard to stomach $450 on their newest wine, despite the history of it, especially if you knew what Hartwell was selling it for previously with the same winemaker. That being said, I can't argue with the quality here.

Starts with a breathtaking nose that's somewhat reminiscent of a gorgeous To Kalon - huge creme de cassis, blackberries, dark chocolate, forest floor and dark flowers. On the palate, unreal tannin integration gives rise to an ethereal texture, that is just oh so suave and sexy. There is huge fruit purity going on here, with exceptional concentration and depth, but also with a mineral driven backbone that indicates this wine is going to age very well. At times opulent and then backward, it gives you a hint of all it can do while also reining in its power inside an age worthy frame. The finish is massively long and completely satisfying. This is definitely a fantastic offering from Realm, if pricey.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/27/23, 9:52 AM - Lol. I'm sure I am just saying what most everyone was feeling. I know the people that read these mostly own the bottles, so there's some implicit bias towards wanting to read good things. Thankfully this was very good, just kind of crazy they priced it so high. Guess that's why I only bought 2! Cheers.

Red
2021 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines Sonoma Coast
2/18/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
94 points
Stunning on the nose, with red cherries, white flowers, orange rinds, hints of mint and and fragrant earth. Supple, sexy and suave, it's got a superior mouthfeel, deep concentration and while today it is giving off significant fruit, there is a savory element in the mid palate that indicates this will evolve nicely. While you won't mistake this for a high acid burgundy, it does show impressive balance with a long, spicy finish.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    2/19/23, 8:50 AM - My age is showing...

Red
2019 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard St. Helena
1/16/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Blind tasting of 19 Realm Dr Crane, 19 Myriad Elysian, 19 Memento Mori Crane and 19 Schrader Heritage. All Crane except for the Schrader. These were double decanted and consumed over a 10 hour period.

Initial impression after about 4 hours of air had Elysian in the lead, followed closely by Memento Mori with Realm next and Schrader last. The Elysian and Realm were the most similar (surprisingly), with both displaying chalky tannins and deep concentration along with the vanilla and oak most typically seen in the Mike Smith wines. The Elysian had a more expressive nose and a longer finish, which gave it the edge. Meanwhile, the MM had excellent acidity and lift, with a stronger tannin profile and slightly less body. The Schrader was most similar to the MM, but had redder fruit, less concentration and while elegant, overall was a bit more forgettable.

By hour 10 things had changed quite a bit. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Realm developed a gorgeous nose, tons of energy and a super long finish, while the Elysian started to recede, shortening up on the finish and not developing with more time. The MM kept integrating and getting better, with a great mix of elegance, energy and sophistication. The Schrader also improved in a similar way to the MM, just with a redder profile and less body, which again made it less interesting to me.

The takeaways here are pretty consistent with my view of these producers/wine makers and the source. The Realm ended up the best of the bunch, but it will hit you with oak, vanilla etc and can come across heavy handed at times. While it's not as over the top of Elysian, and certainly comes with better development than most from this site, you probably don't need to pour it for your French wine loving buddies. I've been buying this wine since 2012 and it has literally never lost a Crane blind, despite running it in about 10 of them over the years.

The Elysian is typical of Mike Smith's style. Hard to ever beat his wines young, as they start amazingly gorgeous and expressive, with pure fruit that is super hedonistic. The downside is in my experience, they top out young, and don't have the complexity or balance to age well. They are a wine to drink in the first few years and think of as dessert in a bottle.

Both the MM and Schrader are elegant, with a style that probably appeals to a larger crowd. They aren't stuffed with massive concentration, but they are more seamless, have less overt vanilla and oak, and display crisper acidity. I prefer the MM, not just because it was Crane vs TK here, but because the profile is darker and I think Sam gets more concentration out of the wine. I'd bet on these aging the best of the bunch.

One thing I will note is I do think especially for Dr. Crane, these are wines to drink young. In my experience, they don't really age super well and once you get past the unreal purity of fruit, the rest becomes less interesting, and you are just getting a sharper wine with less going on.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/16/23, 2:34 PM - Yeah, I thought about throwing the AB in the mix (also the VV), but a lot of it would've gone to waste. From experience, the AB generally doesn't win these blinds, but it has been more solidly middle of the pack in recent years. I think the 19 edition my be the best one yet, so it should be fun to follow. That said, I really believe what I said about the vineyard (Crane) - it's not a 15+ year source with development, and the best years are early, even if for AB that is a bit longer down the line than Myriad etc.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/17/23, 7:26 AM - Hi DQ: I don't think the Realm is ready to go. I'd give in a couple years in bottle. It will develop for a while, it's just not a 15+ year positive trend development in my opinion. I do have a 2012 of it, so I will have to test my own theory.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/17/23, 7:29 AM - Hi CC: Young definitely depends on the wine, vineyard and producer for me. In the case of Dr Crane, I think young is in the first 7 years. Now for Elysian, I think you should get to in in the first 3-5 years. I am not saying they will be over the hill completely after 10 years, but I just think they will be less interesting and past their peak for the most part.

Red
2019 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard St. Helena
1/16/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Blind tasting of 19 Realm Dr Crane, 19 Myriad Elysian, 19 Memento Mori Crane and 19 Schrader Heritage. All Crane except for the Schrader. These were double decanted and consumed over a 10 hour period.

Initial impression after about 4 hours of air had Elysian in the lead, followed closely by Memento Mori with Realm next and Schrader last. The Elysian and Realm were the most similar (surprisingly), with both displaying chalky tannins and deep concentration along with the vanilla and oak most typically seen in the Mike Smith wines. The Elysian had a more expressive nose and a longer finish, which gave it the edge. Meanwhile, the MM had excellent acidity and lift, with a stronger tannin profile and slightly less body. The Schrader was most similar to the MM, but had redder fruit, less concentration and while elegant, overall was a bit more forgettable.

By hour 10 things had changed quite a bit. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Realm developed a gorgeous nose, tons of energy and a super long finish, while the Elysian started to recede, shortening up on the finish and not developing with more time. The MM kept integrating and getting better, with a great mix of elegance, energy and sophistication. The Schrader also improved in a similar way to the MM, just with a redder profile and less body, which again made it less interesting to me.

The takeaways here are pretty consistent with my view of these producers/wine makers and the source. The Realm ended up the best of the bunch, but it will hit you with oak, vanilla etc and can come across heavy handed at times. While it's not as over the top of Elysian, and certainly comes with better development than most from this site, you probably don't need to pour it for your French wine loving buddies. I've been buying this wine since 2012 and it has literally never lost a Crane blind, despite running it in about 10 of them over the years.

The Elysian is typical of Mike Smith's style. Hard to ever beat his wines young, as they start amazingly gorgeous and expressive, with pure fruit that is super hedonistic. The downside is in my experience, they top out young, and don't have the complexity or balance to age well. They are a wine to drink in the first few years and think of as dessert in a bottle.

Both the MM and Schrader are elegant, with a style that probably appeals to a larger crowd. They aren't stuffed with massive concentration, but they are more seamless, have less overt vanilla and oak, and display crisper acidity. I prefer the MM, not just because it was Crane vs TK here, but because the profile is darker and I think Sam gets more concentration out of the wine. I'd bet on these aging the best of the bunch.

One thing I will note is I do think especially for Dr. Crane, these are wines to drink young. In my experience, they don't really age super well and once you get past the unreal purity of fruit, the rest becomes less interesting, and you are just getting a sharper wine with less going on.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/16/23, 2:31 PM - Cheers!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    1/16/23, 7:55 PM - I'm skeptical, but it would be very interesting to see what a decade has done to Dr. Crane. Not sure many have made a Crane for that long, especially at a high level, but let me know if you get it done. Love to hear the results!

Rosé - Sparkling
2018 Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Champagne Blend
12/15/2022 - csimm wrote:
95 points
Hibiscus, rhubarb, blood orange, and Aperol notes create a unique framework for the supplementary flavors of freshly rinsed raspberries, watermelon, lemon pith, and wet limestone. At first glance, it seems like this is going to come off like a crimson-colored sea cow: heavy, ripe, and winey. It is indeed full in the mouth, but finishes aptly dry, with no sense of burdensome density or profuse richness. It has a gorgeous yum factor without being too gushy or rounded.

It is certainly not a bracing acidic knife fight of an attack; so, those who want a more angular rip in the frame might find this stylistically to be more on the sumptuous side. But...it is not plush necessarily by my estimation (and I'm pretty sensitive to overly sweet or doughy Champagne/sparklers lacking the appropriate perception of acidity). I mean, if you are expecting a hyper-chiseled and crystalline Marie Courtin experience, then you'll possibly want to venture elsewhere. It's not Champagne; so, know that. But it's not trying to be. I'm a dude who loves Champagne. But I'm also a dude who thinks Ultramarine has found a way to create a domestic sparkler (perhaps the only producer to be able to successfully do so) that is expertly crafted and offers plenty of flavor and focused sophistication all in one gulp.

2018 vintage. Disgorged November 15, 2022 (so ya, like last month!). 94-95+ points. A sparkler that can be drunk now or will hold for a few years. I like the cut it offers now, but there is even more room for expansion on the finish, which is just slightly reserved on the tail - but to which I actually like because it gives the frame a nicely needed bite to balance out the fuller front end. Tasty juice!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    12/16/22, 7:54 AM - Ummm...look who's drinking Rose? I think I recall a conversation with someone saying that isn't a style they enjoy. Hmmmm...

Red
2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
12/13/2022 - Cristal2000 wrote:
91 points
Quick note on this wine. I drank it over three days and it never lost its super overtly oaky quality. It was like eating wood chips, with bitter chocolate and not nearly the depth of flavor I was expecting. Hopefully it was just an off bottle, but it reminded me of Silver Oak, where the wine is hiding issues behind a wall of wood. Definitely expected a lot more.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    12/13/22, 7:01 PM - Thanks. I try my best to tell the real story. I also realize most reviews are viewed by folks who own the wine, and they want to hear good things. I get it, but this one was a big disappointment, especially considering the vintage.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    12/13/22, 7:08 PM - Yeah, not sure what was up with it. I've had that happen before with wines, especially Realm, where the wine tastes fantastic young without super noticeable oak, and then a few years later its caked in it. Not sure why that happens, but I am super sensitive to oak, and this is a bottle where I dumped 3/4 of it.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    12/13/22, 8:10 PM - No doubt. Most all these Napa Cabs are heavy on oak, some just carry it much better and get the integration right. I will likely be offloading my Insignia. Got plenty of other cabs to take its place.

Red
2019 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
5/16/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
For me, who is still a little reluctant on the old school bordeaux wines, but loves restraint and composure with Napa fruit, this wine is hard to beat. Roses, violets, pencil shavings, cigar box, forest floor and wet stone show off a gorgeous bouquet. Focused fruit with excellent freshness and tension are brought to your palate with restraint and elegance in a firm and sophisticated package. Nothing disjointed or out of balance, this is a regal wine with fine grained tannins, excellent depth of flavor and a very long finish. This expressive vintage with the more structured and classic wine making make a great pairing. Awesome!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    5/18/22, 2:46 PM - It ain't cheap, but these a no brainers for me.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/27/22, 7:53 AM - Hi B&B: these are $540 now direct, a huge jump from $450 for the 18 vintage. At that price, you can usually go retail and get them. I was not thrilled with the raise. Price aside, these are tremendous wines.

Red
2019 Realm Cellars The Bard Blair Edition Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
11/4/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
96 points
The interesting Blair version of Bard...an SVD, but shares the name "Bard" with the 7000 case blend and apparently this may be the only version of it. Not sure how they came up with that, but I was willing to roll with it to the tune of three bottles. Only about double the price, so my fiscal side was sleeping again, as tends to happen with wine. After that mess of an intro, I have to say, this is really good wine.

Right now the best part of this wine is the bouquet (aroma, nose..etc). It is soooo striking, with violets jumping out glass bringing with it blackberry pie, crushed rock, forest floor and deep, grainy earthy notes. That's a $500 napa nose right there - amazing. The nose led me to believe this was going to be rich and possibly extracted, but shockingly, it's restrained, with excellent balance a great purity, The tannins are powerful, but sweet and integrated, and the spine is powerful, bringing great overall structure. It is by no means a fruit bomb either, with really impressive savory notes to complement the deep purple expressive fruit. Powerful and somewhat tannic finish. Overall, this is really good and better than the "blend" Bard. I don't think it will keep up with the more established Realm SVD's over long periods of time, but for the next 5 years or so, this is going to be fabulous.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/5/22, 8:52 AM - DQ: It can definitely use a little time in the bottle. I've just gotten to the point where I just drink some as they come in, because there's no room!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/6/22, 7:35 AM - I feel your pain. Sometimes I give up hunting through the wine racks. I've always loved trying out new wines. Kind of like Xmas for me. So this time of year there are a lot of presents to open! :)

White
2020 Andremily White Cuvée Central Coast White Blend
11/2/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Well, this is certainly interesting. Let's start with the really impressive bottle and label. This is done in a SQN style, and I find it quite distinctive, being large, attractive and unique. I looked on the back and it says 13.4% alcohol. Now, I've never had an Andremily wine that didn't taste like around 20%, so that caught my attention. I'm saying no way.

Pnp, and yeah, this probably needs a nice decant but you know, sometimes that is the way it goes. Deep dehydrated pee yellow in the glass. This is definitely not going to be Chablis. Impressive rich nose that says "I am going to be super dense". Creme brûlée dominates, with butterscotch, embers, lemon curd, white flowers and hints of oak. On the palate, ummm yeah, if this is 13.4% alc then the world is flat (and yes, in the world we live in I am sure many actually think that now). Nevertheless, it carries the weight well, with super ripe, fine grained and integrated sweet tannin and a massive core of fruit and stone that is waiting to unfurl. It doesn't come across heavy or overbearing, thanks to some acidity and lift, but this clearly isn't going to be the hyper focused cutting white to pair with your favorite fish. Lots of room to develop, but shows great length and is certainly a fabulous effort for Andremily's first white. It is texturally brilliant but also putting off a bunch of alcohol right now. Honestly, I find this more compelling than the reds.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/3/22, 12:54 PM - I was definitely in a mood for that note. Then again, I am not on here to make people happy. :) And straw would not have cut it my friend. This was dense dark yellow.

    This is definitely a wine to hold. It needs some time. I'd treat it similarly to their reds. If drinking, make sure it has a long decant and you'll want it very cold because it is so dense.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/3/22, 1:24 PM - It's clearly a strategy for SQN, their alums (Andremily) and family members (Fingers Crossed) to ruin our ability to store wine!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/4/22, 11:39 AM - Hi B&B: It was $85 direct. I didn't buy the reds in 2020. The style is just a bit too huge for me these days, and with the vintage figured I'd sit it out. Only so much room. Did take a flier on the white here obviously.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/4/22, 12:55 PM - Yeah, so far there are no 2020 Napa reds in my inventory. Even with Saxum, I am likely to only buy the 2019. I have an inventory problem anyway, so a questionable vintage just makes it an easier pass. It's fairly well known now that some of Paso also suffered from smoke, and even if not, it just wasn't as amazing a vintage as 18-19.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    11/4/22, 1:07 PM - Everyone always promotes the next vintage, but I do think 2021 is shaping up to be pretty great in Napa. Haven't heard much about Paso. 2022 is going to be a real challenge for some in Napa given the massive heat spike right before harvest, and then the rain afterward. Paso is usually more resilient to an extent, but I imagine they had some of the same issues with that heat wave. I think you'll have to be quite a bit more selective in 2022 overall.

Red
2010 Abreu Cappella Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
10/24/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
MJP graciously opened this bottle at lunch with our wives in Houston. I haven't had many Abreu wines, but this is definitely a testament to how well they age. Splash decanted, but really didn't have much air as we took it down quickly. The nose and the wine itself are very complex at this stage, with lots of tertiary flavors of mushrooms and tobacco weaved in effortlessly with dark, pure concentrated fruit. A very big wine, this is aging at a lovely, restrained pace, with massive depth of flavor, wonderful integration and a super long finish.. This should drink well for 15-20 more years. Decant if opening now. Thanks again to MJP for hosting!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/24/22, 1:20 PM - Let me know what you find on availability and pricing. I'd definitely be interested in getting more familiar with Abreu.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/25/22, 9:15 AM - Certainly a fun visit. We'll have to get that BDX dinner done soon!

White
2020 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge Napa Valley
10/24/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
94 points
Had this with MJP and wives in Houston. Very nice of MJP to host. I adore this wine, but was a bit more skeptical of the 2020 vintage. Long story short, it still manages to pull the concentration and acidity together and make a really terrific chard, but it's not quite up there with 18 or 19 from recent memory. Very pure, with great depth and a bit of a cutting acidic edge, it still needs time to integrate the oak and other elements, but should be singing in a few years. Definitely decant this white.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/24/22, 1:06 PM - Hey MJP: bringing this was the easy part! Thanks for hosting, making food and opening two great bottles. For Pappas, I assume you're referring to reviewing the wines we had there? The Dauvvissat would probably have been right up your alley!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/24/22, 1:23 PM - The service was exceptional. We had no less than 5 people waiting on us at once. The food was also great, but perhaps didn't stand out as much as the service. Loved the ambiance. We met a couple Somms, can't remember their names offhand.

    That was a terrific restaurant recommendation. Thanks.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/25/22, 7:52 AM - They only had one bottle left. I asked...

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/25/22, 8:26 AM - I mean they do have another location in downtown Houston that has it on the list. So perhaps they have some remaining...

Red
2012 Hourglass Cabernet Franc Blueline Napa Valley
10/24/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
Another bottle generously opened by MJP when we visited him in Houston. This was a last min pull, and could have used a decant. That alone surprised me, because I just didn't expect a 10 yr old Cab Franc from Hourglass to be so age worthy. While this wasn't yet singing, it had tremendous energy, with a pure and youthful profile that showed off really focused, expressive red fruit and an herbal complexity that elevated the experience. Lighter on its feet than the Abreu had alongside, this wine was about the energy for me. Another hour in the decanter and I suspect it would have been singing. Great find MJP!
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    10/24/22, 1:19 PM - We really enjoyed the visit. Thanks so much for doing all the heavy lifting with food, stemware, wine etc. Great meeting you both and we hope to return the favor sometime when you come to CA.

Red
2019 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
9/21/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
96 points
Gorgeous translucent purple in the glass, with aromas of creme de cassis, asian spices, violets, menthol and dank earth. Muscular, taut and impressive, this shines with rich and dense layers of dark fruit combined with excellent precision. All the earth and mineral driven components are there, along with huge, fine grained but gripping tannins that keep the flavor somewhat at bay. Super long finish. Had this PnP, and you can tell it's going to be shut down with some air. Needs to rest, but this will be excellent.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/22/22, 9:52 AM - Thanks. I absolutely adore the 19 vintage from Bordeaux. This was fabulous!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/22/22, 3:33 PM - I'm doing it just for you LIOF.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/22/22, 8:10 PM - I am totally polarized by BDX. I've had many older versions in great vintages I hate, like literally dirt water with lots of acidity. And then 2019 came around and I love this vintage. So I'm not sure what to make of it all, but certainly a big vertical would help set me straight. Don't get any ideas however - I don't give it up on the first date.

Red
2018 Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
9/16/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Doubled decanted about 3 hours before dinner. Thankfully, the wine never shut down and seemed to be at its sweet spot with about 4 hours of air. The 18 didn't quite have the opulent flare of the 19 I had a couple weeks ago, but it was still fantastic.

Aromas of creme de cassis, menthol, tobacco, violets and fragrant earth. This is big but firm, with regal tannins and prominent energetic layers of fruit. It doesn't fill up the mid palate like a similar Napa Cab might, but stays totally composed and tight knit, with building complexity and a super long finish. Clearly this was an infant, but that is really how I enjoy my wines. Total class in a bottle.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/16/22, 11:42 AM - Definitely looking forward to that event!

Red
2019 Vieux Château Certan Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend
6/4/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
98 points
Starts with one of the most amazing bouquets I can remember on a BDX wine. Glorious creme de cassis and dark chocolate with soaring floral aromas, laced with menthol, tobacco and herbs. Tremendously pure and focused, it's super firm, with Mt Everest level tannins and insane precision. If you catch it just at the right time, the fruit is a knockout, but blink and the tannins have sucked that enjoyment away. I guess if you could ever say a wine of this quality from BDX is forward than this has a hint of that opulence, but everything is in perfect balance and it will be super long lived. Love it, but of course it needs at least a decade or so to come around.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/5/22, 7:37 AM - Lite: Thanks for the suggestions. I already have a love/hate relationship with BDX, so no telling how long this little run will last, but I have appreciated the right bank's lack of "funk". You have to really get used to and enjoy those super drying tannins. I understand why all BDX drinkers seem to say wines are too young - because otherwise they are just a shut down wall of tannin!

    Anyway, I'm on a little exploration and perhaps I've gone a little deep with heavy hitters like VCC, Cheval Blanc, Pavie, etc. Good to have some more moderate priced suggestions. Cheers!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/16/22, 7:36 AM - If you're opening the 19, my experience would suggest PnP is best. The air tended to shut things down. It's almost like you need to PnP, judge it, and then decide, but that is hard given the timing of drinking the wine.

Red
2019 Andremily Syrah G2 Vineyard Paso Robles Willow Creek District
Goo, what a colossal mess of a wine. I had this blind with 19 Saxum G2, 19 Turtle Rock G2 and 19 Paul Lato Il Padrino and for all 6 of us it was dead last. As a matter of fact I poured out what was left in my glass. Super disappointed, as I have had much better experiences with other Andremily wines.

Basically this was a massive vanilla, oak and sugar bomb that got worse the longer it was open. No acidity, extremely heavy, tasted like the Caymus of rhones, but even worse. Not much more to say. Disappointed to say the least. Won't rate but it was essentially undrinkable.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/21/22, 10:38 PM - Yeah, I've got two more bottles. I'd love to think this will improve. Sure hope so. The main issue is there's no acidity to it, so it makes it hard to see improvement. Andremily wines always super extracted, so even at their best they are sweet and rich. The texture is always what's really special. This one just lost the guideposts.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/22/22, 7:46 AM - DQ: I'd definitely take that approach. Who knows - maybe it will come together. I mean it will always be insanely modern, extracted and sweet, but that is to be expected. I still have about 3/4 of a bottle from the tasting. I will see if anything good has happened to it.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/24/22, 7:42 AM - Sadly it was still a vanilla, oak and sugar smoothie. I hope you have better luck, but I can pretty much guarantee you the TR G2 will smoke the Andremily, even if it improves. :)

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/24/22, 1:25 PM - Sure. I received it about a week prior to opening (maybe week and a half). It sat in my cellar at 54 degrees. All the wines were opened approximately 4 hours before serving, double decanted, back to the bottle and back to the cellar. Right before consumption they were all poured into decanters (done by my daughter so it was truly blind). Service began around 55 degrees and warmed up over time.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    3/24/22, 4:56 PM - No doubt. Andremily wines are always super ripe, sweet and pushing the line on extraction, but I was expecting a healthy competition, especially from this vineyard source. Interestingly, Saxum used to be more in this style, but the last few years they've really moderated the ripeness.

    I've had other wines from them, like EABA, that is wild early and gets better, so that is definitely possible here. I don't think I will ever like the style as much as Saxum/Turtle Rock based on my palate, but I've never shied away from fruit. It's the vanilla and oak that really get me these days.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/6/22, 8:12 PM - Hi B&B: I have had them all now. The G2 was the only one that was discombobulated, so it may have just been that bottle. Or perhaps because it was next to some fantastic wines it showed poorly. The Mourvèdre was far more contained and focused, and the regular Syrah was still super extracted and rich, but the texture, depth of flavor and opulence wasn’t disturbed by huge vanilla and oak. These are massive, extracted, plush and hedonistic wines at their best, so there’s not much room when things go a bit sideways. Not really my style anymore, but can be very good.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/6/22, 8:36 PM - The Mouvedre is probably their best wine. Unless you don't like that profile, I would start there.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    6/7/22, 11:01 PM - B&B: You'll find pricing has flatlined a bit with the Andremily Syrah. It's $110 on the list, and you can often get it for $120 or so retail. Same with the Mouvedre really. So you aren't doing too badly just picking it up aftermarket.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    9/4/22, 9:45 AM - DQ: Thanks for the update. I was hoping it was bottle shock or some other outlier issue, since I generally enjoy Andremily, even if it is a bit sweet for my tastes. One thing I am finding is I buy too many different wines, so in Paso/SB I've cut it down to Saxum, Fingers Crossed, TR (at times) and Next of Kyn. Napa is harder. No room left!

Red
2019 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
8/25/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Had PnP. Absolutely heroic nose, with loads of creme de cassis, explosive floral notes, scorched earth, cigar box and tilled soil. Reminded me of Napa's Las Piedras. Uber refined palate, with ripe, powerful and integrated tannins, a silky mouthfeel and wonderfully layered black and blue fruit. This is certainly opulent for Bordeaux, but it is so incredibly well done, with terrific balance and plenty of lift from the acidity. The elegance and refinement are off the charts, as is the ridiculously long finish. As one critic would say, this is pure Haute Couture. My general sense is either get at it right now without a decant, or wait 7+ years.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/26/22, 8:55 AM - Without a doubt the most "napa like" BDX I have had. If it was blind on the aromas I would have never guessed BDX, but of course the palate gives it away with the tannin profile.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/30/22, 11:53 AM - So this is where I get stalled on BDX. I had an 09 Chateau Malescot St Exupery Margaux and 10 Duhart-Milon over the weekend. The Malescot was essentially undrinkable and the DM was barely better. Just high toned, funky white peppery, boring juice. Not sure if that is what all these BDX wines will become in time, or if somehow things have just changed that much...or if despite good scores, those just are a totally different profile from the start?

Red
2016 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville
4/13/2019 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
Super complex nose - initially displayed lots of violets and floral, with licorice, black cherry, blueberries, camphor, forest floor and baking spices. Over the course of about ten hours, it developed this incredibly fun and distinctive note of Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum and cotton candy. Totally unique and like nothing I've really ever experienced.

On the pallet, this is medium to full bodied with mostly blue fruit and solid depth of flavor. It's rich, taut, has great balance with good acid levels. The tannins are quite prominent but well integrated, and it finishes long and pure. The only place I felt this was lacking a bit was the mid pallet, and that may come around with time in the bottle. It is certainly still a baby.

Had next to a 2016 Vice Versa BBS LPV, which was a bit better in that it just had more of everything. It's also $115 more a bottle direct.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/27/22, 3:17 PM - At last check, they were $250.

Red
2019 Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
8/20/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
99 points
Had this alongside a 2019 Ausone. While the Ausone showed best at PnP, the Mouton hit its stride around hour 3 in the decanter. There was a magical window at that point, and then by hour 6 it had completely shutdown.

A fabulous vintage for this wine. Displayed soaring aromas of creme de cassis, white flowers, sweet tobacco, asian spices and wet stone. For a Bordeaux, this is very opulent, with ripe tannins that are almost immediately hemmed in by significant structure and excellent levels of acidity. For the brief time when the fruit was allowed to come out and play, this was spectacular, showing insane purity and incredible persistence as it danced around on the palate. Even in a more showy vintage, the sophistication, elegance and polish set it apart from nearly all other wines. Absolutely loved it, but it's going to be a challenge to find the right drinking window if you kill this baby.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/20/22, 1:43 PM - Thanks WBW. It was fun, that's for sure!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/20/22, 6:10 PM - Nick: I'm all about hurting feelings on CT. :) It was quite an experiment with the wines so young. I am still not 100% sold on heavy BDX buying, but there are a number of gems out there. This was one of them. It's really a challenge to figure out how to open and decant them...not only with super young vintages, but with most. That part can be annoying, because you can just waste a bottle pretty easily.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/20/22, 6:12 PM - Lite: I was surprised by the opulence of both these wines. It certainly is more compelling than the overly structured, acidic and downright austere vintages that I am familiar with from previous failed attempts at enjoying BDX.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/21/22, 7:57 AM - Thanks for the advice Hendmo. I was definitely aware these wines were too young, but that was part of the fun!

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/22/22, 8:58 AM - I am old hat with Napa cabs, a bit newer to the scene with BDX. These wines are a lot more tricky to get in the right spot. I tend to prefer energy and depth of fruit over old and perfectly integrated, so for my palate taking a shot early is half the fun. I guess it just depends on what you like, but I will always try to get in a taste before they close down. Cheers!

White
2020 Y de Yquem Bordeaux Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
8/20/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
97 points
First time with this wine. Super interesting, as it combines a creamy, rich and provocative flavor profile with streaks of stark mineral driven flavors in a sophisticated, yet citrus driven package. That meshing of contrasting styles makes it one of the better overall wines I have tasted with these varietals.

Aromas of lemon zest, apricots, orange rind, pears, white flowers, wet stone and crushed rock. Palate is at once firm and expressive, showing off wonderfully pure and concentrated flavors with serious depth of flavor. Big mid palate brings it to a higher level. Nice mineral driven streak, showing hints of savory notions as it progresses to a very long finish. Excellent.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/21/22, 7:58 AM - Not getting any younger!

Red
2018 Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Napa Valley
Was fortunate to sample many of the 2018 wines from barrel from Memento Mori. The broad takeaway is WOW, these are going to be stunning. 2018 seems to be similar to the quality and characteristics of 2016, which is just fantastic.

MM has added two blocks of Vine Hill Ranch to their lineup in this vintage (and 2017), and I believe it will not only be added to the blend, but also used as an SVD. Tasting those two blocks, they are extremely different from each other and show how amazingly unique each block in the same vineyard can be. The first sample was black, deep, rich and showed scorched earth elements similar to LPV. It was lights out. Just awesome. The second sample was way higher toned and hit you right in the face. Fruit seemed redder, the profile was more acidic and rode way higher on the pallet. Reminded me much more of a VHR wine. It will be interesting to see how they blend these together. It is very promising. 95-98.

The 2018 Dr Crane was again for me the star of the show. Shows that wonderful and amazing nose of blueberry compote, scorched earth and white flowers that is so intoxicating. Already expressive and opulent on the pallet, it is super concentrated, round, dense and chock full of pure fruit backed by lots of mineral driven and wet stone flavors. This is killer. 98-100

The 2018 LPV was super dense, dark and black in the glass. Scorched earth, embers, mineral driven flavors and great blackberry fruit throughout. Dense and drying on the pallet at the moment. Big structure and quite long. Super young, but tons of promise. 96-98
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/16/22, 4:12 PM - For the last vintage, they were all $225.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/16/22, 5:46 PM - I'd go with the SVD's, probably in the order of Crane, LPV and then VHR. But I also can't recommend you buy 2020 vintage, if that is what you are contemplating.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/16/22, 6:05 PM - Exactly zero from Napa other than MacDonald if they release one. A few here and there from Paso and Santa Barbara, plus Sonoma and RRV.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/16/22, 8:45 PM - I haven't. When I was at L'Aventure last year, Chloe was luke warm on the vintage, saying it would be good but not near 18 or 19. I appreciated the honestly. I am sure most will make a decent wine, but it will be very hard to compare vs 19.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/16/22, 9:01 PM - If Jeb doesn't give it 100, it's shit. Lol. That dude inflates scores like no one else, but I do enjoy his notes.

Red
2019 Realm Cellars The Bard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
8/2/2022 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:
95 points
This wine is way better than it has any right to be, especially considering the numerous vineyards involved in the blend and the 7000+ cases being made. Starts with a rich and powerfully expressive nose of creme de cassis and violets. Really true to vintage, this is upfront and lovely, with deeply concentrated dark fruit that is expansive and showing very well right out of the chute. Showing a suave and seamless mouthfeel, with a silky texture and rounded edges, this wine will seduce you into downing the bottle before you know it. Unlike the 18 edition that clearly needs some time, this wine is ready to go with a little bit of air. Pretty great, and a touch above the 18 for me.
  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/3/22, 7:22 AM - I've never really known the Bard to shutdown. Sometimes it isn't in a good spot to drink for a while after release, but it's not an ultra serious brick house wine that has that type of slumber. This 2019 edition is ready to go already with a little air, and I wouldn't hesitate to open it.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/3/22, 3:42 PM - Hi Mark - I hear you. I've floated between looking for those QPR "deals" and trying to buy less overall, but the absolute best wines regardless of the price over the years. The longer I've been around Napa, the more jaded I've become on pricing. There's a ton of collusion and pressure to raise each year. The vast majority of $200 or now $300 bottles won't be as good as this 7000 case blend by Realm. But when you have a superstar wine, it makes this Realm seem like crap by comparison. :) There's no winning in this game.

    All that said, I think this wine is exactly what is supposed to be: a high production, high profit wine for Realm that hits above its weight and price point and will satisfy the vast majority of cab buyers.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/3/22, 4:38 PM - You don't get those invites? What a shame. :) Kidding. Really, it's the land owners and wineries that have been in Napa for decades that make out like bandits. The new entrants are usually losing money, some just to have a label and wine to show their friends. The billionaire class. Napa being adult Disneyland certainly doesn't help things for the Napa aficionado looking for reasonable prices and high quality.

    What personally offends me is when, without naming names, wineries release a 2020 wine, raise the price and then lie about when the grapes were picked or in some amazing cases, don't mention it at all and compare the vintage to 2016! They really do take us for fools at times.

    I guess the smart money is moving towards Paso. I buy less Napa these days, more French, but that ain't cheap either. Now it's more about supporting the people I like who also happen to make amazing wine.

    But hey, who am I to complain? This isn't a rough life drinking these wines and going the places they take you.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/3/22, 5:17 PM - No doubt. There's a very small fraction of the wine universe that buys expensive wine...and I mean very small fraction. It's why Napa can't produce more wine and sell it unless they draw in the international crowd. Realm is making some headway there, but generally it's only names like Screaming Eagle, Harlan and Opus One that are known throughout the world.

    Most money in wine is made at the $10-30 price point. Meiomi was bought by Constellation because they are a cash machine, churning out and selling over 1 million cases a year. I think they sold for over $300 million, which is way more than most Napa wineries are worth. The average consumer of wine opens it within 2 days, which is why they oxidize and add sugar. All those vines in the central valley of CA? Where the bunnies, rubber tires and arsenic show up in the harvest? Yep, that's Meiomi. There's no hand picking grapes when you make a million cases. Additives galore, but you are absolutely right in that the average person wouldn't really be able to tell the difference. Give them enough sugar and sweetness and they are happy. That's where the money is at, even if it's super disturbing to those of us very into wine.

    Even a winery like Realm needs a high production money maker, and that's Bard. Vice Versa is now copying that model with "Spinning Plates". You start with the best possible wine you can blend, losing money on it, and then once it gets critical acclaim and traction you blend in less expensive grapes and make more.

    Ah...wine. Such a love/hate relationship.

  • Cristal2000 commented:

    8/3/22, 8:16 PM - Lol. You guys crack me up! We all have so many hard and fast opinions on wine and love to rant about it all. It's part of what makes wine fun. Naturally we are all entitled, spoiled...you name it. That's what comes from people spending $300 on a bottle of wine. Opinions are not in short supply.

    Let me pile on in LIOF format:

    1. VV has lost money, but they aren't now. When you source you have to be able to sell the bottle for a price that is greater than production cost. That usually takes time, but is definitely possible. When you buy the land at $1mm a planted acre, you better have a lot of cash flow and hope the land gains value because the wine isn't going to cover it.

    2. Harlan has had their land for like 40 years. They mint money. They are also releasing a 2020 at all their properties and raising their price. That lost me.

    3. Wine has become crazy popular but most people still don't know anything about it. When we meet new friends, we will often blind wine at different price points to see what they think. The sweeter the better for most. Now, if we take away the blind and spend time going side by side and describing why one wine is a higher quality than the other, they tend to catch on. It's a process for everyone, but most never get a chance to experience it. And many don't give a crap either.

    4. LIOF - you have like 6000 bottles of high end wine. You buy everything!

    5. The wine business isn't easy, and I don't begrudge those who endeavor into it profits. There's a difference between running a good business and making good money and gouging people. There are very few wineries that don't have to distribute their wines to retailers, and where I can't find them list price or cheaper, so that's really the measure of a good DTC model. Otherwise, why pay $300 when they sell it to a retailer for $150 and you pay $300 or less from a local store? No loyalty in that model.

    6. Alex is unlikely to break the pattern of modest price increases, since his cost of grapes is so low and he really believes in keeping the price reasonable for his loyal base of clients.

    Done! Sorry!

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