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Tasting Notes for bsumoba

(346 notes on 289 wines)

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White
3/17/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: Lemons, lemon curd, lemon peel and mandarin. Good acidity. Medium length. Awesome Semillon/SB blend.
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
3/17/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
92 points
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: Good acid. Lots of blue fruit on the palate. Maybe slightly one dimensional. Backend pyrazine note for me that I had a hard time overcoming but despite that, this wine was good. Good value for $22.
Red
3/17/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
98 points
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: Super pretty nose. Red fruits on the palate. A hint of toast and dark chocolate. Complex with a long finish. Most balanced of the 5 in the blind tasting. As good as it is and as good as the score I am going to give it, there is something about it after the reveal that makes me feel like this wine is made with the intention of pleasing people versus prioritizing the terroir and the vintage. Regardless, this was super consistent from pour and into the evening and enjoyable.
4 people found this helpful Comments (3)
Red
3/17/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: Red fruits, rasberries and a bit of forest floor. Elegant, simple and striking at the same time, like a simple backless dress on a beautiful woman that at its face looks normal and classic and then as you look at her from different angles, the dress becomes revealing and sexy and you cannot stop looking at her. Enough said, I love this.
2 people found this helpful Comments (2)
Red
2019 Colgin Cariad Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
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.
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Red
3/17/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
But, you can buy 5 for the price of 1...: A bit muted on the nose, but with swirling, came to life. Glides on the palate with ease. There is a lightness but also a density that carries itself through on the palate. Amazing value and hold its own amongst big boy Napa names. Even after 4 hours, this stayed very consistent. The complexity for me lacks a bit and makes me wonder if this wine is meant to be drunk early. If you are looking for a great wine for a gift or have a special occasion but are not willing to break the bank for it, then this is your jam!
2 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
98 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): Thank you Marvin (@wineburrowingwombat). Had at Flemings after the Fairest Creature Tasting. Was super shocked that WBW would bring something like this for dinner. Lovely wine! HUGE! Will also need time to mellow out. Very big, powerful, masculine, dark, brooding. Had with a prime Rib Eye with just salt and pepper. No frills dinner and awesome with the Tusk. Probably the best restaurant steak I had in some time. Cooked perfectly med rare and perfectly seasoned. Shared a pour with Fleming's Ops Director, who also in his past, managed the Levi Stadium, York Family wine program. He was gracious enough to give comp us a pork belly appetizer which just paired beautifully with the Tusk as well.
Red
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

Made by Michel Rolland and is a best barrel selection from all the lots available. Opened the night before. Out of magnum and only 500 made. About half the bottle finished when poured for me. Wine was a bit out of balance. A bit high on the acid. I wonder if the overnight slow ox played a part. Clearly a good wine. More black fruit, graphite. Would have loved to try at PnP versus the 24 hour slow ox. If I had to score it, 94/95
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

Lots of red fruits, balanced nose. Big wine, lots of structure and complex. Long finish. Also clearly very TRB in feel on the nose and palate.
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
99 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

Was told 100pts JD by Jayson and I understand why. Wow wine. Good fruit, great balance. Beautiful long finish. Has it all. Great now. Not much more needs to be said. 98-99 and quite possibly deserves the 100 pt score. To be honest, I did not want to like this wine when Jayson said this got 100pts from JD, but you have to call balls and strikes and this is a very very good wine.
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
96 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

Big, young wine. Much swirling needed to bring out the nose in glass. For me, lacking a bit on the finish. Again, TRB style on display.
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

There is no mistaking this for a TRB style wine. Nose was a bit shy, but with swirling it comes out. Think of the movie, Hook where the kid is stretching and manipulating Peter Pan's (Robin Williams) face and then saying, "Oh there you are, Peter!" This wine was a bit slutty, sexy. A bit lacking on the finish compared to the other two 19's.
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
96 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

More subdued on the nose. A bit shy and reserved. Softer and more feminine in style. Violets, purple fruits. Like a lady walking by that makes you look twice because of a subtle perfume that lingers a few steps behind her.
Red
2/16/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Mirror Mirror on Wall, who's the Fairest of them All? (KLWines and Flemings): This format really stresses more the winemaker. When speaking to Jayson, his approach was to move away from the SVD model and instead, showcase the winemaker and the styles of each. When asked about the vineyards, he did not want to disclose the vineyards used in the wines. Winemakers allowed to make the vast majority of the decisions, whether it is barrel choice, new vs old oak, how much juice from which vineyard, etc. Jayson was involved in the final blending for all wines.

Loads of dark bing cherries. Full body, big wine. Will need time in bottle but it is clearly a very good wine. After having a few Melka wines in the last couple months, I can see the style coming out in the wine.
Red
1/21/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
It's A Boy! Just kidding! (Mi Casa): I was actually a tad surprised by this bottle. I have a sort of biased perspective of what Carter is. Don't get me wrong, I really like Carter for what it is. But, since everything we drank today was initially blind, it made for some interesting notes and maybe a tad contrary to my normal notes that I often get from a Carter bottling. Dark fruits, lovely nose, young. I thought this could use a bit more time in bottle and I do see upside for this.
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red
1/21/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
It's A Boy! Just kidding! (Mi Casa): Similar notes to last time. This was probably the most pleasurable to drink tonight. The 18 VV To Kalon is probably in its primary phase optimal drinking window if that makes any sense. Lots of red fruit, laced with forest floor. Unfortunately, this was the last bottle but am happy I popped it.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1/21/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
96 points
It's A Boy! Just kidding! (Mi Casa): Maybach is just one of those wines that can please a crowd in general. Like the extrovert friend who comes over, never has beef with anyone, and can make you laugh here and there. But, they can often be a bit much because they are bouncing off the walls. That is Maybach to me. Of the 4 red drunk today, this was the most pleasurable to nose in glass. It is the definition of Napa fruit "bomb". Well, I take that back. It isn't one those Napa fruit bombs you get at the grocery store. Maybach is a complex, structured, fruitastic beast. It is a bit primary, but it knows what it is and it is a people pleaser. Drink this next to Eisele and the Eisele now seems like the stern, no frills, muscular former Navy Seals uncle who lets off a corner smile here and there and has fantastic stories if you are willing to sit there and listen to him, understand his sometimes cryptic stories that are sure to blow your mind once you unfurl the layers. Maybach to me is the Harry Potter series of books. It is a joy to drink, it has some serious stuff going on in the background and you are left with a smile on your face.
3 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
It's A Boy! Just kidding! (Mi Casa): 2 years later and decided to check on this. Well, it looks like it is time to forget about these for another 5-10 years. Lots of ferrite, forest floor with a tinge of dark red fruits. A bit brooding and needs some time to mellow out, integrate and do its thing in bottle for a while. Good news is, I am fairly confident this is going to give me much pleasure long term. Bad news, it is in a spot where it just needs to be forgetten for a while. If I needed to score this today, it would be 94-95.
3 people found this helpful Comment
White
1/21/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
It's A Boy! Just kidding! (Mi Casa): Last bottle. Hitting all the right notes for me and I would guess, for most of the guests in attendance. Honey, baked apple pie with a flaky, buttery crust, lemon preserves. I am a big fan of Lauren. IMO, drink now.
2 people found this helpful Comments (5)
Red
2009 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
11/27/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Gorgeous spot. Drink up!
3 people found this helpful Comments (1)
White
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
More impressions than notes. Again, another very very good wine. Nothing really sucked tonight (see story).
White
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
Loved this wine. In the running for WOTN in the white burg category.
White
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
In the running for WOTN for the white burg flight. I am not well versed in white burg, but I can tell you this is good stuff.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2020 Château d'Yquem Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend (view label images)
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
I used to not be a Sauternes drinker. But, now I am all in on this. This was young and lively. Apricots, honey, candied lemons and and nice vein of acidity that will allow this to age gracefully. I couldn't stop smelling this wine.
2 people found this helpful Comment
White - Sweet/Dessert
2001 Château d'Yquem Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend (view label images)
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
98 points
Yup, I know why this is the quintessential benchmark for sauternes. Not much more needs to be said. I might have liked this a bit younger for my palate, but now I'm reaching in terms of finding something to criticize this wine about.
2 people found this helpful Comment
White
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
A bit closed at first, but opened up more in glass. Very good. Floral, spice, some honey. I feel like this will be much much better in 5-15 years.
White - Sparkling
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
When drinking so many champagnes side by side, it is hard not to start ranking them in your head. On its own, this wine would have been incredible and that is the difficulty of such tastings. This wine sort of took a back seat this evening. This wine got better and better as the evening progressed, so it wouldn't surprise me if this wine is going to shine beautifully in the next 5-10 years.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White - Sparkling
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
First time trying this. Very bright and crisp with a slight oxidative nose. Lemons, a bit of brioche, and a bit of spice. I feel like this has its best years in front of him. Yum.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White - Sparkling
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
Classic Selosse with an oxidative nose, honey color in glass, and hints of almonds, fig and minerality. I would not have pegged this as 100% pinot. Although I preferred the Substance tasted earlier this year, Selosse in general is still one of the benchmarks of champagne.
White - Sparkling
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Most likely WOTN in terms of bubbles for the evening and this wine had some stiff competition (see story). This is in an incredibly good spot right now and even with 27 years under its belt for age, this champ is now in its drink now phase of its life.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White - Sparkling
11/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
After what I felt was a bit of a disappointing vintage of 2012 DP, the 2013 restored a bit of confidence in this brand and the 1996 tasted on the same day solidified the notion that DP with a good amount of bottle age can really shine. The wine shows a tinge of toast, small mandarin oranges, a bit of floral notes and shows bright, clean flavors. I will forget these last two bottles for 15 years and hope that time rewards.
2 people found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
10/15/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
98 points
No formal notes. Just impressions. H2H with Memento Mori Dr. Crane. Judging purely off of which one got consumed the earliest, Vice Versa was the more popular wine tonight. That being said, both were phenomenal and both bottles were out before the steaks were finished by the habachi guy who came for a friend's 40th birthday. In terms of treatment prior to drinking, the VV was ready to go out the shoot while the MM needed a 2 hour double decant back into bottle prior to the dinner. I cheated and coravin poured myself an ounce to make sure the wine was good and to determine if any needed additional decanting, etc.
Red
10/15/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
96 points
No formal notes. Just impressions. H2H with Vice Versa Dr. Crane. Judging purely off of which one got consumed the earliest, Vice Versa was the more popular wine tonight. That being said, both were phenomenal and both bottles were out before the steaks were finished by the habachi guy who came for a friend's 40th birthday. In terms of treatment prior to drinking, the VV was ready to go out the shoot while the MM needed a 2 hour double decant back into bottle prior to the dinner. I cheated and coravin poured myself an ounce to make sure the wine was good and to determine if any needed additional decanting, etc.
Red
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Hold on to your panties boys because this was one is a good one! Again, still needs time to fully integrate, but this was showing remarkably well even today. Very balanced and very lovely on the palate and nose. The bottle etching is also a nice touch. I am glad I have 3 bottles of this. Detert's cab franc east block is some of, if not the oldest cab franc vines in Napa and being that they are planted on some of the best land for CF, it is not surprising that Detert is pumping out some grand cru CF. Must buy. Who needs cab sauv...97+++
3 people found this helpful Comments (2)
Red
9/7/2023 - bsumoba wrote:
Composed of valley fruit. This wine unfortunately did not do it for me and very much preferred their 21 Napa bottling. This was a challenging vintage for everyone and I am not holding any punches back in saying that this was a tough wine for me in the lineup. Compared to say Macdonald or VHR's 2020 bottling, this was a step behind.
Red
9/7/2023 - bsumoba wrote:
A bit austere and brooding at this point. Huge amounts of structure and a core of good, black fruit. This is a wine to lay down and forget about for a long time and at that point, will reward heavily. Pull the Dakota Shy Napa bottling for the next 3-5 years and then you can consider this 18 barrel limited production gem. I would probably recommend this over producers like Lokoya, so at its price point, is worth it. But again, needs time in bottle to settle.
Red
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
Composed of mainly Napa mountain fruit and is roughly 96% CS, 4% CF, this is a VERY good QPR for what it is, which is Napa Cab. Very big and indicative of other mtn and 21 vintage wines I have had so far, which are quite tannic early in its life. Will need a healthy decant if drunk now. Good fruit, decent structure and just a good wine at its price point. Would highly recommend for those who love this style.
1 person found this helpful Comments (2)
Red
2021 Promontory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (view label images)
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
From cask. I agree with all the notes Cristal mentioned. Super grippy tannins and structure for days. Good/excellent fruit rounds out the palate but there is an underpinning of olives, slate/rock and mushrooms. This needs the 2-3 more years in cask that it will get at the winery before release and maybe another 5-10 years in bottle after that to really strut its stuff. 94 for a TN today, but feel like with my experience with Proms, I would give this a potential of 97-98+.
Red
2012 Promontory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (view label images)
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
Promontory - double blind tasting. 18 Penultimate, 12 Prom and 17 Prom. 21 Prom in barrel, not part of blind tasting.

Last in the blind for me, but clearly the one with the most long term aging potential, even at 11 years from vintage. I wouldn't touch this for another 5-10 years. So much structure here and IMO, will surpass the two in the lineup at some point. Quite big and still tannic now, but time will reward with this wine. 93 today, but do not let the score fool you. This will be much more in 5-10 years.
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
2017 Promontory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (view label images)
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
Promontory - double blind tasting. 18 Penultimate, 12 Prom and 17 Prom. 21 Prom in barrel, not part of blind tasting.

This was the shock of the blind tasting, but not surprising that it is showing well in a blind. At its price point, maybe a pass for me, but this was one of the better 17s I have had from Napa...ever. These blind tastings really help to remove biases from the tasting and should be done more often. I will most likely try to encourage hosts to do this more for me going forward.
Red
2018 Promontory Penultimate Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
Promontory - blind tasting. 18 Penultimate, 12 Prom and 17 Prom. 21 Prom in barrel, not part of blind tasting.

18 Pen took top nod for the blind tasting, showing great on the nose and palate. I wish this maybe could have been shown or blind, next to the 18 Prom but this goes to show you how important vintage is, whether it is Napa or BDX. To me, this is a thinkers wine and would love to blind this along with other very good Napa wines. Still more expensive than most of the high end wines in the 200-300 dollar range, but compared to the Prom, it is a rather large price difference.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
8/14/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
97 points
Had for a lunch party with steaks. Incredible! So floral and open with about an hour of air. Good to go now?
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
8/14/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
95 points
First time with this wine. Notes of apricot and a clear, distinct mineral note. There is some weight on the palate and and was better as the wine got a tad warmer in glass. Perfect Is this a 99-100 pt wine? Not for me anyways. I prefer the St. Hune I had a few months back.
Red
2018 Château Pavie St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend (view label images)
7/3/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
96 points
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: Dark, brooding wine. Dark chocolates, blackberries, some earthy driven notes in the mix. Probably a more classic BDX style as opposed to some others that have gone a bit more modern in style, which I also love. St. Emilion along with Pomerol and Margaux are probably my favorite regions. I have not had many great Paulliac wines, but my experience is much more limited here. Very Very young and would like to try this in 5-10 years.
White
7/3/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
94 points
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: Did not peg this as CA SB and if I didn't have certain hints, I might have pegged it closer in style to a New Zealand SB or Margaret River SB. Tropical fruits, some grass, Hi-chew candy. This is more my kind of SB as opposed to say a style like Accendo produces. Perfect summer beverage!
Red
7/3/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
93 points
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: #2 of 5 in the blind. Excellent QPR. Would seek out again. This had the prettiest nose of the 5 on the table. High acid, strawberries, cherries. Dehydrated bing cherries on the palate.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
7/11/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
92 points
A bit muted on the nose. Showing ripe strawberries and raspberries. Excellent mid palate. I can see why this is a desired producer from the Santa Cruz Mtns. Was #3 of 5 in the blind. At its price point for the hillside version, maybe a bit on the high side in terms of price.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: I'm not normally a fan of writing reviews like this, but it must be said. I will preface this TN with the fact that this is a newly released wine and I have no experience with this producer prior, so it could be that these nice needs some cellar time. I have one bottle and it will not see the light of day again for maybe 10+ years. Lots of bell pepper on the nose and palate. Maybe cherries which have been left with freshly cut bell peppers? This was #5 of 5 in the blind tasting. Not my style, but we shall see in 10 years.
1 person found this helpful Comments (1)
Red
7/3/2023 - bsumoba wrote:
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: Lots of strawberries, cherries on PnP, but led into a phase where some bell pepper, olive, earth driven notes were showing on the nose. It was fleeting, but nonetheless there. Some volcanic rocks, hot stones and iron notes. Was #4 of the blind tasting. At it's price point for me, it is a bit much.
Red
7/3/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:
93 points
Blind Tasting at Mi Casa: Of the wines in the blind tasting, this took 1st over the La Cote, Brughelli, Costa and Rhys Hillside. Incredible nose and darkest in color of the Pinot's. Plums, dark cherries and probably stylistically the easiest for a cab/bdx drinker like myself to get into versus the olive, bell pepper, earth driven pinot's. Seek this out if you're the same as me!
2 people found this helpful Comment
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