2/3/2024 - contextwine Likes this wine:

A concentrated and brooding wine. Deep blueberries and blackberries, almost in jam form, really dominated the glass. The nose was not as expressive as the palate. Really velvety tannins with a little bit of air, I didn’t find it that hot for being a 15% wine. Really enjoyed this wine.

12/24/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Another great Christmas Eve wine. Beautifully aged Grenache filled with gravel, black and blueberries, pressed fir needles. The nose was a bit restrained but had such an elegant palate of the above with great structure and refined tannins. Opened about an hour before consuming but not decanted. Because we wanted to wait for the other bottles to open up more,’this bottle went faster than I would have liked and i wonder if that nose would have opened up more! But a great CDP!

12/24/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

My Christmas Eve WOTN. Explosive cherry, blackberry, soil, leather on the nose. Really such pretty aromatics in the glass. The glass itself stood up to the nose with elegant and structured berries, Tuscan countryside brush and herbs, and this excellent silkiness brought by the age. Opened about an hour before consuming but no decant (did pour a little in my glass immediately to get a little more surface area in the bottle). Excellent Brunello.

12/24/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

A very old world Bordeaux style in Napa… the Napa I can get behind. A nose of cedar, eucalyptus, juniper, blackberry that was largely mirrored in the palate. That cedar and eucalyptus was by far the most dominant but but created a great foundation for so much complexity. Really great length and structure, this was a delicious wine and a Christmas Eve treat.

11/20/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

This was beautiful. Plush rich fruit with silky tannins made for such a smooth glass. Aromatically, it was filled with forest and berries and spice and was such a pleasure to dip my nose into the glass. This is a great wine.

11/20/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

This is a solid Barolo. Gave it 3 hours of air in the decanter before drinking, and it still probably could have used more. It had a beautiful floral, pebble, red fruit nose that seemed restrained and wanting to come alive more. The tannins were still alive and well as expected, and the palate was light, tart cherry, and delicate, with a good tertiary backbone. I think it has plenty of life left and could benefit from a few more years of cellaring.

11/11/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Still so fresh, with a pretty bouquet of deep sweet blue and black fruit on open. Decanted for an hour and that seemed to be enough to at least begin a more balanced integration. The tannins were present but felt like they were beginning to integrate more than previous reviews noted. Enjoyed the wine with steak and enjoyed it indeed. Still plush fruit but not overbearing tannins works for me!

10/16/2023 - contextwine wrote:

A tired, but still alive, older Chianti Classico. Dried brush, mushrooms, dried cherries hiding in the background, with leather and soil more pronounced. Sometimes the nose can still be lively even if the palette is tired, but in this case, both were over the hill. Still, I enjoyed with a pulled pork sandwich and it still a nice glass to think about what was going on 44 years ago at Harvest when these grapes were picked.

10/16/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Popped and poured and only drank for an hour, so it may have needed more time, but it felt tight and the woody-ness overpowered the fruit. Perhaps with more time in the bottle it will soften and increase its elegance.

10/14/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Quite the Burgundian Grenache, providing a completely different experience to most CA Grenaches. Light in color, delicate and airy in the palate at only 12.5%. With that, i do wish the aromatics were a bit more explosive, as they stayed somewhat subdued for the 2 hours we had the bottle open, but still in the palate there was great acid, delicious berry and terroir combining together for a very balanced Grenache. Reminded me of when I hear people note that CDPs tasted Burgundian. Edit: revisited 2 days later and it was even more open and lively. Bumped it another point to 93!

9/6/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Hopes for more but a little thin. Still enjoyable though

4/17/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Was going to write up something but @Bam-man below hit the nail on the head. So, see below (even 10 years later, it’s a solid summary). Great wine to get lost in conversation over because it’s simplicity - yet delicious!

4/12/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Had over three hours. Oak, graphite, alcohol, spices, some berries on the nose. Relatively soft tannins yet still prominent oak on the palate. Some cocoa, raspberry, gravel, chalk, jammy texture on the palate. Solid wine and gave us enough to think about while we enjoyed it.

4/1/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Definitely a CA Chardonnay, and for those that enjoy that style, probably a higher score. Flowers, oak, peach on nose, pretty buttery on the palate with poached pear with alcohol pretty present. Definitely think it has the stuffing to go a few more years.

4/1/2023 - contextwine wrote:

This is a great spot with plenty of life left ahead. It still had room for the oak to more fully integrate and has chewy tannins that tells me it can be forgot about for some time. I could definitely see my score going up in a few years. Deep and concentrated, and unmistakably CA Pinot on the nose. This was nice.

3/27/2023 - contextwine wrote:

Spiced cranberry on the nose, slightly savory on the palate with notes of plum, sous bois, mild tannins, pretty short finish. Felt slightly on the decline but actually preferred it on night 2.

3/25/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

A very well structured burgundy with quite a bit of aging potential. Drank over 4 hours and the best sip was the last sip. A small % of new oak is used here and it was clear in the first hour after opening. It became less prominent after opening up a nose of ripe raspberry and stems. By the end of the night it reminding me most of homemade cranberry sauce, with just enough of that candied orange and spice to balance the tart cranberry. I wonder what patience will bring here.

3/21/2023 - contextwine wrote:

What a delicious wine. Deep Ruby color. Such a pronounced bouquet of tart cherry and raspberry. The palate mirrored the bouquet and had layered tertiary notes beginning to come through, but I think this wine has quite a lot of life in it. Had such a long finish it really just allowed us to sit and enjoy it.

3/19/2023 - contextwine wrote:

a precise ripe blackberry nose with soil in the background. Round, silky, and relaxed on the palate. Easy to drink and well built.

3/19/2023 - contextwine wrote:

this one tastes like it is in its prime, deep blackberries and earth hit the nose immediately like like being outside in a field. The palate was really well layered with ripe strawberry, cherry, wood, soil.

3/19/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

wow, nose is like walking through an orchard of apricot blossoms, so delicate and airy. It had decent tannins, berries, lavender, honeysuckle, chocolate, honestly just so many layers. Delicate, nuanced, complex.

2/11/2023 - contextwine Likes this wine:

It’s a good, simple Chianti Classico. It has a good tannic backbone true to the vintage and can definitely go a few more years, although I don’t think it will get much better. Not a ton of complexity hiding anywhere.

6/14/2022 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Tart berries, lively acidity. Most complex wine on the table that night. Wish I took more notes!

5/18/2022 - contextwine wrote:

This was a big wine, maybe just too big for me. At 15.8% the alcohol was not shy at all. It was even a little hard to get past on the first night. It did have a pleasant blackberry nose then hit hard on the palette. Seems like more integration could be had and it has some good life ahead as it was much more approachable on night 2. Night 2 showcased blackberry, even ripe raspberry, chocolate, and good acidity.

2/14/2022 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Very fatty after an hour decant. Surprised by the dense decadence. Almost too much but worked well with NY steak. Over the next couple hours it became more complex and the fruit came more alive.

3/11/2022 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Everything about this wine was phenomenal. The tannins were resolved, the mouthfeel was silky, the fruit was deep, the aromas were so fragrant. What a great complex bottle.

10/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Had this in a lineup of Tuscan wines from 1967-2020, this being the oldest. It held up well all these years. Forest and prunes on the noes. It was light bodied and slightly vinegar-y. but depending on one's preference, that just meant nice acidity. Got mushrooms and leather in the glass, with some fruit still hanging on the finish.

10/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Had this in a tasting of Tuscan wines 1967-2020. This was one of the favorite bottles of the night. Very herbaceous nose. Mellow tannins, pleasant acidity, and lots of strawberries on the palate.

10/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Beautiful bottle. Silky tannins, deep red fruit, clean earth. Didn't want the bottle to end.

9/18/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Drank with family and forgot notes.

10/10/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Had this in a tasting of Tuscan wines 1967-2020. It was wine of the night for most in the group. Sour candy on the nose. Very silky mouthfeel with ripe strawberries and lasting finish. Great bottle.

10/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Had this in a tasting of Tuscan wine from 1967-2020. Citrus and earth on the nose. Classic tuscan dry and berries in the glass.

10/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Had this in a tasting of Tuscan wine 1967-2020. Dry grass and berries on the nose. Tart raspberries/blueberries in mouth. Dry mouthfeel, medium finish.

8/21/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Outstanding. No decant but opened about 90 minutes before first glass. Smells of Tuscan earth, leather, and red fruit. Palate was deep with earthy ripe cherry. The finish went on and on. Such a pleasure.

8/4/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Solid Barbera d’Alba. Dry mouthfeel with relatively high acidity that played to the fruit really well while also making it a perfect pizza night wine. The bright berry was quickly followed by a rich earthiness. Lovely.

7/15/2021 - contextwine wrote:

So ripe. At times taking sips was like tasting bites of blackberry where the flavor just burst in your mouth. Not overly complex but incredibly enjoyable.

7/16/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Such deep fruits on this one. Tastes so fresh and lively. Not much need for a decant, it just shines!

7/5/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Phenomenal wine. Such ripe blackberry and smooth elegance with a long finish. Touch of Tuscan earth on the finish that rounded it out nicely

6/10/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Wow. The nose was mild, a lot of earth. But it tasted like such fresh blackberries and ripe cherries. It had a subtle earthiness and zippy acidity. This bottle has held up so well over 19 years.

6/8/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

It started out with heavy stewed plum, as if they they were overcooked, but lightened up over a few hours into a fresh plummy-earthy glass. Really pleasant.

6/5/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Supple berries throughout the glass. Seemed liked the Grenache over shadowed the Syrah in the best way. A treat.

5/30/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Showed a little better on night 2. It was solid but nothing memorable or distinguishable.

5/23/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

This was just lovely. The nose was floral and delicate after about 2 hours in the decanter. It was soft with plum, earth, and slight savory notes with pleasant acidity and a long finish. Superb.

5/15/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

Nothing too complex but a great Malbec.

5/17/2021 - contextwine wrote:

This a a big Grenache. 15.5%, fruit forward and silky mouthfeel. Very enjoyable and very big. Feels like it will be quite enjoyable for the next few years.

5/15/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

What a lovely wine! Cork was solid and the wine had a strong nose of stewed plums and earth. On the palate was plums and tart cranberry with a thin mouthfeel but a long finish. The wine was vibrant and enjoyable with only 1/2 hour decant.

5/13/2021 - contextwine Likes this wine:

While past its prime, it was still a treat! Notes of tobacco, cedar, leather, and some plum and cherry. It still held together well after 43 years.

5/6/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Definitely dry astringency for the mouthfeel. It clouds the subtleties of the fruit, but a little cherry and plum if you think about it. Not a bad wine, I wouldn’t mind if it were served to me, but nothing really exciting. Worked fine with spaghetti night.

5/2/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Definitely had the green bell peppers going for it up front but also such a pleasant cranberry fruit as it lingered. Light and bright, it was a great pairing with fennel-sausage pizza. Was also impressed with how little sediment there was for a 35 year old wine.

4/30/2021 - contextwine wrote:

Decanted 2 hours before drinking. Pleasant earthiness and rounded mouthfeel. Still, pretty one dimensional.