2/22/2024 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Tasted at a dinner on Disney Cruise.

Dried red berries, round tanins, and refined finish (less acidity). Expected more concentration and intensity.

Could have just passed its prime time. But cannot be sure since I have never tasted a 20 years old BDM Riserva before.

2/19/2024 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Tasted at a dinner on Disney Cruise.

Rich red cherries (not jammy though), smoke, and spice. Big, concentrated, and intense (but not too heavy). The tanin is grippy, but polished.

Highly recommended.

1/23/2024 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Guidalberto 2021 opened with aromas recalling back/blueberries, leather, tobacco, earth, and herb.

On the palate, focused fresh fruit, fine tannins, and vivid acidity.

The acidity was particularly impressive given that this wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend.

It would be interesting to taste this wine against a CC Gran Selezione.

1/6/2024 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Dominant riped cherry, good amount of pleasant acidity, and polished tanin.

Almost everything you can expect from a well made BDM.

Lacks complexity; but easily ccessible and enjoyable BDM.

Recommended.

12/31/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

It is 80% Grenache; but, somehow reminds me of Offerus, which is 100% Syrah.

It has more body, tanin, and depth; but, overall impressions are somehow similar to me.

Not sure if it can benfit from additional cellaring.

12/25/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

On the nose, some animal nuance and then red berries.

On the tongue, medium-body, good amount of tanin and acidity.

Overall, it is a fruit-driven, clean and light medium-body Syrah for everyday.

Recommended.

12/24/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

On the nose: Red berries, cedar tree, and pepper.

On the palate: medium body, fresh fruit, oak, leather, and pleasant acidity.

Overall, well balanced and easily enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon blend; but, lack of complexity and depth.

I will choose an enrty level GCC Bordeaux or a good Chianti Classico Gran Selezione over this Chilean red.

Paired with Peking duck at a Chinese restaurant in Seoul.

12/23/2023 - djscipio wrote:

Unfortunately, the aromas and flavors of brett were dominant until the entire bottle, which I brought, was consumed.

Drank at Alla Prima, michelin two-star Italian (heavily infulenced by Japanese) restaurant in Seoul.

12/18/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

A little sibling to Ornellaia.

On the nose, black berries, rose, and pepper.

On the palate, medium to full body, a good amount of tanin, oak, and tobacco. In particular, it is silky smooth (32% of Merlot).

In terms of acidity and freshness, I cannot tell precisely sine the wine temp was a bit high. It would have been nicer if the temp was 1~2 degree lower.

Overall, this wine can be a good alternative to A decent GCC Bordeaux. At this price poiint, it is highly recommended.

12/9/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Apple, lemon, and toast. Creamy bubbles and moderate acidity. This Champagne can be enjoyed now without cellaring. An easily enjoyable entry-level Champage from Billecart- Salmon.

12/4/2023 - djscipio wrote:

Dried black berry, oak, and tobacco. This Napa cab shows some complexity. But, it lacks acidity and freshness; this characteristics make this wine dull and less exciting for me.

11/25/2023 - djscipio wrote:

This nebbiolo is fine overall, but nothing special. Not recommendable for this price point (KRW 57K).

11/24/2023 - djscipio Does not like this wine:

The finish is unpleasantly bitter.

11/18/2023 - djscipio wrote:

It is a mediocre CDP; OK but nothing special.
Could have been better if fruit was more concentrated.
The finish was a bit bitter.
At this price point, Australian GSM can be a better alternative.

6/5/2023 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Paired with charcoal-grilled dry-aged beef at Cesta, a Spanish restaurant in Seoul.

Color: Dark purple

Nose: Blackberries; tobacco; oak; earth; leather

Palate: Fruit, acidity, and tanin are all balanced. Soft and round.

Verdict: If you have 2012 Pichon Lalande, drink now.

8/21/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Red berries, stone, mushroom, and slight animal funkiness.
Light and pleasant acidity.
Balanced and nuanced.
Good to drink now.
Perfectly paired with Peking duck.
Under KRW 100,000, strongly recommended.

8/20/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Black berry nose, leathery & earthy nose; but, followed by distinctive alcohol nose.
Mid palate is weak; instantly followed by bitter oaky finish.
Did not develop much after an hour.
Hard to recommend.

8/19/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Full of apple, citrus, and tropical fruits.
Refreshing bubbles and lively acidity.
A hint of fresh baked bread.
But most of all, mouthful Royal Jelly.
More colorful than Cristal 2013; more balanced than Rare 2008.
If you are a fan of fruity and honey-like Champagne, must try this.

* paired with modern Japanese Kaiseki dishes at Joo-Ahn.

8/9/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Apple, pear, and a hint of lemon.
Fruity; not much minerality nor oak.
It starts refersing but finishes bitter.

8/8/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Dark berries and noticable alcohol nose.
Middle palate is empty.
Acidity is not high but protruding.
Overall unbalanced.
Might need some time to be aired.

8/6/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Berry, floral, and earthy nose; llight to medium body; dry finish.
Less tanin; high acidity.
Seems a bit unbalanced; cellaring for several more years would make this wine more balanced and harmonious.
Ladoix 2018 from Domaine Faiveley has more berry, flower, and body.

7/30/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Typical CA Chardonnay.
Apple, Pear, Vanilla, and Oak.
Compared to Chablis, less fruit/acidity and more oak/vanilla.
If you prefer refreshing and fruity flavor, go to Chablis.
If you prefer oaky and vanilla flavor, ABC Chardonnay could be the answer.
Difficult to find big difference from $5~10 chaeper CA Chardonnay.

7/29/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Beautiful 100% Sangiovese.
Red and some black berries, leather, tobacco, and oak.
Most of all, perfectly controlled acidity.
Young and powerful but well balanced.
Ready to drink now; but, could age several more years.
Perfectly matched with Ragu sauce.
Highly recommended if you experience upscale Sangiovese.

7/23/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Recommendable as a Daily Campagne.
Dominantly apple, lemon, and citrus.
Refreshing; but lacks body and complexity.
Still casually enjoyable in Summer.
Champagne is Champagne.

7/25/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Well made daily Napa Cab.
Dark berries (plum, specifically), tonacco, oaky, and a bit sweet at finish.
Dominantly fruity and straightforward; not much complexity.
Under KRW 50K, recommendable for Korean bbq dinner.

7/15/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Refreshing and fruity acidity.
Great with seafood.
But not much minerality and complexity.

7/14/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

My favorite Chateauneuf de Pape.
Drank in Millieu at Haevich Hotel Jeju.
Full of fruits, balanced acidity, and controlled tanin.
In an hour it gets more harmonious and balanced.
It tastes good now; but, it could age well over next ten years.
Try older vintage next time.

7/12/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Smells like Tempranillo; tastes like Tempranillo.
Red/dark berries, good acidity and tanin.
A bit of alcohol and earthy aroma.
Well sructured medium body.
In a hour, tanin gets soft and harmonius/round.
Good daily Tempranillo; good alternative to Chianti Classico Grand Selezione.

7/4/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

2nd Artemis in my life.
Very well-made “traditional” Napa Cab.
Black berries, full body, poweful tanin, and solid acidity.
Unlike popular Napa cabs, dry and acid.
After 1 and half hours, all the elements became harmonious and round overall.
Could age well in next 5 to 10 years.
Should try Fay and Cask23.

6/20/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Lemon, apple, and pear.
A hint of mineral and honey.
Pleasant acidity and not overpowering oak.
Enjoyable daily French chardonay.

6/17/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Enjoyable daily red.
Red berries, medium body and acidity plus earthiness.
But if price is same, good Chianti is better.

6/15/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Beautiful Napa Cab.
Dark berries, good acidity, and strong tanin.
Each element pronounced rather than nuanced.
Could age well for another 10 yrs.

6/12/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Nothing super; nothing short.
Well-made Napa Cab.
A safe choice for average BYOB game.

6/5/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Black berrry jam juice.
Pairing with sweet or spicy sauced meat recommended.
Italian primitivo seems better in acidity and price.

4/30/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Pineapple, pineapple, and pineapple.

4/12/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Jammy black berries and fully ripe fruits.
Full and structured body and good amount of tanin.
More poweful thant Tobrek’s Woodcutter Shiraz.
Recommended paring with pork or marinated beef.

4/10/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Vietti Langhe Nebiolo 2019 never disappoints me.
Red berries, flowers, light to medium body, pleasant acidity, and less tanin.
Very much enjoyable daily red and a good alrernative to a Regional classe Bourgogne.

4/8/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Quality village classe Bourgogne under KRW 50K.
More floral nose and acidity but less body than Ladoix.
Strongly recommanded as a daily Borgogne.

4/6/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Full of freshly baked sour dough bread aroma.
Delicate bubbles and perfectly subtle acidity.
The most harmonious Champagne ever tasted.
Simply beautiful!

4/4/2022 - djscipio Does not like this wine:

This wine must have been kept poorly.
It is so tangy that almost taste gassy; have never tasted Nebiolo like this.
No thanks.

4/1/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Mediocre California Cab.
When you have a craving for a typical full-body oaky cab, this could be a good choice.
Other than that, not recommended.

3/15/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Jammy, oaky, and full-bodied Saint-Emillion.
Almost taste like Napa reds.
A good alternative to Napa reds or Chilean reds.
With aging, this wine could excel other similarly priced old and new world reds.

3/14/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Very rich and well balanced Bordeaux wine.
Black berries, full body, a good amont of tanin, and well controlled acidity.
Much better than most Bourgeois Crus Bordeaux wines.
Check the price.

3/13/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

The 3rd time try of Innisfree 2017.
Very different from the 1st and 2nd try.
Dark berries, full body, balance tanin, and sweetness.
A typical Napa Cab.

3/13/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Superb daily Italian.
Red berries, light to megium body, and nice acidity.
Very good alternative to Village-classe Bourgogne.

3/9/2022 - djscipio wrote:

Fruitier and jammier than Angels’ Share.
But bitter from the mid palate; something not right.
Not as good as 2019.

3/6/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Red berries, light, mild acid, and pleasant sweet finish.
A good alternative to an entry Pinot Noir or Chianti Classico.

2/20/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Good daily Rhone at good price point.
Less fruit, more tanin, and less sweetness; very dry.
Unbalanced than before.

2/20/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Good daily Bordeaux at good price point.

2/17/2022 - djscipio Likes this wine:

Friits, fruits, and more fruits.
Very smooth and long finish.
Less tanin, less spice due to aging over 10 years?
Soft acidity; pleasant sweetness.
But does not show much complexity; very fruit-oriendted.
Bella’s Garden might be a good alternative.