5/3/2024 - theRealPepe wrote:

Muted aromas. Classic Mosel flavors with lime, lime pie, peach and apricot along with slate. There is a healthy acidity to this wine as well. Light-bodied yet manages an almost viscous feel Flavors do not change much as it slides through the palate but one is left with an invigorating aftertaste thanks to the citric acid.
This was quite nice though nowhere near the lofty heights of the MFW review. In all fairness it does suggest holding until 2030. I must agree with holding, even though a positive experience is currently possible. There may be fireworks in store much later. Excellent.

5/27/2022 - theRealPepe wrote:

Schweickardt does a fantastic job with Scheurebe. At €7.30 at cellar door it's a ridiculous bargain too.

4/15/2023 - theRealPepe wrote:

This wine has a wonderful herb and grassiness to it. Very good.

4/20/2024 - theRealPepe wrote:

Green-gold color. Sumptuous floral aroma mixed with stone fruit and petrichor. Full-bodied, oily on the palate, the florals are prettily to the fore. There are also hints of lemonade and crushed minerals which round out the flavors. Really fabulous. Excellent.

4/9/2024 - theRealPepe wrote:

Dried cherry and earth on the palate. Overall a decent wine, well made but boring.

4/6/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2013 Becker Riesling Kabinett trocken Wallufer Walkenberg had nice aromas, but on its own was a bit trocken. With the chicken thighs with miso butter and stir fry bok choy it was absolutely brilliant! Greengage, pear and apple on the nose, greengage dominant on the palate. 89 as an aperitif, 93-107 accompanying the right kind of food. Excellent.

2/24/2024 - theRealPepe wrote:

12% ABV. Transparent reddish orange. Tar, rose and too much turpentine on the nose. Thin and acidic, yet has tell-tale Nebbiolo flavors such as cherry and rose. It also has beautifully smooth tannins, which leaves a terrific aftertaste. Unfortunately, one must get past watery, puckered-up mid palate to enjoy. IIRC the grapes come from the Butte College experimental agricultural station near Oroville. They are a mix of the 2008 and 2009 vintages. If serious oenophiles were to drink this, most would pour it out despite the lovely aftertaste. Because of the aftertaste pumping the score up to 81.

2/16/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

This wine is a big bruiser in a 2019 vintage sort of way. There is electric acidity and it is spicy and herbal, with a light undertone of stone fruit like apricot and white fruit like pear. No real concept of how these will age further, but definitely enjoyable now. Excellent.

10/2/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

2020 "Scheu Aber Wild", from @gunthersteinmetz and @weltnerpaulweingut A most unusual Scheurebe. Successfully walks the fine line between interesting and too much. Full and round. Grapefruit pith and pear. Citrus finish. It was an aperitif on night one before eating pasta alla Norma prepared by @LukeIntoWine. Tonight it's a cooler for the 84° F temps and doing a fine job.

2/15/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

A silky, supple and yet tannic wine, this is divisive due to its "modernity", but its a very very good wine, indeed, excellent. Paired with filet mignon it was a bit over the top. This wine was better on its own tonight. I think the ideal steak pairing would be ribeye. As noted above, Excellent.

2/10/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Dark red. Stemmy and almost jammy cherry. This is in a style more akin to California Sonoma Coast than Germany, at least to me. I think this will be more successful with a little more age, say 4-6 years. Excellent, with upside noted above.

1/20/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Just like my note from 7 years ago I found iron and red fruit, but the fruit is more tart raspberry than juicy. No problem; this wine seems a bit deeper and more interesting these days. There is a green streak that gives it some real character. Not what one might have expected from such a ripe vintage. Excellent.

5/19/2021 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Made a pasta with butter and sage topped with scallops. Seemed like a perfect opportunity to open the #kühlinggillot 2019 Chardonnay R. This is a wow Chardonnay. It's got the fullness of Côte-d'Or, the florals of #guffensheynen and German Chardonnay and the energy of the lean, low-alcohol California new wave. Love it!

2/15/2022 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

One of my last hurrahs in White Burgundy before pricing and premox drove me out. A stunning electric wine and a reminder of why one played the Burgundy crapshoot.

1/9/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2019 Hohe-Sülzen Grüner Sylvaner Trocken "Leopold" is quite a nice wine. Pear, apricot on the palate, slightly grassy, light mouth feel. Good stuff. Excellent.

1/1/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Funny, I was about to write my review, but looked at recent TNs and realized if I published it would look like plagiarism of @xavierauerbach ! Check it out - it is spot on. The 2012 Pol Roger Brut Rosé is a complete wine. Juicy fruits with a minerally backbone, tight but now missing sharp edges as it matures. Better than the 2008. Probably the best Rosé bubbles I have had in a long time. Outstanding.

1/1/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2020 Brogsitter Ad Aram Ahr Frühburgunder Trocken states “Im Barrique Gereift” right on the front label. With the Ahr’s reputation for over-oaked Pinot, I was a bit wary of it. Instead I found a well-balanced wine that preserves the drink me quality of Frühburgunder along with just a bit of structure. I think this could age little. My only quibble is once again the wine came in a ridiculously tiny 750 and disappeared far too quickly. Enjoyed with an array of Costco steaks charcoal barbequed. Excellent.

12/30/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

A delicious "drink me" Pinot. Everything I love about Frühburgunder: Good acidity and mouthwatering red fruit. Excellent.

12/31/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Last had this wine in 2019 and gave it a 92. Was expecting a solid Burgundy on the sumptuous side with noticeable oak. It was a pleasant surprise to drink a perfectly balanced wine with myriad flavors that was elegant on tongue. It was without question the best red of the year and also the best wine of the year. The difference between this bottle and the one in 2019 was stark. This was Outstanding.

1/6/2024 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Hmmm - whelming, memorable and multidimensional. Typical Vincent Gamay magenta color. Nose of ten year red burgundy, heavy on the forest floor. Cranberry attack, followed by red fruit and earth, with chalk and red fruit on the finish. The 2019 Gamay Noir was a bit stern on release, but these keep getting better and better. So drink or hold. Excellent.

12/21/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The Vincent 2016 Pinot Blanc Tardive en magnum was super delicious. I recall some citrus, flowers, mineral and chalk with a light, lithe mouth feel. Excellent.

12/18/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Decanted due to crumbled cork, but probably the best manner of presentation. Light and airy, with just present acid backbone balancing the sugars. Yes, everything seems in balance but nothing to cause fireworks. A very nice ending to our meal. Excellent.

12/17/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Shockingly even better than the last bottle in 2020. Resolved tannin and gorgeous tertiary flavors with just a little fruit for added interest. It ain't your standard Margaux but when your bottle is on you get something quite unique. Outstanding.

12/16/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

A very nice bottle of Bordeaux at an excellent price (US $35). I really have nothing else to add to @pauliwin's TN from almost 2 years ago; it is still applicable today (and it was also my last bottle.) Een mooie proefnotitie! Dank u.

12/7/2023 - theRealPepe Does not like this wine:

What a dud. Alcoholic and bitter. At least space has been made in the cellar.

12/2/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

This was a complete wine, no weaknesses found and quite delicious. It's evolved since my last note three years ago, and I had an experience similar to what @lukeintowine had last year. But more better. Excellent.

11/22/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2009 Roulot is a sturdy basic Burgundy. It's quite pleasant now and should remain so for a while. Very Good.

11/20/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

This bottle was meant for an early check-in back in 2017 or 2018, but forgotten. However, the 2015 Serpentières is still surprisingly open. Great Burgundy fruit, spice and woodiness. It's pretty darn complete and complex, nearing the heights of the fantabulous 2010. I would not have expected this result from such a warm vintage. Excellent.

11/26/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Savory with tertiary dried fruit and a short finish. A nice bottle for a family feast but nothing more. From a magnum. Very Good.

11/23/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2019 Fritz Ekkehard Huff Pettenhal trocken was opened to pair with a buttermilk brined chicken and some the usual Thanksgiving sides. Acid freaks will like this but there still is balance. Definitely has the white fruits, with some citrus and spice coming along for the ride. Excellent.

11/15/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Dark reddish brown color. Aroma puts me into the Russian River with cherry and spice and cola. Therefore the wine hits the palate with a big surprise - light bodied with sour cherry and firm to sable tannin with a hint of Chinese spices and soy on the backend. Interesting indeed. My first glass. My interest is piqued. Let's see if I report more. For now, I'll go with a conservative Very Good.

11/10/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The 2017 Ziereisen Chardonnay "Hard" is indeed a bit angular and edgy. Seems to not follow the more typical German model of accentuating the florals on both nose and palate. There is a lot of matchstick on the nose. White peach and mineral on the palate with a strong tannin/oaky feel. Oddly, only 15% of the oak is new. With air this "oakiness" dissipates somewhat and turns a bit creamy. I found the Hard to be a great dinner companion with coq au vin blanc chicken meatballs and egg noodles. Excellent.

9/19/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Great aroma - I could spend all day sniffing this. On the palate there is opulent dark fruit, coffee, tobacco and an oak sheen. This is gorgeous, almost too much. It could be dialed down just a little, which oddly enough would make this wine more sensational. Still, Outstanding.

9/15/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

My note from tasting a month previous: I find this to be an understated but compelling addition to the stable of outstanding Provincial varietal Rosés. It is just spot on from the pale burnished gold color to the subtle union of smokiness, vine fruit and minerality.
I think this Rosé can age too. Excellent.

9/18/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

From the solar 2018 vintage. There is a deep earthiness mixed with sour cherry. The sable tannin binds the elements together. Decant or give it a few hours air. Excellent.

9/8/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

In short , this is stunning. It’s like a frickin fruit stand on the nose. Lightweight on the palate with enough acidity to wake you up, but not enough to strip your teeth. It has a lemon-lime taste that is balanced with grape and white peach. The minerality is impeccable and balanced as well. Excellent to Outstanding.

9/3/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

I've had this twice in the last two weeks. First bottle was meh - smokey, drying and otherwise flat-flavored. Last night was beautiful, a gorgeous wine with aromas of toast. On the palate there was smoke, apple, lemon, flowers and lightly roasted almonds. Very pretty and open. The score is for the 2nd bottle. Excellent.

8/22/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

I have been drinking this over the past week(!) and really enjoying. Very floral nose, faint jasmine and citrus flower. I get the floral element along with a touch of meyer lemon on the palate, with maybe a touch of vanilla. All in all I'm reminded more of German Chardonnay rather than the Macon. Which is not a bad thing at all. Very Good to Excellent.

8/12/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Didn't take notes or a photo of disgorgement etching (which ended in "21"). My general impression was excellent and a bit more perceived complexity than the Latitude bottling.

8/9/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Kinda reminds me of a SLB Serpentieres...

7/15/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Double-decanted then immediately consumed. No notes taken, but it met my high expectations.

7/1/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

The most complete Bel Air-Marquis d'Aligre I've had. Outstanding.

7/3/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

I love Raveneau. It almost feels like a letdown though when the bottle delivers a merely excellent experience. Oyster shell, salinity, and citrus with creamy, perfectly integrated oak tones. It hits all the notes but is just missing the electricity that can elevate it to the spheres. Excellent.

7/1/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Everything you look for in a dry Riesling, perfume, a kaleidoscope of fruits, slate, balanced acid and a refreshing finish that lasts. Excellent.

7/1/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Solid Bandol. My vague memory of opening one in 2009 was of a ripe, heavy wine. It's matured with more secondary notes. There is a bit of tobacco, mineral and earth to go with some profound dark fruit. Excellent.

6/24/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Floral scents intermixed with vanilla and stone fruit. All of this transfers to the palate, where a light tingling oakiness is added, along with a mild zippy citrus. The floral elements really mark this as a German Chardonnay. Despite the somewhat clumsy oak this is an enjoyable wine, likely for near- to mid-term drinking. Very Good.
PS: I should have deducted points for the plastic fake wax capsule, but didn't.

6/19/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Enjoyed with pizza. A couple of nights later had some more with... leftover pizza. Night 1: feral and fruity. Tannic but open. A liquid contradiction but who cares, it's tasty! A few nights later it's less feral but there is a nice tobacco intermixed with darker fruit. Different and still very enjoyable. Excellent.

6/15/2023 - theRealPepe wrote:

This vintage of Liaison is a bit difficult. Very aged brownish color. On the palate genmaicha tea (puffed barley/sencha) and tart cherry. There is a very healthy dose of acid. The finish is uneven, sometimes getting a resolved tannin five spice muted baked cherry aftertaste; sometimes this is masked by a very acidic finish. I would suggest holding a bit but those acid-averse are unlikely to enjoy regardless. I found this Very Good.

6/3/2023 - theRealPepe Does not like this wine:

Tasted over several hours. This was a major disappointment, with oak dominating over any other details. A vigorous shaking revealed a bit of fruit, but the wood still overpowered or any other facet. Given that I actually poured a glass away I can only rate Below Average.

5/30/2023 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

Great basic Blanc de Blancs. Crisp apples. Made from 100% Maria Gomes. Very Good.