oldwines

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• Weinheber says:

  5/20/2023 2:04:00 AM - Hi! You ever drunk Riesling from Austria, Wachau? Greetings Reinhard

• jlgnml says:

  6/30/2022 4:00:00 PM - Agreed with you assessment of the ‘90 Margaux. The decant was about and hour and enjoyed over 2 more hours. I stand by it is still not ready. I also see you reference my anniversary year (1980) and Grace Family vineyards is the best I have had.

• Vinomazing says:

  12/8/2021 8:10:00 PM - Happy Holidays, wishing you joy and good health into the New Year!!

• Bandreas says:

  9/19/2021 9:49:00 AM - Thank you OLDwines for becoming a fan! I am honored. Cheers! Bandreas

• Charlie C says:

  8/27/2021 10:20:00 AM - Thanks for becoming a fan, I'm honored. Your approach to tasting notes seems to echo mine. I don't like the 100 point scale either but it can be useful in a large group of reviewers such CT.

• WildeMeeuw says:

  5/10/2021 6:13:00 AM - Hi oldwines, to start with: i don't mind the dialog. As long as I can learn about wine, i have an excuse to drink wine ;-). So i love it ;-). To be honest, mostly I drink my Chardi's not as young as this Montelena. I couldn't keep my patience because I hadn't had this wine in my glass before ;-) To start with, I don't think (white) Burgundy's benefit from climate change because acidity / alcohol are an important factor for the characteristics of those wines. I drink a lot of Chardi's, from Germany, Italy, France and the USA and for me, the most important difference with USA-Chardi's is more acidity and less alcohol. But, to be honest, I tasted the DRC Montrachet twice and was convinced that this was a Napa Chardonnay ;-). You see.... i have a lot to learn ;-). For me there is no 'competition' between French and USA-Chardi's, i love them both but both in a different way. I especially like the full styles of Kistler, Pahlmeier and Aubert for example. (but I'm a big fan of SQN too.. talking about 'full styles' ;-). I will search for Chardonnays from the cooler regions, I am very interested to taste those and compare those with the French wines. Thanks for your useful comment!

• jimself says:

  4/1/2021 4:59:00 PM - New fan here. I read a tasting note of yours today on a 2016 Ascheri Barolo. I was immediately impressed with your style, and perused your last couple of months of notes. "oldwines" is an apt moniker! Good stuff! Cheers.

• dsimmons says:

  1/13/2021 3:14:00 PM - Thanks for the advise on the '16 Guigal Condrieu La Doriane. My plan is to do just that. Cheers!

• Pinotfanbg says:

  12/12/2020 10:08:00 PM - Thanks for your comment on the Serpico. Glad someone is paying attention!

• James Kim says:

  11/28/2020 5:30:00 AM - Yes...we do seem to drink many of the same wines. Would be great together when you're in the area after this pandemic has calmed down. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the suggestion.

• James Kim says:

  11/27/2020 3:23:00 PM - Thank you for your comment on my Renaissance CP note. Really appreciate it!

• blackcrowb says:

  9/22/2020 3:46:00 PM - RE: Suduiraut Greetings, I got 6 bottles on release from Gary's(or Wine Library). This is the 3rd one I've tried with consistent results. I am an active non-decanter but the wine was drunk over a couple weeks with little change at fridge temp and slightly above. When half full I did a Baron Rothschild (Mouton) froze it and drank it slushy. I have in the past paired it with pan fried foie gras but that was fat on fat because of the low acid also with apple desserts. People have different ideas of low acid. For me acid gives wine life for some any perceptible acid is "needs more time". Thanks for the inquiry

• Vinomazing says:

  6/3/2020 3:25:00 PM - Hello...wishing you health and all good things during these wild times...very best

• cephomer says:

  3/23/2020 6:20:00 AM - Hey Oldwines: Thanks for adding me as a fan. Apparently, I've been a fan of yours for some time. Seems that was quite a tasting you attended on 3/2/20. Do you mind telling me which event it was? I likely was supposed to be there myself, but canceled all when the virus thing hit NYC. (I left town and went skiing in Utah instead, lol).

• PSUSteve says:

  2/29/2020 6:11:00 AM - Thanks for the note Dave.

• pitcrewstrategist says:

  2/15/2020 5:36:00 AM - Thank you for the recommendation on decanting. Openly didn't do that on my montebello for some reason. Being young probably should have done that. I collect Ridge, Blackbird, Boyd, Zeitgeist, prefer off the beaten path but values that seem to rival IMO some of the much more expensive brands out there (globally). Love select Amarones, Shiraz from Aussie, New Zealand Pinot, French White burgundy, Chateauneuf, and other big wines.

• melzar says:

  1/17/2020 11:08:00 AM - I did not decant, bu that's an excellent idea, as this wine improved greatly with time in the glasss. My notes are from a tasting of US Pinot that my wine group held in Oct. 2019. I just got my tasting notes back. At that blind tasting it was one of my three favorite wines. Virtually tied with Williaams Selyem (Central Coast) and surprisingly, Heart & Hands Elaine's Vinyard Clone 667 Seneca Lake NY. In my estimation, it won out over the likes of Cristom, Rhys and Peay.

• Decanting Queen says:

  12/22/2019 7:10:00 AM - Hey oldwines, apologies for the late reply. I usually use CT on my phone and it doesn’t show my message board. I would love to try the Fantino Dardi. It looks like I can find it at benchmark although I may wait a few months for better shipping weather and search again. I’d be grateful for any other drink now Barolo recs, although 2008 is always a bonus.... Thanks so much

• Vinomazing says:

  11/20/2019 6:18:00 PM - Yes, we are within a drive and I am probably down by you at some of my regular stores every couple months. E-mail has been sent so we can communicate more freely. Very Best

• bestdamncab says:

  11/19/2019 5:35:00 PM - In 1991 and 1992, I was at Krug with Remi and Henri for tasting. I was lucky and won a blending contest there of 8 wines/ part of 199 wines that go into the NV Cuvee Champagne. My prize was to select a bottle and I chose the 1966 Krug Collection which happens to be my favorite and also Henri's favorite although I was unaware of that. My other prize was Remi joined us at Boyer's Les Crayeres that same night and poured several older magnums of Krug for our table. Am glad I won that blending contest!

• WineBurrowingWombat says:

  5/21/2019 7:36:00 AM - Thank you for your time and experience in explaining everything! Also, I really appreciate you giving me suggestions looking for my dream wine, it really helps a lot. I will definitely try to look for those if possible and definitely give them a try. I recently had a wine from Bevan Cellars and I want to say that comes pretty close to what I really enjoy but it's rather pricey. Keep in touch :)

• James Kim says:

  5/3/2019 9:29:00 AM - Thank you for your comment on the Walter Spatburgunder. Really appreciate it. Will definitely try decanting for 3-4 hours on the next older Walter bottle.

• melzar says:

  4/5/2019 5:27:00 AM - I should be around Fathers Day weekend. Weddings are busy times, but if you can spring free, we'll open something from my cellar. My wife and I live at 89 Eastlake Rd Ithaca NY 14850. Phone:607 272 4953, Cell: 607 280 0123. Email: melzarrich@a0l.com. Feel free to bring a guest. Mel

• melzar says:

  4/3/2019 5:23:00 PM - Happy (and humbled) to have you as a fan. Just read your profile and I think we have tastes in common. Best, Melzar

• oldwines says:

  3/10/2019 1:46:00 PM - I haven't had it in a while but I haven't seen much variation, myself. Has it been kept in temp and humidity controlled cellar? But I can guarantee in that vintage it needs extensive breathing. Minimum 4 hours in a decanter. If you follow it every hour or so, you'll be shocked how it closes then opens again..Good Luck!

• N.Bonaparte says:

  3/10/2019 12:46:00 PM - Received your note on the 02 Montelena. Perhaps I had a bad bottle but I’ll take your advice for the next 2002. What are your thoughts on the 91 in terms of decanting? I’m finding so much bottle variation at this point. One night it beats out an 86 Lafite and the next bottle was just flat :/

• oldwines says:

  1/6/2019 2:56:00 PM - Couldn’t agree more on the “Cult Cali’s” as a generalization. Though I don’t tend to buy at auction, provenance can be so variable. I prefer, if I must, to buy from guys like Cana Wines or Benchmark, etc... they investigate the cellars they buy from.

• pepmi says:

  1/6/2019 10:53:00 AM - Hey Oldwines, I appreciate the comment on my Montelena tasting note. That's a great suggestion to experiment and decant 4-5 hours before hand. I'll try it next time. You can still find plenty of early '90s California Cab at auction at very reasonable prices. I prefer to spend $75 for a'93 Dunn Howell Mountain than fork over more than ten times that for an inflated "cult" wine. Thanks again!

• davidandrose says:

  12/25/2018 5:14:00 PM - oldwines: I appreciate your message and thoughts on my recent Monty notes, and recall that you wrote something similar in response to a note earlier this year. My last tasting of this vintage (Xmas 2016) I found this vintage to dissipate more than we prefer about 2 hours into a 4.5 hr window; that being said, much of our cellar has relocated along with us multiple times. While most of the moves have been during Oct-Nov, for my last move in June '17 from SoCal to Texas I had to hire a reefer, and I'm increasingly finding some of my wines that I enjoyed a 2 years ago to have significantly aged. That being said, I did adjust my note to reflect the potential impact of our move. Thanks again, David

• MuskokaWC says:

  8/2/2017 6:03:00 PM - It was a pleasure meeting you last night while sampling and discussing some fabulous wines. I was also intrigued by your suggestions for my cellar. I enjoyed perusing your website, reading about the evolution of your love for wine and look forward to sharing wine with you again.

• jviz says:

  7/23/2017 11:32:00 AM - What a photo! Thanks for your comments! I'm curating a surprise for my wife to try great wines of the world each year on our anniversary -- looks like you've tried many of them! Best - JV

• dsimmons says:

  7/9/2017 9:56:00 AM - Thanks for the catch oldwines. The note belongs with a bottle of 2004 Amon Ra drank the same night.

• MicklethePickle says:

  5/6/2017 3:36:00 PM - Thanks your note about the '01 Beaucastel. Purchased at release and kept in perfect storage conditions. No brett. Not decanted, but did not improve much with 24 hours' airing (I drank 1/2 bottle one night and finished up the remainder the next. It would be interesting to taste a bottle someone else found to be in great shape--maybe I just don't like Beaucastel!

• bestdamncab says:

  3/27/2017 8:24:00 AM - For 18 months, beginning in 1983 I drove home from Milburn by Summit and Chatham to Green Village. Gorgeous area.

• bestdamncab says:

  3/26/2017 10:10:00 PM - In 1983, I lived in Green Village by Morristown, a beautiful area.

• BuzzzzOff says:

  2/19/2017 5:31:00 PM - Good to be fans, oldwines. Some wonderful Dream wines! Piemonte rocks. We have quite a few birthday year Barolos. Great fun to sip. Even better to give to good friends for their birthday. Go NJ, go!!!

• Fantomas says:

  1/23/2017 7:05:00 AM - Thanks a lot, oldwines, for your most appreciated and helpful comment on my tasting note of the Elio Grasso Barolo. It helped me to overcome my disappointment and restore both anticipation and hope for a bigger joy in later years. Thanks for having taken the time to share your experience ! Just became a fan of yours. Cheers !

• CHINACAT says:

  2/16/2015 11:11:00 AM - Thanks for your comment about the 1998 Manzoni Big 'Big. I had this bottle at a restaurant, so I did not have the opportunity to decant in advance, which probably would have helped the wine open more. However, I have been drinking 1996-1999 vintages of Santo Stefano and Vigna d'la Roul over the past few years (as well as the 1997 and 1999 Big 'd Big) and they have all tended to be less monolithic and show their charms right out of the gate. I like this producer and suspect this bottle was an outlier. I would certainly try it again if I run across it again.

• WinoRick says:

  1/19/2015 7:47:00 AM - Oldwines ~ Nice collection. I had a bunch of these and a couple of years ago -at the top of the market - sold four cases of onesies and twosies of the biggest names and covered half the cost of the rest of my 1500 bottle cellar. Crazy Chinese demand at the time.

• H. Eugene says:

  7/16/2014 9:29:00 AM - Thanks for the note and comment about the Chateau Montelena Chard. I will give it another try.

• Nothung says:

  6/14/2014 5:00:00 PM - Thanks for your note about the 94 Dominus. Much appreciated.

• bestdamncab says:

  6/8/2014 5:03:00 PM - August 2, 2014 is the Silver Oak Release Party.

• Pluckemin Inn says:

  4/3/2014 10:00:00 AM - Hi Todd We look forward to your visit on Saturday! Please LMK if I can assist in any way. Best Brian Hider

• oldwines says:

  4/3/2014 7:48:00 AM - ...call me

• TMickey68 says:

  4/3/2014 7:41:00 AM - Hi oldwines, this is Todd. We met last Saturday at Dave and Jo's party. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and more importantly your yummy wines! I am heading to the pluckemin inn with my wife on Saturday. Was wondering if you could recommend a good French Bordeaux from their list. Here is a list to their affordable wines but if you have the time, I would be willing to try something "special". Thanks for any help you can offer. Hopefully we can get together again soon. http://www.cellartracker.com/winelist.asp?Style=Hybrid&Price=30&fBin=1&fBinAtRight=&Font=sans&fShowInventory=1&Location=100&fDelivered=1&iUserOverride=1041

• philweird says:

  1/24/2014 2:13:00 PM - Thanks for your note on the Montelena wines. I will decant for a much longer period going forward. Excited to try that again.

• M DU VIN says:

  8/4/2013 9:31:00 AM - Thanks for your note regarding the 1991 Chateau Montelena. Last night we drank this at a restaurant so no chance to decant this well in advance of drinking. Next time we have this at home I will follow your advice and try opening 6 to 8 hours before dinner.

• Wine_lvr says:

  6/28/2013 1:16:00 AM - Thanks for your note regarding the Diamond Creek VH 1987. We just opened the bottle 2 hours before we drank it, which was probably the problem why this great wine from a very good vintage was quite disappointing. Sometimes I am just not curageous enough to give such old wines a longer breathing time. But I had the same experience you mention with old Dunn and Heitz wines. They only start to get alive after around 8 - 12 hours.

• bestdamncab says:

  5/28/2013 6:38:00 AM - The 1979 Leoville Las Cases is still reasonable, try Winebid.com and drinks great.

• ilee says:

  4/29/2013 9:51:00 AM - Dear oldwines, many thanks for your comment. Not only are the older bordeaux absolutely delicious and aging beautifully, they are also a bargain compared to the insane prices their much much younger siblings e.g. 2009s, 2010s are fetching. I find this puzzling, to be honest. I am far happier spending scarce wine dollars on a nice 85 leoville las cases, 83 pichon lalande, 83 leoville poyferre or 86 gruaud larose. I only wish I had discovered wine drinking earlier, when such wines were less scarce than they are today! PS having said that, there are some truly awful old bottles out there -- ever tried a 1981 pape clement, or 1979 pavie? Cheers!

• oldwines says:

  4/9/2013 2:45:00 PM - 4/9/2013 2:45:00 PM - I guess it is a matter of taste...I like all the secondary flavors especially chocolate, leather etc....so I don't mind the fruit being less obvious. But that being said I have had many great cali cabs that are still balanced in the 10-15 year range if the wine has been kept at 55-59 degrees. If kept warmer than that everything accelerates and you will get less fruit at 10 years.

• domco says:

  4/9/2013 2:30:00 PM - Thank you for your comment on my tasting note. I've thought on a lot of these cabs (and cab blends) that year 7-8 was the sweet spot for us, but maybe I will give them just a couple more years to develop and get past that dormant phase. At what point do you think the fruit really starts to fade on these domestic reds though? I've had just a couple 20 yr+ old wines and found them to be a little too heavy on the earth, leather, mushroom, etc and light on the fruit (for our tastes). Or as we like to juvenilely joke... too much twig, not enough berries! :)

• bestdamncab says:

  4/6/2013 10:24:00 PM - It must be great to own 4000+ bottles, congratulations on what must be a great cellar.

• Chiantihound says:

  4/2/2013 7:45:00 PM - I am interested. Thanks. My purchases are at 20,000 ft as I write this and hope to be ready to try them shortly. I will be consuming in the order you suggested. If you see a deal in the meantime.....please let me know.

• Chiantihound says:

  3/31/2013 6:42:00 PM - Thanks for your note. I'll keep you posted on how they go. Also forgot to mention I picked up a 1994 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill. Saw your tasting note. Lots of wine to drink! CH.

• oldwines says:

  3/29/2013 2:07:00 PM - No Bother as I just had Achilles' tendon repair surgery and will have lots time on my hands for a few weeks. I find Barbaresco matures a bit faster and the best Barolo are good for decades. I have been to Cortese and have had other years of the Rabaja. You seem to have selected some good wines to explore. I would probably try the 1996 first. Then the Cortese. I have 2001 Borgogno and expect it to last a long time. 1997's are great and starting to be drinkable you should try those after that. On decanting and breathing I am biased. I have a friend who believes that Barolo is best in the first 30-90 minutes. I feel strongly in extended breathing after decanting. But try for yourself. Decant a couple bottles and drink a small amount every 30 minutes for as long as you can wait. I have had many that are better 24-48 hours after decanting, but that's me as I like the secondary flavors better than the initial fruit. Good drinking! Enjoy and let me know how it goes.

• Chiantihound says:

  3/29/2013 8:23:00 AM - Hi Old Vines, Hope your wine journey is going well. I have started to experiment a little with Piedmont. Am finding recent vintages are way to young, so grabbed some older bottles from Benchmark during their Bin Sale the other day. Question for you if you have a moment. Given my lack of experience with older Piedmont, I was hoping to sample a few to start getting an idea of what I would like to collect. Amongst the following, what should I uncork first on this exploratory journey in your opinion? Wines on Hand: Marcarini Barolo Brunate 1997 G. Borgogno Barolo Classico Riserva 2001 Einaudi Barolo Costa Grimaldi 1996 Cortese Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja 1999 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Riserva Le Gramolere 1997 It is possible these are still too young. What age do you think shows best for a good Piedmont? Sorry to be a bother, but I have found your comments to be very helpful. KJF