Dave

8.7

First whiff blows quite a bit of smoke up your nose. This wine is darker than most reviews claim, and maybe it's just this vintage. Blueberries, plums, oaky vanilla, herbs. Acidity is non existent, and the wine has a dull mouthfeel. Clumsy. A bit disappointing.
Listening to Albert King — 17 hours ago

Dave

9.4

Delectable is at it again! This is a very good Rôtie, with everything in its right place. Plenty of meat and smoke on the nose, with some floral accents. Fleshy fruit flavors, berries, strawberry jam, stone, kirsch. At 12 years of age, it's already coming out of its cocoon. Could age a few more years, but not much longer. I know I had this same vintage last year, but it seems I didn't keep notes on it.
Listening to Queens of the Stone Age — 3 days ago

Dave

9.0

I've never had sparkling gamay (this isn't a blend). Lots of fizz! Cranberry, candy, and rambutan! Bone dry.
Listening to the Lost Dogs — 7 days ago

Dave

9.3

Cork broke, but the juice is good. The nose is shy, but the fruit flavors are vibrant. Tart blackberries, prunes, thyme, earthiness, a bit of tobacco bound in new leather. Tannins medium+, acidity medium+. Enjoy it now or enjoy it in 6-8 years. I really didn't want to do 6-7. I'm enjoying it now with a beautifully cooked sirloin, smashed potatoes, goat cheese, and a simple arugula salad. TGIF!
Listening to the new Foo Fighters track — 18 hours ago

Dave

8.5

Got this for free from my local shop. They are giving them away! Lots of oaky vanilla. Little bit of blackberry.
Listening to Jeff Tweedy — 6 days ago

Dave

8.8

My 300th post. Not an incredible wine. A bit of tar on the nose. Tart cherries and a little too metallic. However, it takes me back to our time in Montepulciano. We are eating cacio e pepe pizza, with pecorino and honey. There's a picture of Jack Nicholson and the owner of the restaurant on the wall. The same owner comes to our table to see how we're enjoying our food. A big, jolly man. He is eyeing my red flannel shirt, and he asks me to stand up as he's feeling my sleeve with his fingers. "What is this?", he asks. Says I, "It's flannel." "Flannel..." he says, searching for words. "It's... magnificent!"
He embraces me. We hold each other for a longer amount of time than Americans typically would. I just go with it. I'll never forget him, and I wonder if he still thinks of me.
Listening to the Pogues — 7 days ago

Dave

9.2

This has integrated quite a bit since last spring. Acidity is in check, and tannins are at a pleasant place. Good red fruit, blood orange, a little spice. It's now or never.
Listening to Grateful Dead — 3 days ago

Dave

8.5

I bought this on the cheap to use for making chicken piccata. Tastes like white wine. Tastes really good when you throw capers, lemon juice, and butter in it! The guy at the shop threw in a free Cabernet. I'll post that next time. High hopes! 😂
Listening to Charles Mingus — 6 days ago

Dave

8.9

Very light colored wine, but dense in flavor. Mouth-coating cedar overlays the cherry, plum, and rose hip medley. A bit astringent. Maybe not the perfect pairing, but it works well with chicken piccata. Would be really nice with pork medallions.
Listening to my son yelling at Fortnight (and Matthew Sweet's 100% fun, released 31 years ago today. A start to finish album!) — 7 days ago

Dave

9.3

Really nice, dark, dried fruit. Black cherry, fig, plum, plenty of florals, licorice, and a poop ton of leathery tannins. I'm letting it breathe for a good while. Excellent pull!
Listening to Pavement. — 8 days ago