Doug Powers

9.0

Quite different than the somewhat “leaner” 1988, which has aged effortlessly, this is subtly fatter and more evolved (I guess 2 years make a big difference??), the lower perceived acidity makes this less compelling than the 1988, very good, yet clearly a little inferior to the 1988, it was clearly time to drink this one!! — 2 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.2

OK, opened one of these maybe one month ago or so, and it clearly had a compromised cork. I had purchased a box on release on a recommendation of a winemaker friend who was also the owner of my then-wine storage facility in Napa, IIRC the case cost maybe $120-135 or so. That compromised bottle was first one opened, but I had a gut feeling from tasting that prior bottle that another bottle with good cork would be rocking, and this one is, color suggests age, but super fresh, just off-dry fruit (so will pair beautifully with some tiramisu my wife made), great acidity and cut, lovely aged Mosel Riesling (a Terry Thiese Selection)!! — 5 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

Lovely mature bottle of Regnie, the 2011 Cru Beaujolais continue to impress (with a bad bottle here and there). — 5 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.5

Cork broke in half (actually 6-7 pieces), initially some “old cork” flavors show through, yet after 5 minutes in the glass those dissipate and we’re left with a lovely aged Raveneau with mature fruit, some lemon and mineral notes as well, very nice complexity and length, I’ve always been very lucky aging my Raveneau, this is clearly a success (shaky cork notwithstanding)! — 2 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.9

Clean and crisp Albariño from Castillo y Leon, this has nice depth and very good acid balance, medium-long finish, solid. — 5 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.1

Same producer and same vintage (2018) of the Sancerre we tried earlier tonight, this Pouilly-Fume is simply a much superior wine to the Sancerre, much more youthful, tart, complex Sauvignon Blanc fruit, long, lingering finish!! — 10 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.8

[90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc] This is decidedly less ripe than the Lalande de Pomerol (13.5% ABV vs 14.5% ABV), but has nice minerality, very good balance, medium-long finish, solid Grand Cru St. Emilion!! — 4 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.9

[70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc] This is rich, ripe and lush (14.5% ABV), sweet oak notes currently are pretty evident, I think this will settle down with 2-4 years of aging, some mineral and just a tad of a green note from the Cab Franc in the solid finish, not mind blowing, but a pretty reasonable QPR on this one!! — 4 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.1

Big and rich (15% ABV), but pure deep and complex old vine Grenache in this lovely Lirac rouge. — 5 days ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.7

Good Sancerre, some honeyed notes, seems close to mature, medium-long finish, good, but I still honestly prefer this Pouilly-Fume producer’s Pouilly-Fume to their Sancerre! — 10 days ago

with Jim