Michael Walker

9.8

This is the Noble Steiner Vineyard Chard not Pinot…I didn’t love it initially, though it had too much oak, but it’s grown on me after a few openings…definitely full bodied but nice peach fruit and not that acidic or metallic — 3 days ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Third of the K Laz tasting - marginally better than the Mending Wall but again unsubtle CA blend with too much Merlot/Malbec influence - but definitely more drinkable — a month ago

Michael Walker

10

First of the K Laz tasting - excellent chardo, full bodied yet understated with no acidity — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Aged Turley Zin *never* disappoints — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Dark, inky Hermitage Syrah….has that extreme earthiness I don’t love in these northern Rhônes - you get it right on the nose, and then has a slightly acidic/sour after taste - opens up a bit after a few hours — 4 days ago

Michael Walker

9.7

4th of the K Laz tasting - this is the Lillian John blend - maybe it’s too young but find it very thin - apparently next door to Screaming Eagle but pretty sure this is a very pale imitation - nose is slightly off, good fruit but again on the sour side — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.8

4th of the LB mystery chardo pack….very pleasant on the nose, quite buttery on the palate up front, no acidic or metallic twist at all, getting a lot of peach, but a bit dull on the back end. Punchier than the Sea Drift but similarly rated. — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.8

This is the Heritage Red (not white) from Brannan….deep/dark/inky Zin blend from LB. Serious (but not egregious) blackberry fruit on the nose, really cleans the sinuses, and the palate follows along, though again not a bomb, even a bit of a light finish. Ends up reminiscent of a burgundy rather than cab. Quite lovely but would pair with serious meat, not the Asian chix stir fry I had — 10 days ago

Michael Walker

9.5

Second K Laz tasting - don’t love this one - has a plasticity to it - smells like a Merlot, and a bit sour on the palate - very surprising given the pedigree (Thomas RB etc) — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Third (or is it 4th?) of the LB mystery chardo sixer - I like this one - a lot of melon & pear, maybe even some fresh grass, very fresh - initial taste had an edge at the back end but that went away after a short time - nothing sophisticated but very pleasant — a month ago