Ming L

9.2

Fragrant nose of passion fruit, underripe star fruits, apricot, honey, and hint of white floral. Good match between sweetness and refreshing acidity. Light ginger spice adds to the lingering finish.
Lovely! — 21 hours ago

Ming L

9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 5 days ago

Ming L

9.3

Not really a time for celebration given the recent events, but life is too short no to live in the moment.
I thought this cuvée has higher % of PN, but it does not seem to be the case for 2005 (can’t fine the exact blend for the vintage) as it shows prominent apple and citrus notes. Peach, pomelo, brioche, and white flowers as well. Very intense yet quite refined on the palate with chalky minerals. The finish is precise and long. — 10 days ago

Ming L

9.3

Quite approachable at this young age. 30 minutes decant and it’s open for business. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, cocoa, and lightly roasted nuts. The depth of flavors and elegant medium to full body show the pedigree. If blinded, I would not be able to tell this is a Sangiovese dominant blend. Would prefer a bit more acidity. But who am I to complain. — 2 days ago

Ming L

9.3

Another Southern Rhone blend that has higher percentage of Grenache than the reserve, the ‘16 is in a good place now. More dark-fruited than the ‘17 I tasted, the nose shows plum, blackberry, currant, black pepper, licorice, and violet. Rich and concentrated on the palate with tightly knit fruits, round acidity and savory undertone. Plush ripe tannins. — 7 days ago

Ming L

9.1

Fun mini vertical of En Gobelet. Drank this ‘20 right after the ‘21. It’s noticeable richer and more powerful. The fruits are riper but still quite fresh. Has all the structure to evolve over the next 10-15 years. But at this young age I like the 21’ a bit more. — 12 days ago

Ming L

9.3

2016 is a relatively week vintage for Argentina Malbec but this shows exceptionally well.
Fragrant and layered, the nose shows ripe blackberries, plums, vanilla, nutmeg, touch of tobacco, and hint of dusty violets. Juicy and refined palate with fine balance of fresh acidity and plush fruits. Velvety tannins.
Not very complex and deep, but this has the elegance that I don’t often see with bottles in this price range. Peaking now. — 14 days ago

Ming L

9.1

I was told this bottle is scarcely available as only about 1,000 cases produced each vintage and most of them stay in Spain.
Rich and ultra smooth, this somewhat reminds me of Clio. Coconut and Creme de Cassis overwhelmed initially but eventually settled down. Unapologetically hedonistic, it’s nevertheless delicious and possesses great substance. Would love to try one with some bottle age, but the first vintage release was 2014.
— 2 days ago

Ming L

9.3

My favorite producer from the central coast who specialized in Rhone blend. Unfortunately they have to wind down the business at the end of this year.
The reserve is the flagship bottling and received at least 95 points from Jeb Dunnuck every vintage since 2012. The 18’ is bold yet elegant, like the previous vintages I’ve tasted. Dangerously delicious now, I would hold this for at least another 4-5 years if I have the patience. — 8 days ago

Ming L

9.2

The grapes are exclusively from head-trained (En Gobelet) dry-farmed blocks of the estate vineyard.
The ‘21 really showcases the freshness of the fruits with raspberry, strawberry, and blackberry scented with fresh herbs and light warm spices. Juicy and a bit crunchy palate. Very good concentration and purity. Lovely. — 12 days ago