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Ming L

1716 wines • 49 followers • 10 following

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

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Ming L

Ming L

9.2

2013 is a great Napa Cab vintage, so I’m somewhat surprised that there is only 57% Cab in the blend.

Still quite stern and massive, I got this wall of dark fruit, tannins and extract, with acidity underneath it, but not necessarily a lot of charm. The structure softens a bit after 2 hours, revealing more fruits, herbs, and savory complexity. I think this needs another 4-5 years.
— 21 hours ago

Tom, Joel and 1 other liked this

Fess Parker

Ashley's Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

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Ming L

Ming L

9.1

This is a bit of bruised apple, nutty notes that I rarely detected from their single vineyard bottlings. But overall still quite fresh with good tensions and texture. — 9 days ago

Joel, Tom and 1 other liked this

Arrowood

Smothers-Remick Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

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Ming L

Ming L

9.3

Another fantastic 2011 bottling. And as good as the 2011 Monte Rosso is , this appeals to me more at this stage.

The Monte Rosso is darker, earthier, and more mineral, whereas this has the lingering red fruit note that adds to the aromatic lift. Same green/herbal edge but more integrated. Silky texture with mellow tannins but still has good tension on the palate.
— 14 days ago

Tom, Joel and 2 others liked this

Maxime Blin

Nos Moments Carte Blanche Extra Brut Trigny Champagne Blend

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Ming L

Ming L

9.0

80% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir from the village of Trigny northwest of Reims. 4g/L dosage. Usually 3 years on lees with about 30% reserve wine.

Strawberry, red currant, raspberry and perhaps a little red cherry on the nose. Fine mellow but persistent mousses. Generous palate with round soft texture. Hint of grapefruit bitterness on the medium finish.
— 2 days ago

Joel, Tom and 1 other liked this

Knights Bridge Estate

KB Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

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Ming L

Ming L

9.2

It’s so good for an entry level Cab though it’s not inexpensive. It seems the winery no longer offers the KB bottling through retail.
This particular bottle shows nice development with a more rounded supple palate - less power and richness. Thoroughly enjoyable.
— 8 days ago

Tom, Joel and 1 other liked this

Conti Costanti

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2020

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Ming L

Ming L

9.3

I’m surprised by how well this 2020 bottling showed.

Captivating aromas of sour cherry, plum, cedar, dried herbs and mushroom, and a touch of tobacco. The palate is quite concentrated and powerful yet composed and elegant. Fresh acidity and firm yet fine grained tannins. Should age beautifully.
— 20 days ago

Bob, Joel and 1 other liked this

Château Laroque

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

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Ming L

Ming L

9.2

Really enjoy this. It feels like a great snapshot of what made 2015 such a good vintage. Lots of ripe black cherry and plum, with cedar, tobacco and a little earth underneath. The fruit is generous without feeling too plush, and there’s enough acidity and fine tannin to keep everything in balance.

Under $40 from Costco. A steal!
— 20 days ago

Joel, Tom and 1 other liked this

Lusco

Rías Baixas Albariño 2024

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Ming L

Ming L

9.0

Less than $30 at the restaurant and it punches way above its weight.

Mixed basket of citrus and tropical fruits on the aromatic nose. High acidity but there is nice weight and texture on the palate. Lovely saline minerality as well. Totally quaffable.
— 4 days ago

Tom and Joel liked this

Marchesi Mazzei

Mix 36 Toscana Sangiovese 2015

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Ming L

Ming L

9.3

100% Sangiovese. Mazzei bottled this as Vicoregio 36 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione since 2017.

This has the concentration, richness, and depth of a BdM, yet remains firmly in Chianti territory with sour cherry, dried herbs, and the slightly savory finish. The bright acidity is as good as it gets. Fantastic!
— 6 days ago

Vanessa, Bob and 2 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Lot C-91 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

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Ming L

Ming L

9.3

I think this is much better than their regular Napa Valley bottling and worth the $20 premium.

The nose showcases the classic Napa fruits from a great vintage with blackberry, plum, cassis, cedar, vanilla, and touches of fresh herbs and menthol. The palate is supple yet lively, more about balance and proportion than power and depth. Quite elegant. Silky tannins.
— 15 days ago

Paul, Joel and 9 others liked this
Joel Lara

Joel Lara

Sounds lovely! I’ve been wanting to try Heitz, as I’ve read their style is more ‘classic’. Sounds like the C-91 may be a good starting point.
Ming L

Ming L

@Joel Lara I think their regular Napa Valley bottling would also be a good introduction to their style of winemaking. However, I have not tasted any vintages after 2018, a year when the winery was sold. Hopefully the new owner keeps the tradition.