Rick VanSickle

Wine writer. Publisher Wines In Niagara.

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1984

8.8

The 1984 is well off vintage and past its prime with gritty earth, leather, faded fruit and a short finish. But it's Pichon and I'm digging it. — 10 years ago

Zona, Alfonzo and 14 others liked this

Rick VanSickle

On second pass, it does get better. Kind of liking it, in a nostalgic sort of way.

Norman Hardie

VQA Niagara Peninsula Chardonnay

Rick VanSickle

9.1

This is the 2012 vintage, quite hot in Ontario but Hardie has crafted a voluptuous, aromatic Chard that has some acid backbone on the palate. Enjoyable wine, but already starting to mature. — 10 years ago

Dave liked this

Vincent Dauvissat

La Forest Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2011

Rick VanSickle

9.5

Stunning, no other words. — 10 years ago

Shafer Vineyards

Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah 2009

Rick VanSickle

9.3

This 2009 is such a huge wine that is developing nicely but it will never be balanced, in my opinion. Still, the gobs of fruit and masses of tannins and earthiness and barrel spices still make for an interesting sip. — 10 years ago

Spike liked this

Spike Stockdale

Not sure they were shooting for balanced. Still love it despite its lack classical restraint.

Rick VanSickle

Spike, haha, you are right, of course, the Relentless is not about balance. I remember tasting the first vintage at Shafer with Elias Fernandez and thinking, wow, what an awesome Syrah. I buy it whenever I see it, even though my palate is changing as I grow older to wines with less power and more finesse. But I see the attraction to this wine, for sure.

Spike Stockdale

Totally with you on the palette change. But I am trying not to turn my back on early loves. Cheers and thanks for the reply.

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

Rick VanSickle

9.3

A very solid Rioja, meaty, dripping in fruit and spice. Nicely balanced at this point with room to get better. Not sure it deserves the 97 points doled out by decanter, however. Pleasant and the right price. — 10 years ago

Spike and Brad liked this

Penfolds

Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Rick VanSickle

9.2

Sensational Cabernet from the land Down Under and in a very good place right now. Rich, concentrated with earth and oak spice and a generous splash of acidity to keep it poised and vibrant on the finish. Getting better with age. — 10 years ago

Dave liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

Rick VanSickle

9.2

The 1986 "50th Anniversary" Latour is still alive and kicking, a lovely drop of wine with perky but fading fruit, graceful, restrained with fully integrated wood spice and tannins. Quite enjoyable. — 10 years ago

Dave liked this

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992

Rick VanSickle

9.2

The 1992 Volcanic Hill is finally shedding its wall of tannins and revealing gobs of fruit, earth and integrated spice. A pure joy to drink. Humming along at this stage, thinking it has reached its peak of pleasure. — 10 years ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994

Rick VanSickle

9.3

A beautiful, lush, complex Opus 1994 with plenty of earth, tar, oak and finesse. Deep and dark, with room to improve 5-10 years. — 10 years ago

Clos des Baies

St. Emilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Rick VanSickle

8.9

A little surprised this Grand Cru St. Emilion doesn't have some Cabernet Franc in it. There is a herbal note, a leanness in the 100% Merlot, but still meaty, earthy, dark-ish fruit, heavily oaked. It's starting to show the fruit and depth, however, the lean, leafy note may ultimately keep this Bordeaux from being great. I expected more, considering I hauled it all the back from a little shop in St. Emilion. — 10 years ago

"Odedi" liked this