Shay A

9.5

My contributions for a fun right bank Bordeaux dinner. This ended up being a standout amongst the group but others included ‘95 Cheval Blanc, ‘05 L’Evangile and ‘89 Figeac (the starter whites may have stole the show…mag of ‘10 Chave Hermitage Blanc, ‘08 Dom, ‘21 Magi’s CdP Blanc…this ‘04 ZH I brought was an excellent bridge to dessert…good r/s but not cloying; incredible vineyard).

I’ve only had TR once before but it was infanticide many years ago. At roughly 20yrs, I was excited to catch this on what I expected to be near peak. Very tight upon opening but after 45mins in the bottle, this really strut its stuff. Red and purple floral aromatics, bay leaf, and leather. Beautifully elegant on the palate but everything is in its place…supremely balanced. Clean (no brett), multi-layered fruit spectrum (red, purple, blackberries), sweet tobacco, espresso, little cassis. No roasted or over ripe profile, and also not a lean/green machine. Balance balance balance. Lovely. Wish I had another. — 7 hours ago

Shay A

9.3

93-94

I believe this was the inaugural vintage for Lillian’s Grenache. I am a fan of Maggie’s wines and while I was sadly priced out of Antica Terra years ago, Lillian remains a nice value for this style (central coast Rhône style). Maggie has a unique touch to her wines.

Similar to her Syrah, this Grenache represents a nice middle ground between SQN (bigger, more oak, more ripeness) and cool-climate producers (more acidity, less oak/new oak, more whole cluster, etc). At almost 10yrs, this wine is likely in the zone. Very Grenache. Deep red in the glass. Nose was a bit shy initially but blossomed on day two (violet, dark florals, brambly red and black fruits, green/herb). Great palate…peppered rhubarb spice, fleshy black cherries, stemmy. Nimble on the mid-palate with good acidity but a powerful finish. Kiss of sanguine/iron too (more prevalent with some smoked meat that accompanied it).

Followed over two days. Slightly better the second day where the nose and palate caught up to each other. Wish I had another. Good to go in this profile for a few more years. — a month ago

Shay A

@Delectable Wine : This is the Furstentum Riesling Vielles Vignes. I didn’t see it in the database.

Domaine Paul Blanck is one of my favorite producers in Alsace. The wines represent an older school style and Philippe Blanck is one of the most educational people to taste with through his lens of mindfulness and breathing techniques.

Brought this bottle back from our most recent trip in Nov ‘25. As with Blanck’s rieslings, this is dry.

The Furstentum vineyard is one not seen as often here in the states, and when I have it even over in Alsace, I much prefer the Pinot Gris bottlings versus Riesling. However, this being their old vine cuvée and with 26yrs on it, I had to give it a try. Nearing bronze color in the glass. Aromatics of bitter honey, old honeysuckle and faint golden fruit. Though the palate is advancing in stage there is still a good vein of acidity down the middle and a nice snap at the finish. The entry here reminds me of old Gewurtztraminer but it’s not as concentrated/rich (more of that Bit-O-honey profile, almost toffee). Beautiful. — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.3

Second bottle. Consistent from the one early ‘25.

100% Pinot noir; single vineyard; 4g/l dosage

I remember thinking the last bottle had a slightly creamy mousse (which based on the lower pressure style, makes sense) and quite the cider-like richness, and this bottle continued that profile. Deep golden in the glass with big aromatics of apples, pear, cinnamon and orange blossom (very autumnal). Lovely mouthfeel and texture with big fruit like golden apples, raspberries and spiced pear. Dosage works well here with the fruit being ripe and fleshy so that it can take center stage instead of dosage. Nice grower style for the price. — 7 hours ago

Shay A

9.4

Standout bottle from Reynvaan at almost 13yrs. I’ve really enjoyed their syrahs with 10+yrs on them.

95 Syrah/ 5 viognier (co-ferment). Essentially Reynvaan’s version of Cayuse’s Cailloux (both co-fermenting a splash of Viognier).

Lots of experience with these but this bottle just had a little bit “more” of everything. Consumed from bottle over the course of a couple hours before corking and consuming the second half the next day. Immediate “Rocks district” funk aromatically (not quite Cayuse-level funk, but close)…green herbal crunch, olive, dark florals. The mid-palate and finish are the stars…so much complexity in flavor (smoked meat, peppered rhubarb and blackberries, stems) wrapped in a beautifully elegant profile. Oak has faded away and acidity carries it beautifully. Whereas Cayuse wines stay sanguine, savory and herbal all the way through, this has a lifted, perfumed and balanced (fruit and herbs) finish that is eerily reminiscent of Guigal’s La Turque. Best Reynvaan I’ve had.

I really liked this on day one but loved it on day two (score reflecting day two). This is at the pinnacle of its window, so don’t miss it. — a month ago

Shay A

9.3

@Delectable Wine : This is the Emilien Allouchery Le Répertoire cuvée. I didn’t see it in the database.

92-93 (same as the BdB, but I’m going a tick higher).

Opened the BdB in April ‘24. Same winemaking process (80% fermentation in oak barrels, 20% in amphora); same disgorgement (May ‘23); this BdN received 3.5g/l dosage versus the 1g/l of the BdB. Followed over two days and stayed consistent.

Very grower champagne and very BdN. As with the BdB, this is texturally really pretty but more powerful. Fruit dominates with caramel dipped apples, spiced pears, red berry fruits, honey and even some cider aromatics. Same thought process I had with the BdB in that I’m curious if the use of amphora adds to the mid-palate texture here (feels like it did with the vintage BdB Marie Courtin I had last month). More rich and spiced apples and pears, some lemon pastry and orange zest. This wears 3.5g/l dosage great, but the ripe fruit would handle a gram or two less no problem. — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.5

A broken record at this point, but for this style I absolutely love these wines. Followed from bottle over the course of 2-3hrs.

91 Syrah/ 6 Mourvèdre/ 3 Viognier

At 10yrs, it was time to check in on how this is evolving…absolutely rockin’ from pop. Massive aromatics of mixed berry medley, espresso, pepper and herbs (hint of stems). Great depth on the mid-palate but not heavy. Very polished and svelte. Rich, dark fruit (blueberries, blackberries, black currant) cascade to the finish with dark cocoa, smoked meat, baking spice and green pepper spice from the stem inclusion rounding it out. Extremely delicious, almost dangerously so. Early in the drinking window but so good right now. — 7 hours ago

Shay A

9.3

Last bottle of this. I’d love to acquire some more as these were really enjoyable and totally in my wheelhouse stylistically speaking.

I didn’t catch the disgorgement data on this bottle, but I believe it’s around half Pinot noir, followed by near half split of Chardonnay and Pinot meunier. 5g/l dosage; first fermentation in wood; around 6yrs on lees

Beautiful yellow-gold in the glass. Aromatics of white peach, lightly roasted nuts, and toasted scones. Wonderful texture on the palate (thanks to the well-integrated use of oak and dosage) with great mousse…definitely better closer to cellar temp than ice cold (and in a proper glass, not a flute). Golden raspberries, honeyed tropical fruits, lemon cream, slightly nutty. Carries the 5g perfectly…it feels like no more or no less is needed. Lovely depth and finish.

If you enjoy producers like Bereche and EO, this is a champagne worth exploring. Long lees aging + fair use of oak + ripe fruit makes for a wonderful wine. — a month ago

Shay A

9.5

My contribution for a large, annual BYO champagne dinner. While this was a standout, others were: La Closerie LC20, ‘07 Cristal rosé en mag, ‘19 Westborn BdB

This vintage had 20% addition of red wine.

The notes below about bottle variation is exactly what was experienced this evening. A friend also brought the ‘06 Dom Rosé but there was a clear difference between the two. Whereas my bottle was deep, rich and an interplay of florals, juicy red fruits, fleshy peach and strawberry shortbread cookies, his seemed like a slightly less vibrant (not off putting) and more muted version (maybe low trace TCA?). The significant portion of red wine in this vintage has provided great structure at nearly age 20, and not as evolved as the regular 2006 Dom (more vinous than the creamy ‘07 Cristal rosé).

If I had another, I’d open it in the next year or two for this same profile but wouldn’t be worried about holding another 5+. — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point. — 2 months ago