Domaine du Pegau
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2013
Nicolas Rossignol
Rugiens Pommard 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2011
2011 vintage. Last tasted 2.14.25 (9.2). This was the last bottle of this effort in the keep. Previous encounter left me feeling like this was slightly tired and just over the hill. This time, the view was from the top of the hill and fully awake. Not improving at this stage of life but this bottle was roaring. Light-medium body with age-appropriate color and tracings of sediment on the decant. Tasted post-decant after 15 minutes and 1 hour. Tamarind/orange, clove, cinnamon essences with some casual cola nut riding atop the flavor wave alongside a singular spritz of rhubarb. Still very heady tannins afoot to corral the delicate body and impressions. Wish I had a few more of these as this was another excellent, 1er Cru, experience. Based on this particular specimen, this could go another 4-5 years without an amended score or drop-off. A Pommard constantly sticking and moving versus one looking to land that one uppercut. 10.24.25. — 7 days ago
Domaine François Raveneau
Monts Mains Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2018
2018 vintage. Double decanted and tasted after one hour at approx 59-60 degrees. Medium Chablis body. Lilacs, lemon curd, minerals aplenty along with a slightly curious, white pepper, finishing splash. Obviously too soon as this could easily stretch two decades. Saying this as a decided Chablis non-fan but this was arguably the best white (sparkling or flat) I've had in quite a spell. Le woof. 10.25.25. — 5 days ago
Domaine de la Cras (Marc Soyard)
Monopole Cras Bourgogne Coteaux de Dijon Chardonnay 2022
2022 vintage. Poured slightly cloudy and remained that way throughout. Intriguing. So so close to rating a 9.2 but wanted a bit more depth and complexity on the finish. Mouthfeel and body were the dueling superstars here. To be fair, super youthful and another year or two in the bottle wouldn't harm the likelihood of this improving substantially. 10.24.25. — 7 days ago
Continuum
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022
2022 vintage. Light-medium body. Not decanted and tasted after 2 hours open. Dusty, earthy intro. Some cherry mid-palate with a return to forever dust, earth, herbs, spices, Etsy/micro-producer attitude paired with serious backing and terroir. Long finish. Wanted and expected both more front and mid-palate action and mouthfeel but wasn't getting it. To be fair...without a decant...and a new release as a distinctively different (leaner) style would be a slight miracle to be (perceived) as a pop and pour. Needs at least a half-decade to be fairly assessed but, decidedly, quality juice. 10.25.25. — 6 days ago
Domaine Marc Morey & Fils
Les Vergers Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2022
2022 vintage. Last tasted 5.15.25 (9.4). Based on the last tasting, picked this up along with 3 other (untasted as of yet) same vintage, premier cru, white Burg offerings from this producer. This go round continuing to show complexity, immediacy and aging qualities already. *note to self-DECANT NEXT TIME-DUMMY* 10.24.25 — 7 days ago
Hyde Vineyards
Larry Hyde Carneros Syrah 2020
2020 vintage. Medium bodied with plenty of flavors. Striving for soft complexities versus heavy absolutes. Didn't decant but probably should have and would likely feature better as a "Day Two" wine for those inclined to do so. Me? Sleep or fight today/tonight because tomorrow never knows. Sorry, Liverpool lads. 10.23.25. — 8 days ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2013 vintage. Nice fill. Excellent cork. No Durand needed. Decanted with some sed and tasted multiple times over the course of two hours. Origin story medium-heavy body now a light-medium body but with zero loss of color intensity. Primary flavors completely evacuated with secondary and tertiary flavors rushing in to fill the nature-abhorred vacuum. Initially, pretty bretty and likely too much for many...especially those not enamored with/used to such. Black olives, garrigue and cracked black pepper throughout mitigated the sweaty saddle and in serious leather (apologies to Frank Zappa) tendencies in the first hour. Overt, bretty notes dissipated after 45 minutes, This particular wine and vintage at the zenith/absolute top of its' particular bell curve and tastes like it can hover there another 5-6 years without drop-off or apology. 10.28.25. — 3 days ago