Abundance Vineyards
Domaine Jean Chartron
Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Chardonnay 2015
The 2015 while still quite youthful delivers an abundance of rich and ripe fruit, balanced, elegant and long. It was a perfect accompaniment to the scallops for our third anniversary. — 5 years ago
Seven Hills Winery
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008
A real beauty at 14+ years with a good 10 more to go. Resolved acid-tannin structure reveals an abundance of ripe, luscious fruit with perhaps a little overly generous percentage of new oak. — 2 years ago
Winderlea Vineyard and Winery
Pinot Noir 2017
Abundance of fruit flavors. Very enjoyable to drink — 4 years ago
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Fay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
We recently pulled some cases out of storage, which haven't seen the light of day for nearly 15 years, so I'll have some fun posts in the next several months.
Nose has very dusty blackberry, old leather, over-ripe blueberry, black currant, dry lavender, charred cedar plank and moist garden soil.
Palate has cedar cigar box, vanilla, dried cherry, dried raspberry, dried blackberry, mild prune, ripe blackberry, dark chocolate powder, old black licorice candy and (light) decaying leaves with light, but persistent tannins.
5 hours decant, more time appreciated
Added to cellar inventory 5 February 2006.
SLWC Vineyard Notes on FAY 2002:
"FAY was originally planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1961, the introduction of the varietal to the area now designated as the Stags Leap District. When we acquired the property from Nathan Fay in 1986 many of the vines were therefore over a quarter-century old. The replanting of most of this historic vineyard was completed in the mid-1990s, and those vines are now in their prime, producing an abundance of excellent fruit with the rich flavor and elegant texture that have always characterized FAY Cabernet. But the old vines of Block 8 planted by Fay in 1973, and a source of expressive fruit that is a key component of CASK 23 were not removed until after the 2002 harvest. The 2002 vintage is therefore one of the last to include fruit from the original Block 8." — 5 years ago
La Fiorita
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2001
A really beautiful opaque crimson. Truly almost impenetrable. Definite signs of bricking but nothing to be concerned about. As expected, it’s more than a bit closed in upon opening and needs a few hours to express itself. Soft vanilla and violet aromas are coaxed from their shell. A little cherry rhubarb and burnt tobacco. Cinnamon and spice with dark chocolate. Leather and lace with an abundance of faded cherries. The earthy aromas are the star of the show here.
This obviously needs a lot of time decanting, as much time as you have to give it. Quite a bit of sediment in the bottle, but don’t let that stop you. There’s a lot of good to be had here. Some fruit remains on the palate but mostly delightful earth and spice. The acid remains and keeps things lively. The alcohol throws the balance out of whack a bit and there’s almost no tannic structure remaining but at the end of the day it’s still a fun, impressive wine. — 3 years ago
Canard-Duchêne
Charles VII Grande Cuvée des Lys Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
A pale gold hue leads to some nice effervescence and tons of small bubbles initially. A fine mousse and highly aromatic on the nose with an abundance of wet stone minerality and fresh pears. The fruit is ripe and expressive with citrus aromas being dominant with the more autolytic notes serving as backup. After some time and air, that nice yeast and floral aspects come to the fore in the form of delicate little white flowers.
100% Chardonnay with 7 g/l that only adds a little softness to the acidity of the champagne. With 30% of the blend coming from reserve wines there is a distinct elegance and refinement happening here. The fruit comes from Grand and Premier Crus from Avize and Cramant.
This is most certainly a pop and pour champagne, it’s ready to go. A silky mouthfeel with crisp acidity which leads to crisp fruit on the palate. Baked apple pie, brioche buns, and mandarin oranges shine. Decidedly lush and fun. Fruity, elegant, and versatile. — 4 years ago
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2015
Recent reviews by some on CT had me curious about how these were evolving so I had to check in myself and personally assess, you know, for science. Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The first day was OTT with red fruit and spices...but mostly the fruit. The spices, really sort of a one-note black pepper bomb, pricking the tongue, perhaps giving a glimpse of something more interesting if patience was exercised. Super clean with no signs of brett. I was almost taken aback because this was coming across rather ham fisted and definitely an outlier for Pegaü. I say almost. Two days later, I revisited the remaining half of the bottle and that’s when things really started to show off. Chewy red and black fruits were still very much in abundance but they were now more delineated and showing somewhat grainy tannins which seems much more pronounced now than they were on the first night. Think the texture of eating a mouthful of brambles. The spices that were teasing on the first night were stepping up to play a more pronounced role taking on more of a black licorice character with some lovely garrigue. Sound structure...though perhaps not as impressive as the 2016 Cuvée Réservée. Long, lip smacking finish though...and really delivering the goods! Based off this experience, I would imagine the best is yet to come for the 2015 Pegaü. If you’re drinking on the pop and pour, prepare for disappointment. These could use some time. I look forward to revisiting in 2025 and beyond. — 5 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
A truly representation of an Old Vine Zin (Mohr Fry) from Acampo, Lodiis all about. Made out of 90+ year-old vines which provides a great amount of concentrated ripe cherry and abundance rich ripen red fruit flavors. Persistent and lingering to perfection point on the finish. Although is 15.8% abv, is warm with enough balance and structure. Oaky can be perceived medium-low as well. One of the top dogs of Macchia wines. — 3 months ago