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Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019
First time tasting the ‘19 vintage, and the Produttori edged out one of my fave under the radar barolistas this early on. Maybe because it released sooner? Both red fruited with sour cherries and elegant tamed tannin/acid, but the Produttori had another gear of sweet incense and hard candy. The vintage does remind me of a more approachable’13 from a tannin perspective. — 8 months ago
Weingut Keller
Kirchspiel Riesling 2017
Definitely a little more open than the first bottle this year. A gift lugged back from Germany about four months back, and opened some four hours before dinner to breathe. A touch of petrol on the nose when it was first poured out on the table, but that quickly blew away with subsequent pours and by the last pour, the wine was simply bonkers! Like the ocean - so broad, deep, and immensely saline. While second to minerality, the fruit concentration was no laughing matter too. For me, WOTN on it’s own but it was perhaps a little too overpowering for the fried pipefish which elevated the 19’ Dauvissat La Forest to another plane on this evening. — 2 years ago
Beringer Vineyards
Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
On the nose, this is blackberry, red cherries, red currant... Cocoa powder? On the palate, the blackberry and current is still there, but certainly some herbal notes as well... Green pepper... Dried sage... Medium body and tannins are quite pronounced at this stage... Another couple of years may have been preferred to soften a bit though this may be at the expense of the great currant up front... I feel there's some smokiness in the texture that I like here... The finish is long and makes me think of tree bark... A nice pairing for us tonight with flank steak. — 6 months ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996
1996 vintage. Multiple (6) bottles tasted 1hr, 2hrs and 4 hrs after decanting. Sleek and linear. Not gratuitous and giving just yet but close. Needs another 5-7 years to absolutely ingratiate itself into your psyche/cellar/glass if you're a robot/AI or actually have patience. Sexy af. Decided and dedicated temptress throwing out just enough historic, Lalande-styled love currently to seduce completely if your patience is lacking. Total siren song. Fill those ears with wax and watch your bank account. Beware. This just may be the longest lived Lalande vintage I've ever hit. Discounted the 1996 vintage big-time initially but deffy mistaken with this specific/particular wine. Hard to locate but if you do, it's a go to. Been trying to source since tasting this vintage, without luck, since this visit. Number one on the Most Wanted BDX list currently. Pray for me. 4.4.23. — 2 years ago
Marchesi Antinori
Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2017
Another one from last night’s birthday dinner. I had a little left to revisit on day 2 and it is still amazing. What a classic. I could sit with this for a long time. The smokey, deep dark fruit/licorice, and velvety mouthfeel, all make this wine shine. This one will definitely improve with more age. Easily one of the top 5 wines of the year for me. — 2 years ago
Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs. — 7 months ago
Gaja
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2004
Purchased12+ years ago, drank it last week with family and friends. Steak and risotto dinner. Initial tasting at bottle opening gave me concerns, was
afraid it had peaked long before, whiff of vinegar, no fruit. Decanted, tasted again after 30 minutes, had begun to open up. Started drinking after another 30 minutes and wow, what a difference! Have never experienced that great a change in a wine. So superb. The sommelier just smiled. Fruit rose up, very fine tannins,so smooth, loved it. Wish I had another bottle. Drink now. — 2 years ago
Marqués de Riscal
Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2016
Nose: licorice, cork, chocolate, blackberry, a bit of “purple”, subtle herbs, warm forest floor (pine needles). Smooth, deep. This smells very good and makes me happy already. Taste: smooth, dark chocolate, coffee, medium bodied+, a little earthy, bay leaf, blackberry. Very good indeed. 93. GREAT deal for the $15 I paid on sale! Should buy again - will try another couple bottles to see if they hold up, and if they do, will buy a case. — 3 years ago
Nicolas Lau
Beautiful and balanced. You get so much in this pinot that I don't know what more you could ask for. Longer finish maybe, another layer of complexity perhaps? I don't think so. This is such a good wine, you will remember for a long time. — 3 months ago