Damn! Star bright gold with yellow-green highlights. Abundant nose and mouthwatering (medium plus plus [sic] acidity) palate of honeyed yellow apples, honeysuckle, cling peach, and fennel(!) with a hint of smoky flint on the moderate finish. Very rich for a Kabinett, but then this is modern day Mosel and (Erben-)Thanisch has shown rich for decades. The Doctor is truly in and this expression of the universal white should satisfy in all situations. Pork dishes are, of course, a natural but your spicier Asian or Cajun fare will thank you just as earnestly. Drink half of your stash now and the rest will reward through 2034 or so. — 3 years ago
Domaine Bizot lunch today hosted by their winemaker Thomas Berry. This is a producer who’s wines are virtually impossible to find. They have 9 plots with an average yearly production at 9000 btls. Whole cluster with some new oak, very small yields & small amounts of sulphur added. Their wines are lush & pure with no intervention showing purity of fruit, sweet spices along with floral notes. They are so delicious now you can drink them young but will reward long term cellaring. (Aka Liger Belair) — 5 years ago
From the Far Niente winery. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits with floral spice and oaky notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry, blackberry and red plum with licorice, vanilla, leather and espresso. Tannins are fine, a bit tight, long finish ending with fruit, toasty cedar and earthy spice. Enjoyable now but a few years will reward. Pair this with a fillet mignon with a Cabernet sauce. — a year ago
Blend of 93.3% Cab Sauv, 3.8% Petit Verdot, 2.3% Cab Franc, 0.5% Merlot & 0.1% Malbec, aged for 17 months in French oak, 65% new, deep dark Ruby with elegant pronounced aromas of ripe dark fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and currants with notes of mushroom, herbs, pepper spice and earthy notes. Fine big sweet tannins, long finish ending with cacao, smoky oak, vanilla, fruit and mineral tang. Very nice, aging well, but time will reward! — 2 years ago
Ruby with aromas of red fruits, floral and sweet spicy vanilla oak. On the palate flavors of raspberry, strawberry and currants with lavender and vanilla notes. Medium tannins with racy acidity, great mouthfeel on a medium finish. Drink now but a bit of bottle age will reward. — 3 years ago
This is just a really really good wine. Outstanding even. Deep dark purple in the glass with a wide brim. Violets and white flower aromas on the nose initially with a ton of powerhouse red and black fruits following closely behind. Dried herbs and smoke accompanying. Smoked tobacco and underbrush. There’s a bit of oak but it’s hiding playfully in the background.
70/30 Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Definitely a major step above other Cali blends, this has brains and beauty. Big and full bodied. Fun and full of character with silky tannins. The palate is electric with a continuation of those dark fruits along with milk chocolate and more herbs. A long finish with black pepper makes you instantly pour another glass and that’s a bit of a shame because if you show patience, this wine will reward you. — 2 years ago
From a 5 Bordeaux grape blend: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot & 0.3% Malbec, aged 24 months French oak, 84% new, Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and currants with notes of mushroom, herbs, pepper spice and earthy notes. Fine big sweet tannins, long finish ending with cacao, smoky oak, fruit and mineral tang. Very nice, aging well, but time will reward! — 3 years ago
This elegant, 100% Mencía bottling from the Raul Pérez ancestral home, displays highly perfumed cherry, floral and spice character, with velvety textures and an intriguing hint of gaminess. Delicious now, it will reward at least a few more years patience. $24.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, January 2021) — 4 years ago
Alessandro Dalle Carbonare
Pure and précise. Time will reward. — 5 months ago