Ground Control

Domaine de la Charbonnière

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2013

The description: "Flavours of garrigue, black cherry, blackberry, ground herbs and crushed-rock-like minerality. It has a traditional feel, yet does not lack for purity, balance or polish either." Wine Advocate 93/100

The opinion: actually brilliant value (125 per bottle) I have tasted much worst at a lot more. This is brilliant! I am going to buy a couple more bottles
— 21 days ago

Château de Saint-Cosme

Gigondas Red Rhone Blend

Almost ten years in bottle and this is coming together better than before. Enough Grenache to keep it medium than heavy, enough morvedre to provide tannins and enough Syrah for spice. Alcohol has melded and tannins and acidity play their part. I like southern Rhone, oak in control, lovely earthiness and spice. — 2 years ago

Catch & Release Wines

Can't Control the California Sun nascere vineyard Sangiovese Barbera

Very interesting blend - didn’t know they made wine in Butte County!! — 3 years ago

Neil liked this

Pierre Gonon

Les Iles Feray Pays de l'Ardèche Syrah 2016

Shay A
9.3

Every time I have a wine from Pierre Gonon, I know it’s going to hit every note I’m looking for. These wines are absolutely delicious and are exactly what I love to drink.

First time with a slightly older bottle of Iles Feray and I’d say this is in the perfect zone. Very much in the vein of the StJo with the dark florals and herbal aromatics (just stemmy enough to show it’s there, but not as much as the StJo). Peppered raspberries and blackberries, green stems on the mid-palate. Great texture/weight. Granite and iron show early on. Tannin structure is in the middle ground…holds everything together but isn’t a beast. Not as layered as the StJo, but still so enjoyable to drink when wanting a beautiful, pure expression of Syrah.

Followed over a few days and stayed consistent. I’d buy a bunch of this if prices for these wines weren’t as high as they’ve been the last few years.
— a month ago

Tom, Jan and 29 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Concentrated and powerful. Also a very clean, fruity (ripe fruits of the forest) and classy wine. Underbrush. All kinds of herbs (like laurel and thyme). Went well with confit de canard, Belgian fries and lentils with fennel, and after that it stood its ground pretty solid. Great with food. Compelling food for thought when drunk on it’s own. — 2 years ago

Peter, Jan and 6 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2016

2016 vintage. Last tasted 7.7.21. Dark cherry, ground black pepper and spicy oak nose. Medium body with enough plushness for those looking for a palate pillow and enough acidity/tannins for those looking to retain red street cred. Plummy finish. Maan…this is getting mo better. Need to pick up another 3-6 bottles and bury them. The nice price. — 3 years ago

Jamie, Ted and 15 others liked this

Domaine No Control

Rockaille Billy Gamay

03.29.24 with Jehiel Tay Nick Me Alisa at ESP in Denver — 9 months ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2005 vintage. Almost tastes like it could have been released last week. Super youthful with dark berry and plum blasts. Decent structure but not oppressive. Catching this one just below the top of the bell curve. Hopefully, you’ve got more than one bottle kicking around on a piece of ground in your hometown. Other-worldly now but methinx it’s about to get even better. Last tasted in mid-June and same score but this bottle was slightly better. Seek this out-now. — 2 years ago

Ericsson and Peter liked this

Domaine No Control

La Coulée Syrah Gamay

From psychic wines for first night of Hanukkah. Dark fruit and baking spice. — 3 years ago

Danielle liked this