Woof. One smell of the 2020 Levet Côte Rôtie and you know it’s happening! The wine pours a deep ruby with a purple tinge and a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment or gas. The nose: absolutely feral. Holy whole-cluster Batman! All of the rotundone your heart could desire. Funky dark bramble fruit, deli case, black pepper, blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs, inorganic earth, and subtle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long with a generous streak of minerals. An awesome Levet that’s already showing off, in its relative youth. Drinking surprisingly well right now and I expect it will continue to do so, well through 2035. — a year ago
This is beautiful. The nose lasts long and smells thick with rose, dry dirt, potpourri, dark ripe fruit. There’s still pretty grippy tannin structure and acidity that makes your mouth salivate and desire more. The rose really comes out on the palate, maybe a touch of lavender, moist funky dirt, ripe mulled blackberries. The finish is long. The ripeness of the blackberry really hits right at the finish and hangs on. Give this a bit of a decant, at least 30 minutes. I want more, but have none. — 3 years ago
2021 vintage. Old-school styled, Napa cabbage. The solitary nod to new-school is the medium-heavy body. Focused, dark fruit presence (not as much as Freemark Abbey but not far behind either). Plenty of value to be had here. Grip if you want it. Fruit if you so desire. Obvious balance. Nicely done. First Neal product visit/tasting but it won’t be the last. 1.24.24. — 10 months ago
Juicy dark fruit, smoke, and tapanade, lively with soft, sticky tannin. Super gluggable. — a year ago
Delectable, this is the Desire Lines Wine Co. Experimental Series No. 10 Old Durney Massa Vineyard Reisling.
Slate, tropical fruits.
12/22 — 2 years ago
Light, limpid lemon color…very light nose. Clean, crisp, lemon, tart apple notes with a hint of stem. Delightful long finish with a smooth, supple base note and hints of savory basil. Structured, layered, complex and lively. I love Chenin… particularly Californian with early summer simple lemon roast chicken and cucumber/onion salad. I like the producer and wish I had more. Easy to like as a young vibrant wine. — a year ago
Smells of honeysuckle and ripe honeydew. Scream in the city, mouthwatering deliciousness. A perfect balance to dry and sweet. I can’t pick out if it’s a little sweet or a little dry but it’s wonderful for whatever it is. Thoroughly enjoying this one, you just have to be ready for the acidity. Drinking this reminds me of dating a Latina, sweet and fire and everything you desire. 🤣 — 3 years ago
Eric Urbani
Excellent domestic riesling from Mendocino county. BD15 purchase. — 9 months ago