Higher Plane

Hall Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2018 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 2.5 hours. It’s easily been a decade+ since tasting their entry level stuff. Medium/medium heavy body. A bit riper than expected. Haven’t come across those levels of ripeness on their higher end stuff in the last few years. Can see why some would absolutely love this tho. Missing structure that usually accompanies Hall reds. For such a big *ss vintage, thought there would be mas. Sadly, no. 11.7.24. — 9 days ago

Tom, Ted and 8 others liked this

Trapiche

Broquel Malbec 2021

Rating this a little higher because I am having delicious blue cheese that is pairing very well with it. A bit light for a Malbec, but holding up well with blue. — a year ago

Hubert Lamy

En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2018

Lamy’s En Remilly is usually a wine I hold in higher regard, but this bottle was knocked back by a touch of… dare I say… premature oxidation. With Diam 30 and a thick white wax cap (plus a great track record), you can be sure this was again a function of bad cold chain in Malaysia. Sigh. Having said that, it was still a decent showing - loved the mineral saturation the wine displayed from start to finish. The nose was rich and still detailed with aromas of popcorn, wheat grain, iodine, pear, unripe pineapple, lanolin, and a tinge of mint as well as the dreaded oxidative musk. The palate was dense, saline, expectedly taut, and had a lovely texture that seemingly enveloped the tongue. The oxidative honey note was rather distracting in the finish, but a chill did help mask it. Actually superb with confited ocean trout, but I can’t help but feel robbed of the full enjoyment of this wine. — 3 years ago

Andrew, Ron and 9 others liked this

Vieux Château Certan

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2017 Vieux Château Certan was picked from September 12. This has a perfumed and quite floral bouquet with blackberries and violets. It shows lovely definition and mineralité, that hint of wild heather coming through but none of the previous menthol scents. The palate is exceptionally well-balanced with chiseled tannins, which are a perfect bead of acidity. I adore how this gathers momentum towards the lightly spiced, persistent finish. This shows better than when I tasted it just after bottling six years ago, hence my higher score. Tasted at the VCC vertical in Etikhove, Belgium. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 4 months ago

Ceritas

Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay 2012

PnP. My initial impression was something wasn’t right. Not reductive or oxidative just couldn’t figure it out. Took about an hours time swirling and a heavy shake. Nice zesty zing that grew in weight to almost having a tropical note to it. Would have scored higher if not the weirdness upon opening. — 2 years ago

Ira and Milissa liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

Lots of dark, tart plum and blue berry upfront, converting into into a mineral earthiness on the mid palette and settling in a balanced, lingering vibrant finish with fine polished fully integrated tannins. Full body, but lacking evolving layers of complexity for a higher score. Had expected just a little more from this 2010 5th growth from Pauillac. — 3 years ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Ira, Jan and 7 others liked this

G.D. Vajra

Albe Barolo Nebbiolo

Very dry, high high acid. Leather, smoke, cedar, minerals. Not much fruit. Higher tannins. And a good borolo flavor — 7 months ago

Alexandre liked this

Jacques Selosse

Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Wonderful nose, toasted almond, sherry, lemon, ripe pear. Oxidation is just right- not overwhelming, but adds to complexity and character. Slightly orange color, full bodied. Would love to know actual alcohol, label says 11-14%, but tears indicated higher alcohol, but very well balanced. Disgorged 14 November 2019. — a year ago

Ira liked this

Jacques Selosse

Lieux Dits Ambonnay Le Bout Du Clos Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend

Disgorged Feb 2021. The first sniff is the all knowing Selosse oxidative hallmark. Multiple scents scrambling to take the lead like the horses coming out of the starting gate in the Kentucky derby. Very fresh in the mouth with spice , nuts and orchard fruit . The only reason my score is not higher was the oxidative note that grew in intensity. — 2 years ago

Jay, Austin and 39 others liked this
Jay Kline

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Bruh…
Severn Goodwin

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Damn, the goods there...
DD

DD

🙌🏻

Altesino

Brunello di Montalcino 2013

Slight cassis and cedar nose, sweet sour fruit, in a good spot now! Just the ending should have been a bit longer for a higher score. Nevertheless, superb wine — 4 years ago

Ted, Josh and 25 others liked this