Left Field

Field Recordings

Franc Hidden Vineyards Cabernet Franc Malbec 2017

ESF
8.9

This was 100% CF - no sign of age, inky, w/impressive aromas of cherry cough drop, herbaceous, white pepper, medicinal - old school vibes on nose. Bit unruly on palate, definitely felt the heat and finish had some astringency. Not a huge fan of Paso Robles fruit… Still a decent quaff and scratches itch for varietal CF. — 21 days ago

Bob, Ira and 3 others liked this

Domaine de la Côte

Bloom's Field Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2022

Second time tasting this wine. Still not convinced. Too hyped. But starting slightly better than last. — 2 months ago

Andrew, John and 14 others liked this

Field Recordings

FREDDO Sangiovese 2023

A summer classic, like a lighter Lambrusco. 2023 vintage is 76% Sangiovese and 24% Valdiguié — 2 months ago

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. Excellent fill and halfway saturated cork. Used a Durand but surmise a regular waiter's friend, wielded carefully, could have done the trick with the cork. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins, one hour and two hours. Some obvious sed but not troublesome or overtly noticeable. Original owner-château direct on original release. Super cold cellar because this was lagging noticeably behind other '90's and LB's. Bigger tannic structure (for a generally feminine-styled house) than anything save a Latour, Mouton, Ducru Left Bank property. Even more guts than Lynch-Bages or Pichon-Baron '90's currently stored above 55 or so degrees. Surprising but made sense. Light-medium body. Appropriate color. 3-4 years left in this stage unless larger format in play. Slight, fleeting burst of richness in the frontal palate and a tad brickish and then it just flowed on, without speed bumps. A little cocoa powder and cedar/tobacco. Suspect 750ml specimens not stored as cold/religiously will be showing more in the 9.0-9.1 range and farther down the backside of the bell curve. 10.26.24. — 9 days ago

Ira, Jan and 16 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Good notes, mate.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ron R Hey there! It's been a spell.

Field Recordings

Chenin Blanc 2023

Delectable Wine
9.1

Lemon oils and spring flowers combine with white peach as the 2023 Chenin opens in the glass. This is a beautifully balanced effort, with crisp orchard fruits, sour melon and crunchy mineral tones complemented by candied citrus. It finishes remarkably clean yet with admirable length. $25.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2024) — 2 months ago

Veronika, Cole and 17 others liked this

Raymond Vineyard & Cellar

R Collection Lot No. 5 Field Blend

Smooth with earth and soft dark fruits. Not many tannins — 9 days ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

I had this a week ago but didn’t take any notes at all at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. Have always been a huge fan of Dominus and this was from an exceptional vintage. I recall an excellent left bank Cabernet dominant style but presented as a Napa style - rich and plush but not overly so. Thoroughly enjoyable. — 23 days ago

Jan, Tom and 27 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Okay. Again the same dilemma. If a wine does not meet expectation is it basically bad (for me)? 🤔 because in life everything is relative, right? Any thoughts on puzzling matter??The wine was well balanced, dark red fruit flavors, polished, smooth tannins, good intensity and concentration, but limited length and lacking any meaningful complexity… Eight year old left bank Bordeaux. A fourth or fifth growth winery, maybe not, can’t remember for sure. Do remember what I paid though, $120. Definitely too much for what we experienced this evening…. as to our expectations. — 2 months ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Jan, Andrew and 12 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Jan de Weerd from reviews not personal experience. Most let this wine age twenty plus years?