Monkey Business

Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg

Vosne-Romanée Pinot Noir 2022

Mary H
9.4

Heady perfume of flowers and plush dark berries. On the palate, strawberries and dark berries. Oakiness in the base note. This wine has no business being this sexy. — 2 months ago

Ira, Billy and 1 other liked this

Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru)

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Are we there yet?

Checking in on 05 Bordeaux

DAY1
Served with the Vinloq System
Youthful appearance. Nice, but still holding back

Let the remaiming wine Slow Decant in my fridge

DAY10
The sweet perfumed fruit is now open for business

DAY19
Best on this day
👃Fruit, tobacco, & cedar in equal parts
👅Silky. Refined personality. So pleasant. Nice herbal and tobacco followed by cedar on the persistent finish. Tannins are soft. Solid wine 👍

Follow Instagram “Vinloq.notes”

— 3 years ago

Shay, Tom and 32 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Cune Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas and complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. On the palate blackberry, cherry and sweet currant with herb, leather and pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth and structure on a long finish. — 5 years ago

Alex, Clive and 3 others liked this
GV

GV

One of the pleasures of your reviews is the short but always interesting history of the vineyard, company or person behind the wine and bottle.

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard.
— 5 months ago

Vanessa, Rick and 17 others liked this

Sine Qua Non

The Monkey White Rhone Blend

Interesting blend. — 5 years ago

Eric L.Craig Porter
with Eric and Craig
Eric, Timmer and 16 others liked this

Mark Ryan Winery

Monkey Wrench Merlot Blend

Cabernet 53%, Merlot 26%, Malbec 19%, Petit Verdot 2% — a year ago

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Riserva Rancia Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2006

Nothing wrong with the classics. Dark garnet, juicy, broad, morello cherry, dank earth, porcini, open for business but could go longer — 3 years ago

Iwan, Lyle and 13 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas/complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Palate shows blackberry, cherry, sweet currant with herb, leather, oak & pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth & structure, long finish, nice value! — 5 years ago

Dawn, Bob and 9 others liked this

William Grant & Sons

Monkey Shoulder Batch 27 Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey

Great blended malt scotch. Slightly sweet. — 5 years ago