Double decanted before service; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 1988 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with dried dark fruit, tobacco, mocha, grilled meat, mushrooms, damp earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry. At this point, the tannins have integrated completely and are perceived as medium; acid is similar. Finish is medium. This leaned towards the more rustic, old school style of Bordeaux and I’m all for it. While this isn’t falling off a cliff, I would drink now. — 6 months ago
At our second special Caymus dinner on Sky Princess serving this wine. I’ve had lots of Caymus wines over the years. This is in line with the brand, but not what I remember from the wines from the late 70’s. As the price increased, I lost interest. It’s ok, but I feel there are better wines at the price point for the Cabernet Sauvignon. — 9 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Pretty color of ruby with a wide brick rim.
Nose of red fruits, tobacco leaf, light wood, spices, coffee, black pepper, vegetables and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, fresh cherries, spices, light oak and espresso.
Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a nice 11 year old Barolo.
A little tight right out of the bottle, and needed 90 minutes of airtime.
Fruity on the nose and earthy on the palate. Elegant and soft.
Still feels very young and would be nice to revisit it in a few years.
Not as complex as I expected it to be, but showed a beautiful nose once it opened up.
Not balanced at this point, and a little tart for me. Could be this specific bottle though.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 30 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50. — 2 months ago
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is light in body but dense in concentration because of low yields. It's almost silvery in color and restrained due to hand-picking, leading to pure grapefruit, passion fruit and nectarine, all delivered with focus and punch. The finish is long, precise and sinewy. $23.00 (Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, July 2024) — 5 months ago
Second from right. Beats red burgundies with ease…The 2022’s red and whites might be the best vintage they ever made. The whites are creative and unique - but the reds just floored me. Like a 1er Cru Gevrey Chambertin but better. Much better. Deep dark cherry galore, but also spice and it improved with oxidation over 48 hours, hints of lime, bark, just a touch of pine needles…fantastically framed at this point by high amounts at tannins. Even this mid level wine blowed my socks off. With a sense of place which the chiseled and fine tuned wines in Burgundy have lost. — 7 months ago
Pale salmon color. Notes of strawberry, grapefruit, toast and brioche. Elegant and refreshingly taut. Really tasty! I also really like Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé, but this is my favorite rose champagne for the price point.
— 7 months ago
Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:
1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.
2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.
3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.
1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.
2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.
3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.
Great night with great friends!
— 7 months ago
Emanuel Reitano
Lovely minerality and acidity. Would buy again and recommend to a friend. stands out among other Santa Barbara sauvblanc. — 2 months ago