Savennières is stealth Chenin. It is ever so much that white gravel people rake patterns in. And just as dry. Until a lemon is squeezed over and a pear and tangerine fall from the trees and a brisk wind wafts through carrying hints of the flower bushes blooming nearby. Oh damn and that raw Marcona almonds. It’s a goddamn garden party in early autumn. Bask. This Savennières looks lightweight but it’s white gold. — 6 years ago
If you find yourself dining alone at herbsaint in NOLA, this bottle makes for pretty good company. Wish you were here g. And @Ryan Mullins know you'd dig this. All the right stuff - peony flower, raspberry and potting soil. Everything I used to hate about Gamay that I now love thanks to @Sebastien Telford-Rake — 8 years ago
Read the reviews on the 2017 and was intrigued. Opened in the morning and sampled throughout day while raking leaves. Finished at dinner. The wine is precise, balanced and interesting. The tannins dominate and are refined, supple and then linger. The fruit is primarily plum with cherry. Tobacco comes a bit later. No clues how this will evolve but. note to self, wait till 2024 or later to rake the leaves again. — 3 years ago
Smokey, dark cherry, underbrush. Some green tobacco leaf on the end. Beautiful SB Pinot. — 7 years ago
The "sickle and the rake". Mineral, stone fruit and lovely. — 8 years ago
Great for rake-off... — 8 years ago
Bright and clean, surprising finish that evolves after the first sip. — 5 years ago
2012 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Walla Walla Valley Syrah. In honor of my finally having made the grade to be blessed to receive a Frog allocation from Mr. Baron, I thought I’d celebrate by pulling the cork on this beast which was gifted to me by the most generous and revered wine Connoisseur, the man with the palate I so very much respect, the Rake of the Left Coast, the right honorable Mr. Bill Bender (@Bill Bender) First off, I find the Bionic Frog in general to be one of the most hedonistic, completely over the top and playful expressions of Syrah on the planet which of course, places it squarely in my wheelhouse. Still the most unique wine in the Cayuse lineup, and arguably one of the most sought after Syrah’s around. And now on to this vintage in particular, which none other than the esteemed Jeb Dunnuck(the one reviewer who I find to have a palate most closely aligned with my own) described with the enticing phrase “flirts with perfection.” Opaque, impenetrable ink blue in the stem. Wild, typical stoney Cayuse aromatics of black olives, bacon fat and dark fruits with notes of violets and lavender. A combination savory/sweet palate with olive tapenade, mushrooms and tar combined with sweet black plums and blueberry compote. Super rich, lush mouth feel. Dense concentration. Amazingly pleasing salinity on the lengthy finish. A full-throttle Porsche Cup Car lap of Road America, complete with The Kink, wine experience. (A track day we need to reprise soon Chuck). Sensory overload in the best way possible! The Frog knows! — 6 years ago
Power and structure abound. Like a garden rake on the palate with bold tannins. Notes of tobacco, sour cherry, tar, and earth. — 9 years ago
Charles Wetherbee
Crisp and zesty, a steal at $12 — 5 months ago