Smoking Loon

Smoking Gun

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

My third or fourth vintage. And for the first time it bothers me. — 8 months ago

S.A.T. Camaretas

Frontón de Oro Tinto Gran Canaria Tintilla Listan Negro 2016

An incredibly expressive and terroir-driven wine that might be one of the world’s best wine values. Volcanic microclimate shines clearly through a heady nose whose first bite is not just smoke but...smoking volcano. Along that sweet dark fruit, grilled lavender, flowers. In the palate more primary with black cherries (grilled black cherries???) exotic spices, cooked black pepper, bay leaf, sage, that sanguine element that screamed high-iron volcanic soil, all held together by a very sitinctive salty spine. Finishes with a long note of those herbs and some drying tannins. Very juicy but with good structure and medium acidity avoiding any sense of being cloying. A really unique, transparent and well made wine that is an astounding value. I wonder whether it improves with age or is at its best here... — 6 years ago

Smoking Loon

The Original Old Vine California Zinfandel

Very yummy crowd pleaser. Picked this up from Citizen Vine — 9 months ago

Georges Lelektsoglou

Vieilles Vignes de Gervans Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2017

Lyle Fass
9.5

Have not had in 2 years. It’s awesome now. Nose is olive and game. So wild. Black and red berry fruit. Granite galore. So fine. So refined. Gorgeous and wide open. Palate is a wonder. Super juicy and decadent but allied with terrific freshness and a smoking granitic finish also with notes of game, herbs and olive. The nose is a 9.6. Outrageous. Wow this is juicy. I’m going 9.5 here. The purity and clarity of fruit puts it over the top. — 3 years ago

Ron, Severn and 10 others liked this

Domaine du Bel Air

Jour de Soif Bourgueil Cabernet Franc 2017

Someone said natural. Think this is organic farming but I don’t think this is natural wine. Pierre Gauthier, almost 40 acres of Clay/Limestone Tufa in Benais outside of Bourgeuil. Probably just over $25-$30retail, $45-$60 on a wine list. Smoking good. The composite rating here is insanely low for the QPR. Everyone should be drinking these wines. This is a great wine in the grand scheme of things, it’s all about perspective. Entry level wine, the Jour de Soif has no oak, bright fruit, amazing green edge. There is a wet tobacco thing. Classic wine! Love it. — 6 years ago

Daniel, Ted and 12 others liked this

Rene Rostaing

Côte Blonde Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2019

2019 vintage. Big and brooding from being disturbed during hibernation. Medium-heavy body. Pretty nose and a smoking profile. Sexy in an earthy, grounded way. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins and 2 hours post-decant. Still super-tight but all the promise of pleasure is there for the long game/cellar. Focus and push for decades. Would like to revisit in five years. 7.30.23. — a year ago

Aaron, Jan and 13 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Farella- smoking good — 4 years ago

Jason, Eric and 8 others liked this

Smoking Mountain

Reserva Coquimbo Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Minerals. Granite. Citrus. All the ingredients needed for a light evening in the lair. Now to find the missiles. — 6 years ago