Stumble Vineyards
Bevan Cellars
Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
Slightly hazy (unfined?) gold. Abundant nose of honeyed tropical fruits, baked apple, and vanilla tinged orange crème. Full-bodied palate of cooked pineapple, baked apple, hint of orange, yellow lilies, and… how does one say “baseball bat” only subtly? Another quintessential Russell Bevan white that’s a monster in body, but velvet on the palate. A big wine that begs for big, complex dishes. My drinking partner (who suggested the wine was like an Adele song… you think it’s going to be a rustic stumble, but it clearly has much more going on) made an incredible pork loin, root vegetable, and apple entrée that was right where a dish should be to stand up to this wine. Similar dishes will work. Not your grandmother’s Chardonnay. Drink now through 2023. — 3 years ago
Jacques Selosse
Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
The question is why is this sitting in a pedestrian wine bar/shop in Seabrook, Washington? The answer is because this year has been such a bust that we deserve to stumble across special stuff now and then. It defies description and is simply amazing in every way. Disgorged December 2018. — 4 years ago
Masca del Tacco
Puglia Susumaniello 2022
Little known red wine grape from Puglia, So. Italy, grown around Salice Salento area, ranking among one of the world’s rarest wine grapes. Very dark deep Ruby red color, to me one of the darkest I have seen, aromas of red fruits, herbs, tobacco and floral notes, vinified in stainless, short aging in steel and wood. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry and cherry with tobacco and lively herbs. Fine soft drying tannins, medium+ finish ending with ripe fruit and tobacco herb character. Try if you stumble across one! — 9 months ago
Charly Thevenet
Grain & Granit Régnié Gamay 2018
I finally stumble upon excellent Beaujolais from 2018, a year without much excitement. The intensity of Grain and Granit is dialed up luring dark cherry into a familiar raspberry core. Deep, far reaching aromatics - fruit and spice. Lots of spice and Palo Santo wood. Rich concentrated flavors ranging from fruity to meaty to iron-rich mineral. Yum. — 3 years ago
Tempus Two
Silver Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Friday night and watching Dirty Harry Magnum force!. "You've got to ask yourself a question: 'do I feel lucky? ... well yes actually! Complete stumble... into man’s territory. Relax my female and not so female friends. Just loving the 70s jive......
Bugger me Australia pulled out all the stops tonight. They hate France and they feel inferior to to the West Coast USA but in this everyday winner they’re beating them all. Less that £20 ($30) and no mistake, this is a great Friday night in front t of the TV (by yourself) bottle. This is not pretending to be nice, not socially aware. This is strong, brave and naughty, just like our Harry! Got a gun, use it! I’m aware a year in the wilderness since my last post but this is worth writing about. Quickly regarding Delectable, I photo my wines and I watch you girls and boys regarding the food bad and the ugly. Writing reduces the drinking but sometimes it’s good to contribute. — 4 years ago
Romano Dal Forno
Monte Lodoletta Amarone della Valpolicella Corvina Blend 2013
After wading through sage smudge sticks & ashen pine forests I stumble upon Willy Wonka’s sinister step brother’s setup lined with dried black cherries, dark chocolate covered cherry cordials & espresso beans, soaked rum cake, brandied soaked plums, figs and a finish of cocoa powder with flowerless dark chocolate cake — 4 years ago
Hahn Winery
SLH Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2016
This I was equally excited to stumble across. It’s surprisingly hard to find. I got lucky with the 2014 but never found the 2015. Unlike The Calling, this was amazing. Generous cherry fruit and earl grey tea flavors, with a long, lovely herbaceous finish. One of the best, if not the best, sub-$20 Pinots I’ve had. Stock up. — 5 years ago
Christian Fischer
Usually not a huge fan of Italian wines, but yeah, have been buying some Sassicaia over the years. As I put away some wines I stumble across this 2012 that should be ready to drink, so I bring it upstairs to decant it. Great nose and typical flavor profiles emerge. Nice acidity and a some background menthol flavors that remind me of some great Chateau Musar vintages. This is a vibrant wine with tannins still strong, but integrated; better on day 2.
Not one of my favorite wines, no surprise, but a solid well-made enjoyable Bordeaux blend — 6 months ago