The Whitman Express
Monteverro
Toscana Cabernet Franc Blend 2009
I debated giving this a NR for its rating as this tastes like a wine that is made to taste a certain way rather than a wine made to express its region, but there is a tasty factor in play. Bordeaux blend. Michel Rolland consulted on the winemaking. 2nd vintage.
This is real suave and sexy in style, but I could see this being from a multitude of places. Ripe and decadent fruit that seems to just now be calming down 13yrs later. Mostly red and black fruits (black cherry compote), and cherry vanilla pipe tobacco both aromatically and on the palate. Stops short of being hedonistic, but the mid palate is dense. Finish brings some currant and herbal flair to tie back to Italy. Tannic but not a monster.
Decanted an hour and finished the next day, it didn’t experience much change. I’d consume these in the next 3-5yrs. — 4 years ago
Château Bel Orme Tronquoy de Lalande
Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Opened up after 2.5-3hrs. It’s quite young. Tart blackberry, and blueberry, hints of black cherry. Medium leather, graphite pencil, cocoa notes. Very tight tannins. Requires further maturing within the bottle to unleash the dark fruit notes and express the leathery earth quality. Score of 9 for future potential. 8.6 now, due to the restrained notes and restrictively tight tannin. — 6 years ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2006
2006 was a challenge for most in Rioja but the 2006 Vina Tondonia ‘Reserva’ is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The wine is a highly compelling blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%), which was sourced from their estate vineyards and aged for six years prior to bottling. Needing a two hour decant to fully express itself, the wine offers an aromatic profile of cranberry, orange, red currants, red cherry candy and toasty oak aromatics. The palate is plush once in the attack as the wine effortlessly dances across the mid-palate, producing a seamless effect. Red currants, blood orange zest, pipe tobacco flavors and shades of pomegranate seed all beautifully weave their way through the palate. Showing wonderful ageing potential, this is drinking marvelously right now and has another fifteen years to go. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 6 years ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005
In its prime. I didn’t decant for fear of shocking it, and that was the right move. Pop it now if you have it because it’s a beauty from stem to stern. The nose pours out of the bottle with all kinds of flavors and expressions- pencil lead being a primary- but as it had a chance to breath and express itself it blossomed. Lush yet powerful, naturally as it’s blend would indicate it reminded me of some of what I like so much about Bordeaux. — 7 years ago
Cadence
Cara Mia Vineyard Camerata Cabernet Franc Blend 2015
This Cabernet dominant wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard on Red Mountain. The 2015 version is heavy on the Cabernet compared to other vintages. A little more approachable than the Bel Canto right now, you’ll still be rewarded for cellaring it. The palate shows wonderful black pepper, green bell pepper, a bit of crushed gravel, and after a bit of decanting, the blackberries express themselves as well. Strong mouth coating tannins finish off this bold effort nicely. Drink 2020-2040- 93 — 7 years ago
Macchia
Delicious Lodi Barbera 2023
Macchia – “Delicious” Barbera – 2023
Heaven’s Vines, Lodi – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Barbera from Lodi. an Italian indigenous grape known for its naturally high acidity, juicy fruit, and casual drinkability. Macchia Winery, celebrated for producing over 20 distinct styles of Zinfandel, also showcases its versatility with Italian varieties. Consistently recognized with domestic and international awards, the winery brings Barbera into the spotlight with this vibrant estate bottling.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherries, plum, blackberry compote, and a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. Fresh, fruity, and forward with that classic Barbera brightness.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a smooth, easygoing finish. Juicy fruit drives the palate, making it approachable and highly sip-worthy.
Food Pairings
Perfect with pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, grilled sausages, roasted vegetables, or charcuterie. A true “any day, any time” red.
Verdict
A fun, approachable, and fruit-driven Barbera with Macchia’s signature Lodi generosity. Casual enough for weeknight sipping yet polished enough to show the quality behind this estate-grown wine.
Did You Know?
Barbera is one of Italy’s most widely planted red grapes, cherished for its fresh acidity and versatility. In California, Lodi’s warm days and cool delta breezes help the variety express generous fruit while maintaining balance. — 7 months ago
La Fiorita
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2001
A really beautiful opaque crimson. Truly almost impenetrable. Definite signs of bricking but nothing to be concerned about. As expected, it’s more than a bit closed in upon opening and needs a few hours to express itself. Soft vanilla and violet aromas are coaxed from their shell. A little cherry rhubarb and burnt tobacco. Cinnamon and spice with dark chocolate. Leather and lace with an abundance of faded cherries. The earthy aromas are the star of the show here.
This obviously needs a lot of time decanting, as much time as you have to give it. Quite a bit of sediment in the bottle, but don’t let that stop you. There’s a lot of good to be had here. Some fruit remains on the palate but mostly delightful earth and spice. The acid remains and keeps things lively. The alcohol throws the balance out of whack a bit and there’s almost no tannic structure remaining but at the end of the day it’s still a fun, impressive wine. — 4 years ago
Rocca di Montegrossi
Geremia Toscana Cabernet-Merlot Blend 2016
The 2016 Geremia is a total knock-out. An exotic mélange of sweet dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol races out of the glass. The 2016 is deep, dense and full of character. It is also easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon work so well here in the way they express richness and structure, all with a real sense of Tuscan raw power. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2020) — 6 years ago
Château Rieussec
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2006
Initially reticent and needing 30 minutes of air to fully express itself aromatically, the 2006 Chateau Rieussec opens with a lighter bouquet of butterscotch, buttered popcorn, mango and ginger undertones. The palate shows really good freshness and intensity with a good sense of minerality. Pineapple creme brulee, poached pear, bananas foster and nutmeg flavors complete this beautiful wine. The exceedingly long, finish lingers and rounds out this complete wine. What this doesn’t possess on the nose, exceeds expectations on the palate and finish, as this elegant wine is one of the great wines of this vintage. Enjoy this wonderful wine over the next two decades. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 6 years ago
Conti Zecca
Bianco Calento IGT
Barbier Brewery from Groningen Holland / Dubbel not filtered. When someone from Groningen wants to express their enthusiasm, they say “Kon minder” = “Could be less”. Fruity beer, nice complexity. Good nightcap. — 8 years ago
Raul Pérez
Ultreia La Claudina Bierzo Godello 2019
This wine has a medium lemon hue with refreshing and zesty notes of lemon peel, grapefruit pith, and kumquat, alongside juicy peach, nectarine, yellow apple, chamomile, white blossom, chervil, saline, and wet stone characteristics.
It carries a relative richness lending balance to the fresh primary and mineral notes with a fuller mouthfeel.
This wine is made exclusively from the Godello variety hailing from northwest Spain’s Bierzo appellation in the Castilla Y Leon region.
It was produced by Raul Perez, an acclaimed, small-batch winemaker whose practices have built a beautiful platform upon which the fruit and terroir may express themselves to the fullest and purest extent.
A delightful pairing with pan-seared halibut with roasted broccolini. Cheers!
Bodegas Raul Perez Ultreia La Claudina Godello 2019. ABV 13.5%. — 3 years ago
Les Griffons de Pichon Baron
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Supple, beautiful, slight chalky. Needs a bit more tile to express but a beautiful bottle. — 5 years ago
Nickel & Nickel
Truchard Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
Nickel & Nickel exclusively produces 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines that express the distinctive personality of each vineyard. Established in 1997 by the partners of Far Niente. Aromas of tropical and stone fruit with citrus notes. On the palate apple, pear and peach flavors, with some lemon zest, vanilla and wet stone notes. Nice balance with tangy acidity on long finish ending with rich minerality. Classic, very nice! — 6 years ago
The Whitman Express
Sonoma County Pinot Blanc 2018
Yum! Perfect white! — 7 years ago
Seméli
Nassiakos Mantinia Moschofilero
Moschofilero is a little like the Chardonnay of Greece, except it doesn’t need much treatment to express its oily, rich, and crunchy personality. — 7 years ago
Dirler-Cadé
Kessler Alsace Grand Cru Riesling 2011
Wow! A nose that mimics Sauternes—lemon, Brett, honey/beeswax—, but with a classic Riesling petrol quality, leading you to expect a sweet plate, not the case. Palate is dry yet well devolved allowing a rich nuttiness to express itself through the acidity which is high but not at all overpowering. — 8 years ago
Kurt Schuster
One of those times they can’t claim to be a professional and just describe what I’m saying. Unfiltered, the wine is cloudy intention because it definitely affects the taste. You just get a bit of Dusty greediness in the flavor and while the smell is pure and clean crisp. The taste has a bit of exposure you gonna have to chew what’s going on. Lemon curd, waxy, unripe peach, some greedy dust from you not washing your fruits before you eat them. The acidity is there, but with the unfiltered nitrate seems like it doesn’t fully express the structure but it’s interesting because I haven’t had a wine like this so I don’t really know what I’m talking about. It seems like it’s a tight wine at the same time. There’s something in there that just makes it linger and chew and coat your tongue. Really enjoyed it completely.  — a month ago