Turning Heads

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Shay A
9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Poured alongside the 2003 Mondavi VHR as a comparison. 60 cab/40 merlot.

Decanted an hour. The similarities between this and the ‘03 Mondavi VHR the first hour was shocking…even as the host, I wondered if I switched the wines. Slight hint of brett but certainly not overpowering. Leather, herbs de Provence, sweet vanilla pipe tobacco, graphite up front aromatically. Dark roast mocha, red and black berry fruit, cassis, really nice vein of acidity and tannin. This remained unchanged during the lunch. Seems like it’s in a peak window (maybe close to the top?) where I imagine it will hold another 5-7yrs easily before turning more tertiary.
— a year ago

Ira, David and 33 others liked this

EnRoute Winery

Les Pommiers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018

K L
9.2

Quickly turning into a go to Pinot. Very deep and earthy and balanced. Nice for a night when you want a cab but maybe something lighter. — 3 years ago

Matt Dill
with Matt
Byron, Alex and 8 others liked this

K Vintners

The Cattle King Syrah 2014

Perfectly balanced Syrah with plenty of character. Opened slowly with increasing intensity. Soft red fruit initially turning into darker, drier fruit over time and increasing complexity. Addictive! — 6 years ago

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Skip liked this

Espectacle del Montsant

Montsant Garnacha

A very well made and balanced wine with extreme clarity of raspberry. The problem is 16%(!!!) alcohol. I think no matter how well you make wine trying to keep that in check will be difficult. There were some sore heads this morning 🥳 — 2 years ago

Anthony, Lyle and 5 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2014

The 2014 vintage was the last harvest while Serge Hochar was still alive. He tragically drowned while on holiday, NYE in 2014. I have no logical reason to be wary of Musar’s future as the team involved in producing the wines have been in place for some time. However, Serge’s death was for me, the loss of an wine hero. This is my first experience with the 2014 and I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences I’ve had drinking wines that he produced.

Decanted for several hours prior to dinner, the wine appears a deep purple turning garnet after plenty of air with an opaque core. High intensity, medium+ viscosity, a touch of sediment. On the nose, this is a wild carnival for the senses with cherries, mulberries, rhubarb pie, Twin Bing, harissa, kofta, pipe tobacco, oud, teriyaki, and event canned peaches (though only after some time in the glass). On the palate, things are much more modest with a very compelling cherry compote and bright cranberry notes with some tobacco and baking spices. Very primary at this stage. Medium tannin with medium+ acid. The finish long…forever and a day with dried cherries and dates bringing me home. While still an infant, this is shaping up to be a lovely and long-lived vintage of Musar Rouge. Cheers, Serge. Your legacy lives on.
— 3 years ago

Andrew, Severn and 15 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

This is for this kind of note that everybody comes back here again and again, pour after pour. Thank you!

Paloma

Napa Valley Merlot 2012

This wine has seemed to do a little bit of growing in the last 6 months. Was a bit muted on the last bottle, but this bottle was definitely not like that. Nose of dark fruit, fig, reductive black cherry. Entry was black cherry cordial, turning darker in the middle. The finish is acidic and grippy, good fruit notes. Some tannin still definitely here. I'm amazed at these wines and based on my limited experience I have a huge feeling that these can go 20 years. I know I won't have the willpower to keep any of them that long...but why wait if they're drinking that well?!? — 6 years ago

P, Kirk and 22 others liked this

Les Cailloux du Paradis (Claude Courtois)

Racines Vin de pays du Loir-et-Cher Red Blend 2020

What a journey! Spritz to the taste and feel at first and slowly turning into a silky smooth, beautiful and juicy red. Lots of flavor, deep cherry and hints of iron/leather. — 2 years ago

Williams Selyem

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2002

Drinkable but signs that it’s in its final stage before turning. Better than many bottles in general, but pales by comparison to other WS bottle. Fruits and spices are less vibrant. — 3 years ago

Amy Yan

Amy Yan

Wow 20y!

Soalheiro

Monção e Melgaço Alvarinho 2016

Had this about a year ago and tried another bottle to see if short term aging had some benefit. Often referred to as the "Green Wine" of the Vinho Verde region with a concentrated fruit character with notes of pepper spice. Lively acidity gives this wine a zesty boost turning the fruit into a complex dry wine with character, apple and citrus, smooth and well balanced on a lingering finish. Wine developed deeper character, very nice! Great value. A Fav! — 6 years ago

Alex, Daniel P. and 2 others liked this

Hubert Lamy

Derriére Chez Edouard Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Only back home for three days since our grand excursion, oh Burgundy how I miss you and your beautiful landscapes with tiny villages.
(I don't miss how tall my damn grass grew in the lawn during our absence!)

Flinty nose with beautiful white flowers.
Flint, minerals, lime-honey on the palate, acidity is noticable but not distracting. Finish is like forever. We will attempt to restrain ourselves from drinking this whole bottle this evening, as based on recent Saint Aubin tastings, this will continue to evolve with air and patience. I feel this bottle is still young, many years ahead for enjoyment.

Thanks
@David T for turning me towards Lamy... I'll be back for more!

24hr Update: So creamy, beautiful Chardonnay fruit, yellow apple, faint flinty notes today, acidy is still noticable, and enjoyable. I'm not sure I like it more or less than the initial approach, it's a different, also great, wine today.
— 6 years ago

Ira, P and 17 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

Welcome back. Glad you are enjoying the Lamy. Very good Burgundy that hasn’t hit the stratosphere in pricing.
P A

P A

@Severn Goodwin Severn Great Delectable article I particularly like your golden rule. Congratulations to you and happy tasting Cheers from Canada 🍷🇨🇦🇺🇸