Vale Verde

Noon Winery

Eclipse Grenache Blend 2005

Celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary on the night of a lunar eclipse, this bottle seemed perfectly appropriate.

Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 Eclipse pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core and some rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, licorice, leather, dried red flowers, inorganic earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. A rather deft pairing with grilled spiny lobster tail and T-bone steaks.

While this is not my preferred style (16% ABV !!!) there was something about it that kept my total interest. Yes, it was a big boy but it wasn’t some ponderous oaf. It danced across the palate with discipline and sophistication. Drink now, with an hour in the decanter to allow it time to freshen up, and through 2030.
— 5 days ago

Zach, David and 10 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@"Odedi" if it smells a little old and tired upon opening, give it some time in the decanter and I bet it will freshen up
Ira Schwartz

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@Jay Kline congrats on the anniversary! I have to be honest never would I expect that one to be alive?
Tom Casagrande

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Happy Anniversary!

Williams Selyem

Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

The 2023 is a ruby red, full bodied Pinot with a smooth silky finish. Paired with a salad and grilled salmon. — 3 months ago

Niepoort Projectos

Dócil Vinho Verde Loureiro 2024

John Howard
9.1

Delish. Crispy. — 5 months ago

Tom, Laura and 9 others liked this

Pewsey Vale Vineyard

Single Vineyard Estate Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2021

Some petrol/diesel aromas and flavors in this lovely bone dry Australian Riesling, solid acid, some white stonefruits as well, great cut/acidity, medium-long finish, very good! — 6 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Peter and 6 others liked this

Soalheiro

Monção e Melgaço Alvarinho 2024

this is a gorgeous wine. — 8 months ago

Dow's

Vale do Bomfim Douro Red Blend 2020

Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (20%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Tinta Barroca (10%). Medium to deep purple. Medium body, medium tannin at most, medium acidity, dry. Some slight funk on the nose, in a very good way. Wet rocks, violets, light baking spices. Better after open for a day. Benchmark Duero for what I can find in the US so far. — a year ago

Casal Garcia

Vinho Verde White Blend

Off-dry. Not too serious. Nostalgic for me. — 7 days ago

Quinta do Vale Meão

Meandro Douro Red Blend 2023

No specific notes but a truly good Douro red in a nice vintage. Lots going on under the hood. — 16 days ago

Jamie LauderJose Roberto Palazzoveronique paillard
with Jamie, Jose and 2 others
Jamie, Dave and 4 others liked this

Kay Brothers

Amery Vineyard Block 6 Shiraz 2012

Dense Ruby with a Crimson rim. Aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, and smoked meat. Full bodied and muscular. From a single vineyard in McLaren Vale which was planted 124 years ago. Silky tannins. A great red on a cold night in Winter. Love the old fashioned label which probably hasn’t changed in 100 years showing the two Kay Brothers. Hope to have the patience to drink the last bottle in say 2028 to 2030. — 2 months ago

Somm, Ming and 12 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@Somm David T A nice gift David.
Somm David T

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Australians are very hospitable. Top 2 in the countries Sofia and I travelled.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Love that old school label!!

Anselmo Mendes

Contacto Monção & Melgaço Alvarinho 2024

Fresh peach, grapefruit, and apple! Great wine with food — 5 months ago

Two Hands

Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004

Somm David T
9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero.
— 3 years ago

Dawn, Shay and 12 others liked this

Espiral

Vinho Verde Rosé Blend

Mineral and melon — 7 days ago

Broadbent

Vinho Verde Loureiro Blend

Definite grapefruit with a touch of lim and green apple. Slightly effervescent with nice acidity. A good porch wine — a month ago

Espiral

Vinho Verde White Blend

Saved me through covid — 3 months ago

Broadbent

Vinho Verde Borraçal Rosé Blend

Kroger under 10 — 5 months ago

Two Hands

Angels' Share McLaren Vale Shiraz

Had the 2022 in February of 2026. Blackberry and dark cherry with a barrel forward character on the nose. Not super tannic- berry/cherry throughout. Short finish with hints of tannin on the end. — 7 months ago

Matthew HeyboerEthan HeyboerJody Wycech
with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

d'Arenberg

The Dead Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016

Vintage 2016 | Opaque and dark. Multi layered bouquet to dream of: dark pepper, plum, leather, tobacco, Scottish pipe tobacco, everything in a rich, chic style. Chocolate in taste, rondeur as well as some unbending characteristics. A real treat. — 9 months ago

Willem, Daniel and 12 others liked this