Doug Powers

2106 wines • 103 followers • 103 following

Cedarville Vineyard

Sierra Foothills El Dorado County Syrah 2003

9.1

Youthful dark purple color in this 22-year-old Sierra Foothills Syrah, shows a little more than a kiss of new oak still (which I’d prefer it didn’t, but Susan and Jonathan preferred some clear oak influence in their earlier wines), fruit is still very fresh and moderately rich, in no way overripe, soft tannins, longish finish, kudos to S & J for this wonderful older Syrah!! — 11 hours ago

with Jim

Ira, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Château la Grolet

Côtes de Bourg Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Doug Powers

8.6

Fully mature, decent dried red fruit aromas and flavors, medium-bodied, medium-long finish, pleasant and refreshing. — 2 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Tom and 3 others liked this

Château de Montfaucon

Comtesse Madeleine de Montfaucon Côtes du Rhône Clairette 2016

Doug Powers

9.3

See my note on the 2014 I just posted about the vineyard, this 2016, from a great southern Rhône vintage, is richer, still shows honey and minerals, but not heavy, long finish, I’d guess good bottles of this will last another 3-5 years!! — 3 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 5 others liked this

Doug Powers

I would note that the 2014 is labeled “Cotes du Rhône” on the back label, while the 2016 is labeled “Lirac”, which I understand changed when the West Coast importer told the winemaker that labeling it Lirac (it IS and always was located within the Lirac AOC) would allow for higher selling prices in the U.S. — I am not certain which vintage the changeover from CdR to Lirac occurred.

Tom Casagrande

Very cool wine.

Vintage Longbottom

H Syrah 2017

Doug Powers

8.3

Last bottle, notes are similar to January of 2025, fruit has really faded from bottles consumed 3-4 years ago, real issue I have is what has become a hollow mid-palate, just OK. — 13 hours ago

with Jim

Peter and Tom liked this

Peter van den Besselaar

Bummer

Château de Montfaucon

Comtesse Madeleine de Montfaucon Côtes du Rhône Clairette 2014

Doug Powers

9.1

From goblet-trained old-vine Clairette in Lirac (vineyard was “planted before 1870) on a hill overlooking the Rhône on the west side of the river, this lovely white wine shows honey and minerals, also some very nice acidity to balance, Clairette (which I adore) rarely shows the more viscous textural notes I get from southern Rhône Blancs that are mostly Roussanne and/or Marsanne (the latter mostly found in the northern Rhône), very good finish, lovely wine!!
I have actually walked this vineyard (6 years ago), the gnarled old vines are a pretty cool sight!! — 3 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 3 others liked this

Quintas do Homem, Lda

Vale do Homem Alvarinho 2023

Doug Powers

8.7

Grassy, nice green notes in this fresh, crisp Vinho Verde made with Alvarinho grapes, refreshing on a hot day! — 7 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Tom and 3 others liked this

Maius Viticultor

Assemblage Priorat Garnacha 2012

Doug Powers

8.8

[40% Garnacha, 40% Carignan, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon] Clean, refreshing, redfruits, Delectable says mostly Grenache (which I can smell and taste), still seems quite youthful, ABV (14.5%) shows, medium-long finish, nice drinker. — a day ago

with Jim

Andrew, Dave and 5 others liked this

Xanadu Wines

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Doug Powers

9.1

Blackberry and faint mulberry aromas and flavors, youthful but showing a little complexity already, longish finish, this is very good. This wine just smells/tastes like Margaret River Cabernet (@Bob McDonald, do you understand what I’m saying here?). — 2 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Bob McDonald

@Doug Powers Yes. I’ve tried a few Xanadu Cabs.

Casa Vinicola Botter

Gran Passione Veneto Rosso 2022

Doug Powers

8.8

Ripasso-style red blend of Corvina, Merlot and Negroamaro, clean and well-made, nice balance with some sweetness as well which is refreshing, medium-long finish, lovely. — 4 days ago

with Jim

Tom, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Domaine de l'Amauve

Réserve Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 2016

Doug Powers

9.3

[80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 50% aged in new and used barrels.] Very dark purple color, rich, still seems very youthful, but outstanding fruit, long finish, this punches well above its CdRVillages weight!! — 8 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 4 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

I’m unfamiliar with this producer. Will keep an eye out. What was the alc. %?

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, it was 14.2%. No idea whether there is an East Coast importer, I’ve been getting the wines from my brother. Christian, the proprietor (this is the family property), was the cellar master at Mont Redon and then La Nerthe in CdP for many years before retiring to run l’Amauve.