@rhythmSOULdier
If this isn’t the first commercially released vintage for Whitehall Lane, it’s gotta be close to it. With the help of Durand, I was able to extract the cork intact and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with some sediment. On the nose, the wine is surprisingly developing (still!) with a mix of ripe and desiccated fruit with brambles, tobacco, green bell peppers, leather, cocoa, earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and the structure is still firm but well integrated. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and a touch savory. What a lovely, surprising bottle! Well-stored examples can be enjoyed now and over the next 5-7 years. — 2 days ago
Poured into a decanter about 30 minutes prior to service; no formal notes. Wow. The 1996 Reserva is showing so well. I would place it in the vinous category but it’s far from tasting “old”. I shared this bottle with a group of experienced, expensive California Cabernet drinkers and it was universally enjoyed even though it could only be described as a traditional expression of Rioja Reserva. Well-stored examples (though few exist at this point), are drinking well now. What a lovely surprise. — 3 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2021 pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, red flowers, and rocky minerals. There some ethanol too. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Better with food. Drink now. — a day ago
Unscrewed and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 Western Cape pours a deep straw color with medium viscosity; no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of white flowers, peach cup, lanolin, lemon, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and wooly. Drink now through 2033. — 3 days ago
Popped and poured, enjoyed over several days. Consistent throughout. The 2013 “Serracapelli” pours deep garnet with transparent core, medium+ viscosity no staining of the tears. Some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with soaring aromatics; explosive notes of Rainier cherry, roses, pomegranate, Grape Nuts, star anise, talcum powder, old wood, new leather, alpine herbs. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and grippy with almost waxy texture. Fresh, balanced, and super compelling. Lovely stuff. Drink now and through 2033 easy. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 3 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2016 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby with near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red and black brambles, toasted coconut, dill, wood, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and tart. This is in a lovely spot yet, it still exhibiting quite a bit of freshness so I expect this will be quite long-lived. Drink now through 2031+. — 3 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of one week. Consistently enjoyable throughout but it seemed to be at its very best around Day 3 through Day 7 (when I enjoyed the last pour). The 2010 pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and showing some slight rim variation; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears with some sign of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of cassis, plums, tobacco, Fresno chilis, purple flowers, dry leaves, organic earth and faint baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The fruit is a touch more tart on the palate and there is also a sort of dry leather note that I didn’t get on the nose. The finish is medium+. A mesmerizing, dense wine that certainly has a very long road ahead. Great stuff. Drink now with patience through 2050 (assuming good cellar conditions). — 2 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes. The 2006 “Amber Knolls Vineyard” blows the mind. Yes, I know, it’s made by Schrader but this humble Lake County designation was meant to be enjoyed early while one allowed the more significant Schrader Cabernet Sauvignon’s mature. Yet here we are, thoroughly enjoying this 18 years from vintage. Fruit not only hanging on; dare I say this is still developing? Structure is sound. Drink now through 2030. Very impressive. — 3 days ago
Double decanted several hours prior to service (recommended); no formal notes. While probably not my pick for best expression from Columbia Valley, the wines of Quilceda Creek certainly have a massive following for a reason. It has been at least seven years since I last had the 2005 vintage which was probably my favorite from the aughts. Well, I’m happy to report that it is very much alive and well. Big and would still be attractive stuff for many. Balanced. Perhaps a little hot on the finish but that’s pretty common with their wines; at least to my palate. Drink now and through 2030. — 3 days ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 “Mes Sept Terroirs” pours a light straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, yellow flowers, Meyer lemon, and minerals. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Conforming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Really quite charming. Saint Aubin is quite the darling these days. Drink now through 2031. — a day ago