Tom Casagrande

9.0

Not sure if this is the correct domaine because it says Pierre and Claire Chapuis, not Maurice and Anne-Marie. Love the deeply sappy cherry fruit and loamy, limestoney earthiness on the nose. On the palate, the ripe fruit is almost overwhelming. But there is substantial stony minerality behind it. The tannins are there, but they’re buried under the tsunami of fruit. Tightens up a little at the end of the finish. This wine is on the hedonistic end of the spectrum for sure. Acids a tad low and not a ton of complexity, but lots of bang for the Burgundian buck. — a day ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Very earthy nose. Lots of crushed rock but also, surprisingly, a lot of moist woodland underbrush. Also some dark cherry fruit. On the palate, it’s very soft. Hard cherry candy fruit comes through first, and then a drying minerality tries to muscle in, but there’s enough fruit to maintain balance. Lowish acids but mineral freshness. Drink these over the next year or two, preferably with food. — 9 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Perhaps my favorite of the big negociant houses in Chablis. Very consistently high quality. Classic nose on this one. Tons of dirty limestone minerality, a little chicken brothy note, ripe appley fruit. Flavors pretty classic too. Mineral, bitter-tinged apple skin. Zero oak. Soft and mouthfilling. Acids a bit on the low side, but the minerality and bitter edge keep it fresh. Nicely done. For drinking in the short term. — 13 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Superb for its humble appellation. Delicate nose needs a little coaxing, but when it comes through it’s got ripe lemon, a little moist limestoney gravel, and a faint hazelnut note. In the mouth it’s a little less shy, with a Meursault-like amalgam of smoky gravel, lemon oil, and dry oatmeal, though in a lighter format. Fantastic acids. Finish is quite lingering. Is it worth $90? Well, if you’re in the mood for PYCM and see it on the shelf, then, yes, you take it home. I was, I saw, I took home.

UPDATE: two hours later, as it warms and breathes, holy cow, what a wine. More of everything. Upping from 9.2 to 9.3. Yes, 9.3 for a Bourgogne Blanc. — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Inexpensive old vine blend of 60% Grenache 40% Syrah. The Grenache character really shows. Juicy ripe berries on the nose, a little roasted green herb note, a little licorice. Soft and balanced in the mouth. A little soft tannin. Medium to medium-low acids. Dry, with fruity and savory notes on the palate. Medium length finish. Solid. — 6 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

This is Yakima Valley AVA (not the broader Columbia River AVA). 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah. Love the smoky, sultry nose, rich with dark, vaguely cigar box cured tobacco leaf and dark, oozing berries. A tad more clenched and tannic in the mouth than I’d expected. But there are deep, low-toned flavors underneath. A little scorchy in the finish, but this should pair well with grilled burgers. — 11 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Last had this 2 1/2 years ago. It was drinking beautifully then and still is, thought the tertiary notes are gaining ground.

UPDATE: On night 3, after being under a vacuum closure, there’s more weight and fruit, proving my quip about the tertiary notes to be somewhat off. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Popped this because we’re having a Tuscan dish and my daughter, who’s here with her hubbie, doesn’t like older wines. This is a very soft and fruity take on Brunello, and it’s very fun. Sweet spice and macerated ripe cherry and warm terra cotta tiles on the nose. Soft and mouthfilling. Loads of deep fruit on the palate initially, very soft, the alcohol pooks through a bit on the finish. Really nice with the food, if not complex and classically austere. — 5 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

So good and drinkable for a young Barolo. Dark macerated cherries, licorice, and warm gravel on the nose. Loads of concentrated fruit on the palate. Tannin too, but it’s soft and the flavor density more than buries it. Superb balance. — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

A nice fully mature Zin, though it certainly will last longer. Almost no sediment, so pooped and poured. The pungent tree bark and cracked Tellichery black pepper I associate with this property are there, but not as prominent as the younger bottles Ive drunk. Some mountain blackberry fruit too. On the palate, it’s rich but pretty zesty on the tongue. The acids and some still present tannins account for that. Lingering dark fruit, bone dry, savory notes in the back half of the palate. Really nice balance for such a big wine. Only 14.5% alcohol, low for an old vine Zin. — 14 days ago