2015 Domaine François Raveneau - Chablis Grand Cru Clos (96 pts) @domaine_francois_raveneau
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Chardonnay from Les Clos climat in the Chablis Grand Cru appellation. Les Clos is the largest of the seven climats in the appellation (~28 ha of 106 ha). Grapes are gently pressed, fermented in tank, and then undergo malolactic fermentation in barrel. The wines are aged 18 months in French oak barrels with a small percentage of new oak.
π Pale gold color.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of barely ripe pineapple, yellow apple, lemon pith, oak, toasted sesame seed, seafoam, wet rock, acacia, and lemon verbena.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (~13%), and medium+ body. The palate highlights a supple texture with a high-energy acid backbone. A long-length finish of salty sea foam, lemon pith, and dried flowers.
π 2015 Chablis is drinking beautifully right now from Raveneau, so I assumed that Clos would be pretty closed. However, I was pleasantly surprised that with a few hours of air that this was showing quite well. Far more open than the 2014s that I have tasted. The wines of Raveneau are always a tension between broad layered textures and the tenacious acidity on the palate. Always showing poise, but something that will benefit from 5-7 more years of cellaring to show the proper pedigree. Although when you see it on a list while abroad at far below your market price, it becomes hard to pass by no matter what vintage is on the label.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #chablis #chabliswine #chablisgrandcru #lesclos #raveneau #francoisraveneau #bourgogne #burgundy #bourgognewine #burgundywine
2015 Accendo Cellars - Cabernet Sauvignon (95 pts) @accendocellars
βΉοΈ This wine is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot from Napa Valley, California. The new cult winery from the Araujo family changed from single-vineyard site-specific wines of Eisele Vineyard to a Cabernet blend representing all of Napa Valley. The grapes were hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wines were aged 21 months in a combination of new and used French oak barrels.
π Deep ruby color
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of stewed blackberries, black cherry preserves, ripe red plum, sweet tobacco, dried lavender, blackcurrant leaf, mint tea, oak, cedar, star anise, clove, and gravel.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ ripe tannins, high alcohol (14.8%), and full body. Powerfully flavorful and has a velvety texture on the palate. The finish is long, showing a mixture of freshly mashed berries, gravel, dried lavender, and star anise.
π I am a big fan of Accendo Cellars! They have a remarkable ability to deliver plush, powerful, and delightful wines that stay balanced and elegant. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a divine texture, tremendous fruit intensity, and acidity that keeps everything fresh. 2015 is built to age, but it was surprisingly accessible after decanting. These are stunning wines and worth checking out.
π° ~$350
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #accendo #napa #napavalley #napawine #napavalleywine #cabernetsauvignon #napacab #cultwine #cultwines #californiawine
πͺπΈπ· Rioja is often what people first think of when asked about Spanish wine. However, Rioja has many faces and styles like these three Gran Reservas.
πββοΈ What are you expecting in terms of wine style when you open a bottle of Riojaβ
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #rioja #riojawine #larioja #muga #sierracantabria #vinotinto #tempranillo #granreserva #spanishwine #spanishwines
1979 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Speciale BussiΓa di Monforte (96 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Nebbiolo from one of the top Producers in the Piedmont region. There were numerous great vintages in the 70s. 1979 was considered the middle of the pack. Maybe the 78s overshadowed the 79s. My rule of thumb is Producer > Vintage. It can be hard to know all of the producers, but if Bruno Giacosa is releasing a "red label" Riserva from 1979, then it is worth trying.
π Pale garnet color and a tad cloudy due to not being stood up properly for a few days at the location (First world problems).
π Pronounced nose, bursting from the glass. Amazingly complex nose that you could smell for hours. Dried flowers, dried herbs, old leather jacket, dried cherry, macerated cherries, red plums, forest floor, grass jelly, and black truffle.
π The wine is dry, high acidity, medium- fine tannins, medium+ alcohol (14%), and medium body. More subdued tannins than many other 70s Baroli. A long-length finish of dried cherries, dried flowers, and herbs.
π Gorgeous wine tasted with a few friends. In hindsight, I would have preferred to spend more time with the wine seeing how it evolves beyond a few hours. I'm still not a massive fan of 1979 Baroli, yet I remain a stalwart fan of old-school Bruno Giacosa bottlings, no matter what color is on the label.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #piedmont #piemonte #piemontewine #piedmontwine #barolo #barolowine #barololovers #riserva #brunogiacosa #monforte
2013 Domaine Bernard Moreau - Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroie (93 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Chardonnay from 3 parcels in the 1er Cru La Maltroie in Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy. The wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels with 10%-30% new oak. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and then bottled without fining or filtration.
π Medium gold color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose, but quite shy when opened initially. Aromas of baked yellow apple, grilled peach, nectarine, salted caramel, oak, vanilla, freshly grated cinnamon, candied ginger, and orange blossom.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (~13%), and medium+ body. Gorgeous texture like high-end olive oil. A medium+ length finish of lemon oil, baked apple, and candied ginger.
π A fabulous wine from what most would call a challenging vintage. The great acid backbone cuts through the weighty texture keeping the wine fresh and focused. Overall, a good balance of flavors on the nose and palate. The oak is present in the background as a frame that accents the wine. Ready to drink now with a quick decant and should hold for years to come.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #vinsdebourgogne #bourgogne #bourgognewine #chassagnemontrachet #bernardmoreau #1ercru #premiercru #chardonnay #burgundy #burgundywine
2012 Ultramarine - Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Late Disgorgement (93 pts) @crusewine
βΉοΈ This wine is a single vineyard wine from the Charles Heintz Vineyard in Sonoma Coast, California. This wine is π― Chardonnay. All Ultramarine wines are bottled, riddled, and disgorged by hand. The dosage for this wine is 2 g/l. This was disgorged on November, 18th 2020.
π Medium gold color
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of baked peach, baked yellow apple, dried apricot, orange peel, quince paste, pie crust, marzipan, toasted almond, and fennel fronds.
π The wine is dry, tiny persistent bubbles, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol (12%), and medium+ body. The bubbles are fine, persistent, but not aggressive with a powdery texture. The finish is medium+ length of peach pie, almonds, and fennel.
π The late disgorged 2012 Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs shows a remarkable improvement in complexity. The acidity has been tamed a bit, but this has given way to a more vinous wine. This bottling shows the fruit-forward nature of these wines, that if served blind many would think it would be an older vintage robust Champagne. However, that characterization isn't fair as this is just trying to be excellent Californian sparkling wine. I wish the economics allowed Michael Cruse to keep these wines on the lees for 7 years as a baseline. Secondary market prices are still crazy, so get on the list.
π° ~$110
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #ultramarine #sparklingwine #crusewineco #californiawine #californiawines
2018 Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg - Vosne-Romanée La Colombière (92 pts) @m.a_nauleau_mugneret
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir from La ColombiΓ¨re lieu-dit of Vosne-RomanΓ©e, in the CΓ΄te de Nuits, Burgundy. The 2018 vintage was the first time La ColombiΓ¨re was bottled independently. The average age of the vines is ~30 years old. The grapes are hand-harvested, π― destemmed, and undergo fermentation in tank with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 18 months with 20% new oak. Bottles unfined and unfiltered.
π Medium+ ruby color, unfiltered.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose after getting sufficient air. Aromas of ripe raspberry, black cherry, and macerated strawberries. Loads of spice notes chickory, rosehip, star anise, and subtle oak.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium silky tannins, medium alcohol (13%), and medium body. Excellent weight and concentration for a village-level wine. A medium+ length finish of ripe red fruits combined with savory, earthy herbs and spice notes.
π A lovely wine from Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg that shows a lot of depth as a village-level wine. The fruit profile is pure and precise, with an array of spices for complexity. This bottle was consumed far too young, and it needed quite a bit of air to unfurl. I wouldn't touch this again for another 2-3 years to allow more integration in the bottle. I wish these wines were easier to source, so if you see them on a list, then snap them up.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #bourgogne #bourgognewine #vinsdebourgogne #burgundy #burgundywine #vosneromanee #mugneretgibourg #vosneromanΓ©e #burgundylover #pinotnoir
2020 Keller - Estate Riesling Trocken @kellerdalsheim
βΉοΈ This wine π― Riesling from estate vineyards in Rheinhessen, Germany.
π Pale lemon color.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of lime blossom, lemon zest, green apple, grapefruit pith, and lemongrass.
π The palate is dry, high laser-like acidity, medium- alcohol (11.5%), and light body. The palate shows similar flavors as detected on the nose with the addition of a chalky texture. The finish is medium length driven by the acid backbone with flavors of citrus pith and lime blossom.
π This wine is lean and mean. Don't serve this too cold, or you will only get the acid profile and miss out on the delicate nose. A solid wine, this entry-level wine from Keller always delivers an excellent quality to price ratio for a Top Producer. Not in a hurry to drink, and it would probably benefit from a year-plus in the bottle.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #riesling #rieslingwine #rieslinglover #germanwine #rheinhessen #rheinhessenwein #keller #weingut #germanriesling #trocken
1961 ChΓ’teau Latour Γ Pomerol - Pomerol (100 pts) @latourapomerol
βΉοΈ The ChΓ’teau is planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc in the Pomerol appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux. The 1961 vintage was produced from mostly young vines replanted in 1957 after the 1956 frost devastated Bordeaux.
π Deep garnet color and minor orange bricking on the rim.
π Medium+ intensity, a nose with layers unfurling in the glass. Aromas of dried violets, dried blackcurrant, stewed plum, black licorice, forest floor, cedar, black truffle, roasted mushrooms, and used black tea leaves.
π The palate is dry, medium acidity, medium- resolved tannins, medium alcohol, and full body. While the nose is excellent, the palate shows a great density and concentration for a wine of this age. A long-length finish that lasts minutes with flavors of dried black fruits, roasted herbs, tea leaves, and dried flowers.
π WOW! --> Yep, that's the review.
Ok, a tad more detailed, this wine was tasted with some serious contenders, putting them all to shame. A fantastic vintage, maybe the best of the century, and ChΓ’teau Latour Γ Pomerol just put all of the pieces together perfectly. There is a ripeness to the wine that you don't get in many old Bordeaux that still showed a lot of fruit, although more dried than fresh. Extremely balanced acidity, weight, and tannins. The wine was like pure velvet on the palate, caressing your tongue and tantalizing your olfactory senses for minutes after you swallowed. Stunning wine!
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #bordeaux #bordeauxwine #pomerol #bordeauxwines #chateau #chΓ’teau #winecellar #oldwine #merlot #perfectwine
π¦πΊπ· 70th anniversary of Penfolds Grange and the 2021 Penfolds Collection
Tasted through the 2021 Collection. Often comparing Australian wines with the Californian counterparts.
Australian 407 π Californian 704
The final trio of wines in the Kennedy Suite Library @fairmontsanfrancisco where we tasted and discussed:
π· 2018 Quantum
π· 2017 Grange
π· 2015 Grange
Three very different wines, although extremely young, the 2017 Grange was my favorite.
2017 Domaine Roulot - Meursault (92 pts) @luchets007
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Chardonnay from estate vineyards in the village of Meursault, Burgundy. The grapes are hand-harvested, undergo an extremely gentle press cycle, and ferment with indigenous yeasts. The wines only receive minimal bΓ’tonnage every 3-4 weeks. The wine is fermented in French oak barrels with ~15% new oak. The wines spend 11 months in barrel on the lees and another 7 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
π Pale lemon color.
π Medium intensity, present but restrained. Aromas of Meyer lemon, yuzu, green apple, lime blossom, citrus pith, white flowers, acacia, and Steelie.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), and medium body. Zippy and linear on the palate, but entirely complementary with food. Good texture, layered with rocks, and charged by electricity. A medium+ length finish of chalk powder, lemon zest, and white flowers.
π 2017 Meursault from Roulot once again challenges what you think wine from Meursault tastes like in your mind. A subtle, delicate, and chiseled wine. If you taste it too cold or with the wrong food, this could easily be overlooked and not show much of the nuance in the glass. Accessible now with a long life ahead of it. Delicious wine, but for a bit more, you could get a single lieu-dit wine. Either way you will get energy in glass. β‘οΈ
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #burgundywine #burgundywines #whiteburgundy #roulot #domaineroulot #meursault #bourgogne #vinsdebourgogne #vindebourgogne #cotedebeaune
2004 Perrier JouΓ«t - Belle Epoque Brut Champagne (90 pts) @perrierjouet
βΉοΈ This Champagne is 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 5% Pinot Meunier. Perrier JouΓ«t ages Belle Epoque a minimum of 6 years in the cellar. The dosage is ~9 g/l.
π Medium gold color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of bruised apple, bruised pear, ripe white peach, lemon peel, pie crust, toast, almond paste, honey, and a hint of white chocolate.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, subtle bubbles, medium alcohol (12.5%), and full body. The dosage seems to be heavy-handed on the palate, or the acidity just doesn't cut through enough. A medium+ length finish of almond croissant, honey, and bruised orchard fruit.
π 2004 Belle Epoque was almost hedonistic on the palate. This bottle just seemed disjointed and unbalanced in terms of acidity to sweetness. When I drink Champagne with a healthy dosage, it needs the acid backbone to keep it fresh. Overall, it came across as cloying on the finish, albeit reasonably decent length. This was not my cup of tea, but it is a style that some people will love. It just seems like a throwback to something I would have tasted from a big house in the 90s. Does it need more time? Maybe the bottle was off? Moving on β
π₯ PS - I normally don't drink out of a flute π€₯
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #perrierjouet #perrierjouΓ«t #perrierjouetbelleepoque #belleepoque #brut #sparklingwine #champagneflutes #champagnelovers #champagnelover
When in Chablis,
Drink Chablis
Clearly that is the right call. 2015 Domaine François Raveneau Chablis is in a very good spot at the moment, but I slightly prefer the 2014 bottling. More importantly it was listed at a justifiably good price as lunch time tipple.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #chablis #chabliswine #chardonnay #raveneau #francoisraveneau #vindebourgogne #bourgogne #bourgognewine #whiteburgundy #burgundywine
Ulysse Collin - Les Enfers Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (2014) (95 pts) @champagneulyssecollin
βΉοΈ This Champagne is π― Chardonnay from a small (0.62 ha) single vineyard in the village of Congy. Ulysses Collin only produces single-vineyard wines. All fermentations occur in French oak barrels, with the majority being old oak. In the best vintage, a small percentage of new oak may be added. The wines go through malolactic fermentation. The wine is blended with a small percentage (10%) of reserve wine from the same vineyard from previous vintages. The 2014 base wine is the first bottling of Enfers to have 60 months of aging on the lees. The dosage is 2.4 g/l.
π Pale gold color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of freshly baked bread, ginger beer, orange peel, peach skin, nectarine, green papaya, candle wax, sea breeze, and slight cardamom spice.
π The wine is dry, high acidity, fine-grained delicate bubbles, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. Extremely vinous and textured on the palate with more noticeable savory and spice elements following the fruit as detected on the nose. A long length finish of ginger beer, citrus zest, and candle wax.
π The Champagnes from Ulysse Collin are fabulous. As a wine geek, I would have loved to compare the different lees aging bottlings of the Enfers (2014) - 48 months vs. 60 months. This bottling of Enfers is extremely gastronomic and goes so well with a wide range of food. The savory edge to this wine is delightful, especially when combined with ripe fruit, the two fight for attention in an epic battle on your palate. You are the one that is the winner if you are drinking this wine βabsolutely singular Champagnes.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #champagnelover #growerchampagne #vigneron #vignerons #champagnes #ulyssecollin #extrabrut #blancdeblancs
2017 Clotilde Davenne - Chablis Premier Cru Montmains @domaineclotildedavenne
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Chardonnay from the Montmains climat of the Chablis 1er Cru appellation. Indigenous yeast fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats. Aging occurs in stainless steel tanks for 12-18 months before bottling. Montmains is always a tricky climat because it is the flag bearing or umbrella title covering several sub-climats like Forets and Butteaux. These often won't be featured on the label either due to name recognition or more likely due to lack of volume in the sub-climat to warrant a stand-alone bottling. This is one of the more complicated aspects of the climats in Chablis.
π Medium lemon color (photo appears darker than reality).
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of lemon pith, bosc pear, green apple, steely, seafoam, and acacia
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and medium body. A medium length finish of bosc pear, acacia, and citrus pith.
π 2017 Chablis Premier Cru Montmains from Clotilde Davenne is a classic restrained style of Chablis. The non-oxidative aging is quite telling on the wineβSteely, not flinty, on the nose and palate. Overall ready to drink, but not in a hurry either.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #chardonnay #bourgogne #vinsdebourgogne #chablis #chablispremiercru #chabliswine #clotildedavenne #burgundywines #bourgognewine #burgundywine
Louis Roederer - Collection 242 (91 pts) @louisroederer_
βΉοΈ This Champagne is a blend of 42% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir, and 22% Meunier from vineyards without herbicides. The wine is based on the 2017 vintage (56%), perpetual reserve (34%) started in 2012, and reserve wines (10%) aged in oak. Collection 242 spent 4 years on the lees and bottled with a dosage of 8 g/l.
π Pale gold color.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of baked yellow apple, apple skin, Asian pear, bread dough, lemon zest, chalk dust, acacia, and chamomile
π The wine is dry, high zippy acidity, delicate fine bubbles, medium alcohol (12%), and medium body. A fine powdery texture on the palate. A medium+ length finish of baked orchard fruit, bread dough, and dried flowers.
π Louis Roederer's Brut Premier was one of my go-to recommendations for people wanting to get into Champagne. Collection 242 delivers the same quality while also offering individuality at the same time. This CuvΓ©e was crafted from the ground up starting in 2012 when the perpetual reserve was created. The perpetual reserve is critical for quality and complexity. At the same time, this should keep costs reasonable instead of building a CuvΓ©e using only reserve wines from various plots. The real promise of Collection 242 is going to be comparing it to future releases and seeing how different they are from each other. I will be looking forward to that comparative tasting.
π°~$55
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #champagnelover #champagnelife #brut #louisroederer #champagnelouisroederer #champagnelovers #nonvintage #πΎ #π₯
1977 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (93 pts) @stagsleapwinecellars
βΉοΈ This wine is π―Cabernet Sauvignon from estate-owned Stag's Leap Vineyard in what is now the Stag's Leap District AVA of Napa Valley. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars became famous when the 1973 bottling of this wine won the Judgement of Paris. The grapes are tank-fermented and aged in a combination of French oak barrels and larger American oak barrels.
π Medium- garnet color with a watery rim.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of an old leather chair, dried red fruit, fruit leather, rhubarb, sweet stewed red fruit, dried cigar, and a touch of rosemary.
π The wine is dry, medium acidity, low resolved tannins, medium alcohol (13%), and medium body. The palate shows more concentration and precision than the nose. A medium+ length finish of stewed red fruits, tobacco, and rhubarb.
π This 44-year-old wine showed a touch of age on the robe and more amplitude on the nose. When you finally taste the wine, the flavors become more evident and refined on the palate. This bottle of 1977 SLV was showing exceptionally well. We opened it up, let it breathe in the glass. It slowly evolved with a few hours of air. I love old wine, especially when they still have beautiful fruit flavors and structure from proper cellaring. An excellent wine that is worthy of the pedigree.
π As always, thank you for sharing, Andy @aewang
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #stagsleapwinecellars #stagsleapdistrict #stagsleap #napavalley #napa #napawine #napavalleywine #cabernetsauvignon #slv #winecellar
2018 ViΓ±edo Chadwick (96 pts) @vinedochadwick
βΉοΈ This wine is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot from estate-owned vineyards in the Puente Alto sub-region of the Maipo Valley, Chile. The vineyard was planted in 1992 on old alluvial gravel terraces. The first vintage was released in 1999. 2018 vintage had near-perfect weather conditions. The wine was aged for 22 months with 80% new French oak and 20% in foudres.
π Deep purple color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe blackcurrant, boysenberry, black cherry, sweet oak spice, star anise, dark chocolate with sea salt, lead pencil, thyme, oregano, and violets.
π The wine is dry, high acidity, medium+ fine-grained tannins, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and medium+ body. The wine is turned up a notch on the palate with more fruit and spice. The wine simultaneously shows concentration and freshness due to the acidity and balanced alcohol. A long-length finish of ripe black fruit, seductive oak spices, lead pencil, and a mix of dried herbs.
π 2018 ViΓ±edo Chadwick is absolutely stunning, and this bottle will only get better with more bottle age. The oak regiment is top-notch, adding nuance and complexity without covering up the pristine Puente Alto fruit. Puente Alto is very well known for growing the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. More importantly, ViΓ±edo Chadwick is consistently one of the if not the best wines of Chile each year, and this is the finest example that I have tasted. World-Class Cabernet Sauvignon πͺ!
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #chileanwine #chileanwines #valledelmaipo #puentealto #vinedochadwick #cabernetsauvignon #winesofchile #vinotinto #maipovalley #chadwick
1961 LΓ³pez de Heredia - ViΓ±a Tondonia Gran Reserva (98pts) @lopezdeherediaoficial
βΉοΈ The blend is typically 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha (Grenache), 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo (Carignan), all from estate-owned vineyards. The wine spends 10 years in oak barrels and racked twice a year, then fined with egg whites. The wine is bottled unfiltered and bottle-aged before being released.
π Medium- garnet color with a pale rim with a slight amber hue
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of dried strawberry, dried cranberry, dried cherry, potpourri, dried herbs, tarragon, bay leaf, cured meat, leather, and old wood furniture.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, low resolved tannins, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium body. Amazingly fresh on the palate with an acid backbone. The wine is delicate yet intensely flavorful at the same time. A long-length finish of dried red fruit, herbs, and dried flowers.
π This was the best bottle of ViΓ±a Tondonia Gran Reserva that I have ever tasted. These classic wines of Lopez de Heredia can hit another plane of existing like fine examples of Bordeaux. To draw a comparison for the palate, imagine a mythical blend of high-end CΓ΄te de Nuits and CΓ΄te-RΓ΄tie with 30 years of bottle age. That blend could illustrate what this sort of tasted like, but it is really its own thing. The wine evolved in the glass beautifully after opening the bottle 2 hours prior, with no decanting necessary or recommended. The overall finish was the highlight as it was extremely long, delicate, and harmonious -- as if it was imprinting a memory onto your palate.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #rioja #riojawine #lopezdeheredia #granreserva #viΓ±atondonia #tempranillo #vinotinto #spanishwines #oldwine #spanishwine
1985 Diamond Creek - Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon (92 pts) @diamond_creek_vineyards
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Cabernet Sauvignon from the 7 acre Red Rock Terrace vineyard in Diamond Mountain AVA of Napa Valley, California. The vines were planted in 1968 on Rocky, red-tinted soil high in oxidized iron content on the north-facing steeply terraced vineyard. The wines were aged in π― new French oak.
π Medium+ ruby color with a pale garnet rim.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe to overripe blackberry, black cherry, blackcurrant candy, violets, oregano, thyme, oak, clove, and black licorice.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ dense tannins, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate is still dark fruit-driven but very smooth and velvety in texture. A medium+ length finish of black fruit, salted black licorice, and dried herbs.
π The 1985 Red Rock Terrace was decanted and consumed over multiple hours. The wine opened in the glass, but when topped up from the decanter, the wine would reset and shut down for a bit like a yo-yo. The wine was very good but not great, and I don't know if this vintage will ever be great. It clearly needs more time. After tasting the 1985 Volcanic Hill, I brought the Red Rock Terrace to dinner with friends as I thought it would be more accessible. Maybe the 1985 Gravelly Meadow is ready to drink now?
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #cabernetsauvignon #napavalley #napa #napawine #napavalleywine #diamondcreek #diamondmountain #singlevineyard #winecellar #agedwine
2014 CVNE - Imperial Gran Reserva (93 pts) @cvnevino
βΉοΈ This wine is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo from vineyards in Rioja Alta sub-region of Rioja, Spain. Fermentation takes place in French oak vats. The wine is aged 24 months in a combination of new American and French oak barrels with racking every 8 months, before releasing the wine ages an additional 36 months in bottle.
π Medium+ ruby color with a pale rim
π Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of cardamom, star anise, vanilla, smoked meat, polished leather, tarragon, fennel, dried cherry, plum, licorice, root beer, and bittersweet cocoa powder.
π The wine is dry, medium acidity, medium+ powdery tannins, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and medium+ body. The palate is even more savory than the nose, underpinning the fruit with a complex array of tertiary notes from long oak aging. A medium+ length finish of sweet baking spices, dried herbs, and bittersweet cocoa powder.
π 2014 Imperial Gran Reserva is aromatically complex and texturally rewarding. The acidity, tannins, and alcohol are all working together in balance on the palate. This wine has a savory edge that harkens back to the classic style of Rioja. The 2014 Imperial shows dried herbs, baking spices, and smoked meat over plush, ripe fruit profile. This wine blossoms with air showing the hallmarks of a traditional long aging process in a combination of new French and American oak. It is a polarizing wine style for many, with most loving it or hating it.
π° ~$80
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #rioja #riojawine #granreserva #tempranillo #cvne #lariojaalta #larioja #riojaalta #imperial #vinotinto
2018 Maybach - Irmgard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (91 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast AVA of California. The grapes come from the Irmgard estate vineyard.
π Pale ruby color.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe red currant, sour cherry, raspberry, flower stems, rosewater, menthol, and subtle oak spice.
π The palate is dry, medium- round tannins, medium+ acidity, high alcohol (14.1%), and medium body. A medium+ length finish of ripe red fruits, rosewater, and herbal notes.
π Maybach's Irmgard has a lot of aromatic complexity as it balances ripe red fruit with floral and herbal notes. Great acidity and overall weight, but the alcohol read a touch hot on the palate through to the finish. 14.1% isn't a large number. However, the alcohol stands out against the more delicate nature of the palate.
π°~$85
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #maybach #sonoma #sonomacoast #pinotnoir #sonomawine #californiawine #californiawines #thomasriversbrown #sonomacounty #sonomacounty
2008 Billecart-Salmon - CuvΓ©e Elisabeth Salmon Brut RosΓ© (96 pts) @champagne_billecart_salmon
βΉοΈ This Champagne is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir comes from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande VallΓ©e de la Marne. The Chardonnay comes from the CΓ΄te des Blancs. To make the Champagne a rosΓ©, ~9% of still red wine from Pinot Noir is added to the blend. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged on the lees for 10 years. The dosage is 7 g/l.
π Medium pink-orange (copper) color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of blood orange, nectarine, peach skin, flaky pastry dough, sour cherry, barely ripe strawberry, orange blossom, and sage.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, tiny persistent bubbles, medium alcohol (12.5%), and a full body. This palate is extremely vinous, structured, and tightly wound. The palate shows a touch of spice and loads of chalky texture. The finish is long with a lingering chalky finish, buttery pastry dough, orange peel, and cinnamon spice.
π Day 1 - The 2008 CuvΓ©e Elisabeth Salmon was extraordinarily tight, and it is clear that it needed more time. Day 2 - The wine started to unfold more with air. This wine is absolutely delicious right now, but you probably should be decanting it if you want to drink it over the next few years. The 2008 is more robust, more vinous, and more structured than the 2007 CuvΓ©e Elisabeth Salmon. If I had to recommend one to drink now, I would gravitate towards the 2007 as it is more accessible than the 2008. That being said, I am putting a few bottles of the 2008 away in my cellar, and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like a lot of age on his RosΓ© Champagnes. This is crazy youthful at the moment. The palate and the illustrious finish will tempt you to crack it open early.
π° ~$220
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #champagnes #billecartsalmon #vintagechampagne #cuvee #rosechampagne #champagnelover #champagnelife #champagneeveryday #champagneallday
1985 Heitz Cellar - Martha's Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (92 pts) @heitzcellar
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. In 1965, Joe Heitz and Martha May struck a handshake deal to source Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville's small yet famous Martha's Vineyard. 1985 was a stellar year and was only the second time the commemorative label was used, with the first time in 1974. Typically the wine spends a year in neutral oak tanks after fermentation, followed by three years in π― new French oak. Finally, the wine matures for another year in bottle before being released.
π Deep garnet color.
π Pronounced intensity on the nose, jumping out of the glass. Aromas of overripe to jammy blackberries and boysenberries. Classic Martha's Vineyard menthol, mint, and bay leaf notes. Loads of oak spice star anise, vanilla, cedar, and espresso grounds. A few dried black fruits and fruit leather are buried in the background. A touch of leather and heavily steeped pu'er tea as well.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, moderate+ ripe broad tannins, well-balanced alcohol (13.5%), and full body. This wine was mouthcoating on the palate. One could even say hedonistic in retrospect to other 85s that I have tasted recently. The zippy acidity keeps this wine from going over the jammy edge. The wine culminates in a medium+ length finish of ripe black fruit, dried herbs, and sweet oak spices.
π I want to state that I am a big fan of Heitz Cellar and especially the Martha's Vineyard bottling BUT... I have never loved the commemorative labels. I haven't tasted 1974 recently, but 1985 and 1997 always seem a bit over the top for me. My take is that Martha's Vineyard shows best in more moderate years. The ripeness of the fruit covers up a lot of the charm in more herbal notes from the site, and with age, even the tertiary development is masked. I would recommend drinking the 85 Martha's sooner than later.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #cabernetsauvignon #napavalley #napa #napawine #napavalleywine #heitzcellar #marthasvineyard #oakville #californiawine #winecellar
1960 Charles Krug - Cabernet Sauvignon @charleskrugwinery
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. Founded in 1861, Charles Krug Winery is the oldest winery in Napa. The Mondavi family purchased the winery in 1943. In 1963 they became the first winery to integrate imported French oak barrels for aging wine. This wine was produced and aged in 50-gallon barrels.
π Medium- garnet color with a pale rim.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of stewed sweet tomatoes, red berry reduction, dried red berries, canned cranberry sauce, old leather jacket, brown sugar, and burnt sugar.
π The wine is dry, medium acidity, low resolved tannins, medium- alcohol (12%), and medium body. A medium length finish of red berry reduction and stewed sweet tomatoes.
π This wine was tasted double-blind. It was very old, lower in alcohol, medium body, but with quite a bit of sweetness to the fruit. I guessed it was a 1968 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon. What was surprising for me was that the wine had some life left in the glass despite being 61 years old. The wine was definitely past its prime, but no one ever intended this wine to age this long as this would have been relatively entry-level in the portfolio. However, the Charles Krug Vintage Selection is a different story. The label was extremely bin-soiled. The staining looks like it came from another bottle because the fill level was respectable for the age. It is always fun to taste old wines and consider how many things were different at the winery then.
π Thank you to Andy @aewang for sharing this little piece of Napa's history.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #napavalley #napa #napawine #napawinery #napavalleywine #charleskrug #charleskrugwinery #cabernetsauvignon #mondavi #oldwine
2015 Domaine Rostaing - CΓ΄te-RΓ΄tie Ampodium (92 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Syrah blended from parcels throughout the CΓ΄te-RΓ΄tie appellation in the Northern RhΓ΄ne Valley, France. Traditional vinification is slow with indigenous yeasts, extended Maceration lasting 3-4 weeks, and usually ~50% destemmed depending on the vintage. The wines are aged in a mix of sizes with generally less than ~10% new oak.
π Deep ruby color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of violets, ripe black raspberry, boysenberry, salted black licorice, anise, dried herbs, and olive tapenade.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, high furry tannins, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and full body. The palate is darker and more brooding than the nose let on. A medium length finish of ripe black fruit, dried herbs, and over-steeped black tea.
π It has been a minute since I have had the wines of Rostaing. The nose was elegant, signaling its future, while the palate was packed full of primary vigor. The alcohol level is in complete balance, but the full-body combined with the mouthcoating tannins almost distract you from the beautiful fruit character. The 2015 Ampodium needs more time, but it is on the more robust side of the 2015 CΓ΄te-RΓ΄tie wines that I have tasted.
π° ~$80
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #coterotie #cΓ΄terΓ΄tie #renerostaing #rhone #rhΓ΄ne #rhonewine #syrah #syrahwine #rhonevalley #rhonevalleywines #northernrhone
1985 Louis Roederer - Cristal Brut Champagne (93 pts) @louisroederer_
βΉοΈ This Champagne is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay from Grand Cru villages in Champagne, France. Cristal is typically aged for 6 years on the lees followed by an additional 6 months after disgorgement.
π Deep gold color with an amber hue.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of preserved lemon, nectarine peel, dried apricot, baked apple, persimmon, wilted flowers, grilled mushrooms, and salted caramel.
π The wine is dry, high acidity, faint tiny bubbles of the palate, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate is very creamy but at the same time delicate. A medium+ length finish of caramel apple and preserved lemon.
π The 1985 Cristal was showing well, and with Champagne, at this age (especially when not in large format), it is often more like still white wine. Loads of tertiary development on the nose, while the palate was more rich and layered. There was a dance between racy citrus aromas and more hedonistic cooked stone fruits with a touch of caramel. The 1985 Cristal is at full maturity and on a slow decline. At the end of the day, I prefer my Champagne a tad younger.
π Thank you Austin @rocketburgess for sharing this lovely bottle.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #champagnelover #louisroederer #cristal #cristalchampagne #louisroederercristal #champagnelife #vintagechampagne #πΎ #π₯
We were tasting through three decades of Napa history. All of the wines were sound.
π· 1960 Charles Krug - Cabernet Sauvignon @charleskrugwinery
π· 1977 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - SLV Cabernet Sauvignon @stagsleapwinecellars
π· 1985 Diamond Creek - Red Rock Terrace @diamond_creek_vineyards
π Key Take-aways:
Low Alcohol - 12% ABV, 13% ABV, and 12.5% ABV, respectively.
Ripe Fruit - Solid core of ripe to stewed fruit driving the wines
Ageability - All of these wines had life in them, with the 1960 the only wine close to dwindling soon.
π Thank you to Andy @aewang for sharing some lovely wines and conversation.
2017 Domaine MΓ©o-Camuzet - Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots (93 pts) @domaine_meo_camuzet
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir from Aux Boudots lieu-dit of old vines from the 50s and 60s in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Aux Boudots is the northernmost part of the village bordering the famed lieu-dit of Vosne-RamonΓ©e 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts. The wine has a small percentage of stem inclusion (~10%) in the fermentation for this CuvΓ©e, which is atypical of the rest of the MΓ©o-Camuzet lineup.
π Medium+ ruby color with a pale rim.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe Bing cherry, redcurrant candy, red plum, carnation, oak, rosehip, wet rock, and cinnamon spice.
π The palate is dry, medium- ripe tannins, medium acidity, medium alcohol (13%), and medium+ body. Silky and seductive all across your palate. A medium+ length finish of fresh cherry, ripe red plum, sweet oak spice, and a slight salinity.
π 2017 Aux Boudots is very generous and giving despite its youth. This Aux Boudots is coming across as genuinely fruit-driven in all the right ways - showcasing pure and precise fruit. The tannins are present but mainly in the background. The palate is concentrated and layered without being heavy, resulting in a silky textural sensation. This site in the hands of MΓ©o-Camuzet highlights the more elegant and seductive side of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
π°~$212
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #nuitssaintgeorges #nuitsstgeorges #meocamuzet #burgundy #burgundywine #burgundywines #burgundylover #pinotnoir #bourgogne #vinsdebourgogne #vindebourgogne #bourgognewine #1ercru #oldvine #oldvines
My first trade tasting in almost two years...
@winesofportugalus did a great job showcasing such a diverse lineup of wines. Sparkling wines, dry white wines, dry red wines, Ports, Madeiras, etc.
Fantastic lineup of Madeiras from D'Oliveira brought in by The Rare Wine Co, which imports a tremendous array of vintages.
The 1969 Sercial and 1988 Terrantez were the highlights for me.
2017 Antoine Bouvet - Les Monts de la VallΓ©e Extra Brut (91 pts) @champagne_antoinebouvet
βΉοΈ This Champagne is π― Pinot Noir from a small 5-hectare family estate vineyard in the VallΓ©e de la Marne. The parcels are classified as Premier Cru in the villages of Avenay Val dβOr and Mareuil sur Ay, with an average vine age of 30 years old. Most of the grapes are sold to Bollinger, but several small CuvΓ©es are bottled at the domaine. The Champagne was disgorged in February 2021, and a low dosage of 2 g/l.
π Pae gold color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of baked yellow apple, quince paste, cooked pie crust, saltine cracker, lemon pith, salted butter, and white flowers.
π The palate is dry, pervasive fine bubbles, high acidity, medium alcohol (12%), and medium body. Creamy texture on the wine with a laser-focused acid backbone. A medium length finish of yellow apple, lemon zest, and saltine crackers.
π A relatively new grower Champagne for me. 2017 Les Monts de la VallΓ©e is a great starting to jumpstart exploring Antoine Bouvet's Champagnes. If you like acid-driven Champagnes that are more vinous, then these are worth seeking out. None of the wines break the bank, but finding them is challenging due to the microscopic production levels. I have a few more CuvΓ©es that I will be posting notes on as well.
π°~$62
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #champagne #growerchampagne #blancdenoirs #pinotnoir #champagnelover #champagnelife #π₯ #extrabrut #mareuilsuray #antoinebouvet
2018 Domaine Louis Jadot - Santenay Clos de Malte @louisjadot
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Pinot Noir from the village of Santenay in the southern part of the CΓ΄te de Beaune, Burgundy, France. Clos de Malte is a 7 ha monopole vineyard exclusively owned by Louis Jadot. The fruit is destemmed and fermented in tank. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (1/3 new oak) for 18 months.
π Medium ruby color.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe redcurrant, sour cherry, sweet baking spices, a slightly earthy note, and subtle florals.
π The palate is dry, medium- ripe tannins, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and medium+ body. Pure and ripe crunchy red fruit on the palate. A medium- length finish of red fruits and well-integrated oak spice.
π My eyes always perk up when I see "Domaine" next to Louis Jadot. A solid expression of Santenay with quite a bit of weight and heft for a village-level wine. Overall, this is a fruit-driven wine with loads of crunchy red fruits. 2018 Clos de Malte would be a wine that I would recommend to people looking to explore red Burgundy with a restrained budget in mind.
π°~$45
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #louisjadot #burgundy #burgundylover #bourgogne #vinsdebourgogne #bourgognewine #backtobourgogne #santenay #pinotnoir #pinotnoirlover
Nothing better than sitting down and seeing the evolution of two bottles of wine.
π· 2010 Domaine Ramonet - Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers
βοΈ The first bottle was a bit advanced and very flat on the nose. The palate was only really showing oak. This bottle seemed like it was a bit off.
βοΈ This bottle had noticeable lighter color, and the nose was far more expressive. Aromas of sunflower seeds, grilled peach, apricot, crΓ¨me brΓ»lΓ©e, and oak. Good concentration on the palate, good length, and solid finish. This would have benefited from a few more years in the cellar.
π· 2012 Domaine Fourrier - Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
Initially, the nose was herbal, raspberry coulis, and earl grey tea. After being in the decanter for 2 hours. The wine started to come alive with fresh ripe red berries, dried flowers, and a slight sanguine note. Remarkable depth from a village-level wine, but these wines still require patience or amble time in a decanter to properly perform.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #burgundy #burgundywine #gevreychambertin #vieillesvignes #chassagnemontrachet #1ercru #fourrier #ramonet #redburgundy #whiteburgundy
π·π£ Starting the next phase of my wine journey. Last week, I was accepted into the Master of Wine study program.
π The MW Exam is considered the most challenging wine exam in the world. I have always loved learning new things and taking tests, so I decided to challenge myself. When you do something like this, you need to do it for yourself and no one else.
β³ It is a self-study program that lasts at least 3-5 years. The MW program will be a significant time and financial investment with travel, study wines, etc.
πββοΈ I may reach out to a number of you to get some insight into one of the many subject areas that I will need help. Thank you in advance π
π I will do my best to document the process along the way. No matter how it ends up.
π€ If you have any questions, feel free to DM me. I am an open book.
π Thank you to all that sent me words of encouragement from last week's story announcement.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #mwstudent #mw #winestudy #winestudent #winestudies #winegoals #learnwine #selfstudy #winenerd #winegeek
2011 Domaine Roulot - Meursault Les Luchets (94 pts) @luchets007
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Chardonnay from the Les Luchets lieu-dit in the village of Meursault, Burgundy. The vines were planted in 1929 and farmed organically since 1989. The wines are hand-harvested, undergo an extremely gentle press cycle, and only indigenous yeast fermentation. The wines only receive minimal bΓ’tonnage every 3-4 weeks until malolactic fermentation is started. The wine is fermented in French oak barrels with ~15% new oak. The wines spend 11 months in barrel on the lees and another 7 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
π Medium lemon color (lousy lighting in photo).
π Medium intensity, present but restrained. Aromas of lemon pith, pomelo, nectarine, pear, green apple, lemon custard, greek yogurt, wet rock, and subtle oak.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (12.8%), and medium body. A chiseled palate was full of texture with finely detailed filigree. A long length finish showing delicate minerality with a slight citrus bitter note on the tail end.
π Domaine Roulot is something that I need to drink more often. There is an energy and verve to the wines that words don't do justice. 2011 Luchets was acid-driven from start to finish with crystalline fruit along the way. It was an educational opportunity to compare this side by side against the 2013 Les Luchets. They showcased the differences between the vintages. 2011 is ready to drink but should hold here indefinitely, but I will note the wine benefited from getting air slowly throughout dinner, morphing every time I went back to the glass.
π° ~$300
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #burgundywine #burgundywines #whiteburgundy #roulot #domaineroulot #meursault #bourgogne #burgundylover #vindebourgogne #cotedebeaune
2019 Serragghia Gabrio Bini - Bianco Zibibbo (92 pts) @serragghia
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Zibibbo (AKA Muscat of Alexandria) from the island of Pantelleria, which is a volcanic satellite island of Sicily. The 60-year-old vines are Biodynamically farmed. The wines are made in buried clay amphorae with skin contact for 3 months. Natural winemaking only using spontaneous wild yeast fermentation, no filtering, no fining, and no additives (including sulphur).
π Medium copper color with considerable haze (unfiltered).
π Pronounced intensity jumping out of the glass. Aromas of geranium, orange blossom, lemongrass, watermelon candy, tangerine peel, ginger beer, yeasty, and grapey.
π The palate is dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol (12.7%), and medium body. Wonderful gritty texture from the prolonged skin contact with a slight bitterness. Medium+ length finish of mixed florals, bitter watermelon rind, and yeasty beer notes.
π Hands down the best dry Zibibbo that I have tasted, but also the most expensive one as well. Usually, Zibibbos can be one-dimensional, but everything flavor-related about this wine was full throttle. Day 1, this wine was in peak form, especially at cellar temp. On Day 2, that wildness due to lacking sulphur became more apparent. The slight bitterness on the finish may be off-putting to some, but it just craves food, in my opinion. Skin contact wines are so food-friendly. If you are a natural wine lover and want something esoteric (yes, I realize that is implied already), than I recommend checking this wine out, but it is not where I would start your natural wine journey.
π° ~$100
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #naturalwine #naturalwines #naturalwinelover #skincontactwine #orangewine #orangewines #muscat #zibibbo #serragghia #vinobianco
2019 Madson - Toyon Vineyard Chardonnay (91 pts) @madsonwines
βΉοΈ The wine is π― Chardonnay from the Toyon Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA of California. The vineyard is 480 ft above Monterey Bay. The steep vineyard faces south. Foggy mornings and cool days. Organically farmed, hand-harvested, and only indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak with minimal racking. Unfined and unfiltered.
π Medium lemon color with a slight haze (unfiltered).
π Medium intensity, restrained nose. Aromas of yellow apple, nectarine, lemon pith, orange peel, and orange blossom.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate has a good weight balanced by crisp acidity with moderate salinity. Medium length finish of yellow apple and orange blossom.
π Madson is a micro-winery run by Cole Thomas. Micro - As a reference, 2019 Toyon Chardonnay is only 75 cases. First and foremost, this wine delivers a ton of flavor while being restrained in all the right ways with moderate oak and alcohol. The fruit and site are the stars of the show. This wine should only improve over the next few years in bottle βexcellent quality for the price. As a side note, it is great to see their pledge to be carbon neutral. πππ
π° ~$40
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #santacruzmountains #chardonnay #carbonneutral #minimalintervention #π
1985 Diamond Creek - Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (94 pts) @diamond_creek_vineyards
βΉοΈ The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Petit Verdot from the Volcanic Hill single vineyard in Diamond Mountain AVA of Napa Valley, California. The vines were planted in 1968 on ashy soil of the south-facing hillside estate vineyard. The wines were aged in π― new French oak.
π Deep ruby color with a pale garnet rim. Incredibly youthful appearance.
π An expressive nose that didn't show its true potential until the end of a long evening. The nose started with ripe to overripe black fruit and pen ink, but with air showed rosemary, lavender, pen ink, sweet baking spices, and dried leaves.
π The palate is dry, high acidity, medium+ brawny tannins, moderate alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate had a ton of primary fruit that was ripe but not jammy. Quite dense and mouth coating but quickly cut by the beautiful acidity. Medium+ length finish of black fruit, garrigue, and integrated oak spice.
π When will the Diamond Creek wines from the 80s be ready? Well, no one really knows exactly. If you get a well-stored bottle like this one, don't be afraid to decant it or open it a day in advance. The Volcanic Hill started as my least favorite wine of the trio, and by the end of the night, it was challenging the Dominus. These wines are almost impossible to catch at their peak due to their backward nature. Yes, yes, it was beautiful, but the patience required to enjoy these wines in the modern era is almost inconceivable. I haven't had a young Diamond Creek in ages, but it seems like I should be drinking their wines from the 70s now.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #cabernetsauvignon #napavalley #napa #napawine #napavalleywine #diamondcreek #diamondmountain #singlevineyard #oldwine #winecellar
2012 Chateau Musar - White (90 pts) @chateaumusar
βΉοΈ The wine is 60% Obaideh and 40% Merwah, both indigenous grapes from Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The vineyards are ingrafted and planted on the sea-facing slopes of Mount Lebanon at 1,200 meters above sea level. The vines are 50 to 90 years old. Fermented and aged in a combination of new French oak barrels and stainless steel vats for 9 months. The wine is then aged in bottle for 6 years before being released.
π Medium lemon color with a slight golden hue.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of honeycomb, candle wax, lemon verbena, orange blossom, oak, clove, peach skin, and hay.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium body. A good pithy texture on the palate. A medium- length finish of candle wax, hay, and orange peel.
π Typically, I prefer Chateau Musar White wines with more age on them. These are not fruit-driven wines. Although there was a touch of fruit on the nose, the palate was all bottle-aged development. While interesting to check in now, I think this wine still has a metamorphosis to undergo in the cellar before it is ready. It is a bit like an adolescent that is slightly awkward after a growth spurt with a high-pitched voice.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #musar #chateaumusar #lebanesewine #bekaavalley #naturalwine
1985 Dominus Estate (95 pts) @dominusestatewinery
π· What was the last wine where you thought wine critics missed the mark?
βΉοΈ The wine is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, all from Napanook Vineyard in Napa Valley, California. The wine spent ~18 months in French oak barrels with 20% new oak. The wine was bottle aged an additional 2 years before being released.
π Deep garnet color with a pale rim. It was not showing as much age as I would have thought for 36 years of age.
π Very expressive on the nose showing a combination of ripe and dried black cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Loads of development showing sweet tobacco, well-worn leather jacket, cedar, and forest floor.
π The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, moderate ripe, chewy tannins, well-balanced alcohol (13.4%), and medium+ body. This wine is on another level on the palate with a silky smooth texture, wonderfully seamless from beginning to end, and a long lingering finish.
π Only the third vintage of Dominus Estate, firing on all cylinders at 36 years of age. 1985 Dominus is now at its peak, but it should hang here for another decade. This wine blew away the top ChΓ’teaux in 1985 in our tasting, but 1985 is a better vintage in Napa than Bordeaux. This wine didn't see much critical acclaim when initially reviewed. To be fair, the wine must have been very tightly wound in its youth. Stunning wine! πππ
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #christianmoueix #dominus #dominusestate #cabernetsauvignon #merlot #bordeauxblend #napavalley #napa #napawine #napavalleywine
2007 Billecart-Salmon - CuvΓ©e Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne (94 pts) @champagne_billecart_salmon
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Chardonnay from 3 Grand Crus (Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, & Cramant) in the CΓ΄te des Blancs, Champagne, France. Half of the blend was vinified in oak without malolactic fermentation, while the other has was in stainless steel with malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on the lees for 10 years. The dosage is 7 g/l.
π Pale gold color.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of toast, brioche, custard, meyer lemon, lemon pith, yellow apple, seashell, salted butter, and acacia.
π The wine is dry, high acidity, fine precise bubbles, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium body. The palate is very creamy but at the same time delicate. A medium+ length finish of baked apple, lemon custard, and brioche.
π 2007 CuvΓ©e Louis Salmon is in a fantastic spot at the moment. The nose shows the influence of the oak aging and adds a lot of complexity while staying in balance. The palate is singing on this wine with great tension of the acidity that is perfectly balanced with the 7 g/l dosage. This wine paired amazingly well with a mixture of seafood from oysters to grilled totoaba. Another fabulous CuvΓ©e from Billecart-Salmon! π₯ππΎ
π° ~$170
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #billecartsalmon #champagne #champagnelover #champagnelife #champagneallday #blancdeblancs #grandcru #chardonnay #πΎ #π₯
2013 Domaine Denis Bachelet - Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes (92 pts) @domaine_bachelet
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir from multiple old vine parcels planted in 1932 and 1937 in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France. Domaine Denis Bachelet only has 3.85 ha under vine, with this CuvΓ©e being the largest bottling. Hand-harvested, π― destemmed grapes, and using indigenous yeast fermentation. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months with 20% new oak.
π Medium ruby color, unfiltered.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe dark cherry, black currant, raspberry, oak, star anise, earth, wet rock, roasted duck, and mint tea.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium- fine-grained tannins, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate shows a depth of concentration and an excellent weight for a village-level wine. A medium+ length finish of dark berries, oak spices, and mint tea.
π The 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is another illustration of how a producer can punch above their village level status with great old vine vineyards. This wine was waking up on day two and should be held for a few more years as it should continue to improve. These wines have crept up in price over the last few years. That being said, they still deliver a lot of quality even at these prices.
π° ~$125
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #denisbachelet #domainebachelet #gevreychambertin #vieillesvignes #pinotnoir #burgundy #burgundywine #burgundywines #pinotnoirlover #burgundylover
2017 CVNE - Monopole Blanco @cvnevino
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Viura (aka Macabeo) from the Rioja region of Spain. Monopole is the oldest white wine brand in Spain. CompaniΓ‘ VinΓcola del Norte de EspaΓ±a has produced this wine since 1915. Hand-harvested from bush vines in Rioja Alta. Gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks.
π Pale lemon color.
π Medium- intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe green apple, pear, acacia, white flowers, and citrus zest.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium- body. The palate has a steely texture. A medium- length finish of orchard fruit and florals.
π The 2020 Monopole is fresh and crisp. It is straightforward and subtle, which would make an excellent aperitif wine. Considerably more interesting than most Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio wines at this price point.
π° ~$14
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #rioja #riojawine #viura #macabeo #cvne #whitewine #vinoblanco #riojaalta #spanishwine #spanishwines
Last day of Summer Vacation and I am enjoying some Champagne by the beach.
π In Blind, We Trust
2019 Spottswoode - Sauvignon Blanc @spottswoodewinery
π· Tasted this blind. This wine was obviously a Sauvignon Blanc due to the high levels of pyrazines. Notes of lemongrass and freshly cut grass. It was too fruit-driven to be from Sancerre or Pouilly FumΓ©. Loads of gooseberry, pomelo, and grapefruit pith. A noticeable weight and creaminess made me think of this as a high-end New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
π€ There wasn't a noticeable new oak note, which had me discount high-end White Bordeaux. Sure it could have been Entre-Deux-Mers, but the quality seemed too high. That is the reason I ignored Chile as well. The creaminess on the palate should have led me away from New Zealand, but I don't think I would have landed in California. I should add California Sauvignon Blanc into my logic funnel.
2017 Roses de Jeanne - CΓ΄te de Val Vilaine Blanc de Noirs Champagne (93 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir from the 1.4 ha lieu-dit of Val Vilaine in the village of Celles-sur-Ource in the CΓ΄te des Bar, Champagne. CΓ©dric Bouchard is making some of the most singular and compelling sparkling wines in the world. Always single vineyard, single variety, and single vintage. No dosage. Only 300-500 cases annually.
π₯ Pale lemon color with very subtle bubbles. This is a wine that you need to open up in the glass. Fresh and expressive with crisp orchard fruit, lemon oil, florals, and a flinty note. The palate has zippy acidity but still carries a lot of fleshy texture that is quite impressive for a zero dosage wine. Excellent medium+ length finish. Definitely a wine you could sit down and ponder all by yourself. Easily one of my favorite Producers and if you see them snap them up quickly.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #cedricbouchard #rosesdejeanne #growerchampagne #champagne #blancdenoirs #blancdenoir #champagnelover #champagnelife #pinotnoir #zerodosage
π·ππ· Last night, I had the pleasure of tasting these two wines side by side. Every time I taste a 2004 red Burgundy against another vintage, I am always relieved that I don't have much in the cellar. The 2007 Clos de Tart destroyed the 2004.
π I'm not sure what ladybugs taste like exactly, but there was definite high-toned spearmint, almost faint tiger balm chemical note from the nose through the finish. I have had a few bottles of the 04 Clos de Tart, and it has always had that note on it for me.
In isolation, it isn't that bad, but in comparison with another vintage, it just becomes so obvious.
CVNE Virtual Tasting and Interview with Victor Urrutia @cvnevino
CompaniΓ‘ VinΓcola del Norte de EspaΓ±a
πΒ Join my Instagram Live interview with Victor Urrutia, the CEO at CompaniΓ‘ VinΓcola del Norte de EspaΓ±a or CVNE (pronounced COO-nay), on Tuesday, July 27th, at 9:00 am PST / 6:00 pm CET. Victor will give us some history and background of CVNE, which was founded in 1879. CVNE has remained in the family since its creation, with Victor being the 5th generation in charge. We will discuss the various wineries of CVNE and their respective styles of wine. We will talk about white Rioja wines and how the style has changed over the years. Lastly, we will talk about the Imperial wines and what differentiates them from the other wines of CVNE.
π· We will taste the following wines: 2020 Monopole Blanco Seco, 2016 Monopole ClΓ‘sico Blanco Seco, and 2014 Imperial Gran Reserva. We invite you to please join our Instagram Live and participate in the conversation.Β Don't forget to click the reminder in the stories.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #rioja #riojawine #larioja #cvne #granreserva #viura #tempranillo
π·βοΈ Do you like to taste wines in flights?
This group of wines was the wine flight of the year for me. Each wine could have been the WOTN, but as a trio, they are hard to beat.
π· 1961 LΓ³pez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva ViΓ±a Tondonia
ππ»ππ¦
π· 1961 ChΓ’teau Latour Γ Pomerol
π―πͺπ―
π· 1949 ChΓ’teau Haut-Brion
π₯π€€π
I will be posting better notes on each of these soon.
π Achievement Unlocked: 50K Followers π
A few weeks back, I reached this milestone that I never thought was possible. I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone that follows along with my content. And a special shout out to those that interact with me frequently in the comments and DMs. πππ
π· Now that we are getting out of the pandemic, please do let me know if any of you are ever in San Francisco. I will do my best to catch up and share a bottle of wine.
Once again, thank you all πππ
1973 ChΓ’teau d'Yquem - Sauternes (91 pts) @yquem_official
βΉοΈ This wine is a blend of SΓ©millon and Sauvignon Blanc from the Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux, France. 1973 is considered a mediocre vintage with a low production level.
π Medium tawny color with a pale rim.
π Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of botrytis, new plastic toy, brown sugar, vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, high-end honey, dried white plum, dried apricot, and enoki mushrooms.
π The wine is sweet, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol (~13.5%), and medium body. A medium length finish of dried orchard fruit, oak spices, and mushrooms.
π Although 1973 wasn't an exceptional vintage for ChΓ’teau d'Yquem, this is still an intriguing wine hanging onto the late stages of life. This wine doesn't show the same aromatic intensity or depth on the nose, while the palate isn't as sweet and lacks the concentration of better examples from superior vintages. It is still d'Yquem, so there is a certain level of polish.
π Thank you @terroir.inspire for sharing this bottle.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #yquem #chateaudyquem #sauternes #sweetwine #bordeaux
π«π·π· 1985 Left Bank Bordeaux
The 1985 vintage is regarded as a very good vintage, with the Right Bank often showing better. The Left Bank wines can be excellent and elegant, especially compared to the brawnier 1986 vintage wines that tended to overshadow them.
1985 ChÒteau Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe
π· This showed the best immediately out of the bottle. A more elegant and lighter expression of Cos d'Estournel in comparison to the 1982 and 1989 vintages. Loads of tobacco, gravel, dried blackcurrant, and blackberries. Definitely at its peak, but it should hang there for a while with proper conditions.
1985 Les Forts de Latour - Pauillac
π· In comparing the other two wines of the flight, Les Forts was not even close to the same pedigree. There was an evident pedigree in the oak used to make the wine, but that overshadowed any fruit remnants that may have still been there. Good texture, but lacked concentration.
1985 ChΓ’teau Latour - Pauillac
π· The clear winner of the flight, but the Cos gave it a run for the money. Latour took the longest to unfurl and probably should have been decanted. This wine tasted relatively youthful, given 36 years of age. Good concentration of black fruits married with sexy oak notes. Velvety on the palate and polished as one would expect, lacking some of that Latour power it's known for in top vintages.
Overall, this was a fun lineup of wines. It is rare for me to taste a Grand Vin and a Second Wine with so much bottle age. That in itself was intellectually satisfying.
π Thanks for @terroir.inspire for putting this together and letting me geek out with them.
1995 NoΓ«l Verset - Cornas (96 pts)
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Syrah from the Cornas appellation in the northern RhΓ΄ne Valley of France. NoΓ«l Verset (1919-2015) was a legendary vigneron of Cornas. He tended the vines for 75 years, starting at the age of 12 in 1931. While Hermitage and CΓ΄te-RΓ΄tie were gaining fame in the 1980s, Cornas was largely considered simple rustic wine. Verset's wines singularly stood out from the rest of the appellation, and in the 1990s, his wines put Cornas on the map.
π Medium ruby color with a pale garnet.
π Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of black olive tapenade, fresh black pepper, dried black cherry, dried bramble fruit, red plum, tarragon, lavender, cured meat, and game meat.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium silky tannins, medium alcohol (~13%), and medium body. Stunning balance and silky texture while being light on the palate. A long-length finish of dried bramble fruit, dried herbs, and cured meat.
π My first time trying a wine from Verset, and it did not disappoint. The color was amazing. The wine was a bit sleepy at first, but after patiently checking in through dinner, it started to blossom. Can a wine be rustic and elegant at the same time? Well, this wine walked that line very well. The myriad of flavors is utterly charming, from the dried herbs to the game meat funk. Then on the palate, it is just as layered and gentle. To sum it up in emojis π₯π₯π₯.
π Thank you @clayfu.wine for sharing this hard to come by bottle. They don't make them like this anymore is an understatement.
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #cornas #syrah #verset #rhonewine #rhonevalley #northernrhone #rarewine #rhone #rhΓ΄ne #rhonevalleywines
π₯π· Three stellar examples of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the 1985 vintage. If you could only save one glass to enjoy against a flight of 1985 Left Bank Bordeaux, which would you choose?
π·1985 Dominus Estate
This wine was my wine of the flight. It was complete, polished, and restrained. Overall showing very well at peak and not going anywhere. This seemed uniquely qualified to stand up to the flight of Bordeaux in the next round.
π·1985 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill
For most of the tasters, this was their wine of the flight. However, this wine was still brooding for me, maybe even a bit backwards. It's crazy to say that this still needs more time, but it does.
π·1985 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard
This wine definitely showed the ripest of the group. The telltale eucalyptus/menthol notes were on display. It had the tartest acidity of the flight, but was missing a touch of balance for me as the high acidity and plush fruit fought a bit with each other on the palate.
1937 The Massandra Collection - Gurzuf Rose Muscat @massandra.winery
πΊπ¦π· Have you tried a fortified Muscat before?
βΉοΈ This sweet fortified wine from the pink Muscat grape from the Massandra estate is one of the oldest wineries in Crimea, dating back to Tsarist times. The southern coast of Crimea is the best wine-producing region in Ukraine, well technically Russia as of 2014. The Massandra Collection is famous for being previously owned by Czar Nicholas II and later Joseph Stalin. A tiny portion of the collection was sold at auction by Sotheby's in London in the early 1990s.
π· My 2nd time a wine from Massandra Collection, they are always unique, and the extraordinary back story always helps. The wine is sweet (~120 g/l) and the alcohol was fairly moderate for a fortified wine (~15%). The nose was extremely floral and charming literally jumping out of the glass. The palate had great concentration, moderate acidity, and quite sweet. The finish lasted for minutes. It was fun debating the merits of this wine with the other tasters.
A tour of aged Italian wine
This flight of wines was a mixed bag.
1961 Minuto - Barolo Riserva Speciale
π· Aged Nebbiolo always has a unique look to it. The wine was a bit past prime, but it still showed some fruit but mostly dried, mellow tannins, and firm acidity.
1973 Bertani - Recioto della Valpolicella Amarone Classico Superiore
π· This wine was the most divisive wine of the flight, with some tasters thinking it was flawed. While I believe it to be corked, there was a ton of volatile acidity and some funk on the nose. Pretty high octane as well on the palate.
1997 Marchesi Antinori - Tignanello
π· Hands down, the star of the flight. Everyone admitted that the wine was drinking beautifully at the moment. Some tasters commented that this is a wine people "love to hate" because it comes from the extensive wine producing Antinori family, but it is hard not to give wines like Tignanello their due when you taste them.
Unplanned aged Volnay tasting
1997 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville - Volnay 1er Cru
π· Showing the best out of the flight immediately out of the gate. Lots of great fruit, clearly at peak. Well composed. @gdangerville
1985 Domaine & Selection - Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds
π· Sadly corked π
1985 Domaine Parent - Volnay 1er Cru Les Clos des ChΓͺnes
π· This wine had the most depth of the line up and needed the most air. This won the flight by the end of the night.
1961 Hospices de Beaune - Volnay
π· Surprisingly alive given the age. Nose was slightly maderized, but a sweet red cherry red currant on the palate. Opened up with a bit of air, but then shut back down. Fun to taste these old wines.
π·π€ What was the last geeky wine tasting you joined?
I am meeting some new friends in Napa for a tasting where the theme is bottles that are from vintages separated by 12 years 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937.
I'm contributing the 1961 Lopez de Heredia ViΓ±a Tondonia Gran Reserva and two back up 1985 bottles. You never know what will happen with old wines.
What is your favorite oyster + wine pairing?
π¦ͺπ· We decided to have oysters with dinner tonight. I found this Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis on the list, and I thought it could go well with the oysters and the next course. The nose and palate showed lots of citrus peel, white flowers, and crushed rock. The wine had good crisp acidity and quite a bit of weight. Solid, honest, and affordable wine that was totally in balance.
π€― I was surprised when I read 14% ABV on the label as it felt much lighter.
2014 Domaine Cecile Tremblay - Chambolle-Musigny Les Cabottes (93 pts) @cecile_tremblay_officiel
βΉοΈ This wine is π― Pinot Noir. The Les Cabottes grapes come from three different lieux-dits of the Chambolle-Musigny commune in Burgundy, France. The Domaine is practicing organic and Biodynamic Viticulture. Grapes are mostly destemmed although more and more whole cluster is being used. Wines are aged 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels with about a third new oak, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
π Medium ruby color with a pale rim.
π Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of potpourri, violets, peonies, ripe black cherry, raspberry, red plum, coriander seed, flint, and slight mint tea.
π The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium- soft tannins, medium alcohol (13%), and medium body. Great texture on the palate. A medium+ length finish of ripe red and black fruit, rosewater, and wet rock.
π The 2014 Les Cabottes started a bit reductive when first poured, but after hours in a decanter, it was worth revisiting at the end of the meal. The nose was a veritable bouquet with roses, violets, peonies, and some flower pot water as well. Still tightly wound, this wine needs considerable more time to unfurl truly. These wines are utterly impossible to find, but I look forward to hunting some more down. Hard to believe it was just a village-level wine.
π Thank you @tracvino for sharing this hard to come by bottle
#vin #lovewine #π· #wineterroir #wine #chambollemusigny #ceciletremblay #burgundy #burgundywine #bourgogne
