2016 Silver Oak Alexander Valley

 

Day One Notes:

Received a few btls of 2016 Silver Oak Alexander Valley as a gift a while back. Decided to open one. I just don't drink much California Cabernet Sauvignon anymore.

This is a meh example, and appears to be quite overpriced. Pop and pour with light decant for aeration. Astringency gets in the way of the fruit. Will check in on it in a few days to see if anything improves...

 The chargrilled steak with caprese salad were tasty, though!

Day Two Notes:

Three days later, this has cleaned up remarkably well. Tasty medium weight black cherry up front with some mid palate spiciness that bodes well for future development... 

Early astringency has subsided... 

Paired with duck confit hash... 

2000 Paolo Scavino Bric dël Fiasc and 2016 Muraje Sumié

 Interesting pair of wines from Castiglione Falletto and Carema. Thanks to @"Werner Van Damme" for introducing me to the wines from Muraje!

I haven't had the best experiences with the 2000 vintage Barolos, however this Fiasc showed extremely well, and will likely continue to age well for another few years. Delicious fruit on the palate supported by filigreed structure and a savory complexity on the finish. 

The Muraje needs another 5 years or so to really get into a sweet spot for drinking. Brisk acidity and higher altitude structure up front buffer tasty fruit. The finish is still somewhat simple at this juncture, but I'll wager this wine will develop into a beauty. Definitely a good candidate for cellaring. 

2006 and 2008 Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici Riserva

 I've followed the evolution of the 2006 Riserva for the past ten years. The positive development of the wine - gaining weight, presence and complexity - has been phenomenal. This bottle showed extraordinarily well. While I haven't had the famous 1968 vintage, I could envision the 2006 aging into hallowed status. It has become increasingly difficult to source the 2006 Riserva. If you find some, snatch it up for sure. I have a couple of bottles left and will continue to hold them.

The 2008 Riserva vintage is a very pleasant, balanced wine with loads of fruit and elegant structure. It lacks the classicism of the 2006. It will continue to improve. 
The 2008 Mastroberardino Riserva was produced to commemorate the life of Antonio Mastroberardino who passed away in 2014.

These wines demonstrate the winemaking heights that can be achieved in Campania with the noble Aglianico varietal.

2017 Bordega Jorge Ordonez (Malaga) Moscatel Victoria #2

Another recent discovery.... 
100% Moscatel de Alexandria varietal ...
Tropical honeyed palate with nice early complexity evidenced by slightly bitter accent and pleasing spice on the finish. Nice QPR.
Collaborative effort between Ordonez and Kracher!

2020 Tenuta di Salviano Rigogoli

A discovery for me...
 Really enjoyable Umbrian blend of Grechetto di Todi and Viognier. 
Tasting blind, I thought Malvasia was part of the mix, but it's not.
Wonderful balance of salinity, acidity and fruit ... a truly intriguing blend. 
Rigogoli = golden orioles
Paired with tempura fried lobster tails. Yum

2016 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico

Quite approachable now. Tannins have mellowed. Tasty red and blue fruits followed by a deliciously intriguing finish of allspice. The only weakness with this bottle was lack of nose. This should be good for another decade. Interested in what tertiary characteristics develop on the finish. Paired with ravioli stuffed with ground beef, pork and lamb.

Flying Dog "Double Dog" Double IPA

 

With Murray's heritage sourced Calabrese style salami... heavenly... just in time for a norther....brrrr..

2020 Cellar del Roure Cullerot

 

Interesting very cost effective amphorae white from Valencia.... 

Paired with blackened catfish etouffee and hushpuppies ... yum.. 

Cru tasting, February 2024

 

2001 Chauteu Rieussec Sauternes 

2004 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva

2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

2010 Quintarelli Cá del Merlo 

2011 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet 

2013 Cayeuse God Only Knows Grenache

2015 Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Tintot 

2016 Clos Mogador  

2016 Vina Diezmo RV Reserva 

2019 Double Diamond Schrader Cabernet 

2020 Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta II