tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66566979315814754632024-03-24T00:11:18.354-07:00Les Tastevins au du LacStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.comBlogger598125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-6544760406652989652024-02-28T18:43:00.000-08:002024-02-28T18:43:01.731-08:00Cru tasting, February 2024<p> </p><p>2001 Chauteu Rieussec Sauternes </p><p><br /></p><p>2004 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva</p><p><br /></p><p>2007 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes</p><p><br /></p><p>2010 Quintarelli Cá del Merlo </p><p><br /></p><p>2011 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet </p><p><br /></p><p>2013 Cayeuse God Only Knows Grenache</p><p><br /></p><p>2015 Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Tintot </p><p><br /></p><p>2016 Clos Mogador </p><p><br /></p><p>2016 Vina Diezmo RV Reserva </p><p><br /></p><p>2019 Double Diamond Schrader Cabernet </p><p><br /></p><p>2020 Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta II </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-30372671046806280882024-02-24T00:12:00.000-08:002024-02-24T00:12:34.996-08:002013 Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto <p><br /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">One of the most robust versions of this wine I've had, with big time structure and a fair amount of very fine sediment on the tail end of the bottle. With the current state of the delicious tannins, it would be ideal to hold another 7 to 10 years. The fruit should definitely hold in there and contribute gracefully in development. There is a LOT of depth and complexity to this vintage. Impressive. 👍🍷</span><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Paired scrumptiously with prime chateaubriand...</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/1o/ydbn3wddf0fq.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-23055736807019837322024-01-19T22:48:00.000-08:002024-01-19T22:57:47.213-08:002018 Borgo del Tiglio Studio di Bianco<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>50% Friulano</p><p> 25% Sauvignon</p><p> 25% Riesling</p><p>14.5% abv</p><p><br /></p><p>Very nice development over the past couple of years and starting to show the potential of the tasty sorcery when these varietals integrate</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gcwK5GYVKPcCv6AGrBHhgXIVzwJIbzZdGS4sJbKjLJAfrQyXiFle1MH0bR9uJ89pt4rWSNoEyPQfKBw9wShV6_PlADOnEGlux0LDabRWVmgaO6AN7GZK8UJNHxHyOQ-HySwgTOxdC98xUYi8uJp1mfLXlL8KIEH_b9VBbnTbLxdp5JugmHXEiUdggTU/s4000/20240120_010838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gcwK5GYVKPcCv6AGrBHhgXIVzwJIbzZdGS4sJbKjLJAfrQyXiFle1MH0bR9uJ89pt4rWSNoEyPQfKBw9wShV6_PlADOnEGlux0LDabRWVmgaO6AN7GZK8UJNHxHyOQ-HySwgTOxdC98xUYi8uJp1mfLXlL8KIEH_b9VBbnTbLxdp5JugmHXEiUdggTU/s320/20240120_010838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> in the blend... bravo! <p></p><p>Drink one now if you have some. Save the rest for future long term appreciation and enjoyment....👍</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">must include the wonderful Producer notes from Eric Guido for reference...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;">"...Speaking with Mattia Manferrari, of Borgo del Tiglio, inevitably resulted in a long and thorough conversation about terroir. The reason being that this top-level Friuli producer ultimately places the most importance upon location and the vines that grow there. The Manferrari family tends three vineyards throughout the Collio region. The Brazzano cru is located around the winery, and it’s also one of the first parcels acquired four generations ago. This is the warmest of the Borgo del Tiglio sources with </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; font-style: oblique; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ponca</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"> soils, a layered mix of marl, sandstone and marine fossils, making it ideal for the Friulano that produces the Ronco della Chiesa and the Merlot that creates the Rosso della Centa. This location is also home to ancient Malvasia vines that inform the Italo & Bruno. Further into the hills, near the small village of Ruttars, we find a cooler climate with </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; font-style: oblique; margin: 0px 0px 14px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ponca</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;"> soils laced with limestone, which creates the perfect environment for aromatic white varieties. This is the source of the Collio Bianco and the single-vineyard Studio di Bianco, a field blend of Friulano, Sauvignon and Riesling. Then there is Ca delle Vallade, the coolest section of the Collio, where Borgo del Tiglio sources their Chardonnay from red, iron-rich soils. In order to highlight the specific characteristics of each of these vineyards, a low-impact process is followed in the winery. Fruit is pre-sorted in the vineyards and pressed gently, where only free-flow juice is used to retain acidity and finesse, and just 50% of the weight of the grapes actually makes it into two-to-five-year-old barrels for fermentation and refinement over nine months (with the exception of about 20% new oak for the Chardonnay). As for the vintage in front of us, primarily 2018, it ended up being an early yet extended harvest. Early due to a warm spring, yet cool and dry temperatures through September allowed the vineyard teams to pick at the most opportune times. Unfortunately, hail in July drastically lowered yields in the cooler-climate vineyards, as much as 50% for the Studio di Bianco and Chardonnay. In most cases, I found the 2018s to have more textural girth than expected, yet they were balanced and energetic. This mix provides a bit more upfront appeal to the new releases, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that these won’t mature beautifully over medium-term cellaring. -- Eric Guido, January 2021..."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px;" /><img alt="" class="embedImage-img importedEmbed-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg" srcset="https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=10/https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg 10w, https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=300/https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg 300w, https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=800/https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg 800w, https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=1200/https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg 1200w, https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=1600/https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg 1600w, https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/r2/t27262xaotb1.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3px; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 14px; max-height: none; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" /></p><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-45731265148360544252023-12-25T21:46:00.000-08:002023-12-25T21:46:25.622-08:002016 Chateau Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape<p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Humble entry wine from Vaudieu..</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Sings on day 2 with prime rib. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Green light for another 5 to 10 years of cellaring.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Very pretty fruit...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/ql/i2qqphe8mbl6.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /></p><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-74853041989510675282023-12-10T13:38:00.000-08:002023-12-10T13:38:57.423-08:002014 Fiorenzo Nada Barbaresco Manzola<p><br /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">A very elegantly structured, lithe and classic rendition of Nebbiolo. More open and improving on day 2. Wish I had more of this.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/2h/w3jod8vawpaj.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-9416236295252264382023-12-02T23:28:00.000-08:002023-12-02T23:28:56.327-08:00Spain, Burgundy, Rhone and Barbaresco <p><br /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Beautiful, aged Grenache from Spain, nice Volnay, very very nice Cote-Rotie, and delicious Barbaresco... paired with chicken and sausage jambalaya. Took some of the sting out of the Dawgs loss to Bama...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Volnay required a lot of aeration and was tasty. The Cote-Rotie was cranking from the start and just got better and better. It was my favorite of the night. The Barbaresco showed really really well after a couple of hours in a decanter. I haven't tried any 2014 Barbaresco up until this one. My impression was of filigreed tannins and balanced fruit once it got some air. Needs another 5 years minimum. Nice potential. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Cleaning up listening to Rolling Stones live at University of Leeds (1971) and finishing off the Barbaresco...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/PpEz2R91Yjg?si=o89y7juY2AunN3Hv">https://youtu.be/PpEz2R91Yjg?si=o89y7juY2AunN3Hv</a></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/bv/mo2iug0ttxnd.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/u0/d68telnea8j5.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-30447211263797699452023-11-30T13:48:00.000-08:002023-11-30T13:48:35.884-08:00Cru tasting November 2023<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">First flight:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">1985 Leoville Las Cases (my favorite)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">1986 Leoville Las Cases</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">1990 Leoville Las Cases</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">1996 Leoville Las Cases</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2005 Leoville Las Cases</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">1912 D'Oliveiras Madeira Verdelho Reserva</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Second flight:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2008 Anderson’s Conn Valley “Estate Reserve” Napa Cabernet (my favorite)</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2009 Laurel Glen (Sonoma Mtn) Cabernet</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2010 Plumpjack Estate Oakville Napa Cabernet</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2011 Penfolds Grange</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2012 Lewis Cellars Napa Cabernet</span></div><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2013 Myriad Cellars “Three Twins Vineyard” Napa Cabernet</span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-9109669938285604782023-11-27T20:31:00.000-08:002023-11-27T20:31:58.032-08:002015 SQN Trouver l'Arène<p><br /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">80% Syrah with the balance being Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Viognier..</span><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">30% whole cluster provides intriguing depth.<br /></span></span><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Needs lots of air. Actually gains presence bigtime over the course of a couple of hours. Very elegant.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Paired nicely with duck confit hash ....👍🍷</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/vi/1os05kh02r87.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/54/zz26gta34qm1.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-73721746833223328942023-11-19T00:17:00.000-08:002023-11-19T00:17:33.402-08:00Pommard, Barbaresco, Barolo<p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2010 Domaine Billard-Gonnet Pommard 1er Cru Les Pèzerolles</span><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Early... hold another five years at minimum for optimal enjoyment... powerful structure..... Lots of sour cherry.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">After a couple of hours, starts to show more suppleness. Really nice potential .... classic Pommard. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja Reserva</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Wow! Lascivious stage for this wine. Lush, sensual, big fruit, sweet tannins. Lots of length but this will be stellar in 10 years. Not the most elegant vintage but it's a keeper for the longer haul IMO.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2013 Vajra Albe</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Blend of fruit from Fossati, Coste de Vergne and La Volta. Clearly a bit early on the curve. Fine structure, quite elegant medium weight.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">....opens up a bit about an hour in for the fruit to show better..... we have leftovers on this one so we'll see what tomorrow brings </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/yq/oqmdnuxhhz05.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/1e/oavuhpola5bz.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/my/2a29t68wojsy.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-4983199745902583702023-11-15T22:29:00.000-08:002023-11-15T22:40:12.370-08:002018 Cotas 45 UBE La Carrascal <p> <span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">I've posted on this before.... a very interesting exercise in a totally dry Palomino. </span></p><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Trocken Riesling lovers take note.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">This will benefit from cellaring since there's still a bit of heat on the finish...</span><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">I like this producer...</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Musical pairing</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/a9PKXTyvVD8?si=_FB8UMO8HCXVmK71">https://youtu.be/a9PKXTyvVD8?si=_FB8UMO8HCXVmK71</a></span><br /></span><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/u9/b71yrks68t8c.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><p><br /></p></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-33923069092516723152023-11-05T00:45:00.004-07:002023-11-05T00:48:10.195-07:002018 Kuentz-Bas Riesling Geisburg Grand Cru <p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">First time trying this producer....</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">One of my favorite things about this wine at this early stage of development is the petrol accent on the nose...paired with smokey mac and cheese with bacon..</span><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Music pairing</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/6B_xjv_pqro?si=b4PKO28gyFozpvrD">https://youtu.be/6B_xjv_pqro?si=b4PKO28gyFozpvrD</a><br /></span></span><div><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/9i/46majsryvjjn.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /></div></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-47768084500109162602023-10-30T00:30:00.004-07:002023-10-30T00:30:39.217-07:002020 Tre Monti Thea <p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">First time trying this. 100% petit manseng. This is a wine to be paired with food. It has a somewhat voluptuous palate, with a pithiness on the finish. Based on notes from @"Eric Guido", the 2020 is somewhat of a weak vintage for this wine. I am inclined to agree since the wine, at this stage, lacks complexity and depth. However, it did show some development on day 2 which may bode well for the future. I cannot get enough of the white wines from Italy, Spain and Alsace these days. Fascinating stuff to be found every day.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/00/fk3020l44xic.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/ci/3owzc93mcui9.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-91143926639955578752023-10-24T16:07:00.005-07:002023-10-24T16:07:47.323-07:00Cru October 2023<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Mike Brawley poured a flight of outstanding Spanish wines from his cellar. No formal notes.</p><p>The 1994 Artadi and 1998 Ramirez de Ganuza showed beautifully! The 2005 Planots is 50/50 blend of Carignan and Grenache and had fascinating complexity. The 2016 Proto Gran Riserva is a a really nice place right now with air, and shows the seductiveness of Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero..</p><p>1994 Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja Riserva</p><p>1998 Ramirez de Ganuza Rioja Riserva</p><p>2000 Fra Fulca La Vilella Alta Priorat Vinyas Velles</p><p>2002 Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial Sardon de Duero</p><p>2004 La Vinya del Vuit Priorat</p><p>2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga</p><p>2004 Bodegas Lan Rioja Riserva</p><p>2005 Cellar Cal Pla Mas d’En Compte Planots Priorat</p><p>2005 Artadi Pagos Viejos Rioja Riserva</p><p>2010 Celler de Capcanes Val de Calas Montsant</p><p>2012 Hanzana Rioja Tradicion</p><p>2016 Bodegas Protos Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva</p><p> </p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-26888739289845752672023-10-23T21:55:00.004-07:002023-10-23T21:55:48.158-07:00Ischia <p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">First foray with Biancolella from Ischia. Thanks to @"Eric Guido" for making me aware of these wines. A modestly priced wine. I'm guessing seeing only stainless steel. Quite suave, lemony quaff. Paired with duck confit hash (sauteed sweet potato chunks, prosciutto, garlic cloves, onions). Just stupid good. We're drinking a lot more white wine these days...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Music pairing:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/aLq2z5CBwFw?si=6ZU-l4d3QiwtooCR">https://youtu.be/aLq2z5CBwFw?si=6ZU-l4d3QiwtooCR</a></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">They've been touring with Wilco.. lot of great Wilco influence in their music, especially Tweedy, Cline and Sansone influence on triple guitar attack...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/ib/co1cznzurvzl.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/t4/6ruitspfyndj.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-27109415665136790552023-10-21T15:24:00.005-07:002023-10-21T15:43:35.948-07:00Cru wine flight 28 Aug 2023<p><br /></p><p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Poured these at a recent tasting...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2019 Mayer Chardonnay Yarra Valley</span></p><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2013 Pehu-Simonet Extra Brut Villers-Marmery Les Chouettes Fins Lieux No. 7 </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet CdP La Cuvee du Papet (2nd favorite)</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2015 Chateau de Vaudieu CdP L'Avenue</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2016 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard Walla Walla Valley</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2015 Malartic-Lagraviere Pessac-Leognan</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2015 Clos de l'Oratoire Saint-Emilion</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Napa Valley (favorite)</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The Pehu-Simonet showed better than six months ago when I tried it. <br />The Mayer Chardonnay was a disappointment at that price range.<br />Beringer Private Reserve Cab may not be trendy these days, but it's a stalwart representation of how good Napa cabs can be.<br />Cayuse syrah have a signature herbal funkiness that diminishes over time. This example was not popular because of that unique nose and palate. Just too young. I like Horsepower better. <br /><br /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/4s/id2jaa49ypcs.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/48/4u1rrgytgtb6.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/3b/o47qhs5znute.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/nm/6uc9wlnoz30t.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-88938592158686097552023-10-13T20:42:00.003-07:002023-10-13T20:43:07.241-07:002019 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Spätlese AP 14 <p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We've been knocking back with wines from Erich and Johannes Weber recently. </span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This one is still young, but we vacu-vin'd half the btl to revisit after a few days. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Day X : wow! Really blossomed. These guys make some of the most elegant Riesling available today.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">When tasting at a cooler temperature, a beautiful peach nose and palate hits you, with a lovely finish.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">As it warms up, the palate transitions to some zesty lime on the finish... beautiful salinity.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">My wife and I love these wines.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/de/b6w9gj4niavy.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Music to enjoy Riesling by...</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/EpXIt_7uso8?si=oRmyO_F5Acg91FH7">https://youtu.be/EpXIt_7uso8?si=oRmyO_F5Acg91FH7</a></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-70569411922313161982023-08-16T16:39:00.001-07:002023-08-16T16:39:17.651-07:00Lovely Italian White Wines<p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2021 Mastroberardino NovaSerra Greco di Tufo</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Delightfully afforable, quaffable wine. Young, tart, fruit forward. Stainless steel, no oak showcases the terroir of the Montefusco vineyard. This bottle went quickly....👍 definitely a rebuy.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2017 Pievalta Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva San Paolo</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Mellowed nicely. Suave spicy lemony with some tropical influence and a bit of nuttiness on the finish.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/zz/4gjtoqpi5x3i.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-53857711234671787052023-07-27T20:41:00.001-07:002023-07-27T20:41:12.024-07:002015 Yves Cuilleron Cornas Le Village<p> A little too polished for my taste</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVfoAFNl_7pFBLWxA6uYtJzUBlf5F9vhX7uOsbNYaNFF3PWzFP0ZcCVInZYK56l8ROEFWRn8qgM-arKMyj-hyXMogCWLzRwAPXuvOzwzTBCUocOlR4oIZRE-VJkEL2SUVYrEQjr8JrnoD2n0UJ9nBG2TUXev0drPCLGKiCMlNoPGlC7pwlM9Mp3xNAA4/s4000/20230727_225526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVfoAFNl_7pFBLWxA6uYtJzUBlf5F9vhX7uOsbNYaNFF3PWzFP0ZcCVInZYK56l8ROEFWRn8qgM-arKMyj-hyXMogCWLzRwAPXuvOzwzTBCUocOlR4oIZRE-VJkEL2SUVYrEQjr8JrnoD2n0UJ9nBG2TUXev0drPCLGKiCMlNoPGlC7pwlM9Mp3xNAA4/s320/20230727_225526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-91773241059541226772023-07-27T17:47:00.004-07:002023-07-27T20:48:02.728-07:00Cru (July 2023)<p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Leonard Taylor and Ric Alpert hosted our wine tasting this month.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">(my favorites are indicated)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Prelude:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2016 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Dessus de Bois Marie</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2016 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Alouettes (magnum) favorite</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">First flight</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2005 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2007 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2006 Copain Syrah James Berry Vineyard (favorite)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">1998 Ojai Syrah EH Roll Ranch Vineyard (2nd favorite)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2000 Ojai Syrah Thompson Vineyard Special Bottling</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2008 Alban Syrah Reva</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2nd Flight</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog (favorite)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 SQN Distenta II (2nd favorite)... Syrah with small amounts of Grenache and Mourvedre</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 Liminal Syrah Block 16 Weather Eye</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2020 Mollydooker Shiraz The Boxer<br /></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">No formal notes, however this was my first taste of the Baron Champagnes which are 100% Pinot Meunier. The 2016 Alouette was the more approachable of two, showing nice fruit and some early complexity. I'm not a huge fan of 100% Pinot Meunier champagne. To me, they are either too earthy or the fruit is too lean. The Baron Champagnes were a revelation into what heights Pinot Meunier can reach.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">The first flight was a smorgasbord of beautifully aged California Syrah by Wells Guthrie, Adam Tolmach and John Alban. All bottles were purchased direct from the winery and perfectly cellared. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">The second flight was a superb showing of younger syrahs with Zinfandel ringer (both flights tasted double blind). The bouquet on the Bionic Frog is crazy interesting. </span><div><span face=""lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-388935128905431372023-07-23T00:00:00.001-07:002023-07-23T00:00:27.453-07:002020 Cantina Terlano Vorberg Riserva<p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Obviously a bit young. Quite a bit more structure and acidity than recent vintages. This one is a good bet for the long haul. Once it opens up, some of the beautiful Vorberg fruit peeks through. A classic in the making, I think.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/0b/3e5b2v8vszj1.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-19250933616562185212023-07-03T22:17:00.001-07:002023-07-03T22:17:29.472-07:002020 Borgo del Tiglio Ronco della Chiesa<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">EG is right on:</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://v1.vinous.com/wines?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=2020+Borgo+del+Tiglio+Ronco+della+Chiesa">https://v1.vinous.com/wines?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=2020+Borgo+del+Tiglio+Ronco+della+Chiesa</a></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Very early stage of drinking window. Decanting and aerating for a couple of hours highly recommended. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Tocai Friulano.... super elegant and quite a bit of complexity emerges after a few hours. I think @"Mark Scudiery" turned me on to Borgo del Tiglio a number of years ago.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/hj/mbtzfptx2d9c.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-31926268843388581452023-07-02T13:08:00.002-07:002023-07-02T13:08:45.860-07:002017 Kelley Fox Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard (Dundee Hills)<p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Early drinking window has opened. Decanted to aerate for about an hour prior to rebottling for journey to restaurant. Minimal sediment. Beautifully translucent color, with signature whole cluster aromatics. An olfactory pinot noir delight.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Fox's version of Maresh Vineyard has always reminded of Dugat-Py Vosne-Romanee. Lithe, high toned cherry fruit with sort of a rhubarb-y influence on the mid-palate. Once it unfurls, there's a lot of complexity on the finish weaving in some blue fruit. I love this stuff.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Paired with an amazing mushroom torrecelli with fresh truffles .... a melange of flavors that was off the charts at Kindred restaurant.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/ad/couvip7qyqz9.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br /><br /> </span>Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-61262753282234496872023-07-02T11:03:00.004-07:002023-07-02T11:12:02.027-07:002016 Bodegas Cota 45 UBE El Carrascal Las Vegas<p> <span face=""lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">I'm really digging the wines of </span><span face=""lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Ramiro Ibáñez at Cota 45 in Sanlúcar, Jerez. Beautifully stony expression of Palomino varietal grown in the famous chalk of the region. Just delightful. 👍</span></p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">More info at:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.josepastorselections.com/cota-45.html">http://www.josepastorselections.com/cota-45.html</a></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span face=""lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Paired beautifully with crawfish gnocchi dish at Joe Kindred's eponymously named restaurant in Davidson NC, always in the running for a James Beard award.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/gg/1egwwcwwqtiv.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/tt/g2rcgh9dyrrh.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-3853870134651010872023-06-26T22:02:00.001-07:002023-06-26T22:02:36.722-07:00Krankl-mania<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">SQN tasting line up from this evening. No detailed notes, but a helluva lot of fun. Bree Basham is the chair of our wine group and she's a Krankl fan. Superbly crafted wines as always. The service and the food at Dressler's Metropolitan, where our tasting group meets, is top notch.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Testa del Cherubi = Face of an Angel?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/v2/r2cwvu8kuamu.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/2a/ctpblor9kj2d.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/v0/usr2ii95ynck.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656697931581475463.post-63152488616624635632023-06-19T20:31:00.004-07:002023-06-19T20:31:56.895-07:002011 PdB Asili and 2011 PdB Rabaja <p> </p><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Just brief impressions on these, enjoyed side by side. Both were decanted for aeration about an hour in advance. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2011 Asili needs a bit more time to develop its famously ethereal tertiary complexity. Tannins are resolved, but the best is yet to come.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">2011 Rabaja is in a fine stage of early drinkability. Opened up lusciously. Tannins have resolved and this is a seamless beauty. No harm in drinking one now, but this should evolve beautifully over the next decade. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Looking forward to the 20 year report from @"Philippe Richer" in 2031 😊</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/x9/nmzl670mgm7a.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><img alt="" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020913/uploads/editor/cu/i02o077pwxcd.jpg" style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: "lucida grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533967847427562227noreply@blogger.com0