2012 Ornellaia and 2012 MacDonald

 Both opened for slow oxygenation in btl for around 5 hours. 

Tasted these single blind side by side and actually mixed them up trying to guess which was which.

I'd never had a MacDonald that was ready, but this one is. It's a blockbuster of a wine.... very much in the zone for enjoyment.  100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The Ornellaia was more reserved and not showing as readily. Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (7%).

2024 Clos Cibonne Rosé Cuvée Tradition

Importer notes...
"...Tibouren (a local Provençal rosé variety) spends a year in 100 year old barrels covered by flor to protect it from oxidizing.  As a result, the wine drinks more like a fine white wine than a typical fresh, light and lively rosé.  The color is different, too, a light copper hue.  About 10% of this wine is Grenache which I suspect adds a hint of freshness to it.  The result is an original work that is absolutely delicious to drink..."

Billy Norris, Vinous , June 2026 notes...
“The 2024 Rosé Cuvée Tradition is a wild, exotic wine. Aged sous-voile in foudre for one year, this blend of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache unleashes a heady array of beeswax, stewed peach, chamomile, toasted bread and wild herbs. It’s a waxy, enveloping, utterly distinctive Rosé that is very much on the cerebral side, and also pushing the limits of VA. Quite honestly, the Tradition is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted. Readers who haven’t tasted these wines before owe it to themselves to do so.”

Showing very well right now. This is a very dry and balanced wine at a young age. Paired nicely with spicy grilled shrimp. 

I'm picking up some of the 2023 Spécial des Vignettes and 2024 Prestige Caroline to compare... 

2008 Mastroberadino Taurasi Naturalis Historia & 2010 Pavelot Savigny-Les-Beaune Aux Guettes

 Pre-show dinner for North Mississippi Allstars.. 

The Mastroberadino was decanted for several hours and is open for business....100% Aglianico, sourced from vines around 60 years old in Mirabella Eclano. Tannins have aged beautifully, supporting a glorious mouthful of blackberry fruit. 

The Pavelot was decanted and aerated for a couple of hours. Ideally, it needs more time in the cellar like most 2010 burgundy does. Tart morello cherry with mouthwatering acidity. Delicious even though it's still at least five years away from peak drinking, I would guess. 

Both wines paired well with kimchi shrimp and filet mignon "surf and turf"...

The Mastroberadino gets the nod as favorite since it was in the zone for enjoyment! 

https://youtu.be/j0n458Y6vQI?is=UTpS0xmaELGYZ1ay

https://youtu.be/cGSt34hrmK8?is=to3tH3KIYu6jAqu7

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva

 This bottle confirms the @"Philippe Richer" rule of thumb that outstanding PdB crus are often best enjoyed 20 years after vintage date. Save a few of these for 2036 and beyond👍🍷

Paired with some garlic-ky fingerling potatoes and kona peaberry cappuccino.  
I have some of this bottle left over for tomorrow's dinner plans. 

2018 Keller von der Fels

 

An underwhelming vintage sums it up.

2006 Mastroberadino Taurasi Radici Riserva

 Sadly, I bought a half case years ago that was quite possibly exposed to non-standard temps of some sort for wine transport. 

For many years, this 2006 Riserva was the essence of a Burgundian style Taurasi Aglianico .... I hope to find some again... 



The evening is not a total loss with Pharoah from 1975 in Paris playing..

Pharoah Sanders – tenor saxophone, vocals

Danny Mixon – piano and organ

Calvin Hill – bass

Greg Bandy – drums

2016 Felsina Fontalloro

 Delicious. Early peak? Easily cellar-able another ten years..the best vintage of Fontalloro I've had (my experience only goes back to 2004 vintage). Incredible fruit supported by still forward but structurally elegant tannins. I enjoy the relaxed stance of Fontalloro compared to the more structured Rancia. But appreciate them equally in terms of understanding Felsina Sangiovese offerings. 

Paired with cheese + Serrano pepper biscuits (buttered,  one of them clesrly drenched) and grapes.

2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert

 Popped and poured. Definitely young. 

First impression, too polished for my taste, even though the use of new oak is modest. 
Opened up only slightly after a few hours. 

My favorite Crozes-Hermitage is Chapoutier Les Varonnières which is sourced from old vines on a hillside as shown in this video:  https://youtu.be/9xL_HOmzD1w?is=uVZnGTlVv2GHC1JH