Sine Qua Non
Le Supplément Eleven Confessions Vineyard Estate Syrah 2013
Big props to Girl and the Fig for excellent service including decanting this wine prior to our arrival.
A very extracted deep purple with no signs of Browning.
Relatively tame aromas of deep berry, baking spice, faint black pepper, juniper berry, menthol, red flower. Heady but not overtly alcoholic.
The palate is a different story. Explosive, much more tart, and red fruits. Pomegranate, cranberry, red cherries overlie the gamey, meaty, olive tapenade of Syrah. Dense, chewy, but not heavy or particularly hot. For 15.7% light on its feet. The tannins are never intrusive but provide needed structure along with surprising bright acidity. Finish just goes on and on.
An unforgettable wine that I am glad we got to experience. Not exactly my personal style but really complete and enjoyable. This wine also feels like it’s just hitting its stride. — 4 years ago
Casa Lapostolle
Le Petit Clos Apalta Red Blend 2017
Decanted 3 hrs prior to tasting.
Aromas - medium intensity green pepper and quince, red plum, dark cherry, currant, slight damp earth. Savory and stony mineral notes emerge over time.
Palate - medium bodied, medium+ acid and ripe medium tannins. Ripe fruit and mineral across an expansive yet weightless mid palate and a medium + length mineral driven finish.
The structure and complexity are here to allow for aging and I feel this will be better in 4-6 years.
The group favorite in tonight's wine tasting, paired with Ribeyes. All 3 wines were very enjoyable. — 4 years ago
Au Bon Climat
Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Estate Bottled Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2018
Tasted 1-3 hrs after opening then 3 days later.
Intense yellow gold with greening at the rim. Viscous.
Intense aromas initially dominated by flint/matchstick, leading to lemon, white flowers, slight petrol?, almost limey, oakiness there but in balance.
Electric on entry with nice structure, medium+ body and acid, holds up an expansive mid palate that confirms the nose and adds creaminess, lengthy finish on pleasing citric acidity. On day 3 slight oxidative nuttiness only shows on the finish.
Really nice wine, particularly impressive at the price. Would seek out more to try with bottle age. — 4 years ago
Dominus Estate
Napanook Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Garnet with only slight bricking at rim.
Initial aromas of sweet drying red fruits, cherry and currant, cedar and dried tobacco, bell pepper, underpinned with the faint graphite mineral notes and dry earth. An hour or so in developed deeper fruit aromas and a beautiful wilting floral character.
The palate matches the nose with lively acidity and the gentlest velvety tannins. Became a bit more brooding in a wonderful way about an hour in. Yet another wine with a seemingly infinite fruit and earth driven finish.
A classic wine. Not peaked yet but drinking beautifully. Love everything about it — 4 years ago
Travaglini
Estate Bottled Gattinara Nebbiolo 2017
Double decanted over 1-2 hours.
Ripe red cherry, slight meaty, musky aroma, slight herbal aromas. Lifted fresh roses.
Palate confirms the ripe fruits, medium body, slightly bracing acidity (needs food), but tannins are ripe and well integrated. Medium length bright and slightly savory finish.
I feel like this is a reasonable value, great with food and ready to go with a short decant. — 4 years ago
Carter Pelham
Past peak for me showing mostly oxidative notes but still lively acidity with great sweet aromas and entry and lemony notes peeking though. Long — 4 years ago