Daniel P. Drake 
Rombauer Vineyards
Carneros Chardonnay 2016
The wine I have opened tonight is the 2016 Rombauer Caneros Chardonnay. I have been curious about this wine because of all the talk a out being very buttery. I figured I would finally try it myself to see.
The nose is very pleasant with full aromas of lemon, pear, beeswax, butter, vanilla, minerality and oak.
The first sip is explosive with lemon, lemon peel, melon, apricot, creamy mid palate and as it gets deep into the mid palate on to the finish it is heavily oaked that over powers the rest, then at the finish the minerality hits with flint rock.
The wine is medium bodied that is creamy with medium to + acidity that does leave your mouth watering. The oak is just to over powering for my palate. Enjoy your holiday weekend drink responsibly and be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷 — 18 days ago
Nicolas Feuillatte
D'Luscious Demi-Sec Rosé Champagne Blend
Tonight's wine is Nicolas Feuillatte NV Demi-Sec Rose Champagne. A beautiful Salmon Pink in color with medium bubbles and a nice mousse.
Upon popping the cork a wonderful aroma of strawberry, cherry, candy orange slices, toasted bread and a butter note.
On the palate is a smooth mouth feel with red fruit, strawberry, cherry, cranberry, orange rind, toasted bread, yeast and butter.
This is an easy drinker that is medium bodied with medium + acidity, a little on the sweeter side but not overly sweet with a good crisp finish. A wine that would be enjoyed by all in any situation. A beautiful start to the weekend and please enjoy yourselves, please stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍾🍾🍾🍾 — a month ago
Yves Boyer-Martenot
Les Perrières Meursault 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013
Another weekend is upon us and I have opened this 2013 Yves Boyer-Martenot Meursault-Perriéres 1er Cru Chardonnay to start the weekend off right.
On the nose is beautiful citrus fruit with grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, peach, peach skin and a steely minerality.
On the palate the nose is confirmed with notes of lemon, grapefruit, new peach, green apple, lemon peel and wet river rock.
This wine is full bodied that is well integrated, medium acidity and a long pleasing finish.
I know this is the start of the weekend and they go by very quickly, so have fun, enjoy each day and stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago
Château La Tour du Pin
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
Tonight we have opened the 2009 Chateau La Tour du Pin. This is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. This property was owned by Antoine Mouiex from 1947 to 2006 when the owners of Cheval Blanc purchased it from the Mouiex family. The name was officially changed in 2008 from La Tour du Pin Figeac to Chateau La Tour du Pin. The same Technical Team responsible for producing wine of Cheval Blanc is now in charge of wines at La Tour du Pin. I am inclined just from this fact alone to be keeping my eyes on this Chateau. If you are a fan of Cheval Blanc this is where you can get your bang for the buck.
On the nose there is vibrant aromas of wonderful black fruit, black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant and licorice.
On the palate is good black fruit, black cherry, blackberry, black plum, green bell pepper, herbal notes and nice minerality.
The wine is medium to full bodied with medium acidity and smooth medium sandy tannins that is well balanced and has a pleasingly long finish. I am truly enjoying this wine that is brightening up my weekend. Please be safe and have a continued great weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 days ago
Gilbert Cellars
Left Bank Columbia Valley Red Blend 2013
To start the weekend I have opened the 2013 Gilbert Cellars Columbia Valley Left Bank Red Blend. This homage to the classical Left Bank Bordeaux even though Carmenere isn't used in a Bordeaux these days but years ago it was part of the blend. This blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot.
The nose has good dark fruit, blackberry, black cherry, black currant, red raspberry, black pepper, licorice, charcoal, graphite, violet, some alcohol, and crushed gravel.
On the palate there are notes of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, black currant, green bell pepper, cassis, vanilla, and wet slate.
This wine is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity, medium + grippy fine tannins and a long balanced finish. Have a safe weekend and enjoy family. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago
Château Larcis Ducasse
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
Monday night enjoying this St. Emilion 2014 Chateau Larcis Ducasse. This Right Bank Bordeaux over performs. This is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, as you know I love my Cabernet Franc and this 15% drew me in with the Merlot to make up my mind and purchase this gem.
The aromas are very expressive with blackberry, blueberry, red cherry, red currant, black currant, licorice, herbaceous notes, sweet tobacco, menthol, rose petal and rich dark earth.
The palate is delicious, sumptuous and well integrated with red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, red currant, herbal notes, bell pepper and smokey oak.
A beautiful full bodied, medium + acidity, sweet silky smooth medium + tannins with a long rich finish.
What a way to start the week. I hope everyone has an exciting week and in doing so please stay safe. Nostrovia!🍷🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago
Clos du Mont-Olivet
La Cuvée du Papet Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2012
I'm usually not a big Chateauneuf-du-Pape guy but I couldn't resist picking up this CdP. I do tend to like grenache and or mourvedre and this has a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre.
The nose is full of strawberry, raspberry, black cherry, plum, anise, spice and crushed gravel.
On the palate I am getting black cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, anise, black pepper, herbs, clove, mint, a bit meaty and minerality.
This wine is medium to plus in body with fresh medium + acidity and vibrant medium tannins. A nice Southern Rhone wine that will only get better with more age. Have a great weekend and please be safe especially those in Florida. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 13 days ago
Lavinea
Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Tonight's wine is the 2014 Lavinea Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA in the Willamette Valley. The winemaker: Isabelle Meunier, formerly of Evening Land, who trained with Dominique Lafon and also has the distinction of crafting the highest-rated Oregon Pinot Noir in the history of Wine Spectator: 2012 Evening Land La Source." The Lazy River Vineyard, a south-facing, perfectly rounded bowl of a vineyard, generally acknowledged to be one of the finest sites in Yamhill-Carlton District.
Aromas a very prevalent with notes of red raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, clove, vanilla, mushroom, sassafrass, cinnamon, dusty rose petals, and rich earthy loam.
Upon first sip there is tart sour cherry, red raspberry, clove, cinnamon, dusty mineral laden soil, rose petals.
This wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity and crisp medium tannins that gives you lovely length and balance. Please have a wonderful labor day weekend and as always stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 20 days ago
Veramonte
Ritual Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2015
I have opened the 2015 Ritual by Veramonte Pinot Noir from the extreme eastern end of Chile's Casablanca Valley. I have had the Ritual Pinot Noir 3 years ago. I can't believe it has been that long ago and everything I remember is as good today as it was then. Paul Hobbs of Paul Hobbs Winery is a consulting winemaker here and it shows.
On the nose is fruity aromas of cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, cola, vanilla, rose petals, earthy soil and a funk component.
As I let the the wine roll over my palate the fruit again is prevalent with notes of sour cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, clove, cola, vanilla and a mineral laden soil.
This is a medium bodied wine with medium + acidity and medium tannins that lead to a silky, velvety smooth finish. For the price this wine rivals any higher priced Pinot Noir. Have a great week and please take things easy and be safe. Nostrovia!🍷🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago
Daniel P. Drake
I have opened the 2009 Fiddlehead Cellars Seven Twenty Eight Fiddlesticks Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.
On the nose is cherry, raspberry, cranberry, vanilla, caramel, clove and a bit of minerality.
On the palate there is beautiful tart cherry, tart raspberry, cranberry, cola and a nice earthy component.
The wine is medium bodied On The lighter side with medium acidity and medium minus smooth tannins that leads to a medium expressive finish.
As we move back into the work week please be safe, happy and keep your head up. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷 — 3 days ago