David T 
Elderton
Barossa Command Single Vineyard Shiraz 2002
James Cole
Il Mostro Napa Valley Red Blend 2012
No formal notes on this one as we ended up enjoying our evening far too much.
Suffice to say, the finest bottle I’ve had from them and amongst some of the best examples of new world red wine out of Napa I’ve had in some time.
The 2012 was singing last night. Complexity, showing amazing integration and flat out harmony on the palate. Man was this beautiful.
The Il Mostro (The Monster) red wine is named for the unusually thick and twisted Petite Sirah and Zinfandel vines that have stood strong for the last 100 to 125 years from where these grapes are sourced.
Beautiful craftsmanship from their former Winemaker, Charles Hendricks.
Photos of; James Cole Winery, their intimate tasting bar, Owners-James & Colleen and their Cellar/Private tasting room. — 11 days ago
Launois Père et Fils
Veuve Clemence Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
Consistently delicious and great value in Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Champagne.
Fresh, reductive, lively on the palate. Green apple, lemon, lime zest, baguette crust, pineapple, white peach, lanolin, cream, perfect chalk & minerality, yellow & white florals, beautiful acidity and rich polished finish that persists.
Photos of; one of their Grand Cru vineyards, two views of their historical museum of champagne/wine artifacts since it’s beginnings and Launois. — 18 days ago
Laurent-Perrier
La Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend
Quite delicious for its price point. I would say it slightly over delivers. Just misses 92.
Nice mousse, green apple, golden apple, lemon, lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple, guava, lychees, cream soda, bread dough, soft, moist chalkiness and powdery, soft chalkiness, jasmine, white spring flowers, nice acidity and a rich, polished and well balanced finish.
Good pair with our Brie and goats cheese.
Photos of; the House of Laurent Perrier, branded iron gates, their storage caves with bottles on A-frames and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 4 days ago
Baron-Fuenté
Millésime Brut Champagne Blend 2009
First time trying the Baron-Fuente Millesime after their Reserve and it enjoying that quite a bit. This one needs a bit of time in bottle to show its better self than their N/V fresh.
The nose shows; macerated fruits of, green & golden apples, lemon, lime zest, well overripe pineapple, white peach and hints of grapefruit with pith. Lots of bread dough and yeastiness. Soft chalkiness & volcanic minerals, oyster shells, yellow florals & lilies with mixed greens.
The palate again delivers that bread dough & yeastiness. Macerated fruits of; green & golden apples, lemon, lime zest, well overripe pineapple, white peach and hints of grapefruit with pith. Lots of bread dough and yeastiness. Soft chalkiness & gritty volcanic minerals, saline, oyster shells, yellow florals & lilies with mixed greens. Good acidity and a well balanced & polished finish. This will deliver a little more with a 3-5 years in bottle.
Photos of; House of Baron Fuente, labeling machine, beautiful just harvested Chardonnay grapes and our news lounge chairs for sitting under our Japanese Maple. — 11 days ago
L'Aventure
Estate Cuvée Paso Robles Syrah Blend 2007
The 07 Estate Cuvée is a blend of; 49% Syrah, 37% Cabernet and 14% Petit Verdot.
The nose reveals, bright, ripe, ruby fruits of; mulberries, boysenberries, olallieberries, black plum, plum, blackberries and black cherries. Some black pepper, melted dark chocolate, mocha powder, vanilla, dark, rich soil, limestone minerals, dry sage, bay leaf, understated dark spice, dry crushed rocks, burnt ambers, incense, underbrush, soft leather & woody notes with loads of fresh, fragrant violets and lavender.
The body is; full, ruby, lush and voluptuous. The tannins are powdery dry with some meaty, stickiness. The structure and tension are still quite big. The length and balance are in the first phase of their good groove. It has another 6-8 years of very good drinking going forward. Dark currants-cassis, bright, ripe, ruby, jammy fruits of; mulberries, boysenberries, olallieberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, creamy black raspberries and black cherries. Warm blueberry pie, more black pepper on the palate then the nose, melted dark chocolate, mocha powder, vanilla, some clove, cinnamon stick, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark, rich soil, moist clay, limestone minerals, dry sage, bay leaf, dark spice with some uplifting palate heat, dry crushed rocks, burnt ambers, incense, savory meats, underbrush, suede style leather, cedar with loads of fresh, fragrant violets and lavender. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long, rich, ruby, well balanced, voluptuous, nicely polished finish is delicious and persists on and on.
This is a wine where Southern Rhône meets Bordeaux.
Photos of; L’Aventure, Stephan Asseo-Owner and Winemaker, their beautiful cave and rolling hillside vineyard. — 18 days ago
Matias
Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2015
Good for $14.99. Not as good as their Sierra Mar but, still nice. The Sierra Mar is worth $10 more a bottle.
Not as rich, thick, creamy or buttery and less minerality, lacks some of the white spice and chalkiness the Sierra Mar shows.
Works well with our cheeses and the Giants who are on a roll tonight. My sister is at the game and lovin’ it. Grand slam always helps.
Good night in the D&S Lounge. — 5 days ago
Glad the giants won 😊🍾
Kalinda
Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2016
For $16.99 it was certainly worth a few bottles. Made by a mystery Burgundy producer and bottled for K&L Wine Merchants.
Nice Bourgogne Blanc. Leaner fruits of; lemon, lime, touch of ripe pineapple, beeswax, citrus blossoms, just a touch of herbs, light chalkiness, hints of sea fossils, light minerality, jasmine & spring flowers. Nice acidity and round polished finish.
Paired well with our white soft cheeses.
Photos of; K&L’s store in the heart of San Francisco. — 11 days ago
Drappier
Rosé de Saignée Brut Champagne Blend
Is it Friday again? Yeah, I think it’s Friday. 🍾🥂
Bought this at Costco for under $40. Good at regular price, better at under $40.
The nose is showing more blood orange than memory recalls currently. Orange, tangerine, kirsch, rhubarb, strawberries and plenty of watermelon. Nice medium chalkiness, volcanic minerals and shells. Baguette crust, zesty cola and almost liqueur notes with red & pink roses.
The palate is rich and flows nicely. There is elegance and beauty here. The fruits are a little candied...roll up like. Blood orange. orange, tangerine, kirsch, rhubarb, raspberries, strawberries and plenty of watermelon. Nice medium, grainy chalkiness, volcanic minerals and shells. Baguette crust, zesty cola and almost liqueur notes with red & pink roses. The acidy is perfect. The finish is; long, well balanced with elegance and polish for days.
Pairs well with, Maxwell’s song, 🎶 Each Hour, Each Second, Each Minute, Each Day. 🎶
Photos of; the House of Drappier, cellar shots and their extremely chalky caves.
— 12 days ago
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
I corvined this last weekend and put it back in storage for tonight. I had a very different experience & thoughts on this wine last weekend un-decanted. This is wine comes from a period when I loved Caymus. After 2011 when they started picking later and at higher brix’s, they lost me but, got higher Parker scores and rave words from people that like sweeter Cabernet that drinks young.
Last weekend without a decant, very dominate bright cherries and vanilla.
Tonight, the nose reveals, dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominate, baked strawberries, black licorice, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets.
The body is full, sexy, gorgeous and voluptuous. The structure, tension, length and balance are at the start of its high point with another 7-10 years of good drinking ahead. Dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominating, baked strawberries, black licorice to deep anise, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, dark spices with just a touch of palate heat, underbrush, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets. The acidity is like a needed waterfall shower. The long finish is, deep, dark, well balanced, elegant, ruby, ripe, polished and persists endlessly.
It’s been awhile and I’ve missed it. This is a very good example of why I used to adore Caymus. — 19 days ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The nose reveals; candied style blackberries, plum, boysenberries, stewed black plum, dark liqueur style cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, black licorice, sweet tarriness, crushed dry limestone, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha with caramel, pepper, used leather, light notes of grilled meats, bright, dark red, purple flowers with violets.
The body is the leaner side of full. The tannins are nicely resolved but, still have tarry baby teeth. The structure, tension, balance and length have hit a sweet spot and still have at least 6-8 years of good drinking ahead. The palate fruits are ruby candied. Blackberries, olallieberries, plum, boysenberries, stewed black plum, dark liqueur style cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, black licorice, sweet tarriness, crushed dry limestone, dry top soils, wet clay, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha with heavier caramel than the nose, dark spice with just a little palate heat, pepper, touch of mint with fresh herbs, used leather, notes of smokey, grilled meats, bright, dark red, purple flowers with violets. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish is; elegant, ruby, rich, well balanced and deliciously persistent. Just missed 94
Photos of; our spring 2017 visit to Elderton. Their tasting bar, entry, road signage and the vineyard around the tasting room. They drove us to their much larger facility still in the construction phase which, I would think is now open.
@BobMcDonald Always rock solid! — 4 days ago