David T 
Ruinart
Brut Champagne Pinot Noir Chardonnay Rosé Blend
One has to start the evening with their baby 🍼(375ml)! Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone. Hope you are enjoying some nice 🍷🍾🥂 over the extended weekend.
On the nose, lean, ripe; strawberries, black cherries, watermelon near the rhine, cherries and notes of white & orange citrus. Beautiful full chalkiness, sea spray-shells, delicate volcanic minerals, bread dough and red & pink roses.
The palate is rich and full. The fruits are deeper, brighter and far more pronounced on the palate than the nose. Ripe; strawberries, black cherries, watermelon near the rhine, cherries and notes of white & orange citrus. Beautiful full chalkiness, sea spray-shells, delicate volcanic minerals that penetrate the palate intensely with a bit of a stinging sensation, bread dough and red & pink roses. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long, big, rich, elegant, well balanced and lasts minutes.
Photos of; the Champagne House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Ruinart, their vast caves and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 16 days ago
Krug
Brut Champagne Rosé Blend
I generally try to keep politics or sorrow events off this platform. However, this morning we watched the McCain funeral and were genuinely moved. We should all hope for such a beautiful funeral.
Today, John McCain brought the world one final parting gift. A message of; peace, unity, love, respect and hope for our country. Let’s hope people listen and try to live their lives with a little more of each.
Today, a country grieves the loss of a great American and celebrates the life of a true American hero. We will miss you and your voice in our country’s discourse. Cheers & R.I.P John. You have certainly earned it.
I can’t think of many better bottles than to celebrate his life and his service commit to our country!
Disgorged in Autumn of 2014. 57 wines with the oldest from 2000 to 2008.
On the nose, blood orange, white citrus, orange peel, dry apricot, Mexican papaya, spice, sea spray, sea shells, gray volcanic minerals with grit, citrus blossoms and spring flowers with orange Gerber Daisies.
The body is full, rich and lush. Micro oxygenation, blood orange, tangerine, white citrus, orange peel, dry apricot, yellow peach, Mexican papaya, baguette crust, spice with palate heat, sea spray, sea shells, gritty gray volcanic minerals with citrus blossoms and spring flowers with orange gerber Gaisies. The acidity is perfect. The finish is beautifully long, rich, lush, elegant and goes on and on.
From 375ml. — 17 days ago
Regusci
Estate Bottled Angelo's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
On the nose; dark spice, clove, cinnamon, lots of caramel & vanilla. Ripe, leaner styled; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, some mulberries & boysenberries. Cherry liqueur, salted milk chocolate, dry crush rocks & top soil, dark forest floor, sweet tarry notes with fresh & withering dark florals.
The body is full. The tannins are well resolved...slightly further than I expected. Ripe, leaner styled; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, some mulberries & boysenberries. Dark spice with some heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, lots of caramel & vanilla. cherry liqueur, salted milk chocolate, cocoa powder, graphite, saddle-wood, used leather, mint, dry crush rocks & top soil, dark forest floor, sweet tarry notes with fresh & withering dark florals.
Despite the mid Napa alcohol of 14.2%, you can sense a stronger level of alcohol in the 05...untypical for this producer.
Photos of; long shot of the winery & Estate vines, pay in the honor system fruits & vegetable cart, picnic area and tasting room.
Maybe, better one year ago. Still very good but, not going to continue to improve. I’d drink over the next 1-2 years. Unless, you enjoy it when it starts to slide into that fig & prune phase. — 11 days ago
Trimbach
Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling 2007
My Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps. You know what they say, “bring the heat, bring the sweet!”
On the nose; mellowed petroleum, grapefruit pith, very ripe pineapple, more green & some golden apple, white citrus, golden raisins, stone fruit, hint of slivered almonds, soft minerals and yellow lilies with white spring flowers.
The body is full, thick and rich. It’s acidity rounded, softer and really beautiful. Stone fruits; apricots, peaches & yellow nectarines. Ripe green melon, grapefruit pith, very ripe pineapple, more green & some golden apple, white citrus, golden raisins, hint of slivered almonds, far less petroleum on the palate than the nose, soft chalky minerals and yellow lilies with white spring flowers. Delicious on its own and a good pair with Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps. Coravined glass for pairing.
Interesting this sold previously for $143 on Delectable. I didn’t pay anything close to that upon release. $55+ currently on Wine Searcher. I paid around $27 at release.
Coravin bottle from from 13 weeks ago when we made lettuce wraps. I copied over my notes from 13 weeks ago. It hasn’t lost a step. It’s only gotten even softer & a bit creamier.
Photos of, Trimbach, my Spicy Asian Lettuce Wraps, Trimbach family and one of their Vineyards on a day with an amazing sunset. — 16 days ago
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006
This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.
On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.
The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.
Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 18 days ago
Denis Barraud
Domaine des Nembrets St. Véran Chardonnay 2009
A direct import from K&L. It was inexpensive and from a good vintage. So, I thought I’d take a flyer on it.
On the nose, initially there is a slight petrol character that takes you down the Riesling path. Then, it gives you slightly sour fruits of; lemon, pineapple, golden apple, some green apple, green melon, and lime candy. Honey notes, light herbal presence, cut grass, saline and yellow lilies.
The body is thick, rich and creamy. The first sips are a little off. Tough palate switch from Rosé Champagne or dinner. Sour fruits of; lemon, pineapple, golden apple, some green apple, green melon, and lime candy. Honey notes, some caramel, light herbal presence, cut grass, green bean, saline, light volcanic minerals, soft chalkiness and yellow lilies.
This one would be difficult to call blind for a number of people.
Hoped for a little better but serviceable. — 11 days ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011
For me, the Joseph Phelps Pinots have improved over the last 5 years. The 2011 vintage overall in Sonoma/Napa is far from my favorite. The growning season was simply not that good (too cool) and Joseph Phelps was still finding their way with their Pinots. This drinks easy and smooth but, nothing about it really stands out on the palate.
On the nose, sweet, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, black cherries, touch of blackberries and wafting blueberry notes. Light vanilla & cinnamon, black cherry cola. dark, rich sweet soil, hint of smoke/savory meat, limestone, dry crushed rock powder, black tea and dark fresh & withering flowers.
The body is medium edging toward full. It’s round, ripe and lush. It’s a good time to open your 11 JP Pinots and drink up. Their 11 Pinots aren’t waning but, not going to improve. The mid palate also leans a bit. Sweet, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, black cherries, touch of blackberries, pomegranate,, dry cranberries and wafting blueberry notes. Light vanilla & cinnamon, light medium intensity dark spice, black cherry cola. dark, rich sweet soil, hint of smoke/savory meat, limestone, dry crushed rock powder, black tea and dark fresh & withering flowers. The acidity is beautiful due to the cool climate. The finish is good, balanced, smooth, dances with elegance but doesn’t dazzle. Finishes a little short.
Photos of; their Sonoma Pinot vineyard, Sonoma Visitor Center which, is now closed and a couple shots of their Rutherford tasting room.
Each year since 12, the quality of their Pinots has inched up in quality and are more cellar worthy. — 16 days ago
Walter Hansel Winery
The Three Rows Vineyars Pinot Noir 2006
Completing my tasting of all my Walter Hansel Pinot single vineyard selections with their “The Three Rows.”
The nose is engaging. Sweet vanilla, caramel, ripe & slightly sour; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries and baked strawberries. Dark soil, limestone, dry clay, dark berry cola, touch herbaceous, black licorice, sweet tarry notes, stems, notes of pyrazines and fresh dark floral bouquet.
The body is just medium. I would say this wine hit its peak two years ago. It’s good, ripe and still shows freshness after being open for an hour. Ripe & slightly sour; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, cranberries, pomegranate extract, blue floral fruits and baked strawberries. Vanilla, salted caramel, clove, touch of nutmeg, dark soil, limestone, dry clay, dry crushed rocks, dark berry cola, touch herbaceous, dark spice with palate heat sets in the longer it opens up, black licorice, sweet tarry notes, stems, notes of pyrazines and fresh dark floral bouquet with violets.
Photos of; Walter Hansel Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker Stephen Hansel, Pinot grapes going through veraison and the Walter Hansel Winery. — 17 days ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
A very nice nice N/V Rosé Champagne for $35. Soft and delicate texture. Beautiful powdery chalkiness. Delicate volcanic minerals that penetrate. Raspberries, strawberries, black cherries, baguette crust, pink rose petals, good acidity and nicely balanced rich finish. — 3 days ago