David T 
Hudson Vineyard
Little Bit Chardonnay 2016
Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum
Got some already sitting at my warehouse, glad its a good one.Harlan Estate
The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
While this producer has nice fruit, a refined craft, they have an issue with alcohol burn in this bottling. While it’s 14.5% ABV, it’s showing hotter. You get an alcohol burn across your palate and in the back of the throat. They don’t mask or process their alcohol as well as a number of other even less revered producers. For the trained palate, alcohol burn will always be a critical flaw in wine.
It’s also still just approaching teenage years, even after roughly 13 years in bottle.
The nose reveals, alcohol vapors, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & boysenberries. Dark chocolate, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid with old lavender and dark withering flowers.
The body is full with big, round, tarry, sticky tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are still developing but, good. This wine still needs another 6-8 years and perhaps plus in bottle. Ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, boysenberries & creamy raspberries. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, dark medium spice, malt, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, leathery, underbrush, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid (brett) with old lavender and dark withering flowers. The acidity is ok but certainly needed to be better. Part of the reason the alcohol shows as hot as it does. The finish is still big, rich, a touch astringent, powdery/dusty, balanced and last minutes. However, leaves my palate feeling incomplete.
Time will improve this wine but, believe the alcohol burn remains. I’ve had many less revered producers, for less money that delivered more pleasure.
Photos of, hilltop view of their vineyards, cellar with wood & stainless vats, dining/tasting room and the winery building. — 11 days ago
Laurent-Perrier
Brut La Cuvée Champagne Blend
On the nose; lemon shortbread, lime, cream, toast, touch of ginger, marzipan, beautiful nice chalkiness, sea spray and verbena.
The body is soft and rich. Lively mouthfeel. The palate is lemon sorbet, lime zest, pineapple, some green apple, light spice that brings some palate heat, touch of dark currants, toast, hints of ginger, marzipan, silvered almond, beautiful nice chalkiness, sea spray, grey volcanic minerals that penetrate into your palate, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms and verbena. The acidy is very nice...well executed, the long, rich, balanced finish is quite enjoyable.
Photos of, The House of Laurent-Perrier, their tasting bar, shop and one of their many vineyards.
Very good for the $. 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meinier. — 12 days ago
Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum
😬, love to mess with you, say hi to Chuck when you see himRuinart
Brut Champagne Pinot Noir Chardonnay Rosé Blend
I like the deeper-richer fruits in the Ruinart as change up to the Billecart Salmon Rosé but, while it’s has nice chalk, it just not as powerful and palate piercing as in the Billecart Salmon Rosé. It’s the one definitive thing I prefer about it over the Ruinart.
Several previous note still apply. — 4 days ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
The nose reveals, floral, ripe; blueberries blackberries, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries, strawberries and black raspberries. Limestone minerals, dry crush rocks, dark spice, sweet tarry notes, steeped tea, vanilla, some clove, a whiff of nutmeg, dark chocolate, saddle-wood to cedar, some black licorice, garrigue with blue flowers, violets and withering dark florals.
The body is medium full, round and lush. The tannins are around 80% resolved and still have some sticky tar. The structure, tension, length & balance have nearly come about to full evolution. Ripe; blueberries blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, boysenberries, strawberries and black raspberries. Limestone minerals, dry crush rocks, dark spice, sweet tarry notes, steeped tea, vanilla, some clove, a whiff of nutmeg, dark chocolate, a little mushroom on the last glass, saddle-wood to cedar, some black licorice, garrigue, dry clay & top soil with blue flowers, violets and withering dark florals. The acidy is like a waterfall. The finish is ripe, elegant, well balanced, polished with powdery dry tannins on the long set. It’s finish is persistent for minutes.
Photos of; the Joseph Phelps tasting terrace, inside lounge area with original old vats and the spectacular view off the terrace.
@Dawn Emory Sampling wines along their evolutionary path is amazing. My thoughts still haven’t changed great wine for less $ with patience. — 5 days ago
Regusci
Estate Bottled Stags Leap District Zinfandel 2012
The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with lavender & bright red florals.
The body is medium and lush. The tannins are nicely resolved with dust. The fruits are bright and ripe; slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Raspberry cola, baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with candied lavender & bright red florals. Beautiful round acidity like a rain shower. The long, rich, lush, round, elegant, balanced, polished finish is delicious.
Photos of, Regusci Winery shot from the Silverado Trail, tasting bar, entrance and Estate vines. — 12 days ago
Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum
Oh wait! It was Caterwaul Regusi VineyardChâteau Cheval Blanc
Le Petit Cheval St. Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, fresh red flowers, violets and dark withering floral bouquet.
The body is full, round, creamy, lush and glides effortlessly over the palate. The tannins are about 55% resolved, dark and still a little sticky & tarry. It hasn’t hit its peak. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, another 3-5 years of patience will definitely be rewarded. Fruits are ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, herbaceous notes, mint, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, crushed dry rock powder, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, dry stems, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, beautiful florals of fresh red flowers, violets, lavender and dark withering floral bouquet. The acidity is nice but off from the better Le Petit Cheval vintages. The finish is still more earth dominate than fruit but nonetheless enjoyable and persistent.
Better with food (steak) than on its own. 3 hour decant.
Photos of, the original Chateau, new cylinder cone style stainless tanks, barrel room and the new modern addition to the Chateau in complete modern contrast to the historic Chateau. — 4 days ago
Billecart-Salmon
Brut Rosé Champagne Blend
It’s been a few weeks and I sure did miss starting the night with my baby 375ml. Ahhhh! Several notes previously and all would still apply!
Cheers and best wishes to the people affected by the CA fires. As well, to all the fire fighters.
The smoke is in the town I live in and that’s pretty far from where they started. I hate to think what it’s like there!!! — 5 days ago
Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum
So whats an appropriate price for this?Launois Père et Fils
Special Club Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay 2008
The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.
It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.
The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.
The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.
Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.
This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59. — 11 days ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
This is the 2016 Hudson Vineyard Little Bit. The first release of this select barrel Chardonnay. I’ve asked Delectable to add.
Coravining a taste to test in preparation to see if it will hold up under the backbone of a brined & rubbed Turkey.
The nose reveals candied & sour apple candy, meyer lemon, lemon heads, apricots, overripe pineapple, guava, mad tropicals, buttered popcorn, honeycomb, bees wax, citrus blossoms, soft spice, butterscotch, lime candy, bread crust-brioche, caramel with fresh & withering yellow lilies.
The body is full, round, gorgeously sexy and like satin. The backbone, length, structure, tension and balance are incredible. candied & sour green apple, golden honey crisp apple, meyer lemon, lemon heads, apricots, overripe pineapple, guava, green melon, mad tropicals, buttered popcorn, honeycomb, bees wax, citrus blossoms, allspice, butterscotch, caramel, lime candy, bread crust-brioche, caramel, limestone, volcanic minerals, dry river stones with fresh & withering yellow lilies and white spring flowers. The acidity is round & near perfect. The long finish is simply heaven over the palate...elegant, round and persistent as hell.
Only a 142 cases made and one of the best CA Chardonnay’s I’ve had in quite sometime. Get it before it’s gone.
This wine will continue to vastly improve with another 5-8 years in bottle. This is a rare comment from me but, this a potential perfect score wine.
Photos of, Hudson Vineyard, Owners/Winemaker Lee Hudson and Cristina Hudson, Vineyard soil structure and Estate vines. — 6 hours ago