Biltmore Estate
Cardinal's Crest Red Blend
surprise surprise - hit or miss with this NC winery, but this is fantastic! Left Bank style, classy oak integration, gobs of red & black fruit, prominent spice and secondary layers, great extraction & tannic grip. just really solid & enjoyable all the way round. bump for QPR — 14 days ago
Familia Castaño
Solanera Viñas Viejas Monastrell Blend 2019
had this years ago and i feel like they've made some great strides: Monastrell from Yecla can be flabby fruit bombs, but this is a legit wine, great old vine material, had some of the secondary aromas & flavors from southern France, some of that feral quality, some iodine, white pepper along with copious amount of black & red fruit. polished & poised, smooth thru nice finish — 5 days ago
Orgo
Dila-O Rkatsiteli Mtsvane 2023
legit amphorae wine: orange colored with aromas of dried apricot, potpourri, orange rind, savory herbs, oxidized tint to some orchard fruit, spicy - just engaging and interesting, spicy on palate, mineral, umami, more dried fruit, some funkiness, med + body, integrated acidity and modest length on finish. — 11 days ago
ESF
scored a split on closeout and it was tasty! probably just starting its gentle decline w/some musty oxidative aromas, but it also had engaging smoke & spice, worn leather, sour cherry, red currant, hint of vanilla & cocoa, sweet soil and other earth driven elements. med bodied, well worn tannins and some acidity presented a fairly balanced palate. usually priced out of Brunello so this was a treat! — 14 hours ago