Michael Walker

10

Stellar Barolo. Definitely of the new school, lighter color, lightly structured, but radiant fruit in a refined style. Decanted 2hrs. Perfect pairing for veal/osso buco, maybe less so for a roast. Some debate whether more age would refine the fruit further or cause it to dissipate. No idea but have two more so can experiment! Made me want to get on an overnight to Piedmont tonight. — 16 days ago

Michael Walker

9.8

This is the Noble Steiner Vineyard Chard not Pinot…I didn’t love it initially, though it had too much oak, but it’s grown on me after a few openings…definitely full bodied but nice peach fruit and not that acidic or metallic — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.7

4th of the K Laz tasting - this is the Lillian John blend - maybe it’s too young but find it very thin - apparently next door to Screaming Eagle but pretty sure this is a very pale imitation - nose is slightly off, good fruit but again on the sour side — 3 months ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Didn’t love this - aroma was classic Burgh fruit but palate didn’t match - overly musty/underwhelming - maybe needs some age. Or the sons aren’t up to the dads standard — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.8

I love these Thevenet Cru Morgons but they need a lot of age on them. The 2022 today has beautiful fruit on the nose but underwhelms on the palate. I feel like they add fruit and intensity as they age. NB it’s helped a lot by a long decant - even this young. Ps did adding Charly to the label take something away? — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.8

This is the Heritage Red (not white) from Brannan….deep/dark/inky Zin blend from LB. Serious (but not egregious) blackberry fruit on the nose, really cleans the sinuses, and the palate follows along, though again not a bomb, even a bit of a light finish. Ends up reminiscent of a burgundy rather than cab. Quite lovely but would pair with serious meat, not the Asian chix stir fry I had — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.6

Not a fan, at least this young - powerhouse cab but badly needs aging, has a plasticity to it that was not pleasant — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Fantastic Spaniard, tastes a lot more youthful than it is - still bright and fruity but not sparkly and no earth — a month ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Dark, inky Hermitage Syrah….has that extreme earthiness I don’t love in these northern Rhônes - you get it right on the nose, and then has a slightly acidic/sour after taste - opens up a bit after a few hours — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Third of the K Laz tasting - marginally better than the Mending Wall but again unsubtle CA blend with too much Merlot/Malbec influence - but definitely more drinkable — 3 months ago