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 — a month ago
First of the K Laz tasting - excellent chardo, full bodied yet understated with no acidity — a month ago
Third (or is it 4th?) of the LB mystery chardo sixer - I like this one - a lot of melon & pear, maybe even some fresh grass, very fresh - initial taste had an edge at the back end but that went away after a short time - nothing sophisticated but very pleasant — 2 months ago
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 — 20 days ago
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 — a month ago
Second K Laz tasting - don’t love this one - has a plasticity to it - smells like a Merlot, and a bit sour on the palate - very surprising given the pedigree (Thomas RB etc) — a month ago
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 — 21 days ago
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 — a month ago
4th of the LB mystery chardo pack….very pleasant on the nose, quite buttery on the palate up front, no acidic or metallic twist at all, getting a lot of peach, but a bit dull on the back end. Punchier than the Sea Drift but similarly rated. — 2 months ago
Michael Walker
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? — 9 days ago