Tom Casagrande

9.3

I had and loved the ‘19 a few months ago and the ‘20 is just as good. When you want to show a wine newbie what a classic Pouilly-Fume is, this 50-year old vine cuvée is your example. So many examples are over-the-top lean and so herbie/grassy, but this one’s nose has ripe apple and gooseberry, loads of flinty minerality, and just a touch of freshly picked green herbies. So fresh and inviting. Mouthfilling and zesty, so minerally on the palate. Again, just the barest trace of green herbs. — 21 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

Very light color. Nose is funky initially, showing warm coffee grounds and poopy barnyard. But the funk blows off with air. Nose resolves to crushed cherry juice and moist loamy soil. Light and lean and crisp in the mouth, it was a good choice for such a ridiculously warm night. Warm summer night cookout? This would work. Drink now. — 5 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.7

I don’t usually seek out Muscat, but since this was from the Alps, I thought I’d give it a shot. Nose has lots of telltale Muscat indicators: musky florals, grapey fruit. But there’s a fair amount of crushed stone minerality. In the mouth, the initial whack is the fruit, but then there’s a wave of minerality and alcoholic pepperiness (it’s 14%). Finishes dry with a bitter note and some heat. Interesting. Because of my unfamiliarity with Muscat from here, not sure if this massive body is typical. If it is, I’m not sure I see the point. — 9 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Mature and really nice. Nose has very pure, ripe dark berry fruit with a ripe peach note, smoky embers, and gravel. In the palate it’s soft and mouthfilling, with a rich texture that is not overbearing. Loads of stony minerality in a long finish. Tannins resolving. — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Great, fresh nose features freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried seashell, and crisp green apple fruit. Light-footed in the mouth, with a nice balance of fruit, acids, and high-toned stony minerality. Round mouth feel. Nicely done. — 4 days ago

with Rebecca

Tom Casagrande

8.6

Seems almost carbonic its immediate crunchy fruit. Crisp and fruity in the mouth. A bit of what seems likes limestoney minerality. Backyard cookout wine. — 9 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Good, solid Bojo. Lots of granite-laced plummy fruit. A little cherry and spice too. Good flavor intensity. Acids a bit low. But nice crunch from the minerality. A noticeable amount of tannin too. — 11 days ago

with Rebecca

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This is a big Chianti Classico. Big macerated cherry fruit, iodine, old leather, gravel. Still tannic, it’s dark and intense. Wasn’t expecting this, but perfect with the intense food we’re having tonight. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Pink grapefruit skin. And loads of flinty, stony minerals on the nose. The palate is minerally, but with nice high-toned sweet fruit. Light body, and a long finish. So unique! — 4 days ago

with Rebecca

Tom Casagrande

8.8

Haven’t had a Tannat from Madiran in literally decades. I’d forgotten just how dense and tannic these can be. This one’s leaning in that direction but has been tamed a bit. Nose has dark ripe berries, tree bark, smoke, and a tiny bit of gravel. Low-toned flavors show nice ripeness and boatloads of tannin, though it’s a bit restrained for Tannat. Very mouthcoating. A little thing of bitterness on the tenacious finish. Needs food, unless you’re just aiming for purple teeth. — 8 days ago