August Kesseler

Roar

Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Delectable Wine
9.6

Hailing from one of the premier sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands, planted in 1996, the 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is flat-out gorgeous. Beautifully rendered, it boasts generous fruit density, crystal-clear delineation of flavors and bracing structure. Fully destemmed, the 2022 finishes with a ton of persistence in its dark berry flavors, even darker cherry, black licorice and black sage. The 2022 leaves behind a fine web of powdery tannins, neatly wrapped up with a little bow on top, concentrated, effusive, and ready to rock. What a complete package. This may be the red wine of the vintage in the SLH. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— 2 months ago

Château Durfort-Vivens

Margaux Cru Classé en 1855 Red Bordeaux Blend 2019

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2019 Durfort-Vivens was matured in two-thirds new oak barrels and one-third in amphorae. Plush on the nose with blueberry and violet scents, this is Margaux in style though much tighter than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine delineation and poise. It's pretty delineated towards the finish that shows more mineralité than previous vintages. There is an appealing linearity here, a trait that Gonzague Lurton seeks in his wines. Excellent. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

Château Climens

Barsac 1er Cru Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger thatlinger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago

Sharon liked this

Brewer-Clifton

Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2022

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2022 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a fabulous introduction to the range. Served last in this series of Chardonnays, the appellation Chardonnay is perhaps a bit more floral and lighter in body, but other than that, it is in no way inferior to the vineyard designates. This is beautifully done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2024)
— 3 months ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1970

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

Claude Riffault

Les Chasseignes Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2020 Sancerre Les Chasseignes is a ripe and round expression with sweet pineapple fruit flavors. The limestone proportion of the clay-limestone vineyard brings tension and texture that lightly holds the mouth, providing a satisfying finish. It's a gently refreshing acidity, leaving a gently fresh rather than zesty conclusion. For drinking now to the medium term. (Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago

Jacques Selosse

Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

August 2020 disgorgement. Super fresh and toasty with hint of hazelnut. — 10 months ago

Pooneet, Ira and 1 other liked this

August West

Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

I got a touch of dark cherry liqueur and touch of zippy acidity. Kind of linear in a good way but missing any nuance — 10 months ago

Ira and Ron liked this

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 1999

August Clape Cornas 1999 — a year ago

Ira liked this

August Kesseler

Rheingau Kabinett Riesling

Great value and perfect during the heat in Key West 🌴 ☀️ — 2 years ago

Sharon and Iwan liked this