Brilliant Mistake Wines
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004
Deep dark truthful leather ( sorry E.C.)
N: Burnt plums, leather, Black cherries, herbs, oak, barnyard funk, nicotine.
P: Tobacco, leather, seamless integration, Cherries, herbs, worthy of 19
Years library time. Long, savory finish.
Brilliant
Bring on the paella.
Thanks@The RareWineCo. — 8 months ago
Paul Jaboulet Aîné
La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 2011
A great Syrah from Hermitage. After one hour... smooth, delicate perfumed with fine nuances. Dark Ruby brilliant color. On the palate, gentle spices, dark fruit long finish. An experience... — a month ago
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!
The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — 5 months ago
Leonetti Cellar
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
The 2020 Merlot opens with a mentholated freshness, as crushed blueberries and dusty rose give way to hints of sweet baking spice. This is like pure silk on the palate. Elegant and plush in feel, with sweet red fruits offset by brilliant acidity and white pepper. The 2020 tapers off structured yet fresh, to almost trick me into wanting to drink it now. Violette pastille and black currant linger on, as this tapers off lightly structured and almost too easy to like. The 2020 is luxuriously soft in feel, and with an earlier appeal than usual. (Eric Guido, Vinous, March 2023) — 9 months ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996
1996 vintage. Decanted and tasted after two hours. Decent fill and not throwing as much sediment as expected. Cork in great shape and only bottom fourth saturated. Expressive nose of extreme, maritime cedar influence and graphite/lead pencil. Plenty of color with a very thin meniscus. Have never been the biggest Mouton fan (least fave of the First Growths) but this is in the zone/at the top of the bell curve/rollin rollin rollin rollin now and for the foreseeable decade+ without drop-off. Decidedly not improving, but on the hell yes plateau for 12-15 years. Nose substantially translates into the finish, adding sandalwood and that massive, muscular and intimidating dark, plummy thrust. Professional opinion suspects this would be tasting better in another 2 hours. Don't sell your biggies short (all too frequent mistake). They gotta stretch them legs. 7.7.23. — 5 months ago
Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2017
Surprise, surprise…this is pretty brilliant. — 6 months ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2016 Palmer is a brilliant wine from Thomas Duroux, though I feel it will ultimately be surpassed by the 2018. You cannot argue with the nose: intense black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and crème de cassis (as if there was a touch of Pauillac in there). The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, sensual tannins, perfect acidity, velvet smooth with layers of chocolate-tinged black fruit, hints of black pepper and cedar towards the sustained finish. It is a fabulous Palmer that will give much pleasure. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 19 days ago