Dna
Penfolds
Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2002
Fattoi
Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese 2021
Vinho leve com DNA italiano — a year ago
Penfolds
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — 2 years ago
Penfolds
Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 1998
Amazing to buy a 23 year old Penfolds Bin 128 as good as this for $125 - only at Penfolds HQ at Magill Estate Adelaide. Still the Penfolds DNA of Choc Malt Mocha on this lovely old Shiraz. Dusty plummy notes, some old wood and leather notes. Tannins resolved - everything balanced. Shows the quality and ability to age of all Penfolds Cuvées. — 5 years ago
Tenuta di Valgiano
Palistorti di Valgiano Colline Lucchesi Sangiovese Blend 2022
Sangiovese DNA strong here with tomato and cherry notes, but the other grapes (syrah, merlot) provide a bit of spice, rounder texture, and complexity. — 2 months ago
Gut Hermannsberg
Hermannsberg GG Nahe Riesling 2018
Palate: perfect. Minerals. Acid. Elegant stone fruits.
Fass selections
Palate: perfect. Minerals. Acid. Elegant stone fruits.
Fass selections
Pisoni Vineyards
Estate Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2018
This is the 20th release of this wine and has the Pisoni DNA written all over. Always a bit shy on the nose at first, a few minutes of aeration do the trick and reveal well defined, fresh aromas of violets, red and black cherries, forrest strawberry, dried herbs, cola and wood smoke. The lively acidity balances the fruit concentration and the ripe, fine grained tannins neatly frame this medium to full bodied anniversary vintage. Drink now until 2032. — 4 years ago
Damilano
Cannubi Barolo Nebbiolo 2016
New to Barolo, definitely a 2nd day wine in its youth. Much better than last nights glass,
James Suckling 98
"The fruit feels so comfortable here, in the ripe-red zone; it ranges from cherry kernel to chocolate-coated red plums to glazed cherries. Integrated hints of bark and sandalwood. Full-bodied with strapping tannins and muscular, imposing structure and power. Notwithstanding, everything is in striking balance and delivered with remarkable precision and grit."
Wine Advocate 97
"The Damilano 2016 Barolo Cannubi shows depth and a profound nature. This is the DNA of the Cannubi cru, maybe the most celebrated in the appellation with mildly compact, well-draining sandy soils (actually, a mix of 45 sand, 35 silt and 20 clay, to be precise). These conditions contribute to the dark concentration and the firm textural support found here. These assets are particularly apparent in this classic vintage. Dark fruit and dried cherry cede to earthy truffle and licorice. Of these various single-vineyard expressions, the tight tannins on this Cannubi definitely suggest a long drinking window. This wine is my favorite in this flight from Damilano, and this vintage of 40,000 bottles is distinguished by its sheer excellence." — 5 years ago
Trousse Chemise
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018
To my mind, the quintessential $20 Oregon Pinot: explosive aromas of boysenberry and spice, with corresponding flavors, concentration and a superfine, acid finish. Burgundian in its lower alcohol and understatement, it’s the kind of confident, relaxed effort to be expected from a winemaker who has Burgundy in her DNA. — 7 years ago
Perseval-Farge
C. de Pinots Brut 1er Cru Champagne Blend
A 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and (Pinot) Meunier; mostly sourced from the 2011 vintage (40%) with the balance from 2010 and 2009.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The C. de Pinots NV pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe apple, toasted brioche, split almonds and lemon bar and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The DNA is there and showing a slightly more oxidative style. Drink now. Disgorged July 2016. — 3 months ago
Drappier
Carte d'Or Brut Champagne Blend 1505
Champagne Drappier – Carte d’Or Brut (Kosher Mevushal), Champagne, Urville – France 🇫🇷
Overview
A kosher mevushal Champagne from one of the most Pinot Noir–driven houses in the Aube. Drappier’s Carte d’Or leans into fruit clarity and approachability, offering a bright, juicy profile that remains true to the house’s DNA while fitting kosher requirements.
Aromas & Flavors
Immediate notes of Honeycrisp apple, ripe pear, yellow plum, and a gentle touch of honey. Fresh orchard fruit dominates, with very subtle brioche and minimal autolytic weight.
Mouthfeel
Light-bodied with a lively, soft mousse. Juicy entry, clean mid-palate, and a straightforward, refreshing finish. Acidity is present but rounded, keeping the wine easy and accessible.
Personal Pick Highlight 🍷
This is a kosher Champagne I’d reach for when freshness and drinkability matter more than complexity. Ideal for celebrations, Shabbat dinners, or casual gatherings where you want Champagne energy without heaviness.
Food Pairings
Excellent with smoked salmon, gravlax, sushi, fried appetizers, soft cheeses, or simply on its own as an aperitif.
Verdict
Bright, juicy, and uncomplicated. While it doesn’t aim for depth or long lees-driven complexity, it succeeds as a reliable, crowd-pleasing kosher Champagne with genuine Drappier character.
Did You Know?
Drappier is renowned for its high Pinot Noir content and low-intervention philosophy. Even in its mevushal bottlings, the house prioritizes fruit purity and balance over overt winemaking signatures. — 6 months ago
Château Trotanoy
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
The 2014 Trotanoy has a more complex bouquet than the 2014 Gazin, with more Pomerol DNA in the mix, iron-tinged red berry fruit, black truffle and cedar. Fine delineation and quintessentially Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and harmonious, soy-tinged black fruit with white pepper sprinkled over the finish. This has personality and class but needs time (comme d'habitude). One of the standouts in what is an inconsistent Pomerol vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— 2 years ago
DnA Vineyards
Trader Joe's Reserve Lot# 215 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Surprisingly one of the best Cabs I’ve had under $20. So good, will stock up if I see any, next time I’m at TJ’s! — 4 years ago
DnA Vineyards
Mud Pie Petite Sirah 2016
Dark purple in color, not red. Strong tannins and very delicious. No acid. Really enjoyed — 5 years ago
Te Mata Estate
Estate Vineyards Hawke's Bay Syrah 2018
Deceptively simple?New Zealand syrah with a cool climate DNA. Waiting for day 2. And day 2: better, fuller, lovely. Smooth & velvety texture are the bywords.
— 5 years ago
Granite Heights Winery
Humility Merlot Blend 2010
So hard to believe that this was built on two year leaf grapes. Talk about a great rookie season! Mostly cab sauv , this did indeed punch far beyond it’s expected weight class. Complex yet fairly linear and sequential, this has the dna of the championship level big boy (glen manor/rdv/linden). While only a 375 mL bottle, it had aged remarkably well and would be worth another library investment if available ;) — 6 years ago
Bob McDonald
My last bottle of 2002 Bin 28 Kalimna. More notes to come. First vintage of Bin 28 was 1959. Very much the Penfolds house style. Herbs, dark plums and Choc/mocha aromatics with red and black fruits. Certainly the Penfolds DNA. On the 2nd night initially a whiff of coconut oak. A reliable mid tier well priced Penfolds red which can be drunk young or cellared for many years. Has been a regular purchase for me over the years. — a month ago