Grenache Noir

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

You're not 40 every day and I wanted a special wine to celebrate that special day. Fortunately the wine bar / open kitchen restaurant we went to had that special wine, amongst 400 references, that I had been desperate to taste for a long while. I didn't take notes so it's all from memory, but the nose is what I liked the most. Coconut notes, leather, cherries, coffee... I spent probably 15 minutes in total smelling that wine. The palate was great with some acid drive, some matter but not in an overwhelming way, some gentle, well integrated tannins in the rear, before a long finish with savoury notes, red fruits, coconut and that gentle grainy tannic layer. A great experience to top up a day to remember.
Oh and if you happen to be in Warsaw, Poland and be looking for a great wine place, make sure to check our Kontakt - wino & bistro.
— 5 days ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 13 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Congrats Daniel! Fine experience.
Paul K

Paul K

Happy Birthday @Daniel M ! Great wine! Great review!
Daniel M

Daniel M

@Paul K thank you, Sir !

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2022

David T
9.4

My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.

The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.

This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.

At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age.
— 19 days ago

Shay, Vanessa and 17 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

A storied wine which I have never tasted.

Sea Smoke

Southing Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Jammy and fruity, raspberry flavor, light and smooth, better whe let to breathe and paired with charcuterie. — 7 days ago

Domaine Drouhin

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2017

Medium Ruby color with aromas dark red fruits, black tea and ample floral spice, aged in 20% new French oak for 10 months. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum with tobacco, cedar, black pepper, tea and vanilla spice. Soft fine tannins, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit, herb, spice and earthy wet stone character. Nice! — 9 days ago

Tom, Juan and 2 others liked this

Williams Selyem

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2010

David T
9.4

Dark cherry bingo.

If you haven’t had a 10-15 year in bottle WS, you have missed special.

Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁 ❄️ ⛄️
— 2 days ago

Shay, Jay and 7 others liked this

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 2015

We had this a few days ago and I misplaced my notes. Citrus mineral and intensity I recall. Probably committing infanticide drinking this now but there were good reasons to. Firstly our son and wife plus our daughter home for Christmas from New York and secondly my retirement after 53 years at McDonald Group. — 2 days ago

Jeroen, Peter and 23 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Bob McDonald Congrats!!
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@@Andrew Cullimore @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Thanks again for your well wishes. I will look forward to your excellent tasting notes in the new year.
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

Congratulations 🥂🥂

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

Grands Échézeaux Pinot Noir 2013

2013 vintage. Zero issues with fill or cork. Not decanted but it was so rambunctious, likely would have shown even better with one. Tasted after 45 mins, 1.5 hours and 3 hours open. Medium body. Nose a mysterious mélange of spent coffee grounds and that expected Grands Échézeaux Asian spice presence. Cranberry tartness right away in the flavors minimized by black tea notes and the coffee/Asian spice twofer. Minute-long finish. Barely harnessed power throughout. Tasting as if it has just kicked in the door to the upper part of the bell curve and a handful of years before reaching the absolute apex. Simply no rush to crush as this is beginning its heroic phase. If you do indulge, open early and trace the development. Many don't like to decant red Burgs but this should be an exception. Needs both big time and big air. 12.09.24. — 17 days ago

Vino, Jan and 21 others liked this

Laurent-Perrier

Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne 1811

David T
9.3

Classic Rosé that mirrors darker cherries & strawberries very well.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄🎁 ❄️ ⛄️
— 2 days ago

Shay, Jay and 6 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2016

Crowd favorite due to the abundance of fruit and balancing acid — 11 days ago

Tyler, Scott@Mister and 2 others liked this

Orin Swift Cellars

Machete Petite Sirah Blend 2018

Great, super-drinkable meritage. Holds on to the rich character of the petite sirah, but nicely balanced with the grenache for a more versatile wine. — 18 days ago

Ted, Joe and 3 others liked this