J. A. Balistreri Vineyards

W. & J. Graham's

Aged 20 Years Tawny Port Blend

ESF
9.4

I think @Josh Morgenthau really nailed this note: recently finished Taylor Fladgate 20 yr which was always a favorite, but I picked this up in Duty Free and was blown away. Similar notes & flavor profile as TF, but the mouthfeel really sets this apart & above. So elegant, so refined, such great tension & harmony - the defined acidity highlight & elevate intense flavors. Bravo! — 18 days ago

Severn, Daniel and 11 others liked this
Josh Morgenthau

Josh Morgenthau Influencer Badge

@ESF thanks and Happy Thanksgiving! 🍷🦃❤️
ESF

ESF

Right back at ya Josh - looking forward to seeing everyone’s thanksgiving wines!

J. Christopher

Volcanique Dundee Hills Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2017

Light, delicate and a hint of spice on the nose. Flavors of raspberry and cola with a bit of acid. This was accessible and balanced. — 4 months ago

Hermann J. Wiemer

Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2020

2020 vintage. Wow. Medium ruby color. Red fruit aroma. Flavors of raspberry and strawberry jam, herbal note (lovage?), some bell pepper with moderate acid, little tannin depending on the temperature. Give it a moment, it will open up after 10 minutes in your glass. — 5 months ago

Severn liked this

Hermann J. Wiemer

Magdalena Vineyard Riesling 2020

Drank with Thanksgiving dinner. A delight! — 18 days ago

Severn liked this

J Vineyards & Winery

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021

A nice Pinot for cooler temps — 2 months ago

J. Lohr

Pure Paso Proprietary Red Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

A little tight, needs more time — 4 months ago

Weingut Josef Walter

"J" Centgrafenberg Trocken Spätburgunder 2016

Lyle Fass
9.5

A stunning showing and 16 might be the best vintage ever at Walter. Nose is late season cherries, some framing oak, spice, tobacco, stunning minerality and just endless depth. So floral and complex. I could smell this all day. Smells like elite NSG right now. Palate is just amazing. Ridiculous dark cherry fruit that is so crunchy, fresh and concentrated. Wow this is so precise and succulent. Insane balance and hidden power. What depth and length. Amazing stuff in that it’s so silky and juicy and sweet and the oak is already so well integrated on the palate. This has sexy, velvety tannins and an amazingly long finish. 9.5 now but this will go higher. — 6 months ago

Daniel, Jonathan and 9 others liked this

J. Davies

Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Popped and poured. Deep ruby color with moderate staining of the tears. Developing, with a fairly becoming nose with ripe black plums, dark bramble fruit, vanilla, some pipe tobacco, some chocolate and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. It’s really primary now but it should drink better after 2025 and through 2034. — 2 months ago

Jae, Daniel P. and 7 others liked this

W. & J. Graham's

Vintage Port Blend 1985

1985 vintage. Decanted. Underrated vintage and port. 70's and 90's declared years got all the pub and ridiculous ratings. Still über-grapey but with decent structure. Another decade and a half should find this maximized for pleasure. 8.19.23. — 4 months ago

Ted, Severn and 15 others liked this

J. A. Balistreri Vineyards

Colorado Petite Sirah 2012

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and nicely balanced.

Showing black fruits with spices, light wood, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates, red candy, black pepper, herbs and light graphite.

This 11 year old is peaking now. Nice and engaging. Extracted and rich, yet elegant. Tangy and interesting.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 90 minutes of air time.

Showing nice complexity at this point with a nice mouthfeel.

A very interesting take on a Petite Sirah from Colorado. Showing more red fruits than I expected.

I had it before and I liked it even better now.

Grapes are grown in the Grand Valley AVA and fermented on their own yeast. Aged in American oak barrels. Unfiltered and vegan.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$75.
— 5 months ago

Doug, Ted and 8 others liked this