A King's Ransom

Noble Ridge

King's Ransom Meritage Blend

Had the 2014. Was very nice, good mix of dry and sweet. Red fruit up front. — 6 months ago

King's Clay

Special Reserve California Malbec 2020

Delicious. Aromatic, deep berry notes. Slight spice towards the finish, which is a pleasant pairing to how sweet the berry notes are. Not a typical dry Merlot. Would pair excellently with many meals, however, it is so flavorful and fruity that it can be sipped on its own. Also recommended to pair with desserts, particularly a dark chocolate. — 2 years ago

Ramey Wine Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ron R
9.2

Yes, another Napa cab.
My wife has taken me as a hostage. But my ransom isn’t too much, hence the Ramey tonight. And she’s not even here to blame for my choice.
The nose presents nice oak treatment, along with spice box. Palate shows ripe, fresh fruits, medium tannins, and moderate acidity. Great extraction, without being overly done. This is a well moderated example of the varietal.
On the 93 pt bubble...
— 3 years ago

Krystal, Deborah and 56 others liked this

Cloudy Bay

Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Ron R
9.3

So good, so exotic. One of the best down-under SB’s in our book. Doesn’t cost a king’s ransom, either. Our prior notes apply. — 4 years ago

Martin, Severn and 39 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

Kaye and I spent 6 weeks in NZ about 5 years ago. Started out February 1. I was birdwatching but did consult Parker for wineries. I went to about 10 wineries on the north side of the South Island. Nice but not trophies like Napa. It was really fun . Good restaurants too. Kaye found good breweries. Queens town is very pretty and fancy . I think that’s the ski place. NZ is a lot like Oregon with a wet and dry side. The fjords are beautiful. There’s a reR parrot there . I gotta say it rained for 2 days there non stop. I never say rain like that before. ( I am from Tucson) . I didn’t see the parrot either! Aukland has a good wine store I can’t remember name. I brought reds home. If you can fly directly to Auckland . The flight from Sydney to Auckland is about 1,500miles. Hugh 🍷
Ron R

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Hugh, thanks for the tips and insights! I’ll send you notes when we get there...
David T

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The biggest producer of wine in NZ and everyone else is a very distant second.

Domaine Louis Moreau

Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2017

Ron R
9.3

My new find. Really enjoying the burg GC’s at the moment. No need to spend a kings ransom for excellence, either.
Refer to my prior notes.
— 2 years ago

Vanessa, Severn and 39 others liked this

Sine Qua Non

Poker Face Syrah 2004

Syrah on another logical level. A pure barnstormer. Never tasted a Syrah like this before! Very atypical for the varietal. Perfectly weighted, and so compact. Sandalwood interplay’s with dark chocolate, blueberries and cinnamon.
WNH NY 2021. I think
@Bill Bender coughed up the king’s ransom for this gem. Can’t thank you enuf, Bill!
— 2 years ago

David LDiana LJoe Lucca
with David, Diana and 6 others
David, Shay and 79 others liked this
David L

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This was a treat said the least. I’ve been blessed enough to have had this a few times. One of if not my favorite SQN of all time. Thank you again for bringing it @Bill Bender
9.8
Bill Bender

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You are welcome @David L @Ron R SQN and pizza is a tough pairing to beat
Ron R

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When can o storm your cellar, @Bill Bender? Don’t be holding out on yer boy now!!!

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2016

OMG... Sorry it's my first time...
Visually, this presents as a few years older with a pink to red brick rim. On the nose, the open releases red cherry... With time it mellows to black cherry... If you could elegantly bottle Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia it would start you on the path of creating this wine. The blanket of milk chocolate is like a King's robe. There is a vague hint of baking spices up front. Custardy throughout. Tannins are on on-guard and alert waiting ready, willing, and able to withstand the darkness of the caverns until brighter days. Probably my favorite bottle to date.

96 points
— 4 years ago

Eric, Shay and 16 others liked this

Hartford Court

Far Coast Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

Ron R
9.4

Another cellar experiment of ours. This is showing very well at this stage in its evolution. A hazelnut, nutmeg, brine-like nose gives way to a medium bodied, full-throttle palate. Dense and opulent, this is fruit-forward with pineapples and nectarines. Excellent now, and will stay this way for at least another 3 years, easily.
I was discussing with my wife how I’ve decided to return to my moderate wine roots. I’ve grown weary of spending a “kings ransom” on bottles, and for what exactly?
Ultra expensive wines are becoming like fritterware software, which draws in people like us, with a very disproportionately low gain in tasting experience, relative to cost. This cost me $25 a few years back, and I’ve now decided to drink more frugally. Yes, I have a few “trophy” bottles to get thru, but I’m not wasting any more of my hard-earned on penis extensions.
What are your views in this space (and I don’t mean views on PE’s).
— 2 years ago

Paul, Severn and 43 others liked this
ESF

ESF

When I was in the wine biz I was always really excited to find a lower priced wine that over-delivered. Finding those gems makes our habit much more tolerable
Ron R

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@Daniel Bloom, thank you for those words. My intent is to inject a little levity into this lofty space that we have decided to occupy.
Daniel Bloom

Daniel Bloom

@Ron R Gracias, and back at you sir.

The King's

Favour Wihopai Sauvignon Blanc 2015

“Richly flavoured that delivers aromas of musky tropical fruits and ripe yellow citrus with a soft ginger twist. The palate has surgery weight and texture filled with richly exotic fruit, balancing power, sweetness with lingering lightly dry finish” — 4 years ago

Ransom

Willamette Valley Albariño

Very clean and crisp. The nose is like walking outside as the sun is rising and causing the dew on the grass and plants to sparkle on a cool fall morning. Just imagine how that smells and this wine will take you there. Notes of bright apple and melon. Very refreshing. — 4 years ago