Admirable Family Vineyards
Ferrari
Brut Trento Chardonnay
Distinctly savory, the NV Brut Trentodoc opens with a blend of dusty dried flowers, cardamom and freshly sliced pears. It fills the palate with a silken bead of fine bubbles, taking on a salty-to-sweet sensation as tactile mineral tones mix with ripe orchard fruits. This finishes with admirable length and candied citrus twang, tapering off remarkably fresh. I love the balance and complexity here, especially for a Non-vintage Brut. Disgorged: 2023. (Lot# 23093/24E) (Eric Guido, Vinous, December 2023)
— a year ago
Cloudburst
Margaret River Chardonnay 2016
Brief notes - at a friend’s place checking out his new cellar and generously opened this wonderful Margaret River Chardonnay. Cloudburst is the venture of American, Will Berliner, who turned the district on its head by asking prices 2 and 3 times the price of the Icons of Margaret River. It doesn’t worry Will who is able to sell much of his product into up-market restaurants in the US. This wine was initially leaner than I was expecting with citrus and ripe grapefruit. With more air nectarine and peach notes started coming through but still shows admirable restraint. All in all a class act. — 3 years ago
Brigaldara
Case Vecie Amarone della Valpolicella Corvina Blend 2013
The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie blossoms in the glass with a spicy blend of crushed cherries and blackberries, complemented by violet pastille and hints of sweet smoke. This is cool-toned and sleek with silky textures and admirable weight, yet all is kept perfectly in balance by a core of brisk acidity. Depths of tart wild berry fruit saturate while bitter dark chocolate and inner rose tones swirl throughout. The 2013 leaves the palate reeling with tension as crunchy tannins take hold and notes of licorice and orange slowly fade. This is built for the cellar and is slowly maturing in bottle. (Eric Guido, Vinous, February 2024)
— 9 months ago
Château Laroque
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2019
Popped and poured. The 2019 pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, developing with black plums, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, damp earth 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+. This a balanced wine with many admirable traits. While this is my first time trying the wines of Chateau Laroque, I have to believe we will be seeing/hearing more from this estate as investment and quality continues to go up. Drink now and through 2034+. — 9 months ago
RoxyAnn Winery
Honor Barn Red Syrah Blend 2020
More fallback than first pick red blend, but easily solid in my view. Label claims dark cherry and toasty oak, which I do pick up but I could use more detectable toasty oak. The dark cherry is more easily detectable than the oak for sure, so having stronger oak would really drive this up in rating for me. It’s slightly on the dry side but not excessive. Still, I have no problem honoring the barn built in 1900 based on this admirable tribute. I don’t quite know who RoxyAnn is, but I do hope to one day purchase produce and leave payment in the honor box at the Hillcrest barn. — 2 years ago
Azienda Agricola Musella
Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Corvina Blend 2015
The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva is heady and sweet on the nose, as confectioners' spice and dusty cherries give way to hints of pipe tobacco. It’s rich and velvety yet maintains admirable freshness, as minerals and sweet tannins add tension toward the close. I like the contrasts of salty and sweet here, as notes of dark chocolate and balsam herbs cascade across the palate. This tapers off lightly structured and staining, with primary concentration leaving pretty florals and hints of licorice. Color me impressed; the 2015 is a wildly successful Amarone Riserva. I tasted this in February 2021, yet today's performance is definitely a step up. (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2022)
— 3 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2023 Rosato is incredibly energetic like a horse waiting to bolt out of the starting gate. Ripe pineapple, pear and spiced citrus provide a foundation upon which the sparkling, lively acidity flutters. The balance here is admirable and nicely rounded and displays a lovely inner sweetness. This bottle could empty quickly. (Billy Norris, Vinous, May 2024)
— 6 months ago