Adversity Cellars
Occidental (Stephen Kistler)
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014
The Sonoma Coast can be unforgiving. Fog and severe rain coming in from the ocean are commonplace. Despite the adversity, the region can yield sensational Pinot Noirs that should not be missed. The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a tremendous appellation level Pinot. Deep, textured and resonant, the 2014 possesses striking depth and elegance not to mention impeccable overall balance. Succulent red cherry, smoke, licorice and blood orange infuse this deeply expressive Pinot Noir from Steve Kistler's Occidental winery. Readers who can find the 2014 should not hesitate. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Mar 2017) — 7 years ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1940
What a beautiful person inside and out! I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to call him "Dad". Words can't adequately express how much I Love him. We opened a few bottles last night that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. We are celebrating his completion of 6 rounds of chemo therapy in his battle against Prostate cancer. This is his 3rd time in the ring against this opponent and it appears that he's won with a unanimous decision by knockout at this time!!!!!! Love you dad!!!!! So proud of your strength through this process. My Father was born in 1940. A difficult year to say the least:
Germans entered Bordeaux in June of 1940. As dictated by Hitler himself, it was the sworn duty of each and every commander to search and seize whatever could be used for the advancement of the German cause. Bedlam broke out. Chateaux' were ransacked, wine cellars were looted if not used for target practice. The Chateauxs were forced to continue producing wines. It's poetic justice that Mother Nature provided the Germans with the worst growing season from 1940 to 1944!!!! The Germans left Bordeaux in 1944 to the cheers of the residents "Au Revoir Les Allemands"!!!! The 1940 bottle that we enjoyed this evening survived World War II. It Survived the ransacking, pillaging & plunder of countless German soldiers. It's outer capsule showed evident signs of its struggle but it's inner beauty was unblemished and glorious. I've had many, many vintages of Latour from 1928 and on but none have ever tasted as perfect as the one we enjoyed tonight. This 1940 was perfect. It was a fighter, it never gave up, it never relinquished in the face of adversity. That's my Father, that my role model. He's a beautiful person inside & out. I think 1940 is the best vintage that I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Special thanks to my good friends Michael Troise whom provided me with much of the insights in regards to the incredibly difficult vintage and David Page whom gifted this bottle to me for our celebration this evening. I will never forget your generosity. It was a glorious evening to say the least!!! Wine has a way of bringing people together and encapsulating an evening and event. I couldn't think of a better way to rejoice in his victory than to open a Father & Son birth year wine. — 7 years ago
Vanessa
This wine offers equal parts richness and steeliness with oxidative qualities next to freshness and verve. It benefits from some time in the glass, coming up to a slightly chilled temp (versus fully chilled).
It has a gorgeous golden hue with medium (+) aromas and flavors of yellow apple, white peach, nectarine, honeydew, chamomile, orange blossom, toasted hazelnut, beeswax, delicate struck match (that faded as the wine opened up), ground white pepper, and wet slate notes.
On the palate, it’s dry with medium alcohol, clocking in at 13% ABV, and a vibrant acidity, lending balance and lift.
Its varieties include 30% Bourboulenc, 30% Marsanne, 30% Viognier, and 10% Clairette.
This wine vinified and matured (for 8 mos) in a combination of oak and stainless steel tanks.
From what we understand the 2014 vintage in the Southern Rhône was tricky, and less than ideal... but here’s to tasting these wines with a little bottle age to discover how meticulous practices in the vineyard and winery can produce a wine of beauty, complexity, and resilience, despite facing nature’s adversity! — 4 months ago