Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.5

1961 vintage. Gifted from a most excellent colleague, thanks, Bill! Very caramelized with pecan pie, brown sugar, vanilla, rum raisins, candied dried cherries. Good length. Akin to good Montilla-Moriles or medium sweet Madeira. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 2019 Angélus was bottled in September 2021, later than many other wines of this vintage. This is very precise on the nose, offering blackberry, dried iris petals, a little graphite and a touch of oyster shell, and the marine influence is more noticeable than before. The palate is beautifully balanced, the 40% Cabernet Franc very expressive and squarely in the driving seat. It lends this wine ample freshness and, as mentioned before, makes it stylistically quite akin to Château Figeac. Displaying fine structure toward the finish, this Angélus is full of tension thanks to a pH of 3.60 (previously, it was around pH 3.85, according to Hubert de Boüard) and comes with a very sustained finish. Seriously impressive, though it will require patience. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago

Jody Wycech

9.3

Enjoyed this somewhat exotic wine. Recommended by a sommelier at a wine shop. Apparently the grape was assumed extinct for 400 years until it was discovered growing on someone’s property in the 1980s. Taste is akin to a Nebbiolo. Blueberry and blackberry on the nose. Bright berries with balanced acidity and dryness. Would love to have again. — 3 years ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Alan Hyde

9.2

Fruity nose of plum and cherry. Delightful complexity in top of the palate. Definitely akin to a California cab. Had at Jaleo in Disney Springs — a year ago

Mark Farrell

9.9

Head to head. Mike Smith and Thomas Rivers Brown. Both are fantastic wines, but for me the Maybach is more my style. It is darker and fuller bodied than the Myriad. Color is a dark ruby/purple. Nose of cassis, blackberries, violet, lavender, and a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied with flavors pumping through the long finish. It has all of the power of a full-bodied cab., with a lingering ride akin to a pinot. Amazing wine. One of the best if not the best I have ever had. I will be making this a regular splurge in my cellar. — 2 years ago

ESF

9.0

Pretty snazzy PN from GER: first thing I noticed was the profusion of beautifully ripe cherries immediately wafting out of the decanter. So clear so vivid. In the glass it really opens up to yield intriguing & exotic spices, just absolutely gorgeous nose. Akin to some Oregon Dijon clone PNs I’ve had… not overdone, just silky, sexy smooth & polished on palate, decent weight and balance. Finish is only thing holding this back from higher score - bit uneven w/jolt of acidity. — 3 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.5

There’s a lot of silly people doing silly things in wine. There’s this what I call the “craft wine” movement akin to the “craft beer” period. It’s all tits on a bull. But this…this is beautiful. Reminds me to keep on perfecting my ciders and wines — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

10

Served double-blind as a sort of epilogue to an already epic night. This was served alongside another red wine that was also presented double-blind. Immediately, I called this Southern Rhone and the other wine, Sangiovese from Toscano (it ended up being a 2012 Biondi Santi Riserva). This presented a bright ruby color in the glass with a transparent core. This wine…had an OMG nose. The kind of aromatics that could end all wars and bring a century of peace to all mankind. It’s both powerful and elegant. Both ripe and fresh. An androgynous wine that represents both masculine and feminine with a grace that would make Prince or David Bowie envious. Gorgeously layered red and dark fruits, exotic spices, licorice and garrigue wrapped in the most beautifully textured package imaginable. It reminded me of something similar a previous experience; like Fonsalette…but this was different, there was more here. When you taste this, everything becomes clear. You look at everyone at the table differently; for what you have more in common instead of what makes us different. An experience akin to an Odesza show on MDMA. It’s that profound and then you are forever changed. You wake up the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that and weeks go by and your worldview is different. You see love in everything. And then it was revealed to be a 2010 Chateau Rayas. *Insert expletive*. A magnificent wine. An epiphany and, as far as I’m concerned, perfect. This is not merely a great Chateauneuf du Pape. This transcends the appellation. It should be its own AOC. Drink now or whenever you’re reading this note. — a year ago

Steve Sánchez

9.5

For $25 this is a gem. Both savory and sweet. Akin to your favorite sweet and sour sauce in old Asian restaurants of old. You’re hit with strawberry and green bell pepper and the same time. Beautiful dark
Ruby color. Tons of fresh fruit juice on the palate with fantastic acidity. 13.5% can’t go wrong with this young glossy Cab Franc — 3 years ago