Almond Tree Estate

Geyser Peak Winery

Walking Tree Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Light forward pepper flavors with flavorful dark berries and fun spices that carry through to the finish! — 7 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2005

Mary H
9.5

A wine of astounding complexity, a shape-shifter. Immediately in the glass, nutty roasted almond, funk (a little reductive), musty books and turpentine. Iron/sanguinous aftertaste. Little acidity up front, a bit flat in texture. Peach pit, yellow peach, honeycomb. — 2 months ago

Goldschmidt Vineyards

Singing Tree Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2021

2021 vintage with notes of mango, citrus and butterscotch. Good price point, would buy again! — 3 months ago

Acacia

Lone Tree Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2012

Very Dark Cherry with chocolate notes and a tannin pucker. Delicious indeed! — 5 months ago

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1988

Tasting group meet up with many of the regulars not able to attend . I knew the organizer invited someone whom we had not tasted with in about 15 years . He certainly made an entrance bringing this, in magnum no less. When poured it showed a fine mousse but it faded quickly. A very broad nose that hinted of some age. In the mouth it was like a sports car traveling a highway. Almond , brioche and some oxidative notes sped thru my mouth. The flavors accelerated only to linger similar to when you take your foot off the accelerator. Coasted effortlessly with no need to step on the brakes — a month ago

Austin, Jan and 35 others liked this
Shay A

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I was fortunate to have this a year or two ago (in 750) and was completely spellbound. I’d like to find one for myself one of these days.
Jay Kline

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Oh snap!

Bollinger

La Grande Année Brut Champagne Blend 1996

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — 2 months ago

Douglas, Billy and 8 others liked this

Two Vintners

Stone Tree Vineyard Zinfandel 2020

Endorphins will shoot from your lips at the first sip of this wine. Be warned. — 6 months ago

Ellyn Marder
with Ellyn

Nicolas Joly

Clos de la Coulée de Serrant Savennières Chenin Blanc 2010

A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.

Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040.
— a month ago

Ira, Ceccherini and 10 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Lyle Fass I can only imagine. @Ely Cohn shared his experience with me which was, in its own way, surreal.
Ely Cohn

Ely Cohn Premium Badge

lol 🤣

Château Rieussec

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2010

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2010 Rieussec is similar to the previous bottle a couple of years ago. It has since opened with saffron-tinged honeyed fruit, dried honey and almond shavings. This example is more vanillary and oaky than previous ones, and that actually distracts from the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied; again, the new oak feels more prominent than previous bottles, prompting me to lower my score. It's utterly seductive but articulates more of the winemaking than I would like. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 4 months ago

Rob liked this

The Dreaming Tree

Crush California Red Blend 2020

I’m obsessed! It’s so smooth with nice notes of ripe fruit! I feel like I read reviews that said it was a harsh finish but I feel that it finishes nicely. I would absolutely recommend giving it a try! — 6 months ago

David liked this