Alter
Weingut Günther Steinmetz
Alter Satz Red Blend 2019
Beautiful wine - a blend of grapes so obscure the index of Jancis Robinson’s “Wine Grapes” reference will provide clues to only one of them. Highly aromatic - dried herbs & licorice - and a sweet sappy core. Cherry liqueur, buttressing acidity, medium finish. Good structure and balance. Lovely work. — 2 years ago
Pheasant's Tears
Kakheti Rkatsiteli 2009
@Max Schau mal die Farbe… 10 Jahr alter Weißwein — 3 years ago
Fado Terres de Alter
Trincadeira Blend
In my next life I want to be a fado singer. In the meantime, this easy drinking, lemon forward, hints of herbs (tarragon, thyme) will completely suffice. Surprised by the low marks. — a year ago
Château Beaumont
Cru Bourgeois Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2020
A good solid Haut-Médoc" is how I described the 2020 Beaumont when I tasted it from barrel. I've no need to alter that summation. A mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, this feels cohesive and detailed, not powerful yet it engages the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit. There is just a slight bitterness that lends tension, quite sharp with black cherry, orange rind and cedar notes towards the finish. It's not going to win the wine of the vintage but it's a…well, I told you at the beginning. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2023) — 2 years ago
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Reserve Ethos Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This wine will alter your ethos for the better. One sip will have your spirits lifted, shifted, and higher than the ceiling. Drink it. I dare you. — 4 years ago
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
1982 vintage. Wow. Where to begin? Decanted with the cork holding up extremely well (used a Durand). Throwing an absolute ton of sed so took about 4 minutes to decant properly. Plenty of color. Tasted 2 hrs, 3 hrs and 4 hrs after decant. Nose a little reticent the first foray but plenty of damp earth, elderberry showing up later. Then the graphite came in huge along with lesser, second-hand smoke/tobacco aromas. An addition of a remarkable freshness of both watercress and dill in the last few tastes. Light-medium body. Have tasted a few tired, big-boy '82's. This ain't one of them. This remarkable bottle did nothing to alter my opinion that I'd rather have a bottle of La Mission Haut Brion than any-including (just barely) Château Haut-Brion-first growth in the same vintage. Doesn't get much better and this one has plenty of time remaining. No rush to crush. Thank you, Dermott! 3.12.23 — 2 years ago
Egon Müller
Scharzhofberger Kabinett Riesling 2016
A somm-recommended bottle after being consulted on which vintage might be the most open of the Egon kabi’s, and right he was. The 16’ was singing! Very Egon with the notes cassis, salt/slate, and a touch of cream. Definitely sweeter and richer (less of a classic kabi) than the Haart Ohligsberg Alter Reben kabi, but still very energetic and quaffable. Plus, I can’t look pass how singular these wines are (see notes on the other mentioned wine on a little related rant). — 2 years ago
Brad Jensen
Deep ruby color with a slight orange hue to the edges and maybe a hint of purple DEEP in the middle. Medium to full bodied, with a bold nose that features a little of everything from licorice and beautiful, silky red fruits, even some sweet jam like notes, like fig jam with vanilla, to hints of violet and deep notes of rich soil, fresh sponge cake and even some hints of fresh mint. The palate is rich and voluptuous, with dark cherry, cranberry and cassis notes, coca, violet and graphite on the finish. Silllky, perfectly integrated tannin, it’s big but light on its feet. There’s even a long meaty, iron like note that emerges and warms to the end, like a second wave, that even has some Doritos chips like notes. — a month ago