April
Château Climens
Barsac 1er Cru Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011
The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger thatlinger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2022)
— 3 years ago
La Cappuccina
Soave Garganega 2020
The 2020 Soave is subtle and delicate in the glass with dusty yellow florals and hints of peach skins. It washes across the palate, soft and round, with a lovely mineral and acid balance. This leaves a glycerol coating of fruit concentration, yet still finishes remarkably fresh. While not the last note on depth, the 2020 is really quite lovely. (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2022)
— 4 years ago
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006
If you have not had this producer of Shiraz from Barossa, you are missing out on some special wines from very old vines. In the case of “The Relic” 100 year old vines. We walked the Standish Estate vines w/ Dan in April 2017. They yield a paltry 500 pounds of fruit per acre. Normally, very high quality wine are around 2,00-2,500 pounds of fruit per acre. So, his wines are from small concentrated berries.
You won’t find his wines in the US except on the secondary markets. He doesn’t have or need a US importer as he sells everything he makes through his mailing list. However, worth seeking out. Also, his wines need to age and you can find them this old. I have numerous times.
Dan started out in Barossa and then gathered much of winemaking knowledge working his way through Europe for several producers and a majority of them in France.
When he returned to Australia, he became the Winemaker at Torbreck before starting “The Standish Wine Company.”
I’ve posted several of his wines with detailed notes and will let them speak here. Cheers!
— 5 years ago
Dominus Estate
Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994
Borgo del Tiglio (Nicola Manferrari)
Ronco della Chiesa Collio Tocai Friulano 2019
The 2019 Ronco della Chiesa is smoky yet elegant in the glass with flinty crushed peaches, nuances of sweet spice and wet stone. It’s silky and polished in feel with a lovely inner sweetness and a slight tropical tone to its fruit, yet the balance is on point. The 2019 finishes long and floral, leaving hints of melon. This is an interesting vintage of Ronco della Chiesa, a varietal Friulano, as it has a distinctive confectionary character, yet comes across as completely harmonious. (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2022)
— 4 years ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
Out to dinner with my parents last night and I was trying to find a wine that would make everyone happy. No it was not going to be the greatest pairing, but my objective was family happiness. I had previously opened a 2016 at home that they enjoyed, so I knew this would be a safe bet. The 2018 is drinking surprisingly well for being so young. While this was a nice bottle, it will be better with a few more years. If 2018 is your only option, I suggest a bit of time in the decanter.
Produttori del Barbaresco’s website offers a good bit of historical information on their wines — A cooperative founded in 1958, now has 51 members and controls more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of premium Nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. They produce a blend harvested from multiple vineyards, but in great years they will produce 9 single vineyard wines. I still need to try one of those single vineyard wines.
Facts: 2016 Produttori del Barbaresco. 100% Nebbiolo. Bottling date was April 2021. 15% ABV, but despite the number it does not come across that high.
Rule #4 Sometimes wine pairing importance comes second. I have to remind myself that not everyone I share a bottle with is as obsessed about wine as I am (i.e. my parents) — they just want to enjoy our time together with a nice glass of wine.
— 3 years ago
Jay Kline
Hebrart: Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. No formal notes. As the name suggests, this is a selection of Jean-Paul’s favorite sites. In this case, old vine sélection massale from: Faubourg d’Enfer, Pruches, Haut Varille, Croix Blanche, Maladrie, Beauregard, Ramonette, Bisson St-Loup, Côtes, and Sente des demoiselles. All 1er cru sites, obviously and roughly 3/4 Pinot Noir with the balance Chardonnay. It’s delicious. In the Hebrart style, this is fresh with loads of bright raspberry fruit, citrus and minerals along with great acid and good bubbles. Drink now through 2037. Disgorged April of 2021 and based off the 2017 vintage. — 7 months ago