Between Five Bells
Curly Flat
Pinot Noir 2017
It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 4 years ago
Tolosa Winery
"1772" Edna Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
Pretty golden in color.
Strong nose of citrus, oak, vanilla, Indian spices, lemons, apples, pears, light earth and minerals.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with lemons, apples, pears, light vegetables, earth, spices and white pepper.
Nice finish with spices and limes.
This is a very nice Chardonnay from Edna Valley in California. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.
Showing nice balance between the oak and the fruits, with nice complexity.
This Single Vineyard will age nicely in the next five years.
I paired it with a charcuterie board. A delicious wine.
13.4% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$58. — 5 years ago
Barone Ricasoli
Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2010
In a five-liter bottle, this 2010 is great; good balance between fruit, acids, alcohol, underbrush herbacious flavors, and importantly the oak. Thanks @AndersTillander for sharing! — 5 years ago
Château de Candale
St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
We met & visited a number of Bordeaux producers while 2005 was still in the tank or just into barrel.
In talking with Winemaker-Owners about the 2005 vintage, you could see the twinkle in their eye as they were asked questions. They knew they had Bordeaux magic for the first time in five years.
We tasted this at what was deemed an “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting.” This was on the higher end of that tasting at $35. It is delivering a little better than its young expectation and the jewel to date from that tasting.
With and without protein, the 05 Chateau de Candale moved between 92-93.
The nose reveals; warm alcohol, immersed fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked, dark cherries, dark spices, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender.
This is a very good first look at this 2005. God willing, I have another look in on bottle two of three in another five years. This 05 has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.
The body is full, tarry with big, sticky, chewy tannins. Baked/poached, floral fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black plum, pomegranate, dark spices with a heavy, heated presence, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, loads of graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, dry top soils, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, muted eucalyptus, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender. The acidity is round & full just holding, for me, the slightly higher ABV in check. The long, heavy, dark, well knitted, more earth/spice dominated finish is showing the quality of the vintage. Yet, it still needs more time to be its best.
Photos of; Chateau de Candale, harvested Merlot fruit, recent buyers of Chateau de Candale - Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster and their barrel room. — 6 years ago
Le Pich
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The nose reveals; dark, floral currants. Ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. Black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet.
The body is full. The tannins nicely round & soft. The wine is juicy, delicious & easy to drink now. Ripe blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, suede leather, dry underbrush, mint, hints if dry herbs, woody notes, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet. The acidity is well executed. The finish is round, balanced, juicy and delicious.
Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.
For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of; Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more.
Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 8 years ago
Chris Ringland
Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz 2013
Chris Ringland — Hoffmann Vineyard Shiraz 2013 — Barossa Valley, South Australia. Australia 🇦🇺
Overview:
A flagship collaboration between Chris Ringland and the Hoffmann family, sourced from exceptionally old Shiraz vines—some exceeding 100 years—and matured for over five years in top-tier new French oak. Built entirely on Shiraz, this wine delivers unapologetic Barossa power layered with precision, concentration, and long-term aging ambition.
Aromas & Flavors:
Blackberry, mulberry, roasted meat, exotic spice, tar, soy, dark chocolate, and deep oak spice.
Mouthfeel:
Plush and commanding with dense extract, velvety tannins, and a silky yet muscular texture. The palate is rich, expansive, and deeply structured, finishing long and resonant with serious cellaring potential.
Food Pairings:
Char-grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, smoked brisket, game meats, black pepper–driven dishes, aged hard cheeses.
Personal Pick:
This sits firmly in “benchmark Shiraz” territory for me, so decadent, bold, and emotionally powerful. A wine I slow down for, revisit over hours, and mentally file under unforgettable experiences.
Verdict:
A world-class Barossa Shiraz delivering massive concentration, polish, and longevity. Built for collectors and lovers of maximalist, age-worthy reds.
🍷 Did You Know?:
Some of the Hoffmann family’s Barossa vineyards rank among the oldest continuously producing Shiraz plantings in the world, contributing extraordinary concentration and complexity to elite Australian bottlings.
— a year ago
Eighty Four Wines
Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2012
A project between Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez. I think I’ve had this for at least five years and have never known the ideal time to open it. I don’t drink much petite sirah, but when TX barbecue is the food on the table, I figured this would work, and it did.
48 months in barrel! Inky in the glass with aromatics of potpurri, fresh squeezed dark berries, mixed berry cobbler, and espresso. Expecting a brash profile on the palate, I was greeted by a rather tame (albeit juicy) style which had great mid-palate depth. Freshly squeezed raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red and black currant, hint of peppered rhubarb and dark chocolate. Compared to other PS wines I’ve enjoyed (Switchback Ridge, Vincent Arroyo) this is less chocolate and spice driven, but the juicy and rich mid palate is there in spades. Oak tannin at the finish but not harsh. Paired really well with TX brisket and sauce. Seems to be in a good window now, but PS always seems to me like it can hold for a while, so no rush. — 4 years ago
Between Five Bells
Drumborg Pinot Noir 2018
See previous note from October 2019. As mentioned this garnered 98 points from prestigious UK Wine magazine, Decanter and only cost $24. Excusing the child like label, the contents are very good from a region in Henty/Drumborg better known for their superb Rieslings. Aromas of Carbonic Maceration - confectionery which developed into a dried cherry component and with time rose petals. A lovely savoury driven light to medium weight palate married nicely with the oak. — 5 years ago
M. Chapoutier
Les Varonniers Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2009
Animally, meaty, dark, smokey and brooding - on the nose at least. Opened up after an hour’s decant and was far more rounded on the second night. Has that classic piercing Syrah quality that seems to swamp one’s airways - and plenty of barnyard funk for some time after opening.
On the palate it’s quite mellow, enveloping, beautifully rounded, medium bodied, with just enough acidity and tannin to give it life. I’d love to have tried this five years ago when I feel like it would have had the power to better impersonate a Hermitage. But, no doubt, it’s superb now.
Interestingly (to me!) I actually found this quite hard to distinguish between a decent Rioja. It is very similar in many ways to La Rioja Alta’s Viña Ardanza. Both in the fruit and the presence / quality of oak. The only difference lying perhaps in richness and depth of fruit.
Overall, a beauty of a wine - one of the appellation’s finest. — 6 years ago
Bisson
Marea Cinque Terre White Blend 2016
$32 @bdwinecenter •
•
•
•
From what I understand after translation, this blend’s contents were produced between Riomaggiore and Volastra (of and around Cinque Terre). In my travels through Italy this past summer, I actually had the chance to visit Riomaggiore. In this seaside town of Cinque Terre, I learned that the wines produced there are very hardy. Not only are the majority of these Cinque Terre vineyards constructed into the side of the cliffs/mountains/hills (whatever you’d like to label them, they’re featured on the bottle), they are also mere meters from the sea in some cases. I remember one of the local ladies of one of the five seaside towns telling me of one vineyard (can’t remember which one, probablyyy had too much wine that day) that was only 60 meters away from the surf. With this info in mind, you know that salt water will be absorbed through the grape vines, influencing the grapes’ taste. This results in a very light, delicate brine. It almost reminds me of a sea urchin, and on a lighter note, Haruno’s seaweed salad. 😂 I really dig this wine. A very translucent gold, almost a straw. Definitely let this one warm up a tad, from drinking it completely chilled to room temp, it’s an amazing change. Definitely prefer it after some warmth has reached it. And can we talk about how amazing it is that this wine had the chance to come to the US from like 5,000 miles away where the populations probably don’t exceed a couple of thousand people—and a select few of those choosing to devote their entire lives to cultivating these grape vines? Cheers to finally getting off work 🍻#cinqueterre #manarola #riomaggiore #wine #winetasting #photooftheday #instagood #italy #blend #white #travel #love #bisson #rosenthalwines — 8 years ago
Shafer Vineyards
One Point Five Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
2022 vintage. Sampled via Coravin. A bit more fruit than the 2021 vintage sampled just prior. Still...über-pleasant and giving now. Cellar it. PNP it tonight. Somewhere in between...doesn't really matter as you'll be more than satisfied regardless of your decision. 03.19.25. — a year ago
Domaine des Amoureux
Sur Lie Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Melon de Bourgogne 2020
A racy MdB that jostles between Meyer lemons and oyster shell salinity. I’m missing the sur lie component but that’s OK. After taste is a good five minutes allowing for some white flowers to make an appearance. All in on this one. — 3 years ago
Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2007
Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.
100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.
Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 4 years ago
Xavier Vignon
Arcane XIX Le Soleil Grenache Blend 2015
Lemon sherbert! Sounds silly, but this was a prominent note both on the first and second night. Garrigue, some savoury meaty quality on top of the abundance of bright red fruit (particularly blackcurrant here), cocoa and liquorice. Fine tannins, some spice and enough acidity to keep the alcohol in check and the wine fresh. Seductive. Rich. Totally absorbing. Really, really enjoyable and certainly as good as CDRV gets. Very difficult deciding between a 93 and 94 point rating, but in the end - though comparisons can quite easily be drawn between this and a CDP - it finishes a touch short and lacks the latter’s intensity in the best examples. But, remember, this is a ‘basic’ Rhône wine and as such it is superb, and will benefit from another five to ten years’ ageing. — 6 years ago
Sandlands
Sonoma County Trousseau 2015
Very interesting. I’ve never seen a wine with quite this color; cloudy, pale purple and green, slightly terra cotta; smell and taste are somewhere between a red and a rosé; delicious dry quality with a punch of sour fruit, rhubarb, even watermelon on the finish. Very much looking forward to next bottle, but will try to drink sooner. Less than five years and I feel it’s lost some of its spunk. — 7 years ago
Gratavinum
2 Pi R Priorat Red Blend 2012
Dark red with an embrowned rim. Dark berries with a hint of raw meat aromas. Slightly sweet yet robust, gripping and intertwined. Complex! Medium to high intensity. There are about five different layers to this wine between beginning and end: dried figs, anise, leather, iron, and an arresting tannic finish.
After several hours in the open it becomes considerably less austere; a bit more refined but equally complex. The same five layers are still there, they just seem to transition much better. The finish is equally arresting!
Excellent wine paired with marbled ribeye; the gripping tannings cut the fatty meat exquisitely.
— 7 years ago
Le Pich
Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This is Purlieu’s sister winery. We were the second tasting given in their new facilities just on the edge of Napa as you approach from American Canyon.
We started our visit with a splash of their 17 Sauvignon Blanc as we toured their new facilities.
A hybrid of tropical & dry style. It has understated tropicals of mango, pineapple, white citrus, peach, cut grass, round acidity and nicely polished finish.
Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.
For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more and his Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 8 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
Five Stones Vineyards - “D vs G” Dry Red Blend
Judean Hills – Israel 🇮🇱
Overview
“D vs G” is a bold red blend from Five Stones Vineyards in Judean Hills. The 2023 iteration mixes Shiraz, Marselan, Carignan, and Petite Sirah. An expression of Israel’s rugged terroir, this wine aims for fruit intensity and structure. (Educational note: Marselan is a newer varietal that’s a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache; it brings deep color and spicy, dark fruit.)
Aromas & Flavors
Deep violet and red-ruby in color. Aromas of black raspberry, dark cherry, and plum, with spice — pepper and brown baking spice — and a subtle whisper of tobacco or earth. Hints of dried herbs and gravelly minerality support the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied; lively acid giving freshness; tannins are fairly firm but not harsh — enough grip to balance the ripe fruit. Finish is structured, lingering, with spice and earth behind the fruit.
Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled lamb, beef kebabs, or roasted game. Also works with hearty stews, aged cheeses, or dishes with smoky/spicy elements (think paprika, cumin).
Verdict
“D vs G” 2023 is a wine of contrasts: bold fruit meets firm structure, making it exciting now but with potential to evolve. A great choice for those wanting something expressive from Judean Hills.
Did You Know?
Marselan, one of the grapes in this blend, was created in 1961 (France) by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache. It’s still fairly rare globally — Israel’s adoption shows its experimentation and modern vineyard practices. — 9 months ago