Born
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Katoukichibee Shouten
Born "Dreams Come True" Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Born “Dreams Come True” is a Junmai Daiginjo from Kato Kichibee Shoten in Fukui Prefecture. It’s aged for five years at –5 °C (some sources mention –8 °C). This is supposed to be one of the top Born sakes and it would be interesting to try with a couple others side by side. It’s a liter bottle and when it got opened it was on the cold side. As it warmed and opened up you can see why people call it flamboyant. It becomes a big, powerful sake with big flavors and a long finish. Heavy weight on the palate but very smooth and as they say velvety. It was nice but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it - not sure why other than maybe how it started out which was a bit sharp, angular and lean. Need to pull these earlier. — 9 months ago
Domaine Montrose
Côtes de Thongue Viognier 2022
My 2nd daughter was born today, cracked this open while she and mom rests.
Brilliant fruit and roasted nut- cashew maybe? A much lighter, fresher style of Viognier than the heavier stuff. My nose is a bit stuffy today so the only notes I'm getting are dusty apple and green peach leaf. Balanced acidity and a touch of sweet that cooperate to make a quenchable bottle. — 2 years ago
The Prisoner Wine Company
The Prisoner California Chardonnay Blend 2020
Prisoner Wine Company was born different, designed to disrupt. The Chard has added Roussanne and Gewürztraminer to this blend, Pale and lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty oak aromas. On the palate flavors of crisp apple and peach with citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, well balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 4 years ago
Grgić Vina
Pošip Korcula Vineyard Kvalitetno Suho Vino Poip 2022
Grgić Pošip, Korčula Island 2022
A Croatian white with California roots and Adriatic soul.
Crafted by Grgić Vina, the Croatian project of Napa legend Miljenko “Mike” Grgich (of Judgment of Paris fame), this 100% Pošip is sourced from steep, sun-drenched vineyards on Korčula Island, overlooking the Adriatic.
Pošip, a native Croatian grape born from a spontaneous crossing of two local varieties, delivers a crisp, dry, and complex profile. This 2022 vintage is beautifully aromatic, with notes of citrus, ripe melon, apple, and savory herbs, rounded by hints of vanilla, hazelnut, smoke, and lemon rind. There’s even a faint whisper of resin and orange blossom in the background.
On the palate, it’s voluptuous yet vibrant, a brilliant balance of brisk minerality, layered fruit, and a clean, snappy finish.
Pairing tip: It sings with seafood, think oysters, shrimp pasta, grilled white fish, or even creamy pasta with wild fennel. Also works nicely with soft cheeses.
A standout wine that’s both regional and refined, offering a true taste of Dalmatian coastal charm.
Cheers!
— a year ago
Trinchero Napa Valley
Mary's Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Diana Bravo gave me this wine when Preston was born — 4 years ago
Botanica
Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc 2019
Cheers to old-vine Chenin Blanc from South Africa! 🇿🇦 In South Africa, Chenin Blanc also goes by the name “Steen.”
It’s such a versatile grape and wine, capable of producing beautiful sweet, dry, still, and sparkling wines.
This wine is still and dry. We’ve paired it with sushi and it’s a delightful duet.
The grapes for this wine were grown organically in the Citrusdal Mountain district, north of Cape Town, west of the Olifants River, on the Western Cape. The bush vines were originally planted in 1957 (old!!), contributing to an intensity and a concentration of primary aromas and flavors in the grapes.
Indeed, the nose and palate offer medium(+) aromas and flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple, white peach, vegetal, boxwood, white blossom, crushed stone, and aged cheese rind notes. Lively acidity gives it lift and balances the high alcohol and intensity of fruit.
This wine was produced by Ginny Povall, American-born proprietor and self-taught winemaker of Botanica Wines. I love the botanical images on her labels, each an homage to the flower farm on which she began her wine production journey in South Africa.
Botanica Wines, Chenin Blanc (Mary Delany Collection), 2019, ABV 14%. — 4 years ago
Jerry Raphael
I purchased this wine for $60 as a Bordeaux future offering from MacArthur’s in DC, with the hope of opening it when my younger son—born in 1982—was old enough to share it. We finally did just that this Thanksgiving, celebrating both him and the bottle.
The fill was mid-shoulder, but the family was together and it felt like the right moment. I gave it about an hour in the decanter before dinner. Early on it showed blackberries, a touch of veg, lead pencil, cedar notes and a smooth elegant finish. As the evening went on it opened a bit more, gaining some depth.
A few hours later I revisited the small amount I’d saved and found it had dried out some—but that was expected for a 43-year-old First Growth. Ultimately, it was a wonderful experience and a memorable way to share both the wine and the moment with family.
— 6 months ago