Calibrate

Turley

Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel 2016

Shay A
9.2

If you can calibrate your mind for Turley (or Zins in general), these are fun and hedonistic wines to simply enjoy.

My first experience with the Turley Dusi. Initial impression is this has Paso all over it (as it should, since it’s a Paso vineyard) with a sense of weightless gravitas. Wave after wave of ripe fruits from the entire spectrum (red, blue and black berry fruits), cedar, espresso all on the nose. Little bit of EA sharpness (as I’ve found common with Turley) but only at levels to elevate the aromatics, not enough to detract from the overall profile. Mixed berry pie richness on the palate with more cedar, spiced plum, dark cocoa and just a faint profile of chewing tobacco leaves (not sure if that’s the profile of Dusi, or if that’s evolution after almost 8yrs). ABV is noticeable when warm but drinks nice closer to cellar temp. Pop corks and enjoy over the next few years.
— 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, Michiel and 27 others liked this

Domaine Lécheneaut

Les Damodes Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2014

Shay A
9.4

Burgundy night. Started off with a nice champagne followed by a Cali roussanne to calibrate the palates.

One of the top reds of the night for me. Very dusty fruit. Cranberry tea with blackberry pie. Very good at this age.
— 6 years ago

Ryan, Kimberly and 33 others liked this

Domaine Pierre Labet

Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir 2015

Shay A
9.3

Burgundy night. Started off with a nice champagne followed by a Cali roussanne to calibrate the palates.

Very lush. Potpourri and lavender type nose. Cedar. Dark chocolate covered raspberries and blackberries.
— 6 years ago

Ryan, Kimberly and 37 others liked this

Calibrate

Handcrafted Columbia Valley Merlot 2018

A solid Washington Merlot, well balanced, black fruits, lightly oaked and just enough tannins to be interesting. — a year ago

Domaine Leflaive

Les Chenes Macon Verze Chardonnay 2015

full malo. bio-d. red apple, bosc, apple blossom, light weight, balanced. moderate acid- long finish. outstanding. First in a white burgundy (any) tasting to calibrate our palates! — 3 years ago

Domaine Henri Gouges

Clos des Porrets St. Georges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Shay A
9.2

Burgundy night. Started off with a nice champagne followed by a Cali roussanne to calibrate the palates.

More fruit forward then the other burgundies. Cherry liqueur with a tannic finish, mainly a Blackberry bite.
— 6 years ago

Ryan, Kimberly and 37 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Shay A vintage? thanks
Shay A

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@Ira Schwartz : I believe this was a ‘12.

Domaine Leroy

Morey St. Denis Pinot Noir 2006

Shay A
9.3

Burgundy night. Started off with a nice champagne followed by a Cali roussanne to calibrate the palates.

Stewed cranberries and blackberries, with a candied finish. More tobacco and earthy driven. Like the Pommard Pinot but on steroids.
— 6 years ago

Eric, Ryan and 35 others liked this

Bernard Fouquet

Domaine des Aubuisieres Brut Vouvray Chenin Blanc

Sparkling chenin? Yes, pls. Doesn’t make me calibrate my mouth every sip. — 2 years ago

Severn, Sharon and 5 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2010

Easily one of the finest aromas I’ve experienced in a Rioja, and indeed any wine, in the past year, truly a beguiling and complex experience that begs your nose to remain in the glass. I must note for my own posterity that on the palate I was initially a little underwhelmed. I’m not sure why. I think because this is such a subtle and elegant Rioja, and that I’m so out of the habit of drinking wines from this region and perhaps even, by extension, subtle and elegant wines as a whole. But the more I tasted it, the more I enjoyed it. I had a similar experience with the Viña Ardanza 2010 (which at the moment I prefer to this). But this 904 Gran Reserva is a beautiful, medium to light-bodied Rioja, very fruit-forward with Burgundian delicacy and a charm so typical of the finest wines of this region. A melange of coconut, vanilla, dried cherry and Mediterranean herbs are followed by an impressively saturated palate with medium orange peel acidity and very fine, resolved tannins. I must admit I cannot yet calibrate this wine with the notes of prominent critics, who talk about power, acidity and tannin, but maybe time will tell. This should be a terrific wine to follow over the next ten to twenty (plus) years. — 4 years ago

Josh liked this
Josh Morgenthau

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Great minds think alike. Very similar notes we have!
Will Stanley

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Checking my prior note and thought I’d circle back here @Josh Morgenthau as I just had this one again and had a totally different experience, much more open after 3 hours’ air and perhaps now a whisker above the 2010 Ardanza in quality, which (for me) is saying a lot with how good Ardanza was in 2010. Just an FYI if you’re sitting on a case and have been holding back..! 🙌

Henri Darnat

Pommard Pinot Noir 2013

Shay A
9.1

Burgundy night. Started off with a nice champagne followed by a Cali roussanne to calibrate the palates.

Tasted much older than it was. Truffled mushrooms and a jalapeño/white pepper note...almost chinon like? Quite herbal too.
— 6 years ago

Eric, Ryan and 25 others liked this