Chateau La Paws
Westrey
Oracle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011
While I was tempted to decant the 2012 Westrey Pinot Noir (Oracle Vineyard) I was worried about shocking it. I shouldn’t have held that concern. This pinot is more Burgundy than Oregon, and it’s built to age. As it opens a youthful swell of currant jumps out at you, and as it breathes it begins to become more complex. On the palate, the experience is similar in that with each swirl and sip- this puppy gets bigger paws and begins to truly take shape. The finish itself is my favorite, as it too deepens with time, as good wines should. I probably should have decanted it, but we live and learn. Outstanding, deep stuff. — 5 years ago
Louis Jadot
Domaine Gagey "Le Chapitre" Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Just opening and decanting now, sticking with Burgundy again tonight. As it happens we had another Jadot (Dom. Gagey) bottle in the cellar, thought the Ladoix blanc was the only one previously.
Nose of bright spring cherry, supermarket not farmers market, tinge of alcohol.
Palate is gravel-cherry, sweet, this started quite tannic but mellowed a bit in the decanter. Drinking quite nice for an everyday Pinot, not overly complicated, but enjoyable. I'd say this bottle could hold easily for 6 years past vintage.
A good pairing with burgers hot off the grill tonight. Burgers are an interesting meal at our house, cats seem to like the aroma, so if you're not watching, paws will be sneaking up on your plate from an adjacent chair. 😺😼😺😼
24hr Update: Acidity had mellowed, I enjoyed the wine a little more after 3-4 hours of air than today, but was a great pairing with grilled pork chops tonight. — 6 years ago
Robert Biale Vineyards
Like Father Like Son Napa Valley Syrah Blend 2010
50/50 Syrah & Petite Syrah blend.
Color, it's so purple and dark! Reminds me of Heitz 'Ink Grade' Port.
Nose has ripe, crushed blueberry and blackberry, light creamy oak, cut plum, prune and just a touch of baking spice.
Palate has blueberry juice with acidity subdued by mellow oak, crushed blackberry, black currant, faint cedar plank, moist-tanned leather and light black pepper.
After ~3hr decant we still had trailing heat from the alcohol (15.2% ABV), but it disapated in another hour or so. A great paring with some local Delmonico steaks on the grill, cooked to a beautiful 130°F.
When good protein is served at our house eight paws will be in waiting on our dining table. My wife and I only take two of our six chairs, others will have one hungry 🐈 each. We all enjoyed a great meal tonight, some albeit some with much smaller portions.
This is the youngest version of this bottle in our cellar, the 2010 can easily reach 2023-25. — 5 years ago
Wilson Creek
Five Paws Vineyard Double Dog Red Red Blend 2015
All around softer than the 2014. Still pleasantly plummy in flavor. A great pizza wine paired with tonight's meatball mushroom pepper pie. — 7 years ago
Peter Sultan
It’s interesting to compare to Huet, though didn’t have them side by side. Chidaine kind of inhabits the mouth & palate, as if taking up residence: it’s so full & voluptuous.vibrating golden rod color, sunflowers. Waxy white & yellow stone fruits, with echoes of minerality. The fruit is dominant in its favor, I believe, but the half life could be so long can imagine a glorious tertiary & mineral future. I just can’t keep my paws off them long enough. — a year ago