Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

More rare than common for me to try a Margaux for the first time these days.

Had this with a French prepared sirloin at Kronenhalle in Zurich.

It’s in a good drinking window. Nice fruit & style. Balanced ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

Kronenhalle is a good restaurant, old school environment with a huge stellar art collection, including three Picasso’s. — 9 months ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Blind tasting no4. Should have let this decant for awhile first because it was super reduced - sulfur and eggs. Honestly would NEVER have guessed burgundy or Pinot noir. Just so saturated and dense. Probably missed some of the common flavors because it was still fresh.

Slightly cloudy opaque purple with little rim variation. Heavily extracted. Bone dry, medium tannins, medium acids. Red berries and chalk with a medium to full body. As it opened we got compost and olives. Nothing to indicate Pinot though… — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.2

Pure and straight fruit. Very good use of wood. In common with his red’s brother has an incredibly refreshing uplifting aftertaste. But I’d wait at least 2 years to drink the 2018 vintage again. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has charred cigar box, sauteed cherries, dried blueberries, freshly whipped cream, sliced black cherry, old-dark chocolate shavings, oak bark and mashed blackberries.
Palate has earthy blackberry juice, chocolate covered cherry, wet cedar shavings, grilled raspberries, muddy-mashed cherry with a medium+ finish.
Our second to last bottle from an experimental case project, bought on release ($15) and I'm just floored on the presence of this wine in our glasses today, expressive on all fronts, quite satisfing after many years of patience. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

The 4th and final Grand Cru from Morey Saint Denis tasted blind. Richer on the nose than the Clos Saint Denis with rose petals, raspberry and some stalky notes. On the M+ palate spicy red fruits finishing with silky tannins. Could only be a Grand Cru. In summary the MSD bracket of 4 was seamless and all rated 95 points or higher. A common theme of all of these 2016 red burgundies is that whilst they will cellar for decades many are approachable now. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.2

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Our conductors are David Newman and John Williams are leading a diverse program of cinematic works composed by John Williams entitled "Across The Stars: Music Of John Williams". We'll enjoy pieces from Star Wars (various episodes), Harry Potter, E.T., Memoirs of a Geisha and many others. All works to feature the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, a personal favorite soloist of ours on these hallowed grounds. Mr. Williams has rearranged many of the selections today to better feature Ms. Mutter, an exciting afternoon will lay ahead. 🎼🎻

Nose has mashed strawberry/banana and cut red delicious apple.

Palate has sweet strawberry, banana peel, ripe red currant and light green herb notes.

The wine is 100% DeChaunac, a more common varietal for colder climates, like Ontario; fruit is sourced locally (FLX region) from Sheldrake Point.

The 2018 may just be the finest version of this wine to date, so juicy and expressive on the palate, just beautiful for this warm afternoon. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Growers by Isabel Estate “Common Vine” Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from Isabel Estate, one of Marlborough’s pioneering producers. This single-vineyard bottling comes from the Waihopai Valley — a subregion known for being more mineral-driven and restrained than the punchy, tropical-forward styles of the neighboring Wairau and Awatere Valleys. A showcase of precision and purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Zesty citrus, lime peel, and gooseberry meet tropical notes of passionfruit and pineapple, layered with fresh herbs and a subtle stony edge. A vivid expression that balances fruit intensity with chalky minerality.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, energetic acidity cuts through with sharp precision. Light to medium-bodied, refreshingly clean, with a saline, mineral-tinged finish that lingers brightly.

Winemaking Notes
Cold fermentation in stainless steel to lock in aromatics, followed by lees contact for added textural complexity without compromising freshness.

Food Pairing
Excellent with oysters, green-lipped mussels, ceviche, and goat cheese. Also shines with grilled asparagus, sushi, or a simple tomato-and-basil salad.

Verdict
A brilliant single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc that highlights Waihopai Valley’s distinctive terroir — mineral, sharp, and refreshingly pure. More refined than fruit-bomb styles, yet every bit as compelling. Cheers! — 10 months ago

garry post

9.0

Smooth and silky, a classy Zinfandel without some of the more common rough edges.

Rhubarb, pepper, bell pepper, soft tannins, dash of oak, spices, cherry... — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has bright green apple, saline solution, distant petrol, under-ripe peach, sliced apricot, clover honey and wet flint
Palate has effervescent and tart apple juice, tart pear, under-ripe peach, green apple peel, wet limestone with solid acidity and a ever lingering sweet/salty/tart finish. A great bottle! — 6 years ago

Maria Falcon

9.0

Very nice, a little strong when you first open it — 6 years ago

Roger Ray

8.9

"Mahi is long enough for real substance without that awful syrupy quality so common in other whites. There's a note in there that some describe is funk, but we'd call grassy." According to Karen MacNeil "New Zealand Sauvignon blancs have no parallel in the world." — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.0

Just concluded our annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has cold oak, yeasty bread dough, yellow apple flesh and cold limestone.
Palate has chalk dust on yellow apple, saline minerality and cold bread dough.
Medium-short finish, but quite pleasant on the nose. — 7 years ago

Anthony Pro

9.2

One of the best white wines. Ever. The blend is mind blowing, especially since the grapes are not common to California. Happy birthday Steph! — 8 years ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice everyday wine from an older and less common grape. Better day 2. Aromatic with strawberries and candied cherries. Slightly tart on opening but smooth day 2. Raspberry, strawberry, clove and some mineral. Moderate finish. — 3 years ago

Daniel Ludwig

9.0

Has a beautiful bouquet on the nose that prevails throughout its surprisingly long finish. Light bodied and a great alternative to some of the more common Italian varietals. — 3 years ago

Lyza Jo

8.9

We liked it — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has smoked roses, partially dried black cherry, dried cherry, dry autumn leaves and dried vanilla bean.
Palate has smoked cherries, smoked blackberry, fresh rose petals, dried Bing cherry, little to no tannins, mild acidity remains. Future bottles may be 2024+ in proper storage. Superb pairing to slowly (apple wood) smoked pork loin with a tight crust (thank you medium thick fat cap) and appreciable smoke penetration. — 6 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2020 spring / summer. While the swing back towards traditional winemaking in Barolo and Barbaresco is wonderful to see, it seems that there are still many banner barberas made with lots of new oak and the like. There are plenty of simple, delicious barberas made in a balanced fashion, finding a traditionally-made wine exploring barbera’s potential in top sites isn’t all that common. Here’s an example of why that’s a shame - effusive with black and red fruit, concentrated without being heavy, balancing acidity and tannin, and a bit of spice — 6 years ago

Chris B.

9.1

It’s a shame this winery closed up a few years ago, as this was a lovely bottle (the vineyard is still producing and going strong apparently). Loaded with a crisp, oceany saltiness that was nicely leavened with lemon and cream soda. Bonus points for highlighting the woodsy, bonfire smokiness more common in the appellation’s pinots. — 7 years ago

Darren Dittrich

8.9

For the ABC crowd... a lovely unoaked white we enjoyed during our summer stay in Piedmont. White peach, lemon curd, honeysuckle, and mineral with plenty of acidity. An easy drinker with a high QPR. Arneis can run from a lighter pale yellow style (most common) to a more full-bodied tropical golden style (Bruno Giacosa). — 7 years ago