Conjure
Harlan Estate
The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Heavenly blackberry and rich plum conjure up raspberry reductions that smoke a little but stay focused. A stony and crisp, almost granite texture followed by a baked currant and toffee, aromatically. American coffee, sweet licorice and oaky cedar bordering on pine, with cherry spiraling to a bitter, dark, baker’s chocolate that expands endlessly. Dense, rich and layered endlessly. #themaiden #harlanestate #harlan #billharlan #napawine #napa #napavalley2005 #napavalleyforever — 6 years ago
Quebrada Del Chucao
Sidra Espumante Sparkling Hard Cider 2014
The taste of those funny-looking, gnarled cider apples from old orchards might strike some as funky, but not as much as Basque cider to my palate. To me this is pretty, even delicate, and much more terroir based than most ciders out there. Can't wait to conjure cocktails with Quebrada! — 8 years ago
Mikkeller
Nelson Sauvin Brut Belgian Wild Ale
Scribbly, disjointed scumble above very cloudy toddy. Cut blood orange, red grapefruit, persimmon, table grape, and baked lemon. Wild, yeasty notes, with scraped aloe plant, dill, carrot, and carnation-daisy. Whoa. Chardonnay perfumes envelope dried green olive and green apple tastes. Weird, white pepper-dried raspberry that has nutritional yeast and cedar. Lime-pineapple devoid of fructose. Active mouthfeel has lemon peel oils, grapefruit pith, salty guava, amplified dragonfruit, and kafir leaves with crushed poppyseed dusting. Stone fruit stone tastes. Overall, a Brett-like orange, with floral suggestions of lillies dragging. Complex, and really amazing, finishing with a tartar-biscuit nod to warm Champagne vintages. Only nature could conjure this. Steel pans with whole citrus and stone fruit purées that turn herbal in the tangle of peel, leaves, stems and seed. — 5 years ago
Giuseppe Quintarelli
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Corvina Blend 2000
Is there another gear when you ratchet up your wine experience?
Clos de la Tech Pinot tasting -- outstanding craftsmanship and pursuit of quality. Intro of 2012 vintage features several stars, led by Cote de Sud -- truly a nugget among semi-precious gems. And then...back to the residence for 2012 Mastro Janni Brunello (swell) followed by 2009 Brigaldara Amarone (special). And then...out comes the 2000 Quintarelli Valpolicella -- is there another level, an overdrive gear from here? Arguably NO, this Quintarelli answers every question wine consumers may conjure. Yes, I believe this is the destination! — 8 years ago
Château Gautoul
Cahors Malbec 2008
A spry Cahors showing some age, like a favorite torch song. Dark melodies, but a lively romp into prunes, tea leaf aromatics, friendly yet hefty like an old-fashioned "black wine" should be. Makes me think of all the things one can conjure w blackberries & willing mischief... — 9 years ago
Ovum Wines
Off The Grid Riesling 2016
If there is such a thing as wines that can conjure a personal connection irrespective of “greatness,” but a connection of language and dialect, this is one of those wines for me. The same is true of all Ovum wines I’ve tried - quiet wines of place. Voluptuous but not clamorous.
Green herbs and aloe. Ice box spiced lemon meringue pie. Fat and creamy. Minty lemony creme brûlée. — 6 years ago
Chateau de Fonsalette
Réservé Côtes du Rhône Syrah 1991
Will probably never come across this wine again and that thought made me a bit wistful as I tried to somehow conjure just one more sip from my pour...just stupendously good, simply in another register from any other Grenache-based wine I've ever tasted — 8 years ago
Andrew Holod
National Sales Grapes of Spain
My wife commented that this had too much color and heft, given its age.
Deep, vibrant purple. Intense plummy fruit bouyed w warm toasted aromas that conjure vanilla, cumin, toasted oak. Dense, fleshy, long, with resolved tannins that still offer plenty of structure and elegant acidity. Among the best domestic, 'natural' wines I've had. — 3 years ago