Control

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1990

1990 vintage. This was the start to the weekly tasting day with the reps. A fave guest brought this in. Was summoned to open it immediately despite having just strolled in. Grabbed the Durand and pounced. Didn't get the opportunity to see the fill but the foil, label and cork were all pristine (too little cork saturation for a 3+decade-old bottle). Screamed château reconditioned. Opened but not decanted. Good color. Great nose immediately. Tasted after 15 mins and 45 mins open. Tasted around noon but bottle needed to have been opened at prior midnight. Showed pretty well, however, with the delicate intricacies this wine is renowned for. Would have presented better with more air time but you can only control so much. 01.29.25. — 9 months ago

Ted, Daniel and 13 others liked this

Ochota Barrels

She's Lost Control Adelaide Hills Fragola

I know nothing of the variety and this was a slightly confusing wine but still smashed it and loved it — 5 years ago

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

The Chablis was showing beautifully. Out of the gate the Cos clearly charged ahead of the LP. However, thirty minutes in the LP was in full control and never looked back. All three wines…an easy mid-nine range. — 2 years ago

Daniel, Ron and 2 others liked this

Catch & Release Wines

Can't Control the California Sun nascere vineyard Sangiovese Barbera

Delicious and juicy. Had with the cauliflower soup but would stand up to way more — 3 years ago

Skerlj

Venezia Giulia Vitovska 2017

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2017 Vitovska is decidedly savory and spicy, wafting up a beguiling display of sour apple, pear and lemon, complemented by hints of white pepper. It’s soft and almost fleshy upon entry, yet it quickly firms up through a display of brisk acids and minerals that nearly sizzle in the mouth. Inner florals dominate the finale, along with a tug of residual tension. The Skerlj Vitovska is fermented in oak vats for three weeks without temperature control before being moved to barrel for another twenty-four months. (Eric Guido, Vinous, January 2021)
— 5 years ago

Jeff Carrel

Les Darons Languedoc Grenache Blend 2020

Salty nose, hint of the rubber ball, which does arrive. Smooth, spunky licorice, both red and black. Acidic but well under control. A sophisticated take on the barnyard. — 3 years ago

Picton Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Trader Joe’s favorite. Great lemongrass notes. This is the cruise control wine you always want to go to. — 3 years ago

Bauget-Jouette

Brut Carte Blanche Champagne

Solid two-seam FB nibbling at the edges of the plate: good control, decent oomph, and a good workhorse. The price is outrageously good, though, which I reckon makes it matter more than a standard nothing btl. — 4 years ago

Anakota

Helena Dakota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

So good! It is aging beautifully. Easily has another 10-15 years of cellaring. Hope I can control myself to be patient and spread the consumption of the remaining bottles over this time frame. — 5 years ago

David and Mike liked this