Cool Clouds

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2017

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a two days. Better on Day 2. On the pop and pour, this bottle was backward and really seemed resistant to show much. I didn’t detect any real flaws or faults…just sort of, “meh”. On Day 2, it had opened considerably. The 2017 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe blackberries, currants, mixed flowers, black tea, ferrous earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 9 days ago

Zach, Ira and 15 others liked this

Château Brane-Cantenac

Grand Cru Classé en 1855 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

Medium ruby , with garnet ruby rim . Quite cool spicy cassis , mineral grafite nose . Blackberry , seashell , mineral notes . On the palate good richness with ripe blackberry , cassis and grafite . Lovely ripe , fine tannins and really good freshness . Good grafite , cassis tinged length. Shows a lot of potential , young still , needs time .. come back in 10 years and will last well a further 10 . — 2 years ago

Daniel, Tom and 10 others liked this

Clonakilla

Canberra District Shiraz Viognier 2004

Spicy and peppery on the nose with a hint of apricot from the Viognier whose influence has diminished over the years. Red cherry and pepper on the palate. Generally regarded as one of the finest Shiraz blends in Australia. Cool climate - Intensity without weight. I love this style and this 2004 was a treat for the senses. Soft resolved fine savoury tannins. Sadly my last 2004 in 750ml although I did find a magnum after making this note. — 4 years ago

Paul, Eric and 20 others liked this

Niepoort (Vinhos) S.A.

Drink Me Nat Cool Bairrada Baga

So fun playing that fruity/savory gamey (mortadella?) syrah streak. But much lighter perfect turkey pairing. — 6 years ago

Severn, Iwan and 5 others liked this

Casa Silva

Cool Coast Paredones Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Amazing Chilean wine! But it truly reaches its full potential when you drink it with shellfish, like fresh oysters or scallops! — 8 years ago

Broken Clouds

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014

Very light and easy to drink. Love it! — 8 years ago

Mount Langi Ghiran

Cliff Edge Shiraz 2020

Lovely cool climate Victoria Shiraz, this is right in the ideal window to drink, spicy notes, blue fruits, very good acid balance, solid!! — 3 months ago

Jim Powers
with Jim and
Ira, Tom and 3 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 (S) pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, red and purple flowers, red rope licorice, rocky earth and cool spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This vintage of Lapierre shows the warmth of the vintage and oozes generosity. In some ways, this reminds me of the 2015 vintage. Drink now through 2033+. — 4 months ago

Zach, Jae and 14 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Top three producer.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T They’re up there. Certainly Top 6 for me. Foillard, Metras, Guy Breton, Thivin, Roilette and a few of the new comers are all right up there for me
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I have some vintages of Metras. Honored 5th to the Gang of Four. Need to open one soon. Definitely, on the list.

Clos Rougeard

Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc

Gor
9.5

As usual off the charts cool. Opened up over the course of a couple hours. Expressive nose of fresh cut red flowers, raspberries, black pepper, undergrowth, dried herbs, some vegetal hints. Fantastic concentration and elegance with fine tannins and beautiful acidity that ends in a medium+ finish. — 4 years ago

Peay Vineyards

La Bruma Sonoma Coast Estate Syrah 2011

Aged cool climate Syrah from a consummate family. The tertiary flavors are stellar. — 5 years ago

Arnot-Roberts

North Coast Syrah 2015

Warm and smooth with a spicy nose and some floral on the finish. Let it open up for a good long time and it was really cool! — 7 years ago

Craiglee

Sunbury Shiraz 2006

Craiglee have been making wine on this site since the 1860s In a 3 Level bluestone gravity fed winery - about a half hours drive north of Tullamarine - Melbourne International Airport. Aromas of Liquorice and Spice. Medium minus palate weight - very different to Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz. Medium To light weight tannins. Great length despite the lack of palate weight - like a Pinot lovers Shiraz. Years ago I used to buy this cool climate Victorian Shiraz because of the white and black pepper, but no sign of that in this one - is Pat Carmody picking a little riper? Worth a visit for any visiting overseas Wine Lover so close to Tullamarine. — 8 years ago

Velma, TheSkip and 13 others liked this

Elena Walch

Beyond the Clouds Alto Adige Bianco Chardonnay Blend 2023

Interesting blend of mostly Chardonnay adding Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, medium vibrant lemon yellow color, with aromas of complex fruits, nutty and floral notes. On the palate flavors of pineapple, apricot and citrus with cinnamon, honey and floral spice. Long finish ending creamy with juicy fruit, almonds, citrus and mineral notes. Will age a bit, but nice now! — 4 months ago

Daniel, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards

Cool Terroir Niagara Escarpment Red Blend 2021

Rich with dark berry base and touch of tobacco — 7 months ago

Domaine François Raveneau

Butteaux Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Very pretty. Initially some tropical notes. Settled into gorgeous lifted lemon fruit, subtle salinity and cool stone. Really poised and subtle- very Raveneau. Long and pretty. — 3 years ago

Vanessa, Eric and 13 others liked this

Luke Lambert

Yarra Valley Syrah 2017

This is such a good LL release. Cool climate Shiraz / Syrah at its very best. So good. — 5 years ago

Simon liked this

Domaine A

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Very dark Crimson particularly for a cool climate Tasmanian Cabernet. Aromas of dark plum, clove, tobacco leaf and oak spice on the nose with a medium to full bodied palate with dusty plum and integrated oak - perfect balance. Seamless with resolved tannin and finishing with persistent length. Matured in 100% French oak Barriques. After a couple of hours in the decanter a lovely left bank perfume of rose bush and brambles. A wonderful Cabernet (90%) by any measure and a fitting tribute to Peter Althaus, the founder, who passed away unexpectedly in early January aged 79 in his native Switzerland. I like many others said that Tasmania was too cool to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon but Peter Althaus proved us all wrong. Vale Peter. — 5 years ago

Severn, ESF and 22 others liked this

Wind Gap Wines

Majik Vineyard Syrah 2013

Pax Mahle makes majestic Syrah that is light and gentle as single vineyard cool climate Pinot. His wines encapsulate the best of the idiosyncratic grape in a more delicate than typical frame that is complex and lean, but neither thin nor meager.

His Wind Gap Majik single vineyard has funky expressive aromas of iodine, menthol, violet, olive, and black peppercorn. Flavors of herbs, unripe blackberry, and salty minerals. Tons of flavor and body at an astounding 11.5% ABV (2014 was 10.4%!).

P.S. considering buying his Pax Hillside which got 100 points from
@Antonio Galloni last year. If anyone has tried 2017 please let me know how it was.
— 8 years ago

Kirk, Hugh and 21 others liked this
Darren Dittrich

Darren Dittrich Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Anytime you’re in Dallas...
Ely Cohn

Ely Cohn Premium Badge

@Darren Dittrich awesome! Will let you know....I live in Austin 😁

Wind Gap Wines

Sonoma Coast Syrah 2014

A shining example of cool climate, domestic syrah — 8 years ago