Double R Ranch
Paolo Bea
Pagliaro Secco Montefalco Sagrantino 2012
Initially served to me double-blind from a decanter. In the glass, the wine appeared a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core. There was significant sediment but other than that, there were no other potential indications of age since the color was so ruddy. There was moderate staining and viscosity was medium+/high. The nose was fascinating: bright, powerful ripe cherries, plums, dark chocolate, old leather-bound books, earth, anise, exotic spices and tobacco. The leather, color and sediment had me leaning pretty hard towards a Right Bank Bordeaux from an excellent producer, showing 15-20 age. But I wasn’t yet convinced and then, the palate told a different story. It was fresh and full-bodied. Absolutely packed with fruit and spices. It was bone dry with monumental tannin and acid was easily in the medium+ category. The wine was impeccably balance with elevated alcohol and a forever finish. I was now leaning Italy but where? This was not from Piemonte and I couldn’t think of a wine in Tuscany that would be made quite like this. I was stumped…all I knew is that I was in love whatever this was. Then my buddy said it wasn’t fair because the wine wasn’t technically testable…so he revealed the bottle. Of course it’s “Pagliaro” from Paolo Bea. Swoon! This wine has so 👏🏽 much 👏🏽 soul 👏🏽. My first time enjoying the 2012 in many years and this is in a beautiful spot. A wow wine that will continue to deliver well last 2032. Paired with Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers and bolognese. Bottle No. 3512/9971. Merry Christmas! — 2 years ago
Mitolo
G.A.M. McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004
My bottle of choice for the WNH virtual tasting (@David L , @Shawn R , @Eric LaMasters , @Joe Lucca , @Mike R , @Bill Bender , @Carl Fischer ) with a theme of 10yrs or older, chosen by Eric.
A beautiful bottle of aged Shiraz from a lovely producer. Double decanted in the event there was sediment but there was hardly any (cork was pristine as well). Where some Aussie Shiraz can come across boozy and out of sync, this is a great restrained example. Followed over a few hours and the aromatics didn’t change much...mostly raspberry fig, baking spices, tobacco and smoked meats accompanied by a touch of age. The palate was a reality check...totally youthful. Vibrant and juicy. Tart strawberries, rhubarb and black cherries. Fleshy. Gained some weight as it opened showing liqueur, boysenberries, licorice and overripe mixed dark fruits. Beautiful example of aged Aussie Shiraz. Not getting any better, but not falling off a cliff any time soon. Kudos to the man, myth and legend, Bill B. — 5 years ago
@joe leatherwood : This was my first GAM. Similar to the Reiver Shiraz from Mitolo you gave me a few months back, with a bit more acidity and youthfulness. Delicious. I need to try more from Mitolo!
E. Guigal
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2007
Breaking News: “There have been reports of the death of 2007 CdP’s. It turns out they have been greatly exaggerated.”
Double decanted and enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2007 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe dark bramble fruit, black pepper, leather, red flowers, stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.
This was such a fun wine to drink for many reasons. First and foremost, the company was awesome. Second, I rarely drink Guigal’s CdP as there are other producers from the region that I tend to gravitate towards. And thirdly, I have largely avoided the 2007 vintage because they seemed to be fading fast after coming out of the gate with so much flash and gusto. And yet here we are, in 2024, drinking a “humble” (yet largely traditionally made) CdP from a large(r) negociant and with a lot of air, it’s showing its true quality! Call this exhibit 2007.c.D.p. of why it’s great to have an open mind and be willing to be a life long learner. A wine of surprise for sure. Drink now with extended air and through 2032. — 5 months ago
Burgess Cellars
Vintage Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
It’s been a long time since I’ve had an OG, Bill Sorenson made Burgess Cabernet. I’ve always appreciated their classic California sensibility. This double-magnum of the 1998 vintage was generously provided by a buddy to accompany our lunch of Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers. Initially a bit musty and for a second, I thought it might be slightly corked. However, the bouquet freshened up after about 30min of air the palate was ripe and delicious, no signs of TCA taint at all. Dark berries, black plum, dark cherry, tobacco, leather and loads of damp earth. The structure is still there however the tannins have completely integrated. This was a lovely showing for a wine in the twilight of its life. — 2 years ago
Ahlgren
Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 1991
In formidable shape, wrapping up its third decade. The nose is striking. Smooth on the palate, tannins resolved, tertiary characteristics. Still enough fruit and acidity to keep it fresh. Cork was impeccable. Double decanted, modest amount of sediment. Winemaker’s comments: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, Bates’ Ranch. Dusty, earthy, aromatic cedar, berry bouquet. Elegant, rich, bright fruit flavor balanced with soft tannins. Unfined and unfiltered. 774 cases produced. Bottled November, 1993 — 4 years ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2010
Not dissimilar to the 2008, the 2010 Viña Gravonia leaps out of the glass with a heady, intoxicating aroma of clementine, honey and smoke. And as with the 2008, the palate is a similarly rich and oxidative medley, tannic and bone-dry, with a finish that goes on for minutes. Literally: you are reminded of the wine’s presence long after your sip by a creamy, vanilla-infused aftertaste that lures you into taking another.
God, I love this wine (and, to be frank, all of those that María López de Heredia makes). It’s too young now, but that doesn’t matter. Enjoyed from a Riedel Cabernet glass with Serrano ham. This showed best (by some way) on the third night, even after a double decant on the first. For the first two nights it felt like something was being held back. It is thus imperative that these wines are decanted for some hours prior to drinking.
Once again, an incredible drinking experience. — 5 years ago
Eric Urbani
Bought at auction, nice Cab and tanins all resolved. — a month ago