Earth's Draw
Vinogorje Kutjevo
Rosé Blend
2023 -Vintage - rose made from Pinot Noir and Zweigelt - surprisingly good (the label didn’t really draw me) med plus acidity with a Pinot Noir like character in the aroma and a slight backend spice which I guess to be the Zweigelt -lower-ish ABV 12.5%ABV worked well with my scallops — 11 days ago
Pecchenino
Le Coste Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
This bottle of 2010 Pecchenino “Le Coste” was pulled from my cellar on a “school night” and brought to a fun little gathering of service friends after their shift. Opened, splash decanted and consumed over three hours; served side-by-side with the 2010 Roberto Voerzio “Brunate”. The Pecchenino “Le Coste” was locked down pretty hard for the first 30 minutes but shifted dramatically before the hour mark. At that point, it was singing with bright, red and dark fruits, roses, tar and wrapped up in the most elegant package. Compared to the Voerzio, this was lithe and open-knit. A lovely, traditional expression of Barolo that, while endowed with the classic structure of 2010, is just beginning to offer up more of its charm. It’s probably worth noting that Pecchenino actually resides in the Dogliani commune, just across the boarder from Monforte d’Alba. Dogliani is where some of the highest expressions of Dolcetto are produced under the Dogliani Superiore DOCG classification. Pecchenino’s Dolcettos are lovely examples and super reasonable…but I digress. Back to this wine, “Le Coste” is a small-ish MGA in the Barolo commune that sits directly south of the town of Barolo and said to share some similarities with the Cannubi MGA just to the north. While I don’t have enough experience drinking wines made with the fruit from "Le Coste", I can certainly draw some parallels. Anyway, on this night, the "Le Coste" by Pecchenino wiped the floor with the "Brunate" from Voerzio, which couldn’t seem to really get out of the gate and even after 3 hours in a decanter. The Voerzio is gonna need forever to come back around. Drink now with at least 30min of air. Otherwise, this will continue to drink well through 2030+. — 2 years ago
Top Draw
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Smooth and jammy. Nice@body — 5 years ago
Lucia Vineyards (Pisoni)
Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022
2022 vintage. Medium/medium heavy body. Nice, initial draw and mid-palate kaleidoscope but a shunted finish. Started off nearly identical to the 2022 Gary's Vineyard same producer/vintage but lacking the epic, back end, guitar solo outro. Brand new so would like to retaste in 8-12 months. We all know how fickle the pinot noir grape can be. 04.02.25. — 14 days ago
Château Lafon-Rochet
Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016
2016 vintage. Last tasted 6.15.24. Still too fleshy for me. Prob need to decant (or open and put back in the reefer for a day or two) for 3 hours to draw out the tannins that, theoretically, should be there. Enjoying the 2006, 2018 and 2019 vintages a bit more currently. **UPDATE**Came across an opened (2/3rd left from last night's party) bottle and retested. Tannins out and looking for nightlife. Upgraded to 9.3 (7.21.24.) 7.20.24. — 9 months ago
Rochioli
Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2019
Straight out delicious. Dark. Viscous. Mango? Draw back was the headache. — 2 years ago
Ericsson
Tempranillo for Texas! Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and plum, complemented by floral hints of violets and subtle spice. The palate offers a balance of juicy fruit flavors and a lingering, stony dryness. Given the challenges of the 2022 growing season, including extreme heat and drought conditions that led to reduced yields but enhanced grape concentration, this vintage delivers exceptional depth and character drinks well young. — 19 days ago