Elements Of Islay

Winzerhof Thörle

Saulheimer Kalkstein Spätburgunder 2021

ESF
9.3

I’m not quite as effusive as @Lyle Fass but this was indeed gorgeous - step above their straight Spatburgunder w/tons of personality. I was really taken w/perfumed nose and earth driven elements. Yeah there’s gobs of decadent cherry, raspberry & strawberry, but the brambly herbal spice elements are downright sexy. It’s all about complexity & generosity not to mention balance & elegance. — 6 months ago

Brian, Daniel and 6 others liked this
Lyle Fass

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Amazing value and amazing 21’s.

Williams Selyem

Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir 1992

Loren Grossman
9.2

Fully mature. Elements of sage, chaparral, grilled fruit. Rose hip. Palate full of blackberries and some minerals with furry tannins. Smoke em if you got em. — 4 years ago

Jonathan liked this

Bott-Geyl

Les Elements Alsace Riesling 2018

Just falls short of excellency. Great mouthfeel. Not too acidic for a riesling, medium fruitiness and balanced intensity. — 5 years ago

Bruichladdich

The Classic Laddie Scottish Barley Unpeated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A really fantastic summer scotch with notes flowers, grass, yeast, and freshly picked grains. It really jumps out of the glass with a freshness and vibrancy you’d expect more from a champagne or beer. Not super deep or rich, but that’s what makes it refreshing. Good deal too. — a year ago

Château Cantemerle

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

2015 is reporting for duty. Balanced with brighter fruit and acid with cassis, plums and pencil elements. One could drink this with a variety of meats, fowl and fish. This wine is locked and loaded and ready to fire. — 3 years ago

Ken liked this

Merriam Vineyards

Jones Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2010

Paul J
9.3

Always a favorite!

1hr+ decant. Definitely needs a decant! Dark red color with purple rims. Wine is dominated by vanilla, watermelon, and candied fruit. Medium depth. I actually thought it had some Pinot elements. Reminded me of the Chateau Philippe Le Hardi Montee Rouge which I love. This definitely was like candy and my first review of this wine. Last bottle of this vintage :(
— 4 years ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Matt, Tom and 5 others liked this

Château Montrose

La Dame de Montrose Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

Another wine of interest to me in the Bordeaux masterclass although it looks nothing like the critics’ notes online. Where’s all the floral and mineralic notes? Perhaps shut down at this stage? The nose itself was still interesting though - fruit-dense with lots of irony elements (rust, meat). Sweet fruited, spicy, and concentrated on the palate, but still energetic courtesy of a little more obvious acidity here. Tannins were dusty, fine, and directional. Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
— 3 years ago

Josh, Jan and 11 others liked this

Château Haut-Marbuzet

St. Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Paul J
9.5

Great! 1hr decant but probably should have PnP’d as this tired quickly and is a little past prime drinking window. Started out at 97 and ended at 94. Dark red, maroon color with ample bricking. Nose has bramble, cedar, and licorice. Massive depth which separates the $50+ Bordeaux’s from the same priced Napa wines. Lots of cherries and some Amarone and Port elements near the end. Medium finish. A fav of mine! Very consistent across vintages. — 3 years ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Milissa, Iwan and 14 others liked this

Château Angélus

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

Delectable Wine
9.7

The 2018 Angélus is striking. Cabernet Franc aromatics make a strong first impression. Vibrant and delineated, the 2018 is incredibly refined in every way. The move towards a bit less extraction really seems to let the purity of the fruit come through. The same is true of a reduction of oak. All the elements come together so effortlessly. The 2018 has all the richness readers expect of Angélus, with much more finesse and more overall vibrancy, a combination that works so well. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
— 4 years ago