Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The ‘22 Karatas from Bedrock is a Bordeaux blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from their eponymous vineyard. Pale gold with a nose full of honeysuckle and orchard fruit. That’s backed by mouth-filling melon and pear with a noticeable backbone. Excellent. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The Coquillette family is known mostly for Saint-Chamant; a house their family founded in the 1930’s. Stephane Coquillette now runs the operation and while he remains committed to his focus on Chardonnay for Saint-Chamant, his desire to work with Pinot Noir is expressed through his eponymous label.

Popped and poured; no formal notes. The “Cuvee Les Cles” is a Blanc de Noirs exclusively sourced from the village of Aÿ and therefore 100% Grand Cru. It’s a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir with a lovely mix of strawberries and raspberries. The fruit profile was generous which gave it an almost round impression even though the dosage was rather modest at 5g/l. The finish was rich and very enjoyable. A very lovely way to start the evening.
— 8 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.3

Very nice. At 9 years old it has come together well… tannins slightly drying… but everything else perfectly enjoyable. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2019 Chardonnay White Bones Adrianna Vineyard is from the eponymous vineyard in Tupungato and was aged for up to 16 months in used French barrels. Pale yellow with golden flecks. The intense aromatic profile is led by herbs such as basil and a crystal-clear lavender whiff, alongside cedar, vanilla and a backdrop of green apple. Broad and creamy on the palate but with a terse texture and superb freshness, this has an unctuous feel. White fruit aromas appear at the back of the mouth. Ending with a lovely, herbal finish, this is a wine inspired by Chablis but possessing a wild purity all its own. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, June 2021)
— 3 years ago

Anand Rajan

9.5

Oaky plum, sour cherry, forest floor, subtle sweet reminiscent of jasmine — 4 months ago

Martinez

9.1

Blend of different types of Palomino (Palomino Fino, Palomino Jerez and Palomino Pelusón) from a single vineyard within the Pago de Carrascal, in Sanlúcar (not to be confused with the eponymous Carrascal in Jerez, further inland). Located to the south of Miraflores, this is one of the most Atlantic influenced Pagos in Sanlucar, and also one of the first to be replanted after phylloxera – with vines over 100+ years old. Elegant, mineral, saline — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

My fair and humble State is very fortunate to get what we get but when it comes to Azienda Agricola Montevertine, we often get plenty of the eponymous Montevertine and even our fair share of Pergole Torte. However, when it comes to Pian del Ciampolo, we seem to get slighted. Maybe the restaurants hoard it all? Anyway, I was able to get my hands on this one without much effort and I’m so happy I did.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Delightful on both. Th enable is slightly different for the 2019 vintage in order to celebrate what would have been Sergio Manetti's 100th birthday. The wine pours a beautiful ruby color, medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is intense and complex with crushed raspberries, cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, bergamot, dried herbs, dusty earth, wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin, medium+ acid and confirmed the tart red fruits, dried herbs, orange citrus, and earth. Long satisfying finish that is somewhat savory. It does seem to gain just a little weight on Day 2 which was, for this palate, well received. A lovely, and classic example of Chianti Classico (though it’s not labeled as such). Killer with food yet lovely on its own as well. Drink now and over the next 10 years. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

This used to be Montevertine’s “second” wine (after Pergole Torte, obviously) but the vineyard was torn out and replanted in 1998. After that, their eponymous bottling was elevated to take its place while “Pian del Ciampolo” eventually became the “third” wine. Truthfully, they are all three different expressions of Radda so don't take my numerical rankings as a hierarchy of quality (though one could certainly make arguments in terms of importance). I digress, “Il Sodaccio” is producing fruit once again however, the singular expression is now history. This bottle represents “Il Sodaccio’s” swan song.

From magnum. Opened about four hours prior to service. The 1997 “Il Sodaccio” pours a garnet color moving to a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous but surprisingly spry given it’s a quarter century old. The fruit is more or less a mix of ripe and dried cherries, red plums, curaçao, cacao, porcini, dusty earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins that have well integrated but still there. Acid is medium as well. Confirming the notes from the nose. The fruit is round while the finish is long and a touch savory. A lovely expression of Montevertine that extolls the virtues of the 1997 vintage with its abundant fruit and soft, friendly character. I mentioned to our guests that this bottle gave me the feeling of a warm hug from an old friend. Drinking well now and while I don’t expect further positive development, this magnum certainly has the legs for another 10 years. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured, consumed over two days and was consistent throughout though it did seem to gain power on Day 2. I believe that Cesare sources his fruit from Roberto Voerzio’s holdings in Fossati but I don’t know that for certain; perhaps @Lyle Fass can confirm that for me. The 2018 “Fossati” from Cesare Bussolo, pours a bright, luminous garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is incredibly expressive and immediately noticeable on the pour. Notes of red and black fruits: Luxardo cherry, blackberries with fresh Colorado peaches, roses (loads of roses), dried green herbs, orange zest, dusty earth, and faint baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. There’s a lovely, firm texture to this wine and it comes across juicy which is really quite compelling. Alcohol is medium+ and comes across a little hot for my liking but I don’t find it distracting. All of the notes from the nose are confirmed with a long, dry and slightly bitter tannic finish. This is my first experience with Cesare Bussolo’s eponymous Barolo and I’m intrigued, particularly considering my impression is based off a 2018. I wouldn’t hesitate to drink now if you’re going to allows some significant air otherwise this will show better after 2025 and likely drink well through 2038 and likely well beyond that.
— 9 months ago

Martinez

8.9

A very serious 100% Mencía, Valdeobispo is sourced from a 1.6 hectare plot planted in 1910 in the eponymous lieu-dit in Villafranca del Bierzo. This was the first vintage of this single-vineyard bottled under Cantariña’s label. Prior to this, grapes were sold to their neighbor Raúl Pérez, who actually advised them to vinify this plot on its own. Fermented in oak foudre and aged in used barriques for 12 months. Unusually dark ruby color, quite concentrated, slightly rustic. Aromas of red fruit, hibiscus, floral and earthy notes. Round and powerful, smooth tannins — 3 years ago