Four In Hand
The Four Graces
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2022
Hands down favorite. Well balanced, beautiful sipper. Nothing too soft, or aggressive. Doesn’t need to punch you in the face to score a 10 — 3 years ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2008
Vintage 2008 | Six years in barrel and four years in bottle before release. It’s a wine you must contain yourself not to smell only. A rich and exuberant smell with leather, stewed red summerfruit, brushwood and tones of liquorice, really beautiful and Burgundian expression. I opened the bottle yesterday and drank one glass, now it has a nice expression with all the aeration. Very balanced taste with refinement. A very nice Rioja that is a joy to drink. | Paired with tunafish and green asparges — 5 years ago
Envinate
Lousas Viñas de Aldea Mencía 2018
The Envinate line comes from a group of four friends who make natural inspired, and sometimes incredibly complex wines mostly from a tiny pocket in the Canary Islands. They can be so good they become a rare intersection of the natural and somm worlds, which tend not to play nice together.
Louses is a gorgeous, complex, elegant field blend with heavy accents of Mencia. It has cocoa, raspberries, blackberries, cedar, and the softest plushest pillow texture. — 6 years ago
Marcel Lapierre
Morgon Gamay 2014
If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.
This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.
The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.
The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.
12% ABV 👍
Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 7 years ago
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
I have posted a number of older vintage Jones Family Cabernets. Many 20 yrs and older. Three to four 97’s…none better than this one. I give few wines a score above 96. This is different. It is so close to perfect. Some might give it a 100. I struggle to give a wine a perfect 100. I have only done it 4 times in an estimated 25k wines tasted or bottles I’ve enjoyed. One was a port made before 1886 and tasted in Oporto at Taylor Fladgate’s tasting room in 2015, it was their Scion. Only sold there and at the time 5k at bottle. You end up there purchase the Scion taste regardless of the current cost. They put on a tasting show for you. I am half tempted here to give out a 100 but will refrain.
I am not sure what to add to that but will attempt to do so.
The nose is a beautiful, perfectly evolved Napa Cabernet. Nothing overpowers any of its singular components. I think the word I am looking for is harmony. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best, mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a flutter note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue & framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets.
The palate wire to wire is even & stupidly, gloriously, grand. It mirrors the nose very closely. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box w/ some light palate heat, best I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, kirsch not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, beautifully layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, caramel, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco w/ a hint is ash, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, dry, crushed rock powder, dry top soil, crushed limestone powder, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a fluttering note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets, perfect, rainfall acidity, extremely well balanced, even & subtle tension-structure that stands up on the long set, refined elegance with a finish that goes on and on and eventually lands on spice & beautiful, refined earthiness.
What a bottle! 98 that leans into 99. I paid somewhere between $80-$90 on the secondary market for this bottle. — 7 months ago
San Polo
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2012
Poggio San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2012: Medium body. Medium tannins. Classic Brunello color & attributes: Evolving red & dark fruits, tobacco, leather, herbs & spice; ending the a smooth pleasant finish. In summary, Brunello bottle four was a nice wine selection for its price point (great QPR!) but not as expressive as the other wines from earlier in the week! Have a great day! Cheers🍷 — 5 years ago
Tenuta Il Poggione
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2012
Founded at end of 1800 when Lavinio Franceschi, Florence land owner, visited the area. Over a century later, Tenuta covers an area of 530 hectares (140 planted with vines; 50 with olive trees). Aged in French oak for 36 months, 100% Sangiovese hand picked from 20-year old vines. A Gem! Deep Ruby. rich berry fruit aromas with complex spice. Palate has rich berry fruit flavors, baked cherry, with tobacco, cacao & subtle spice. Soft tannins, long finish ending with seductive earthy tones. Nice, aged well! — 5 years ago
Sleight Of Hand Cellars
Levitation Syrah 2012
* appearance: dark purple
* aromas: blackberry, black olive, vanilla, cracked pepper, smoke
* palate: very dense, black fruit, black olive
* structure: full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium tannins, 14.7% ABV
* finish: long, peppery
* winemaking: 100% Syrah blended from three vineyard: Les Collines Vineyard (44%)/Lewis Vineyard (41%)/Stoney Vines Vineyard (15%), aged for 17 months in 15% new oak and 85% older oak barrels
* cost: $45 — 8 years ago
Hillebrand
Ghost Creek Vineyard Four Mile Creek VQA Riesling 2017
Great Riesling. Sweet in a good way. Smooth finish — 8 years ago
Vinos Libre Yá
Yá Cuvée 23 Brut Reserva Cava Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada 2020
Produced from the "mosto flor" ("free-run juice") of sustainably grown and hand-harvested grapes. Ya means "yes!" in Spain. Straw yellow with good flow of tiny bubbles and light mousse. Stone fruit aromas with a vanilla nut fragrance. On the palate peach and citrus flavors, good balance, plenty of acidity and lingers nicely. — 10 months ago
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2021
Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.
Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.
Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.
Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$110. — a year ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1976
This bottle of 1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was cellared in a wine cave part of its life and a modern cellar the more recent part of its life. The fill for this bottle was mid-shoulder and the label had been tattered from back when it was in the cave. Using a Durand, I was able to pull the cork intact and it was saturated but seemed to have done its job. The color was good and the wine was sound; in fact, it was very much alive and full of character! Opened about four hours prior to service and decanted for sediment (of which there was plenty). No formal notes. At this stage in its life, the 1976 Lafite pours a garnet color with an orange rim. The nose is straight up old-money. Classy aromas of desiccated red cherries & red currants, dried tobacco leaf, graphite, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, leather and dried baking spices. On the palate, the structure was still quite palpable with tannins till present and acid doing its job with aplomb. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and graceful with some nice stoney minerals. Drink now but well cellared examples could hold longer if you wanted…but if you’re even thinking about it, just open it! — 3 years ago
Liquid Farm
Four Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2016
Virtual wine tasting with Jeff Nelson. Once again demonstrating one of the great AVA’s for Burgundian style Chard in the US. — 6 years ago
Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013
Quality check on Le Raganie Brunello di Montalcino 2013 and what a showstopper, starting off a bit shy but evolves into a layered complexity with plenty of finesse, with four hours in the decanter its hard to raise your nose from the glass. Red, very vibrant fruit is backed up by dried spices and pronounced but balanced savoury complexity of forrest floor and crushed stones. A subtle volatile lift brings further complexity. Fresh palate with, fine grained tannins and a tactile sensation that brings the wine throughout its long finish. Not Brunello, its a trademark Ragnaie! — 7 years ago
Iconoclast
Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
This wine was great. Compliments of the Four Seasons in Vail but would buy it myself. — 8 years ago
Bird in Hand
Sparkling Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir
Loistava viini seurusteluun. — 8 years ago
The Four Graces
Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2017
Holy crap this is tasty!
What a wonderful summer sipper! Enjoying this at the Little Bitterroot Lake in Montana with my family. Great times!
Fresh citrusy nose with hints of white flowers, pear, and chalk.
Med body with bright, nearly effervescent crunchy acidity.
Chalky lemon forward with some grassy green pepper hints as well as 🍐/🍏 .
Wonderful OR PG! — 8 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Located in the Toro region of Spain. Its four vineyards are located along the south bank of the Duero River, aged 18 mos in 60% new French oak. Bright Ruby, complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. On the palate blackberry fruit, powerful, elegant, with spice & smoky notes on full, very fine tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip!! Will age! — 4 months ago