Color me shocked. Up there with one of the more surprising bottles of the year (alongside an old Carlisle Cardiac Syrah). Had very little hope, but was completely and pleasantly surprised.
Cork split in two coming out. Trusty Durand saved the day. First small pour was not encouraging…lots of funk. After leaving alone for 30mins, the faded ruby with tinge of black in the glass had aromatics of sous bois, black tea, and dirty red and black berries. On the palate, this was elegant showing more herbal/earthy notes, dark berry fruit in the background, sweet pipe tobacco and a still-tart finish with both acidity and tannin. I have to admit that if someone said this was older burgundy, I could see it in the realm of possibilities. No sappy, rich, cola type notes here. Open and enjoy! — 25 days ago
2014 drunk in 2024. I kept a bottle of this $14(!!) wine—2015 price—for 8 years on a hunch that it would hold up, and it did. I don’t know what it costs now, but back then it was head and shoulders the best American supermarket wine. — 17 days ago
2013 vintage. Both excellent fill and cork. Decanted with infinitesimal sed. Slightly silvery color. Tasted after 1.5 and 2.5 hours open. Medium body. Nose slightly reticent during both tastes. Black tea and eucalyptus prominent first go round with both those still present but minimized second pass. Sprinkle in some cracked black pepper and white sage for round two and we have a winner. Finish lasted over a minute and the concentration was as expected given the decent street cred. No rush to crush but open waay early/decant this if enjoying in the next handful of years. 10.24.24. — a month ago
Cheers to top quality bubbles from the Anderson Valley of the North Coast of California!
This wine is made with a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
It’s beautifully balanced with layers of autolytic characteristics like toasted almond, pie crust, brioche, biscuit, marzipan, nougat, thanks to 5 YEARS on the lees…
It has a creamy mouthfeel maintaining freshness with notes of white peach, apple, raspberry, lemon zest, white blossom…
Mousse is fine and persistent. — 13 days ago
[Tasted on November 9, 2024 at Home with Jay]
Pomegranate and black raspberry fruit, with black tea notes. — 13 days ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium deep ruby , garnet . Quite rich and deep fruits , with some dusty herbal elements . On the palate also quiet ripe and rich , sweetly fruited . Dark cherry , with some summer fruits , blackberry . Good balance however , with sweet tannin and balanced acidity . Still showing lots of fruit , but drinking now but can can last well , probably improve over the next 5 years or so . — 6 days ago