Fwh Associates
Von Strasser
Rudy Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This has the grassy, pungent aroma one associates with Sauvignon Blanc but a soft, pineapple oaky taste, much less sharp than, for instance, many New Zealand SBs. Pleasant and delicious. Pairs nicely with very spicy Indian food. — 8 years ago
McLaren Vale III Associates
Backbone GSM McLaren Vale Grenache Blend
Ripe juicy acidity, vibrant black fruit, cherry, blackberry, dried plum and a pepper core with tight integrated tannins. Each sip leaves your palate drenched in juicy black fruit and lingers on and on... — 8 years ago
Silver Oak
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1991
All those intense tannins one associates with Silver Oak have softened into what would pass for a very nice second growth — 10 years ago
Castillo Perelada
Reserva Especial Cava Brut Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada
Quite good for a Cava, perhaps the best I have tasted. Excellent yeast on the nose and yeast and toast on the palate. Crisp but not acidic; well balanced. Only the best Champagnes are obviously better with the aromas and flavors one associates with those made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rather than the Spanish grapes Macabeu, Xarel-lo, and Parellada as with this wine. — 10 years ago
Château Margaux
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Praleum w SL. Smoky and broody. Preferred the 82 Poggio Antico Brunello to this.
This was a great bottle: fragrant and beautifully defined on the nose that on this occasion offered a more conspicuous graphite scent, which lent it a Pauillac-like personality. Allowing the wine to open and aerate, the traits one associates with the property emerge—wilted violets and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and mineral-laden, that suggestion of candied orange peel on the entry segueing into layers of pure red and black fruit. There is always something effortless about this Chateau Margaux and the pixelation on the finish is up there with the very best. Is it the best 1982 First Growth? No, it's not quite up there with 1982 Latour or Mouton-Rothschild, however, it is a sublime evocation of the vineyard and it will continue to give pleasure for a couple of decades yet. Tasted May 2016. RP97 — 4 years ago
Toscanini
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
6 USA business associates were in Uruguay and had this wine (& 2 other different bottles) during a long business meeting. Most of us instantly commented that it was very good to excellent. We all commented on the pepper notes similar to many Zinfandels. Excellent product from Uruguay. . — 8 years ago
Monthélie-Douhairet Porcheret
"En Champans" Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir
A lusher, more muscular side of Volnay. The florals that one associates with the commune are there, but so is a shock of brambly red fruit and bright stone. — 9 years ago
Concha y Toro
Don Melchor Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Having steaks at the Capital Grill in Pittsburgh, my associates and I polished off a bottle. Very heavy bottle along with the flavor. This went well with my dry aged NY Strip loaded with gorgonzola and truffles. # — 10 years ago
Keswick Vineyards
Monticello Cabernet Franc 2019
The 2019 Keswick Cabernet Franc (Monticello) is a young, bold, palate-coating piece of work. I have numerous friends and associates who have themselves discovered the different expressions of Virginia Cabernet Franc- those subtle points of personality that define each of the wines made from this royal grape- and I would point them all in the direction of this delightful example of ‘how it’s done’.
After a brief decant, the 2019 Keswick Cabernet Franc not only softens but begins to express ample notes of cherry, violets, and hints of currant.
The approach on the palate is surprisingly approachable, with a mouth-coating concentration of soft tannins and a finish that reprises the expressions of nose & palate as well.
It’s a simple, beautiful example of what Virginia Cabernet Franc can be. — 5 years ago
Vestini Campagnano
Connubio Terre del Volturno IGT Casavecchia e Pallagrello Nero
50% palagrello nero and 50% casavecchia. This wine dates from before the split of the 2 associates who started this estate (Peppe Mancini founding Terre del Principe). Magnum 2001 vintage. — 8 years ago
Blankiet Estate
Prince of Hearts Merlot Rosé 2013
Full bodied oaky rose - drinks like a full on red wine, not the light crisp summer quaff one associates with rose. Loved it! — 8 years ago
Alvaro Palacios
Finca Dofí Priorat Garnacha Blend 2015
This is a well made wine, but I have my complaints. I don't get all the high scores. It barely reminds me of Priorat. It tastes waaayyy too much like high end Mencia in it's lack of density and power that one associates with Priorat. Very smoky minerality, plum, blueberry, floral, dried herb. It's complex, but not what I like from Priorat. — 9 years ago
McLaren Vale III Associates
Squid Ink Reserve Shiraz 2013
Stunning Mc Laren Vale Red. Big and bold, right in your face from the first drop — 10 years ago
Benanti
Rovittello Etna Rosso Nerello Cappuccio Blend 2005
Blend of Nerello Mascalese (80%) & Nerello Cappucio, it's raw and rustic. Volcanic Etna slopes soil, associates with its saline and raw nature. It's medium+/full bodied, herbaceous and spicy, with salty finish like it would have been blended with Mediterranean Sea water. Serous wine, full of sour cherries, licorice with tannin/acidity overload. — 10 years ago
Bob McDonald
See previous note. This was just as impressive this time around. Balanced and classy. Plum, black cherry, pepper and dried meats. An orange rind character which sounds odd I know, but it’s definitely there. A graphite like texture. A delicious Barossa Shiraz more in the Northern Rhone style than the big chocolate, ripe plum cake and black currant style one normally associates with the Barossa. James Halliday gave this 97 points and said drink by 2048. — 3 years ago