Ground Truth

Pierre Gonon

Les Iles Feray Pays de l'Ardèche Syrah 2016

Shay A
9.3

Every time I have a wine from Pierre Gonon, I know it’s going to hit every note I’m looking for. These wines are absolutely delicious and are exactly what I love to drink.

First time with a slightly older bottle of Iles Feray and I’d say this is in the perfect zone. Very much in the vein of the StJo with the dark florals and herbal aromatics (just stemmy enough to show it’s there, but not as much as the StJo). Peppered raspberries and blackberries, green stems on the mid-palate. Great texture/weight. Granite and iron show early on. Tannin structure is in the middle ground…holds everything together but isn’t a beast. Not as layered as the StJo, but still so enjoyable to drink when wanting a beautiful, pure expression of Syrah.

Followed over a few days and stayed consistent. I’d buy a bunch of this if prices for these wines weren’t as high as they’ve been the last few years.
— a month ago

Tom, Jan and 29 others liked this

Apaltagua

Gran Reserva Envero Apalta Vineyard Selection Carménère 2016

Compost on the nose, although we just opened this 6 year old bottle. So, ok. Truth time. We've had carmenere wines before and thought they were oddly flavored, off balanced, and overall not so great. Whew! Got that off my chest. This wine shows some real promise. Fully flavored with lovely red fruits, smooth tannins and silky finish. We enjoyed this and am sure it will open up. — 3 years ago

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot

v18. Very nice. Soft white pepper and smashed black cherry nose. Rich black cherry and blackberry fruit. Smooth, tight, cola, mocha , soft leather and ground pepper finish. Lot of words , but well balanced! — 4 years ago

Sine Qua Non

The Naked Truth Grenache 2005

Jan A
9.8

Sine Qua Non extended barrel age tasting — 2 months ago

Tom, Roman and 9 others liked this

Truth and Valor

Paso Robles Zinfandel 2020

Nice spiced berry nose of blackberry bramble, blueberry with notes of char, clove, and hints of brown sugar in the bouquet. Soft and smooth blackberry galette with weak black tea and a subtle spice on a medium long finish. Better on the second day, still holding up on the third. Great value, would buy again.
— 2 years ago

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2016

2016 vintage. Last tasted 7.7.21. Dark cherry, ground black pepper and spicy oak nose. Medium body with enough plushness for those looking for a palate pillow and enough acidity/tannins for those looking to retain red street cred. Plummy finish. Maan…this is getting mo better. Need to pick up another 3-6 bottles and bury them. The nice price. — 3 years ago

Jamie, Ted and 15 others liked this

MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018

A nice middle ground between oak and steel finish. Not overly fruity but the Chardonnay fruit is there. Smooth finish with a little butter. Great with food. — 4 years ago

Truth and Valor

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

An impressive Cabernet Savignon from Paso. All the boldness I want with flavors of dark cherry and oak.

Surprised and delighted with this one!!
— 3 months ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2005 vintage. Almost tastes like it could have been released last week. Super youthful with dark berry and plum blasts. Decent structure but not oppressive. Catching this one just below the top of the bell curve. Hopefully, you’ve got more than one bottle kicking around on a piece of ground in your hometown. Other-worldly now but methinx it’s about to get even better. Last tasted in mid-June and same score but this bottle was slightly better. Seek this out-now. — 2 years ago

Ericsson and Peter liked this

Adelsheim

Breaking Ground Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

Rainy day, brownies and Adelsheim pinot noir — 3 years ago

jeff canfield
with jeff
Sherry liked this