Jay Kline

9.3

This is the standard Côte Rôtie from Agnes Levet that’s a blend of different parcels. However, the philosophy and approach remain the same as “La Chavaroche” and “Les Journaries”. In the past, this bottling was known as “Améthyste” and only recently became more widely available in the US. “Widely” is a relative word, lol.

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous bouquet all of the different varieties and colors of brambles your heart could possibly desire along with all of the seeds and stems, freshly cracked black pepper, dried herbs, some of the animale, purple flowers some hints of old wood and yes, perhaps a kiss of brettanomyces. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long, drying and loaded with even more black pepper. This is giving me total 2014 vibes and if you liked that vintage in the Northern Rhône (as I did), you’re gonna absolutely love this. Drink now through 2036. — 2 years ago

Aaron Schneider

9.5

Truly drinking at its peak! This wine shows all of the best that Paso Robles can offer with just the right amount of aging! — 6 years ago

with Tricia

Carter White

9.3

Nice mix of bright vibrant acidity and dark fruit and earth flavor. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 85% Garganega & 15% Trebbiano di Soave, from the heart of Soave, the Winery of Leonildo and Teresita Pieropan dates back to 1860. Pale lemon with green edges and aromas of fresh stone fruits, floral blossoms and herb spice. On the palate apple and pineapple with lemon citrus juice notes. Well balanced with vivid acidity carrying through to a pleasing finish. Tasting a Sample. — 7 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.4

That’s how you finish a long work day. Sake, sandwiched between Negronis. — 7 years ago

with Tyson

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

I like it so much I had to try another bottle. Located in the heart of Sonoma, WALT sourcing Pinot Noir fruit from premiere appellations, this one from Shea Vineyard in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Deep Ruby, luscious bouquet of berry fruit with floral notes. On the palate fresh strawberry and cherry flavors with sweet spice & earthy black tea tones. Fine rich soft tannins, lingering finish bring forward fruit and mineral tones. A Wow wine! — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character. — 8 years ago

Lawrence Bernstein

8.9

12/22 A LOT of vanilla and banana. Sweet. Smooth with no burn. Have to like all the tropical notes but I did. From Philippines. High marks 89 — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In 1877, Illario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundations of their dream to make Italian wines from the heart of Tuscany. Medium Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice. On the palate black cherry, blackberry and plum flavors with tobacco, pepper and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Single vineyard Finger Lakes Riesling. Noticeable aroma of petrol. Tart apple fruit flavors along with a large presence of lemon and lime. Mouth watering acidity. Finish transfers from fruit forward to pleasantly sour. Up and coming FLX producer. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Last night, a buddy of mine who’s a Disabled Veteran and Registered Architect, announced that he was assuming control of a SDVOSB Architecture firm. He had spent the better part of a year of trying to reach a purchase agreement. So it was an evening of celebration. He’s been a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars fan for some time and he planned to pull the cork on a few bottles. We had a couple of rando bottles too but all were California Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the opening salvo and a very good one at that. Perfumed, lush, velvety fruit with lovely structure. Hugely quaffable and already drinking very well with a short decant but I think this is pretty characteristic of the 2014 vintage. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

One of the great White Pinot Noirs made in the world, I have been fascinated by this wine since it was first made more than a decade ago. The 2017 ‘Coeur Blanc’ opens with an enticing bouquet of cantaloupe, marzipan, white rose and shades of Pazzaz apple that all meld together nicely in the glass. The palate reveals a refined, silky texture and entices. Generous on the mouth, this white Pinot Noir unveils seriously good range from melon tones to green apple and shades of wild mushroom and wet stone. The bright sense of minerality and the generous texture really sing here. While outstanding now, this true heavyhitter of a wine will only become more silky and complex as it ages. Drink 2019-2033- 95 — 7 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.2

I feel that this is probably the best Pinot Noir producer out of the finger lakes although the competition is finally a good one. The nose has a wonderful aroma of currant a plum with undertones of spice including nutmeg and mulling spices. The palate is gorgeously light and elegant but still somewhat juicy at the same time. Flavors of plum, sour cherry and baking spice along with wonderfully balance acidity. The finish is soft and elegant with juicy fruit notes of lingering acidity. Wow... a great pairing for roasted pork. — 8 years ago

with Kati

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Located east of St. Helena, Napa where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain. 26 acres of vineyards are in the heart of this 40-acre grape-growing paradise. Mostly Cab Sauv with a touch of Petit Verdot. A big wine with complex fruit and spice aromas. Juicy black berry fruits, with underlying smooth sweetness combined with smoke, spice and oak. Well structured, fine tannins, ending with earthy pepper, leather and mineral character. — 4 years ago

Donald Williams

9.5

The other half of the two day mini vertical. Just as good as the first. — 5 years ago

with Bonnie

Kayla Buchanan

9.5

One of my favorites. Love this wine but can never find it anymore! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Badia a Coltibuono, or "The Abbey of good harvest," lies in the heart of the Chianti Classico area, between Florence and Siena. The Abbey is approximately 2000 years old. Ruby with aromas of black fruit and earthy spice nose. On the palate blackberry and cherry with savory tannins, good balance, noting black pepper and cacao. Medium finish ending with earthy mineral notes. Good now only short term aging benefit. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.5

A much maligned vintage, which we don’t see in the wines that we’ve tasted.
@Martin G Rivard brought this to our attention. We really enjoy wines from the Round Pond vineyard, but never knew this existed.
The nose displays charcoal and dense black fruits. Palate is powerful with big tannins and complementary acidity. Lovely sweetness and texture on the mid -palate. This is a power play expression of a Napa cab - not for the feint of heart...
Leave this to unfurl for a few more years, if you can resist it!
Happy valentines 😍 — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2015 Clos Mogador is a absolutely stunning release from this historic Priorat estate. Located in Gratallops, in the heart of the Priorat hills, René Barbier, one of the founders of the Priorat revolution, crafts an incredible blend of 40% Garnacha (lauched from 80 year old vines), 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 5% Morvedre, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. This immediately reveals seductive aromas of red cherry preserves, rose petals and roasted figs. On the palate this is ripe and intense, yields bright flavors of orange rind, red cherry and red raspberry with wild thyme and garrigue flavors. Intoxicating and beautifully structured, this beautiful wine will evolve gracefully for many years to come. Drink 2019-2040- 95 — 8 years ago