Josh Morgenthau

9.4

Perfumed, candied citrus essence hooked up to a 9V battery.

This was opened and then left in the fridge and slowly consumed- and fully at its best after 2 weeks.

Really delicious, justifiably pricey Bourgogne Blanc. — 19 days ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.3

It needs time to open up
After a while it really reminds of a Burgundy
It has class to sell
Less funky than the 2018, but still very fleshy and delicious
It might be that the winemaking hands are changed, but not the beauty of the wine.
Again not a rose for the lovers of a classic Provence crisp rose, more towards being a red i reckon
This wine i am sure can age quite well for few years. It is definitely something you at least wanna try once, but i would not be surprised if you get hooked.
Cheers — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

A reminder that I owe Lambrusco a love letter. Usually I’m more of a di Sorbara gal, but this Grasparossa di Castelvetro has me hooked: violets, black cherry, cassis, a lot more earth than I was expecting, tart and chalky, like liquified smarties (but in a good way!) and just a hint of Welch’s grape jelly— all backed by a nice rustic tannin structure and topped with a delicate mousse. It’s a shame that Barbolini will no longer be exported to the US, though I can’t blame the Italians for wanting to keep it all for themselves. — 4 years ago

Raul Puga

10

So again I continue my yearly tradition of opening a bottle the day it arrives off the UPS truck. Delicious as always. This is the wine that got me hooked on wine. Always brings a smile to my face. Cheers to my delectable familia!!! 25 vintages and counting, still love it!! — a month ago

Donald Williams

9.2

Brought half of the bottle home from Hooked. Felt like we’d had enough. Still really nice after 2 weeks in the fridge. — 3 years ago

with Bonnie

Erin Chaney

9.6

At hooked in beaver creek — 3 years ago

with Jared

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.

We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.

While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.

Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.

I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.

He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.

So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.

Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.

As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.

The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.

Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

History dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer & went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, & got hooked. A Grenache, Syrah & Petite Sirah blend. Aromas of fresh ripe red fruits with floral & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with cacao & espresso notes on sweet savory soft tannins, well balanced, lingering finish ending with fruit & toasty oak. Nice! Consistent Quality! — 2 months ago

Peter Sultan

8.9

Sure, it’s a gimmicky label, sure it’s a no name, importer brand Mosel- but for under 13$, a nicely balanced kabinet style ( but Qba) reisling. For the Mrs, rs & acid the right way. I’d be curious who supplies the grapes — 3 years ago

Brian Kaufman

9.0

This wine may have hooked us on albarino. Smells incredible and tastes like tropical fruit, with a nice hit of acid. Great with sushi. — 3 years ago