Christian Bidegain

9.1

Along a bustling path made of ancient cut cobblestone, shadows lengthen across the exterior walls. Taverns bursting at the seams with people searching for refuge and libations as the sun grows weary. At the edge of this narrow bustling thoroughfare, the cobblestone rises up and creates a barrier against the vast void of the Bay of Biscay. Laughter, playful arguments, and wanting whispers flood the air, adding to the oppressive heat the suns pushes towards me in its last ditch effort of discomfort for the day. I drink up every ray as my feet dangle towards the breaking waves. All is right. The sun rays slowly crossfade into the voices growing louder as the night begins.

Nose: light strawberry, cut grass, lemon thyme. All faintly so.

Palate: bell pepper, serrano pepper, thai basil, zippy, medium-high acid, light bodied, lower alcohol. — a year ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Medium dark rubi robe, nose of dark cherries, violets and spices, lots of crushed flowers and spices on the mouth, long and structured, complex, deceivingly accessible, this is serious stuff and one of the best vintages of the Drouhin Petits Monts we have tasted in years, which is high praise considering how many great vintages we tasted. — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Some Dude

9.1

What do you want in a champagne? This one is livelier and lighter than some, possibly because it leads with Chardonnay. It’s more of a “Dance on your tongue” version, so if you want a deeper toastier glass, there are other makers. They grow about half of their own grapes, but this isn’t a grower champagne with that sense of terroir. But don’t take these comments to be anything but praise: this is just context. Choose the wine you want for your pairing and occasion! — 5 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Everything about this wine screams uncool in our industry in the present era: high alcohol (14%), heavy extraction, generous use of new oak (presumably), ripe + chewy tannins, flavors that shout rather than whisper and high praise from Robert Parker (cue Elaine or Carlton Banks’ dance moves). Maybe it’s my 90’s nostalgia or maybe I’ve been drinking too much vintage port these days 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it all works beautifully here: intense aromas of licorice, pepper, cedar, black plum, wet tar, dried tobacco, cranberries, cassis, dried violets. And this is only the beginning... A blast of macerated red and black berries on the palate, held together by a solid acid backbone, followed by a long finish laced with black olive, dried tobacco, mocha and mineral. Hedonistic. Three cheers for Alicante Bouschet! — 5 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Darkest brown patched with bubbles as lichens. Magnificent and noble head of sable; loose cartography of lacing. Brown sugar, dark, grainy malt and leather that all turns smoky with a swirl. Dry tobacco whiffs and roasted beets and grilled sprouts and caramelized onion. Light of touch in autumn woods, with applewood, cedar and late afternoon shadows of vanilla bean, caramel thread counts, clove smoke, and light malts to nicely bundle and button the parcel. These perfumes of devotion are lifted on wildflower scrub. #trappist #trappisten #stbernarduspster6 #abbeyale #peter6 #belgianbeer #bier #biere #birra #ale #brstbdrnard — 6 years ago

Mikey T

9.4

I just finished reading a wine spectator article about California sparklers and the praise for the 2010 offering. After a bunk half bottle of 2014 Blanc de Blanc at Bourbon & Bubbles, this sucker saved the day. Best offering I’ve had from Schramsberg in as long as I can remember.
$136 Riddler’s Circle Club shipment
The 2011 J. Schram Rosé immediately pleases the eye with its copper tinged, pale salmon color. It opens with aromas of cherry and peach cobbler, balanced by aspects of baked pineapple, apricot, marzipan and roasted pear. layers of candied citrus, lemon meringue and nectarine suffuse the pallet, with honey and brown sugar adding additional complexity. Rich, fruitful and closing with a tangy long finish, this wine is truly a feast for the senses.
Varietal Composition: 69% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Noir
Barrel Fermentation: 40%
Alcohol: 12.6%
Suggested Retail: $160 — 6 years ago

Randy Fuller

8.9

This bargain wine is medium dark ruby in the glass and displays a nose of strawberry, cherry, vanilla and oak spice. On the palate is angular, tart red fruit, stiff tannins and a fairly heavy dose of oak. It's faint praise to say that it's not horrible, but it's better suited to making sangria or serving chilled at a cookout than pairing with a meaningful meal. — 7 years ago

Devin Brown

8.9

The description: Deep ruby colour, with purple shadows. The bouquet shows rose, delicate red fruits similar to currant and raspberry, pepper, clove and accents of brush. Medium-bodied, in the mouth is velvety, with hints of cherry, blueberry and licorice, with fresh and energetic tannins.
The opinion: Agee with description, and it’s an excellent wine. — 2 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Soft, lovely, bread-y nose of black currant fur, licorice, light mint forcing upward, sprouting through potting soil. Cinnamon and blueberry warmly embraced by dark bread and small specks of black pepper. Fruit tannins thickly house-painted across your front teeth in a real sense. Muscle. Licorice-charcoal, bitters, blackberry, black currant, graphite-smoke halo, black cherry, oak and cedar, wound up and closed in places, but powerhouse lurking in the shadows.



#lajota #lajotavineyardco #lajotahowellmountainestate
#howellmountain #oakville #napa #napavalley #cab #cabernetsaugvinon — 3 years ago

with Courtney

Mark Farrell

9.0

This was an evening out in Raleigh while in town for a wedding. We had a glass of the Nine Hats Red Blend. Medium purple with a nose of blackberry jam, strawberries, vanilla, and a slight hint of sweet tobacco. Very much a fruit forward wine on the palate. Full bodied, this is a crowd pleaser. We had this by the glass at Vita Vite in Raleigh, NC. At $20 a bottle this is a great value. — 5 years ago

David Kline

8.9

Light golden color reminiscent of apple juice. Warm apples, baked pineapple, grilled lemon, walnut brioche, pine nut, hazelnut, and Bosc pear and vanilla cooking aromas. There is light Spanish cedar trailing. NorCal wildflower honey meets pine nettle and orange peel on the palate. Cedar plank, green peppercorn, currant leaf, lemon zest, grapefruit oils, and flash of cinnamon oil paints a pleasantly complex narrative of autumn comforts and campfire smokes with brittle caramel bits and bee pollen place it squarely in the meadow. Packs a surprise for those who underestimate it based on pale color. No caramel color here, and no dark shadows. Bright, lively, alive. #compassboxgreatkingstreet #compassbox #compassboxwhisky #scotch #blendedscotch #edinburgh #scotchwhisky #whisky #whiskey #artistsblend #johnglaser #nonchillfiltered — 6 years ago

with Courtney

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2017 ‘Saggi’ by Long Shadows is a thrilling follow up to the gorgeous 2016 bottling. A blend of mainly Sangiovese (59%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and Syrah (17%), the ‘Saggi’ is truly a one of a kind wine made by the talented Giles Nicault. Needing a one hour decant to be fully aroused, the ‘Saggi’ shows lovely smoky tones that meld with red cherry preserves, leather and underbrush aromatics that all build in the glass. The palate is silky and soft, with a bright sense of minerality and wonderful texture. You are greeted to a rich core of red fruits that dance with citrus rind accents, milk chocolate and damp stone tones on the palate. Showing wonderful length and elegance, the 2017 ‘Saggi’ is wonderful to enjoy in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 94 — 6 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.1

Sweet blackberry nose. Palate is quite smooth. Sweet blackberries. Extremely delicious fruit. Some cassis on the finish. Maybe a hint of licorice. A really good Tuesday night Bordeaux with food. I dont mean to damn this with faint praise. It’s an amazing wine for what it is. ... getting better at the hour mark. Blackberry flower aromatics with some savoriness. Not a typical fass selections wine and not a typical Bordeaux but very delicious and interesting. It has a place in a cellar. It’s a wine you want to drink on a night you don’t want complications but you know once you drink a bit you will be open to the suggestion of complexity. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Long Shadows 'Saggi' is a thrilling blend of Sangiovese (Boushey and Candy Mountain Vineyards) with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon (Weinbau Vineyard) and the remainder Syrah (Den Hoed Dutchman and Bacchus Vineyards). The nose is drop-dead gorgeous with bacon fat, black olive tapenade, mocha and fennel. The stunning range of aromas bring you back to the glass for more. Revealing a silky texture and a wonderfully ripe mouthfeel, this slowly unveils smoked meat, black tea, milk chocolate covered cherry and roasted fig flavors. Decadent, layered and downright delicious, this beautiful wine will enjoy an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 20-9-2033- 95 — 7 years ago

Matt

9.7

Ah, "Terras Gauda Rías Baixas Albariño'-a veritable jewel from the spectacular landscapes of Spain's Galicia, specifically the picturesque Rías Baixas DO, where the Atlantic whispers sweet nothings to the vines. This splendid Albariño unveils a bouquet of zesty lemon, fragrant white flowers, and a hint of sea breeze, tantalising the senses like a playful flirtation. The producer, Bodegas Terras Gauda, founded by the illustrious Ramón V. de Garay, is famed for its commitment to sustainable practices. Fun fact: they pioneered the use of genetic research in their vineyards-a cleverer endeavor than my attempts at crossword puzzles! Albariño, that beguiling grape, is renowned for its bright acidity and versatility; a wonderful partner in crime for seafood, particularly oysters, as the minerality complements their briny sweetness. It also loves the spicy embrace of Asian cuisine, where its zesty notes dance playfully. This delightful nectar has garnered praise, earning a commendable 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Truly, it's one to uncap whilst contemplating life or... other intimate matters far too risqué for polite company! — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Very dark in color, and looks very young.

Full-bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and coffee.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Smooth and elegant. Rich and extracted, with a great mouth feel.

Good by itself or with food. A great wine to sip on and talk about.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle as well.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc and a splash of Malbec. Winemaker is Philippe Melka.

15.4% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$65 (current vintage). — 4 years ago

Bob Pratt

9.2

Very balanced, drinking beautifully right now. Ripe plum, black cherry, blueberry, a hint of tobacco. This 2010 vintage deserves its praise. Back in the US after 11 years in China, liberating the wines that have been waiting for me. — 5 years ago

Matti Jokelainen

9.1

Had 2 of these right after release and now first one after about a year in between. This is still young, primary and tight just as you expect but the density of fruit, pedigree and power is more evident. Nice nose full of cherry, raspberry and strawberry complemented by wiff of smoke. On palate the tannins and acidity is prominent but in line with the fruit. This is enjoyable with food (had this with osso buco) and best as pop and pour. On 2nd day it is more turned itself. Remains to be seen if this closes down completely in near fjture or not. But definitely worth all the praise from the press. I need to add few mafs to my stash for the long haul — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

After going long on the 2016 vintage I only swooped up a couple bottles of the 2017 and this is my very first experience with the vintage. The Spring of 2017 presented all sorts of problems for Grenache vines in large parts of the Southern Rhône. A cold and wet May resulted in shatter which lead to yields that were anywhere between 30-60% less than normal. However, from June until harvest, the weather was beautifully suited for grapes; warm and dry. From my humble perspective, the results for Pegaü were nothing short of fantastic! After a few hours in the decanter, this was absolutely slaying the game with head spinning aromas of the purest dark bramble fruit, star anise, sandalwood and “Himalayan Spice” incense. On the palate, this was a concentrated best. Dark and red brambles, seeds and all, with black licorice, black pepper and some bacon fat. Huge tannin and fantastic acid. Long finish that’s lasting for minutes and killer pairing with rack of lamb. I find this to be a tremendous follow up to the 2016 and worthy of any high praise it receives. Probably should have bought more...maybe I can still snag some. The 2017 vintage ended up as a blend of 80% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 10% mix of the other 13 approved grapes. As a side note, no “Cuvee da Capo” was made in 2017. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

I was surprised when I realized I’d never had anything from Lewelling. I know of their quality and hear praise often about them, so I was very excited when @joe leatherwood brought this down to open.

Even in ‘06, this was sporting 15.3ABV! To their credit, it doesn’t come across hot at all. Blend of French and American oak, but I didn’t detect the American oak. Very aromatic, showing ripe and candied black cherry, sandalwood, baking spices and red licorice. Nicely integrated on the palate...juicy without being a fruit bomb. Chocolate dipped cherries, espresso and towards their finish there is a mint-like flavor. Very good. — 7 years ago

with joe and Jason