Iron Fist Brewing Co.

Domaine Le Roc

La Folle Noire d'Ambat Fronton Negrette 2020

After the Sicilian off dry white which I drank only a glass of in disappointment, I decided to open something I knew would make me happy. We are watching Dunkirk while drinking this wine and the contrast between the on-screen drama and the funky liveliness in the glass is stunning!
As usual the nose is a bit funky at fist and takes a good 20 to 30 minutes to set into place. Then it's violet, blueberry, clay, that iron thing too, which I always smell in this cuvée, no matter the vintage. The palate is big, bright and fruity. There are blueberry notes all along, some cherry too. Some width, a nice and soft mouthfeel, some tannins in the rear, and a really nice anf long finish with fruits, some pepper, and a nice tannic layer. There is a subtle savory note too, almost meaty, that makes it more complex than you would have bet at first. Of course this is, as always, a very biased review, but I mean, what's not to like there?
— 2 months ago

Severn, Juan and 12 others liked this

Domaine Saint Préfert

Réserve Auguste Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2016

Just rock-solid Châteauneuf, this is exemplary and for me personally my exact sweet-spot in terms of the varied styles from this region. The nose takes a little coaxing, but has a great yin / yang profile of pure, fresh blue fruit, liquorice, violets, and garrigue, versus seared meat, iron and loamy earth. This all puts it square in the middle of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ schools, broadly speaking, and it’s a wine that has the best of both worlds as a result.

The palate is huge, an iron fist in a glove of velvet and so much more, but in no way imbalanced or over-extracted - not overtly alcoholic, at a modest 14%. It spreads out in waves across the palate, ripples which are felt long after the finish. This is clearly a baby now, but it drinks well and will see its 20th birthday in damn fine fettle. Excited to have a case in the cellar.

Decanting not required nor recommended.
— 10 months ago

Bob, Severn and 4 others liked this

Viñedos de Páganos

El Puntido Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2006

2006 El Puntido is the current release, and it is stunning. Remarkably elegant, Burgundy-like expression of Rioja Alta from a cooler high elevation site. High-toned, floral and mineral with silken texture, melted tannins and ample concentration. Iron fist inside a velvet glove. — 5 years ago

P, Daniel P. and 1 other liked this

Lillian Winery

California Syrah 2015

Shay A
9.4

Forgot I opened one of these earlier in the year. Whoops. Wish I had more.

Hour decant, then consumed from decanter over the next 3hrs.

My note here is fairly similar to the 2014 note, but there is more concentration and power going on. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as a kiss of whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, and smoked jerky. Large-scaled mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice but it’s more iron fist in a velvet glove style. There’s black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate.

I love Syrah in all expressions. It’s natural to compare these wines to SQN (and Andremily), and rightly so. These are dialed up to 9, but pull back, whereas the others aren’t afraid of going to 11. No right/wrong answer, just style preference. I happen to love both.
— 3 months ago

Ron, David and 30 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

I lean toward SQN but get the pull toward Andremily. I’ve not decanted these and may be they just need the air. Andremily always seems ready to go and to be you always sense the SQN power even if I don’t give it the required time. I always want a bit more from Lillian but it’s still delicious.
David Hale Smith

David Hale Smith

Thanks for sharing. I’d love to taste this one someday.

La Bastide Blanche

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2015

Dark, brooding, almost fruitless. Deep and yet fresh.
Classic Bandol on the nose with leather, spices, garrigue, roast, dried mint and just barely a hint of dark, ripe, creamy blueberries & cassis.
On the palate this is supple, mid-weight, rich with pronounced yet so finely polished tannins. Juicy & fresh, poised and with great depth. A iron fist in a velvet glove.
Surprisingly accessible right after opening yet gains complexity & depth with time. A brilliant food wine! And great value, too!
Love it!!
— a year ago

Daniel and Lyle liked this

Memento Mori

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Shay A
9.4

Wow was this good! I had this pretty soon after it was popped and it was just a powerhouse elixir of flavor. Very “iron fist in a velvet glove”. Up front, blackberry compote, shaved cocoa, and graphite. Velvet like on the palate...glides across picking up blueberry, nutmeg, currant and sweet pipe tobacco. Plenty of fruit and savory balance. I imagine this was even doing better after I left. I need to try this again! — 5 years ago

Mark, Bill and 37 others liked this
Bill Bender

Bill Bender Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Excited to try this. Appreciate the notes @Shay A
Rick K

Rick K

Good to hear. I've been buying this since the first vintage but haven't opened one yet. Thanks @Shay A
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bill Bender : You’ll love this. Looking forward to your notes when you finally open a bottle.

@Rick K : This is my first experience with MM and I signed up immediately after my first sip.

Fonseca

Vintage Port Blend 2003

20 years young VP, what a iron fist in a velvet glove. Love it! — 3 months ago

Ericsson, Peter and 6 others liked this

Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera

Riserva Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006

Get out the thesaurus because I do not have enough adjectives to describe this wine. A similar wine to Rayas in that both wines share characteristics, which if you are being blinded, leads you to Burgundy. Has that wonderful iron fist in a velvet glove texture. Wonderful florals, and red fruit, soar out the glass like a SpaceX launch. In the mouth, the telltale structure that all great wines have. On the palate, waves of complex fruit, earth and perfectly judged acid and tannins caress your taste buds. A long layered finish that will have you shaking your head. A big thank you to the sommeliers . — 10 months ago

Shay, Jake and 54 others liked this
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

It leaves the mark, doesn't it?
Deborah M

Deborah M

Sounds amazing.

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2004

Sublime. Iron fist, velvet glove and all that. Beyond doubt that this cuvée rocks when Capo not made. Decant briefly and sip away slowly. — 4 years ago

Eric, Dave and 25 others liked this

Badet Clément & Co.

Pontificis Grenache Blend 2016

The 2016 is out. It’s real and it’s spectacular. The past couple vintages have been enjoyable but a notch below. This one knocks it out of the park but it has to be your thing. Shows TONS of leather, mushroom, bacon fat. Lingering finish of iron. There quite simply is no better value out there than Pontificis - even in down years. Period. $7 at Trader Joe’s. Stock up! — 5 years ago

Mark, Andrew and 1 other liked this