Knockout Brewing
The Foundry
Syrah 2007
Brief notes, but no less justice for this absolutely knockout old-school Stellenbosch Syrah, a wine which transported me to the southern Rhône with its Provençal aromas and full-bodied profile.
Smoked bacon, rendered fat and black pepper give this varietal away, though, and only the faintest bricking of colour give a suggestion of this wine’s age. — 3 years ago
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
Aux Cras Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2016
Absolutely stunning. Quite the contrast to the Colombiere, as this is much more serious and structured and the Aux Cras terroir shines through. New oak is more prevalent, of course, but it’s so integrated already and doesn’t get in the way. The nose is incredibly intense and aromas of dark fruit, sweet spice and a wet rock minerality waft from the glass. While this wine is let’s say, more masculine and less sexy than the Colombiere, there is still a seductive Vosne-like perfume that’s so undeniably CLB and lures you in. The palate is powerful and is full of energy, while at the same time remaining focused and seamlessly delineated. To no surprise length is superior to the Colombiere. Totally irresistible now, but boy this will be a knockout down the road. — 5 years ago
Caprili
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2015
Vibrant red. Minerals and violet complement lively red cherry and raspberry aromas on the incisive nose. Then enticingly fresh and well-balanced, with captivating violet inner-mouth perfume to the steely red and black fruit flavors that linger impressively. The delicately peppery finish features polished if youthful tannins and noteworthy purity of fruit. Knockout 2015 Brunello, one of the top half dozen of the year. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2020)
— 6 years ago
Stephane Montez (Domaine du Monteillet)
Cuvée du Papy Saint Joseph Syrah
Knockout old school Syrah from the northern Rhône. Funky as hell even after two hours in the decanter but after that began to open up very nicely indeed. Was at its best on the second night. — 7 years ago
Volpe Pasini
Zuc di Volpe Colli Orientali del Friuli Pinot Bianco 2016
Pale straw yellow. Very refined aromas of white flowers, beeswax and white stone fruit. Fresh and lively with vibrant orchard fruit, mint and green apple flavors. Long and bright on the clean crystalline finish. A knockout Pinot Bianco that is truly mesmerizing on the nose. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, May 2018) — 8 years ago
Scarpa (Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa)
Tettimorra Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
Absolutely a knockout. Last had almost 2 years ago and the time has been good. Decanted 1.5 hours, still fairly primary - would be a delicious one to age more, but so it goes. Aromatically incredible. So deep on the palate with that perfect refreshing note on the finish. Excellent pairing with fennel rubbed roast chicken, mushrooms cooked in the chicken fat, and oven fries with a tarragon aioli. — 2 years ago
Conti Capponi
Villa Calcinaia Casarsa Toscana Merlot Blend 2003
2003 vintage is an absolute knockout — 5 years ago
Cantina del Pino
Ovello Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012
My first time trying one of the wines from Cantina del Pino, an estate with greater ties to Barbaresco’s roots than most. The Vacca family were long a part of the Produttori but in 1997 branched out (yes, a pun: it was they who in the 1920s planted the now iconic pine tree on the highest point of the Ovello lieu-dit), and now produce two single vineyard Barbaresco bottlings (this, and an Albesani), as well as a generic Barbaresco and Langhe, Barbera and Dolcetto wines.
Tragically, winemaker Renato Vacca died in March last year after a yearlong battle with cancer. The 2016 vintage, just bottled, is supposed to be superb.
For now, though, the Ovello from the less lauded 2012 vintage. This is a knockout wine, still young, and with great promise. The nose is very exotic, quite heady & oaky even after a two hour decant, but opened up as the evening progressed, to give gorgeous aromas of macerated cherry, blackberry preserve, cinnamon, cedar and old leather. It screams Nebbiolo, and it’s the first Nebb I’ve had in a year or so.
The palate is very concentrated, with ripe and intense flavours of cranberry, dried cherry, cured meat and tobacco leaf. There is great tension and energy through the mouth, which only this village - or its neighbour - can achieve. The finish is long and impressive. A seductive, ageworthy wine.
94+ — 5 years ago
Rombi Winery
Estate Bottled Carmel Valley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Even more of a knockout!! FULL mouthfeel, with overwhelming sour cherry and dark plum. — 6 years ago
Dehlinger Winery
Altamont Pinot Noir 2012
If you have any 2012 Altamonts this is a great time to drink them. Brilliant, sunshiny fruit and wonderfully melted tannins. It has clarity, depth and finesse right now with just enough acidity to keep the mid palate lifted. A real knockout vintage that may not get much better with time. Very harmonious. — 7 years ago
Samuel Billaud
Mont de Milieu Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2021
The 2021 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru was bottled the previous May. It is still obdurate and backward on the nose with touches of yellow fruit and a hint of white peach. The palate is taut and fresh, very saline, but perhaps it doesn't quite deliver the knockout finish I expected from barrel, hence my slightly lower score. Still a serious Chablis, though. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2023)
— 3 years ago
Krug
Brut Champagne Blend 2002
Absolutely knockout nose. Ultra complex, vibrant and layered. Pastry cream, butterscotch, caramel apple, baking spices and citrus blossoms. Wonderfully persistent finish showing impeccable purity, lift and intensity. It’s a perfect Champagne. — 6 years ago
Il Borro
Toscana Red Blend 2015
2015. Red to blue fruits, leather, subtle acid and not-so-subtle oak come together after 3-4 hours of decanting. Young and more oak than I’d like but concentration of high-quality fruit and evident complexity should make this a knockout in 2-4 years. Ferragamo’s merlot/cab/syrah super-Tuscan project. $40 at Vine Republic. — 6 years ago
Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti)
Poggio Valente Morellino di Scansano 2016
The 2016 Poggio Valente is a total knockout. Ample and resonant, with tremendous richness, the 2016 is fabulous from the very first taste. A whole rush of Sangiovese aromas and flavors build as this potent, full-bodied, pure Sangiovese shows off its considerable power. Hints of tobacco, cedar and mint add the closing shades of dimension. The 2016 was aged in 500-600L. French and Slovakian oak, with a touch of Hungarian and Austrian wood for greater complexity. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 6 years ago
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair
Monopole Clos du Château Vosne-Romanée Pinot Noir 2016
gorgeously perfumed, vosne spice, absolutely sexy knockout nose; color is lighter than CLB’s vosne, but impossibly deeper flavors. Never shut down after opening, slight reduction quickly blew off and kept getting more and more complex. Delicious!! — 7 years ago
Château La Vieille Cure
Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
A semi vertical comparison. The 2012 is really, really good. The 2015 is a knockout. Full-bodied and supple. Robust flavor showing blackberry, currant, rose petal, and iron shavings. A long, lingering finish. I got this in the $20s and it’s a steal. Would be a good introduction to bordeaux beginners. — 8 years ago
Pooneet K
A knockout left bank Bordeaux. I’ve read that the 2005s may go longer than the potentially even more vaunted 2000s and I might agree based on this bottle. Decanted 5 hours. Cork in perfect shape. Amazing depth of fruit and a ton of Bordeaux earth. Nose goes on and on as does the finish. Was an excellent pairing but a very good but simple roast chicken. — 8 months ago