Love Over Money
Gargiulo Vineyards
Money Road Ranch Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
1hr+ decant. Needed it. Deep dark red color w/purple rims. Nose had baking spices, anise, and subtle vanilla. Similar on the palate with dark fruit and a great texture. Classic Napa with Old World elements. Deep wine with solid finish. I love the G Major but this was really good too. Many years left. — 8 months ago
Plumpjack
Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Haven’t had this for yonks as can’t afford it any more.
Love the tasting room in Napa. But for the money, I’m a little disappointed with this. Not plush or integrated. Mocha and cedar dominate. Good tannins and acidity. Give this more time, but not worth the $150 which I paid. — a year ago
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Another excellent purchase from the Benchmark Bin Sale. I love these 15-20 year Heitz Napa Cabernets…97 the rule, not the exception. It had perfect storage and is at its peak and will hold for another 1-2 years and diminish over the following 3-5 years.
The nose is floral dark cherry kirsch. Both plums, blackberries, black raspberries, pomegranate, strawberry liqueur notes, steeped tea, red & dark cola/licorice, dark rich earth, sharp, dry herbs, black pepper, dry twig with dark & red fresh & slightly withering florals.
The palate is ripe fruits well balanced with earth. Perfect evolution & integration. Soft, elegant w/ nothing bitty. Dark currents with ripe, leaner, juicy, slightly liqueured; blackberries, black raspberries, late spring dark cherries, both plums, orange rune, raspberries & poached strawberries. Heavy Asian & Indian, dark spices, black licorice/cola, pure anise, steeped, black tea, touch of black olive, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dry tobacco, dry Provence herbs, barrel shavings, dry pipe tobacco/ash, some lead pencil, leathery, moist, grey, volcanic clay, crumbled limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry brush, grilled meats-Châteauneuf-du-Pape characteristics w/ ragging, withering florals that are dark, red, purple, rainfall acidity with excellent; structure, tension, balance, polished finish that does not end. Wire to wire consistency. Lucky to enjoy a well stored bottle of 97 with this age. — 6 months ago
Dow's
Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2015
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. Tasting Sample. — 2 years ago
Craggy Range
Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Straw yellow, medium bodied, nose full of passionfruit and lemon. Slightly oaky, mineral but also sweet. Love it! Very value for money — 7 months ago
Bodega Fundada
Albariño D' Fefinanes Albariño 2022
Just love this wine. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and citrus scents. On the palate ripe apricot and peach flavors with honey lemon zest. Well balanced with pleasant acidity, finishing with mineral, honey and wet stone nuances on the medium ending. Very nice! Should improve over the next few years. Nice value! — 8 months ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Love these “Blue Boys.” Mollydooker (Aussie for left-hander) Wines was established in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding sweet spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel (16% Alcohol), full-bodied, long ending with a nice spicy finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — 6 months ago