Master Sommelier

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Rosso Cà del Merlo Veneto Corvina Blend 2018

Mother Wolf.

Las Vegas.

Quintarelli.

… but the Sommelier.
— 3 months ago

S.C. Pannell

McLaren Vale Tempranillo Touriga 2013

See previous notes on March 2020 and October 2020. This tasting was even better than those two tastings. At 10 years it is peaking. Sweet and savoury ripe plum and black cherry. So mellow, earthy and delicious. A brilliant wine from a brilliant winemaker. He certainly is the master of alternative varieties in this country - Steve Pannell. A lot like cool climate Shiraz and many would pick it as that in a blind tasting. A great match with Chicken Legs. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 19 others liked this

Dow's

Master Blend Finest Reserve Porto

Sticky and sweet with heavy notes of cherry and plum — 5 years ago

Conde de Vimioso

Sommelier Edition Vinho Regional Tejo Red Blend 2020

Well priced and well satisfying. Had in Tavira restaurant — 5 years ago

Bodegas y Vinedos Ponce

P.F Manchuela Bobal 2016

Juan Antonio Ponce stands alone as the leader of the Manchuela DO and the master of the region’s indigenous Bobal grape. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with some floral spice, cacao and earthy accents. Medium+ finish, fine grainy tannins, ending with fruit and mineral tang. Nice value! — 5 years ago

Daniel P., Jayna and 3 others liked this

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Zoom call tasting with owner Bruce Phillips, plus master sommeliers Chris Blanchard and Jack Mason. Really fun, and such great wine! — 6 years ago

Ira, P and 17 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice zoom tasting. Cheers

Domaine de la Côte

Bloom's Field Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2013

Somm David T
9.2

Thought it would be good timing to finally try Rajat’s 2013 Bloom’s Field.

The nose straight out of the decanter gave a strong presence of potpourri laced candle wax. That has subsided now. The fruits are ripe, ruby; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, some dry cranberries, raspberries with blackberries pulling up the rear. Nice evenly, soft, layered baking spices; clove, cinnamon, light nutmeg and gentle vanilla. Mixed dark berry cola, understated, black licorice, whiff of lightly grilled meats, black, fruit tea, limestone alluvial soils, dry crushed rocks, dark turned earth, dry herb blend, light, fresh tobacco notes, worn leather with a nice bouquet of; red, dark, purple and blue florals.

The body is, round, ruby and just full. Tannins still have adolescent teeth. The structure, tension could use some more time in bottle...length and balance have just hit their stride. Gorgeous mouthfeel. The fruits are ripe, ruby, a little gluey; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, some dry cranberries, raspberries with blackberries pulling up the rear. Nice evenly, soft, layered baking spices; clove, cinnamon, light nutmeg and gentle vanilla. Mixed dark berry cola, dark spices, understated, black licorice, lightly grilled meats, black, fruit tea, limestone alluvial soils, dry crushed rocks, dry pebbles, moist, dark turned earth, dry herb blend, light, fresh tobacco notes, worn leather with a nice bouquet of; red, dark, purple and blue florals with gentle lavender on the back end. The acidity is a gentle rain shower. The beautiful finish is straight up; elegant, well balanced, seamless and persists nicely for minutes.

Paired with Kentucky Bourbon Marinated Chicken Skewers and Wild Rice.

Photos of; Bloom’s Field Vineyard, The Sommeliers Altas of Taste that Rajat & Jordan Macrat wrote. Good read if you are so inclined & of course, Master Sommelier/Owner/Winemaker-Rajat Parr.

Additional notes; Rajat has always loved Pinot and its many expressions from all over the world. After becoming one of the better & more well known Master Somms, it was his dream to make world class Pinot Noir. He is succeeding as his last few vintages have gotten very high notoriety. It was his 2015 Bloom’s Field that Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson featured in Somm 3 in his recreation of the Judgment of Paris with some of the best palates in NYC and again separately with The Godfather of Master Somms-Fred Dame, Author-Jancis Robinson & Steven Spurrier.
— 6 years ago

Neil, Ryan and 34 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

This wine is kick ass
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Fred Dame is a legendary man!

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2023

Very nice choice by the Sommelier at Pastis in Nashville to pair with both grilled Branzino and Boeuf Bourguignon. (I know.). Bright, a bit astringent, fruit forward, with some structure but not too much. — 3 months ago

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

Nydelig champagne, deilig balansert! Ferirer master A — 3 years ago

Caillard

Mataro 2015

Mid Ruby red in colour with a tawny edge. Sour cherry with touches of pepper and cloves. Not as raspberry as I was expecting from old vine Mataro. With a couple of hours of aeration the raspberry notes started coming through finishing with Sandy tannins. This wine is made by the multi talented Andrew Caillard who is the supremo of Fine Wine retailer and auctioneer Langtons who allowed Andrew to make his superb range of wines under his own label using old vine Mataro and Shiraz; painted the exquisite labels himself and who achieved a Master of Wine in his spare time. I am lucky to have 5 of these beauties left. 96 points from James Halliday. — 4 years ago

Neil, Dawn and 22 others liked this

Domaine Pothier-Rieusset

Les Épenots Pommard 1er Cru Pinot Noir

Stellar Pinot with lots of fruit and acidity. Mild color change to light red tones. I was impressed with the body and depth of the wine. Decanted two hours before and it could have used a bit more time. Elegant and structured and it left a definite palate impression after consumption. Pothier was a master of his cellar and crafted very classic wines from his domain. 89pts. — 5 years ago

Mike liked this

Domaine Coche-Dury (J.F. Coche Dury)

Meursault Chardonnay 2005

Toujours excellent. Le sommelier m à fait un prix — 6 years ago

Ira liked this

Broc Cellars

Got Grapes Zin Master Zinfandel

Very juicy and light! Mellows a bit into the more subtle flavors of blackberry and currant as it opens up. Would be a great spring wine outdoor wine. Serve slightly chilled. — 6 years ago

Grand Napa Vineyards

Master Red Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Ron R
9.3

Another reco from @Paul T- Huntington Beach. Strong showing. Loved it. Fill yer boots at K and L Wines!!! — 7 years ago

Tom, Dawn and 29 others liked this
TheSkip

TheSkip

I’ve seen this winery so many times with “$120” prices that are slashed to a quarter that. Makes me nervous
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

I saw but never bought, thinking it was $30.00 at K&L as well
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Delicious wine 🍷

Argyle

Master Series Extended Tirage Brut Oregon Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2011

#AgedWineTuesday

Pretty Golden in color.

Nose of apples, light yeast, peaches, minerals, spices and light herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and soft bubbles.

Dry on the palate with limes, light grapefruits, herbs, earth, minerals, yeast, light brioche and white pepper.

Long finish with limes and sea salt.

This is a delicious Sparkling wine from Oregon. Rich and fruit forward. Easy drinking and complex. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Feels like Champagne, which is nice to see out of Oregon.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

A good quality wine. Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Aged on the lees for 10 years. Disgorged in 2021.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80.
— 9 months ago

Dave, Jose and 13 others liked this

Jérôme Prévost

La Closerie Les Béguines Extra Brut Champagne Pinot Meunier

Although I find that La Closerie generally needs some bottle age to fill out and come into its own, LC19 is already showing fabulously flaunting deep, powerful layers of ripe orchard fruit with smoky minerals, toasted hazelnuts and exotic spices. The palate is impeccably structured and concentrated with a satiny texture and vibrant energy that gives way to a long mineral inflicted finish. Pinot Meunier from the master, it just can’t be matched. This is the best release since LC13. — 4 years ago

Shay, Andrew and 6 others liked this
Charles York

Charles York

Had my first bottle a month ago. Absolutely stunning, will forever search out.

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Riserva Rancia Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 1995

Remarkable Chianti Classico with some very nice bottle age. Quite primary on initial taste, with a bit of air the tannins recede a bit and some of the secondary notes come through. Delicious, very nice suggestion by the sommelier at The Grill. Lots of sediment so decanting for that reason alone makes sense. — 5 years ago

Eric, Ira and 6 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Awesome!

Argyle

Nuthouse Master Series Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2017

More fruit forward style. Like the reserve PN better. — 5 years ago

Marcassin

Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

Somm David T
9.4

Some friends of ours brought this to our backyard dinner last night. This is not a producer I buy. So, it was nice to revisit and nice of them to share.

The first thing I would say, is this is a well made Pinot Noir. Having said that, I don’t buy it due to its pricing. If you are buying this from the winery, its price point is still too high for it’s quality and gets worse yet when you go to the secondary markets which, many do, due to its limited production & wait on their list.

I say this because I have had countless examples of Sonoma & CA Pinot Noirs that are as good for $75 or around that price point give or take a little. The Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is a similar style and for me, is better than this Marcassin. The Hendricks is $75 on futures buying.

Our friends that brought it, whom we share a mutual friendship with another Sommelier. He told them they had to drink this as it was getting old. I can tell you that is simply not the case. This wine has another 7-10 years of fine drinking ahead. These statements happen when your consuming wine regiment is based on a steady stream of always drinking wines young...It just happens.

The wine shows beautiful mid & dark candied, floral fruits, heavy baking spices and too much cinnamon stick for me. Beautiful, dark, red, blue and purple florals. It is well balanced, lush, elegant, polished with nice round acidity.

A very nice wine just overpriced IMHO. You can do just as well for less and you would only lose out on the fact you are feeling good about opening a cult name Pinot for yourself or to impress others. Not a dig, just the wine psychology that experience has led me to through the devotion of studying wine and consumers feedback. Not all, but enough to call it what it is. I myself have fallen prey to those emotions & I’m sure will again.

Photo of, Marciassin Winery, Helen Turley-Co Owner, Ryan O'Donnell-Winemaker and a Sonoma vineyard they source fruit.
— 6 years ago

Paul, Daniel P. and 30 others liked this

Zafra

Master Reserve Rum 21 year

Raisins and leather on the nose. Slightly sweet. Taste begins sweet and caramel; very full. Slightly alcohol forward. Dries out late with hints of oak and smoke. As someone else said, it's like the offspring of bourbon and rum. — 7 years ago