Bob McDonald

9.5

Quite a light to mid lemon in colour for its 11 years of age. Nutty (almond and cashew) aromas. Oak has integrated. The palate shows those same nutty notes together with that trademark pear character with white nectarine. Overall still youthful. My remaining 3 bottles will easily see out this decade. — 6 months ago

S.S. Mandani

9.0

My new love is Barbaresco. I’ve recently become friends with a few guys down the block who own and work at a wine shop in the West Village.

From time to time, they enjoy opening up a couple of bottles on slower days like Sunday eves. One night, we tasted an amazing Barbaresco. That’s the thing with wine, the longer you learn, the pricier your taste gets.

This isn’t quite the same level of bottle we had opened, but as an entry at about $40, it’s something I can open up on a casual Thursday night.

The crushed rose petals are there, but it’s muted by a bit more of a soil-forward bouquet.

I see the similarities, but it’s lacking in a bit of elegance that can come in a level or two higher.

A bit more tannins than acidity. It’s out of balance. I think I’ve been spoiled because I’ve had a great example. But this is still fine Italian wine, happy to be drinking it. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Herbal aromas (typically Margaret River) with Geranium Capsicum and a touch of menthol. Some green notes - medium weight. Savoury wins out over Cassis and black fruits. Not in the upper echelon of Margaret River Cabernet. Just a silver medal. We went to the Cellar Door some years ago and the story goes that the Reserve Cab was served at the wedding of Prince Frederick of Denmark to Sydney Real Estate agent Mary Donaldson originally from Tasmania now Crown Princess Mary and one day will become the Queen of Denmark. Fred is a keen sailor who was representing Denmark at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and they met at Sydney hotspot The Slip Inn where Fred was flashing his Black AMEX so the story goes and was captivated by Mary and the rest is history. — 7 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.1

Really nice riesling. Has some of those developed notes (hint of kero) on the nose accompanied by plenty of juicy citrus and a lovely taut finish. It’s young yet already fleshed out. — 7 years ago

with David

Bob McDonald

9.2

So balanced no descriptors stand out - just damn good claret. Herbal silky with fading plum - medium weight. The Cullen girls Diana and Vanya are long time adopters of organic and biodynamic principles and this is considered as one of Australia’s leading Cabernet blends. Cullen say this will live 20 years so it is only halfway there. Have the next one later this year. — 7 years ago

Michael B

8.9

We were in the mood for a Rose, tried several decent yet forgettable rose’s until we stumbled upon this. Tavel is just west of Châteauneuf du Pap and many of the local Provence Rose’s come from this area. It has a very fresh nose and taste. Similar to eating out of a fresh bowl of slightly sweet and tart strawberries and raspberries, mixed in with some cherries, eating your full. Followed by a nice complimentary mineral taste. Enjoyed this a couple of times over the last few nights over cheese boards, carpaccio, fois gras, and on its own. As a side note, upon reflection, I’m learning that I have (for quite some time) given out lower ratings for wines I have really enjoyed secondarily for a fear of missing out on something else that should be rated “x” high score. Instead I have provided a “pseudo” cap of 9.5. From now on, I will do my best to rectify this, and remove the “fomo” handicap. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Very dark Ruby - almost black - opaque at 19 years. Herbal and minty with cassis and tobacco leaf. On the palate still tasting young. An exceptional vintage for Moss Wood. I bought a dozen on release and have 5 left which I will drink over the next 10+ years. A brilliant cross between the black fruits of SA Cabernet and the Herbaceousness of Margaret River Cabernet. In the end the latter wins out in this exceptional Cabernet. See previous 4 Delectable notes on this vintage. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Aromatics of Talc, white flowers a little peach and grapefruit. On the palate citrus and peach with diminishing acid. Just a fabulous mature Riesling with just a hint of petro chemical developing in the form of paraffin. It stamps the Great Southern in Western Australia as one of the premium Riesling districts in Australia. One of the 1001 wines and deserves to be. James Halliday wrote “year in, year out, one of Australia’s best Rieslings”. — 5 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.5

Fantastic. Nothing out of place here. Open ripe cassis & blackberry fruit notes with a subtle lick of mint and dried herbs supported by some classy sweet mocha oak. Good to go now with a bright future ahead. — 5 years ago

Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.0

The winemaker from Cape Mentelle was touring through TX and stopped by Classic Wine Storage for a quick tasting.

This was served too cold at first. It was like biting in to an underripe Granny Smith Apple. Lots of tartness with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit and melon showed up after it warmed in the glass. Finish rounded out too. — 7 years ago

with Dan and Mark

Matt Trader

9.2

Starting to see more beautiful wines from the Margaret River and this is a stellar example of Australian Chardonnay. (This one is an appellation blend of 65% Margaret River and 35% Pemberton) but they are based out of the Margaret River.

13% Alcohol - medium malo, bright acidity

👃flint/crushed rocks, honeydew, green apple skin, vanilla creme

👅pineapple, golden apple, lemon zest and oil, white pepper, mineral, mousse

Excellent balance between the fruit and the acidity, could have some age potential, with minimal development due to it being a screw cap, but it could still use a few years to become a tad softer.

Australia is probably my favorite wine making region this year for sure. A must try. — 8 years ago

William Douglas

9.8

3/6.75/9.75 = 19.5 out of 100 say 98
Eight year Kevin John - lovely with pear on the nose and pear with perfectly balanced acid on the palate. Sets a high benchmark for all premium Chardonnay. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

First found this wine probably 11 years ago at the Annual Cape Mentelle Cabernet tasting where Cape Mentelle pits their wine against leading Cabernets from around the world including Bordeaux, Napa, NZ, and other Australians. On this occasion the 2008 vintage. This Houghtons stood out on the day. Dense in colour Barb said pitch black. Dusty cassis notes - oak is there but it doesn’t dominate - balanced and delicious. — 3 years ago

Bret Small

9.2

Complex, balanced, bit of apricot on the nose, nice long finish—do NOT drink too cold, leave a glass at room temp for 20 min after coming out of frig — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Funky solids notes on nose. The palate was just medium weight with grapefruit, under ripe stone fruits and plenty of acid reflecting its youth. Would cellar for up to 5 years - not sure how much mid palate fruit would be left by then. Good modest price drinking and great QPR at $21 AUD. Had another bottle 174 weeks later. Has filled out nicely since the previous tasting. Amazing quality for the price. Now rated at 92 points. — 5 years ago

Joe Davant

9.4

I’ve been holding off on drinking any of the 2012 vintage from Hirsch because the folks at the winery said this vintage that needed time in the bottle. @Bill Bender’s notes about the 2012 Hirsch Reserve encouraged me to open a bottle, and I’m glad I did. The wine was deep and broad with more earth, forest floor, mushroom, and loamy notes than I have come to expect from Hirsch wines. The structure has settled down and the more beguiling feminine aspects of the West Ridge are now showing themselves. This was fanatic with crispy roast duck at Gideon Ridge. On a side note, I’ll give a plug to that restaurant. IMHO, it’s the best restaurant in the high country, with great food, service and views. Just plan ahead because reservations are often 6-8 weeks out during the summer season. — 7 years ago

Ming L

9.3

A whiff and a sip of the 2001, my generous friend decided that it was not up to her standard and pull out the 2003, which I did not expect as I was really enjoying the 2001 and also had couple bottles of white before that.
While the nose was resemblant to the 2001 in terms of its herbal and earthiness, the fruits was not taking the backseat. A soft and round palate belied the still quite firm structure. Velvety firm tannins with long spicy finish. Polished and well balanced. Plenty of life left. Beautiful! — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

@Benjamin Keator had his hosting at the CC tonight and it was absolutely incredible. What a night of gorgeous wines! All wines are guessed blind.

My guess here was ‘04-06 French champagne. I couldn’t guess a house, but I was able to rule out what it wasn’t (PH, Dom, Krug). This wasn’t reductive enough to be west coast. Balanced sweetness and yeastiness well. — 8 years ago

with Benjamin, Weston and 1 other

Bob McDonald

9.2

This is 2nd in the Vasse Felix Chardonnay pecking order after the Flagship Heytesbury and before the budget Filius. Well made as always. Aromas of buttered popcorn and citrus. On the palate citrus flavours which fleshed out with breathing. Quite youthful with good tension. Ticks all the boxes as a classy Chardonnay. Will go another 5 plus years. Had another bottle 15 weeks later with consistent notes. Not far off the standard of its big brother the Heytesbury, one of Australia’s best Chardonnays. Good combination of Oak,citrus, grilled nuts and funky aromas. — 8 years ago