Monkey Business

Mark Ryan Winery

Monkey Wrench Merlot Blend

Cabernet 53%, Merlot 26%, Malbec 19%, Petit Verdot 2% — 3 days ago

Cantina Bartolo Mascarello

Barolo Nebbiolo 2012

Still ruby centre just, with terracotta rim. Quite ripe red fruits , spiced red cherry. On the palate quite mineral , and touches of liquorice , lovely red cherry and strawberry fruit . Sweet tannin and good balanced acidity . After a while a mineral , iron filing touch. Quite open and ready for business , good to drink now and over the next 10 years . — 10 months ago

Daniel, Tom and 4 others liked this

Donum

Year of the Monkey Single Vineyard Russian River Pinot Noir 2016

16’ are finally softening, but still big dark fruit, but drinking more like Pinot now. black berries, dark cassis…. Big dark flavors that are slowly softening… still had many years IMO! — 2 years ago

Severn liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Cune Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas and complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. On the palate blackberry, cherry and sweet currant with herb, leather and pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth and structure on a long finish. — 4 years ago

Alex, Clive and 3 others liked this
GV

GV

One of the pleasures of your reviews is the short but always interesting history of the vineyard, company or person behind the wine and bottle.

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2015

Oh yes…gimme all them funky cherries and all dat black licorice. There were also Ferrara Red Hots®️and a generous hit of black pepper. I simply adore Pegau; for all of its unapologetic character and authenticity. This 2015 brought the business tonight and was smashing with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. — 2 months ago

Eric, Severn and 13 others liked this

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Riserva Rancia Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2006

Nothing wrong with the classics. Dark garnet, juicy, broad, morello cherry, dank earth, porcini, open for business but could go longer — 2 years ago

Iwan, Lyle and 13 others liked this

Château Branaire (Duluc-Ducru)

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

2018 vintage. Berry and cherry cough syrup nose with subtle mint and dill accents. Light bodied. Some caramel. Some finely ground black pepper. Plum and raisin fruit backbone. Super silky pajamas tho. Going down with a tealike/forgotten office black coffee flourish like nobody’s business. The finish (currently) is already accelerated to that of a 12-15 year aged Bordeaux. Too seductive now to say no. Mais oui. — 3 years ago

Ericsson, Shay and 18 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

2006 vintage. Lean and mean. Decanted and tasted after 1.5 hrs. Not too much sed. Nice little sprinkling of cocoa powder in a feminine nose but, otherwise, all business and very transactional. Difficult to love and hard to understand with this effort being pretty linear vs what we've come to know/expect/love from this property. Plenty of concentration but lacking that extra oomph of finishing depth and seems like it has topped out/not improving. 9.23.23. — 8 months ago

Severn, Ted and 13 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas/complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. Palate shows blackberry, cherry, sweet currant with herb, leather, oak & pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth & structure, long finish, nice value! — 3 years ago

Dawn, Bob and 9 others liked this