Monster Vineyards
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Shiraz 2003
So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.
We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.
Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.
The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.
This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.
The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.
The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.
Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 4 years ago
Château de Beaucastel
Hommage à Jacques Perrin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2001
An absolute monster of a wine. 4 hours in the decanter served perfectly to allow this 2001, perhaps one of the best Hommage vintages ever, to flaunt its incredibly complex aromatic array of black fruits, roasted Provençal herbs, licorice, campfire smoke and Christmas spices.
It’s still youthful with ripe tannins and a ton of muscle. Nowhere near its peak. But it’s entering its drinking window seamlessly, being incredibly giving and expressive with sufficient air. Similar to how VV Gonon differs from the regular bottling, Hommage just cranks everything up to 10 and it’s concentrated flavors come at you in waves. But it never gets heavy as there is just enough lift and precision to keep everything harmonious. A very special bottle from a very special vintage indeed. — 4 years ago
Subject To Change Wine Co
Party Monster Chapman Vineyard Pet Nat Carignane Rosé
I mean, the name alone makes you want to, at the very least, try it. And let me tell you, you’ll be happy you did! Some red fruit (cranberry mainly) and acidity with a yeasty finish. A fun change from your standard bubble options and the perfect holiday color! — 5 years ago
Fisher Vineyards
Mountain Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2015
Broke my mid-week alcohol fast for this...
Nose displays honey, straw and oak. First thing that hits you on the palate is honied almonds and white stone fruits. A little too much oak treatment leads to a lack of precision. It has a curvy posture, with very little acid to counterbalance the oak. Good showing, even though the oak monster showed its ass. At the right price, it’s a buy. — 6 years ago
Fattoria dei Barbi (Colombini)
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2011
Kanye West said it best... Everybody know I'm a motherfucking monster.
Birthday Brunello. — 5 years ago
Mt. Monster
Shiraz
Great. Not too sharp tasting. — 6 years ago
Randy Fuller
This wine is pale greenish-yellow in color. Its nose offers abundant lemon and lime aromas, along with floral and herbal notes. The palate shows apple, pear, and peach flavors, along with a healthy dose of citrus minerals. The acidity is quite good and the sip is clean and fresh. Load up on this before springtime. — 2 months ago