Moody June
A. Rafanelli
Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005
One of our favorites. With Garmendia’s at lakeshore reserve June 2024 — 6 months ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2004
The 2004 Cos d'Estournel has an impressive bouquet with black cherries, hoisin, rose petals and blood orange scents, all mixed with melted tar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied, with a strong menthol element on the entry that rather dominates the terroir expression. It is very spicy on the finish, with cough candy on the aftertaste. It may be a bit bombastic considering the vintage, but it will continue to age in bottle. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Clos Erasmus
Priorat Grenache Blend 1998
You will appreciate this wine more once you’ve seen the YouTube movie “Dreaming of Wine” about the rejuvenation of the wine industry In Priorat after 900 years. A fascinating story and well worth the time to view the movie. Clos Erasmus was founded and still run by Daphne Glorian, the blonde woman in the movie. The wine itself is one of the 1001 Wines to Drink Before you Die and described as “one of the few cult wines in Spain”. The wine itself in colour was not as dense and dark as I was expecting after a decant though, a substantial deposit was left. Lovely red and black fruited aromatics with dried herbs, violets and ripe berries, although with porty and raisiny notes - cocoa and a touch of tar with granular tannins. Arguably a bit long in the tooth - depends what you are looking for. Bought at a wine shop in Gratallops, the little village in Priorat in June last year, 2022 after a tasting at Clos Mogador, also in the movie. Tasted a while ago Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave this wine 99 points “flirting with perfection “. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. — 2 years ago
Dom Pérignon
Altum Villare Brut Champagne Blend 2012
Vintage 2012. June 21, 2024. Excellent. — 6 months ago
Benanti
Pietra Marina Etna Bianco Superiore Carricante 2019
The 2019 Etna Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina captivates. It’s perfumed and floral, with enriching notes of almond paste and confectionery spice that perfectly accentuate a smoky core of white peaches. There’s more lift on the palate, but it's a little backward, possessing wiry textures and an intense mineral core that adds depth to its citrus-inflected orchard fruits. Nervous acidity forces the mouth to water and maintains a dazzling freshness as inner florals resonate and a sour lime concentration settles in. The 2019 is just an infant today, compact yet complex, balanced and loaded with character. It will be a gorgeous Etna Bianco to follow over the next decade or more. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Maurice Vesselle
Brut Millésimé Grand Cru Champagne Blend 2013
Maurice Vesselle is a récoltant whose small estate of maybe 15 acres, is in Bouzy and Tours sur Marnes. Most of their vineyards, all Grand Cru, are dedicated to Pinot Noir with the balance, Chardonnay. They are a strict no-malo, all INOX producer. One other note, the corks on these bottles are so stubborn. I had one hell of a time getting it extracted in an elegant fashion. We had people over and I was multitasking, making the risotto which, of course, needed my undivided attention. Ultimately, I ended up grabbing the Wüsthof and sabering that mf’er.
So, sabered and poured. The wine is a straw color with medium- viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of strawberry, light brioche, lemons, marzipan and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, mineral driven and zippy! This needs a ton of air at this stage but if you allow it, what a treat! Better after 2025 through 2043. The Millésimé is typically 80/20, Pinot Noir/Chardonnay. Dosage 4g/l (and seems it). Disgorged June 2023. — 8 months ago
Donnafugata
Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria Zibibbo 2022
Burnt blood orange, autumnal spices, candied ginger, dried nectarines and a lifting hint of mint create a kaleidoscopic bouquet as the 2022 Ben Ryé blossoms in the glass. Weighty and velvety in feel yet remarkably fresh, it floods the palate with masses of tropical citrus, mango and papaya, all supported by a core of zesty acidity. The 2022 finishes with dramatic length and concentration. A peach nectar resonance and savory spices linger on and on. The 2022 is sure to join the ranks of the best vintages of Ben Ryé. It finished at 200 grams per liter of residual sugar. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Château La Nerthe
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc White Rhone Blend 2022
Vivid spring blossom, yellow apple, cedar, ripe pear and lemon flesh present the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. Medium- to full-bodied and kept in check by bright acidity, the 2022 is a sapid and expressive white Châteauneuf that can be enjoyed over the next four years. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2006 Musigny Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru has a rambunctious nose with raspberry ripple and crushed strawberry scents, though it doesn't fully have the complexity of other vintages. The palate is chewy, slightly muscular and impressively dense. It's surly on the finish with markedly dry tannins that don't urge you back for more. It's the kind of Musigny that I feel would not be made under the present regime. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago