Morello Cherries
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001
The 2001 Opus One is a masterful blend that truly embodies the elegance and structure of Napa Valley wines. The deep ruby color is immediately captivating, and the nose opens with rich aromas of black currant, dark cherries, and subtle hints of tobacco and cedar. On the palate, it delivers an impeccably balanced experience, with layers of ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate, all interwoven with earthy undertones and a refined minerality. — 2 months ago
Tenuta Monolo
Riserva Bramaterra Nebbiolo Blend 2003
My 2nd bottle of the 2003 and wow this is a stunner. Warmer vintages in cooler wine regions is where it’s at. Glorious nose of mid season cherry, sour cherry and more! Smoke, tar, tobacco, cigar box. Unreal minerality and a distinctive earthiness. Just gorgeous. So expansive and detailed. Palate is so so juicy and fresh with unreal acidity that buffets the incomprehensible juicy cherry and meaty fruit. Getting Gevrey vibes here. Amazing purity and freshness and just super clean. Opulent with so much energy and depth. Really covers the inner mouth with so much sexy fruit. The sexiest one yet but still has the house style. I’ve never had a wine where a warm vintage has elevated it this much. Genius and stunning. Nose starts with some oolong tea now after air. Palate has mid season juicy cherries that are in such abundance. It’s so well made, so balanced and just off the charts pure with velvety and sweet tannins and just such insane fruit capture. — 3 months ago
G.D. Vajra
Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2020
Pale ruby in color; bright cherries, black tea, and potpourri on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like cranberries, raspberries, and clay pots with a long finish. Nellie didn't like it, Thy says it's gross, Jason says it's ok, I like it, and Wine Spectator ranked it as number 9 in its top 10 list of wines for 2024. — 8 days ago
Jean Foillard
Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2020
What a pair w/ Crostini, Chervil Sheep Cheese & Duck Confit. 👌
Dark, juicy, lush to mid fruit core, dark cherries, strawberries, hues of blueberries, raspberries, limestone, softened granitic earth, deeper red cola, black & red licorice, baseball card bubble gum, understated fresh herbs, dark, rich, sweet earth, hints of maple syrup, tree bark w/ sap, dark & red florals for days, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, relaxed tension, polished, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds. Delicious.
This is better than some premier cru red burgundies for far less $.
Absolutely one of the top three producers of Grand Cru Gamay. — a month ago
Yvon embodies the humble and proud vigneron, a man who would rather tend his vines than host appointments, and sell to close friends than foreign markets.He has long farmed what are sure to be among the oldest vines in the entirety of the region, predominantly centered in Fleurie. Undoubtedly, these are some of the most pure, fresh yet unctuous wines that have ever come from the Beaujolais region. Never sulfured, they are the pinnacle of freshness and drinkability upon release, yet benefit from long cellar aging as well.
Domaine Drouhin
Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2022
The 2022 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills wafts up a delicately spicy blend of dusty black cherries, ground cloves and dried roses. It is round and supple yet lifted in feel, with crisp red berry fruits elevated by a core of zesty acidity as hints of sour citrus add cheek-puckering tension. This tapers off long and perfumed with a bed of crunchy tannins that frames the experience remarkably well. I would never guess that the 2022 hails from a warm vintage. (Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2024)
— 4 months ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. This was my second time enjoying the 1990 vintage and, much like my previous experience, this was rather quiet early and then came on with the business, late. As before, a mix of red and black cassis, ripe and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. After two similar experiences, I believe this vintage needs a lot of patience and a lot of air to wake up. Without either, it will be misunderstood. Drink now through 2040+ — 22 days ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 3 months ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011
Leaner than the El Puntido. This is more classic Tempranillo. Drier & earthier.
Beautiful wine. Ripe, juicy & slightly candied & floral fruits of; mid to dark cherries, black raspberries, black raspberries, dry blue berries. Cherry cola, dry tobacco w/ ash, dry leathery, barrel staves, muddy herb mix, dark, dry spices, steeped, sun tea, mid; clove, nutmeg, vanilla, limestone minerals, crushed limestone/dry rocks, dry flowers that are black, red w/ dry lavender, round, high acidity with a high, dry tannin finish that falls on to the wild, dry, earthy, wildest finish that is balanced for many minutes.
Paired this with/ a dry rub tri-tip and a burgundy marinaded Cardiff Crack tri-tip. Both very different and enjoyable, but liked the dry rub with the Rioja.
Photos of, my visit to the Bodega, old oak vats that are decades old, neutral wood that is still used as of 2015 when I visited & been repaired endlessly, old wood press and tasting room outside their cellar/tasting room. — 5 months ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending for another 15 days plus years.
From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.
This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.
Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 10 hours ago