leon egozi

9.7

305 group annual 10 yr Napa cab retrospective — a month ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

A beautiful vintage study! It was really nice to look at the 17’ Greta Carbo after the 19’ the day before - this was grittier, less fruity, and more concentrated to me. MH and I thought it might have been some winemaking changes, but after a quick text with the producer, it was revealed that no stylistic changes were made and the differences were mainly due to hail and lower yields than 19’.

This was firing on all cylinders and incredibly different from my first bottle (cleaner and less of an oddball, though the same DNA was present - see previous notes). Aromas of red fruits, roses, herbs, and a tinge of nectarine. On the palate, it was juicy with flavours of pomegranate, raspberry, and blood oranges, along with black tea and grass. Super silky texture with a notable “furry” edge. Finishes with spices and a light earthy savouriness. Complex and super drinkable - a win in my books! — a year ago

Stephen Howell

Cellarbrations at Cottesloe Western Australia, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)

9.3

A terrific balance of ever so slightly candied fruit and savoury wood spice. Another major win is the fine grained palate coating texture no doubt due to it being unfined and unfiltered. Seriously what a bargain — 2 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.6

Celebrating the San Francisco Giants division win tonight! Another favorite Pinot of mine. This 2010 Sea Smoke starts with a noticeable deep ruby red color. It appears bright and delicate. A smoky tart cherry nose typical of this wine stands out as the aromas fill your senses with lingering notes of vanilla, orange peel & spices and a subtle cedar. No disappointment in flavor. Its flavorful fruit hits the palate with tart cherry-plum. Acidity is high giving its elegant flavors that blend with oak earth, peppery spice and a mineral cedar long finish. — 3 years ago

with Karin and Jill

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.3

First wine night back in Australia, but still talking Italian (first wine watching Sinner's win in Melbourne)
The white is spotless
The one and only dry nosiola to this level
If you put this bottle covered in a Burgundy tasting it wouldn't be easy to spot

Elegant, whispered, still young and long

Super clean, no sulphites
Fermented in amphora — 3 months ago

Delectable Wine

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8.9

A good solid Haut-Médoc" is how I described the 2020 Beaumont when I tasted it from barrel. I've no need to alter that summation. A mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, this feels cohesive and detailed, not powerful yet it engages the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit. There is just a slight bitterness that lends tension, quite sharp with black cherry, orange rind and cedar notes towards the finish. It's not going to win the wine of the vintage but it's a…well, I told you at the beginning. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2023) — a year ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Swooped this up in hopes that Ferrari would win at Monza. Unfortunately, the MV33/RB18 combo is just too strong this year. Anyway, I’ve been watching the drivers spray this stuff on the podium over the last couple years so I figured I would give it a try. Popped and poured; no formal notes. Mousse dissipates. Leesy and a little cheesy on the nose. Lemons, limes, nuts and minerals. Decent acid. Thought I’d be down on this but it’s pretty decent. Particularly for the sub-$20 price at Eataly. — 2 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Much more subtle than I anticipated & compared to Chidaine, Huet,etc. Probably a bit closed & can use a decant at this stage. All kinds of pulverized shells & a low key minerality, long & lean in terms of texture. No wool or wax here. White flowers, Asian pear, & I want to say raw yellow zucchini ( though I may regret that). All kinds of complexity to taste. A ‘contemplative’ rather than a race horse wine-& hope my homeboy will hang onto his others so we can taste what age will do. Opened during an exhilarating Knicks win. — a year ago

with Owen

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.3

Nice bottle for $50.00, decant an hour so & you’re set
Info I found on the dark web as follows,

This property possesses 16 hectares of vines (60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc) and was purchased in 1978 by Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort, the owner of Château La Gaffelière. In June 2011 it was acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, which also owns Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion. Its new owner decided to rename the property, starting with the 2011 vintage. Château Tertre Daugay, the fifth cru classé to be acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, became Château Quintus.The property is located on a high promontory that forms the edge of the Saint Emilion plateau. It commands a panoramic view far into the distance of the surrounding villages and the Dordogne Valley. It is here that, since time immemorial, a watchtower has stood to guard the village of Saint Emilion. The exceptional microclimate is due to the area's diversity in terms of soil, slopes and orientation. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that in 1844 and 1848 the wine was among the 14 most sought-after and expensive in Saint Emilion. For nearly a century, Bordeaux et ses Vins, the standard reference work produced by Cocks and Féret, listed the property as a Saint Emilion Premier Cru. The property was also one of the prestigious vineyards in Saint Emilion to win a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867. — a year ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

An unexpectedly delicious Bordeaux blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Oak grazed, dark-berry nose with hints of earth and a herbs. The oak's definitely more prominent on the palate, offering vanillin creaminess which seemingly melts into the concentrated yet juicy fruit profile. Medium to full bodied with chalky tannins and lively acidity. Finishes long with an interesting marmalade-like note. Not a wine I'd typically like, but I really appreciate how there's not an ounce of jamminess in the wine, nor the heavy pyrazines I associate with the Cabernet's of Margaret River.

NB: I was really pleased with the condition of that wines last night. With this session, that's 4 out of 6 bottles from the new wine shop/bar in town with little-to-no heat stroke issues - that's a huge win in my books! Kudos, RL. — 2 years ago