Nine Stones

Bodega Catena Zapata

White Stones Vino de Parcela Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Light, almost transparent, yellow hue. Aromas of apple, butter, cream, honeysuckle, minerals, peach, pear, quince, and vanilla. Medium bodied with plus acid. Smooth, balanced, and integrated with a long finish. Drinking well now and worth cellaring. — 3 days ago

Elizabeth Spencer

ExS Block Nine Sonoma Coast Syrah 2015

Ming L
9.1

Not much has changed since the last bottle about a year ago. Ripe and rich. Lots of varietal nuances. Still need some time. — a month ago

Severn and Tom liked this

Nine Suns

Napa Valley Red Blend 2016

Just amazing 🍷 — 5 months ago

Jan and Stef liked this

Vincent Dauvissat

La Forest Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

Gor
9.3

Matches, crushed stones, pear, white peach, oyster shell, whit pepper, hint of cinnamon yoghurt. Beautiful wine as usual. — 7 months ago

Bodega Catena Zapata

White Stones Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

I joined this white wine blind tasting session for a taste of the illustrious Chard duo from Catena Zapeta, despite knowing full well that white wine condition in my area has a pretty lacklustre record; and I’m pretty glad I did. The White Stones, thankfully, was [mostly] singing. Yes, there was a touch of honey and musk in the back end, but I felt it didn’t distract from the general message. Perhaps the reticent winemaking style here helped give it a little more resilience against the arduous travel. On the nose, there was nearly no fruit at the start - just sulphurous, flinty aromas. It does eventually yield to heavy swirling in the glass, revealing some pear and nutty notes. The palate was textural, sharp, and mineral. In fact the name could not be more apt. It was like licking stones, all covered in salt, lime juice and chopped sage. I really enjoyed it, but the wine that could have been still lingered on the back of my mind. One to revisit for sure. — a month ago

Ira, Jan and 11 others liked this

Layer Cake Wines

Sea of Stones Mendoza Red Blend 2018

Pat A
9.8

Really good, thick & spicy. — a month ago

Château Haut-Bailly

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

David T
9.3

Happy New Year!🎈🎆🎊

From mag. Who said the2007 vintage was bad? They didn’t taste it 16 years from inception or 14 years in bottle. Excellent as our first prime rib wine.

2nd night tasting with leftovers. One glass left. It’s dark inky, round, mushy velvety tannins, dark currants, blackberries, blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum pudding, strawberry highlighter, dry stones, limestone powder, dark turned earth, soft, fresh & dry tobacco notes, soft lead pencil shavings, wet volcanic ash, moist clay, charcoal, sandalwood, understated dark spice, dark chocolate, just a touch of baking spices, dark & red withering flowers, violets, excellent round acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced fruit & earth, good tension with a long elegant finish that falls on a dry mineral finish lasting 90 seconds.

I always leave an inch to inch and half in the bottle to pour a bit to all at the end. I believe the expression for that is, “The Truth! From the expression, the truth is inside. It doesn’t lie and makes for more extremely concentrated sip(s). You might say it is a lot like monosodium glutamate…everything you tasted in the wine previously, taste more.
— 6 months ago

Shay, Bob and 16 others liked this

Block Nine

Caiden's Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022

Perfectly nuanced red at the best price! ($15). Perfect for a meal or drinking alone. — 23 days ago

Saxum Vineyards

Broken Stones Red Rhone Blend 2011

13 years young. still has life. Tannins and fruits still doing their job in harmony. Delicious.  — a month ago

Domaine François Raveneau

Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2013

Not sure there are better 13 whites than Raveneau. Lafon also comes to mind. It’s an early drinking vintage (by Raveneau standards) while you wait for 12 and 14. Also, no Chapelot this year so it’s blended in here. A multi hour advance decant has it rocking, stunningly aromatic, soaring with layers of créme fraîche, baking spice, crushed stones and a whisper of botrytis influenced saffron. The palate shows immense power, concentration and depth of waxy yellow fruit chiseled with Chablisen minerality. Brilliant tension and racy lemony acids provide a seamless balance to its power and richness. MDT always hits 🫰🏻 — 2 months ago

Mark, Paul and 8 others liked this