Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured. Presented double-blind; no formal notes. There’s a nice mix of red and dark fruits. Some light staining to the glass. The attack was slightly sweet and there’s quite a bit of structure. I was definitely in Italy…but was it Nebbiolo or Sangiovese? I felt the acid sort of took precedence over the tannin. Between that and the slight bit of vanilla and baking spice, this had me leaning Sangiovese-based blend from Toscano; from a modern producer. So I called that: IGT Super Tuscan from 2013. Welp…it was the 2010 “Ornato”. One of those reminders to me: if you don’t drink this style of Barolo, it’s hard to call it blind. Anyway, I thought this was a nice wine but didn’t give me the feels that I want and frankly, with such great land like the Ornato MGA in a classic vintage like 2010, I just want more from this. Perhaps I’m being too critical. Perhaps this needs more time? Drink now with patience or drink through 2035…it could probably go longer. — a year ago

Willie Carter

8.9

Special Club goodness. If you know, you know. The bottles, the high quality, and just the immense fun of the Club Trésors de Champagne.

A distinctly golden hue. Bubbles are tiny but sparse. Nice creaminess and zestiness immediately. The aromas take time to fully express themselves. After around thirty minutes, a touch of key lime and marzipan begins to emerge. Unmistakably Pinot Noir, fresh cherries and red apples introduce themselves. The nose remains subtle, yet quite pretty. The floral aromatics are soft and lovely.

Pure Pinot Noir from Ville-sur-Arce in the Côté des Bar, this is from a tiny plot of land that is farmed sustainably. This is still just a baby of a wine and has such a long journey ahead of it. At the moment it’s drinking quite well and the lively acidity holds everything together. No rough edges at all however so this is an exceedingly smooth pour. Citrus fruits abound on the tongue with a bit of flair and sexiness. Biting minerality on the medium long finish. The Special Club does it again with yet another teeeific champagne. — 2 years ago

Jennifer Lieberman

8.9

Sept 2020 $? (~15-20?) at Norman’s. Color: garnet with corona of raisiny brown. Open about 30 min and... fine. Not sweet, good tannins in mouth, no linger. Unremarkable and goes down easily. After bottle open about 90 min, more spice and edge, classic yet not complex (at all) Pinot flavor. Alc %14.5 but does not land as a “strong” wine. No actual negatives but would only buy ‘16 again for $8 or less. High rating b/c so very easy to drink. — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.3

Better than expected, 10 years old, but still fresh, no noticeable oak. Lovely. — a year ago

with Bonnie

Graham

9.1

decent but not amazing. No formal notes. At land sake farm dinner. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

An imposter! If not for my ability to read labels, I would have never placed this in Germany. From the petrol notes that's pervasive in Australian rieslings, to the modern label and stelvin screwcap typical in the land down under, I could have easily called this a Clare Valley off-dry riesling with a little age if blinded. Apple, lime, florals, and petrol on the nose. The sugar acid balance does give it a more "Germanic" feel (Kabinett?), but that's not uncommon in Australia these days (John Hughes' Rieslingfreak No.5 comes to mind). Fruity and generous on the palate, with riper fruits, honeyed notes, and mineral undertones. Enjoyable. An imposter for sure, but a welcomed one. — 2 years ago

Deborah M

9.0

Out to dinner with my parents last night and I was trying to find a wine that would make everyone happy. No it was not going to be the greatest pairing, but my objective was family happiness. I had previously opened a 2016 at home that they enjoyed, so I knew this would be a safe bet. The 2018 is drinking surprisingly well for being so young. While this was a nice bottle, it will be better with a few more years. If 2018 is your only option, I suggest a bit of time in the decanter.

Produttori del Barbaresco’s website offers a good bit of historical information on their wines — A cooperative founded in 1958, now has 51 members and controls more than 100 hectares (250 acres) of premium Nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. They produce a blend harvested from multiple vineyards, but in great years they will produce 9 single vineyard wines. I still need to try one of those single vineyard wines.

Facts: 2016 Produttori del Barbaresco. 100% Nebbiolo. Bottling date was April 2021. 15% ABV, but despite the number it does not come across that high.

Rule #4 Sometimes wine pairing importance comes second. I have to remind myself that not everyone I share a bottle with is as obsessed about wine as I am (i.e. my parents) — they just want to enjoy our time together with a nice glass of wine.
— a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Christmas lunch date at V. Mertz. Popped and poured from a half bottle. No formal notes. From the pour, this was ready to rock and faking the funk on a nasty dunk. Ripe red fruits, garrigue and pasture land. Tasty and paired well with the carbonara and kimchi bucatini. — 2 years ago

J Levenson

9.1

The quality for price is outstanding. In 1936 “Caillou’s owner had no desire to join the governing ranks of anything, let alone a wine appellation. This brazen act excluded the estate from the AOC and essentially carved out a chunk of Châteauneuf-du-Pape‘s border. Today it continues to be an ‘unclassified’ section in what is otherwise some of the most prized vineyard land in the area“-Ian Cauble, master sommelier — 3 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.6

Color of clear ruby mixed with orange color, light. Nose of dried strawberry, aldehyde, spice, prune, complexes and fragrant, also some dates, a bit wet mushroom, and refine acidity note. Taste of refined acidity and subtle sweetness, fermented cabbage, ripe cranberry, dried strawberry, some Unami, hint of zest, almost no tannins, a bit peppery, and a bit flowering note. Taste is refined too. Aftertaste is medium long with savory notes from the taste plus oak. Nice one. — 3 years ago