Quite light garnet wide terracotta , garnet rim. Quite a lot of dry spice , nutmeg , star anis , red cherry, raspberry , red currant , earthy hints . After a while a bit more leafy , smoky on the nose. On the palate this is quite light and direct in style , raspberry , red cherry and those earthy , granite touches . This has fresh acidity and fine , light tannins . Reasonable earthy , spiced finish . Certainly ready and on this showing will probably last ok another 5 or so years. Not the most complex , overall I found it a little pedestrian, but still showing ok , but no need to wait any longer , I don’t see this improving . — 8 months ago
Ripe and round...nice inky dark color and chewy texture. No discernible tannin or alcohol (though listed at 16.3)... the wine is nicely resolved at 10 years. Black fruit, pencil lead, and spice notes. A well grown and produced example of California Zinfandel at ten years. Another example that Zinfandel can age gracefully. — 5 years ago
Drinking 15 vintage. Love the 13 vintage better but the nose on this wine is more robust and more cherry. Very smooth and little to no finish. Delicious! — 7 years ago
Eataly January wine club. Very nice. What I wish the all too available Pinot Grigio would taste like. — 7 years ago
Greywacke is Kevin Judd's present label, after serving as winemaker at Cloudy Bay and propelling the winery to global acclaim. The name Greywacke refers to a type of river stones found throughout New Zealand. At Greywacke, Judd proves to still be a master of Sauvignon Blanc, and his "Wild Sauvignon" is no excpetion. This is the apex of what oak-fermented New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can be - one doesn’t lose the untethered audacity of its varietal character. Tactile and lengthy, it tastes of sesame seeds, grapefruit, thyme, parsley, green apple skin, and sea salt. Palate coating, but still feral and daring. — 8 years ago
This is one of the values you buy in futures in excellent vintages (2005 is) and hold it until now & the next 5 yrs for its best. Yet, will drink another 5 yrs. 2005 I believe is the best Bordeaux fruit in nearly three decades I’ve noted.
Also, this one is not to be confused with the same name Chateau that is Pomerol. Think this was around $20 on release.
If you note the Right Bank map I posted, you’ll see the region of Cotes de Castillon is an outlier region just east of St. Emilion. While a lesser region than SE, it still makes some nice wines like this one.
This bottle has been well stored for nearly 20 yrs. Cork like new with next to no wine stain on its side. One of the prettier 91’s I’ve had in memory.
The color is still deep opaque with a lighter glass edge. No brickish tones.
The nose shows ruby, floral, candied; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries & raspberry hues,, dark tarriness, black licorice, mid berry cola, steeped tea, coffee, some lead pencil, dry tobacco, dry river stone, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light caramel with understated/layered baking spices & soft dark spices, red, dark florals framed in liquid violets.
The tannins are medium, well rounded, plush & velvety. Palate shows a more pronounced ruby quality, floral to just candied; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, poached strawberries & raspberry hues, dark tarriness, black licorice, mid berry cola, steeped tea, dry crushed limestone, moist herbs w/ a sage lead, coffee, some lead pencil, dry tobacco, dry river stone, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, charcoal w/ ash, warm, dark chocolate sliding into milk chocolate, light caramel with understated/layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin & soft dark spices, red, dark florals framed in brilliant, liquid violets, perfect acidity, balance for days, softly knitted, mid tension, very good length with an elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on gentle, mid spices and beautiful earthiness.
It is an elegant beauty. It’s a gentle, even palate tug of war with the wine & Wagyu Ribcap. 91-92 with the Ribcap. More 92 w/ the steak. — 3 months ago
Balletto Pinot showdown no. 1
Best in the mouth.
Light ruby-garnet. Visually appears to have age beyond it's 4 years to me.
Not a great nose- overripe fruit, some blue notes, oaky spice- maybe has seen new American oak?
Mouth: wow, great full++ mouth feel, a really nice roundness here, unexpected.
This wine is ready to drink right now! — 4 years ago
Clear taste. Balanced with acidity, fruitiness, citrus but not too much. Herby 2017 @1170(1800), Eva - No, 200314-200317 — 6 years ago
No. 3 in the Chambolle Musigny, Vougeot, and Flagey Echezeaux Grand Cru bracket. Tasted blind. Complete, well balanced, indulgent. Some peppery notes....Clos de Vougeot? Minerally, not much ripe fruit here, Hoisin. Those were my off the cuff notes at the time. I have always struggled with the fact that ALL of Clos Vougeot is classified as Grand Cru. If you have ever visited you will know that the plots on the lower flat near the highway are not of GC standard whereas the upper plots near the Chateau over the road from Musigny have no trouble reaching Grand Cru standard. — 6 years ago
Back in the US so here is my last review from my trip to 🇫🇷. Found on the side of the road at an unassuming low key Chateaux/tasting room close to Saint Emilion no reservations needed - the wines were pretty good - I liked them all but the basic 2014 Cantenac was really well done. 13.5% a ton of acid which already precipitated out. An enjoyable classic Bordeaux. Mostly dark berry flavors well done. — 8 years ago
Vintage 2010 - there are multiple reasons why I love #bourgueil let me explain. When I just discovered wine as a real passion - at the age of 18 - I adored the raspberry smell no other wine offered so generous. I like the name: Bourgueil is by far the most beautiful AOC name. My wife and I fell in love with the great dishes of Madame Debacker and the #Loire region on our honeymoon. This #cabernetfranc is deep black in the glass. It has character. Even at this age the wine shows a bit harshness, and an austerity that is found in Bordeaux often. But the raspberry and cherry smell reminds me of Cru de Beaujolais. It has also flint and mineral expression in smell, hints of leather, tobacco, clove. On the tongue it has a velvety structure. Bourgueil can be complex and frivolous at the same time. / Partnered it with Bavette from bbq and cauliflower mousse. — 8 years ago
Good fruit with very nice spice from the barrel. No malolactic notes which adds to the overall positive impression. — 7 months ago
2014 vintage. New release...no really! Held back for a decade until "ready." Medium-heavy body and Cabs don't get much darker in color than this. Tasted more like Spring Mountain or Mount Veeder to me tho as it was missing that Howell Mountain uppercut on the finish. Very nice and the price wasn't as ridiculous as you would expect for a decade-aged, HM Cab project. Producer to keep an eye on for down the road efforts. Heart is in the right place. 8.28.24.
— 2 years ago

Absolutely stunning. Quite the contrast to the Colombiere, as this is much more serious and structured and the Aux Cras terroir shines through. New oak is more prevalent, of course, but it’s so integrated already and doesn’t get in the way. The nose is incredibly intense and aromas of dark fruit, sweet spice and a wet rock minerality waft from the glass. While this wine is let’s say, more masculine and less sexy than the Colombiere, there is still a seductive Vosne-like perfume that’s so undeniably CLB and lures you in. The palate is powerful and is full of energy, while at the same time remaining focused and seamlessly delineated. To no surprise length is superior to the Colombiere. Totally irresistible now, but boy this will be a knockout down the road. — 5 years ago
Made from the other White Burgundy grape, Aligote. Made by probably the most famous name in Burgundy, Aubert de Villaine and his American born wife, Pamela. Aubert is the wine director and proprietor of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti. This is his own personal project. The wine itself:- Mid lemon in colour. Herbs, citrus and a touch of aniseed on the nose. The palate is very citric and mineral with a noticeable saline note. More palate weight than it had a few years ago. Medium minus Acid. Drinking well now and no need to cellar any further. Great winemaking at an affordable price. — 6 years ago
John bought - smooth - cherry and hint of vanilla flavors come through. I taste no oaky flavor- John really likes this. — 7 years ago
KA
Kiki on the River Miami — 7 days ago