Old World Spirits

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1998

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — a month ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2020

A lovely melding of Old World finesse and New World exuberance. Green apple, pear, white peach, ripe lemon oil, flint, acacia, and the barest hint of toasted brioche. Mouth watering acidity but not at the expense of texture. Long, beautifully ripe finish. Stunning. — 2 years ago

Ira, Tom and 4 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008

Always strong! Old world nose, robust fruit and balanced acid. — 3 years ago

Shay, Deborah and 3 others liked this

Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2006

We had the 2006 Vintage on 7/27-28/24. A nice Old World, medium to full bodied wine with a long finish. Scents and a palate of blackberry, black cherry, plum, graphite and camphor. The tannins were fine and smoothed out with aeration. A very good wine. — 2 months ago

Old World Winery

L'aureate Sonoma County Chardonnay

Solid white. Not funky. 2022. — 9 months ago

EnRoute Winery

Les Pommiers Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2019

Paul J
9.3

PnP’d. Lovely Pinot for someone who isn’t a huge Pinot fan. Earthy with varied fruit and lots of complexity. Medium plus depth. Old World style. Good cigar wine. — 2 years ago

Milissa, Steven and 10 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Brilliant!
Napa fruit nose with old world style:)
Many years of life left,
Drinking beautifully now.
— 3 years ago

Tom liked this

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2021

Enderle & Moll Pinot Noir
Liaison 2021
Baden, Germany
12.5% ABV

German Pinot is supposed to be the next big thing, the best Pinot Noirs outside the Cote D'Or. And Enderle and Moll is reputedly its top producer , with a cult-like following in the German-speaking world. They make 3 versions, somewhat comparable to regional level , village level and grand cru, their top wine being the Buntsandstein. The Liaison is their mid-level offering from old vines up to 50 years old grown on limestone and sandstone soils. Needless to say , I've been dying to try one and see if it lives up to the hype.

On Day One , pop and pour. Very light, translucent ruby. Pretty red fruit and fresh mushroom aromas lead to a light yet intense entry on the palate with bracing , mouthwatering acidity dominating the wine at this stage. Showing more '21 Germany than Pinot character at this stage, so corked and revisited the next day.

On Day Two, this has completely transformed . The first thing noticed is that the color has become darker and deeper, and now looks like classic young burgundy. Aromas are also much more developed , with scents of Indian spices underneath the cherries , raspberries and forest floor. The tiniest hint of wood adds breadth and depth to a bouquet of classic pinosity, but with a character all its own.

On entry, this shows typical flavors of red fruit (currants , marasca cherries , cranberries ), brown spices , and sous bois in a light -bodied but incredibly intense package , with bracing acidity unlike any Pinot Noir I've ever tasted. Despite all the mid-palate energy , this has only moderate length and intensity on the finish. There's a bit of barely noticeable tannin. Built for medium term aging , it will be interesting to see if it remains balanced as it develops. Regardless , the acidity helped make it exceptionally good at the table , here paired with an herb and teriyaki roasted Salmon.

The Liaison can be found for around $30 here in the States , making it an excellent value, though California Pinot lovers might find the level of acidity shocking . While it's not going to make me think about pouring my Wilamette Valley Pinots down the drain , this is really good for the level, and really food friendly. A Pinot for Italian Wine lovers .
— 9 months ago

Pinotman liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I am drinking E&M all levels since their second vintage in 2009. They have never disappointed. However they are not for the faint of heart. And some need a lot of age - very nice review !

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Alicante Monastrell

True old vine depth in both texture and flavour. A nice departure from Tempranillo or garnacha while retaining all the bold characteristics of Spanish old world reds. — 2 years ago

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Saint-Joseph Syrah 2017

For an old world Syrah, this is showing significant fruit: cranberry, black currant, and blackberry. Background aromas, however, shine through with smoked minerals, black pepper, leather, and vanilla.
I love the juicy, lengthy, peppery finish on this wine.
— 3 years ago

Peter, Josh and 10 others liked this