Passing Clouds
Schramsberg Vineyards
Methode Traditionnelle Brut Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir 2020
Jack and Jamie Davies revived the historic vineyards and cellars in 1965, with a goal to produce world-class sparkling wines, passing torch to their son Hugh. A blend of mostly Pinot Noir and <20% Chardonnay (blend varies each year) with stone and berry fruit aromas and earthy spice. On the palate the light mousse shows raspberry, peach and mango flavors with nutty biscuit and slight baking spice notes. Long finish, lively acidity ending with citrus and yeasty tones. — 4 months ago
Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2013
Decanted for around an hour, the recently released 2013 Grand Vin from Chateau Musar is an enormous wine at present in its youth. Gradually, it opened into a gorgeous, exotic and utterly unique product of this unlikely corner of the wine world. There’s plenty of Bordeaux-like character in the form of dark fruit and cigar box, but there are notes too of cranberry, liquorice, clove, mandarin and five spice. The mouthfeel, as a whole, has a quasi Brunello quality to it, with its bright cherry fruit and mouthwatering acidity. But woe is anyone to compare this wine to any other, for it is incomparable. One of Serge Hochar’s last vintages before his passing in 2014, and one that will doubtless have a long life. — 4 years ago
Clouds Rest
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014
Still good, but past its peak. Tannins are still strong but fruit is starting to fade. Drink now. — 3 months ago
Rihaku Sake Brewery
Dreamy Clouds Nigori Sake
Sushi Sunday !!! — 7 months ago
Passing Clouds
Estate Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir 2019
Full bodied. Fantastic Pinot — 4 years ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
2014 vintage. Last tasted 04.20.22 (9.5). Still tight but behind all the subterfuge, clouds, white lies, deception and smoke, there is a fantastic show slowly being assembled. All the performers are there and you've watched plenty of the rehearsals. Another 8-10 years will likely find this in the 9.6 and maybe 9.7 zone when the curtain finally rises. Built for future speed. If you've got the time and ca$hi$h, put a case aside and start tapping in 2035. This goes places wine doesn't have a right to. It's not asking for permission. 01.30.25. — 17 days ago
Hole In The Clouds
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2022 laithwaites — 6 months ago
Mas de Boislauzon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2019
McCarthy & Schiering, $50
Bittersweet occasion and went way above my budget to celebrate my birthday and also mourn Grandma Julie's passing. She loved CdP so thought I'd splurge on one. I've only had a couple but have loved every one I tried. This was a bit different, I'm used to bright fruit forward but this was very muted cooked dark fruit with a lot of emphasis on the baking spice and earthy tobacco notes. Incredibly complex - licorice, coffee, clove, tobacco with an underlying subtle dried/cooked dark fruit. Crazy smooth, but I'm comparing it to sub $20 wines that I'm used to, and you can barely tell that it's 15% alc. Nice tannins but I think it would benefit from a touch more acidity. I'm being picky since I paid so much for it but in summary it's one of the best made wines I've ever had, but not among my favorites. But it's still a great experience and I don't regret the purchase — 3 years ago
Chris MacLean
Seemingly better with each passing vintage — 14 days ago