Paul Hobbs

Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022

9.3

Bright lemon color with aromas of tropical, stone and citrus fruits with flinty notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach and lemon citrus wrapped in smooth spicy oak tones and honey notes. Long finish, lively acidity, ending with fruit, notes of flinty mineral and savory citrus character. Nice!
# — 18 days ago

Paul, Juan and 2 others liked this

Frank Family Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Fancy bottle. This was a gift from my friend given for me to try as a long aged wine she loved. Still has a dark color 11 years on. Aromas are perfumed and musky. Has a bit of berry. Bit of fancy soap or shampoo. Wet stone. Flavors are full and ripe. Juicy couture. Plenty of flinty and soil to go with the deep caisis and olive. This is balanced yet big. A Napa gem for sure. Lovely Cab. — 10 days ago

Dave liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1990

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Acker birthday auction. Delicious — a month ago

Bob, Scott@Mister and 2 others liked this

Bob McDonald

@Joe DAscoli Vintage? Thanks.

Domaine Paul Autard

Cuvée La Côte Ronde Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2005

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some rim variation along with signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red brambles, red and purple flowers, maybe some rotundone, leather, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the ABV is medium+ to high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a GSM blend, a Bordeaux blend, or a Tempranillo (and blends) from France, the United States or Spain. Despite the powerful fruit, I felt that the wine leaned more towards its structure and non-fruits so I wanted this to be in the geography formerly known as the Old World. I also felt the generosity of the fruit and elevated ABV was pushing me towards a Southern Rhône GSM. Furthermore, I thought this saw a generous use of new oak. Final conclusion: this is a GSM blend from France, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from a modern producer, 2007. Close!! This is another really great showing of “Cuvée La Côte Ronde”. Drink now through 2035. — 14 days ago

Tom, Sagee and 4 others liked this