Proverbial
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Indian Wells Contemporary Winemaking Series Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Terrific wine for the price. The real bonus was I bought it blind without knowing anything about it because it was BOGO that was icing on the proverbial cake. — 3 years ago
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986
From the excellent 1986 vintage. Still dense in colour - a deep Ruby. Cedar cigar box dusty some tobacco, mint, a touch of menthol and remnants of black currant. Medium weight with inner strength. The proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. In total balance finishing with soft pliant tannins. Always with these old wines there is the trade off between losing the exuberance of youthful fruit versus the complexity and softening tannins brought by extended cellaring and hoping you pop it at the best time. I have one of these wines left which I hope to share with my son, Hugh (born 1987) and his girlfriend if they can get home from New York for Christmas this year. — 5 years ago
Domaine Masse Pere & Fils
Vieilles Vignes Côte Chalonnaise Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2023
2023 vintage. Light-medium body with a consistent palate presence. No über-demonstrative characteristics but no gaping holes either. Pleasant, pretty and unafraid to converse throughout. At $15.10 resto cost a bottle, beyond decent value with most red Bourgogne efforts running me $35-$50 these days. Picked up two cases. The proverbial cheap chicken and the nice price. 03.28.25. — 2 months ago
Weingut Roterfaden
Pinot Noir
this is the proverbial mineral-horse-pulling-the-rose-carriage: drama unfolds, you know the story but it still entertains - 30 min in and the water drops, the flint arises, gets loftier, and the mouthfeel starts to make sense. prettier, too, in ten minute increments. a nice one act play. — 2 years ago
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
A rich crimson in colour with a little bricking developing - a tawny rim. Aromas of cassis, plum and dark chocolate on the nose. Smooth and silky with black currant - totally balanced with resolved tannins. The proverbial iron fist in the velvet glove - great density. See previous notes - I’ve never seen this for sale in Australia. Bought this from Vinfolio in San Francisco and was immediately impressed. A world class new world Cabernet - just gorgeous. 100 points from Robert Parker and also Jeb Dunnuck - tempted to do the same - I settled on 99. The best wine I’ve had this year. — 4 years ago
Hamlet Vineyards
Virginia Merlot Petit Verdot 2016
The proverbial “5 Wood” to play when you need steady and precise. Wonderful 2 varietal waltz of fluid precision and Elegance. Not hyper-charged in tannin or acid, this super plush and refined winner was a perfect match for lamb sausage. Well grown Virginia Hamlet!! — 5 years ago
Matt
Ah, the Main Divide 2023 North Canterbury Riesling! A delightful creation from the windswept expanses of New Zealand's North Canterbury, where the vineyard dances with the cool embrace of the Pacific.
This Riesling unfolds a bouquet of zesty lime, fragrant jasmine, and a tantalizing hint of honey, with a crisp acidity that pirouettes playfully on the palate. The lingering finish evokes whispers of green apple and a soft mineral backbone—delightful indeed!
The illustrious producer, Main Divide, is borne from the legendary Waipara Valley Wine Company, founded by the celebrated winemaker, respected in the industry for their refined strokes of genius.
Now, diving into the delightful world of Riesling—a varietal known for its versatility, thriving in cooler climates, and likened to the proverbial chameleon of the wine world.
Pair with spicy Thai cuisine or a fragrant duck à l'orange; the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness while enhancing the aromatic spices.
Notably, rated a delightful 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, this Riesling is, by all accounts, the life of the party—much like a well-timed punchline! — a month ago