Brian Hearty

9.1

Since it is half price sake bottles on Tuesdays at Blue Sushi Sake Grill, we decided to have another! — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Terre di Talamo – Vento Vermentino 2024
Toscana IGT, Maremma – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Crafted from organically grown Vermentino, this white reflects the Tuscan coast’s maritime influence. The IGT classification allows the estate flexibility while still showcasing the grape’s tension and vibrancy from Maremma’s sun-drenched vineyards.

Aromas & Flavors
Enticing notes of white peach, broom flowers, and a saline iodine edge mix with ripe tropical fruit—mango and papaya. It feels Mediterranean to its core, with both floral charm and coastal freshness.

Mouthfeel
Vibrant and tense, marked by crisp acidity and a light, tingling texture that keeps it energetic. The finish is silky and elegant, with a mineral snap that invites another sip.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside grilled shrimp, seafood pasta, or even a tomato-based fish stew. Its brightness also makes it an easy pairing for mozzarella-based salads.

Verdict
A lively Tuscan white that proves Vermentino shines under the IGT umbrella. Clean, crisp, and expressive, it’s both refreshing and distinctive—ideal for warm-weather sipping. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Adriana

9.2

sun baked oregano // pomelo (pith and all) — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Leaner than the El Puntido. This is more classic Tempranillo. Drier & earthier.

Beautiful wine. Ripe, juicy & slightly candied & floral fruits of; mid to dark cherries, black raspberries, black raspberries, dry blue berries. Cherry cola, dry tobacco w/ ash, dry leathery, barrel staves, muddy herb mix, dark, dry spices, steeped, sun tea, mid; clove, nutmeg, vanilla, limestone minerals, crushed limestone/dry rocks, dry flowers that are black, red w/ dry lavender, round, high acidity with a high, dry tannin finish that falls on to the wild, dry, earthy, wildest finish that is balanced for many minutes.

Paired this with/ a dry rub tri-tip and a burgundy marinaded Cardiff Crack tri-tip. Both very different and enjoyable, but liked the dry rub with the Rioja.

Photos of, my visit to the Bodega, old oak vats that are decades old, neutral wood that is still used as of 2015 when I visited & been repaired endlessly, old wood press and tasting room outside their cellar/tasting room. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its character. Pale lemon, aromas of Stone and tropical fruits, with floral and sweet spice notes, from a cooler climate, more hang time on the vine. On the palate flavors of apple, peach & apricot with lemon zest and toasty vanilla notes. Smooth long finish, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit, vanilla oak and mineral character. Sip’s well now. Pair this with some pan sautéed halibut with a Beurre Blanc sauce. — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.2

SyrahTastingDay#4
Always as much pleasure with this solar cuvée, not lacking in silkyness and freshness. Congratulations Alain Graillot for this beautiful cuvée "Crozes in the sun of Morocco"

Toujours autant de plaisir avec cette cuvée solaire, mais ne manquant pas de souplesse et de fraîcheur. Bravo Alain Graillot pour cette belle cuvée « Crozes in the sun of Morocco 🇲🇦 » — 4 years ago

Yann Vin Le Breton

9.3

After few hours of opening, very ripe fruit. Dark cherry, fig, dry prune, dark tea, dry leaves. Mouth is round, rich with subtile dark fruits and a nice acidity. Then it becomes more powerful with structure and nice tannins. On the finish we are back in the sunny south. It feels like the sun on the rocks but the nice acidity balance it. Great wine but needs time to open. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux were my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought this Calon Segur on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect, no bottle neck tannin burn but plenty of velvety sediment.

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart emblem on the label.

Opened it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages. Then, stopped 1/2 way through and poured the bottom half of the bottle from the bottle.

82 is such a grand, classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs of age. I don’t want to say it is a long in tooth as its neighbor, Montrose, but it is close. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

This 82 glides over the palate. There is only beautiful elegance, nothing bites back. The fruits are older (not old or past their prime), ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums but lean plum vs black, dark cherries, crazy, outstanding, hoovering raspberries with notes of blueberries & shades of freshly picked rhubarb. Some black cherry cola, anise to understated black licorice, dark chocolate pudding, caramel, layered, gentle baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, touch of sun tea, old leather, dryish to fresh tobacco w/ash, charcoal, elegant graphite, dry limestone powder, dry river pebbles, black, rich earth w/ dry leaves, magical, dark spices, grey volcanics, dry stems, just a hint of dry herbs, dry top soil, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, red roses, grand acidity with perfect; balance, tension, structure and a grand, gentle finish that goes on & on and eventually lands on an amazing soft buffet of earthiness.

This is a wine that is technically a 94, but w/ evolution & style a 97. Amazing bottle that you don’t want to end.

$500 a bottle today through the app. Somewhere around $10 upon release. — 6 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2020 Clio is a blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Zingla Vineyard, which was planted in 1936 in Jumilla. Aged for 22 months in French and American oak barrels, this garnet wine unfolds in the glass with ripe black fruit and dried fruit notes, layered with herbal and oaky nuances and a prominent vanilla tone. Indulgent and bold, the rich palate features a velvety, overwhelming mouthfeel. This is a ripe, concentrated red born under the Mediterranean sun. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, September 2024)
— 2 years ago

Jess

9.1

Medium-deep ruby color.
Aromas of black cherry compote, vanilla,
Off-dry. Flavors of stewed black cherry, vanilla, espresso, cocoa, cinnamon. Medium-rich, velvety tannins. Rich and flavorful!

Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago

Catherine Leith

9.0

Crisp. Strong notes of stone fruit and grapefruit with a mineral finish. — 3 years ago

Deborah M

9.3

This wine is still giving everything wonderful. No sign of any age. Full body. Complex. Lingering finish. I just love that it’s a $30something bottle that can stand next to much more expensive bottles. — 4 years ago

Brandon T

9.3

Light on its feet, with loads of cherries. Started out a bit dusty, but the fruit began to shine after an hour decant. — 5 years ago

Laura

8.9

So juicy! Smells exactly like a cherry popsicle, the palate is rounded with tons of fruit too without being boring or cloying. Muy yum. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir “Westside Road Neighbors” – Vintage 2023
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An expressive and terroir-driven Pinot Noir from the revered Westside Road corridor of the Russian River Valley, a stretch synonymous with depth, precision, and complexity. This 2023 release from Williams Selyem showcases the hallmark elegance of the estate but with a more structured, site-focused personality.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe cherry, red currant, and plum compote intertwined with notes of black tea, baking spice, and subtle earthy undertones. Hints of cola and dried rose petals emerge as the wine opens, adding nuance to its aromatic range.

Mouthfeel
Texturally denser than the core RRV bottling, with a refined backbone of tannin and a sense of gravitas on the palate. Medium-plus body with impressive balance, equal parts finesse and muscle. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-tinged, reflecting the complexity of its vineyard sources.

Food Pairings
Perfect for roast duck with cherry glaze, wild mushroom tart, or seared salmon with soy-ginger glaze. The structure also pairs beautifully with richer poultry or pork dishes.

Verdict
A Pinot Noir of precision and presence, more grounded and terroir-driven than its softer sibling. “Westside Road Neighbors” is the connoisseur’s pick: powerful yet graceful, and built for cellaring.

Did You Know?
The “Westside Road Neighbors” cuvée blends fruit from several prestigious vineyards located along one of Sonoma’s most famous Pinot corridors, where fog and afternoon sun create the perfect microclimate for depth and elegance.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Pinot stands out for its balance of structure and soul. A wine that feels both intellectual and emotional, it invites reflection while still being effortlessly enjoyable. — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Opus One 2011
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A Bordeaux-style blend from one of Napa’s most iconic estates, co-founded by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The 2011 vintage was a challenging, cool year in Napa, producing wines of lower alcohol, more restraint, and higher acidity compared to the opulent, sun-soaked vintages before and after. Blend typically centers on Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with blackcurrant, cassis, and dried cherry layered with graphite, violets, tobacco leaf, and hints of cedar and espresso. As it evolves in the glass, notes of leather, savory herbs, and cocoa powder emerge.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied compared to more powerful Opus vintages, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Elegant and balanced, showing more finesse and structure than richness. The finish lingers with red and black fruits, spice, and a touch of earth.

Winemaking Notes
Aged in French oak for 18 months. The cooler season resulted in smaller yields, but a style closer to classic Bordeaux restraint rather than plush Napa ripeness.

Food Pairing
Beautiful with herb-crusted lamb, grilled duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses like Comté.

Verdict
A vintage that divided critics due to its lighter profile, but for those who enjoy elegance and classical structure, the 2011 Opus One is a refreshing outlier. Drink now, though it still has a few years of graceful life ahead. Cheers!
— 10 months ago

Scott Soren

9.6

Valdicava is still my fav Brunello producer. Notes of burnt cherry, Tuscan sun Tobacco, and sandalwood. In a real good place. Long finish with silky tannins. Just yesss — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its character. Pale lemon, aromas of Stone and tropical fruits, with floral and sweet spice notes, from a cooler climate, more hang time on the vine. On the palate flavors of apple, peach & apricot with lemon zest and toasty vanilla notes. Smooth long finish, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit, vanilla oak and mineral character. Sip’s well now. Pair this with some pan sautéed white fish with a Beurre Blanc sauce. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

(Disgorged 1/18)- This has always been my favorite Blanc de Noirs and one of the first “ah ha” Selosse wines for me some years ago. The south facing La Côte Faron is particularly “Selossien” and therefore in my mind very singular, with its oxidative complexity, textural richness and generous sun kissed ripe fruit expression. Like all Selosse wines, it’s layered and particularly aromatic for Champagne with intense caramelized red berry fruit, licorice and wildflower honey. The palate shows tremendous volume and intensity with a powerful, full bodied and satiny texture and a long, vibrant, mineral finish. So good. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

One of the beautiful value for money that we like to rediscover. A fairly straight syrah, "natural", the fruit is honoured with the typical notes of the grape variety in a over-vitamin version, Morocco's sun obliges. A slight woody note testifies to the beautiful mastery of winemaking and brings a distinguished touch to the whole. As often with this type of wine, you have to wait 3/5 years of ageing for the alcoholic ardour to act. 2017 just finds its equilbre, and could still win with 2 years of cellar

Un des beaux rapport/prix plaisir qu’on aime redécouvrir. Une syrah assez droite et « nature » le fruit est à l’honneur avec les notes typique du cépage dans une version sur-vitaminée, soleil du Maroc oblige. Une légère note boisée témoigne de la belle maîtrise de vinification et apporte une touche distingué à l’ensemble. Comme souvent avec ce type de vin, il faut attendre 3/5 ans de garde pour que l’ardeur alcooleuse s’assagisse. 2017 trouve juste son equilbre, et pourrait encore gagner avec 2 ans de cave — 5 years ago