Brian Hearty

9.1

Since it is half price sake bottles on Tuesdays at Blue Sushi Sake Grill, we decided to have another! — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Terre di Talamo Vento Vermentino Maremma Toscana 2023
Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
An expressive Tuscan white made from 100% Vermentino, grown on the sun-drenched hillsides of Maremma overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. This IGT wine is crafted from organically farmed vineyards, bringing a layered and vibrant expression of the Mediterranean coast.

Aromas & Flavors
On the nose, inviting notes of yellow stone fruits, sliced mango, and citrus peel, supported by a mineral backbone. The palate leans toward ripe pear and juicy melon, lifted by crisp acidity and a clean, dry finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, fresh, and structured, with a balance of fruit richness and refreshing salinity. A wine that feels both coastal and elegant, with a lingering, slightly juicy character.

Winemaking Notes
Produced with 100% organic grapes. Stainless steel fermentation preserves freshness and highlights Vermentino’s natural aromatic intensity.

Food Pairing
A perfect match for grilled seafood, shellfish pastas, caprese salads, and roasted vegetables. Its freshness also makes it a great aperitivo wine.

Verdict
A crowd-pleasing Tuscan Vermentino with a Mediterranean soul—ripe, mineral, and refreshing. Proof that Maremma’s whites can rival the region’s famous reds.
— a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Amazing w/ the Allen Brothers A-5 wagyu.

This is another Bordeaux producer that makes wines for the ages. I’ve waited & waited on 2000, this shows some readiness. Yet, will go another 20 plus years.

Tonight this is well balanced earth & candied fruit. In 10 years, this is candied fruit & florals.

Still medium plus tannins. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with ample skin, juicy dark cherries, poached strawberries, raspberries, dry limestone grains with powder, dark, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herbaceousiness-bay leaf, mint, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon, hints of vanillin, mid berry cola, sandalwood to cedar shavings, used leather, pipe tobacco, anise, some mocha, sun tea, dark, red, purple flowers with a touch of blue, excellent acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced, nicely tensioned with a ripe, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Calon Segur, tasting room, barrel cellar and estate vineyard. — 3 years ago

Catherine Leith

9.0

Crisp. Strong notes of stone fruit and grapefruit with a mineral finish. — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

Impressed with this effort from a challenging vintage. — 5 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. — 6 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. — a year 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

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

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. — 5 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 — 6 years 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!
— a year ago

Adriana

9.2

sun baked oregano // pomelo (pith and all) — 2 years 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 — 3 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

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 🇲🇦 » — 5 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. — 6 years ago