Small Yet Mighty
Pascal Bellier
Cheverny Red Blend 2022
For those who seek a compromise between the sophisticated red Burgundy and yet approachable red Beaujolais, red Cheverny from the Middle Loire is the key. Still, highly undiscovered and accessible, this lower alcohol quality quaff is enjoyed best when chilled lightly. It's a blend of mostly Pinot Noir and some Gamey (small amounts of Côt, or Malbec, may be present).
On the eye, it is exactly what you’d expect: pale ruby. The nose is lightly aromatic with red cherries and wild strawberries with underlying notes of forest floor and violets, and it exudes minerality. On the palate it is light bodied with high vibrant acidity; medium alcohol; red fruit flavours are present and complemented by soft herbal notes. The tannins are firm and provide structure. The finish is clean with a tart savoryness.
Maybe it is the fact that I’m about to finish reading, Adventures on the Wine Route by Kirmet Lynch, but I have really found a new appreciation for lower alochol lighter bodied unassuming red wines. Cheers. — a year ago
Henri Goutorbe
Special Club Grand Cru Brut Champagne Blend 2008
#AgedWineTuesday
Light yellow in color with a golden hue.
Strong nose of yeast, spices, apples, citrus, bread, minerals and white pepper.
Medium plus in body, with small bubbles and medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with citrus, apples, yeast, bread, lemons, earth, minerals and spices.
Medium on the finish with limes and almonds.
This is a nicely aged 14 year old Champagne. Showing great complexity at this point.
Tasty and interesting. Rich, yet elegant. Loved the mouthfeel and the well integrated bubbles.
Nicely balanced right now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.
Good by itself or with food, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.
I paired it with a delicious grilled Octopus.
A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. disgorged October 2020.
12% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$90. — 4 years ago
William Cole Vineyards
Cuvée Claire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Nose of red fruits with wild flowers, tobacco, eucalyptus, light earth, licorice, light oak, spices and herbs.
Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with red cherries, currants, plums, licorice, light oak, spices, chocolates, red candy, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs and light black tea.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is still very young and needs some bottle time to mature properly, but already drinking beautifully.
Rich, yet elegant. Fruit forward, Nicely balanced and easy drinking. Spicy and entertaining.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 94 point wine.
Showing lots of red fruits, especially on the nose, which surprised me a bit. A different style of Napa Cabernet, and very unique.
Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up. Complex and engaging.
A good sipping wine that will pair nicely with food too.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 30 months in (80% new) French Oak barrels. A small production of 7,200 bottles.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$230. — a month ago
Montevertine
Pian del Ciampolo Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2018
Let my heart count the ways: a super Tuscan yet subtle & pretty, & such personality with violets & candied fruit peel on nose. Juicy explosion on palate with layers of spice & sweet small red berries. Hint of gamey ness too. Great juice, don’t let it’s small frame fool you. Mostly Sangioveta(Sangiovese) with Canaiolo & Colorino. Paired with an actual Mets win (which may have distorted my notes)… — 2 years ago
Marcel Lapierre
Morgon Gamay 2019
Goodness this is SO MUCH better than the no-sulphur version. The fruit is pure and shines through, it’s fresh, small red and black berries, bramble fruit, a fizzy quality to it, a touch of aperol orange peel, velvet-smooth yet fresh palate. Fantastic expression of pure Morgon fruit not hidden by overt funk — 4 years ago
Viuva José Gomes da Silva & Filhos
Collares Ramisco 2011
How can I count the ways: so fresh, so alive, that this 100% Ramisco is really in its infancy, yet delicious drunk now. Everything is small boned & small grained about it. Like just picked wild raspberries & blackberries, with some leaves & stems not sorted out. So high toned yet a deeper, incessant, sour plum like baseline. — 4 years ago
Patent Wines
Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Patent Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oak Knoll District, one of Napa Valley’s cooler AVAs. This sub-AVA is often called the “sweet spot” for Cabernet because of its moderate climate, producing wines that balance ripe fruit with elegance and freshness. Patent Wines focuses on small-lot production, emphasizing purity of varietal character and terroir-driven expression.
Aromas & Flavors
The nose bursts with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark cherry, layered with cocoa, cedar, and graphite. Subtle hints of violet, dried sage, and vanilla spice add complexity. On the palate, the wine delivers lush cassis, plum, and black cherry, framed by espresso and tobacco accents.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and lively acidity. The structure is firm yet refined, leading into a long, balanced finish of dark fruit, oak spice, and a whisper of minerality.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit from carefully chosen Oak Knoll vineyard blocks. Aged in French oak barrels (with a balanced mix of new and neutral) for 18–20 months to refine texture and integrate flavors while preserving vibrancy.
Food Pairing
A natural partner for grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, or braised short ribs. For a simpler pairing, aged cheddar or mushroom risotto work beautifully.
Verdict
A thoughtful Napa Cabernet that combines ripeness with restraint — Oak Knoll’s signature style. The 2022 vintage drinks well now after a decant but shows the structure to develop gracefully over the next decade. Cheers! — 3 months ago
C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)
Imperial Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015
Primarily Tempranillo with small amounts of Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo blended in. Beautiful deep garnet color. Really complex aromas of bramble berries, dried rose petals, menthol and Forrest Floor. Berry fruit on the pallet with hints of black licorice, leather, tobacco, orange peel and minerals. Touch of burnt brown sugar on the finish. Smooth tannins and a silky/creamy texture. Excellent balance. Muscular yet delicate at the same time. Classic Rioja. — 3 years ago
Château La Fleur-Pétrus
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2019
The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus is pure and total seduction. Trotanoy and perhaps also Hosanna have traditionally been viewed as more exclusive Pomerols in the Moueix portfolio. The more time passes, the less I share that view. Sure, La Fleur-Pétrus does not have the mystique associated from a small single vineyard - as many Pomerols do - and yet there is no denying the elegance and class here. Bright red fleshed fruit, blood orange and exotic spice race across the palate, framed by silky, plush tannins that wrap it all together. La Fleur-Pétrus is fabulous. That's all there is to it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago
"Odedi"
Inky in color with short purple rim.
Strong nose of black currants, plums, oak, tar, licorice, spices, charcoal and light blood notes.
Full-bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, dark chocolates, oak, spices, licorice, tobacco and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Syrah from Red Mountain in Washington State. Rich and extracted, yet not in your face kind of wine.
This Single Vineyard Syrah is well balanced with nice complexity. Fruit forward and spicy.
I had the 2022 not too long ago, and it definitely gets better with age. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.
Good by itself as a sipping wine. A New world Syrah on the nose and palate.
100% Syrah grapes were aged for 18 months in 50% new oak barrels. 80% french and 20% American oak barrels. A small production of only 3,000 bottles. Unfiltered.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$40. — a day ago