Some Zin

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Sin Zin Zinfandel

Easily one of the best wines I’ve ever experienced. Incredibly deep and complex. Ripe stone fruit, leather, vanilla. Beautiful on the nose and perfect finish. I couldn’t imagine a better wine. — 16 days ago

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Poured into a Boa decanter several hours prior to dinner. The 2022 Zinfandel pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of bright brambles: blackberries and raspberries, cherry (some candied, think Cherry Blow Pop), pipe tobacco, black pepper, dry organic earth and gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with some notes of mocha added to the mix. The finish is long and delightful. Fun to try in its youth however I expect these will show even better after a few years in the cellar. Best after 2027 and through 2042. — a month ago

Tom, Marc and 9 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Just got mine last week! Appreciate the sneak preview!

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

David T
9.6

This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.

Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes.
— a month ago

Shay, Ira and 16 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days and showed very well throughout. The 2012 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some browning towards the rim; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with secondary characteristics just starting to show themselves. Also, the solar nature of 2012 is showing through with loads of truffles and overripe and desiccated red and black fruits: tartufo bianco d’Alba, dried cherry, bruised raspberries, red roses, leather, Fig Newtons, dried herbs, and some dusty and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, drying and savory. I’ve been a vocal fan of the 2012 vintage of Produttori since release and this might be the best showing yet. This is my last 750mL. My remaining bottles are magnums and I’ll look forward to enjoying those over the next 10-15 years. No rush, but this is a fun time to drink these as the truffle character is starting to peak through. — 12 days ago

Juan, Vanessa and 14 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

David T
9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute.
— a month ago

Shay, Paul and 18 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

I am biased for Rioja but this is a very good demonstration of why. Great balance ripe reserved fruit in harmony with some slight puckering length. Better in 10 years. Totally fine now. — 21 days ago

Ed, Shay and 21 others liked this

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Can’t tell if not in a great spot or maybe some slight heat damage—but leaning to the latter. Tasty, but not as good as it should have been — 2 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Benito Dusi Ranch Paso Robles Zinfandel 2021

Excellent classic Zin from ridge! — 2 months ago

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2021

Popped and poured. The 2021 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a deep ruby color with a deep but transparent core; medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black brambles, spiced meat, black pepper, some purple flowers and stony minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This comes across lighter and more Burgundian than the last handful of vintages; almost giving me some 2014 vibes (which is a vintage in the last decade that I adore). It’s really good and shows a bit more elegance that I quite like. Looking forward to tracking this vintage as time goes on. Drink now with some patience and should be cracking through 2041 with ease. — 2 months ago

Ira, Severn and 12 others liked this