Taken Wine Company
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1994
Taken to Merrimans in Waimea on the Big Island. Darkish tawny, not quite opaque. Notes of black cherry, tobacco leaf, cedar, plums, cigar box and some spice. Super silky. Paired perfectly with my ribeye. The waiter said it best, “Oooh… Yummy!” — 3 months ago
Taken Wine Company
Napa Valley Red Blend 2017
Enjoyable excellent blend — 7 months ago
Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2004
Taken to our friend’s place on the Big Island for a great dinner. This was young, bright and tight with ample acidity. Still a baby. — 3 months ago
Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 1998
Taken to the Forest Theater in Carmel. Great nose with notes of red and black fruit, Herbs de Provence, wispy brush and some dry earth. Nice mouth feel and texture. I haven’t been a big fan of this vintage but this was very nice. — 7 months ago
Taken Wine Company
Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019
Clean crisp, tropical smooth finish. 2019 vintage on 9/28/2021 — a year ago
Taken From Granite
North Yuba Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Opened but not decanted. Initially nose was a bit disjointed and flavors were reserved. About two hours in, nose improved and primary Cabernet flavors emerged somewhat. Overall, tannins resolved with more secondary flavor profile. Smooth. No signs of fading but no reason to wait either.
12/22 — 3 months ago
Domaine Leflaive
Les Pucelles Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 1996
Decanted for a few hours and taken to Kochi in Hells Kitchen. Light straw color. Vibrant and viscous in the glass. Old Leflaive petrol and reductive nose. Notes of citrus fruit, lemon crème, wet stones, petrol, tan spice, hazelnut and white flowers. Good balance of rich fruit with still strong acidity. Long finish. Bottles this fresh easily have a decade or more of pleasure in front of them. At peak but still has plenty to give. — 4 months ago
Cigar City Brewing
Jai Alai India Pale Ale
One of the finest ipa’s available. Smelling it, you might think Seville Oranges, but this is no marmalade. It’s resinous, bitter, but not over the top. You always want more.
Paired with spicy coconut shrimp, ya!
Numerical ratings for beer vs. wine should be taken with a….. — a year ago
Mike Saviage
Taken to The Pocket in Carmel. Nice dark murky tawny color, opaque. Black fruit nose including notes of blackberries and blueberries, gravel stone, mocha, some menthol and some wood. Tannins are resolved, leaving silky fruit. In a good drinking window. — a month ago