Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 2 months ago

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9.2

The 2004 Léoville Las Cases has a noticeable mintiness on the nose that actually complements the red fruit, though it deviates away from what you might call Saint-Julien typicité. After ten minutes, it coheres with ash and black tea aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded texture on the entry. The 2004 shows fine acidity and is lightly spiced with cracked black pepper towards the finish. A little conservative, but it acquits itself well considering the vintage. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Selected off the list at Boiler Room. Giacomo Fenocchio’s holdings in the Bussia MGA reside within the sub zones of Bussia Sottana (of which they enjoy some of the best parcels) and that of Munie. Opened about 30 minutes before service; no decant and no formal notes. The 2014 “Bussia” from G. Fenocchio starts off a little shy, but it gains weight and significant aromatic character with time in the glass. Bright cherries, slightly on the more tart side with tar over roses. The body seems a little demure early on but it eventually fleshes out and becomes almost chewy! The structure I want and expect from Barolo is there too with lovely acid and stiff tannins. The finish is long and savory. Last sip was the best. This was quite a lovely example of 2014 and a fine accompaniment to bone-in pork chops and Morgan Ranch beef cheeks. Drink now with some patience and over the next ten or so years. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2015 “Caravina”pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe, dark fruits: cassis, blackberries, tobacco, poblano pepper, a mix of red and purple flowers and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+.

At ten years young, the 2015 is showing brilliantly; squarely in its prime. Drink now through 2035. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days and consistent throughout. The 2008 Cuvèe Syrah pours a deep, hazy ruby/purple color with a near translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe black and red fruits: mixed brambles, garrigue, lavender, black pepper, salmiakki, olive brine, spiced and cured meat, and dry stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for ten minutes (no cap); savory and spicy. This is my second time getting to enjoy this truly special wine and both experiences were consistent. Drink now with a 30min decant and enjoy through 2033. — a year ago

David Shaw

9.1

Purple red, medium pigment extraction. Fresh grape flavors initially, like eating table grapes. After ten minutes, red fruit aromas and black currant and cherry flavors, well balanced, slightly bitter seed tannins on finish. Clean, medium bodied red wine, fresh and fruity. — 2 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

I was a little concerned upon uncorking - tight and some new oak. Woke right up in the glass after ten minutes or so. Lithe wild cherry, forest floor, drinks the same on a medium frame, plentiful acidity with soft clingy tannins at the end. #chianticlassicoriserva — a year ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.5

Nice minerals, citrus, opens up over five-ten minutes in the glass, bubbles are not overpowering. — a year ago

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9.1

The 2020 Meursault Les Charmes 1er Cru has a reductive bouquet that initially obscures some of the terroir expression. That reduction seems to bed in when I return to the glass after ten minutes. The palate is rich and viscous at the entry, and the acidity thankfully maintains tension. The finish feels pure but a bit predictable. Potentially, a lovely mouthful of Meursault, depending on how that reduction pans out, yet intuition is that it doesn't have the class of the best wines in the appellation. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2024)
— 2 years ago

Veronica S

9.5

Incredible. Deep ruby with a little light on the edge to show its age. Cassis, black currant and blackberry, hint of smoke, cigar, slate and earth. Gripping tannins at first. Aerate for five minutes to smooth it out. Medium body and finish. Big but easy to drink. This can go for another ten years. Oh man. What an amazing treat. Thanks David. — 2 years ago

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