The Cost Vineyard
Rutini Wines
Trumpeter Mendoza Malbec 2021
3.2 Our Christmas wine at Juan Bautista, Buenos Aires. I could get used to Malbec. Cost around $22. — a year ago
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Shiraz 2003
So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.
We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.
Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.
The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.
This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.
The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.
The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.
Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 3 years ago
Raul Pérez
La Del Vivo Bierzo White Blend 2021
Stunning. Delicious. One of my fav wines of the last 1.5 years. Godello aged under flor that competes with white Burgundy/ Sonoma Coast chards that cost double. Sourced from two tiny plots of 80-100 yr old vines. 80% old foudre, 20% amphora under flor, no malo, no stirring. Sunny bouquet, honeycomb, Asian pear, gun flint, crushed stone, brisk, seamless, cool and classy. $55. — a month ago
Iron Rock Cellars
California Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Can’t believe this cost me $5 — 4 years ago
Scharffenberger
Brut Excellence Mendocino County Sparkling Wine
Excellent! Better than some Champagnes that cost double. — 5 years ago
Niepoort (Vinhos) S.A.
Reserva Redoma Branco White Blend 2021
Didn’t even know Portugal had wine this amazing. Stellar rival to any great burgundy, at a fraction of the cost. — a year ago
Bodega Catena Zapata
Alamos Mendoza Malbec 2017
One of my go-to Malbec wines. This brand never disappoints.  Can’t see through the glass, just like I like it. You can taste the bold smokiness of the grapes and berries. A very smooth sip. I am surprised the cost for this particular wine is as low as it is. — 4 years ago
Gage Orion
Wow, what a rosé. Strawberry and raspberry notes on the tongue to start, tart on the start and smooth to finish. This is an absolutely amazing rosé and for the cost, wow! This will be a new favorite for the rest of the summer, I implore everyone to try this. — 2 days ago