The Pass

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 2013

2013 vintage. Both excellent fill and cork. Decanted with infinitesimal sed. Slightly silvery color. Tasted after 1.5 and 2.5 hours open. Medium body. Nose slightly reticent during both tastes. Black tea and eucalyptus prominent first go round with both those still present but minimized second pass. Sprinkle in some cracked black pepper and white sage for round two and we have a winner. Finish lasted over a minute and the concentration was as expected given the decent street cred. No rush to crush but open waay early/decant this if enjoying in the next handful of years. 10.24.24. — 11 days ago

Ira, Bob and 24 others liked this

Le Clos du Caillou / Domaine du Caillou

Nature Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2021

Bright light purple dress. Pure explosive nose on fruits (red and black) and flowers, typical of carbonic maceration. In mouth the first is light, airy, confirming the nose; carried by a beautiful necessary freshness balancing the little terroir extraction. A modern, "natural" wine, on the fruits at first fond that does not prevent a certain complexity from expressing itself on a peppery and mineral finish. A very beautiful juice to drink from the aperitif, which blindly could pass for a rosé.

Robe légère violine éclatante. Nez pure explosifs sur les fruits (rouge et noirs) et fleurs, typique des vins en macération carbonique. En bouche l’abord est léger, aérien, confirmant le nez; porté par une belle fraîcheur nécessaire équilibrant le peu de terroir extrait. Un vin moderne, “nature”, sur les fruits á l’abord friand n’empêchant pas une certaine complexité de s’exprimer sur une finale poivrée et minérale. Un très beau jus à boire des l’apéro, qui à l’aveugle c’est pourrait passer pour un rosé.
— 2 years ago

Daniel, Sharon and 14 others liked this

Château de la Commanderie

Lalande-de-Pomerol Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Decanted for about 1.5 hrs.
Colour: very dark ruby red with only a little light able to pass through
Smell: black fruits, chocolate, coffee, plums, cherries
Taste: slightly tannic,l with some fruits coming through. A lot of cacao in the back around and some cedar. Very smooth and long aftertaste in the mouth.
— 4 years ago

Cairong liked this

Bell Hill Vineyards

Old Weka Pass Road Pinot Noir 2016

See several previous Delectable notes on this wine and vintage. A pale crimson colour with tawny garnet shades. Aromatics of red fruits (strawberry) and Sous Bois on the nose. It may be pale in colour but carries a Medium plus palate intensity of good length. A very good 2nd wine from Bell Hill from the Canterbury district (just to the north of Christchurch) which deserves more recognition as a source of high quality Pinot Noir. Also referred to as the Waipara District. — 2 months ago

Ming, Tom and 16 others liked this

Henschke

Tappa Pass Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2021

The quality of these many and varied Henschke cuvées never ceases to amaze. Just brief notes - not as much spice as Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace. This is from the Barossa and provides a point of difference to their big guns in the Eden Valley. A more full bodied palate showing black and blue fruits and liquorice - not so much the sage and black pepper that shows on their Eden Valley reds. — 5 months ago

Ira, Byron and 15 others liked this

El Coto de Rioja

Crianza Rioja Tempranillo 2019

I tasted this vintage a year ago, and not much has changed. It is a dark wine, one which lets very little light pass through. The nose displays more fruit than oak, which is a good sign if you plan to chill it and serve it outside. Blackberry, raspberry, cassis, anise all shine brightly, with light notes of clove and cinnamon. The palate is clean and fresh, with the dark fruit taking a bow. The tannins have softened somewhat over the past year, but are still maybe a little firm for an outdoor meal under the sun, but the acidity is brisk and refreshing. — 3 months ago

Paul, Tom and 2 others liked this

Teutonic Wine Company

Borgo Pass Vineyard Pinot Meunier

Nate Wall
9.0

Beautiful and even elegant, which is a descriptor that not many Pinot Meunier’s often get. Lovely aromatics, incredible texture, great balance. — 5 months ago

Shawn liked this

Beach Pass

California Rosé Blend 2020

Strawberry forward, but not overly fruity. Really like this one! #wsjwine — 2 years ago

Laura and Shawn liked this

Château Saint-Pierre

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Bottle 1 turned. Bottle 2 was fine. I expected more complexity out of a Bordeaux with this age. I will happily drink the rest of my case but I’d pass on this vintage in the future. — 5 years ago