The Setting
Mas de Boislauzon
Tintot Special Cuvée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2015
We pulled this from our cellar and brought it to V. Mertz for dinner. We enjoyed a couple of other wines as aperitifs and then ultimately did what anyone given the opportunity should do: pair it with lamb chops. We poured it into a decanter while we enjoyed the conversation and opening courses. Given the setting, there were no formal notes however, I can confidently report that the 2015 “Tintot” absolutely slaps. From the first sip to the last, it was all balance, power and class. It was also a spectacular showcase for Mourvèdre. It was hard to fully judge color because the lighting was so low but it appeared to be nearly opaque. A touch feral with a slightly gamey element to it but there’s a great big ol’ basket of black and blue fruits with red and purple flowers, garrigue, some black pepper and cedar chest. Structure is still quite firm but totally enjoyable. While this is an unusual assemblage for the region, it still comes across as a wine from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This was my first “Tintot” and it has left quite the impression. Drink now with an hour decant or over the next 7-10 years. P.S. it probably goes without saying, but the pairing with lamb chops was sublime. — 4 years ago
Merry Edwards
Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and sweet peaches. One of the few barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc's which adds a wonderful toasty oak flavor setting this wine apart from the rest. Complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, lemons, grapefruit, peaches, Asian pears and baked apple with tea and spicy acidity. Slight herb notes with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle sweet character. A Fav! — 6 years ago
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend 1996
Amazing champagne with great age. Gold in color, dried apricots, honey, nutty and slight brioche. Acid carries all the way thru...bday celebration! Outside on the slopes paired with cheese...great setting.. — 7 years ago
Charlotte Village Winery of Vermont
Strawberry Blush Vermont Strawberry-Riesling Blend
Summer cocktail disguised as a wine. This is actually made with Riesling and I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Very fruit but not too sweet to consider it a dessert wine.
The setting was idyllic: sitting on the winery’s porch with a summer breeze with the mountains in the distance. I brought a bottle back for the office to try so it’ll be interesting to see if this still holds up without the countryside surroundings. — 8 years ago
Paolo Bea
Riserva Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Sangiovese Blend 2017
Paolo Bea dinner at Semo. All wines were prepared by opening and slow-ox, prior to service. Abbreviated notes due to the setting. The 2017 Pipparello pours a garnet color with funky Montmorency cherry, red carnations, and balsamic notes. Wonderful structure and delicious with the quail. Drink now with patience through 2037. Bottle No. 642/9930 — 5 months ago
Noon Winery
Eclipse Grenache Blend 2013
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes but this left a similar impression to my previous experience with this wine earlier in the year. The 2013 Eclipse remains a wine of large proportions and deftly manages its high ABV. No way I could drink these often but they are fun in the right mood/setting! Drink now through 2028. — a year ago
Tenuta Di Castellaro
Nero Ossidiana Corinto Nero - Nero d'Avola Blend 2011
The Tenuta di Castellaro - Nero Ossidiana originates from a very beautiful spot in the world - the island of Lipari, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, near Sicily. This is a warm wine, full of red fruits, cherry, cassis, blackberry and some spice. Made of a blend of 60% Corinto, 25% Nero D’Avola, and 15% local grapes. It is very smooth and velvety, with a long after taste, as the slowly setting sun leaving a purple orange shine over the gentle waves. — 5 years ago
Josh Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
We really liked this cab. Perfect setting with NY Strip Steaks and Sweet Potatoes. Full of cherry and blackberry. — 7 years ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1993
Mineral component and cassis coming through and setting table for woody and earthy aromas. Mouth offers density and polished tanins. Good length with fruit echoing in retro. — 7 years ago
Canard-Duchêne
Authentic Brut Champagne Blend
Love this bottle, a killer value, can be found in a retail setting for under $30. Please see my prior notes.
The palate on this bottle is a little more chalky (limestone) than I remember, this is a good thing! Last time we had this wine it was in the winery cellar in Ludes. I miss and don't miss those stairs into their very deep cellar.
I really can't wait to go back to France, we loved Burgundy, but the Champagne region is equally full of amazing producers, big and small. — 8 years ago
Paolo Bea
Arboreus Umbria IGT Trebbiano 2015
Paolo Bea dinner at Semo. All wines were prepared by opening and slow-ox, prior to service. Abbreviated notes due to the setting. The 2015 Arboreus pours the color and cloudiness of urine after a 3 day bender with little hydration. Notes of bruised and battered Apple, dried stone fruit, white and yellow flowers, mushroom, damp hay, and nuts. Low tannin on the palate and good acid. Drink now through 2030+. Bottle No. 3505/11970 — 5 months ago
Cantine Lanzavecchia
Cren dell' Ape Piemonte Cortese 2022
Cren Dell’Ape Cortese Blanc 2023
Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A crisp, approachable white made from 100% Cortese, an indigenous Piedmontese grape best known for Gavi wines. Cren Dell’Ape highlights Cortese’s refreshing, fruit-driven personality while keeping a casual and fun-drinking style.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh aromas of white flowers, yellow peach, and stone fruits lead into a lively palate. Flavors of tropical fruit, peach, and citrus zest carry through with balance, offering a vibrant and fruity medley that feels like a “cornucopia of yellow fruit.”
Mouthfeel
Light-bodied and refreshing, with bright acidity that makes it crisp but not sharp. Clean and smooth finish that invites another sip.
Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel to emphasize fruit purity and freshness. Made to be enjoyed young for maximum vibrancy.
Food Pairing
Perfect alongside seafood, pasta with vegetables, light cheeses, or as an aperitif. A versatile, crowd-pleasing white that works in almost any casual setting.
Verdict
A fun, fruity, and highly drinkable Cortese. Hard to stop at just one glass—this wine is pure Piedmontese charm in a bottle. — a year ago
Peay Vineyards
Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
There’s something to be said for nursing a bottle slowly over several days. I’ve been loving how this wine from my friends at @peay_vineyards blossoms with some time and some air. What was boisterous herbal and berry fruit has mellowed with the addition some serious umami character and a hint of incense. The one constant is the satin-sheets sexy texture that marks most of Vanessa Peay’s best work as a winemaker. While I think Peay’s best wines are from their unique estate on the Sonoma Coast, I’m glad they’ve kept making this Anderson Valley wine, if only to continue setting a standard for what Savoy can do. — 4 years ago
Château de Roquefort
Corail Côtes de Provence Grenache Rosé Blend 2019
This wine is more about the setting it compliments than the flavors it resembles. A fire pit on a crisp autumn night with friends - hits the spot.
If flavor is more your style, orange peel and tart red berries. I paired it with s’mores and a flannel shirt. — 6 years ago
Lovingston
Gilbert's Vineyard Pinotage 2012
After my bar-setting 2016 experience, this “classic” vintage offering didn’t disappoint. While it wasn’t the shooting star that ‘16 elevated to, the ‘12 had all the varietal mojo but with a little less juiciness going on. Solid structure and balance - that’s the hallmark here. Yes, 4 yrs of additional bottle aging to consider. I’m not trying to find a winner, rather I was delighted by consistency! What I was surprised to find: DAY 2 😳 —-> a wonderful rounding and depth evolved. So, I will be picking up another since my source has several. My pond is a secret ;) — 8 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
This is a remembrance of Sofia & my trip to Franciacorta & visit to Ca’ del Bosco in 2015.
If Italy has a kind of equivalent to Champagne, it would be Franciacorta. This is not Prosecco. It is made in the traditional method.
It is a beautiful part of Italy with both Lake Garda’s, one smaller (closer) & one much bigger and is a summer haven.
Excuse the fussy pics. I bought a new iPhone 7 just before we left & it had a defective camera.
The nose shows fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, white peach, tropical melons, vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens.
The palate has nice, soft, mousse. Ripe fruits; fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, lemon, lime, white peach, tropical melons & mango. Vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, sea spray, saline, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens, beautiful, acidity, well balanced, nicely structured & toned with an elegant finish that last a full minute and lands on volcanics. — 14 days ago