Think As Thieves
Viuva José Gomes da Silva & Filhos
Collares Ramisco 2013
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002
WNH virtual Insignia Tasting. Vintages featured were ‘95, ‘96, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02, ‘09, ‘13 and ‘14.
This was the Wine Spectator wine of the year and received a 100 point score from Wine Advocate (for those interested in accolades and scores).
Knowing the pedigree here, I knew to expect some fireworks and tried to prepare accordingly. I gave this 24hrs upright after pulling from the cellar, and then decanted about 90mins, before consuming from the decanter over the course of the evening. The cork came out perfectly via the Durand and had absolutely zero seepage up the cork. My glass of choice was the new Glasvin Expression. Really like their glasses.
My first sip after opening had me looking at my wife saying “this is 18yrs old and is insanely youthful”. When hearing from my friends about their mid/late ‘90s, and for the ‘01, those offerings had basically zero merlot. The ‘00 had a similar amount to this (14%), and I think that component really elevated this to a more “elegant” style. The oak here comes across as a mix of French and American (though it’s all French)...the oak has such a distinct sweet note to it that I associate with American oak on Cali wines, yet isn’t full on coconut. Aromatically, it’s a beautiful display of cherry tobacco, black cherry cordial, violets, and elevated heady notes of black cherry pie. On the palate, there is creme de cassis, espresso, cocoa powder and mellowed red fruit before a finish that has surprisingly grippy tannin. This drinks like a bigger style left bank Bordeaux with how wonderfully integrated it is. Zero chance I’d call this 18yr old Napa cab if tasting blind. This easily has 5+yrs in this drinking window, and another 5-10 in the next evolution journey before really starting to slide. If opening now, decant 1-2hrs. One of the best expressions of aged Napa cab I’ve had this year. — 3 years ago
Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2001
I’ve often struggled to appreciate Beaucastel, particularly when young. However, the more often I drink older Beaucastel, I find myself slowly starting to understand why these wines are so important.
Opened about two hours prior. The 2001 Beaucastel pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Strawberry preserves, leather, bacon fat, and some chicory. On the palate, medium tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Is this the most powerful expression of Chateauneuf du Pape? No. But it’s balanced, complex and it makes me think and I like that.
As a sort of epilogue, I was able to enjoy this bottle with someone who drinks old Beaucastel more regularly than I do. He described this bottle as being one that is in-between plentitudes; which makes sense as some of the tertiary characteristics are beginning to show themselves. Subsequently, you can drink now but this will likely enter a new dimension in the next few years. — 4 months ago
Stags' Leap Winery
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Old faithful. When I want good wine and don’t want the burden of choice - this is old reliable. Nose: smells like good American wine! Dark fruits, cassis (I suppose), a little black pepper, blackberry. A little grilled meat in there too. Taste: the tannins hit you, I think it’s a little young. Tastes basically as it smells, plus a little bitter coffee and cocoa. Not overly soft/lush. Not a “value”, but always enjoyable. 91-92. — 2 years ago
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2011
Honoring my marvelous father with a meal and wine he would have appreciated with gusto. We wish he was here to share it with us, but are deeply grateful that his spiritual presence remains so strong in our hearts today and every day. 💕
This blend is predominantly (78%) Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. 🍷 It hails from the Haut-Médoc region on the “left bank” of Bordeaux, 🇫🇷 more specifically, the Pauillac AOC. Pauillac is a highly-regarded commune, with favorable growing conditions, known for producing some outstanding quality wines. 👌👌 This wine is no exception. 😆
🏰 Château Grad-Puy-Lacoste is a cru classé, ranked among, and a neighbor to, the region’s top estates. It’s incredible to think the first vines planted on this property date back to the 1500s, making it one of the oldest properties in the region.
We decanted this wine for several hours, which helped it soften and release its layered aromatics.
👁 The color is deep garnet with notable tearing.
👃 On the nose it has medium(+) intensity and concentration of developing aromas. The aromas include ripe black fruit such as cassis, black cherry, blackberry, and plum, as well as other non-fruit notes like black licorice, pencil shavings, and violet. It has secondary notes of clove, nutmeg, allspice, cedar, also tertiary notes of wet earth, tobacco, leather, meat, fig, and mushroom.
👄 This wine is dry and its flavors on the palate are consistent with the nose.
This wine has balance, complexity, a strong structure, with firm, grippy tannins, and a long elegant finish. 👏👏
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, vintage 2011, ABV 13.5%. — 3 years ago
W. & J. Graham's
Aged 20 Years Tawny Port Blend
I think @Josh Morgenthau really nailed this note: recently finished Taylor Fladgate 20 yr which was always a favorite, but I picked this up in Duty Free and was blown away. Similar notes & flavor profile as TF, but the mouthfeel really sets this apart & above. So elegant, so refined, such great tension & harmony - the defined acidity highlight & elevate intense flavors. Bravo! — 5 months ago
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
Recent notes suggested this wine was declining and the fruit fading.This was cause for concern as have a few of these I’ve been patiently cellaring. Well, I’m very happy to report this bottle, a Martine’s import, was stellar. To my palate, the wine is in a perfect place. Tertiary aromas and flavors dominate. Very complex aromas of sous bois, herbs de provence, wet saddle and red fruits. The palate is vivid and lively. Extraordinary depth and length that never faded. I can’t say enough great things about this wine. There’s no chance this bottle was fading or won’t last several more years. I don’t think it can improve as it’s almost perfection right now. Simply a stunner. — 2 years ago
Marcel Lapierre
Morgon Gamay 2019
Cuvée N - Lapierre’s non-sulphured Morgon. The 2019 vintage is very accessible now, but I think could give even more pleasure with some short to medium term aging. Lapierre certainly has a “house style” and this fits squarely into a similar structure as past vintages. The fruit is very high toned (almost verging on VA territory), and there is ample acidity that should carry this wine for years to come. — 3 years ago
Vin d’Ottawa
I cannot describe how excited I’ve been for this bottle.
From Portugal’s tiny Colares wine region, this is the famed Ramisco grape, grown in vines in the sands off the coast of Sintra. Back when phylloxera destroyed most of Europe’s grapevines, these survived as the parasite couldn’t make its way in the sands the grapevines grew in. The Portuguese crown then nationalized the wine- unique to Portugal- and used it in diplomacy as a form of soft power.
The wine starts with a roughness that smooths into a beautiful, medium bodied flavour of black cherry and blackberry. Think of a juicy California Pinot Noir that manages the punch of a Rioja.
A wine worthy of its great history.
— 2 months ago