Turn Key Wines

Sine Qua Non

Turn the Whole Thing Upside Down Grenache 2009

#AgedWineTuesday

Deep purple in color with a short, cloudy purple rim.

Strong nose of black currants, black plums, stewed cherries, dried figs, raisins, ginger, oak, eucalyptus, spices, green beans and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, chocolates, herbs, spices and coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 16 year old Grenache from California feels like it peaked a few years ago, but still drinking beautifully. Elegant and rich.

The Syrah notes are very dominant, especially right out of the bottle.

Complex and interesting, with a beautiful nose. Extracted and fruit forward.

Robert Parker 96 points.

Needed 2 hours to open up, and delicious by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.

15.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$330.
— 8 months ago

Paul, Tom and 14 others liked this

Aubert

UV-SL Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

See prior notes.

This has the power to turn any mediocre ordinary day into a good one. Especially when paired with some rotisserie chicken tacos with salsa and cold pasta; all done on the fly after a decent day’s work. That’s what wine’s all about after all. Isn’t it?
— 4 years ago

Ira, Adriana and 30 others liked this
JKT

JKT

That’s absolutely on the spot.
Ericsson

Ericsson

You said it best @JKT

Ravines Wine Cellars

White Springs Vineyard Dry Riesling 2017

A pre-dinner bottle while we do meal prep tonight.

Prior notes still apply:
Nose has lime zest, lime juice, green hay, wet granite/limestone pebbles, oxidized green apple peel, polyethylene tubing and tangerine peel.
Palate has Key lime flesh, cold tangerine slice, apricot skin, wet-pulverized limestone, lemongrass, tangerine zest, (minor) dried apricot and light honey on the medium finish, medium acid, great balance.
— 5 years ago

Paul, Ira and 22 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Softer everywhere than the ‘07 we drank alongside. On the nose a tad more lush, nothing green. More voluptuous - zaftig? - giving it a more feminine, sexy and velvety feel. Red fruit shroomier in tones and finish just a bit longer and lusher. If the ‘07s tannins turn right, could be heading in this direction but the ‘03s can be had for ~$100 and that’s a bloody bargain. — 6 years ago

Melissa Shabinsky
with Melissa
Jonathan, Hugh and 31 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

If you know where to find any ‘03 around $100, I’d love to find some.
LM Segal

LM Segal Influencer Badge

Vinfolio had several a few months back, maybe $110?

Merry Edwards

Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Aromas of buttered popcorn that blew off to butter, citrus and white flowers. Viscous wine that coats the mouth, but not in an unpleasant way. Bright key lime and other citrus with fresh mineral crispness. Definitely some oak influence, but not the primary like with a chard — 7 years ago

P, Mike and 27 others liked this
Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly Anderson

@Mike R not usually into CA SB, but this was really nice! It’s like NZ SB and Puligny Montrachet had a baby😎
Jason and Jennie

Jason and Jennie Premium Badge

Yep this is a go to for us at restaurants
Robert Evans Jr

Robert Evans Jr

@Kimberly Anderson Always a go to for me. Never a bad vintage by ME

Gaston Chiquet

1er Cru Brut Champagne 2005

Gorgeous turn around since LBT. Pure, ripe, delicious orchard fruits, brioche, toasted nuts, and chalk. Still a savory/starchy underpinning but this has opened up a lot. 2/2015 disgorgement — 8 years ago

David and Tom liked this

M. Chapoutier

Le Méal Blanc Hermitage Marsanne

Wow. The timing and oxygen on this bottle requires precision.

At opening there is some alcohol and weirdness that needs to blow off.

Within about 20-30 mins - the wine settles down and then it delivers just as you’d expect. Beautiful flavors.

Leave it out an hour and it begins to turn a bit.
— a year ago

Andrew, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Allan Scott

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Any believe it’s 13 clams! Bursting with flavor, tart fruits, key lime, banana rind, and almost a little reisling petrol. Solid summer porch pounder! — 4 years ago

Natasha Bray
with Natasha
John and Milissa liked this

Ulacia

Getariako Txakolina Hondarrabi Zuri 2019

Fun, spritzy, refreshing .
Nose: lime skin, grapefruit, fresh white flowers and stones.
Palate: similar with green pear, white peach, key lime, and spritzy lift.
— 5 years ago

Adriana and Mike liked this

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2011

Medium deep pink moving toward reddish orange. Citrus melange aroma... orange, blood orange, sour key lime and pink grapefruit. Powerful weight on the palate but round and creamy in texture. The finish is awesome—long, sweet, savory, lasting almost a minute... with just the slightest hint of funky, cheesy forest-floor. Perfect foil for fresh broiled salmon with grilled broccoli and a Dijon cream sauce. So very glad I kept this wine so long before popping... far from over the hill.. could see enjoying the wine at 25 years. What a wonderful pink wine! — 5 years ago

Joe, Bryan and 6 others liked this

Pierre Péters

Cuvée de Réserve Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Very grassy. Key lime pie, green apple, and a load of primary yeast flavor. This is beautifully balanced and I think it will benefit from some time in bottle. Disgorged 2019 — 6 years ago

Ceccherini, Severn and 27 others liked this

Henriot

Brut Souverain Champagne Blend

A lovely Champagne that never tries to get beyond itself. Persistent small bubbles that never seem to stop with a fine mousse. Fresh brioche, apricots, and tart apples comprise the nose. Consistency is key here. This little sparkler is so solid and sturdy. Beautifully balanced, delivers at a high level that’s easily comparable to other big Champagne houses. Predominantly Chardonnay, there is a freshness and effervescence to these bubbles. Very bright and lively on the tongue, this is clearly a step above similar bottlings. Toasted almonds and toasted bread lead on the palate with vanilla and green apples bring up the rear. Such a solid, terrific Champagne, this should be your house bubbles. — 6 years ago

P, Ira and 5 others liked this
Trixie

Trixie

Very cozy photo setting! Great review and notes as per usual.

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 1982

Delectable Wine
9.6

One of my all time favorites, the 1982 Cristal is magnificent. Fresh, nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 1982 remains one of the all-time great Cristals. Apricot, almond and chamomile nuances suggest the 1982 is just starting to turn the corner into its plateau of maturity. This bottle lacks a bit of excitement, but, then again, the 1982 Cristal is not exactly the sort of wine I get to taste on a regular basis, so it is possible this is not the best showing. Hopefully, I will get a chance to taste it again soon. Even so, well-stored bottles will drink well for another decade-plus. “In my opinion, 1982 is the first vintage of climate change in Champagne,” Lécaillon explains. “Sugars were higher than we were used to seeing. As a comparison, the 1981 Cristal is also concentrated, but it is concentrated by low yields. In 1982, we had high yields and elevated ripeness, meaning it was the sun that ripened the fruit.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 8 years ago

Dick, Martin and 1 other liked this

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2024

This is always a beautiful. At this stage it’s quite complex to understand. But it’s clear that with the time it’ll turn onto a special wine. — a year ago

Paul liked this

Morlet Family Vineyards

Ma Douce Sonoma County Chardonnay 2012

The 305 wine group weekend in Key West- great times — 4 years ago

Juan, Shay and 5 others liked this

Skeleton Key

Proprietors Red Blend

Nose is wood, leather and hint of stone fruit. Taste is pepper, leather and oak. Not picking up much fruit maybe black cherries. Finish is dry oak. This one has been in the wine fridge for probably 4 years. — 4 years ago

Kristen Henderson
with Kristen

Joseph Drouhin

Chablis Chardonnay 2019

Golden yellow, Nose : key lime, green pear, apricot, salt and lime. Palate: light sweetness of honey and wax quickly taken over by high acid of tart lime peel/oil, and wet rock. Med length finish. Really enjoyed it. — 5 years ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1961

From a great looking bottle with a VTS fill. Slow ox’d for 2 hours then decanted an hour before drinking. Amber tawny color. Ethereal nose. Notes of black cherries, roses, cola, rhubarb, barnyard, gravel and some menthol. Still has a good core of fruit. Some tobacco notes develop and the cola thing becomes stronger with air in a glass. Impactful finish. After about 90 min this started a decline. At its peak this was ethereal and amazing. The key is to time the opening, air time and consumption to find it at its best. — 6 years ago

Ira, Mario and 31 others liked this
Mario Vaillancourt

Mario Vaillancourt Premium Badge

Amazing bottle and vintage

Rock View

Reserve Chardonnay 2017

Bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of yellow apple ale lightly buttered popcorn. Medium full bodied palate echoes the nose with medium plus acidity. Balance is key. Buttery to be sure, but everything else is there too. If you like the classic California style, this gives it in spades. Pair with lobster, roast chicken, or cream sauces. — 7 years ago

Jonathan, Ron and 2 others liked this

Sandhi Wines

Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2012

II’ve loved all the Sandhi 2012 range of whites & this £65 S&B is superb 👍 Paired with enough curry to get a small village going regular for a week 🤣 💨 sorry I didn’t take pics of that feast 😁

📍 Sandhi Sandford & Benedict Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 @sandhiwines

🏵 94 points

🍷 Golden yellow

👃 Chopped pineapple, crushed rock mineral, lemon oil, key lime pie, honey gloop & white jasmine flowers w/ light oak, vanilla & apple

👄 Med+ body of creamy refreshing clean tropical & citrus yummyness without being overly syrupy & a hit of green apple, pineapple, honey & minerality in med acidity

🎯 Med+ fresh apple, citrus & tropical trickle w/ a dry mineral honeyed pineapple slapette
— 7 years ago

Chris, E and 19 others liked this