Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2024 vintage. Viognier 65%, Chardonnay 20%, Obeidi 10%, and Muscat d'Alexandrie 5%. A skillful blend in which the Viognier plays the first violin in the nose with exotic fruit and flowers, whilst the others seem to add freshness and delicacy. Good to know is that the vineyards are at 1050 meters of altitude. It's hard to find a bad wine from Lebanon. Abv. 13%. — 6 days ago

David Shaw

9.0

Not a rosé, just a noir de noir Pinot from Radtke “First Man” Vineyard, Willamette Valley. Different style of Pinot noir, lots of barrel smoke and meatiness, mostly cherry from the fruit itself, slightly tart or bright with moderate amount of skin astringency in the finish. Fun wine to savor, chill, session. Tasted and bought at winery. The style grows on you, but it’s really challenging to compare to other Oregon Pinots (and I’ve had my share) because it is so different. — a year ago

Lance E. Farman

9.4

Explosive aromatics. Delicious. So much red fruit and the 8 years of age has brought it all together in this elegant package that makes you realize Pinot noir is very noble. Another wine that shows Oregon's small producers are doing the best work. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.1

2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Vaillon 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(90-92; Drink 2025-33)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, written specifically for the intended soloist this evening) featuring the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, STRAUSS (Death and Transfiguration, Opus 24) and then RAVEL (La Valse). — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.1

2020 | Chardonnay
Patrick Piuze; Terrior de Chablis
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(Montmains adjacent vineyards)
(90-92; Drink 2026-32)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor is Anna Rakitina (BSO assistant conductor), leading Ellen REID (When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist), PAGANINI (Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Opus 6) with renowned soloist Joshua Bell, and PROKOFIEV (Suite from Romeo and Juliet; Suite No. 1, Opus 64-bis / Suite No. 2, Opus 64-ter / Suite No. 3, Opus 101). — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

GamayTastingDayWine#3
Loire gamay - Ruby/violin color, unfiltered. Oaky dominant, notes of farms, associated with varietal notes of cherries, pomegranate slightly set back. Wait another two years for the whole to melt.

Couleur rubis/violine non filtré. Notes dominantes boisées d’élevages, associés au notes variétales griottes, grenade légèrement en retrait. Attendre encore deux ans que l’ensemble se fonde. — 4 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

Out of mgm but already very approachable, still more fruit driven without the tannins playing first violin — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Barón de Ley – Varietales Tempranillo – 2014
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A 100% Tempranillo from Rioja’s esteemed Barón de Ley Varietales Collection, crafted to highlight the noble face of the region’s flagship grape. Although structured in a crianza style with a projected drinking window of 10–12 years, opening it in 2025 revealed the wine perched right on the twilight edge of maturity. This is bottle #04400, now showing the soulful evolution that Rioja Tempranillo is famed for.

Aromas & Flavors
Initially faint cherry fruit, now firmly in the tertiary spectrum: leather satchel, dried rosemary, forest floor, and faint cigar box. Gentle hints of balsamic and dried fig linger in the background.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with softened, polymerized tannins. Acidity remains fresh enough to carry the wine, but fruit presence has largely faded, leaving savory and earthy notes to dominate.

Food Pairings
A fine match for aged Manchego cheese, braised lamb shank, mushroom-stuffed peppers, or even a rustic stew where earthy and herbal notes harmonize.

Verdict
This Tempranillo no longer plays its youthful cherry trumpet but rather resonates like the old violin sound of Rioja—mellow, textured, and contemplative. A fascinating study in maturity, best enjoyed with reflection rather than exuberance.

Did You Know?
Rioja wines are often classified not just by grape but by aging designations (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva). This bottle leaned into crianza timing, showing beautifully at first but demonstrating how Tempranillo gracefully transitions from fruit-driven vibrancy to complex tertiary elegance. — 8 months ago

Severn G

9.3

1992 | Riesling (Spätlese)
Wilhelm Weber-Ostetmann; Wintricher Großer Herrgott
Mosel; Brauneberg, Germany
APN 2 577 104 03 93
(92-94; Drink 2022-32+)
90m decant

Redemption for a underperforming bottle from our last go at this 1992. If you're buying old wine and didn't anticipate bottle variation, you need to know that's just part of the game. This bottle is fantastic.
(Enjoying alongside the '88 again today, no slouch on that bottle!)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading Sarah KIRKLAND SNIDER (Forward into Light; BSO Premiere), PROKOFIEV (Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Opus 63) and DVOŘÁK (Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Opus 70).
 
Our soloist today Augustin Hadelich rounds out the program with Prokofiev’s intense Violin Concerto No. 2, and Andris Nelsons leads the BSO in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 – sometimes called the composer's greatest symphony. — 2 years ago

Severn G

9.4

NV | Champagne
(67% Arbane/Petit Meslier/Fromenteau & 33% Chardonnay)
Perseval-Farge; Les Goulats 1er Cru, Brut Nature
Montagne de Reims; Chamery, France
Disgorged October 2018
(93-96; Drink 2028-32)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, written specifically for the intended soloist this evening) featuring the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, STRAUSS (Death and Transfiguration, Opus 24) and then RAVEL (La Valse). — 3 years ago

Lance E. Farman

9.4

This producer's star is rising fast and for good reason. — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

SyrahSession#2Wine#1
Ruby, Violin, translucent and vibrant color. Gilliard is a Swiss domain in Valais. Cuvée honoring the fruit. Seductive nose on the freshness of youthful Syrahs: violet, lupine, blueberry and mountain berries... with aeration, pepper imposes itself along the entire length of the palate carrying a loose body without looking like it. The acidity is lively and brings charm to this tasting. The winemaking is fine and controlled. Northern expression of the syrah full of nuances, with contained strength.

Robe Rubis, Violine, translucide et éclatante.
Gilliard est un domaine Suisse du Valais. Cuvée mettant le fruit à l’honneur. Nez séduisant sur la fraicheur des Syrah de jeunesse: violette, lupin, myrtille et baies des montages.. avec l’aération le poivre s’impose sur toute la longueur du palais portant
un corps ample sans en avoir l’air. L’acidité est vive et apporte du charme à cette dégustation. La vinification est fine et maîtrisée. Expression septentrionale de la syrah tout en nuances, avec une force contenue. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Prior notes still mostly apply, decanted +3H. Lighter acidity (👍) and a touch more neutral-ish oak notes, showing beautiful tonight!

Nose has green apple slice, under-ripe pear, garden fresh string beans, cold butter and fresh green apple peel.
Palate has baked green apple with sprinkle of sugar, lemon pith, river stones, lemon zest with medium acidity and a long finish.

+

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, without orchestra or conductor 😉. Three humble souls playing an all BEETHOVEN program (Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor (Opus 1, No. 3) and Symphony No. 2 in D (Opus 36, arr. for piano trio by Beethoven)) with a few of the best players of instruments containing strings, Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) and Emanuel Ax (piano). A true delight for lovers of Classical music this evening! — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2019 vintage. From a 375ml btl Coravin sample. Absolutely rocking. Shredding on both lead and rhythm guitar. And then the bass and drums with a vintage electric violin flourish. Not the cheapest Merlot expression from Sonoma but likely the best. Built to last. 06.18.25. — a year ago

David Shaw

9.0

Not a rosé, just a noir de noir Pinot from Radtke “First Man” Vineyard, Willamette Valley. Different style of Pinot noir, lots of barrel smoke and meatiness, mostly cherry from the fruit itself, slightly tart or bright with moderate amount of skin astringency in the finish. Fun wine to savor, chill, session. Tasted and bought at winery. The style grows on you, but it’s really challenging to compare to other Oregon Pinots (and I’ve had my share) because it is so different. — a year ago

Lance E. Farman

9.3

On point and delicious. — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Willamette Valley Chardonnay. Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Wood and florals in nose, lemon, apple and pear flavors, mineral finish. Decent acidity, good body, restrained alcohol. Great dry supper or aperitif with plenty of fruit. Classy. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.1

2018 | Sekt
(100% Spätburgunder)
Marbleous (Tobias Feiden); TF Brut Nature
(Winninger Domgarten)
Terrassenmosel; Burg Cochem, Germany
(90-92; Drink 2023-28)
Disgorged August 2021

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor is Anna Rakitina (BSO assistant conductor), leading Ellen REID (When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist), PAGANINI (Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Opus 6) with renowned soloist Joshua Bell, and PROKOFIEV (Suite from Romeo and Juliet; Suite No. 1, Opus 64-bis / Suite No. 2, Opus 64-ter / Suite No. 3, Opus 101). — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

A solid Côte-du-Rhône, in terms of quality/price/pleasure ratio. Dark garnet-violin dress. Complete nose, intense black fruits, menthol, garrigue, mineral notes promising a beautiful relief. In the mouth it is very balanced, supple, fruity, peppery (syrah), licorice and spicy nuances with fruit and minerality. Superb for its price!

Un Côte du Rhône des plus solide, pour ce qui est du rapport qualité/prix/plaisir. Robe grenat-violine sombre. Nez complet, fruits noirs intense, menthol, garrigue, notes minérales promesse d’un beau relief. En bouche c’est très équilibré, souple, fruité, poivré (syrah), réglisse et nuances épicées avec du fruit et de la minéralité. Superbe pour son prix ! — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

SyrahSession#2Wine#2
Deep, viscous Violin color, curiosity that this wine from Château des Jacques, Beaujolais Domaine renowned for its Moulin-à-Vent. Aromatically marked by the style of the house with a fat and creamy toasted breeding. The varietal notes are respected making this cuvée a kind of great gap between Rhône and Burgundy. A type of wine heralding decades to come and climate change? To be tasted in two years.

Robe Violine profonde, visqueuse, curiosité que ce vin du Château des Jacques, domaine du Beaujolais réputé pour ses Moulin-à-Vent. Aromatiquement marqué par le style de la maison avec un élevage toasté gras et onctueux. Les notes variétales sont respectées faisant de cette cuvée une sorte de grand écart entre Rhône et Bourgogne. Un type de vin annonciateur des décennies à venir et changements climatiques? A regoûter dans deux ans. — 4 years ago