W. B. Bridgman Cellars
Epoch Estate Wines
Block B Paso Robles Syrah 2014
Drats I should have waited to open the 2014 Block B. Its July 2020 and discovered this wine is still in its infancy. Has tremendous potential w nose tannins mouthfeel taste to be a real superstar. Would recommend laying down for another 3-4 years. — 5 years ago
Francis Blanchet
Cuvée Silice Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage unknown, 2021 entered below. Our first Loire S b. Loved it. Couldn’t detect any “fume”. Will try a Sancerre next to compare. At WA Frost w W & friends. — a year ago
Buoncristiani
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
This survived vacuum sealed in the refrigerator from last Saturday. Seems it benefited from its cork separation that long. 🤷♂️
I bought this two weeks ago and last weekend is the first time I’ve had this producer. So, why not make it an 07? I bought it for $69 two weeks ago from my new secret source. 🤫
Last weekend it was good but still fairly youthful. Tonight, round, softened, ripe fruit elegance. I like it this weekend better.
The nose is ripe, candied with just a faint hint of baked fruits; blackberries w/ some bramble, wild, black raspberries, black plum pudding, dark, slightly baked cherries/strawberries & raspberries glass edges. Melted, dark chocolate, black licorice, softly layered baking spices, dark & mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, melted caramel, some eucalyptus notes, brownie, super soft earth of, dark, moist, rich, sweet soil, some light flinty hues, faint tobacco & leather notes, sandalwood with dark flowers and soft lavender & violets for days.
The entry is round, full, lush and juicy. Great mouthfeel. Ripe, ruby, candied with just a faint hint of baked fruits; blackberries w/ some bramble, wild, black raspberries, black plum pudding, dark, slightly baked cherries/strawberries & raspberries glass edges. Melted, dark chocolate, black licorice, softly layered baking spices, dark spice with some palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, melted caramel, some eucalyptus notes, black tea, brownie, super soft, dark earth, limestone marl, moist, rich, sweet soil, some light flinty hues, faint tobacco & leather notes, sandalwood, moist volcanic clays with soft dark flowers, liquid lavender & violets. Round, perfect acidity. This finish is the definition of elegance, balance, structure, length, tension & and two-minute finish that lasts minutes. Perfect storage.
I expected this to be half gone and it is better this weekend vs last.
Congratulations Team USA on an excellent 2024 Olympics. Paris on being an amazing Olympic host aside from that whole toxic River Seine thing. Ladies soccer today & throughout. Shutouts 💪! Men’s B-ball delivering. What a storied career and a giant stepping up in the biggest moments is Steph Curry & LeBron James. Great watch. — a year ago
Lauge Jean & Fils
Mas des Capitelles Vieilles Vignes Faugères Red Blend
B&B ? Price
Had w steak. Accessible, good bit/tannins but not over the top, some blue berry undertones.
Likely buy again
,"reds joust spectacularly with the kinds of dishes you think about when there is a cool spring evening that might call for a fire pit— steaks, grilled vegetables, burgers—but the perfect pairing is a rich, slow-cooked Daube de Boeuf, the classic red wine–beef stew of the region." — 2 years ago
Screaming Eagle
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1994
1994 Screaming Eagle. Dinner w J&L B and D&M H while staying with D&M in Santa Ynez. Opened and waited about an hour. Decanted right before serving. Tons of jammy dark fruit. Opened more in the glass. JB mentioned full palate and balance. Great finish. Preferred this to ‘91 Dominus once this opened up. — 6 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
92 is rounding up a bit.
A couple things before notes. I have had other Heidi wines but not hers & Bo’s. Just wasn’t feeling retail-ish on the B&B, nor had anyone open one for me. This surfaced at just under half price. So, time to check this Heidi box.
This is a 2017; which many shied away from. Hence, the buy at half price. I would have said in my two coravined previous tastings on different nights, the fruit was nice and it still is nice. However, in getting to the bottom 1/3 of the bottle, it has taken on some additional depth & character. I imagine still not as much depth & character as their better vintages.
The nose shows some nice candied florals and mid fruits with a dark core. Some smoke (it is not smoke taint as they finished harvesting on 10/3 and the Tubbs & Atlas fires started 10/8) dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, withering dark & red flowers.
The palate is definitely one of the drier Napa Cabernets I’ve had lately. Feels like it leaves dry oak powder all over your mouth. M+ dry tannins. The fruits are bright & ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, some purple fruits, lean strawberries & cherries. Smoke, dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dark spice, leaner baking spices profile, a bit of dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, dry topsoil, dry limestone powder, black tea, dry tree bark w/ a touch of sap, withering dark & red flowers, acidity is sound-ish, it just ticks the box of balanced, tension & structure is solid, finishes short-under a minute and a little thin in the mid palate, some elegance and lands on oak, earthiness & spice.
It’s still early on this and there is room for improvement with some more evolution & integration but don’t believe this 2017 will ever live up to its winery price point. — a month ago