Ming L

9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 3 months ago

Jeremy Samuels

9.3

This to me is what a white wine should be in my uninformed opinion. Soft, light, but very complex beneath the surface. Doesn’t go down like juice, but delicious & you can’t quite stop sippin. Parents anniversary :) — 2 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Woo-eeee does this ever smell like California Chardonnay—I was worried my delicate sensibilities might take umbrage, but my senses adjusted (maybe I’ve just been drinking weakling wines) and on the palate this wine is less an overly enthusiastic suitor and much more a gentleman who actually reads—more beneath the surface than I expected based on smell and soon we were holding hands and I was flirtatiously fidgeting with my necklace, and and wondering if we’d kiss at the end of the bottle (probably don’t pick a mate that way though their smell when you meet them is kinda important methinks). Anyway, what did this wine (I’ve decided is Ryan Gosling type) have to say? A lot! But fortunately I don’t mind a wine with more to say than me. Butterscotch and yellow apple, and most intriguingly both up front and on the finish I get that gunflint-y smoky minerality I adore and it finishes with citrus peel, creme, and browned butter. Glad I gave it a chance. — 3 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.0

“Anjou Rouge: This lively, fruity red retains a strong minerality to its finish that lends class and balance to this simple and reasonably priced wine. Cabernet Franc forms the backbone of this wine (90%) but is blended with a touch of Grolleau (10%). The vines are planted to gravel and schist soils. The elevage is in cuve on the fine lies for approximately eight months. We purchase on the order of 5000 bottles of this wine annually.”

If you like Cabernet Franc, this may be your jam. Blended with 10% Grolleau- a new one to me- the Chateau Soucherie “Reliefs” (Anjou Red) is a gorgeous example of Cab Franc. Quick tip: decant this puppy- it only gets better.

As it opens it reveals deeper and deeper hints of bell pepper that soften and shake off their typical acidity to form a welcoming entry to a medium-full-bodied mouthfeel that feels and rhymes with the deeper elements of pepper, stewed cherries and flint.

The finish lingers and persuades you back to the nose.

A remarkable example of Cabernet Franc, and what can be found in the Loire Valley. — 4 years ago

Matt

9.2

Ah, the "Baronesa de Vilar Reserva Douro Red Blend," a splendid tribute to the enchanting Douro Valley of Portugal, unfurling beneath the nurturing sun and rugged terroir. One savors the deep, ruby-red elixir, where ripe black fruits entwine with whispers of vanilla and subtle spice—like a sultry tango between plum and cinnamon with a cheeky touch of oak.

The producer, the illustrious D. Ferreira, has roots tracing back to 1751, blending a storied past with the art of winemaking. Their devotion is akin to a Shakespearean romance—filled with drama and rustic allure.

Among its noble ingredients, you’ll find Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional; a veritable duo captivating the palate. Fun fact: Tinta Roriz, or Tempranillo, is not one to be trifled with—it’s as versatile as a thesbian on opening night.

Pair this beauty with lamb shanks or a rich mushroom risotto; the umami harmonizes splendidly, like a velvet glove on a glistening hand. Rated a polished 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, let this morsel of joy roll upon your tongue, but be careful—too much may leave you reclining dramatically, proclaiming “what a departure!” — 3 months ago

Ming L

9.1

Oaky and buttery for sure. But by no means this is a one dimensional. Beneath the surface lies depth of flavors, vibrant acidity, and refinements. A wine I don’t mind drinking everyday, young or aged. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

It’s official. We’ve taken the leap and registered for WSET Diploma (Level 4)! 😆 We’re excited for, and daunted by, the steep learning journey that lies ahead over the next 2-3 years…

What better way to mark the beginning of this journey than to sip on some lovely Ribera del Duero wine and work through a formal note using the systematic approach to tasting (SAT) wine? 🍷🍷

This wine is made from the ‘Tinta del Pais’ variety aka ‘Tinto Fino’ aka ‘Tempranillo.’ It hails from Ribera del Duero DO within the Duero Valley of Spain. 🇪🇸 Its topography is unique in that it’s largely cut off from maritime influences by surrounding mountains and is situated on the highest part of a plateau called the Meseta Central, over 2,780 feet above sea level. ⛰ ⛰

👁 This wine is deep ruby with notable tearing and extraction.

👃 On the nose this wine has a medium intensity of youthful aromas. Aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, black currant, blueberry, pomegranate, violet, anise, black licorice, and secondary notes of cedar, pencil shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.

👄 On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and medium intensity of flavors. Flavors include tart blackberry, black cherry, and black currant, dark chocolate, toast, cedar, nutmeg, and clove. The finish is medium.

This is a very good wine that is balanced in its core structure, offers aromatic and flavor complexity across primary and secondary categories, and has solid intensity and concentration of vibrant fruit. 💕 It may be consumed now (especially after decanting), but has potential for further aging.

Protos ’27, Ribera del Duero, Tinta del Pais, Vintage 2017, ABV 14.5%. Named in honor of the 11 vine growers who established Protos in 1927. — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Incredible aromatics of fresh and dried and roses and intense cherry flower. Elegant and enveloping. Glorious aromas. Wow. 9.6 nose. Road tar, oolong tea and smoke start to develop. Confectionary cherry flower. Mid to late season cherry as well. Stunning. Palate is dense yet lithe with ripe and juicy tannins and sweet mid season cherry fruit accented with cherry flower pollen. Wow. Such a well made wine and extraordinary finish. So complex, ethereal and concentrated. Pure and elegant. Just a stunner. My heart lies with Alto Piemonte and Valtelljna for Nebbiolo always. Wow the inner mouth aromas. So juicy and just full of energy. Unreal freshness makes this akin to popping so many perfect tiny cherries in one’s mouth. What a wine. Young but not inaccessible and so promising. Now with air there is an opulence to the mid palate. Wow what length. Now a 9.6 from 9.5. — 7 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Drinking this, you get a sense that you're staring into a bottomless lake - it's waters calm and dark, offering very little to what lies beneath. Perhaps a function of under-preparation or in it's dumb phase of aging, the 14' Les Clos was surprisingly underwhelming. Popped and poured, it started off with a sweaty reduction, before opening up to classic Chablis aromas. Palpably concentrated and deep, yet it lacked all the high points and clarity of the stellar 14' La Forest I just had 3 months ago. The table enjoyed it, but it was a disappointing pull for me. — 3 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.0

After our little vacation (what a pleasure and luxury after the year we’ve all had) it’s back to home cooking and drinking, and this bottle was sitting aside in the cellar because I was too lazy to reshelve it after pulling it out a few weeks ago and not getting around to drinking it. It smells of dusty dried sage and other herbs with a touch of cedar and red fruits beneath. Exceedingly silky, with dashi and miso notes mixing with raspberry and dried herbs that have this lovely aromatic sweetness that lingers with the herbs in the finish. Very pretty. — 4 years ago