Wish For Sun
Jacques Selosse
Lieux Dits Aÿ La Cote Faron Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend
The first “ah ha” Selosse wine for me many years ago. The south facing La Côte Faron is particularly “Selossien” and therefore particularly singular, with its oxidative complexity, textural richness and generous sun kissed ripe fruit expression. Like all Selosse wines, it’s layered and particularly aromatic for Champagne with intense caramelized red berry fruit, licorice and wildflower honey. The palate shows tremendous volume and intensity with a powerful, full bodied and satiny texture and a long, vibrant, mineral finish. So good. — 2 months ago
Continuum
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014
Tim Mondavi’s master piece! This is my 2014 Continuum. One word: FANTABULOUS! Sage mountain vineyard in 2014 was incredible for cabernet! This is the best cab Ive had all year! Who says you dont always get what you pay for? 225 dollars of pure ecstasy in a glass! Wow. Fig newton dipped in grape jelly on the nose. Dark berries fill the palate followed by black pepper and dark chocolate . It is as velvety smooth as it gets. The oak and tree moss come through on the finish with a slight tingle on the corners of the lips and cheeks. The finish is dry and lingers with even more complexity! Cigar box, mineral rich soil, Black licorice, and grape jelly again! Goodness. I have been waiting on this one for a long time and I am so glad it is as good as I thought it would be. I just wish I had someone to share it with!!! — 4 years ago
Thierry Allemand
Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2012
Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.
I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.
Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.
I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point. — 23 days ago
Ameztoi
Getariako Txakolina Hondarrabi Zuri
Along a bustling path made of ancient cut cobblestone, shadows lengthen across the exterior walls. Taverns bursting at the seams with people searching for refuge and libations as the sun grows weary. At the edge of this narrow bustling thoroughfare, the cobblestone rises up and creates a barrier against the vast void of the Bay of Biscay. Laughter, playful arguments, and wanting whispers flood the air, adding to the oppressive heat the suns pushes towards me in its last ditch effort of discomfort for the day. I drink up every ray as my feet dangle towards the breaking waves. All is right. The sun rays slowly crossfade into the voices growing louder as the night begins.
Nose: light strawberry, cut grass, lemon thyme. All faintly so.
Palate: bell pepper, serrano pepper, thai basil, zippy, medium-high acid, light bodied, lower alcohol. — 6 months ago
Bodegas El Nido
Clio Jumilla Monastrell-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020
The 2020 Clio is a blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Zingla Vineyard, which was planted in 1936 in Jumilla. Aged for 22 months in French and American oak barrels, this garnet wine unfolds in the glass with ripe black fruit and dried fruit notes, layered with herbal and oaky nuances and a prominent vanilla tone. Indulgent and bold, the rich palate features a velvety, overwhelming mouthfeel. This is a ripe, concentrated red born under the Mediterranean sun. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, September 2024)
— a year ago
Williams Selyem
Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir 2023
Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir “Westside Road Neighbors” – Vintage 2023
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
An expressive and terroir-driven Pinot Noir from the revered Westside Road corridor of the Russian River Valley, a stretch synonymous with depth, precision, and complexity. This 2023 release from Williams Selyem showcases the hallmark elegance of the estate but with a more structured, site-focused personality.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe cherry, red currant, and plum compote intertwined with notes of black tea, baking spice, and subtle earthy undertones. Hints of cola and dried rose petals emerge as the wine opens, adding nuance to its aromatic range.
Mouthfeel
Texturally denser than the core RRV bottling, with a refined backbone of tannin and a sense of gravitas on the palate. Medium-plus body with impressive balance, equal parts finesse and muscle. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-tinged, reflecting the complexity of its vineyard sources.
Food Pairings
Perfect for roast duck with cherry glaze, wild mushroom tart, or seared salmon with soy-ginger glaze. The structure also pairs beautifully with richer poultry or pork dishes.
Verdict
A Pinot Noir of precision and presence, more grounded and terroir-driven than its softer sibling. “Westside Road Neighbors” is the connoisseur’s pick: powerful yet graceful, and built for cellaring.
Did You Know?
The “Westside Road Neighbors” cuvée blends fruit from several prestigious vineyards located along one of Sonoma’s most famous Pinot corridors, where fog and afternoon sun create the perfect microclimate for depth and elegance.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This Pinot stands out for its balance of structure and soul. A wine that feels both intellectual and emotional, it invites reflection while still being effortlessly enjoyable. — 2 months ago
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2011
Typical nose of an Art Series Chardonnay with that dried pear character. On the medium weight palate a nice combination of ripe grapefruit and under ripe yellow peach. Medium minus acid. One can’t help but love this Chardonnay. A wonderful terroir, the Gin Gin clone, great winemaking, and an excellent vintage - ticks all the boxes. At its peak but enough acid for a few more years if you wish. That was my last bottle of the 2011. — a year ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989
The 1989 Lynch-Bages is arguably the pinnacle of a fecund era for the Pauillac estate. The aromatics bowl you over with their intensity and precision, complex and brimming with personality: black fruit laced with graphite and blood orange. It would shade many a First Growth. The palate is medium-bodied with gorgeous, multi-layered black fruit on top of graphite and tobacco with just a faint touch of meat juices towards the entrancing finish. Frankly, there is nothing more that you could wish from a Pauillac that is audacious and utterly charming. Tasted at the château both in bottle and double-magnum formats. (Neal Martin, Vinous, July 2023) — 2 years ago
Dave
Seeing the sun for the first time in weeks! This wine is making my day even brighter. A rich, deep ruby color with a complex nose. Dark fruit, herbs, lavender, chocolate. Flavors of sour plum, over ripe berries, crushed herbs, vanilla. Fairly tannic and still plenty youthful, this could age a good long while. I bought the last bottle at Binny's for $25, which i think was a great deal.
Listening to Wes Montgomery — 11 hours ago