Doug Powers

2098 wines • 103 followers • 103 following

Quintas do Homem, Lda

Vale do Homem Alvarinho 2023

8.7

Grassy, nice green notes in this fresh, crisp Vinho Verde made with Alvarinho grapes, refreshing on a hot day! — a day ago

with Jim

Dave, Tom and 3 others liked this

Saini Vineyards

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2022

Doug Powers

8.6

Old vine Dry Creek Zinfandel (which I LOVE), but the effusive raspberry that is always there is somewhat candied and doesn’t taste as fresh as it should, this is OK, but fading quickly from where it was a year or so ago!! — 3 days ago

with Jim

Dave and Tom liked this

Tom Casagrande

Weird that a ‘22 is already on the downslope. Off bottle?

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I’d guess an off bottle as well.

Robert Mondavi Winery

The Estates Oakville Fumé Blanc 2021

Doug Powers

9.2

Fresh cut grass and smoky notes as well in this rich, balanced California Sauvignon Blanc, long, lingering finish, while I’m on record as preferring Loire SB, this is rich and quite fine!! — 5 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 6 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

These guys were “Fume” Blanc pioneers decades ago. Glad to see they’re still on it

Tablas Creek Vineyard

Esprit Blanc de Tablas Roussanne Blend 2019

Doug Powers

9.3

[63% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 14% Picpoul, 3% Picardan] This is wonderfully floral, wildflowers, mineral, and white stonefruits, very crisp and refreshing, as well as quite youthful, the Picpoul assures lots of acidity, balanced, long finish, this seems built to go at least 10 years from the vintage, excellent!! — 7 days ago

with Jim

Dave, John and 10 others liked this

Domaine de l'Amauve

Réserve Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret 2016

Doug Powers

9.3

[80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 50% aged in new and used barrels.] Very dark purple color, rich, still seems very youthful, but outstanding fruit, long finish, this punches well above its CdRVillages weight!! — 2 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 4 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

I’m unfamiliar with this producer. Will keep an eye out. What was the alc. %?

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, it was 14.2%. No idea whether there is an East Coast importer, I’ve been getting the wines from my brother. Christian, the proprietor (this is the family property), was the cellar master at Mont Redon and then La Nerthe in CdP for many years before retiring to run l’Amauve.

Edmond Vatan

Clos La Néore Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2002

Doug Powers

9.3

So, this Sancerre is one of those IYKYK wines that I purchased nearly 20 years ago and lost in my cellar — Edmond Vatan (who I believe has been deceased for some time, his daughter is running the tiny estate these days) made around 500 cases of this amazing Sancerre, but the dumb ass typing this note thought it’d easily last 20-25 years (2002 being a fine Loire vintage) — obviously I significantly miscalculated, as this should have been consumed 10 or more years ago. With that said, with fresh grilled tuna steaks, the wine is standing up well, very nice richness, still excellent acidity. but any freshness has long ago faded. Yet, my admiration for Monsieur Vatan is only enhanced by the fact this shows pretty darn well for a wine not likely intended to be aged as long as the dumb ass typist thought it should!! — 5 days ago

with Jim

Ira, Dave and 8 others liked this

Doug Powers

So, as further defense for my stupidity, I was introduced to Vatan Sancerre in the late 1990s by an online wine mentor who said you HAVE to age them AT LEAST 10, and preferably more, and onna visit to my mentor in DC around 2002 or so, he pulled out a few bottles (likely 1989 & 1990), and I was blown away!! Also, like Raveneau and their golden waxed bottles that screamed “age me, a LONG time, or you will never be worthy”, Vatan also waxed his bottles in those days (puke green in Vatan’s case), so I of course deduced that these bottles should be aged!?!?
Of course, Randy Dunn used (uses still??) red wax, and even though I purchased some of my early Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernets while still less than 30, most of them will last until I’m nearing 130, which I concede ain’t happening!?!? 🤔🤷🙄🍷

Tablas Creek Vineyard

Adelaida District - Paso Robles Grenache Blanc 2023

Doug Powers

9.0

White peach, mineral, very good balancing acidity, crisp and clean, long finish, really lovely Paso Robles Grenache Blanc!! — 7 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Ira and 5 others liked this

Domaine de l'Amauve

Laurances Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Rouge 2017

Doug Powers

9.1

[75% Grenache, 25% Syrah, organic, tank-aged] Medium-dark purple color, youthful fruit that is black grape flavors, long, lingering finish, drinking well now but should last 3-5 more years, I’d guess, yummy!! — 2 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Three Wine Company

Contra Costa County Old Vines Zinfandel 2019

Doug Powers

9.1

Classic old vines Contra Costa Zinfandel, brambly, spicy, rich yet not heavy, some heat (15.2%), but it really tastes great with homemade pizza, even in high-90s heat here in NorCal!! — 3 days ago

with Jim

Dave, Jan and 2 others liked this

Doug Powers

Actually @Dave Clinton, it was more like 97-98, but “it’s a dry heat” — yeah, when I was 30-40 years old, probably true, but as I get older, much over 90 and I wanna curl up in the wine cellar!!

Dave Clinton

I hear that.

Tom Casagrande

The humidity the last two weeks here in NoVa has been oppressive. I love me some old vine CC Zin.

Domaine de Montcy

Cour-Cheverny 2008

Doug Powers

9.3

Amazing white wine made from Romorantin grapes which visually looks like it’s 3-5 years old, at most, this grape variety is related to Chardonnay, but WAY drier, the entire appellation is 120 acres/48 hectares in the Loire valley, really a super unique wine that apparently will age almost forever, mineral, loads of acidity, needs food (which I don’t have in front of me — waaah!!), longish finish!! As an aside, there is a great Loire chateau to visit in this area, called Chateau de Cheverny, which is still lived in/occupied, but is well worth a visit!! Really amazing wine!! — 7 days ago

with Jim

Peter, ESF and 6 others liked this

Doug Powers

@Peter van den Besselaar, thanks for your note, so I don’t feel like a total freak!! 🤔🤷🙄

Severn Goodwin

I have some Cazin C-C (2002) in hiding, last time I had a bottle we were amazed at the longevity, I immediately bought whatever I could get for the current vintage at the time (2018) to continue the ongoing experiment for many years into the future... You are not crazy.

Doug Powers

@Severn Goodwin, thanks for the additional point!!