Tom Casagrande

9.1

Had a bottle of this about 4 years ago and it seemed a little scorchy and astringent, though there was decent fruit. I thought, with a degree of caution, that it might improve with a few years of age, and it has. Nose is quite unique, with loads of very iron-y baked earth, some old furniture scent, but still some nice red fruit. Nice attack with fruit leading, but the bone dry palate then transitions to savory notes. Tannins have softened, but still a teensy bit drying in the finish. Will go nicely with a scottiglia (of sorts) that’s braising. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

(These are night 2 notes) A dinner guest brought this. I’d never heard of this grower, but, damn, it’s really good. Luckily we didn’t finish it at the dinner because there was a lot going on, but on night 2 wow. Intense minerally and deep, dark, pure cherry nose. A hint of flintiness. Linear and tight on the palate, but clearly the flavor depth is there. Screaming acids. Tannins very soft. This needs 3-5 more years, minimum, but it will be even better then. — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Of regions known for Zin, Lodi is low on my list. But this is very nice. It’s got that soft, “I game all day and never go to the gym” physique, but the fragrance flavors are quite nice. Rich, but has nice restraint. So tasty. Nice length. Just about as good as anyone can do with Lodi fruit, IMO. — 14 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

The 2020 edition of this wine is excellent. Still on the young side, it’s got a classic Zin nose of pristine brambly blackberry, a lifted note that’s almost but not quite eucalyptus adjacent, and some loamy gravel. Gorgeous balance in the mouth, rich and intense but with an elegant texture, tannins abundant but buried under the concentrated flavors. Flavors balance fruit and savory notes. Long. Love this one. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Now this is a Chenin Blanc I can get behind! Slightly aging brassy gold. Nose is so nice: sweet, oozing, bruised orchard fruit, a floral/tropical note. Sweat (but not stinky sweat). On the palate it’s terrific. Like fresh sweet slices of Anjou pear. A very slight oxidative note (but not enough to turn me off), and some bitter honey. Long finish. — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Popped and poured, zero sediment. Color shows a little amber at the rim. Nose smells a bit tertiary for a wine only 6 years old. Scents of rioe, macerated cherry competing with old leather and some mahogany furniture scent. Lots of dessicated gravel too. In the mouth it’s a bit lean, with puckery tannins and a shortish finish. Flavors on entry are on the savory side. Lacks fruit somewhat on the palate. Just OK, which is disappointing for this wine.

UPDATE: On night 2, after being under a vacuum closure, it’s showing more depth, liveliness, and fruit. Upping the score from 8.7 on night one to 8.9 on night 2. — 12 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Terrific Riesling. Still bright and youthful but very approachable. Nose is zesty with appley fruit, cracked stone minerality, and the faintest bit of petrol. Fruity but bone dry on the palate, with great acids and a minerally finish. Delicious. — 6 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I just love the 100+ yr.-old Zins, Mataros, Carignanes and blends from the pure-sand soils of CCC. And Bedrock does such a great job with this Smithsonian-worthy fruit. This wine has a gorgeous nose of holiday-spiced tangy, oozy dark-red berries. The palate is a bit more reserved than the manic nose, but everything is in perfect balance. The tangy, deep fruit hits first, but there is zero jamminess and, in fact, it’s even a bit lithe and lean. At the back end of the palate it turns savory and there’s some nice minerality. Tannins in check and it’s got pretty nice length for a Carignane, which tends to say its goodbyes on the quicker side. — 7 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Interesting change of pace wine. Yep, it’s frizzy. Nose has loads of apple skin and straw scents. Wet stones from a stream too. Bright but quite densely flavored on the palate. Big whack of barely ripe, slightly bitter apple skin fruit. Bright acids. 11.5% abv. Surprised how much I like this. — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Quickie party notes. An end of the dinner treat. So rich, honeyed apricot. Yum — 15 days ago