Tom Casagrande

8.7

Lychee and musky floral notes accompany tropical fruit and a bit of stony minerality on the nose. More restrained on the palate, with a nice whack of fruit and stone initially, just off-dry with a nice bitter note mid and back half of the palate, where the wine thins out considerably. Simple, and not very deep, but it’s actually refreshing for a Gewurz. — 14 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Not sure if this is the correct domaine because it says Pierre and Claire Chapuis, not Maurice and Anne-Marie. Love the deeply sappy cherry fruit and loamy, limestoney earthiness on the nose. On the palate, the ripe fruit is almost overwhelming. But there is substantial stony minerality behind it. The tannins are there, but they’re buried under the tsunami of fruit. Tightens up a little at the end of the finish. This wine is on the hedonistic end of the spectrum for sure. Acids a tad low and not a ton of complexity, but lots of bang for the Burgundian buck. — 5 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

So good and drinkable for a young Barolo. Dark macerated cherries, licorice, and warm gravel on the nose. Loads of concentrated fruit on the palate. Tannin too, but it’s soft and the flavor density more than buries it. Superb balance. — 12 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Double decanted to get rid of a fair amount of sediment. Deeply earthy nose with tiny pungent mountain berry fruit. Sharp roasted herbs too and beef jerky. On the palate, nicely intense flavors and zingy acidity, tannins there but resolving. Lengthy finish. 76% Syrah 24% Grenache Only 13.6% alcohol! From Sonoma County. Aging quite slowly and easily could be confused with a good Northern Rhone Syrah. Serving with braised lamb shanks. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Superb for its humble appellation. Delicate nose needs a little coaxing, but when it comes through it’s got ripe lemon, a little moist limestoney gravel, and a faint hazelnut note. In the mouth it’s a little less shy, with a Meursault-like amalgam of smoky gravel, lemon oil, and dry oatmeal, though in a lighter format. Fantastic acids. Finish is quite lingering. Is it worth $90? Well, if you’re in the mood for PYCM and see it on the shelf, then, yes, you take it home. I was, I saw, I took home.

UPDATE: two hours later, as it warms and breathes, holy cow, what a wine. More of everything. Upping from 9.2 to 9.3. Yes, 9.3 for a Bourgogne Blanc. — 7 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Inexpensive old vine blend of 60% Grenache 40% Syrah. The Grenache character really shows. Juicy ripe berries on the nose, a little roasted green herb note, a little licorice. Soft and balanced in the mouth. A little soft tannin. Medium to medium-low acids. Dry, with fruity and savory notes on the palate. Medium length finish. Solid. — 10 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Extraordinarily light color, especially since it’s from 150 yr. old vines (biodynamically grown). With that color and the 13.5% alcohol, it’s not made in the traditional mold. Nose has lots of just-ripe-enough cherry and pink grapefruit rind, the barest hint of an herbal note, and a little crushed stone. Forceful flavors but soft-textured on the palate. Cherry fruit with a pronounced bitter edge and lots of cracked stone powder. Acids are surprisingly low for such a low-alcohol rendition. Very good depth of flavor. Almost reminds me of the new wave Garnachas from Gredos, but with a little less acidity. Unique. Gonna try it with pesto since my basil plants are still producing like crazy. — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Last had this 2 1/2 years ago. It was drinking beautifully then and still is, thought the tertiary notes are gaining ground.

UPDATE: On night 3, after being under a vacuum closure, there’s more weight and fruit, proving my quip about the tertiary notes to be somewhat off. — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Popped this because we’re having a Tuscan dish and my daughter, who’s here with her hubbie, doesn’t like older wines. This is a very soft and fruity take on Brunello, and it’s very fun. Sweet spice and macerated ripe cherry and warm terra cotta tiles on the nose. Soft and mouthfilling. Loads of deep fruit on the palate initially, very soft, the alcohol pooks through a bit on the finish. Really nice with the food, if not complex and classically austere. — 9 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Very earthy nose. Lots of crushed rock but also, surprisingly, a lot of moist woodland underbrush. Also some dark cherry fruit. On the palate, it’s very soft. Hard cherry candy fruit comes through first, and then a drying minerality tries to muscle in, but there’s enough fruit to maintain balance. Lowish acids but mineral freshness. Drink these over the next year or two, preferably with food. — 13 days ago