Tasting Notes: Weekly Roundup

Happy Friday! Before we celebrate the coming weekend, we want to look back on drinks the Delectable community enjoyed and consumed this week. We've gathered a handful of reviews and notes that caught our eye. From detailed notes to standout photos, the Delectable community was busy this week, and there are so many great posts to read. Mark your favorites and pick up a bottle to try this weekend. Cheers!

Horsepower Vineyards

Fiddleneck Vineyard Grenache 2018

Mesmerizing Grenache from Christophe Baron. He once told me that his job is to sell pleasure and this wine is no less than that. Distinctively floral, with red and black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, grapefruits, nori leaves, crushed rocks and cola on the nose, the mouthfeel is sensational. So dense and concentrated, yet so light on its feet with ripe and deliciously smooth tannins. This is champions league winemaking. Drink now until 2033. — 2 years ago

Skip, Dawn and 9 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2016

The 2016 Chateau Musar, the winery’s latest vintage on release, is much less forthcoming on the nose than the 2013 and ‘15 that I’ve tried recently, despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that the Hochars consider 2016 to be a successful and very ageworthy vintage.

The nose is quite dense and tightly wound, much like a left bank Bordeaux presents in its youth, not yet revealing its cards besides aromas of cedar, steeped plum, smoked beef and cinnamon. The palate, however, is open for business - powerful and saturated, striking that wonderful Musar balance between dark fruit and tangy acidity, expanding towards a puckering finish with good length.

The lasting impression here is of a very modern rendition of Musar, with great clarity and purity to the fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate and great drinkability now (though equal potential to age). My preference of late remains the 2013, but that’s now quite hard to buy - so I’d happily have a case of this instead.

94+
— 2 years ago

Severn, Ted and 9 others liked this

Vilmart & Cie

Emotion Brut Champagne Pinot Noir - Chardonnay Rosé Blend 2012

Complex, orange, apple, and peach, tangy and slightly oxidized, nuts, yeast, and cinnamon. Soft bubbles creates a nice mousse, delicate, and luxurious, vibrant and long. — 2 years ago

Ted, LM and 9 others liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 2000

A classic that gets only best with time. Smooth in texture but wild in temperament — 2 years ago

Hermes, Eric and 12 others liked this

Cayuse Vineyards

Impulsivo Walla Walla Valley Tempranillo 2018

2nd Box Chocolate Habanero, Padrone & Trinidad Scorpion 🦂
This Tempranillo has that Washington Syrah nose, hard to believe its 100 % Tempranillo. Great juice
— 2 years ago

Tom, Shay and 30 others liked this
James Cahill

James Cahill

Chocolate & Pepper? Do tell.

Alex Foillard

Brouilly Gamay 2018

Lovely gamay Beaujolais, really turned great after an hour plus. Has that muddy consistency I love in a Beauj. Definitely needs an hour to open before handling food. Been awhile since I’ve had the Morgons but I think rivals them. Maybe the best KL import I’ve had? — 2 years ago

Severn, Paul and 8 others liked this

Château Yvonne

La Folie Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc 2020

An excellent fresh Loire Cabernet Franc bought from the magnificent La Bouchonnerie in Annecy, France.
After opening at lunch this was excellent and more open with a dinner of girolles and ravioli, with ripe savoury blackcurrant (leaves included) some pepper and a lick of mouth-puckering tannin. Makes you go back for more.
— 2 years ago

Ira, Neil and 9 others liked this

Chêne Bleu

Héloïse Syrah Grenache 2013

I loved this. Spicy syrah but super velvety texture. Excellent for a red meat pairing. — 2 years ago

Dennis Man
with Dennis
Ira, Byron and 5 others liked this

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

I wonder how this compares to nickel and nickel quicksilver? Loving this. Dark fruit. No purple teeth which means low tannins? Full body. Had with filet mignon. My sister in law loved it too! — 2 years ago

Daniel P., Brenda and 5 others liked this