NV Ayala Champagne Brut Rosé Majeur - not a producer with whom I’m familiar, this is a fairly rich bubbly, lots of Pinot Noir character, cherry and ripe strawberry flavours dominant, some floral elements on the nose as well, silky, almost creamy. Very nice; will buy this again.
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2013 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouline
2007 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut
A couple highlights from the New Year’s Eve celebration. The La La was outstanding and paired well with the Prime Rib w/ Black Trumpet Jous, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes and grated Black Winter Truffle. I’m fortunate enough to have a couple more 2013’s to follow its progressing. And well the Bollinger was a near perfect champagne for me.
Happy New Year!
2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
2019 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnemuhr Riesling Kabinett - Paired well with Jerk Chicken Roti
Tonight with lots of basil, pasta, and leftover chicken, 2005 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is firing on all cylinders tonight. Remarkable berry and spice nose that leaps out of the glass with very little coaxing, lots of berry, plum, sandalwood, fresh fig, grilled beef on the palate, silky in the mouth, about perfect acidity for my taste, long rich minerally finish with some fine but gentle tannins and still lots of fruit. A terrific wine and, as it turns out, a very good value almost 15 years ago.
Mimik, the ‘04 Pegaü was magnificent. Hard to say without having them side by side, but I think I’d give the Pegaü a slight edge over this Donjon. Pegaü and Beaucastel are my 2 favourite Châteauneufs (maybe Boisrenard as well), though I don’t recall a single one— excepting corked bottles— that I didn’t enjoy.
1996 Jadot Bonne Mares. Corked
Glad to hear Seaquam. Pegau and st -Prefert are my favourite cdp producers with a nod to Sabon’s secret cuvée
2011 Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Peumo Vineyard Block 27 Carmenere. Too much greenness for my taste, despite a decant. 
NV Moet Imperial brut
NV Taittinger La Francaise
NV Kirkland Champagne
2017 Aaron Petite Sirah
@chard posted:How was this? I had no idea this was even available. Talk about dedication to the brand name on their part.
Hi Chard, Very nice if basic, but well worth the $20 it was. I'd buy more the next time I'm in Costco if they still have it. I'm terrible at tasting notes, but, medium bead, on the brut side of dry, more steely/oyster shell that rich.
2016 CVNE Crianza. Corked😡
second bottle ok.😀
2017 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine<
Don't ask. Ringer in a double blind tasting.
2012 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard
Last night we took a bottle of 2016 M Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette to an early dinner at our local fish place. The wine is fabulous, rich and complex, great aromatics, long finish, showing more depth as it breathes, and a great accompaniment to all of the small dishes we had, especially sautéed ocean scallops on a very buttery cauliflower purée. Yum!😋
2005 Llanos Del Amendro
1999 Harvest estate Riesling icewine
2019 Castellare di Castellino chianti Classico
Both excellent
2011 Chateau Pipeau. Nice bottle.
2011 Tawse Meritage (Niagara). Last bottle; drinking very well.
2013 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas
2016 Saxum The Hexe
2014 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard
Last night, 2019 Vincent Carême Vouvray Le Clos, nice pear and honey on the nose, add in lots of mineral on the palate, rich texture, good acidity, long finish. Very nice wine, a small step down from dry Huet Vouvrays, and priced accordingly.
Decanted for tonight, 2012 K Syrah The Beautiful, still very dark, damson plum and blackberry liqueur, bittersweet chocolate, hint of pepper, quite silky, very long finish, excellent. Don't know whether this still has room for improvement, but very tasty today.
2018 San Giusto a Rentennano Barancole Riserva chianti Classico
2016 Mount Eden Pinot Noir. While elegant by California standards, it reminded me why I much prefer the Chardonnay and Cabernet from this producer, and why I prefer the new world pinot I drink to be from Oregon.
2017 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm
Our local fish restaurant very kindly lets us come in early, before regular service starts, and isolates us in a section that won't be used until we leave. This works well for us; we're fortunate to have such a good connection with such a good restaurant.
Tonight we're taking 2013 Chateau De Fieuzal white, a go-to Bordeaux for me; I usually pick up 3 or 4 bottles in good vintages. Haven't tried this one yet.
2017 Caliza Winery Grenache
1981 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
2013 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
2014 Louis Jadot Beaunes-Greves.
@wineismylife posted:1981 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
Please share your thoughts on this one!
Tasted non blind.
Yellow to gold color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of pencil shavings, yellow pears and wet stones. Earthy flavors of mixed yellow fruits and minerals. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink now.
Not rated. Seems a bit past the drinking window or simply a tad off.
2008 Stony Hill Chardonnay
Last night, 2005 Delas Hermitage Les Bessards, loaded with plum, berry, mineral, silky, but starting to fade a bit quickly on the finish. I have one more, and will enjoy it soon.
Tonight with chicken and lentil soup, 2017 Vasse Felix Chardonnay Filius. Have gone through more than a case of these; no disappointments.
Going through some 2014 Stefania.
Last night, finished of the 2014 Crimson Clover cab (excellent...93pts)
Tonight, the 2014 Cab SCM (not quite as ethereal as the CC, but lovely. 90pts)
1996 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series
2007 Domaine du Pegau Reserve Chateauneuf du Pape from magnum over the weekend.... spectacular.
2002 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge tonight ... still holding, showing well.
Tonight, 2009 Camus Chambertin, opened up nicely to show dark cherry and berries on nose and palate, anise, silky, good acidity, lots of fruit on the finish which fades gently. Pretty nice wine from a negociant I’d never tried before, exceeded expectations.
2014 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope
2006 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino
2018 Clos la Roquete Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
2018 Turley Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
A.j. De margerie nv champagne. Celebrated the temperature getting up to 40 for the first time in a bit.
with a big Caesar salad for lunch
Last night, 2012 Melville Pinot Noir Estate, really lovely floral nose, on the palate mostly plum, some black pepper, anise, medium length finish, but still surprisingly tannic. I don’t get the sense that the fruit will outlast that tannin.
@wineismylife posted:1996 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series
How'd your show? last time i had it, it was oxidized =T
Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2019. Delicious.
@g-man posted:How'd your show? last time i had it, it was oxidized =T
Pretty good. I would say mildly oxidized as in brandy like notes on the nose. About the same as I'd expect out of a White Burgundy of the same age.
Bunch of Stefania, AP Vin and Loring lately. 2011 Evening Land Seven Springs
2005 Ch Bolaire, nice value bdx, plenty ready.
2008 Arcadian Syrah Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Test driving a Champagne from a house I hadn’t heard of previously: NV LIlbert Fils Champagne Perle Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant, a long name to write but a wine that’s delicious. Lovely pale gold, floral nose, lemon, grapefruit, hint of sage, lots of mineral, rich texture, vibrant mousse, long finish. Excellent. I’ll buy a few more this week.
2019 Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, with beef ribs. This is from the Duckhorn folks.
Pretty lush fruit and a long finish. I think there is some merlot in here, which tempers the strength of the wine, and makes it pleasing and mellow on the palate. (The ribs helped!) Maybe 88 points or so.... For under $20, it's a nice daily drinker.
2008 Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir (Marlborough). Last bottle of a very good run. For those who enjoy a fuller-body Pinot.
2013 Loring Rosellas
2015 Loring Matero Santa Lucia Highlands
2009 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Black Hills Estate Syrah (Okanagan). Black fruit, full bodied, lovely wine.
@Bytown Rick posted:2014 Black Hills Estate Syrah (Okanagan). Black fruit, full bodied, lovely wine.
Nice! When they produce a good one, it’s usually very, very good.
Tonight with lamb souvlakia from our favourite local Greek joint, we had 2001 D’Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm, dark like a barrel sample, very little bricking, gorgeous berry and plum nose, some pipe tobacco, and in the mouth blackberry, plum, sandalwood, black pepper, super silky, dry and intense, but on the very long finish it actually gets sweeter, almost jammy, with fruit that fades slowly. Invites another sip, and then another.
It’s hard to believe that this is a wine that’s old enough to vote anywhere in North America, and while I don’t see how it can get any better, it is spectacular now and should last a while longer. I can hardly wait to open this blind for a couple of my sommelier friends in the coming months. By any wine lover’s standards, this is a “Wow!” wine. I’m glad I still have a few more.
@seaquam posted:
T
It’s hard to believe that this is a wine that’s old enough to vote anywhere in North America, and while I don’t see how it can get any better, it is spectacular now and should last a while longer. I can hardly wait to open this blind for a couple of my sommelier friends in the coming months. By any wine lover’s standards, this is a “Wow!” wine. I’m glad I still have a few more.
There was a bit of a discussion a while back about whether the 2001 is the best ever Dead Arm. A number of people here seem to think so.
Hope you both are well.
@seaquam posted:
It’s hard to believe that this is a wine that’s old enough to vote anywhere in North America, and while I don’t see how it can get any better, it is spectacular now and should last a while longer. I can hardly wait to open this blind for a couple of my sommelier friends in the coming months. By any wine lover’s standards, this is a “Wow!” wine. I’m glad I still have a few more.
A wine I've had 5 times between 2003 and 2014. Except for the last bottle which was flawed, this always showed wonderfully. Wish I had saved one. How many more bottles do you have.
Took a quick look on winebid and it is selling for $125.
VM
1995 Penfolds Grange
2011 Harlan Estate The Maiden
How was 1995 Grange, WIML? Oldest I’ve had was 17, and it was a bit disappointing (2001 Grange at Montreal offline in 2018; it was outshone by 01 Dead Arm, among others). I’ve been offered some well-stores older Grange but I’ve never bitten.
VM, I still have 3, plus a pair each of 2002 and 2005. I’ll open them sooner rather than later, I think. (I have the 05s because our long absent friend King of Hearts asked me to get a 6-pack for him, but then he split up with his Seattle love and I never saw him again. Too bad for him, in both respects 😁 Anyway, no problem for me to enjoy these!)
It wasn't as good as I hoped. A smidge in decline or simply underperformed in my opinion.
Tasted non blind.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of leather, florals, currants and plums. Flavors of plums, curry, raspberries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannin, full bodied. Drink over the short term. (93 points)
@seaquam posted:How was 1995 Grange, WIML? Oldest I’ve had was 17, and it was a bit disappointing (2001 Grange at Montreal offline in 2018; it was outshone by 01 Dead Arm, among others). I’ve been offered some well-stores older Grange but I’ve never bitten.
VM, I still have 3, plus a pair each of 2002 and 2005. I’ll open them sooner rather than later, I think. (I have the 05s because our long absent friend King of Hearts asked me to get a 6-pack for him, but then he split up with his Seattle love and I never saw him again. Too bad for him, in both respects 😁 Anyway, no problem for me to enjoy these!)
I love old Grange. First time I had 1993 Grange was about 5 or 6 years ago and it was a “holy sh%t” moment, that made me understand why these wines cost a fortune. Grange ( like most hermitages) need a lot of time. Surprised to hear that the 1995 was disappointing- that’s a shame. 2002 was a huge year- way too young to drink unless you decant it for an eternity, but should be a 100pt wine by the time it comes around. 2005 was another big year.
1996 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
My thoughts may be skewed because this was my first taste of wine since Christmas after finishing Whole 30, but Wow!
J3
@jcubed posted:1996 Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac
My thoughts may be skewed because this was my first taste of wine since Christmas after finishing Whole 30, but Wow!
J3
I still have a magnum of this sitting in the cellar. No rush to drink?
VM
Friday, with fresh oysters, prawns, ling cod, spring salmon, etc
- NV Piper Heidsieck Brut
- 2013 Château Fieuzal blanc
- 2014 William Fevre Chablis Montmains
- 2011 Desjourneys Moulin à Vent
The Bordeaux was great with oysters, excellent acidity and a slight herbal edge that shone with the mignonette and fresh grated horseradish. The Moulin à Vent was poured for us by the restaurant which had just received a small stash, and it was as they described: more like a good Burgundy than a Beaujolais. An eye-opener. The Chablis seems about at peak now, and was my WOTN. There was also a glass of Sherry and some marinated olives to start, but I didn’t catch the name of that wine.
Last night, 2019 Lafond Tavel Rosé Roc Epine, darker than most, pretty good.
2020 Domaine de Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet
2014 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Guadalupe Vineyard
2009 Domaine Charvin cdp
2010 Delas Sainte-Épine saint-Joseph
2011 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Tonight, 2016 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Estate, nose and palate feature cherry and tomato leaf, silky, fairly long finish. Nice.
@Vino Me posted:I still have a magnum of this sitting in the cellar. No rush to drink?
VM
No rush VM. The 750 still has plenty of life left IMHO.
J3
2017 Poggio Nardone Rosso di Montalcino
Nothing special to report. I'm drinking while making a vegetable broth as our power went out due to high winds in the Bay Area and our refrigerator was off line for 16 hours. I thought it was a good excuse to clean the storage bins and make it useful.
