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.
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@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.
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:
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.
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.
- 1995 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia (1/26/2022)
WIML93Tasted 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
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.
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.