Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Had three bottles since 2010 or so. This is my first.

Nice, elegant but lacks what I hoped in Brunello’s I’ve had from this vintage and previous Brunello’s I’ve enjoyed.

It needed the bolognese. As the night & the meal progressed, it showed me its better self. It was short/less even w/ a hour decant. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I had this back in July of 2023. The reading is largely the same, but the integration and evolution are much better.

Charles Hendricks made one of the best CA Pinot Noirs I’ve ever had. His 2008 Hendricks Santa Lucia, Highlands was spectacular.

Charles Hendricks is one of the best and largely unknown winemakers in Northern California.

The nose is soft, ripe; blackberries, both plums, black raspberries, cinnamon, light smoke, grilled meats,?soft wood shavings, elegant and understated baking spices, touch of smoke, anise to black licorice, red roses, dark flowers, and violets 

The palate entry is ripe, touch rich, beautifully floral; blackberries, both plums, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, soft, new oak barrel powder, smoke, dark spice with a little bit of palate heat, forest floor with leaves, dry tobacco, Understated dry leather elegant and understated baking spices, touch of smoke, anise to black licorice, red roses, dark flowers, and violets, rainfall acidity and a finish that is very well balanced, integrated, well-toned, nicely structured, lasts nearly 90 seconds to two-minutes and long sets on earth and spice.

Photos of; the San Lucia Highlands, the new Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville and Charles Hendricks. — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Have three of these and bought three more today at Costco for $39. So, I thought I’d Coravin one.

First taste from a glass a hour decanted, it is rather light on its feet and drinks easily for a young Italian. Bibi doesn’t push much new wood. I believe 1% new oak added per vintage.

If I remember correctly, Monica preferred the 21 and Bibi preferres the 20. I have both. So, we’ll see the difference. Bibi also prefers his ABV at 13%. This is 13.5. I prefer 12-13%.

It drinks closer to a Rosso than a 100% well toned Sangiovese.

It is round & rich. It lacks the punishing oak Italian reds are generally known. The fruits are elegant, ripe, dark, slightly sour cherries, blackberries, poached strawberries, orange peel, blueberry hues, some raisins, soft cedar, light, fresh tobacco leaf, under stated leather hardly used, sage, dry soils, dry rock powder, mid dark spices, red florals, red roses & violets, rainfall acidity, very well balanced/toned, mid structured with soft length and an elegant finish that lasts 60 seconds and lands on backing spices.

As good as it is tonight, better things will come in 2035+. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This bottle is a different source than my previous post. This is loaded w/ mulberries, gooseberries and liquid violets. Experience tells me, this bottle didn’t have quite the storage of my last.

This has a dark core of currents, blackberries, black, raspberries, dark cherry liqueur, both plums, mulberries, gooseberries & raspberries, mid to dark berry cola, dark chocolate cake with fudge, anise to black licorice, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon stick, and vanillin, dark spice, oak barrel shavings, cigar box, used leather, lead pencil shavings, moist clays, dry soils, limestone, dry crushed, rocks, dark, withering flowers, violets, and lavender, nice acidity, a well balanced, nicely toned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on spice and dry earth.

It still has another 5-7 years of road ahead. I just don’t think 2012’s have the longevity of 2013 and 2014 etc..

A Charles Hendricks made wine. — 19 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The Egly-Ouriet is a 94 but winning the “Little Brown Jug” today for the first time since 2014 is a 10. Especially, since they have not won it on their home field in 50 years. Calls Champagne. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I had this one back in July.

The bottle notes differently, not entirely but very different.

The entry is Braeburn apple cider, bruised Bosc pear, raspberries, white and some red cherries, marmalade fruit bits, white citrus blend with pith, soft, melted caramel, vanillin, graham cracker.crust, just a touch of yeast, mildly bitty volcanic minerals, saline, edgy textured chalky bits, sea fossils, limestone marl, dry river stone, white spice-ginger, specs of nutmeg, funeral flowers lilies, white spring flowers mixed in greens, very lively acidity w/ grand precision, the elegant finish is very well balanced, nicely toned, mid structured, smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice, volcanics and pumpkin pie made with clove.

1/3 of each; of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, Sourced from, Trigny, Massif de Saint-Thierry-sandier soils near the Petite Montagne, vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks, aged 36 months on the lees, dosage 1-2 grams👌and ABV 12.5%.

Photos of, the champagne house of Egly-Ouriet, vineyard, barrel room and Owner and Winemaker Francis Egly w/ some of his beautiful clusters of freshly picked Pinot Noir or Meuiner. — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a “Nature” Blanc de Blanc and bone dry. I used to not enjoy Nature’s so much not long ago. Then, I gravitated to EB’s and once that got put into gear, Nature’s came naturally

The first sip is delicious. It starts with bruised pear/red apple, married to a strong presence of volcanic minerals, bitty, gritty chalk/limestone and elevated white spice, tropical melons follow-yellow watermelon, not very ripe mango, some pineapple, white stone fruits, green apple follows & circles the above, graham cracker crust, vanillin, caramel, biscuits, sea spray to saline, sea fossils-oyster shells, dry river stone, yellow & white flowers set in greens, hints of jasmine, fruit blossoms, crisp acidity, incredibly well balanced/toned/structured, great length w/ a beautiful finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & minerals.

Beautiful Champagne that will benefit from 5 plus yrs of cellaring. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is well beyond critical reviews young.

Sofia & I became friends with Jean D’Anjoy (photo to right). Winemaker who now runs all the Rothschild properties. He was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus One for 10 yrs. He had many offers to be a Napa Winemaker but refused. Had he, he would have been demeeded a Napa Winemaker when he wanted to always go back to Bordeaux as a Winemaker. Opus was fine as it is 1/2 French owed. He later became the the Clerc Milon Winemaker in 09. What a first vintage. He simultaneously built the new facilities at Clerc Milon. He is also perhaps the best & kindest human being I’ve ever met.

He arranged for Sofia & I to pick the Mouton Merlot and work all phases of the 2012 Clark Milon vintage. So, you might wanna not buy the 2012 vintage of Mouton & Clerc. 😂 He also arranged for us to sit at the Baroness’s table for the harvest luncheon where they poured the last of the filtered bottom of the barrels of 82 Mouton. I asked Sofia to pinch me. The Baroness sadly died two years later.

The nose is sweet and a touch sour; blackberries & black raspberries. Floral & slightly candied; dark and light cherries, juicy strawberries, raspberries and some circling baked rhubarb. Understated new oak barrel powder, beautiful baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, dry leaves and twig, baking powder, fresh and dry herbs, lead pencil shavings, limestone, dark soils, dry pebbles, red, and dark florals set in liquid violets.

The palate shows medium plus well rounded, softened, resolved tannins. The fruit is ripe and juicy. Blackberries & black raspberries. Floral & slightly candied; dark and light cherries, juicy strawberries, raspberries and some circling baked rhubarb. Understated new oak barrel powder, beautiful baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, dry leaves and twig, baking powder, mid, dark spices with a shade of heat, fresh and dry herbs, lead pencil shavings, moist to dry tobacco, used leather, limestone, dark soils, dry pebbles, red, and dark florals set in liquid violets, perfect acidity and a grand elegant, well balanced, integrated finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice & earth.

An elegant beauty if I ever had one. Has another 5-7 yr ahead depending on storage.

Photos of; the new facilities at Clerc Milon, Jean D’Anjoy and their vineyards, barrel room and tasting/entertaining lounge.

Delectable & IOS 27 isn’t a good fit today. — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had this vintage several times over the last few yrs. I had it two yrs ago w/ Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward. This is the weakest link I’ve had. It simply lacked the proper storage of the previous bottles I’ve had.

The color is still dark and the fruit is still intact. But this bottle has just started its plum, date, dark raisin and fig stage. Let me say again…just.

This is 13% ABV…love it. As I do with many 80’s Napa & Bordeaux’s. It does get better with each coldish coravined sip.

The tannins are well resolved and there is complete integration & evolution. Plum,s date, dark raisin & fig. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries & dark spiced circling raspberries. Potpourri, baking spice delight-soft clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, understated caramel, dark chocolate baking bar to chocolate pudding, milk chocolate, moist herbs, hints of mushrooms, saline, dry soil/limestone powder, forest floor with leaves, used tobacco & leather, gentle graphite, moist clay, dark spice w/ mid palate heat, withering dark, red flowers, violets & lavender, round, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on earth & spices. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Sour cherries, plum, blackberries & baked strawberries, softened cedar, dry tobacco w/ ash, leather, dry crushed rocks, dry soil, dark spice box, anise, tarriness, more dark chocolate but some milk chocolate, caramel notes, withering dark & red flowers with dry red roses, nice acidity and still showing firm structure/tension, well balanced and plush 90 second finish.

Has another 7-10 yrs ahead.

@Bella Saratoga - dinner before “America” at the Mtn. Winery. — 18 days ago