Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I have never had a bad bottle of BVT in any vintage 15+ yrs in bottle. Likely $28-$30 on release.

Last day of California Indian Summer.

@Chaminade — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Olivier’s craft is impeccable, even in Bourgogne.

Slightly sour Meyer lemons, lime zest, ripe pineapple flesh, green melons, cream, caramel & butterscotch notes, sea spray, oysters, volcanic minerals, shade of mushroom, sea fossils, some ginger, yellow flowers/lilies with greens, round vicious acidity, good balance, well knitted & elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on minerals & spice.

@SevenCaynonsSedona — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This was the WOFTN. Even better than the 03 Calon-Segur & 21 Lithology, but the Lithology had been open a week in the cooler. Still good just not its true self.

The winemakers for the 2016 Kelly Fleming Cabernet Sauvignon were Rebecca George and Françoise Peschon. Rebecca George was the day-to-day winemaker, and Françoise Peschon, consulting Winemaker.

Photo features their new consulting Winemaker, Jennifer Williams as if 7/23. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Fresh bottle, just opened. Pop & pour.

I have 09 & 10 of this second wine of Pichon Longueville. I just haven’t considering opening one yet.

As 2010 is a big vintage, I choice to pair this with the cheeseboard but writing notes before digging in. Something to soften the tannins of what I consider to be a brawny vintage that needs time. Cheese pairing is often chosen to pair with young, big reds as it coats the palate and softens the impact of big, brawny tannins.

This is quite nice, showing the quality of the vintage, yet being a second wine, you can open one now for what otherwise is a long age vintage for first wines.

The nose is somewhat expressive & inviting. Dark core of black currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, black cherries, some poached strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits, anise, charcoal notes, anise, understated black licorice, French roast coffee beans, dark toast, steeped black tea, candied to withering dark flowers with candied violets.

The palate is clean with strangely not a ton of astringency. M+ dry, powdery tannins Ripe & juicy; black currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, black cherries, some poached strawberries, raspberry overtones and hues of purple & blue fruits. Anise, charcoal notes, sweet tarriness, anise, understated black licorice, French espresso roast, dark toast, steeped black tea, oak barrel shavings & powder, dry twigs/leaves, leather, dry tobacco, lead pencil, dry herbs, dark earth, dry top soil, nice dark spice, caramel, dark & milk chocolate, mocha powder, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dry stone, withering dark flowers, red roses with slightly candied violets, excellent acidity, it’s balanced but will be better balanced w/ age, structure & tension show the brawn of the vintage, it’s getting to an elegant and polished finish that lasts two-minutes and falls on dry earth, oak and spice.

Showed some tiny, velvety sediment at finish.

This drinks now but I would wait another 3-5 yrs to open and will age nicely for another 10-15 yrs.

Definitely worth picking up if you find Pichon Longueville outside your price point. 92-93. Rounding up today from 91.6.

Cheeseboard is bourique cheeses, served with crackers and accompaniments including grapes, churney, honey, dried fruits and nuts

@EK225 — 23 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Just doesn’t disappoint in any Hendricks vintage.

Last day of California Indian Summer.

@Chaminade — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Charles Hendricks last vintage at James Cole and it didn’t disappoint.

Round velvety M+ soft tannins. Dark currants, dark chocolate, baking spices & excellent mid intensity dark spice.

@SevenCaynonsSedona — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

In typical Calon-Segur fashion, still kinda of a baby. Nice evolution but plenty of life left in this warm vintage Calon-Segur. — 13 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A little off other 08 A. Raf’s I’ve had. Still really good. Just not the outstanding level I’ve had perilously. Acquired on the Secondary market and not quite the excellent storage of other bottles I’ve purchased.

@SevenCaynonsSedona — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Heavenly Birthday Sofia! Love & Miss You Like Air! 😇 All Souls Day as well.

Williams Selyem if not her favorite producer, one of her top two.

I don’t believe I have opened a bad bottle of this producer, not even corked. I guess it’s because I wait ten yrs or longer to open. These shine later in their evolution.

Nose of; red & slightly candied florals, strawberries, dark cherries blackberries, raspberries and haunting blueberries. Lightly grilled meats, cola, sandalwood, baking spices and very soft herbaceous notes.

This in typical WS fashion shows ripe & lush; slightly sour, dark cherries, blackberries, plum, poached strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate and circling blueberries. Excellent mid, dark spices, clove, some nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light dryish tobacco, lightly grilled, smoked meats, dry crushed rocks, limestone marl, dry river stone, underbrush, mix of some fresh but mostly dry herbs, eucalyptus/mint, fresh to withering dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets, near perfect acidity with a well balanced, nicely structured, good tensioned finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and lands on spice & dry earthiness. — 11 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Yeah, this is good & my wheelhouse. @$44.99, stealing. 1.6g dosage. Making it technically a Nature, not Extra Brut.

Bottling July 20, 2020. Disgorged January 11, 2024. — 13 days ago