@rhythmSOULdier
Splash decanted directly prior to service, the 2018 Morey Saint Denis pours a deep ruby with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is youthful with powerful notes of ripe and tart red fruits: red cherries, red brambles, red flowers, some herbs and a healthy dollop of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and luxurious. A fairly flashy wine and, to my palate, the oak is showing prominently right now. Not out of balance, but close. The alcohol is up there…but it is pretty well disguised. Not wimpy, that’s for sure. While this is certainly full of energy and character right now, I think this wine would enjoy some time in the cellar to show even better. Drink from 2028 through 2043. — 4 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days; consistent throughout with very little evolution. The cork basically disintegrated when trying to open. The 2009 Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving gradually towards a rust colored rim. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: Bing cherry, mulberries, spiced plum, cumin, dill, Balsamico, chocolate chip banana bread, toasted coconut, leather, cigar box, dry earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory and super delicious. What a drop dead gorgeous Gran Reserva from Hermanos Pecina. This drinks well from the pop and pour opens up considerably with air so decanting 30min before would be advisable. Enjoy through 2039+. The cork was doing its job as it was only partially saturated, it just came apart in little pieces. I have several remaining bottles and I’ll plan on using an Ah-So or Durand with the next bottle. A stunning, ultra-traditional Rioja Tinto. — 4 days ago
Ginestra is arguably one of the most important MGA’s in Monforte d’Alba. It was called out by Renato Ratti back in the early days of Barolo vineyard classification and its home to Gavarini, Chiniera, Rüncot, Pajana and Grassi. As you might imagine, Cascina Chicco’s Ginestra Riserva is more than a Riserva from Ginestra. In fact, the fruit comes from the heart of the single-vineyard known as Grassi which enjoys the best exposure (straight south). However, instead of calling out “Grassi” on the label (which they are entitled to do), Cascina Chicco simply refers to “Ginestra”. Perhaps it’s tradition since Ginestra is so well known. Whatever the case may be, what really matters is that it’s delicious.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2012 Ginestra Riserva pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, compote, tar, roses, dried green herbs, limestone earth, and faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The body is fit and the texture is silky, refined. The finish is long and grippy. As one who doesn’t drink a lot of Riservas (they are expensive and sometimes a bit overdone, particularly when the Classico is just brilliant enough) this is a wonderful example that shows a lot of energy and guts for such a solar vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 6 days ago
While the majority of Joseph Perrier's holding are planted to Pinot Noir, the Cuvée Royale Brut Nature is mostly Chardonnay, making over half of the blend, while the remaining is made with a traditional assemblage of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir (the latter representing just over 10%).
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Cuvée Royale” Brut Nature pours a straw color with medium viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, crisp Granny Smith apple, lemon, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry and high acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is long, zippy, and refreshing. This is a super versatile Brut Zero Champagne that’s a perfect compliment to a light lunch. No disgorgement data. — 3 days ago
The Henri Giraud “Hommage au Pinot Noir” is a love note of sorts to, you guessed it, Pinot Noir. And true to the house style, this Blanc de Noirs from Aÿ sees no stainless steel in the process. Instead, this wine is aged on its lees for 54 months in a combination of small oak barrels and amphora before resting in the bottle. The results are quite remarkable.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over a few hours. In the glass, the wine has a very pretty straw color with medium viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with a combination of intriguing autolytic and oxidative notes on the initial pour. Over time, the wine seems to brighten up and reveals a lovely mix of white peach, strawberry, raspberry, lemon curd, lightly toasted brioche and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich, creamy and hugely satisfying. Dare I say this is Krug-esque? Compelling stuff. Drink now. No disgorgement data. — 4 days ago
Popped and poured, enjoyed with friends over the course of an hour or so. The 2021 “Zenith” pours a light ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and holy whole-cluster Batman! Notes of funky strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, and forest floor. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes form the nose. The finish is medium+ and certainly has some Burgundian sensibilities. Wow, I really dig this and love the soft mitts that Vincent and his team are using. Lovely, compelling stuff and a producer to keep an eye on. Drink now and through 2036+. — 6 days ago
Happy belated Zwanze Day! Celebrating with this 2017 bottling of Cantillon’s Classic Gueuze. Over the years, I have drifted to be a little more fond of 3 Fonteinen but I’m really splitting hairs. This is world class.
Popped and poured; crushed in 30min after doing the first yard work of 2024 and getting the hops trained to the trellis. The gueuze pours a brilliant golden color with a persistent head. On the nose, mostly tasty stone fruits: apricots, peach, kumquat, horse blanket, stony minerals. On the palate, the gueuze is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and refreshing. Drink now. — 4 days ago
Poured into a Swan decanter immediately prior to service and enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2013 “Villero” pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous, powerful bouquet of dark and red fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, tar, roses, talcum powder, and dry stony earth. On the palate the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy a freaking delicious. This is showing really well but there is no end in sight. Drink now with patience but this should reward an even great bounty done the road and turn heads through 2045+. — 4 days ago
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistent throughout but it seems a little more showy the first two days. The 2021 Temperance Hill pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of strawberry, Luden’s “Wild Cherry” Throat Drops, red flowers, and hot rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with some patience or through 2036. — 5 days ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The wine pours a deep straw, bordering yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberries, lemon, brioche, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though the fruit seem rounder on the palate than on the nose. The finish is medium+. A fairly agreeable Champagne. Disgorged in October 2022. — 3 days ago