Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
Bourgogne Chardonnay 2012
2012 vintage. Nice producer with anticipated, low-level stuff here. Decanted for giggles. Initially tasted directly after decant and temp was approx 57-59 degrees. Slightly golden color and somewhat ripe but not around the bend ripe. Acidity was low and almost no-go. Woulda rated an 8.7/8.8. Threw the decanter (gently) with a linen napkin for protection in an ice bath to chill down to the 40-42 degree region. Gave it 30 mins and kept it at that 40-42 temp for the next two hours. Acidity (not surprisingly) perked up noticeably. Medium body. Was really pleased with keeping this wine at that temp for the remainder of enjoyment. Feel comfy saying this would perform at a similar level for the next half decade if treated similarly. 11.25.23. — 4 days ago
Aubert
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020
2020 vintage. The single, most intense wine I've had this year. Decanted and tasted immediately and after an hour. Medium body. That hour did little to soften the palate assault. Somewhat difficult to rate this effort. A 9.6 for sheer, pinot concentration chutzpah but dropped down to a 9.3 because said concentration made it impossible to accurately assess subtleties and nuances. More acidic (think cranberries) vs tannic. Tremendous color. Bashful, this ain't. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 6 days ago
Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
1992 vintage. Very, very close to Japanese auction market quality with fill, cork, capsule and label nearly immaculate. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 3 hours. Expected amount of sed. What a ride! Having tasted this back in the day when first released, recalled an unusual (for this property) amount of richness in the frontal palate. Wasn't there initially but rolled in for a cameo approx 45 mins after decant. Then...vanished at the 1 hour open mark. First whiff of the nose was fresh, clay kitty litter. This morphed into graphite after 15-20 mins. Body was surprisingly light early on, then fattened up after 30-40 mins to medium status. Impressions were of a leaner effort, then things got positively jammy with unexpected fruit hither and yon. This remained for approx 1.25 hours, then the entire performance, body included, thinned out with their old-school, estate-expected, aged leather punch combined with dark-skinned fruit, mountain grip and a little touch of grey sea salt. No food involved during the experience. The 1991 Montelena Estate Cab is nearest and dearest but this following vintage was an absolute, palate-bending acid(ity) trip. Looking forward to the next trip...er...show. 11.25.23. — 4 days ago
Patrice Rion
Vieilles Vignes Côte de Nuits- Villages Pinot Noir 2020
2020 vintage. Last tasted 11.16.22 (9.2). California pinot-styled with medium body, rich, ripe fruit and cranberry acidity vs cedar-laden tannins. This visit not as smooth with the acidity but still worthy. Wouldn't mind hitting once a year for the next 3-4 years as it should develop into a fairly. harmonious effort at an affordable price. 11.25.23. — 4 days ago
Qupé
Central Coast Syrah 2020
2020 vintage. First wine I’ve had from Qupé since founder Bob Lindquist no longer with this winery. This effort is a little sweeter and less earthy than 5-6 CC-designated syrahs I tasted under his Rhône Ranger hand over the last three decades. For the price, it’s pretty delicious tho. The single vineyard Qupé syrahs really set the benchmark for what was possible in the Central Coast area for syrah…and grenache…and marsanne…and viognier…and…Part of Bob’s legacy is raising the overall quality of (esp Rhône) varietals in the various CC areas, even with an entry-level effort such as this. For that, we should all be eternally grateful. Thank you, Bob Lindquist. 11.24.23 — 5 days ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
2003 vintage. Last tasted 10.16.22 (9.1) and a relatively disappointing showing then. This time round, decanted and tasted multiple x's after 1.5 hours-3 hours. Decent sed yet less than expected. Good fill but cork seemed a tad dry. The blueberry, cocoa powder nose was there with the quintessential, P-L hallmarks. Light-medium body. A billowing, smoky initiation, then plum along with graphite and touches of cedar + espresso crema. Left me wanting just a little more and thinking a different bottle of this same P-L vintage just might yield a 9.5. This and La Mission Haut-Brion fave two red BDX producers and this did nothing to change that. Hopefully, another P-L 2003 cycles through soon enough to prove my theorem. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 6 days ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2016 vintage. PNP. Decent nose. Light-medium body. Bit of oak afoot early on. Gets minimized fairly quickly and moves on to acidity and tannins along with unexpected balance. Some rose petal prettiness. Some earth. Good balance. Not the most, nor the least, structured. Should be able to handle a 15-spot without too much bother. Solid value and drinking well now. 11.28.23. — 15 hours ago