Jay Kline

9.5

A continuation of some 1981’s that I’ve been opening to celebrate my 40th and this might be one of the biggest revelations yet. Over the last 20 years of my education, I’ve had the honor of being humbled countless times by wines, both good and not so good. However, every now and again, a wine comes along that challenges basic conventions and broadens my perspective. This was such a wine. Popped and poured; served alongside an assortment of grilled fare. The cork was about as healthy I’ve seen from a wine at 40 years. It came out mostly intact save for a small piece that was easy to remove but it served as a reminder that I ought to spend the money on a Durand. The color is deep garnet with some ever so slight browning at the edge of the rim. There is some fine sediment towards the bottom of the bottle but it’s otherwise quite clear. The nose was immediately engaging and full of interest. Predominate notes of old leather, dark cherry, mushrooms, black pepper, tobacco, and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the wine was rich, redolent. A mix of dark, mostly desiccated fruit, pipe tobacco, and baking spices. The real star however was the structure. Everything was still in its right place. Tannins were noticeable though clearly softened with age and very well integrated at this point. The acid provided all the necessary lift and a perfect zip to the finish. A wine of supreme balance. The four of us who shared this bottle looked at each other in wonder and amazement. A truly special wine that has years of life ahead. I have little doubt that it will still be handsome at 50. — 4 years ago

P A

9.5

Winner of the 2019 Gold Medal 🥇 as the best “North American Style Pale” this outstanding selection is from our own Fernie Brewing Company in Fernie BC. “Brewed in the Rockies, with a taste of the Coast, this Hop Forward & Tropical West Coast pale ale is best enjoyed under star-filled skies” with friends. 5.4 % alc/vol. IBU 39 🍻🍻 🇨🇦🇨🇦 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 8 years ago

Zachary Price

9.0

This dry farmed Chardonnay from Foxen was part of a shipment, and from a vineyard I always enjoy drinking. Rancho Tinaquaic was a land grant, from Mexico, given in 1837 in which the Tinaquaic vineyard resides. The vineyard is just northeast of Los Alamos. The land grant was purchased by Foxen co-owner Dick Doré's great great grandfather. The Foxen boys typically dry farm these grapes and sometimes the results can be magnificent (e.g. 2007 Cab Franc or 2012 Syrah). Great care must be taken with the dry farmed fruit - the right soil, microclimate, and maintenance - or the grower will be left more raisin than grape. Foxen is one of the few in Santa Barbara county that still practice the craft, and practice it well. ~$37 | #foxen #chardonnay #tinaquaic

On the eyes: Clear, star bright yellow, light stain, med+ tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Overripe pineapple, overripe pear, jasmine, and soft cheese with a touch of salty citrus. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med+ body, buttery in the mouth. Tropical fruits, (think pineapple, guava, and lychee), rounded out with cashew and orange blossom. Nice finish. — 9 years ago

Kecia Bird

9.2

Kecia had this 10 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.4

Yes, Bedrock, yes!!! This baby is a star I never knew existed in our universe (until your limited library release). — 5 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Gilt gold and star bright crown of egg foam white. Soft grapefruit, tangerine, orange, and lemon twist bursts, candied ginger and lemon merengue nose commotion. Ripe lemon, ripe lime, pink grapefruit, raspberry ketones, beeswax, lemon ice, frozen jalepeno, and clean berry taste, with lemongrass presiding. #freestatebrewing #freestate #lfk #lawrencekansas #ipa #yakimaniac #indiapaleale #ale #beer #bier #biere #birra #hops — 6 years ago

Rarig Ross

10

My favorite varietally true expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon - Santa Ynez Valley. Very nicely balanced acidity and ripeness not overdone. Very expressive dark fruit and some woody herbs. Decanted and consumed hours later. Fine grained tannin and restrained more so than most common SYV producers. This wine stands apart as a very balanced Cab without being “big” yet still offering plentiful fruit and beautiful bouquet. — 6 years ago

Joshua Reed

9.0

Look: purple-red hues, mild intensity, medium viscosity

Smell: strawberries, vanilla, star anise, minimal alcohol

Taste: blackberries, oak, red cherries, mild vanilla, mild tannins, long finish — 6 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.3

Baffling depth of complexity. I just bought this because it was under the crush wine co nyc list and major winner here. This is mega value for sure. Transcending the mineral and fruit category into full blown perfume star juice. Bought 3 more bottles after this tester. 😋 — 8 years ago

Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

9.0

Morgan Twain-Peterson is a Rock Star...77% Old Vine Zinfandel along with Carignan, Mourvédre, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Abouriou, Aubun -- Plum, Herb, Briar — 9 years ago

Robert Lim

9.2

I'll echo the consensus - a lovely, elegant expression of Napa terroir in a Syrah. Vanilla notes give way to spiciness - fruit is at a balanced concentration with silky tannins. Vegetal tobacco notes from stems. Wish I bought more. John is an absolute rock star. 2012 vintage — 9 years ago

Mark Shearing

9.2

Had at the Star Inn, Harome with Neen. Lovely...had with herbed fillet steak...marched well given herby notes. — 9 years ago

Dan Michael

9.2

Morgan Peterson is such a rock star. I love every wine I taste from Bedrock. This red blend is so juicy and balanced, we loved this Sonoma Heritage Wine with our Roasted Sonoma Heritage Breed Chicken, perfect pairing! — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.7

Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.

Cerebral and spectacular. Best Bordeaux I’ve had. A stunning showing at 19yrs young. I called this early 2000s Bordeaux but actually thought it was Right Bank...there is a gorgeous medley of soft and ripe dark blue and black fruit here. Not juicy, but more floral and expressive. Palate was lifted with fantastic structure and softened tannins (thanks to 4hrs in the decanter). Pipe tobacco but hardly any herbal or leather notes. The softness of this wine is what made it a star. Flavor without being dense. Co WOTN. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Henrik Poulsen

9.3

6.7% ABV.

An interesting and ultra limited collaboration between Mad Fritz and 3-star Michelin Rest. Geranium (Denmark).

For the beer aficionados here’s the break-down:
Aged for 4 months in a neutral French oak puncheon.
Variety: Scarlet 2 Row (from Alamosa CO).
Hops: Hallertau (Yakima WA).
Yeast: Kolsch Ale
Bottled unfined/unfiltered.

— 6 years ago

with Kurt-Inge and Kenneth

Yuri

8.9

Souvenir from UK. Not so hoppy.... a bit Malty. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Aromas of rhubarb strawberry raspberry and star anise. Big companies like Hardys are able to source fruit from their Vineyard holdings in both the Yarra Valley and Tasmania - both excellent areas for Pinot Noir to make this blend. Ripe black cherries with a savoury twist on the palate with oak very much in the background. A very good Pinot from the exceptional 2015 vintage. Tasted again on 14th April 2017 with consistent notes. And again on 21st September 2017. And again on 1st April 2018. Very impressive and great QPR. — 8 years ago

Benny Riccardi

9.0

Aromatic and balanced — 9 years ago

Fernando Nunez

9.0

Vivid ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of strawberry, raspberry, rose oil, star anise and white pepper. Supple red fruit preserve and candied floral flavors of very good clarity are complicated by suggestions of cola and licorice. Gentle tannins, providing grip, build on the finish and fade slowly into the wine's plush, sweet fruit. This alluring grenache is already showing plenty of complexity but it's still a baby. — 9 years ago