Shay A

9.4

Very enjoyable Wednesday Wine Committee lunch today with @Weston Eidson & @Colby Siratt hosting. Same format as always...1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine all tasted blind.

Always such a big fan of these. It’s light and nimble while remaining viscous and powerful. Honeyed orange blossom, roasted and caramelized cashews and lemon oil. Acidity down the middle of the palate accompanies honeysuckle and graham cracker. I called this mid-‘00s Sauternes. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 3 others

Ron Siegel

9.1

3 decades served blind where most of the group guessed Pinot grape & thought it could be from Burgundy. Groups favorite was the 89. — 5 years ago

Radmila wollrab

9.0

Blind testing with 3 other cabs (Caymus was in the group) and this one was the favorite. Just enough structure and acidity and amazing for the price. — 5 years ago

Jason Jones

9.4

Young but nice after a 6 hour decant. Seems ageless. Served blind and most people thought it was 3-5 years old. — 5 years ago

with Erin

Shay A

9.2

Wednesday Wine Committee and what a fantastic line-up by John! Typical format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

Most guessed left bank Bordeaux here. It seemed the least “Cali” out of the 4 reds...not leathery, but more plum than red, black or blue fruit. Very balanced in terms of sweet fruit vs savory herbal/earthy components. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 2 others

Shay A

9.4

During the month of January, the Wednesday Wine Committee has a unique format...the sparkler, whites and dessert wines can be from any vintage and any location, but the reds must be from the 2007 vintage. It was my first time providing a wine for a lunch, so I was excited to see how it showed. As always, all wines were served blind.

This was a treat for me to be able to serve. Tom Farella only produces this Alta bottle in special years. The ‘07 was his last one before he brought it back in ‘14. Cabernet dominated blend complimented by a bit of merlot from the famed Farella vineyard. Supremely balanced. Raspberries, plums and blackberries on the nose and palate, but the finish was plush. This is about at its peak and will stay here for another 3 or so years. Oak was almost fully integrated. Very happy to have two of these still sleeping. This was the group’s consensus “wine of the day”. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Another great Weekly Wine Committee in the books, this time hosted by Dan. Format stayed the same (1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine) and everything is guessed blind.

Again, I guessed Chardonnay but the lemon cream on the nose had me guessing Aubert. This was the White of the day for me, and of course it was, since it's a 99 pointer! Large and in charge. One of the best west coast chardonnays I've had. Great texture and mint finish. — 7 years ago

with Will

Mike Saviage

9.2

Light gold in the glass. Great leasy citrus and white stone nose with nice minerality and fruit. Nicely balanced structure with above average finish. Had this several times over the past 3 weeks during our trek across NZ and Oz. If tasted blind it would be hard to distinguish it from a young Meursault. — 7 years ago

Claudia Norwood

9.0

Smooth, nice for the price especially — 8 years ago

Clayton Bahr

9.9

Blind flight 3: wine 2: I had to get up & talk about this one & got it right :) — 10 years ago

Kevin Yen

9.7

2014/3/14@RN74 Blind tasting on Waters palace — 10 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Very enjoyable Wednesday Wine Committee lunch today with @Weston Eidson & @Colby Siratt hosting. Same format as always...1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine all tasted blind.

This producer was new to me. Loved it! The nose has such dark fruit wrapped in smoked/chargrilled meats. Not overly savory and zero funk, but just a killer mesh of sweet and savory. Tobacco, graphite, cassis up front with a finish of blackberry pie, leather, and herbs de Provence. This could be a wonderful wine in 7-10yrs. I called this left bank 2012 vintage. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 3 others

Shay A

9.2

Very enjoyable Wednesday Wine Committee lunch today with @Weston Eidson & @Colby Siratt hosting. Same format as always...1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine all tasted blind.

This had a sense of familiarity to it. It reminds me of a lighter version of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. Similar notes of baked key lime pie and toasted oak on the nose, but the palate showed less honey/nougat. Maybe more limestone. Very solid. I called it NV French champagne. — 5 years ago

with Jeff, Will and 3 others

Shay A

9.4

Today was my annual hosting of the Wednesday Wine Committee. There was 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert, all provided by me. Tasted blind, as always.

Birth year Sauternes. Drinking just like you’d expect a 31yr old Sauternes to be drinking, and maybe even slightly younger. Basically perfect provenance, the color has really darkened over the last 2-3yrs. Amber in the glass and molasses like up front. This checks all the boxes for Classic Sauternes. Honeyed sweet fruits with ripened pineapple, golden peach and nectarine with a touch of savory/nutty notes on the finish. Very lengthy finish with tons of complexity and life left. Wish I had another 1-2 bottles! — 5 years ago

with Dan, Andrew and 3 others

Shay A

9.1

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

One of the more crisp sparklers I’ve had. Had the chalky minerality through and through, but after a while, it gained a bruised pear note aside from the typical Granny Smith apple tartness. This will age nicely. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

2010 was a very good vintage in Rhône. Rostaing is a well know producer with people that know and drink Northern Rhône wines, not so much with others that do not. The Ampodium is the entry level into Rene & Pierre Rostaing wines. It is a blend of 13 vineyards in Northern Rhône. They are simply one of the very best producers in the region. I spent an afternoon with Rene & his son Pierre tasting in the their cellar and in their La Landonne vineyard as shown in the photos. The 2010 is drinking beautifully with many good years ahead. On the nose; ripe & slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries, cherries, steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, iron pan, some white & black pepper, bacon fat, grilled savory meats, pork, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with violets. The body is round and medium full. The tannins round, still a little chewy & around 55% resolved. The length, texture, tension and balance are in near perfect harmony. The fruits are; round, ruby & ripe; slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries & cherries. Steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, chalky minerals, iron pan, coffee grounds, spice, some baking spices w/hints of vanilla, white & black pepper, drying blood, dry herbs/bay leaf, dry stems, moderate levels of bacon fat & pork, grilled savory meats, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with fresh violets for days. The acidly is round and dripping. The long finish is plush, velvety delicious and lasts & lasts. In good vintages, I would put this in blind with the best of of the best new world wines from any vintage that many love; SQN, Booker, Saxum, Alban, Cayuse, Horsepower etc.. I’d bet most of you would pick it over these producers that cost much more $$$. It’s simply one of the best pound for pound wines/producers for this varietal. Especially, for the $$$. Wow, what a wine for the $. $55 upon release. Photos of; Winemaker Pierre Rostaing and our group in their La Landonne vineyard, the small sign that barely identifies their Estate, an example of the Quartz mineral that runs throughout their La Landonne vineyard and the view back onto the river from the top of the very steep La Landonne Vineyard. Producer notes and history...Rene Rostaing produced their first wine in 1971. However, it took almost three decades before wine became a full time occupation for Rene Rostaing. Domaine Rene Rostaing came about through marriage. The wife of Rene Rostaing was the daughter of the famed Cote Rotie grower, Albert Dervieux, and the niece of Marius Gentaz-Dervieux who gave Christine the vineyard land that became the Northern Rhone estate for Rene Rostaing. Through inheritance from Albert Dervieux Thaize (his father-in-law) who retired in 1990, and from Marius Gentaz Dervieux, his uncle, Rene Rostaing expanded his holdings, giving him some of the best terroir in Cote Rotie. The new vineyard land was basically 3 small parcels in the La Landonne, Cote Brune and Vialliere lieux-dits. This initial expansion from his initial tiny parcel, allowed Rene Rostaing to change careers and become a full time vigneron. Since 2007, the estate has managed by Pierre Rostaing, (son) of Rene Rostaing. Currently Rene Rostaing owns 7.5 hectares of vines that is spread out among 20 different parcels located in 14 locations. Perhaps the most celebrated vines of Rene Rostaing are the 1.6 hectares of vines they own in the La Landonne vineyard (photo). On La Landonne, the vines are more than 60 years old. Some vines are even close to 100 years of age! Those are his largest holdings. The smallest vineyards of Rene Rostaing are located on Cote Blonde. Rene Rostaing also has vines planted in; Fonjean, La Vialliere, Le Plomb, Bouchare, Leyat, La Roche and La Tupin. Their oldest vines are more than 70 years old and are used for Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde. The majority of those plantings are on the steep hillsides with mica, schist and rocky soils. 25% of those vines are closer to the bottom of the slopes and on the flats. Rene Rostaing remains a traditional Cote Rotie producer who is not among the last to harvest. His wines are aged using very little new, French oak barrels. On average, Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie are aged in about 10% new French oak barrels. Rene Rostaing produces 4 different Cote Rotie wines. Rene Rostaing Ampodium, which was previously known as Rostaing Cuvee Classique, is a blend of 13 sections of different vineyards, but it does not include their best holdings on La Landonne or Cote Blonde. The fruit for Rene Rostaing Ampodium has at least 40% or more of the stems removed and run between 12-13.5% abv. The wine is usually made from 100% Syrah and is aged in an average of 15% to 25% new, French oak barrels. The amount of new oak can be less, depending on the character of the vintage. About 1,750 cases are produced each year. The wine is no longer called Cuvee Classique, the name was changed to Rene Rostaing Ampodium with the 2009 vintage. Rene Rostaing La Landonne comes from a terroir consisting of sands with iron oxide and traces of quartz. This wine is always produced from 100% Syrah. The grapes are partially destemmed, with about 10% to 20% of the stems removed, depending on the vintage. There are vintages when no destemming takes place. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats. Rene Rostaing is not a believer of using too much new oak for the aging, which on average uses 10% new, French oak barrels and the remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids (600 liter) and French oak barrels. This wine is like most wines from La Landonne, masculine and meaty in character, requiring at least a decade to soften and develop. On average, Rene Rostaing La Landonne produces less than 600 cases depending on what the vintage delivers. Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde is perhaps his best. It’s produced from a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The grapes are co-fermented. The vineyards is planted in the region call Arzel. Arzel is a poor, mineral laden soil with deposits of Silex and Mica on a steep hillside. The vines are more than 50 years of age. The grapes are partially destemmed…35% to 50% of the stems are removed. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats.
The remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids. This one is the hardest to find and most collectible of all their wines. In fact, they only produce close to an average of 350 cases of Cote Rotie in most vintages. Rene Rostaing Cote Brune made its debut with the 2013 vintage. The vines were once part of the holdings of Marius Gentaz, which eventually passed to Rene Rostaing. Rostaing replanted those vines in 2000. Made from 100% Syrah. — 6 years ago

Lynn Gowdy

9.0

If tasting blind, I'd think this was a Sauvignon Blanc. Pungent and zesty with weight on the palate. A lingering finish. Enjoyable while cooking, very affordable quaffer. — 8 years ago

Sage Coody

8.9

Second type of cab I've tried, very different flavor. I'm a fan of California Reds!
— 10 years ago

Kelly Keene

9.0

Yummy, cheap, lighter Chardonnay, light finnsh. — 11 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Very enjoyable Wednesday Wine Committee lunch today with @Weston Eidson & @Colby Siratt hosting. Same format as always...1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine all tasted blind.

Out of the four reds, this changed the most in the glass. Very floral and pretty. Sweetness tobacco, black cherries, and an herbal finish. Potpourri too. I called this right bank post 2010 vintage. Youthful for sure. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 3 others

Shay A

9.2

Another killer Wednesday Wine Committee lineup. As always, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

New producer to me. And I don’t think I recall seeing “old vine” champagne before, and it being vintage even. I called this older NV French champagne...it had sweet toast on the nose with nougat, but the palate was more refreshing with limestone, chalk and a touch of stone fruit. I’d like to taste one of these younger to get a feel for style. Quite nice. — 5 years ago

with Ryan, Will and 1 other

Shay A

9.3

Monthly WTF wine group meet up. This month is new world vs old world Rhône’s. All wines tasted blind. 3 flights.

Drinking really nice right now. Black peppercorn spice, roasted dark red and black fruits, and some smoked meat. Didn’t pick up a lot of iron. Smooth. Good acidity and tannin. Thanks @Bill Makens — 5 years ago

with Michael, Jack and 2 others

Shay A

9.3

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee lunch...always such a treat to attend. This week, Dan hosted. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All blind as usual.

Gosh...I think these Marcassin chards (and pinots) are probably desert island wines. I went back and forth between CdP white or a Chardonnay...I ultimately ended on Chardonnay and said if this is west coast, it could only be Marcassin. Quite a bit of sulfur here to go alongside a rich, butterscotch nose and a full-bodied palate showing smoked hazelnut notes. — 6 years ago

with Dan and Weston

Shay A

9.2

Wednesday Wine Committee and what a fantastic line-up by John! Typical format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

Quite fruit forward at first which made me wonder domestic, but lovely yeasty notes and persistent bubbles led me to France. Very nice. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 2 others

Shay A

9.3

Got to take advantage of another Wednesday Wine Committee and boy was it worth it. Wow! Killer wines brought by Glenn for his 60th! As always, wines tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine.

This is how I prefer my Montelena's. I don't enjoy them young and honestly, I don't enjoy them at the 10yr mark as much as I do at the 20+yr mark. Great example of Napa cab aged well...most thought left bank Bordeaux. Not a lot of leather or white pepper...plenty of fruit and acidity left here. Tasted like it was MAYBE 10yrs old. 👌 — 7 years ago

with Will and Benjamin

Shay A

9.2

Got to take advantage of another Wednesday Wine Committee and boy was it worth it. Wow! Killer wines brought by Glenn for his 60th! As always, wines tasted blind. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine.

Again, the table pegged this as Kistler. The main discussion was could it be a vertical or a horizontal? Lots of similarities leaned us towards horizontal. My first Hyde vineyard Chardonnay...gorgeous. Out of the 3 Kistler's, I think this benefited most from air time. A lot of lemon cream balanced by bread/toast notes alongside butter. Not citrusy or tropical. — 7 years ago

with Will and Benjamin

Severn Goodwin

8.9

Blind Dinner, Open Theme; 3 Apr 2017 at Cantina 229, New Marlborough, MA — 7 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.0

Pulled another bottle, 3 years later. Much better now. Lime custard, mineral. Apples. Tart enough that I guessed Chablis, blind. SO2 still pushy. — 7 years ago

with William

"Odedi"

9.3

What a nice Turkish delight this is.
Beautiful color of dark ruby/inky core with a purplish rim.

The nose is similar to a Napa Cabernet. Lots of vanilla and oak that drown all the fruits. Some chocolates, licorice, cedar, coffee, cola, smoke, blackberries, black currants, black pepper and spices.

Full bodied and bold, Smooth and elegant with medium plus acidity and gorgeous legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with oak, vanilla, blackberries, currants, sweet cherries, dark chocolates, cola, figs, raisins, tobacco, coffee, peppercorn and spices.

Long finish with full, firm tannins and black pepper.

A great Single Vineyard red wine. Big, bold and beautiful. At a Blind tasting I would call a young Napa Cabernet.
Balanced and Enjoyable by itself or with food. I Paired it with a Turkish lamb dish, and it held its own nicely.

This 5 year old needs some additional bottle time and will be even better in 3 years.
Needs 2 hours in a decanter.

Fun fact:
Okuzgozu, the grape varietal, means an ox eye for being the largest among the grape varieties grown in Turkey.

14.5% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago

Kevin Yen

9.8

2014/3/14@RN74 Blind tasting on Waters palace，smell well — 10 years ago