A Sunday In August
Domaine A. et P. de Villaine
La Fortune Côte Chalonnaise Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2019
Just a very enjoyable wine. Dangerous in that it’s so easy and compelling to drink. Decanted 2+ hours, quite ready to go at that point. Probably would have guessed a nice Beaujolais from the nose. Palate is so wonderfully seamless with excellent fruit and completeness and acid, with some serious density. Delicious with the standard Sunday night roast chicken with mushrooms. — 5 years ago
Domaine Servin
Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru Chardonnay 2017
The 2017 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru has a wonderful, focused nose: lean, mineral-driven, very flinty and very Chablis. The palate is taut and fresh, with sharp acidity, and very citric and powerful, with immense weight and penetration toward the finish. Very persistent, very sophisticated; this is what great Chablis is all about. But the bottom line is that it is very uncompromising. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2021)
— 5 years ago
August West
Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Red fruit in spades. Smokey and charred fruit on the nose along with cinnamon and mulled spiced. Tart cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and cooked strawberry on the palate with earthy minerals and a hint of mint. Runs a bit hot, but solid acid in the finish. — 6 years ago
A Sunday in August
Merlot 2019
i love a juicy merlot — 6 years ago
Jules Taylor
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
On this Sunday afternoon I have opened the 2018 Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand.
On the nose there are pungent aromas, pink grapefruit, lime, kiwi fruit, green apple, white flowers and nice mineral notes.
The palate gives up notes that are tangy and citrus with lime, green apple, stone fruit, mango, passionfruit, a herbaceousness and minerality.
This wine is medium bodied that is zingy crisp with medium + to high acidity and a long crisp clean citrus finish. I hope everyone is well and getting along in this time of seclusion? This too will end and we will get back to a normal assemblance of life. Please stay healthy and safe. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 6 years ago
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe
La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2007
The second Rhone last Sunday. Earthy loam notes together with ripe Grenache aromas of raspberry and red liquorice although the raspberry notes are much more savoury at 12 years. On the medium bodied palate some Liqueur cherry notes with mild resolved tannins. At its peak - fruit, oak, tannin and acid all in balance. The perfect accompaniment to Roast Lamb and Vegetables. A blend of 65% Grenache 15% Syrah 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault. — 7 years ago
Brewer-Clifton
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2020
The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is fabulous. In fact, the appellation wine is my favorite Pinot in this range. The combination of the sites, and a bit less stem influence than the vineyard designates, works so well. There's a bit more fruit, more mid-palate sweetness and better balance overall, in my view. All the elements are so well put together. All of this fruit is from Machado and Hapgood. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago
Bollinger
La Grande Année Brut Chardonnay - Pinot Noir Rosé Blend 2012
This superstar 2012 vintage just doesn’t seem to miss. Especially not when paired with the elegance of Bollinger.
A gorgeous rose copper color in the glass. Plenty of fine bubbles that seem to just go on and on. The approachability of these outstanding 12’s is immediate. Wild strawberries and herbs shine on the nose. Red currant, raspberries, and stewed plums. Some exquisite spice notes along with white flowers. Tangerines and watermelons play a part.
The vitality and sheer energy of this is amazing. 67% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay. 33% Chardonnay from Oiry and Le Mesnil sur Oger with 5% still red wine from Bollinger’s legendary Côte aux Enfants vineyard. Terrific youthful tension and balance. Zippy acidity with 8 g/l of sugar. Disgorged in August of 2019 and already showing some maturity.
Pure romance on the tongue. Silky smooth and elegant with fresh red berries and more spice on the palate. Saffron and honey with oak complimenting. The Lehmann Jamesse Grand Blanc provided more floral notes, while the Riedel Dom Perignon showed more ripe fruit and minerality. Both wonderful. Yes this will obviously develop over time and become so much more special but you deserve this now. So do I. Enjoy.
— 5 years ago
A Sunday in August
Similkameen Valley Pinot Gris
Lovely Canadian orange wine. Tastes like a grapefruit bouquet of flowers! — 5 years ago
The Ojai Vineyard
Puerta Del Mar Chardonnay 2018
The 2018 Chardonnay Puerta Del Mar is bright and finely sculpted. Lemon oil, white flowers, mint, and a range of saline-infused overtones all grace the 2018. Weightless and yet full of flavor, the 2018 is positively stellar. It is yet another fabulous white in this range of new releases from Ojai and a terrific example of the far western edge of Santa Barbara County that is outside of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)
— 6 years ago
Tenuta San Guido
Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015
Oh baby and I don’t mean maybe - winner winner chicken dinner - with the WNH gang on a Sunday night Italian IGT tasting via super Tuscan - this wine became commercially available wine in 1968 and since then it has risen quickly in fame - the 2015 as well as the 2016 are getting ridiculous scores from critics - like Bordeaux first growth scores - 97 plus from all - yes it a baby and as such I double decanted - i have more and I have much older vintages so this was my attempt to see what the hype was
Well the hype is real - patience is rewarded - 4 hour decant and every glass got better - in hour six this was incredible and went from a 9.5 to the 9.7 I gave it - 85% cab with 15% CF - reminds me of a great Bordeaux or great Napa blend like Continuum maybe a 2010 vintage as far as taste but leaves there and goes further - chiseled tannins integrated in a rich supple deep ruby color pushing red blue and black fruits elegantly- this could easily go another 30-40 years - and it will get better - in ten years this is 9.8 or higher - my face is broken from smiling so much! — 6 years ago
Château Climens
Barsac 1er Cru Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2011
The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger thatlinger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago
Sandhi Wines
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir 2014: Medium-light body. Soft tannins. Medium acidity. Beautiful light red/cranberry color. Delicate perfumed nose with bright red fruits (cherry, strawberry & raspberry). Orange peel. Dried herbs. Earth. Cedar. Smooth easy finish. All in all, I loved, loved, loved this wine. It was drinking perfectly, beautifully balanced and a great representation of the local Sta Rita Hills terroir; felt like I was drinking a Burgundy wine! One of the best Santa Barbara Pinots out there! Happy Sunday Funday! Cheers🍷 — 4 years ago
Gianluigi Bonari
Salento Appassimento Red Blend
Lovely wine from the Salento sub region of Puglia. The grapes are Cab and Merlot and allowed to stay on the bone longer before picking. The result is a mouth full of ripe fruit with taste of cherries. Drank the 2019 vintage in August 2021. For such a young wine it has great structure and will be interesting with a few years of aging. Pared wonderfully with Southern Italian food and smooth enough to drink on its own. A great bargain for the price. — 5 years ago
Christophe Mignon
Extra Brut Champagne Pinot Meunier
Dealing with one of the masters of Meunier here and it is positively gorgeous. Medium gold color with tiny bubbles and wonderful creaminess. The nose is harmonious, as is the entire package, showcasing chamomile, white flowers, and tea. Citrus rind and brioche explode from the glass, with spice and a rather decadent streak of honey running throughout.
Already set apart from other Growers, Mignon’s winemaking is about as natural as you can get and dictated by the lunar cycle. 100% Pinot Meunier, this is a blend of the 2014 and 15 vintages, it was disgorged in August of 19. Low dosage at between 2 and 5 g/l and you definitely feel it. Strikingly and gloriously bitter, this is just a joy to drink.
Dry with very crisp acidity, this has amazing texture and structure. The palate shows orchard fruits, plums, and rose petals up front with more drizzled honey and pears. Apricots and toasty biscuits abound. The finish is long and pure. This could certainly benefit from a few more years on the shelf but it’s fun right now. Pure elegance. — 5 years ago
Fattoria Le Terrazze
Rosso Conero Montepulciano 2015
A fruit-forward yet wonderfully fresh red, showing a mix of cherry, raspberry, sweet herbs and spice. Cooling minerals and earth tones balance the warmth of the 2015 vintage nicely. Vinified in large neutral oak. $18.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2020) — 6 years ago
Petaluma
Hanlin Hill Riesling 2002
Mid yellow in colour. Aromas of musk and mandarin with dried herbs and a hint of paraffin. Fresh and sprightly at 18 years of age. I was contemplating leaving this to 2022 when it would have been 20 years old and on this showing it would have made it easily. With time some peachy flavours and some sweetness. Next day - lovely honeysuckle and honeyed notes on the palate. Fulsome with stone fruits and quince - you would think off dry but in fact 12.8% ABV and fully dry. Made by the legendary Brian Croser back then. An absolute treat to have a wine like this for Sunday lunch. One of the Wines of the Year for me. — 6 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2020 is still incredibly primary. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal open with a bit of coaxing. All this needs is time and a bit more polish. As always, the Colson Canyon Syrah is one of the most distinctive wines in Joey Tensley's range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago