Ace & Able

Farella-Park Vineyards

Alta Napa Valley Red Blend 2007

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”.
— 8 years ago

Severn, Jason and 26 others liked this
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

Great to hear that it killed!
Jason and Jennie

Jason and Jennie Premium Badge

@Shay Aldriedge we lean toward mountain fruit and riper valley floor fruit from oakville to calistoga (for cab). I haven't had much other coombsville cab. A julian fayard cab and silverado stuff. Ok but didnt seek it out again. Farella vineyard definitely has been an exception for good cab. Still gotta try farella's own wines.
Aaron Means

Aaron Means Influencer Badge

The Vineyard makes exceptional fruit from year to year even though being in a pretty cool area. Farella's own wines are very good as well. I believe Michael Trujillo makes the wines.

Dyer Vineyard

Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

REALLY nice bottle of wine. This wine has a lot going on. Sourced from a 2.2 acre plot that is right across the street from Diamond Creek, the Dyers put love into everything they make. And it shows. This wine has a blackberry and floral perfume that is intoxicating. The nose was very reminiscent of Cab Franc and in a blind tasting that would have been my guess. The entry of this wine is delicately powerful. It has the blackberry power, the cassis of a younger wine, but the finesse in the middle with notes of graham cracker, grilled meats, herbs, pie spice, cola, and BRAMBLE....just a LOT going on here!! This wine is still very locked up, and takes a BUNCH of coaxing to get it out of its shell. Once it does, it does NOT disappoint. Very pumped about being able to spend some time with Dawnine and Bill in the next couple of weeks! — 9 years ago

Jason, Eric and 14 others liked this
Carl Fischer

Carl Fischer Influencer Badge

Mark - wait until you try their Cab Franc; It's just unbelievable. And they are the nicest people, too.

Weingut Drautz-Able

Trocken Lemberger 2009

Hades-Version, geiler, fleischiger Lemberger, sehr lecker — 9 years ago

Stephan and FCK liked this

Marcassin

Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay

First off, fantastic label. We were able to drink the wine at its peak and it was fantastic. Exactly how I always thought a Chardonnay would taste. Citrus at the start. Deep honey and peach in the middle. Full bodied and a rich finish. Will exceed expectations as evidenced by the price to acquire such a gem! — 10 years ago

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2004

Was fortunate to be able to taste for the first time. Felt like I needed more delicate palate! — 11 years ago

Poggio al Casone

Casone Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2009

I love this wine!! So smooth and delicate with a lot of flavor. Purchased it at Trader Joe's but have not been able to find it again :( — 11 years ago

Guillaume Clusel

Traboules Côteaux du Lyonnais Gamay

Down able. No, bad spell check. Downable. — 12 years ago

Matt, John and 1 other liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

My dad and grandpa each bought a case of this wine 20ish years ago and this is the last bottle. So ridiculously delicious it's not even funny. Feel lucky to be able drink such good wine! — 12 years ago

Maddie and Frank liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2011

A Kermit lynch selection that's really like able — 13 years ago

Beau liked this
Beau Carufel

Beau Carufel Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Love that wine, is it the N or S bottle?

Barreri & Rovati

Riserva Barolo Nebbiolo 2009

20 bucks at Trader Joe’s. Not going to be able to buy a Barolo at this price/quality. Drink with food. Lots of earth and mushrooms. — 8 years ago

JJ, Andrew and 3 others liked this

Realm Cellars

The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Shay A
9.5

4th Friday of the month means Classic Wine Storage happy hour! Great wines, as always, today!

This was my contribution as I needed to make space for the revered ‘15s. My first time having the ‘14, and I’m glad I was able to wait a year. Still needed every bit of the 2hrs it was open. Incredibly plush...difference between that and silky. It coated every bit of the mouth, but had a softness to it. Blackberries, licorice, wet stone, graphite, and a finishing note of nutmeg. Impressive.
— 9 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Mike, Brandon and 51 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

I’ll tell you in 8-10 Days.
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I think my ‘15s arrive next week. Curious to see more reviews! Early ones have been very promising.
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Wine advocate ratings come out on Tuesday, lisa did the tastings this year not Parker, so we’ll see how her palate differs from Roberts’s

Beaux Frères

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013

Shay A
9.2

Finally able to lock down reservations at Magdalena's. They have a unique set up in that they have a set menu that changes every week, and you are notified the week before if there are spots available...they sell out within 5mins! We were lucky to get on the list for their most recent "Supper Club" as they call it.

Based on the menu, we figured 1 white and 1 red was appropriate. After enjoying my favorite Sauv Blanc (the Addax SB), my buddy Luke (who is a big Pinot fan) brought this to expand our knowledge on pinots and see what Oregon has cooking. At pop and pour, this was delicious. Lots of cherries, leather and dates on the nose. The taste was very different than the aromatics. More leather, Bing cherry, cedar and a touch of rhubarb. A very "dusty" Pinot.
— 9 years ago

Luke Thacker
with Luke
Ellen, P and 33 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@TheSkip : Ha! That's hilarious. Well it was definitely the highlight of the menu for my wife and I.
Mike Smith

Mike Smith Influencer Badge

Samples their lineup at the winery a few weeks ago. All of them showed well.
Jason and Jennie

Jason and Jennie Premium Badge

This one did well in our 24 bottle pinot blind tasting over New Year's Eve

Noël Verset

Cornas Syrah 1996

Emmy Zhang
10

Emmy had this 10 years ago

Carla, Daragh and 4 others liked this
jason carey DipWSET

jason carey DipWSET

We need more people like that here.

Brooklyn Brewery

Sorachi Ace Ale

Intensely lemony- almost lemon pledge-like, w/ some mild clove spice. Ultra citrusy, crisp and lemongrass/coriander. — 10 years ago

Velma, LM and 1 other liked this

Masseto

Toscana Merlot 1992

Liquid gold absolutely wonderful bottle everyone should be able to drink it at least once — 11 years ago

Bryan and Eric liked this

Ochota Barrels

The Shellac Vineyard Syrah

Joyous! Deep and a bit gritty, but fragrant and wonderfully smash it back able — 11 years ago

Release Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Love an age able wine that's barrel fermented. Plus the winemaker is the absolute man! — 12 years ago

Montevertine

Pian del Ciampolo Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2012

Old world, age-able, great with food - easy drinking med tannins — 12 years ago

ACE Cider Company

ACE Pumpkin Hard Cider

Nice flavor, very spicy where you can taste the claimed fruits spices and pumpkin, with what I think of as a sweet full aftertaste of what seems like apricots — 13 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1977

Rick K
9.6

Really nice. Perfect condition. Tobacco, graphite, cranberries and a little bell pepper on the finish. 50% Cab, 30% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc. 13.8% ABV. Able to go another 5 yrs easily. — 9 years ago

Weijie, Craig and 4 others liked this
Craig Williams

Craig Williams

Second year of significant drought for Napa Valley. Notable vyds at that time included See, Tench, Stanton and Reese. Nice to see this wine going strong. The ‘77 vintage lost some attention as the ‘78’s came to market...
Rick K

Rick K

Craig, I'm 2 for 2 this week on 77s. The Monte Bello was great too. Clos du Val will round it out soon

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend

Shay A
9.4

I was able to attend another Wednesday Wine Committee this week and it did not disappoint (they never do). As normal, all wines are tasted blind (1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert).

My red of the day. Proudly, I actually guessed the blend and the producer correct (thought it was either Ridge, Carlisle or Martinelli). Figured it to be young. Inky color. Jam packed up front with black fruit and a small amount of blueberries, but the mid palate showed more finesse and the finish was gorgeous. Still tight, but lots of potential.
— 9 years ago

Will AdamsBenjamin Keator
with Will and Benjamin
Jason, David and 31 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Very good wine at a good QPR.
Peggy Hadley

Peggy Hadley

Love Ridge Zin.

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Still love it. So glad I was able to find a bottle earlier today. — 9 years ago

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne 1996

I believe this to be a perfect wine. Cliché to enjoy something so celebrated, I believe it's the reason it is celebrated. 96 was a great vintage specially for Pinot Noir this wine is so balanced and pure around texture but the long and the linear and it's Percision and focus. Kudos to the winemaking team able to taste this youthful high acid fruit bottled flawlessly not masked by wood or oxidation but focused on purity and drinkability. This wine won the popular vote which isn't always the critical vote but in this case I cannot be critical of something so perfect. — 9 years ago

Anthony, Mike and 2 others liked this

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Columbia Valley Riesling

Sweet and light and down able — 10 years ago

Casanova di Neri

Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2008

I've had every vintage of this bottle from 2001 to 2008 (with the exception of 2002, which I'm not sure if they were able to produce). I've even sampled their 2010, which may rival their best vintages (1997, 2001, 2004, 2006). After an hour of decanting the deep cherry and blackberry fruit dominate this graceful glass. Sweet but not tart, the finish lingers with a subtle smile. By the vineyards standard, 2008 is a wonderful bottle. Cheers!! — 11 years ago

E. Guigal

La Mouline Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2011

Elegance. Power and structure meet finesse. Great please to be able to taste but would love to see again in two decades. — 11 years ago

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2012

Cherry notes. Everyone has loves this wine. My cousin who suffers from chronic migraines was able to drink this wine without a problem. — 12 years ago

Corey liked this

Château Troplong Mondot

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1994

Full body, balanced, able to age further. — 13 years ago