Backyard Vineyards

Domaine Hudelot-Baillet

Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2016

Nose has tart strawberry, ripe black cherry, blackberry, dried soil with peat and faint creamy oak notes.

Palate has ripe blackberry, ripe cherry, dried garden soil, thawed strawberries, light cedar influence, decent finish but we're underwhelmed overall. Maybe closing up now, revisit in 3-5Y, 2025-27.

Cork pulled, slow oxidation for 3H.

Solid pairing to toasted Israeli couscous, za'atar and lightly fried eggs from the backyard egg factory. For us, eggs are always a great pair to Bourgogne Rouge, they balance wonderfully.

(Also, for the record, no photo trickery on the food pic, our Australorp eggs are indeed that orange; Good diet equals good eggs.)
— 2 years ago

Iwan, Sharon and 33 others liked this
Ellen Clifford

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Those eggs look fabulous! I also now need to see what a thawed strawberry smells like...do mean the wine had a touch of freezer aroma?
Severn Goodwin

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@Ellen Clifford Previously frozen strawberries seem to have a dilute aroma. I buy fresh, then cut up and freeze for smoothies, my wife slightly microwaves them (and other fruit) before she puts them in the blender.
Ellen Clifford

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Heh, I have some strawberries in the freezer right now for smoothie needs! But I never have smelled them thawed...now think I may need to!

Bainbridge and Cathcart

Cuvée Rouge aux Lèvres Grolleau Noir

Smells like the backyard making wine in 1993. Feels alive! — 3 years ago

Château Gouprie

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

NOSE:cassis, black cherry, leather, both baking spices and savoury herbs (like nutmeg and bay leaf). Plum and mulberry. Nutty vanilla. Smells like proper, grown-up wine - though not especially heavy.

TASTE: initially very good. Dry, bitter cassis, cherry, herbs, medium weight with nice velvety mouthfeel - but not a lot of the other fruit from the nose (more air improved). Tannins bring a long, dry, bitter finish - sticks on the tongue- burnt-plant. There’s a bitter herbaceousness that is almost like straight cassis berries (which I have in my backyard, so speaking from experience) - very elegant in its way. Went very well with steak and smoothed out with air, the dark fruit became more prominent...I think a long decant is in order. Many different impressions here … real stuff. 91-92.
— 2 years ago

Dawn liked this

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Pinot Noir 2005

2005 still wonderful. Enjoyed with Roberta, Marc & Ray in the backyard on a perfect evening — 2 years ago

Wilde Farm

Heritage Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel Blend 2016

Deep berry nose — all sorts of berries. Sweet spice and a bit of warm gravel. In the mouth it’s full flavored, but has nice balance (good acids!) and is just wicked fun to drink with dinner in the backyard. So much fruit, but not in a jammy way. — 3 years ago

Mike, William and 7 others liked this

Château Moulin de Curat

Puisseguin-St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Nice drinker over a charcuterie board near a backyard fire-pit. Some translucent fading near rim shows age. Garnet. Fruit/flowers forward give this medium body red a thumbs up. Medium to high tannins on the tongue. Thumbs up! — 4 years ago

Garnier et Fils

Montmains 1er Cru Chardonnay 2015

This was presented to me at Tasting Group; double-blind. The wine appears a bright straw, nearing light golden color with a silvery, watery rim; medium+ viscosity. No signs of gas. On the nose, it reminds me of the lime tree we used to have in our backyard in Southern California. There’s also some lemon verbena, citrus blossom, and minerals…though hard to pinpoint what kind. On the palate, more of the same with lemon/lime citrus and minerals which are more chalky now. Acid is medium++. Long finish. I thought this leaned more towards its structure so I was in the Old World. Possible varieties being Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay with possibly places of origin being Germany or France. I was leaning towards Rielsing but then I smelled my empty glass and there it was, the slightest touch of French oak. So I called 2018 Chablis 1er Cru, “Vaillons”. I’m not beating myself up too much for missing the vineyard 😜 — 2 years ago

Andrew, Eric and 12 others liked this

Hermann J. Wiemer

Finger Lakes Dry Gewürztraminer 2017

Nose has amazing Gardenia aromas, sweet honey, freshly milled white pepper and cold wax.

Palate has over-ripe cantaloupe, honey drizzle on green melon, (light) lemon/orange zest and juiced Clementine (faint). Light on the acidity and a bit long on the finish. Decanted 60m. (92-93 points, very nice)

Spectacular pairing to fried eggs (backyard egg factory paying its dues even in the cold of winter) over toasted couscous, softened garlic & red onion, fresh green onion and the star of the dish za'atar (I could eat this on cereal!).
— 3 years ago

Erik, Lyle and 34 others liked this