Charmer

Domaine du Vieux Calcernier

Cuvée du Petit Alexandre Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009

ESF
9.5

Spectacular! Really wanted something special and this delivered: purchased in CdP, and lugged across the world 12 years afterwards. Showing some maturity w/med ruby colored and bricking on edges. After 30mins in decanter started showing enticingly complex nose of Chinese 5 spice, mulberry, stewed blueberry, bramble & bush, white pepper, sweet earth, baking spices, hoisin, etc. A real charmer. Med weight on palate, lithe smooth graceful regal, impeccable balance & cut. Stood up to grilled NY Strip & Filets w/sautéed shiitake, asparagus & baby potatoes. — 9 days ago

Tom, Severn and 4 others liked this

Seavey Vineyard

Caravina Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 1. The 2011 “Caravina” pours a deep, we’re going to call opaque, garnet with some slight browning towards the rim. There appear to be signs of very light sediment. Medium viscosity and medium staining of the tears. On the nose, cassis, tobacco, bell pepper and the faint smell of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and notes from the nose are confirmed. Medium tannin and medium acid. Finish is a bit clipped so I would place at medium-. On Day 2, the wine was still intact but it seemed to have lost some of the energy that it had on Day 1 and now came across even more green and earthy than before.

This 2011 Caravina is probably the most “2011” Cabernet from Napa that I’ve had in some time. It’s green and lacks the structure I would want for longevity. While I would still call this a good wine, it’s not the charmer that Caravina is in most vintages these days. Drink now with a meal. In this case, it worked well enough with Cincinnati-style chili 😋.
— a year ago

Ira, Lyle and 7 others liked this

Château Trotanoy

Espérance de Trotanoy Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2018

This is a charmer in a Botlek, lovely second label from this great estate. — 2 years ago

Peter, Jan and 3 others liked this

Roar

Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard is bright and effusive. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet French oak are nicely lifted. This racy, exuberant Pinot is quite the charmer. It, too, will benefit from a bit of cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023)
— 7 months ago

La Cappuccina

Soave Garganega 2021

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2021 Soave is a charmer. Vividly fruity, floral and wickedly fresh on the nose, it blends candied lime and salty minerals with sour melon, all driven by juicy acidity. A tropical flourish appears as this tapers off with lovely tension. Enjoy soon to take advantage of its zesty character. $15.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2023) — a year ago

Ceccherini, Severn and 10 others liked this

Domaine Laurent & Karen Boussey

Les Prévolles Beaune Pinot Noir 2019

Lyle Fass
9.3

Great vintage for Boussey and this charmer of a wine. Expansive cherry and lovely dry, dusty earth on the nose and the fruit has a lipstick like intensity. Lovely, inviting and aromatic depth. Palate is silky, sweet and bursting with fresh cherries and lovely finesse and some good refinement for this level. Juicy and long with great fruit presence. Can’t ask for more in an under $30 Burgundy. — a year ago

Ely, Erik and 7 others liked this

Gianfranco Alessandria

Barolo Nebbiolo 2016

Decanted less than an hour but still strutted its stuff during a sloppy Knicks first playoff win: rose petals, ripe red cherries, autumnal leaves, all folded into an elegant fine tannin & medium bodied, svelte charmer. — a year ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Andrew, Bob and 10 others liked this

Maggy Hawk

Jolie Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2019 Pinot Noir Jolie is the most ethereal and lifted of these Pinots. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint and orange peel hover across the palate. Understated and classy to the core, the 2019 is impeccably balanced, not to mention a real charmer. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — a year ago

Sharon liked this

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

Love ending meals with Champagne! This is always a charmer. Some pastry richness and excellent energy. — 2 years ago

Lyle, Scott@Mister and 12 others liked this

De Ponte Cellars

Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2017

Enjoyed 2017 in April 2022 with great balance, medium tannins, black and red berries, a real charmer that will continue to develop. — 2 years ago