Cretan Sail

Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu

Santa Cruz de Artazu Navarra Garnacha 2003

Ok, I love Grenache. This wine was delicious even tho I drank it too warm on a sail boat in an Idaho desert reservoir. I was surprised. Great Grenache flavor , sweet tannins and long finish. My friends are beer drinkers so I hogged the wine. — 5 years ago

Josh, Tom and 5 others liked this
Skip Smyser

Skip Smyser

Are you out of your self imposed exile?🍷😎🇺🇸

Domaine Durand (Eric & Joel Durand)

Empreintes Cornas Syrah 2015

Blackberry Gusher up front, with an arid wavy breeze to hang on as you wind sail off into the sunset. — 6 years ago

Merry Edwards

Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Ron R
9.2

One of the Delectable peeps suggested I try this it was somebody’s who’s opinion I respect, cos I immediately went and scooped some up - and the verdict is that it’s excellent!
Very fruit-forward with white flowers and exotic fruits on the nose. The palate is lively and energetic. Tight acidity with good minerality. The fruits carry through and sail on. Very attractive SB.
— 6 years ago

Kirk, Aaron and 39 others liked this
Jeremy Buss

Jeremy Buss

That is a great SB, one of my favorites, and I completely agree with your verdict!
Ron R

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Yes, @Jody Scharf, it was your tasting that put me onto this. I just checked your feed! Thanks
Ron R

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@Jeremy Buss, yes, I’m stunned at the quality of this, and 17 was a miserable vintage. In spite of that, Merry produced a wonderful example.

The Sail

South Australia Shiraz 2017

Silky and smooth .... had with chilli Thai lovely — 7 years ago

Clos du Val Wine Co.

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

The flagship of Clos Du Val is their Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1973 vintage was included in the Judgment of Paris. The 2011 vintage presents a similarly styled profile as the same vintage from Cathy Corison as well as Keenan. While it doesn’t hit the high notes achieved by those bottles, it’s a commendable effort considering the difficulty of the vintage. Olive tapenade and fire roasted peppers play well off the warmth of cedar and hot brick. The balance allows the currant and black cherry to sail through, leaving behind secondary notes of earth, graphite, coffee, and charcoal. — 7 years ago

Ron, James and 15 others liked this

Jim Barry

The Armagh Clare Valley Shiraz 1998

Ron R
9.6

20 years in, this is sheer brilliance. Still possesses an excellent fruit profile. Herbs and tobacco are beginning to emerge. Lovely structure on the palette. This example will sail on for years to come. — 7 years ago

David, Shawn and 37 others liked this
Ron R

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I don’t understand some of the ratings out there @John Van Trijp. This wine is a first growth in Aus. We love it. Stands toe-to-toe with Grange easily.
Peggy Hadley

Peggy Hadley

Got one left.
Ron R

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Get after it @Peggy Hadley

Lieu Dit

Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Bright acid mineral modest sail citrus try this again — 8 years ago

Clos Pegase

Hommage Mitsuko's Vineyard Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2010

Ron R
9.4

Not sure I’ve chosen the correct label.
Hommage Mitsuko’s Vineyard, Artist Series Reserve.
For a 2010, this is stunning for its grace and presence on the nose and palate. Nose reminds me of Aubert with caramel and honeycomb. Consistent palate, which is also oily and viscous. Perfect acidity suggests this will sail on for another 10 years. Gutted that we only have this example... shocked at how well this showed.
— 5 years ago

Severn, Tom and 51 others liked this
David L

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Nice write up! Haven’t had it. Sounds great.
Jeremy Buss

Jeremy Buss

Enjoyed several Clos Pegase in the past and will have to look up this one as well.
Ron R

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@Jeremy Buss, be on the lookout for their SB from mitsuko’s vineyard. Also excellent.

Talisker

Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Atop heady iodine, wet mossy and pine bio, green apple sliced thin, melon, lemon and lime peel, smoky glazed ham with pineapple, igneous grind, dried sunflower blossom, jasmine, fall maple leaves, roasted corn with sweet chillies, cinnamon, and the faintest matchstick sail memory scents. Instantly warm and welcoming ginger candy, caramel, leather, graphite, cinnamon oil, hazelnut, pine sap, mint, calvados, cherry stem, eucalyptus, tangerine oil, lime, and jalapeño. Intense and lingering, filling the mouth beyond its capacity to taste. Really lovely Talisker manifestation conjuring metal and stone textures like some dark tale of briny ghosts! #Talisker #scotch #scotchwhisky #scotchwhiskey #whiskey #whisky #TaliskerStorm #singlemalt #Isleofskye #Scotland #madebythesea #classicmaltsselection #Islay — 6 years ago

Sharon, Severn and 1 other liked this
Severn Goodwin

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The best bargain out there!
David Kline

David Kline Influencer Badge

Agreed, but the Inchimurran Madeira from Loch Lomond is close!

Domaine Philippe Tessier

Les Sables Cour-Cheverny Romorantin 2016

Prince of Tessier’s flock imo. Could’ve sat on this but my moules were thirsty and this sip is an Apollonian chariot pit stop to carouse with some cretan goat boys in the tall grass. Lively. Idyllic. — 6 years ago

Eddie, Gillian and 3 others liked this

Venge Vineyards

Bone Ash Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Super fruit forward but there is a hit of salinity that makes this sail. I also just love how sexy the bottles are. A solid and balanced brew. Never had a bad Venge. That being said I’ve only ever had two but both made me want more. — 7 years ago

Daniel, Ron and 18 others liked this
Ellen Clifford

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@Matt Perlman Nice! Let me know how it is!
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Surprised you like Venge, thought it would be to fruit forward for you,
Ellen Clifford

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@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum I liked it a lot! Fruity, yet, but not in an overwhelming way

Anakota

Helena Dakota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Ron R
9.3

Floral nose, with hints of ripe raspberries. Refined palete, which oozes Black cherries, coffee, and kirsch. Finishes sweet, and textured. Tannins will enable this to sail on for another 7 years or so. — 8 years ago

Isaac, Eric and 25 others liked this
Charles D Cummings

Charles D Cummings

Thanks Ron R!
Ron R

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You’re welcome, @Charles D Cummings
TheSkip

TheSkip

Ok. I’m opening this right now

Full Sail

Session Premium Lager

.
9.1

Excellent lager served ice cold...especially after a few hours of yard work. — 8 years ago

Mike, Mike and 2 others liked this

Château Faugères

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Ron R
9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂
— 5 years ago

Mo Salem
with Mo
Tom, P and 52 others liked this
Ron R

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@Bryan Kesting, like I, just suck it up, and know your role.
P A

P A

@Ron R Gentlemen a man has to do what a man has to do, drink the wine Cheers 🍷
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Brilliant vintage.

Sodhani

St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ron R
9.5

Prior notes apply.
Strong showing. Layered, textured and nuanced. This will sail on for years to come. Maraschino cherries combine with maple syrup and espresso notes to complete what is an excellent presentation.
— 6 years ago

Shay, Ryan and 40 others liked this
Ron R

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Cheers, @P A 🙂
S.S. Mandani

S.S. Mandani

Woah, looks and sounds tasty
Ron R

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It was strong, @S.S. Mandani

Lyrarakis

Plytó White Blend 2013

2013 crisp with minerals and light tropical and citrus notes. Plyto is old Cretan varietal that deserves wider planting and attention. — 7 years ago

Full Sail

Top Sail Imperial Porter 2008

Ten year-old imperial porter! Just slightly over the hill. Lacings of froth disappear quickly, but carbonation is at medium and still present. Opens up with notes of coffee, cream, vanilla. Not at all sweet. Nice work. — 7 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Trixie and Anthony liked this

Domaine Perraud

Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay 2014

At Blue Sail, Bahamas with Kawasaki and Aya on 11/262017. Strong acid, dried but balanced and comfortable on the tongue. — 8 years ago

Domaine Belluard

Le Feu Vin de Savoie Gringet 2014

Rockfish, leeks, and tomatoes with Cretan spices. — 8 years ago

Ira, Bill and 1 other liked this
Sarah O'Kelley

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Love that wine!!