Dan Aykroyd

Peter Michael Winery

Point Rouge Chardonnay 2012

Shay A
9.5

Today was an absolutely fantastic Friday hosting at the City Club by @Dan Fitzgerald. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine. Great job Dan!

My notes against the first white were that this was more lifted and slightly lighter in body. In fact, I called this 2012 Aubert (one of their Sonoma Coast Vineyards) as I picked up lemon cream on the nose and palate. Sea salt, marzipan, honeycomb and lemon pound cake dominate the senses. Touch of heat on the finish. This is drinking marvelously right now.
— 6 years ago

joe leatherwoodDan FitzgeraldMark Flesher
with joe, Dan and 3 others
Mark, Ryan and 34 others liked this
Shay A

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@Severn Goodwin : I believe this is their highest end Chardonnay. Not seen often! 99points (for those who like to know points).
Severn G

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@Shay A I'm not about critic points, they don't always align with my personal scores. Nice notes, sounds like a fun bottle to seek out.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

Wow, what a Chardonnay! This was served next to the 2012, both served blind. This Chardonnay was the total package. I guessed the approximate year and region. Lots of guesses for Aubert here. Nose and palate of toasted brioche, peach, pear, white flowers. Thick, full-bodied, viscous, rounded, 30-45 second finish. perfectly balanced and integrated. Ready to kick some ass. This is probably in the running for best domestic Chardonnay I have experienced to date. And amazing how different this one was served right next to a Peter Michael that was one vintage younger!
9.5

Aubert

Sugar Shack Chardonnay 2014

Enjoyed my time with Shay, Dan, Keith and Brad at Classic Wine Storage.
Thanks for the Aubert, Dan.
@Dan Fitzgerald
— 7 years ago

Shay A
with Shay
Shay, Kirk and 24 others liked this
Shay A

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I agree with the score, @Bryan Kesting . One of my favorite noses of burnt popcorn kernel and lemon zest. Quite lemon dominant on the palate...more than any other Aubert chard I’ve had. Small bit of cream on the finish. Very balanced.
9.4

Peter Michael Winery

Belle Côte Chardonnay 2012

Shay A
9.5

I don’t think I have even gotten a note of banana bread pudding on the nose of a wine before. Wow! Mint and honeycomb. A slight waxy character note too. Viscous, large and in charge. Commands attention from everything else on the table. Candied vanilla marshmallow? So unique and incredibly delicious. Awesome bottle @Dan Fitzgerald . — 7 years ago

Dan Fitzgerald
with Dan
Jimmy, Ryan and 34 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

'La Carrière' Knights Valley Chardonnay 2011

Shay A
9.2

Forgot to post these from the other day. Mark, Dan and I were able to enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the wine storage facility, and some unique stuff was opened, as always!

Don’t think I’ve ever had this PM Chardonnay. Great nose of salted popcorn kernel and the finish had a mineral & stone driven note. Hint of caramel too. Probably in its best drinking window. Thanks Dan.
— 8 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldMark Flesher
with Dan and Mark
Y, Aaron and 32 others liked this
Hugh O'Riordan

Hugh O'Riordan

I’ve had this wine. Amazing

Barkan Vineyards

Classic Chardonnay 2014

Full bodied, tart apple directly out of bottle, baked apples and pear as it oxidizes, light cream, medium-minus acid. Enjoyable on its own or with food. — 8 years ago

Todd Martell
with Todd

Château Montus

Cuvée Prestige Madiran Tannat

Meesterlijk! En dan staat de confit nog niet eens op tafel. — 9 years ago

Berry, Peter and 2 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

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Enjoy Martijn!

Aubert

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2014

Shay A
9.3

Wednesday Wine Committee hosted by Dan. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. Tasted blind as usual.

I guessed the producer was Aubert based on the power but also based on the signature sweet lemon cream notes. It didn’t have the Ritchie “nuttiness” I traditionally get, but it evolved more in the glass. More elegant than other Aubert chards and certainly less acidity. Lemon confit, marzipan, caramel apple.
— 6 years ago

Jeff MeyerDan Fitzgerald
with Jeff and Dan
Paul, Eric and 29 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Enjoyed my time with Shay, Dan, Keith and Brad at Classic Wine Storage. This was really drinking great. Very long finish. Thanks for sharing, Keith. @Keith Fisher — 7 years ago

Shay ADan Fitzgerald
with Shay and Dan
Shay, Kirk and 26 others liked this
Bryan Kesting

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@Shay A : I probably should have rated this higher...like you say it was definitely in the zone!
Paul K

Paul K

Awesome pull! Looks like a great tasting!
Bryan Kesting

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@Paul K : I can’t take credit for bringing this beauty. However it was certainly fantastic!

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2010

Too bad Dan Kosta and Dave Browne doesn’t make these wines anymore. I don’t think the new winemaker gets it. This wine is beautiful and still has time in the bottle. — 7 years ago

Jeff OrlowskiMichael Seely
with Jeff and Michael
Jeff, Shawn and 2 others liked this

Aubert

Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay 2013

Shay A
9.3

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee lunch...always such a treat to attend. This week, Dan hosted. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All blind as usual.

These Carneros chards from Aubert always throw me for a loop. I pegged this as a west coast Chardonnay, but thought it was a Kistler. Very sharp mineral notes and acid...very different than Aubert’s other chards. I’ve not had the Hudson which is similar. This started off sweeter than expected and really transformed in the glass to show more floral/honeyed cashews that led me to west coast Chardonnay.
— 7 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldWeston Eidson
with Dan and Weston
Hugh, Tom and 26 others liked this

Marcassin

Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay 2005

Shay A
9.5

This is absolutely ridiculous. One of the best chardonnays I’ve ever had...all have been from Dan! Best nose on a Chardonnay I can remember. Salted popcorn kernels, toasted brioche, sweet caramel. The palate is gorgeously textured...lingers full of savory notes and wet rock. Benchmark Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldBenjamin KeatorWeston Eidson
with Dan, Benjamin and 1 other
Paul, Jason and 32 others liked this
Eric

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If you haven’t already, try the Marcassin Vineyard Chard one time. @Norman Gennaro hooked us up with an -06 a couple months ago that cracked my skull.
Norman

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@Eric Shanks we need to meet again in the new year. Early.
Eric

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Totally with you @Norman Gennaro !

Massican

Gemina California Pinot Bianco - Greco Blend 2014

Serious acid backbone here- the PG adds a round component which is welcome and adds some fleshy richness. @Dan Petroski is a master when it comes to white wine. — 9 years ago

Eric, Scott and 46 others liked this
Dan Petroski

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Thanks, man!

Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch)

Bernkasteler Lay Auslese Riesling 2005

Fresh clean pure. Perfect accompaniment to cakes, pastries and fruit selection from SD's own Extraordinary Desserts. Big thanks to @Dan Blackwell . — 9 years ago

romo, Ron and 4 others liked this
Bill Bender

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Slow it up on the confections @Michael Meyer adult onset diabetes is a huge rally killer when it comes to wine consumption
Michael Meyer

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Thanks for the heads up, Debbie D 😆

E. Guigal

La Doriane Condrieu Viognier 2013

Late add from a few weeks ago- courtesy of @Dan Blackwell. One of the best and most consistent Viognier out there IMHO. — 6 years ago

Shay, Iwan and 17 others liked this
Shay A

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Agreed.

Colgin Cellars

IX Estate Napa Valley Syrah 2006

Shay A
9.4

A stellar pull from @Dan Fitzgerald ! It has so much going on and it’s all harmonious. Dark chocolate drizzled raspberries and black cherries, smoked brisket and bacon fat and just a touch of funk. It was dense all the way through but had plenty of acidity to keep it from being flabby. Savory and mineral driven towards the finish. This has plenty of life but is in a wonderful drinking window. — 7 years ago

Dan Fitzgerald
with Dan
Aaron, Paul and 42 others liked this
Bryan Kesting

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@Shay A : Tell Dan to wait for me next time. 😂
Shay A

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@Bryan Kesting : Our monthly 4th Friday’s are special for the April 4th Friday as the 3 people who founded it (Mark, Dan and I) all have April birthdays! Therefore, every April 4th Friday is a big bash...needless to say, last night was quite incredible!

Marcassin

Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Shay A
9.5

Jack & Arden put together a wonderful evening of delicious food and great wines, and a few of us attendees contributed some bottles to enjoy as well. Great night!

Dan was in attendance, which means so is a Marcassin! Incredible, especially after the older vintage wines enjoyed before it. The sheer power and acidity here has this still on its way to peak. Blackberry pie, rhubarb tart, & sandalwood on the nose. Lush and flavor packed without being extracted on the palate. Always a treat
@Dan Fitzgerald
— 7 years ago

Arden BarnettJack ThompsonDan Fitzgerald
with Arden, Jack and 3 others
Jack, Ted and 39 others liked this

Marcassin

Blue-Slide Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006

Shay A
9.4

What a Friday group tasting put on by Dan! Killer wines. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 5 reds, 1 dessert. All blind.

Dan pulled this out as a back-up bottle...ha! What a bottle. The ‘04 of this is the greatest domestic Pinot I’ve had to date. The ‘06 was still quite acidic and bursting forth with fruit from all sides of the spectrum as well as a distinctive clay, dirty funk note. Crisp and a tad hot. No rush in opening if you have any.
— 8 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldWeston Eidson
with Dan and Weston
Shawn, Ryan and 37 others liked this
Severn G

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Killer back up bottle.

Marcassin

Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay 2004

Shay A
8.9

Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility!

Dan is the king of busting out these old Marcassins, and every single one has been a revelation...until this one 😕. Don’t get me wrong, this was nowhere close to terrible, but it smelled and tasted of bubblegum. Very faint nuttiness notes to it.
— 8 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
P, Ron and 16 others liked this
Eric

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I had an -06 courtesy of @Norman Gennaro that cracked my skull. Still dreaming about it. Bummer this one didn’t work out.

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Mrs A is re-evaluating her general disdain for French wine after trying this one. Thank you @Dan Blackwell , Prince of Pegau. — 9 years ago

romo, Mike and 14 others liked this