Devil May Care

Spier

Vintage Selection Shiraz

Man, I'm convinced that Spier doesn't make bad wine - at least not under the vintage collection. While the Pinotage has long been a favorite sub-$20 bottle of mine, I've never tried the Shiraz.. but I must say, I am pleasantly surprised.

Definite tobacco, cedar, and charcoal on the nose. Lovely red fruit, vanillin, textured mouthfeel, with loads of pepper and spice on the finish. I usually don't care for Shiraz, but this one is more restrained than Aussie Shiraz, which may be why I like it so much. Balanced, finesseful, but with enough density and character to turn a few heads. Very nice effort.
— 7 years ago

Ron, David and 2 others liked this

Château Péby Faugères

Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

smooth as smooth can, a luscious vintage with excellent drinkability presenting blackberry and herbs (including eucalyptus and mint) at first, followed by leather, underwood and dark red fruits, fading out with hints of smoke and broken pencil in a really, really appropriate lenght...

a problem of the 2000 vintage is the MASSIVE and fine-grained deposit - you may decant it in two steps and take extra care, otherwise be disappointed by a dusty, sandy mouthfeel and edged green pepper impact.

for the knights of grape varietys: the péby's a 100% merlot.
— 9 years ago

neonschwarz liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend 2013

One may get the idea that these grapes have the potential at any moment in time in the winemaker's hands to come out as a monstrous beast. I come from the area this was grown in and for the most part contra costa is no great wine growing region and especially not near the delta. It's easy to see the meticulous care and winemaking being expressed here in perfect balance. I can't say this wine is too interesting or blooming with nuance but I can say bravo for setting a benchmark and showing that a hot desert environment with old vines and a lot of consciousness can make something drinkable in the daytime. 🙏 these ancient vines are getting taken care of and let's be honest, the people at bedrock are turning trash into treasure by doing this service. — 9 years ago

Anthony, Velma and 3 others liked this

Château de Villeneuve

Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc 2014

Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb! Franc, but graphite smokey edge that may be Barrel char, but I don't care. It's delicious — 7 years ago

Domaine Armand Rousseau

Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1997

Had it May 2009, it was a farewell night for someone✌️, lots of wines, they got all swept away by this one. Super elegant, powerful, fresh, queffable at the same time. Not super complex, but not disappointing. Bottle found in a shop without super care, I thought it was cooked😂 — 8 years ago

Eric, Jim and 2 others liked this

Liparita

V Block Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

When compared side by side with Liparita's less expensive Rutherford Cab release, V Block can be likened to a parent's favorite offspring. Although both wines may share similar genetic material and upbringing, V Block has gained more dimension and self confidence through increased care and attention from infancy. #ridiculous :p — 9 years ago

Bogle Vineyards

California Old Vine Zinfandel 2012

I don't care what my father-in-law says about Bogle, this Zinfandel stands up. Strong and jammy, with raspberry notes and just a hint of oak, it went well with our beef stew dinner, both while cooking and eating. I may have started early when my husband told me he was running late and my kids were dancing on my last nerve. — 9 years ago

Daniel Alfred
with Daniel

Daou Vineyards

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Great free run wine with mild tannins especially for a 2014 that blends well with the acidity and cherry fruit - traditional cab drinkers looking for that tannin grip may not care for this but this a style that I really like — 7 years ago

Brett and JJ liked this

Eminence Road Farm Winery

Auten Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Really enjoyed this. The last Eminence Road pinot I had (2012 Elizabeth) was excellent too, and yet I can't seem to get a good bottle of cabernet franc from them. Weird. Anyway, this was a very different profile than the Elizabeth, very polished and not at all rustic. The hue in the glass is a very pale rusty red, barely deeper than a poulsard, but again there is absolutely none of the raspiness or funk I've gotten from some of the other wines here. There is a slight buzz of CO2, but very slight and a decant and swirl takes care of most of it. The fruit is past the primary, but still has plenty of sheen and gloss and conveys an essence of fresh wild berry flavors in a presentation that's less about the flesh of the fruit and more about the perfume, with sort of a mulled baking spice succulence. This may come from a cool climate but it has plenty of warmth. It's a truly unique expression of pinot noir that doesn't have an analogue to any other region I can think of. This is the point where I am expected to add a disclaimer of the sort that it is "not for everyone," but I honestly can't think of a single reason why. It isn't rustic, it isn't green, it is just a smooth and super-satisfying comfort wine of a pinot. — 8 years ago

jason carey DipWSET

jason carey DipWSET

Give the Cab Francs another shot, I just drank a great bottle of the Eliz. 13. Hey these wines are very very sensitive. (Natural) and vary greatly. You are right though, the pinots are amazing. The Auten is more approachable now. And hey for 20-25 its worth the dice roll sometimes. Anyhow This shows how truly wonderful NY's future with Pinot is. Also try the basic Heart and Hands. A totally different take..(read my summaries)
jason carey DipWSET

jason carey DipWSET

Eliz vineyard always more structured

Samuel Adams (The Boston Beer Company)

Grumpy Monk Belgian IPA

This is a hard one to place, first of all it is NOT A TRUE IPA, there is a lot going on in this brew that you may like or dislike. It is bitter sweet, fruit is overwhelmed by its spices, clove and nutmeg, so I have to say it really takes time to work out if this something you like, I have had a few, and find it better each time, first time did not really care for it. Different and hard to put it some sort of class, but worth trying and enjoying something unique — 10 years ago