Familiar Centenary Vineyards

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 1999

Back in May of 2014 Serge and Gaston Hochar came to New York City and led a tasting at my local wine store. I wasn’t familiar with their winery or family at the time, but I understood it was a big deal. At this tasting we got to try both red and white wines dating back to the 1970s. Serge was enigmatic and passionate, and it was one of the most unique wine experiences I’ve ever had. My girlfriend and I splurged and paid (at the time) the most we had ever spent on a bottle of wine for the 1999 flagship red. We had really liked the 1994, but it was beyond our price point, and we figured if we held onto the ‘99 for a few more years it might start to take on characteristics of the ‘94.

Tonight, almost 6 years later, while in week 3 of quarantine here in Brooklyn we decided it was time to get dressed up, make a fancy dinner and open that bottle. So we pan seared some duck breasts, oven roasted some asparagus, and made a celery root and potato purée.

In my brief experience with Serge, I learned he wasn’t much for tasting notes. He didn’t care to hear what the wine smelled or tasted like but more about the esoteric way it made you *feel.* So in honor of the late, great Serge Hochar I won’t tell you that the wine poured a translucent brick red or that its nose was an intoxicating perfume of red fruit, spices, leather, and barnyard. That it was still vibrant and bright on the palate with cherry and baking spice, and without even a whisper of tannins. Instead I’ll just tell you it made me feel not cooped up for a few hours. That I was actually sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal and conversation with my partner, and not locked down for the foreseeable future. It made us feel normal again, at least for one meal.
— 5 years ago

Raina Fraley
with Raina
Raina and David liked this

Hubert Lamy

En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2015

Somm David T
9.4

No detailed notes as we were at dinner with friends. Three Somm’s present for dinner and all thought this was wine of the night. I was one of them.

I believe their 15 is even better than their fantastic 2010.

If you are not familiar with this producer & terroir, I highly recommend you do. It remains under most consumers radar. I should probably stay silent on it as it will only drive up demand and price. But, good wine is meant to be shared with people who know how to appreciate it. This is around $55 on pre-arrival and $70ish if not bought on pre-arrival.

Olivier Lamy left the family Domaine to learn from other producers before returning to his family Domaine. He made Méo-Camuzet for few years just before his return.

The body was thick and slightly waxy. Nice green apple, pineapple, lime, honeysuckle, fruit blossoms with excellent round acidity, texture, elegant and well polished finish.

Recommend you slightly over chill it and decant it for an hour if you drink it this young. After it hour, it really blossoms.

Photos of, the Domaine property, Saint-Aubin Vineyard, amazing Saint-Aubin Chardonnay grapes and Domaine building sign
— 6 years ago

Ryan, Shay and 25 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red Blend 2014

Shay A
9.3

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

Approachable red blend. To me, this is the pop and pour wine out of the lineup. Very plush. This reminds me of Flora Springs Trilogy Blend out of Napa with a bit more fruit on the finish. More milk chocolate than dark. Boysenberry, blue and black fruit medley.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Somm, "Odedi" and 24 others liked this
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

A cab that wants to be a syrah. Black fruit dominant front, some weediness in the middle, but then rounds out rather nicely on the finish. Has a lot of black pepper on the end. Still showing some tannin here, and even a little bit of heat on the finish. I respectfully disagree with the 94.6 average on CT, as IMO this wine is a bit too unidimensional, but perhaps it is just because it's young. It echoes a previous experience I had with this wine a few years ago.
9.0

Long Shadows Vintners

Poet's Leap Columbia Valley Riesling 2016

Shay A
9.1

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

Supposedly this is the number one Riesling in WA state. Dry style. Petrol on the nose. Honey, apricot, bright acidity with a slate finish.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Somm, "Odedi" and 33 others liked this
Bryan Kesting

Bryan Kesting Premium Badge

@Shay A: I have not had this particular Wash state Riesling however I will say the last one I had was bone dry and had a nose of petrol. I wonder if it’s a characteristic of these wines?
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Bryan Kesting : Seems to be. On day 2, it was very similar to day 1 with a slight decrease in the petrol but it is unmistakable. I wouldn’t say this is bone dry, but it’s definitely an off dry style. Very nice.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

I consumed the leftovers. So, Shay had a bit of a different experience. There is a bit of green apple here, but quite a bit more petrol. I can imagine there was more acidity, more green apple and less petrol than yesterday but this wine is still quite enjoyable and RATHER easy to drink. For the sub $20 price point, it is a solid wine, but if you pop the cork, drink the entire bottle. At $18/bottle, you shouldn't have any left over.
9.1

Gutierrez Colosia

Palo Cortado Solera Familiar Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Pedro Ximénez

This my heaven-its the articulation of so many layers, and a freshness & acid spine that keeps the whole lifting, lightly. — 8 years ago

Paul LafortezzaOwen Mazon
with Paul and Owen
Erik liked this

Mas Doix

1902 Centenary Carignan 2014

Hotel Majestic. La Gran Nit del Priorat.
28.02.20
— 5 years ago

Dirty & Rowdy

Familiar Blanc California White Blend 2018

Really good. Light, refreshing, easy-drinking — 6 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2026

Had about 30 sec to pick a bottle as store was closing - Saw the familiar wire mesh and knew I had a winner. Needed some air to shine, but improved steadily over three nights. — 6 years ago

Severn, Arden and 13 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Sequel Columbia Valley Syrah 2015

Shay A
9.5

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

This wine is made by John Duvall of Penfolds. Dark overripe berries, smoke, cassis, currant and some smoked bacon. Not the northern Rhône/Cayuse like funky Syrahs...this is more Napa Syrah that is rich, structured and voluptuous. Notes of violets and caramel. One of my favorites of the night.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Somm, leon and 36 others liked this
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@TheSkip definitely worth it. Held up the best after one day and was still quite vibrant.
9.4
TheSkip

TheSkip

@Mark Flesher i wonder what the differences are between this and the 14. Good price on winebid for it.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

Both seem to have similar praise given. 14 seems to be meatier and 15 with less meat and more fruit.

Long Shadows Vintners

Saggi Vintners Collection Columbia Valley Sangiovese Blend 2015

Shay A
9.2

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

Dominant Sangiovese with some cab and a splash of Syrah. Rich style sangio wine. Sweet oak, dirty cherries, herbs, and a high percentage/bitter dark chocolate.
— 7 years ago

Somm, "Odedi" and 23 others liked this

Adega Familiar Eladio Piñeiro

Envidiacochina Tête de Cuvée Albariño 2016

Skin contact adds wild floral aromatics. Has the sea infused saline as well. — 7 years ago

Grupo Modelo

Corona Familiar

Alex Lallos
9.3

This has always been one of my favorite beers and usually only available in 32oz but looks like you can now find 6 packs of this stellar lager — 8 years ago

Eric, Trixie and 1 other liked this

Gilbert Picq et Ses Fils

Vosgros Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

Loved this. Not that familiar with Chablis so difficult to define a reference point. Lovely oily texture with good acid and fruit. Great nose as well. — 8 years ago

Alec liked this
Alec Jeffery

Alec Jeffery

Just wait until July when you are there, things will not be the same in all things Chardonnay

CastellRoig

Sabate I Coca Reserva Familiar Xarello 2011

Experiència Verema Barcelona. Museu Marítim.
25.11.19
— 6 years ago

Yalumba

The Tri-Centenary Barossa Grenache 2013

Warm wine. Lush red fruit dominated but enough acidity to keep it fresh. — 6 years ago

Eric, Dick and 5 others liked this

Paul Lato

Cinematique Larner Vineyard Syrah 2014

Very powerful!!! First experience with a Paul Lato wine, but it won’t be my last. Very familiar flavor profile from the Los Olivos. Blast of blue and black fruits, acidity at medium at this point but still a pleasant tannic press on the long long finish. Still has many many years of life!! — 6 years ago

Scott liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Pedestal Columbia Valley Merlot 2015

Shay A
9.4

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

This wine is made by Michel Rolland. Large and in charge merlot. Mocha, sweet pipe tobacco, and a lot of ripe blackberry. Nutmeg and cinnamon. Cab lovers merlot.
— 7 years ago

Somm, leon and 30 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I also liked this quite a bit.
Eric

Eric Premium Badge

They don’t make a bad wine at LS. Dig the whole lineup.
Ken Venezio

Ken Venezio

Shay, We need to connect at the next Classic Wine tasting. I do most of the Southlake events with Clare. Cheers.

Long Shadows Vintners

Pirouette Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Shay A
9.5

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

This is made by Melka and is Cab dominant with merlot, petit Verdot and Malbec to round it out. Possibly nose of the night! Smells of sweet, rich Cabernet without being jammy. This is all finesse. Red and black fruit pie, and cocoa. Great texture.
— 7 years ago

Mark Flesher
with Mark
Somm, leon and 28 others liked this
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

Poured rather dark as this one came up to room temp. The nose on this wine is displaying quite a bit more red fruit. The front end of this wine is red clay and dried fig. A little acidic middle and finish. The end of this wine is almost a little bit tart. Not a bad expression of Columbia Valley fruit with makeup 65CS, 21 Merlot, 11 PV, and 3 Malbec from Melka. I would honestly guess that this one would be best enjoyed in 3-4 years. I have a feeling this one could be as high as 93-94 at maturity, which is definitely not now.
9.2

Adega Familiar Eladio Piñeiro

Envidia Cochina Slow is Beautiful Albariño

Slow post-18.4 Saturday. First day without K (Utah spring break) — 7 years ago

Ramon Ayala Lete E Hijos

Deóbriga Selección Familiar Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

Excellent! Medium body, nice fruit. Glad we took this recommendation at Zarzuela! — 8 years ago