Fifty One 50
Emmolo Winery
Napa Valley Merlot 2014
I've gotta hand it to Chuck's daughter on this vintage and say that she is becoming a great wine maker! It's funny, I preferred the Merlot over the Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. As a matter of fact, they both tasted quite similar to one another, but the Merlot had a one up on papa's wine; that one up was TANNIN STRUCTURE.
It had that similar raisin like nose, but showed some herb spice notes and nutmeg, with a core of sugar coated strawberry and ripe cherries. In the glass, the liquid was dark ruby with an intense purple hue, and long legs. The pallet exhibited notes of stewed black and red fruits, vanilla, clove, dark chocolate, and finished with finesse and lingered with an ever so charismatic bite.
In conclusion, I feel as if the Emmolo Merlot for the $50 is much more adequately priced than some of the Caymus family wines, and had a fantastic tannic structure, with acidity to accompany it. It wasn't AS sweet of a red as the Cab, so I will call it WOTN.
Brava Jenny Wagner!
CHEERS! — 9 years ago
Giovanni Canonica
Paiagallo Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
The best sip was the first where it had incredible complexity. Over time it got bigger but I feel like it hid the crazy complexity a bit. What was left was a more savory style of Barolo with beautiful fruit also. Obviously a 2010 Barolo is a baby. Can't wait for ten years from now besides that I'll be 50. Actually I take that all back. Ten years from now will suck and this wine may be one of the only good things. — 10 years ago
Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006
Discovered these wines at Garagiste in Seattle way back when they were 40 bucks. Slightly orange tinge. Don't get a lot in the nose just a hint of iron. On the palate leather. Lost its fruit may be closed? May be I am unfair? Will try this wine over the next two days and adjust my rating if I was wrong. Ok here we go a day later under Argon (I build my own system) this wine shines! Now it has dark faint cherry notes and some cedar plank slightly bitter in the back. Long but light on its feet! This is one beautiful spectacular classic Brunello! Can't believe the average price is now 81 bucks 50% more but this happens quite often with the gems I discover early enough in their geek/enthusiast price cycle. By the way their 2012 Chianti is also very good for much less but more rustic. — 10 years ago
Azienda Agricola Trinchero
Vigna del Noce Barbera d'Asti Barbera 2004
2004. Surprising for a Barbera. Yes, it had acidity, but the acidity had mellowed over the years. Less fruity than a typical Barbera and with more earthiness. Strong with the Funghi pizza at Marta and with the Rabbit Meatballs. Great suggestion by Brian (one of the somms). Also, a good deal: Delectable says the retail price is around $65 for current release and $50 for the 2004. List price at Marta was only $72! — 10 years ago
Emilio Lustau
Fine Old Rare Sherry Palo Cortado de Jerez 1/50 Vides Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palomino Fino
Tip top quality. Dark and dirty tones on the nose lead to an eyeopening showcase of depth of flavor carried with such grace and softness. Pure artistry and craftmanship. Homerun, slamdunk, hole in one. — 11 years ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1962
Sooooooo.. yeah. That happened. For real. First any d'yquem is cause for celebration. One significantly older than you is cause for alarm. Also from 375ml, so i would surmise "fully mature". Slight seepage, go figure, and during a cork test I got some movement out of it, so decided it was go time.
Note it was apparently still doing its job, the som got it out with my Durand in one piece. And yes. I will bring my Durand to a restaurant with old bottles for corkage because why would I want the poor som to go nuts and lose his mind with a screw-pull?
Colour was dark. Castrol gtx20-50 (used) with definite fading to amber. Reddish tones nearly through out. Browny honey y orangey colour as a whole, and remarkably dark.
Nose was intoxicating. As always. Very... bright. Alive. The aromas and high tones betrayed the dark colour. Honey, apricots, creme brulee scents poured forth readily, and i regret choosing to not give this wine a half hour in the decanter prior to consuming. Thicker than a regular white wine, but not like oil.
Still had some acidity. Texture was other worldly. Initial tastes were peary honey botritis fruity, and those faded to more stone fruit, apricots, honey comb, i swear light aromas of orange blossoms. We lingered with this for about an hour, well worth the time.
Oct 19, 2016. Abc cocina, Manhattan ny. — 9 years ago
Canard-Duchêne
Authentic Brut Champagne Blend
Ir can be challenging to find #Champage for lees than $30. This one for the bill quite nicely. This one is a harmonious blend of 50% Chard, 40% Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir from organic fruit. It's crisp, tangy, and clean with a toasty apple, lemon and mineral character #enofylzwineblog #champagnecampaign #champagne — 10 years ago
Philip Togni Vineyard
Ca' Togni Black Muscat 2006
If I had one sentence to describe this wine, it is this: "Ca' Togni is the definition of desire." The vintage was a 2006, and let me tell ya, have the years been great to this mistress! Showing a deep brick red color, and a wine still showing all its wonderful fruits, with an expected maturity thrusting forth delightful complexity, this wine will make you love Black Hamburg! (Black Muscat) On the nose, notes of dried figs, dried rose petals, old leather, strawberry-rubarb jam, followed by a pallet of racy dark maraschino cherries, brown spices, and a vanilla finish. Phillip Togni is a hell of a wine maker out of Spring Mountain! I highly recommend trying one of these, even if it is $50, it was most certainly worth it! On top of that, it is 1 of only three wines he crafts, still in his 80's, still the king of the mountain. — 10 years ago
Selene
Chesler Cabernet Franc Merlot 2005
50/50 Franc/Merlot. Coming into its own. Still big but not as big as the vintages before this one. Smooth and pleasing. — 10 years ago
Domaine Anne Gros & Jean-Paul Tollot
La 50/50 Côtes du Brian Carignane-Cinsault Blend 2012
One last graduations dinner! Tonight with the Forces. — 10 years ago
Fifty Shades of Grey
Red Satin Red Blend
White silk. Was phenomenal. Not too sweet. Great flavor. One of my favorite whites. — 11 years ago
Château d'Oupia
Les Hérétiques Pays d'Hérault Carignane Syrah 2014
Carignan from 40 year old vines. A 50/50 mix of barrel fermentation & carbonic. This is a brilliant means of handling Carignan. It has the powerful, brooding dark fruit, but also shows a youthful approachability as the structure is tamed somewhat. I frankly find it astonishing that this can be on shelves for ten bucks. It is a bit one note, but that note is a really good one. — 9 years ago
DeSante
Proof White Blend
One barrel made. White grapes at least 50 years old. No identification of varietals. — 9 years ago
Domaine Le Colombier
Tradition Vacqueyras Grenache Syrah 2011
A total wine pick up. Vacqueyras is a French AOC in the southern Rhône region, established in 1990. Often receiving the unfortunate moniker of "a poor man's Châteauneuf-du-Pape", the wines are typically GSMs and can age nicely if produced correctly. This one is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, (the AOC requires a minimum of 50% Grenache in the wine). While you can drink the wines young, they truly begin to shine after 3-4 years. This wine seems to be peaking now. ~$17 | #totalwine #vacqueyras #GSM
On the eyes: Dull deep brick brown, slightly cloudy, peaking to slightly orange at the rim. Med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Black cherry, mulberry, vinous, nice oak character, hint of petrol and pepper.
On the tongue: med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, a bit chewy in the mouth. Bright red cherry, stewed blackberry, a hint of mulling spices, touch of oak and tar. Nice finish. — 10 years ago
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Zinfandel 2012
For the (almost) 3rd time, I am at Quintonil restaurant (one of the top 50 restaurants of the world - Pellegrino's list) enjoying Caymus wine with business partners. — 10 years ago
Renegade Wine Co.
Columbia Valley Rosé Blend 2014
amazing Rhone rosè from @garagiste_wine for $10!Would be a great one at 2x the price. Gorgeous watermelon flesh color, nose of fresh cherries, tomato Vine, strawberry. Great balance of acid and fruit with lingering finish, would pair well with a wide array of summer fare. Blend of 50% Syrah, 21% Cinsault, 18% Grenache , 6 Counoise, 5% Mourvedre. Sad I bought only 1. — 10 years ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1959
OMG--this old
#Latour is so massive that you could eat it with a fork!
One of the greatest vintages of the 20th century, and, even now, this wine has years of life ahead of it!
And to think that I used to work in a wine shop that had cases piled up ten high priced at $50 per bottle! #1959 — 10 years ago
Quinta do Passadouro
Douro Touriga Nacional 2011
Delicious and finesse, a very good value for money, one of the best Douro Touriga Nacional - This wine shows a different character. With origins in old vineyards Valley Mendiz, with 50 to 70 years old, the novelty is the combination with a percentage of Touriga Nacional from Quinta do Sibio. Very concentrated in color. Very expressive and elegant aroma dominated by notes of wild berries and cistus well combined with wood. The palate is full and balanced, very silky, fresh and intense. Final greatly extended — 11 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Aged for about 10 months in French oak (50% new). Light yellow with big aromas of stone fruits and nutty citrus notes. On the palate apple and pear flavors with bits of lemon rind, fresh and crisp, complex with mineral and wet stone on the lingering finish. Very Nice, about 300 cases made. Put this one in the cellar for a few years, you will be rewarded! Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago