Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Light straw color. Sweet but with a crispness not common of muscat I’ve tasted. Nice but not a palate cleanser — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

A continuation of some 1981’s that I’ve been opening to celebrate my 40th and this might be one of the biggest revelations yet. Over the last 20 years of my education, I’ve had the honor of being humbled countless times by wines, both good and not so good. However, every now and again, a wine comes along that challenges basic conventions and broadens my perspective. This was such a wine. Popped and poured; served alongside an assortment of grilled fare. The cork was about as healthy I’ve seen from a wine at 40 years. It came out mostly intact save for a small piece that was easy to remove but it served as a reminder that I ought to spend the money on a Durand. The color is deep garnet with some ever so slight browning at the edge of the rim. There is some fine sediment towards the bottom of the bottle but it’s otherwise quite clear. The nose was immediately engaging and full of interest. Predominate notes of old leather, dark cherry, mushrooms, black pepper, tobacco, and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the wine was rich, redolent. A mix of dark, mostly desiccated fruit, pipe tobacco, and baking spices. The real star however was the structure. Everything was still in its right place. Tannins were noticeable though clearly softened with age and very well integrated at this point. The acid provided all the necessary lift and a perfect zip to the finish. A wine of supreme balance. The four of us who shared this bottle looked at each other in wonder and amazement. A truly special wine that has years of life ahead. I have little doubt that it will still be handsome at 50. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.1

Has a cool vintage personality to it, the acid is elevated and tannins are still firm albeit softening from the wines upbringing. Im a fan, there’s a lot of complexity on the nose, taking this classically-styled Rioja beyond what archetypal things might come to mind with this benchmark wine. Soulful and almost old school Bordeaux-like. Current, dried raspberry, stewed plum and dried black cherry, gravel pushing into graphite, tobacco, sous bois, wet leaves, juniper, leather, American oak, pipe smoke. Considerable freshness for such a tertiary wine. The elevated VA could be a problem for some, I enjoyed the lift. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Sourced from the esteemed ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA, the 2017 ‘Tall Tales’ Syrah begins with lovely stony undertones that mingle with the green olive tapenade, bacon fat, cigar ash and clove aromatics that all marvelously combine in the glass. The texture imparted is seriously good as is the flavor range from Satsuma orange zest to ripe red cherry to shades of Umami, bulls blood and sweet pipe tobacco. Delicious now, this will continue to evolve well over the next eight to ten years — but why wait? Drink 2019-2026- 93 — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.1

A few days late in posting the Wednesday Wine Committee wines. Standard format with 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

Nice to revisit this from earlier in the year. Out of the flight, I found this to be the most aged. Integrated. Dusty and underripe black cherries on the nose with herbs. Cherry pipe tobacco, bayleaf and leather on the palate with a fading structure. Drink up. I guessed early ‘90s left bank Bordeaux. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Will and 1 other

Shay A

9.6

An absolutely stunning lunch from @joe leatherwood today. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

Out of the lineup of the five reds, this had the aromatics that kept me going back for more. Initially, it reminded me of an older Ridge Monte Bello as I thought I got the slight hint of American oak, but it dissipated, allowing the bright black cherry, sandalwood, and herbs to shine. Gained some power as the lunch went on. Pipe tobacco, bay leaf, dusty blackberries and leather. The fruit was still tart (in a good way), showing how impressive this can age. I guessed this was early ‘00s Bordeaux. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened to celebrate my son’s 15th birthday and poured alongside the 2006 Eagle’s Trace “Latitude 38”. The 2006 Seavey Caravina pours a deep garnet color with a completely opaque core. No obvious signs of age in the glass. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity, with strong pipe tobacco notes, currants, black cherry, figs, some green bell pepper and leather. On the palate dark fruits dominate with black cherry, black currants and blackberries. The tobacco and leather is also there accompanied by semi-sweet baking chocolate, baking spice and some anise. The wine finishes dry with medium tannins, most of which are well integrated at this point. Medium+ acid. Medium plus alcohol. The finish is long. Another very lovely vintage of Caravina, aging gracefully.
— 4 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Decanted 2 hours. Fairly retrained on the nose, getting some red and black fruit and oak. A little burst of black/red fruit with a light punch of cassis. Earthy, balanced and restrained. Hints of vanilla and pipe tobacco. Drinking well but I need to leave some to age a few more years, this can go a lot further. — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.4

Awesome juice, as always. Juicy, ripe, sweet blue and black fruits, Luxardo syrup, clove, star anise, sweet Swedish licorice, moist cherry pipe tobacco, molasses, fig. Absolutely beautiful. — 5 years ago

with Krystal

Shay A

9.6

Wednesday Wine Committee from this past week. A fantastic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds, 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind as usual.

Possibly in its prime drinking window, and it is gorgeous. Everything about this screams high quality left bank Bordeaux (which is what I called it). It was beautifully perfumed with a mix of potpourri, dried black cherries, blackberries, graphite, saddle leather and herbs de Provence. Perfectly balanced on the palate with dark fruits enveloped in cedar and sweet pipe tobacco. There is a line of ripe purple fruits down the middle accompanied by dust and mocha which is just delicious. — 6 years ago

with Dan, joe and 2 others

Severn G

9.1

Just concluded our annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

60% Zinfandel, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, for the 2005 vintage blend. This label features Redhead ducks, which we have commonly seen occupying our beachfront, not this year unfortunately.
Nose has vanilla bean, pipe tobacco, ripe cherry, ripe blackberry, prune (light) and over-ripe plum.
Palate has rich blackberry & cherry, oak plank, chalk (light), dried strawberry, ripe plum and raisin (light).
Beautifully long finish and tannins are long gone; this bottle is at the end of its life, also our last bottle of this vintage. Always interesting to see how long they will hold. The labels have always been a favorite of ours. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Posting my review from a few months back as my experience was the exact same.

Very ripe and integrated. Full spectrum of red and black fruit, cassis, pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather on the nose. Structure was still very solid with plenty of tannins at the finish to keep this upright. Round on the palate...dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, cardamom and muddled raspberries. Drinking really well but will probably hold in this window for a few years. — 6 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others

Shay A

9.3

Monthly WTF guys blind tasting group. This month was our annual, and famed, Left Bank vs Right Bank theme. All wines served blind as usual. Started off with a Rosé and a champagne. Great night.

Another very good wine. Super soft. Tastes more modern in style. Ripe. Mixed berry pie, chocolate covered cherry cordials and pipe tobacco notes. Balances fruit and savory notes. With an extended decant, this is very enjoyable now, but will get better. I called this ‘14 Left Bank. Thanks @Colby Siratt . — 7 years ago

with Andrew, Jack and 6 others

Jay Kline

9.4

The 2014 vintage was the last harvest while Serge Hochar was still alive. He tragically drowned while on holiday, NYE in 2014. I have no logical reason to be wary of Musar’s future as the team involved in producing the wines have been in place for some time. However, Serge’s death was for me, the loss of an wine hero. This is my first experience with the 2014 and I can’t help but reflect on the unforgettable experiences I’ve had drinking wines that he produced.

Decanted for several hours prior to dinner, the wine appears a deep purple turning garnet after plenty of air with an opaque core. High intensity, medium+ viscosity, a touch of sediment. On the nose, this is a wild carnival for the senses with cherries, mulberries, rhubarb pie, Twin Bing, harissa, kofta, pipe tobacco, oud, teriyaki, and event canned peaches (though only after some time in the glass). On the palate, things are much more modest with a very compelling cherry compote and bright cranberry notes with some tobacco and baking spices. Very primary at this stage. Medium tannin with medium+ acid. The finish long…forever and a day with dried cherries and dates bringing me home. While still an infant, this is shaping up to be a lovely and long-lived vintage of Musar Rouge. Cheers, Serge. Your legacy lives on. — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.1

Beautifully balanced aromas of black fruits, pipe tobacco, dill, and mint. Medium bodied, medium tannin and acid. The American oak is there but doesn’t take away from the juiciness of the wine. Time has been good to this. — 5 years ago

John Azzopardi

9.0

Juicy delicious relatively complex red with almost no tannin — 5 years ago

Sharon Harrison

8.9

The 2017 Pessimist has a powerful and intensely aromatic nose that ascends to greet you with blueberry, boysenberry and black plum fragrance. Evolving layers reveal elderberry and truffle, with cocoa and cardamom spice accents, further augmented by hints of eucalyptus, leather, cherry pipe tobacco and grilled meats.
Broad and expansive on the palate, bestowing lush and generous flavors of black cherry, blueberry, crème de cassis and damp forest floor. Notes of lavender, anise and black olives complement the rich fruit. Massive in weight yet elegantly structured, this wine is a powerhouse that reveals itself in controlled stages .
The finish is smooth and leisurely. Essences of pure dark berry fruit seemingly refuse to abate with a gorgeous fitting finale. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2016 'Kathryn Hall' Cabernet Sauvignon is a show-stopping wine from winemaker Steve Levesque. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot with the core fruit sourced from a barrel selection from the Sacrashe Vineyard. Simply captivating, this opens to inviting aromas of ripe dark currants and blueberry compote that collide with violets, tar and shades of sweet pipe tobacco that all sing in the glass. On the palate this is soft and plush, with beautifully round polished tannins and a gorgeous seamless quality, as well as wonderful weight that truly entices. It continues to deliver layers complex flavors including blueberry compote, leather, mocha, creosote and shades of Asian spices that all build up to the long multidimensional finish. While a delight in its youth, the 2016 'Katheryn Hall' Cabernet Sauvignon should also go on to provide enjoyment for twenty years. Drink 2020-2038- 97 — 6 years ago

Matt

9.5

The perceived ripeness of fruit and level of suave tannin here was surprising to me. An 88’ a couple of years ago was so elegant and finessed where this showed a surprising level of concentration. That said, beautifully mature wine, its tannins have softened immensely and wrap the mouth, silky and soft. To tertiary, earth driven, behind a bit of dried berry, currant, and plum fruit laid pipe tobacco, peat, pipe smoke, dusty earth, dried flowers, worn leather. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

After trying this, I was informed that this one had been slow-oxing for 3 days! Soft quality with very rounded edges. Red and black fruits here get you right in the front with a dried nut character. Plum, pipe tobacco, a little foresty in the middle. Finishes with a lot of elegance but still has enough grip and pepper that it would go very well with really just about any food or fare. If this wine is drinking this well after 3 days, it still has a ton of life left! — 6 years ago

with Dan and Bradley