Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Jean-Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin craft wines, inspired by the memory of their grandfather, Pierre Perrin. Mostly Grenache, this is a classic Châteauneuf du Pape. Vivid Ruby with dark fruit and spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of herb pepper and leathery character. Soft tannins, good balance, long finish ending with fruit and spice, very nice! — 4 years ago

Nick Livingston

9.5

1993 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru - From my grandfather “Hoff”’s wine cellar. Enjoyed with my wife, mother and step-father. — 5 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

NV. 19% Alcohol.Tawny Port from Penfolds in Barossa, Australia. Our go to tawny. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A pre-tasting of my heavy meat red sauce in order to fine tune the spices and seasoning it before serving for 30 people for our friend’s 60th birthday party tomorrow night.

The sauce is 9 cans of whole tomato’s crushed & drained, 9 can cans of tomato sauce, 3 cans of tomato paste, 6.5 pound whole pork roast braised in diced garlic & olive oil that falls apart & shreds when done, 5 pepperoni sticks sliced, 4 pounds of meatballs (with Italian bread crumbs, garlic salt, coarse black pepper, eggs with warm water) and 14 seasonings & spices slow cooked over 36-48 hours. It’s a blend that once it’s done is magical harmony in the mouth like a well crafted & aged wine.

The wine works well but, I’ll have better pairing wines tomorrow night.

The nose reveals; dark, sweet & slightest sour dark cherries, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, ripe, bright blackberries, baked black plum, ripe, juicy, strawberries, slightly candied black raspberries, blue fruits, mixed berry cola, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry stems, soft, leaner, sweet, tarriness, touch of dry herbs with the most amazing, bright, red, dark blue florals, violets and shades of lavender.

The body is medium full, round with great mouth presence. The tannins nicely, rounded, slightly tarry and baby teeth. The tension, structure, length and balance have just started to tango. Dark, sweet & slightest sour dark cherries, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, ripe, bright blackberries, baked black plum, ripe, juicy, strawberries, slightly candied black raspberries, blue fruits, mixed berry cola, medium intensity dark spice with a little palate heat, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry stems, leathery, dry tobacco, shades of graphite, soft, leaner, sweet, tarriness, nutmeg, clove, a touch of dry herbs with the most amazing, bright, red, dark blue florals, violets and shades of lavender. The acidity is nicely executed. The long finish is nicely knitted, balanced fruit and earth, polished with soft, brilliant florals and persists minutes.

Third largest Co-op in Europe and they produce some quality wines. Especially, for the volume the make.

Delectable has this @ $99. I bought it at Costco upon release for $28.99.

Photos of, the beautiful, quaint hilltop town of Barbaresco, my meat sauce, their tasting room just to the right at the feet of the clock tower with Gaja just a little further down to the right of there and the best Michelin star restaurant we’ve experienced for lunch. We dined there right after our visit to Gaja. What service, food and a day!
— 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Deep Purple (with a little smoke on the water), 100% Grenache with aromas of dark fruit and complex exotic spice. Plum, berry & current flavors with nutty tobacco develops into sweet licorice. Tannins a bit grippy but will soften, lingering, balance ending with fruit and spice. Nice!
— 7 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Beautiful. Soft oak, pears, nectarines, peaches. Thanksgiving too fast. Someone please slow the clock. Thank you — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

For as much ritz and glamour that is typically associated with Napa Valley, this week highlighted who the real rock stars are in their community... the farmers and firefighters. Haley Wight is the sixth generation to farm her family’s estate, the historic Lewelling Ranch in St. Helena, originally established by her great-great-great grandfather John Lewelling in 1864. She also happens to make extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon. So extraordinary, that I’m going to skip writing a note and just tell you that Robert Parker hits the nail on the head... “The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years. 96 points.” — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Firm tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! Tasting Sample. Has lots of room to bottle evolve. — 4 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.6

Wow. This is a small production offering from John Alban (usually 1-2 barrels at most). Mourvedre-dominated, this wine is spectacular (and very approachable for its age). Intense fruit, great balance, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. One of the great things about this wine - other than the wine itself - is the bottle. According to Lorraine Alban, the photo on the front shows a hat and cane that belonged to her grandfather. Better still is the font, a recreation of her grandfather’s handwriting from a letter he wrote to his future wife during The Great War. Just awesome. — 5 years ago

with Vanessa

Joe D'Angelo

9.3

The 2016 'Royal St. Robert' is a gorgeous wine from Carlo and Dante Mondavi which is a dedication to their grandfather, Robert Mondavi. The Pinot Noir is 80% whole cluster with native fermentation and aged in a combination of 10% new, four-year air-dried French oak and 90% neutral French oak barrels before being bottled without fining or filtration. The wine itself is absolutely gorgeous as it begins with aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries along with floral, spices, wet stones, blood orange and hints of tea leaf nuances all taking shape. This continues to impress with its fabulous medium body and beautiful fine, delicate tannins. Balanced and focused, this remains remarkably pure and persice though the silky finish. Overall, this is a fantastic wine which is already drinking remarkably well, but should also continue to develop with time. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Had this in a restaurant! Founded in 1902 with a vineyard farmed by Giacomo's grandfather, located in Pedemonte village in NW part of Verona, now run by 4th generation of Tommasi family. A blend of 50% Corvina Veronese, 15% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella & 5% Oseleta. Aromas of dried fruits with savory spice notes. On the palate sweet plum and sweet cherry flavors with pepper & cacao. Soft tannins, chewy on lingering finish ending with an oak character. Nice! — 7 years ago

Sarah Rudolph

8.9

Savory, rich, and familiar. The wood-panneled restaurant where you’d sit at the counter and order club sandwiches with your grandfather.
Opening a desk drawer to find an old note from an even older friend. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Named after the winery owners’ grandfather, Scott produces wines from Dijon Clones grown on the estate in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, CA. Ruby with red berry fruit aromas and subtlr spice. On the palate cherry, cranberry and strawberry flavors come through with earthy herb spice, some vanilla notes. Lively acidity and smooth tannins, good balance. Medium+ finish, soft oak, rich texture, Very Nice. — 8 years ago

Commissioner

10

Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary to Stephen &Sherry — 8 years ago

Jory ZG

9.2

Very smooth and easy to drink — 5 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Blend of Grenache (80%) and Mourvedre (20%) from 6 parcels in the Palastor, Bois Dauphin and Cabrières lieux-dits, located around the road to Orange in the cooler, northern part of the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC. From 60-80 years old vines Gradassi inherited from his grandfather rooted on sandy and clay soils, with few galets roulés (round river stones). Whole-bunch fermentation in cement vats. Aged for 10 months in older barriques. Intense, complex and fabulously aromatic, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, licorice and an edge of graphite/gunpowder. Big and powerful (14.5%) yet balanced. Earthy, leathery qualities and some chewy tannins. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him, and expanded the appellations in his domaine either through inheritance, purchase, or a system of leasing called "fermage." Aromas of stone and citrus fruits. The palate shows lemons with crisp apple, mineral & oak notes. This medium-body wine has good balance with integrated acidity, lingering, finishing smooth with a citrus mineral ending. Very Nice! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him. Aromas of crisp stone fruits with citrus notes, complex. On the palate apple and citrus flavors, lively with honey and spice. Well balanced, lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Nice! Put this in the cellar for a few years. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character. — 7 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Much too young but ... when paired with red meat it unveils its potential : superb nose of sour cherry, blood, a bit of térébenthine too. Some spices. A profound, intense nose that makes us think and reflect on the wine. The palate is much too young but the sour cherry little song plays again among subtle tannins and along a long acid backbone that wants to go the extra mile. Red berries play a little part in this piece and raspberry comes at last. Very nice work. Would love to come to it again in 5-7 years. Fun fact : we are currently spending Christmas time with the in laws in Warsaw, Poland. This winemaker is of polish descent. His great grandfather came to France in the early years of the 20th century to make wine in burgundy. It's quite consistent with our life story that we open this wine during our Christmas diner! — 8 years ago