Jean León

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2000

2000 Unico is drinking very well but still so young. The millennium vintage will live forever. — 4 days ago

Dave, Paul and 5 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Blanc Marsanne Roussanne 2015

Where do I begin… this wine is stunning.

It is positively golden in color with concentrated notes of caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, creme brûlée, dried apricot, yellow apple,peach, nectarine, yellow cherry, kumquat, baked quince, lemon curd, honeysuckle, butter cream, lavender,, dried herbs, fennel, beeswax, honey, chamomile, hazelnut, praline, honey, & wet stones…

It’s textured!!! Waxy & mouth coating, full bodied, round, & opulent.

Alcohol is high at 14.5% ABV — it’s warming but balanced and integrated with the deeply rooted flavors and elevated, vibrant acidity. Yum!!!!!
— 5 days ago

Deked1
with Deked1
Deked1, Lyle and 21 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Sounds like an experience 😊
Vanessa

Vanessa

@Dave Clinton It was! The opposite of a patio pounder 😂 as much as we love those, too. But damn, it was a wine to sip and savor slowly.
Dave

Dave

😀

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2022

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2022 pours a deep ruby/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red and dark fruits: Bing cherry, pomegranate, licorice, dried green herbs and rocky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A young Côte du Py, especially in this format. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 25 days ago

Lyle, Peter and 12 others liked this

Bodegas Numanthia

Numanthia Toro Tempranillo 2018

Delicious. Perfect with NY Strip. — 20 days ago

Mariana Puga
with Mariana
Mariana, Ted and 12 others liked this

Descendientes de José Palacios

Pétalos Bierzo Mencía 2018

Retain freshness of cherries, chocolate little spice open up nicely over 3 to 4 hours — 19 days ago

Miguel Torres

Pago del Cielo Celeste Crianza Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2021

Excellent Spanish crianza. Sharing with family. — 18 days ago

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 2004

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a brilliant, deep ruby color with a transparent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a heady perfume of mostly ripe and some tart fruit: mixed brambles, black cherry, purple flowers (lavender?), animale, some pepper, a touch of olive, a touch of leather, some green herbs, fine warm spices and rocky earth. I believe this has seen oak and it’s beautifully balanced and smells expensive. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium+. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is grippy. This is delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Gamay, a Grenache-based blend or possibly Syrah; from Italy, or France. Immediately after I was presented the glass, I liked this being Sangiovese, however, there was too much new French oak for me to feel comfortable. Besides, the florals were too purple to be Sangiovese anyway (never mind Grenache or Pinot Noir). Then there were the non-fruits: it could be justified by whole cluster Pinot or Gamay…or was this a really impressive Syrah? This wine seemed familiar to me. This could be Chave. I did think this had some age based on color and rim variation. Final conclusion: I’m calling this Syrah, from France, from Northern Rhône, Hermitage, with 20+ years of age, from a decent vintage like 2004. And for the hell if it, I called producer: Jean-Louis Chave. Boom. Bottle No. 3981
— 5 days ago

Dave, Tom and 13 others liked this
Daniel M

Daniel M

Great call!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Tom Casagrande @Daniel M thanks gents. Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and again.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Lyle Fass I wonder if climate change has something to do with it? Anyway, I’m holding out hope that the 2021 vintage brings it back to the old school. First impressions seem promising

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

L'Hermitage Syrah 1990

Ooh. Super fresh. Dark tangy fruit with a slightly medicinal edge. Plum and iodine. Dried herbs and a bloody, feral intensity. Amazing — 6 days ago

Walker StrangisDavid Schachter
with Walker and David
Jay, Jan and 9 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Valbuena 5° Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2019

Just lovely. The balance is extraordinary though I think another 5 yrs will only improve. — a month ago

Ira, Dave and 9 others liked this