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.

In. The. Zone. The first of five mind blowing reds. This, to me, epitomizes first growth version of Bordeaux. In fact, I called this Napa royalty style first growth style. It is dusty and just starting to channel some herbal and leather notes, but the density and purity/softness of the fruit (still quite dark, hint of red fruit), scream older Napa Cab. Added notes of fig, leafy tobacco, and truffled dark cocoa. Wonderful! — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Shay A

9.6

As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

One of the oldest SQNs I’ve ever had, and as expected, it was still incredibly young and vibrant. The power that Manfred’s Syrah have has mellowed, but the flavor profile is still very much impressive with baked red and black fruit pies, sweet cherry, and savory spice. This got darker towards the finish with a roasted plum note. Simply incredible. Awesome bottle, @Joe Lucca . — 7 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Marcia Finberg

9.0

Nicely balanced. Good tannins. Easy to drink. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in Napa, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on 8 estate vineyards. Aromas of dried berry fruits and spice. On the palate of predominately Cab Sauvignon which sat in oak for 18 months, flavors of ripe berry, cacao and smoky nuts, firm sweet tannins on lingering finish ending soft. Will age well. — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.5

I am not going to post all 100 plus wines we shared tonight as I would not be smiling after doing so but I will post some that were significant to me - @Joe Lucca brought this baby and it was 🎤 many joyous and harmonious tones and notes


May not be the best tasting wine I tried but this was brought to the event with spirit and friendship that is unmatched

Big bold beautiful - started smiling even before I tasted

Thank you sir and others at an unbelievable event last night hosted by another incredible friend @Martin G Rivard and to all the FL natives that the out of towners have met and shared glass after glass of off the hook wi e with - I say thank you for your hospitality, new friendship and amazing conversation like finding out one of you share my birthday

Let's do again soon and until then I say bravo to everyone and we smiled all night long — 8 years ago

with Ron, Martin and 11 others

Rhonda Stone

9.0

Brought by Joe and Pat for dinner. Very nice, full bodied, but drinkable, wine. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!

Such a treat to compare this against the ‘08 Schrader To Kalon and the ‘09 Chappellet Pritchard Hill. This was decidedly more dusty. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cassis, and black cherry compote over toasted graham crackers. This was decanted about an hour+ before we got to it and it was still powering through hours later. Thanks, @joe leatherwood . — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Shay A

9.2

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee. Incredible hosting by Joe. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine, all tasted blind.

This really epitomized CdP. I called it 10yr old CdP. The black pepper has died down and integrated well with the spicy red fruit and underripe black fruit. Hint of tart/iron, but overall, this was really smooth. No problem open and enjoying these now. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Jeff and 3 others

Shay A

9.5

WNH event number two. Rhône varietal wines with TX BBQ...a match made in Heaven!

A true treat to try this next to the Clape Cornas. More fruit forward here with a darker fruit profile...even some blueberries. Heavier mouthfeel than the Clape. Smoked cedar, peppercorn. This wine in 5yrs or so would likely be incredible! Loved this. Thanks @Joe Lucca . — 7 years ago

with Mike, David and 4 others

Michael Seely

9.6

Outstanding. With Joe and Steve Santa Fe — 7 years ago

with Joe

Shay A

9.3

Absolute monster opened by Joe. First whiff and all I could think of was lemon sorbet. Large and powerful Viognier. Had a funk to it at first but it blew off quick. Oak is still fairly present, but giving way to tropical and tart fruits, and the finish is mainly herbal. Fantastic on the mid palate. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Mark

Amy Doyle

9.1

Love you Ann & Joe! — 8 years ago

David L

9.4

12' Addax Cabernet. Simply delicious @Joe Lucca You called it. Russell Bevan 👍 — 8 years ago

Ali Casassa

9.0

A good go-to, delicious rose. — 6 years ago

Rob Mullen

9.2

Another bottle of funky, bacon-y deliciousness. Thank you Joe Davis — 6 years ago

Alexandra Gusdorf

9.3

Such a great Trader Joe bottle for $20! Loved the warm vanilla and nutty flavor. Definitely a favorite — 6 years ago

with Eliot

B

10

1987 Richebourg. Dinner w JW & AC at Cap. K was worried since this was on “off vintage.” Didn’t decant. Poured in glass and it was just really thin. However, as the night progressed, this drank really, really well and the wine totally transformed. Both Joe and K said they want to buy more. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.4

This will take a bunch of you by surprise but this is my absolute first bottle of 2012 edge Hill Bacigaluppi that did not literally blow my mind! I consider this one of the top five Chardonnays that I have ever had from Napa and I’ve had a lot of Chardonnays from Napa! It was not Corked but definitely fell 100% flat tonight. No depth, no structure simply fruit. I had friends at the house and was trying to impress them But literally threw this bottle down the drain and open to something else. Oh well, shit happens as they say! @David L @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Mike R @Ron R @Howard Greenfield @Shay A — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.7

"Bad Ass in a Glass" is quite accurate here. Poured from a double magnum, this was a big wine that had people smiling and buzzing (in every sense of the word!). Globs of dark fruit, silky smooth, a touch sweet, but so well integrated.

Thank you @Martin G Rivard and @Christine for an epic 48 hours and for opening your home last night for the Super Bowl of wine tastings (and for the four different types of grilled cheese sandwiches that magically appeared toward the end of the night!).

While the wines shared last night literally were the best of the best, so too were the folks I had the pleasure of seeing again and meeting for the first time. Thank you all for making last night so memorable. I look forward to staying in touch and sharing a glass (bottle?) with you all again in the near future.

@David L @Mike R @Ron R @Joe Lucca @Shawn R @Bill Bender @Daryl Calhoun @Ryan M @leon egozi @David Goldfinger @David From The 504 @Monica O @Ira Shapiro @Jeffrey Lew @Mo Salem @"Odedi" @Kirk Alexander @Gina Sabean (tag anyone I may have missed!). Your generosity and enthusiasm in sharing wine was greatly appreciated. — 8 years ago

David L

9.4

13' Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard SB. This was the first vintage that spent extra time in the bottle prior to release.

Palate- Classic citrusy notes -lemongrass, picking up some tropical notes of peaches. A plethora of stone fruits. Nice minerality throughout the palate. After it was open for about 30 minutes the crisp acidity softened a bit.

Complexed and very well-made SB. Not a problem enjoying the bottle on it's own. Pairing this wine with food… truly appreciate this SB. @Joe Lucca Kristen and I can't thank you enough for this sensational bottle of SB! Please say hi to Diane from the both of us. See you in April. — 8 years ago