Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Made by superstar winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards, the 2017 ‘Feather’ by Long Shadows is a masterful effort from this exciting warmer vintage in Washington. Once on the nose there is a lovely round core of toasty oak that wraps around the rich dark fruits, sagebrush and chocolate fudge aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing a round and generous mouthfeel. The seamless effect created mid-palate is utterly fantastic. Black currants and blackberry cordial dance with shades of Black Forest Cake and espresso bean on this highly complex palate. This finishes long with dark fruits and a beam of minerality. While enticing to savor now, the 2017 ‘Feather’ will have a long life ahead of it. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to afford a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

James Webb

9.7

Life is short - drink vintage Champagne. Hugely complex nose. It’s brown sugar, poached Granny Smith apples, but underneath a tropical baked pineapple note. Tertiary notes of deep white flowers and lemon. This juxtaposition between fresh, bright fruit, and deeply brooding rich sugary toasty notes is...Truly stunning. The nose is one of the most complex in Champagne I can recall to date. Goes on with autolysis but with cinnamon and sugar. Gorgeous. The palette snaps alive with malic notes, good acid, the wine is still quite alive. It goes on and on, the green apple provides such freshness. The mid palette is expansive and rich, it’s teeming soft tannins. The finish is long and beautiful, it begs for another sip. — 7 years ago

ESF

9.3

Just wowza: recall drinking this stuff back in mid-90s and it seems like they are one of the few classic Zins still cranking out outstandingly priced vino... this stuff was dense & fairly hi octane - shy nose until well over hour of decant, then strutted sublime full spectrum red fruit culminating in a sweet spiced raspberry / rhubarb pie w/vanillin accents. Suave viscous saturated extracted but never cloying, absolute stunning execution w/very long life ahead. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

The spoils of riches continued Friday night with this being opened toward the end. I actually found this to be a touch more youthful than the ‘05 I had about a year ago. At this point in its life, red fruit emerges and dominates...dusty black cherry and high-percentage dark chocolate covered raspberries. The palate revealed bay leaf and dates with a mid palate that was surprisingly dense and powerful. The finish was heavy on cherry-vanilla cavendish pipe tobacco. This likely deserved a table to its own! — 7 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Dan skoda

8.9

4$ 375ml closeout? Yes please. Into its mid-life but showing well. Charming and authentic as ever. — 7 years ago

Aaron Walters

9.4

Tropical fruit and honey, with bright lemon and yeast notes mid palate, med+acidity still and a spicy finish. Still plenty of life in this one! #chardonnay #whiteburgundy — 8 years ago

with Seth and Maggie

Kate Whitney

9.0

Outstanding mid aged Hunter Semillon. Extremes fresh, crisp and very, very good. Great life. - Phil Laffer — 9 years ago

James Forsyth

9.3

Vaucluse is Michael White's Upper East Side French restaurant with a slight American twist. And so it is the wine list. Large sections of French wine are bookended by their US equivalents. Two pages of Burgundy are followed by a handful of Sonoma and Oregon Pinots. We stayed Old School and went for a Bordeaux. Red fruit, tar, leather, somewhat advanced beyond its decade of life. A tasty mid weight wine that was lovely with the rack of lamb and establishment atmosphere. — 9 years ago

with Cara

Chris Hyde

9.5

Still has plenty of life. Tannic and elegant, robust, fruity mid palate. Could cellar for another five years easy. — 9 years ago

with Shannon

Delectable Blue

9.2

I’m not familiar with Tempranillo, so I am unsure what its specific contribution to the wine is. I can only compare the wine to the Brothers and Sisters cabernet I’ve recently fallen in love with.

By George shares the same elegance as its sister wine, with a more savoury core, eschewing some sweetness and vibrancy, for darker more brooding flavours. Dark plum, cherry and dried blueberry fruits set the scene, but it’s the smoky cured meats, volcanic rock, cedar and tobacco on the mid and back palate that bring the party to life. It’s a flavour profile I haven’t encountered before, but I like it a lot. The soft tannins are well integrated, the balance slightly acidic, but not objectionable, lending a lingering spiciness to the finish.

Another Fox Gordon masterpiece. The love affair continues… — 10 years ago

Tom Gable

8.9

Light earthy nose; Cabernet herbaceousness and wood; mid body, balanced, good tannin/acid structure; long finish. Life left. — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.

We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.

While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.

Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.

I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.

He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.

So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.

Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.

As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.

The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.

Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 6 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Really fruit forward and fresh for a rioja. Sweet round fruit on the front and mid palate, but with real energy and life. Almost none of the traditional leather and cigar box I associate with rioja. Juicy, only medium bodied but very very good. With fernando and yolanda and racquel — 7 years ago

with Racquel

Fredrik Finn

9.6

As always with Miani, an extraordinary show, well beyond Grand Cru quality. Developing complexity, balanced and a long finish. Dense and broad, with a sharp en linear structure with its trademark electric and salty minerality on the mid palate. The wine provides such a drinking experience today, but with the structure and intensity that’s provided, I can only imagine that this will have a long life ahead...and I will keep wondering if this man have a limit on what’s possible.. — 8 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

On the flight from Dubai to Singapore . Ch Cos d'Estournel, 2004. Deeper core than the Quintet tasted alongside , less bright rim bordering on garnet , but young I suppose for the age , viscous legs . Classic cigar box , truffle and blackcurrant, cassis notes . Serious , cool vintage character. Lovely fruit on the palate , nice balancing acidity , cassis and darker fruits predominating. Tannins slightly drying , though this seems to be entering mid life they still may resolve . There is a nice quantity of fruit , but this does come across as an 'off vintage' , though I don't particularly like that term. Again elegant and reasonably long finish . An interesting pair of wines , this and the Mount Mary Quintet as it happens . — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Talk about an introduction to Washington state wines! Wow. @Benjamin Keator and @Keith Fisher were kind enough to share a glass of some big boy WA wines, and both were super unique.

I have never in my life had a Syrah like this. @Mark Flesher was on point when he said the nose had a tuna smell to it. Some also got dill pickle on the nose...for me, it was more Olive. Very red in the glass compared to the inky dark Syrahs that Napa puts out. Again, I wasn't able to stick around to do this justice, but this has a long life ahead. Very crisp acidity on the palate with loads of raspberries and rhubarb. Light on the front and mid palate, but super long finish and strong tannic backbone. A very cool wine. — 9 years ago

with Mark and Benjamin

Tom Wood

9.3

Delectable won't find it. But this is their low sulfur pinot. Such an intriguing abundance of aromas here, some even reminiscent of Barolo. There is such a strong scent that reminds me of polished wood at furniture shops. Crushed rose petals, pomegranate juice, cranberry, musk lifesavers, smoke, almond, orange peel, plasticine, leather, raspberry sours and fresh cherry. Palate is bright, juicy and full of life. It drinks in a bright red-fruited manner with the feintest of a tug from the tannin. Juicy acidity to this helps carry through the mid palate and there's quite a long finish additionally — 10 years ago

Brandon Frobose

9.5

Perfect right now, just before its mid-life crisis.... — 11 years ago

Matthew Loso

9.1

A bit tight but opens nicely. Decanted for 3 hours. Silky tannin on mid, lengthy finish!! Great balance and plenty of life remaining.. — 13 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

My friend graciously shared the 2008 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape which was a rare treat that is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The intoxicating bouquet of rose petals, Provencale herbs, sweet pipe tobacco and pretty red fruits bring you back to the glass for more aromatic delight. The texture of the wine borders ethereal as the Grenache effortlessly dances across the mid-palate. Bright guava and Yakima cherry flavors combine with damp earthy tones, minerals and a marvelous salinity that runs through the core of the wine. The exceedingly long finish lingers. While marvelous now, the 2008 Rayas will have a long life ahead of it in the cellar. Drink 2020-2038- 96 — 6 years ago

Jeff Hasmann

9.1

Great vintage for this American classic. Aromas of brambly blackberry and wild cherry. Mid-palate is lively with noticeable streaks of mineral throughout. The bright, vivacious acidity really stands out and brings this wine to life. However, it is very young - suggest cellaring for 10 years. It will continue to improve. 2017 vintage on Dec 2, 2019 — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2006 ‘Pedestal’ is a sinfully good warm vintage Merlot by superstar enological consultant Michel Rolland that is drinking marvelously at now thirteen years of age. Following a long decant, the Merlot slowly unveils ripe black currants that combine with sandalwood, cigar ash and Turkish coffee aromatics that meld together in the glass. The palate has tremendous freshness and verve considering its age, as this silky wine effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Still showing serious power and concentration, the ‘Pedestal’ leads with a deep core of dark fruits that mingle with suggestions of milk chocolate, pipe tobacco, leather and anise flavors that sing in harmony. Fantastic now, this beautiful wine has at least another decade of life left. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our main course wine with Kentucky Bourbon chicken skewers, Rosemary potatoes in smoked olive oil with snap peas & green beans straight out of garden.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, slightly stewed plums, creamy, black raspberries, strawberries on the high nose and glass edges. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dry stones, crushed, dry rocks, medium, dark spice, savory, grilled meats, underbrush, limestone & sandstone minerals, steeped tea with beautiful florals of dark red, blue and violets.

The body is round, lush and medium full. The tannins are rounded & well resolved with baby teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are somewhere around the top of the bell curve with another five years of life ahead. It’s gorgeous as it slides over the palate. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, slightly stewed plums, creamy, black raspberries, raspberries & strawberries. Mid red cola, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dry stones, crushed, dry rocks, medium, dark spice with just a touch of heat, savory, smoked, grilled meats, dry tobacco, well worn, softened leather, underbrush, limestone & sandstone minerals, steeped tea with beautiful florals fields of dark, red, blue, violets and soft lavender. The acidity is like a warm, river palate dip. The ripe, juicy, elegant, well balanced finish is delicious and persists a few minutes with excellent florals on the long set.

Photos of; Aerial shot of Domaine De La Janasse, the Galet stones that are a signature of Rhône, Founder of Domaine De La Janasse - Aimé Sabon and their staff at harvest time. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Have posted previous tasting notes on this wine and vintage. Owned by Melbourne barrister Greg Melick. A couple of years ago I remember banter between @TheSkip and @Bill Bender about the name. If Bill ever becomes a winemaker he can’t take Pressing Matters as already spoken for. This was a stellar Riesling, one of the best for a while. Mid Lemon in colour with absolute clarity. Lime and Lemon flavours with plenty of acidity. Incredible intensity. A beautiful dry Riesling from the Coal River in Tasmania, cruising at 12 years with more life ahead. Traces of paraffin/kerosene on the nose. — 7 years ago

.

9.2

Starts off a touch musty but that blows off quickly. This evolves very favorably over the 4 hrs it’s consumed, allowing the rich, sweet and savory fruit to fully unfurl. There’s nice mid-palate acidity that adds freshness and a pronounced streak of minerality in the finish. This is excellent and has years of life left. — 8 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.3

Really impressed by this one. The second vintage ever produced of Xtant, I believe, this 2002 has held up incredibly well. You can pick up just a bit of garnet on the edge, but overall the color of the wine still retains a rich, youthful hue. Classic Napa cab in all respects from the black currants and hints of leather and camphor on the nose to the rich, evolving mid-palate, through to a balanced, lingering finish. The oak is still beautifully concealed in the fruit, which is pretty impressive given its age. My guess is that this still has several years of life left before it starts turning over. Terrific wine. — 9 years ago

Christopher Sprague

9.3

Outstanding. Very unique mid pallet, needs a little time in bottle but has much more life in store! — 9 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.2

Dense and concentrated for budget Bordeaux. Seven years old but a lot of life left in it. Heavier focus on Cab Franc yields bigger funk at first. An hour in the funk dials down to a more spicy, black pepper quality. Mid palate fruit before rusty, dusty, Brett-y tannins dominate the finish. Tremendous with duck confit appetizer and hangar steak entree. — 9 years ago

with Matt

Chris MacLean

9.2

The tannins are still unresolved but this drinks well now and has a long life ahead. Lots of energy mid-palate. — 10 years ago

with Bill

Ed Lehrman

9.3

2004--really lovely and barely in mid life. — 11 years ago