No Man's Land
Evening Land Vineyards
La Source Seven Springs Pinot Noir 2012
Rated 98 puts by Wine Spectator. I really don't pay attention to what others say. BUT this is absolutely the finest Pinot Noir I have ever had the pleasure to drink. My friend and I bought the last two bottles at the vineyard. Smooth. No bite. Blended acidity. — 9 years ago
Francis Blanchet
Cuvée Silice Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Interesting to sip a Pouilly Fumé Cuvée Silice from one of the most trusted values in the region at such an age. While she's in the repose of her twilight years she's not merely a beauty of a bygone time but instead lively and lovely whose company rewards whoever has a chance afternoon with her. Who would ever credit Sauvignon Blanc even one of this crystalline emerald variety as a wine that might take an age in a cool cellar? 13 years! Even through the crazing crows' feet these eyes shine brightly and despite how cray paper skin drapes over the cheek bones of Sauvignon Blanc, this is still nimble and pulses with lives yet to live -not merely memories to regale its audience of how things once were, what she once was or could have been. Honeycomb, lemon curd, nettles wilting in grassy green olive oil, and then the lime leaves...so familiar and yet always exotic of distant shores and climates so far from this northern land of four resolute seasons. As to ratings: how can any of us quantify sensual pleasures really. This was a joy no matter how you cut it and yet given my surprise at Sauvignon Blanc at 13 years on still having so much to say I cannot speak highly enough. The Blanchets do it again! — 10 years ago
Marc Brédif
Chinon Cabernet Franc
Intriguingly nasty nose and a pleasantly balanced fruit explosion with spot-on acidity and mellowed tannins. A rather perfect pairing with bresaola and low to no salt black olives offered up at Promise' Land Market, in Morehead City, NC! To the Season and the good stuff (so to speak/write). Skål! — 10 years ago
Dirty & Rowdy
Delfino Pet Nat Pinot Blanc 2013
No bottle but all the taste Pinot Blanc from the magical land I El Dorado — 11 years ago
Oakford Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 1990
Very youthful for its age. The brand no longer exists. Land currently owned by Futo. — 11 years ago
Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera
Riserva Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 1994
Tasted with Gianfranco Soldera @ Case Basse. A paradigm changing visit. I can say this with confidence, no other winemaker on the planet has their finger on the pulse like Gianfranco. A man who is 1000% invested in his land that produces profound sangiovese. — 9 years ago
Duckhorn Vineyards
Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2002
02 vintage with John Upton who sold vineyard to Duckhorn recently. I always felt Three Palms was one of great alluvial fans in terroir as the Napa River tributes into this land. And the traditional vineyard management by John and Sloan was pure old world. No Abreu stuff here. But really the only age-worthy Merlot in CA. This bottle still tight but well made and can last 20 more years. — 9 years ago
Heitz Cellar
Bella Oaks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
The difficult thing about this wine is it's elegant and smooth, but lacks mouthfeel and structure that is the common flaw of the 98 vintage. I've had some nice 98's. Don't get me wrong, the 98 Staglin was was really nice as were a number of others. The 98 Bella Oaks is liquid milk chocolate, malt balls, black plummy dark fruit, eucalyptus, black olive, wet sweet dark earth, hint of nutmeg, vanilla extract, caramel, sweet saddlewood & tobacco, herbaceous spice, briney and a better finish than expected after a long taste. Better with each sip. You still sense it's a little alcohol hot even after all this time in bottle. It's a shame Heitz will no longer make the Bella Oaks after losing the vineyard lease. Look for the family that took it back to see how the wine is being produced. Hopefully, something special as it's a great piece of land that has produced some really nice fruit over it's many years. — 9 years ago
Medlock Ames
Bell Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
This cab shows so purely old school Sonoma - I love it! The fruit/acid is bright but toning as it opens and the oak and tannins magic appears going silky plum with enough brightness to let it work with bresaola, manchego, cremont, dark no to low salt olives and raw almonds Morehead City, NC's premier wine, cheese, charcuterie, craft beer hang - The Prominise' Land Market! Go there! (amazing price point on this delicious Sonoma cab!) — 10 years ago
Evening Land Vineyards
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012
These 2012 Oregon Pinots are terrific. No winemaking skill needed with this vintage. You don't have to pay top dollar to enjoy a very fine wine. — 11 years ago
Damianitza
No Man's Land Gold White Blend
Прекрасное болгарское вино #wine #вино #bulgarianwine #redwine — 11 years ago
M. Chapoutier
"Les Granits" Saint Joseph Syrah 2006
There's something about this appellation that resonates deeply with me, and there's no better producer than Chapoutier. The man's a freakish genius of the vine. — 12 years ago
Foxen
Dry Farmed Tinaquaic Vineyard Chardonnay 2013
This dry farmed Chardonnay from Foxen was part of a shipment, and from a vineyard I always enjoy drinking. Rancho Tinaquaic was a land grant, from Mexico, given in 1837 in which the Tinaquaic vineyard resides. The vineyard is just northeast of Los Alamos. The land grant was purchased by Foxen co-owner Dick Doré's great great grandfather. The Foxen boys typically dry farm these grapes and sometimes the results can be magnificent (e.g. 2007 Cab Franc or 2012 Syrah). Great care must be taken with the dry farmed fruit - the right soil, microclimate, and maintenance - or the grower will be left more raisin than grape. Foxen is one of the few in Santa Barbara county that still practice the craft, and practice it well. ~$37 | #foxen #chardonnay #tinaquaic
On the eyes: Clear, star bright yellow, light stain, med+ tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Overripe pineapple, overripe pear, jasmine, and soft cheese with a touch of salty citrus. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med+ body, buttery in the mouth. Tropical fruits, (think pineapple, guava, and lychee), rounded out with cashew and orange blossom. Nice finish. — 9 years ago
Domaine Le Colombier
Tradition Vacqueyras Grenache Syrah 2011
A total wine pick up. Vacqueyras is a French AOC in the southern Rhône region, established in 1990. Often receiving the unfortunate moniker of "a poor man's Châteauneuf-du-Pape", the wines are typically GSMs and can age nicely if produced correctly. This one is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, (the AOC requires a minimum of 50% Grenache in the wine). While you can drink the wines young, they truly begin to shine after 3-4 years. This wine seems to be peaking now. ~$17 | #totalwine #vacqueyras #GSM
On the eyes: Dull deep brick brown, slightly cloudy, peaking to slightly orange at the rim. Med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Black cherry, mulberry, vinous, nice oak character, hint of petrol and pepper.
On the tongue: med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, a bit chewy in the mouth. Bright red cherry, stewed blackberry, a hint of mulling spices, touch of oak and tar. Nice finish. — 9 years ago
Evening Land Vineyards
Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay 2011
Very different, than the usual. More body, more profound ... No wonder Dominique is a friend, and a mentor of mine! ;-) — 11 years ago
Wakefield
Promised Land Unwooded Chardonnay 2013
Clean , apples , slight citrus . Great value no oak — 11 years ago
Robert McNally
World class. Body. Length. Balanced. Lemon and aromatics. No wonder it took forever to land 2 bottles. — 8 years ago