The dark ruby '12 Piedlong Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge is the second vintage from a new cuvée by the producers of Vieux Télégraphe. Nice aromatic nose of briery dark berries, wet stones and loamy soil. The palate is full of licorice, dried herbs and black olive flavors. The silky long finish ends with a fine dry tannic pucker. — 10 years ago
Wonderful surprise! — 12 years ago
This was an intense red that hits first with a big earthy rap, followed by slight yet dark fruits and ends on a smooth cloud of silky finesse that lingers just long enough to await the next sip. This is an amazing wine that I will search out again. — 9 years ago
2013
Celia Welch!! — 10 years ago
Dark chocolate aromas, deep, rich berry flavors. Smooth straight out of the bottle! Ends with a hint of sweet. Delicious!! — 10 years ago
By a wide margin, the wine of the night was the opaque purple '08 Herman Story Syrah 'Nuts & Bolts'. Exuding blackberry, graphite, tar and licorice aromas, and then filling the mouth with bold layers of spice, pepper and plum flavors. This astonishing rich effort ends with sweet and polished tannins. Simply WOW! — 12 years ago
Starts off fruity and light (surprising for an old vine Zin) and ends peppery and strong. A lot of aerating breathing room seems to balance those flavored really well. Makes a great with any spicy sriracha dishes! — 10 years ago
Very full flavor, spicy but ends sweet — 12 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
A 6 grape blend (76% Chardonnay) aged in 40% new French oak for 11 months. The grapes were sourced from several northern California regions including Napa Carneros and Sonoma Coast. Deep straw yellow with aromas of tropical fruits and sweet spice. The palate shows flavors of pineapple, melon, apple and hints of lemon rind with complex spice. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and ends with a long finish. Very nice alternative to the 100% California Chardonnay! — 9 years ago