Old Dominion Brewing Co.
Clos du Val Wine Co.
Napa Valley Zinfandel 1981
A continuation of some 1981’s that I’ve been opening to celebrate my 40th and this might be one of the biggest revelations yet. Over the last 20 years of my education, I’ve had the honor of being humbled countless times by wines, both good and not so good. However, every now and again, a wine comes along that challenges basic conventions and broadens my perspective. This was such a wine. Popped and poured; served alongside an assortment of grilled fare. The cork was about as healthy I’ve seen from a wine at 40 years. It came out mostly intact save for a small piece that was easy to remove but it served as a reminder that I ought to spend the money on a Durand. The color is deep garnet with some ever so slight browning at the edge of the rim. There is some fine sediment towards the bottom of the bottle but it’s otherwise quite clear. The nose was immediately engaging and full of interest. Predominate notes of old leather, dark cherry, mushrooms, black pepper, tobacco, and sweet baking spices. On the palate, the wine was rich, redolent. A mix of dark, mostly desiccated fruit, pipe tobacco, and baking spices. The real star however was the structure. Everything was still in its right place. Tannins were noticeable though clearly softened with age and very well integrated at this point. The acid provided all the necessary lift and a perfect zip to the finish. A wine of supreme balance. The four of us who shared this bottle looked at each other in wonder and amazement. A truly special wine that has years of life ahead. I have little doubt that it will still be handsome at 50. — 4 years ago
Jorge Ordoñez & Co.
#3 Old Vines Málaga Moscatel
Nose of burnt honey, burnt caramel, burnt strawberry. Over ripe plum and peach.
Taste is a bright and clear peach. Like taking a bite of a ripe peach. Then falls into peach creme brulee. Long delicious finish — 6 years ago
Bedrock Wine Co.
Old Lakeville Vineyard Syrah 2009
Speechless. The best Syrah I’ve tasted in years, maybe forever. I spoiled my friends forever on Syrah — 7 years ago
Enfield Wine Co.
Haynes Vineyard Old Vine Chardonnay 2019
Very few reviews on this. Mostly distributed via e-mail list. No formal notes but this was quite outstanding. Mark Enfield makes the best Chards in the US. Very much like white Burghs. 1200 bottles made so about 3 barrels. Sorry no formal tasting notes. 13.2%. — a year ago
Thackrey & Co
Pleiades XXVII Old Vine California Red Table Wine
I got the XVIII (18 not 17). Nice! Drank by the glass at a restaurant, I was told it is little known grapes from California, I was expecting a kind of sin massale but I was surprised! Lightly colored, with good floral perfume and bright red food, good acidity and some earthiness that takes it away from pinot land, without any funk — 4 years ago
Cossart Gordon & Co.
10 Years Old Malmsey Madeira
Pleasant caramel, honey. First Port / Madeira that Kim has liked. — 5 years ago
Garage Wine Co.
Lot #63 Old Vine Pale Carignan & Mataro 2019
8 h skalmacererad mörk rosé. Nästan roséchampagnelik! Saftiga bär, granatäpple, småcitrus, wiengummi. Syrligt och mineraligt avslut. — 5 years ago
A. Overholt & Co. Inc.
Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey
A great bargain at $20, it is smooth neat and mixes well. — 6 years ago
Matchbook Wine Co.
Estate Bottled Old Head Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay 2017
Good QPR. — 7 years ago
Jorge Ordoñez & Co.
Nisia Old Vines Rueda Verdejo 2016
It’s nice pleasant wine with floral, bitter almond and citrus aromas. Dry, balanced acidity, alcohol and body. Quiet short length. — 7 years ago
Bedrock Wine Co.
Cuvée Karatas Sémillon - Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2020
A lovely Bordeaux blanc blend that includes wine from the oldest Semillon vines in the country at 130+ years old. It lacks the depth of previous bottlings, perhaps in part because of an early harvest for certain parts of the blend due to fire risk. Still, lots of potential. Straw colored, honeyed nose, crisp, light, lemon and mineral. — 4 years ago
Bedrock Wine Co.
Papera Ranch Heritage Russian River Valley Red Blend
Date drank: January 2020
Year: 2017
Producer: Bedrock Wine Co.
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Region: Sonoma
Purchased from: Anconas
Distributor/Importer: na
Natty: Native yeasts. Minimal racking
Notes: 80+ year old vines throughout California. Nice perfume, spice, and fruit well balanced. Tobacco and leather is more subtle than other Zinfandels but i like it more. Great bottle of wine. — 5 years ago
La Jota Vineyard Co.
Anniversary Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Nose has mashed blackberry, ripe black current, ripe black cherry, wet saddle leather, horse barn, dried mint, fried green herbs, chopped bacon, muddy garden soil, constantly developing...
Palate has mahogany shavings, black cherry 🍒, dried garden soil, day old bacon bacon 🥓, over-ripe black currant, warm dark chocolate, (minor) baking spice with a very long and intense finish. This wine has at least a decade in front of it tonight. Perfect, supple cork on extraction.
Still quite tannic, decanted 4h, needs much more time to reveal it's true self.
My retailer commented this was not a standard CA Cabernet, more Bordeaux-like, and he was fully on point. The stink on the nose really pointed us away from CA right away.
Paired to some expertly grilled, medium-rare Delmonico steaks from my favorite, local farmer in Columbia Co. NY (Kinderhook Farm), well salted (in advance). Finished with Maldon smoked sea salt, best which exists in the world, IMHO. Also roasted beets with goat feta from VT, where I can only image goats listen to Phish and eat Ben & Jerry's ice cream daily, because only a stress free life like that could yield cheese this good.
I'd like to know the blend on this, should anyone know, I can't believe it's 100% Cab based on the stinky nose, which we appreciate. — 5 years ago
Matchbook Wine Co.
Old Head Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay
Enfield Wine Co.
Fort Ross-Seaview Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
First time I’ve thought “refreshing” when drinking Cab. Cool climate / old world style melded to a smidge of Cali fruit. — 7 years ago
Bruce Dunbar
Rose in October? Rose with ‘age’? Yes and yes, especially when it’s in the mid-70s in New York and it’s the ‘21 Bedrock Ode to Lulu. This wine gives you plenty of Bandol for the buck, based on old vine Mourvedre from premier vineyards. With another year in bottle, it was darker hued, subtler and perhaps even a bit sturdier than on initial release. A great wine for what feels like an endless summer. UPDATE 7/25 — last of my ‘21s still vibrant, more fruit and minerals, less floral. Stood up to a spicy shrimp dish and a soy/maple syrup marinaded skirt steak. Delicious on a beautiful July 4th outdoors. — a year ago