Phat Wines
Pierre Boisson
Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2015
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
The days when non Special Select Caymus was truly Caymus Classic.
The nose reveals, baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender.
The body is; thick, round, rich, ruby & lush. The tannins are round, sweet tarry, chewy and just starting the growth of adolescent teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a near perfect place. This 08 has another 7-10 years left depending on how you like them and store wine. Baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, raspberries on the long open & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices with deep palate heat, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, dry & fresh herbs. leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, light peppery notes, grilled meats, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, nicely executed & holds the ABV of the last decade nicely. The very long finish is; round, elegant, ruby, ripe fruits that are well balanced fruit & earth, polish for days and sunsets in dusty tannins with a deep spice end which, is why I love Caymus Classic so much.
This is my 2nd to my last bottle of Caymus Classic (😔) unless I go search for more. Just misses 94.
Note: My definition of Caymus Classic is defined by vintages up to 2011. After the 2011 vintage, they changed the style of the wine with longer fruit hang time which, translated to more sugar in the grapes & a much sweeter wine.
Photos of; Caymus tasting bar/room, Owner- Chuck Wagner, the winery & photo signage and their garden tunnel at their tasting room. — 6 years ago
Ca'Del Bosco
Cuvée Prestige Brut White Blend
Since it is Friday Pizza Night, I thought we would relive our visit (5/15) & retry Ca’ del Bosco. I needed to see if it held up to our memory of tasting there. As well as, our visit there was prior to my heavy fixation on Champagne. And, it still does not disappoint.
The nose reveals; lemon extract, lime zest, ripe pineapple, white peach, touch of apricots and ripe tropical melons, slivered almonds, caramel notes, vanilla, honey notes, candle wax, delicate, grey, volcanic minerals, soft, chalkiness with yellow lilies set in a field of spring flowers.
The mouthfeel is heavy, rich, crisp and waxy. Softer, more delicate micro bubbles. Waxy/oily & a touch sour lemons, lime zest, ripe pineapple, white peach, touch of apricots and ripe tropical melons, slivered almonds, caramel notes, vanilla, honey notes, candle wax, delicate, very light white spice, grey, volcanic minerals, soft, chalkiness with yellow lilies & fruit blossoms set in a field of spring flowers. The acidity is round, phat and lively. The rich, lush, well balanced finish is delicious and persists nicely for minutes.
Photos of; Ca’ de Bosco entrance, their red velvet tasting salon, caves, and the bridge over their man made lake you walk from the parking lot to get to the property.
This was not available locally & had to ship it from the East coast to relive our memories.
While this states it is in Lombardy, the region is called Franciacorta. It is Italy’s Sparkling Wine region or its Champagne equivalent. There are two beautiful lakes near by, Iseo (which is where we stayed) as it’s closer to Franciacorta and less touristy than the more visited Lake Garda. Lake Garda is huge and extremely crowded during high season. — 6 years ago
Domaine Leroy
Bourgogne Chardonnay 2015
The nose reveals, mashed, sour, candied/liqueured, meyer lemon, very ripe, pineapple, golden apple, lime skin, & green apple w/ almost no skin, fresh, herbal qualities, honey, beeswax, vanillin, warm caramel, limestone minerals, soft chalkiness, wet stone with yellow lilies and florals and mixed greens.
The body is; round, rich, bold, thick & waxy. It is gorgeous over the palate. Mashed, sour, candied/liqueured, meyer lemon, grapefruit pulp, dry & candied pineapple, golden apple, key lime, stone fruit, tangerine & green apple w/ almost no skin, fresh, herbal qualities, honey, beeswax, vanillin, warm caramel, toffee, marmalade, white spice, limestone minerals, soft chalkiness, wet stone, dusty dry rocks, saline notes with yellow lilies, white florals & mixed greens. The acidity is, beautifully, round & phat. The rich, ruby, heather honied, well balanced/polished finish delicious & lingers well.
Photos of; two aspect views of Domaine Leroy & Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy (The Queen of Burgundy) in her precious vineyards. She all about bio-dynamic, lower yields, prunes by hand and sings to her vines. And, who could argue her success. — 6 years ago
We have some '15 of the rouge version.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Fay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
For me, there is one Napa winery that was great in the pioneer days and lost their edge for a time but, has seriously reclaimed it. That winery is Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It is largely overlooked with so many modern quality producers rising in the Napa Valley.
This 09 Fay is outstanding in a way that is truly unique to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
The nose reveals, dark currants/cassis, deeply extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries with faint, creamy raspberries on the high nose & glass edges. Dark expresso roast, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, black licorice to anise, medium intensity dark spice, limestone minerals, dark, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, steeped tea, fresh tobacco, graphite, dark liqueur notes, Provence herbs with dark, florals, fresh & withering, candied florals with bright violets.
The body is full, silky and velvety. The tannins are rounded, soft yet tarry and teethe, 40% resolved. There are 10-20 years of life ahead depending on how you enjoy & store wine. The tension, structure, length and balance are just starting to climb to its peak. Dark currants/cassis, deeply extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, black cherries with faint, poached strawberries & creamy raspberries. Dark, well pressed, expresso roast, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark, Asian & India spices with heat, black licorice to anise, medium intensity dark spice, limestone minerals, dark, rich earth, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, steeped tea, fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, graphite, dark liqueur notes, Provence herbs with dark, florals, fresh & withering, candied florals with bright violets and lavender. The acidity is phat, round and fountain drippy. The long finish is; big, round, elegant, ripe, ruby, well balanced and persists deeply for minutes.
Photos of, their tasting room & Estate vines, barrel room, non-stop swinging pendulum ball and aerial view of their Estate. — 6 years ago
Corra
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
amazing. tangy finish. phat cab. — 6 years ago
Matias
Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay 2015
This is a $30 retail Chardonnay that just hit K&L this week at $14.99. To quote Ralph their Senior Buyer who buys their Bordeaux wines, “The best screaming deal in richly styled California Chardonnay I've tasted in my 40 years here. When I tasted this here at my desk with our buyer Ryan Woodhouse, I said to myself, wow this is very good, expensive Chardonnay.”
The nose shows big, round richness. Lots of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, lime zest, some stone fruit, caramel, vanillin, butter, cream, white spice, volcanic minerals, good presence of nice chalkiness, hint of herbs with yellow flowers/lilies.
The palate is, round, rich and phat. It’s beautiful over the palate. Loads of green & golden apple, Meyer lemon, ripe pineapple, lime zest, some stone fruit with apricots dominating, slight notes of honey, caramel, vanillin, butter, cream, white spice with some palate heat, grainy volcanic minerals, good presence of; beautiful, moist, powdery chalkiness, hint of herbs with yellow flowers/lilies. The acidity is round and voluptuous. The long, rich finish is; elegant, well balanced, hedonistic and persists minutes.
Nice to see a newer release California wine at 13.4% ABV.
Drinks nicely even beyond its full retail price!
A little background on their Winemaker, Dan Fitzgerald. Dan cut his teeth as Brack Mountain’s founding Winemaker. Prior to that, he worked with Winemaker Bob Cabral at Williams Selyem Winery in the Russian River Valley, rounding out his trifecta of Pinot noir and Chardonnay winemaking. Also, had experience at James Halliday’s Coldstream Hills Winery in Australia’s Yarra Valley and Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa Valley.
The Sierra Mar Vineyard was planted by the Pisoni Family and sits adjacent to the famous Gary’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni. The vineyard has been in their family for three generations. “Mountain Sea” translates in Spanish to Sierra Mar. The vineyard sits just over 1000 feet and is one of the highest altitude vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Photos of, the barrels this vineyard is fermented, WineMaker Dan Fitzgerald and their Sierra Mar Vineyard. — 7 years ago
Alban Vineyards
Patrina Alban Estate Syrah 2010
With BBQ Chicken & Roasted, Rosemary Potatoes on opening night of the D&S Lounge.
John Alban’s wines remind me most of all the California producers/versions of North Rhone or Côte-Rôtie wines. Côte-Rôtie translates into for us as “Roasted Slope.” I assume that’s why his craft was dubbed as the “Original Rhône Ranger.”
Although this has the roasted characterizations of those wines, this certainly has more ripe, ruby style fruits. Also, more purple & blue fruits.
John’s higher end wines, Reva & Pondora remind me of the a French producer, Rostaing. Those two vineyard productions more closely mimic the Rostaing style.
The Patrina is a good intro into Alban wines. You can tell it is a direct descendant but, for far less money. The others are better but, this carries the best wine value in their line up.
The nose reveals; roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, limestone & volcanic minerals, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender.
The body is; lush, ruby, big and like velvet. The tannins are round but, still pack, chewy, tarry, meaty tannins that are 45-50% resolved. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, will hit a peak in five to seven years. The 2010 Patrina still has room for improvement and will last another 10-15 years. It is simply wine candy. Roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices with just the right amount of palate heat, grilled meats, chestnuts, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, moist clay, limestone & gritty volcanic minerals, dry stone, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, Steeped black tea, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender. The acidity is phat & round. It holds the slightly elevated alcohol level nicely. The finish is excellent & consistent wire to wire. It’s long, ruby, candied fruits with just the right balance of earth that persists endlessly.
Just misses 9.4.
Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 6 years ago
Flora Springs
Reserve Rutherford Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
I bought this bottle about a year ago from K&L. The bottle was in pristine shape. Like the 1985 last weekend, the neck fill today was as high as the day they filled it.
I purchased two bottles. The first, I didn’t post. It had waned. Tonight’s bottle is giving me everything thing I expected when I purchased it.
The nose reveals a little barnyard (v/a) that blew off fairly quickly, slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice, peppery notes, tree bark/sap, mint, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets.
The body is just full, fresh & lush. There is still a decent, tarry, slightly chewy tannin structure even after a little over 22 years in bottle. For me, the length, tension and balance are perfect. This bottle has another 5 and perhaps 7 years of good drinking ahead. It’s really delicious tonight. Slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries that pop on the palate, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone/dry top soil, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, melted, salted caramel, dark baking chocolate & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice with perfect palate heat, tree bark/sap, mint, savory meats, peppercorns, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather, French oak barrel shavings, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets. The acidity is round, phat & perfect. The long finish is delicious, an elegant lady, well balanced settling into some of the nicest, dark spices I can remember in sometime.
In terms of pleasure, I would give this wine a 94 but, in technical terms, just misses it.
Once again, I really love the 13% ABV. I wish Napa Cabernets had never risen above that level.
Photos of; the Estate of Flora Springs, long view of their beautiful barrel cellar, happy dog running through their vines and their very modern tasting room on Hwy 29. — 6 years ago
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Fay Apologue Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
What a nose! From the straight pour into the decanter to later in the glass; ripe, slightly stewed/baked; mulberries, boysenberries, black plum, blackberries, blackberries raspberries, blueberries, dark cherries, incense, ambers, wood char, leather, saddle-wood, black turned earth, slightly, moist clay, dry top soil, beautiful, soft, smooth, dark spice, fresh tobacco with a little ash, dry stones, some licorice & dark berry cola, steeped fruit teas, a little Provence herbs, vanillin, understated; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg framed in fresh & withering; dark, blue, some red & purple flowers with interlaced violets.
The palate has excellent delineation. It’s seamless wire to wire. The body is rich, thick, lush & full. The tannins are round & nicely softened but, still have chewy, tarry, tannins. It’s a good look in on the 2009 but, will still ascend for another 7-8 years before peaking, hold a few years and start its slow decent over the next 8-10 years. Properly stored of course! The structure & tension still need to soften but, the length & balance have found their groove. Ripe, slightly stewed/baked, beautifully floral and a touch candied; mulberries, boysenberries, black plum, blackberries, blackberries raspberries, blueberries, dark cherries, haunting raspberries with strawberries pulling up the rear. Incense, ambers, wood char, dark expresso used grounds, sweet tarriness, leather, saddle-wood, black turned earth, slightly, moist clay, dry top soil, beautiful, soft, smooth, more pronounced dark spice than the nose with good, mid intensity palate heat, black pepper, shades of potpourri, fresh tobacco with a little ash, dry stones, some licorice & dark berry cola, steeped fruit teas, a little Provence herbs, mocha powder, vanillin, understated; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg framed in fresh & withering; dark, blue, some red & purple flowers with interlaced violets. The acidity is round & phat and holds the slightly elevated alcohol in check. The long finish is, rich, ripe, lush, smartly polished, well knitted balance of fruit & earth, sliding into dusty, yet velvety tannins with dark spice on the long set.
Photos of; Stag’s Leap Winery’s tasting room & Estate vines, Lake Fay and inside tasting bar/room. — 6 years ago
Cardinale
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1997
The nose reveals; dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, notes of ripe port, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, black tar, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, dry & fresh tobacco, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals.
The body is; full, round, velvety and drop dead, gorgeously sexy. Their 97 shows the excellence of the vintage. The structure, tension, length and balance are in peak form. However, this wine has another 10 years ahead. The soft, round, silky tannins melt in your mouth. Dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, rich, black, turned earth, black tar, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, big graphite, some, subtle, grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals. The acidity is round and beautifully phat. The long, ruby, ripe, rich, well knitted texture & balance are outstanding and persists endlessly. Beautiful vintage and wine tonight!
Photos of; Cardinale tasting room, our Lokoya & Cardinale hybrid tasting as the road to Lokoya was not open after the big rains a couple of winters back and their terrace view from the tasting room. — 6 years ago
Domaine de Bellevue
Cuvée Gaia Muscadet 2016
Uh great mdb rem of some white burg bruh phat. Great texture slightly honeyed bright acidity — 6 years ago
Aubert
CIX Vineyards Chardonnay
I normally don’t buy a lot of CA Chardonnay as I prefer White Burgundy. Also, I don’t spend at this price point on a bottle of CA Chardonnay. However, the CIX Vineyard is planted from Montrachet clones. I was curious to see how a Montrachet clone would perform in the hands of a revered Sonoma producer.
While this is an excellent CA Chardonnay, I find the strong structure and heavier (not heavy) wood use not in my wheel house. Especially, at this price point. I like the Davis Estates Chardonnay nearly as much and find the Aubert style in it for $36 member price & $48 non-member price. Night and day in terms of price point but, not so much in terms of quality. However, I will say again, this CIX is better, just not the QPR.
It is also a shade hot on the palate & the back of the throat. We’ll see how the other two bottles evolve in successive 2-3 year increments over this bottle tonight.
The nose reveals; Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, notes of kiwi, remembrance of lemon pledge, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, butter, cream, white spice, touch of white pepper, saline, waxiness, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens.
The body is quite full, thick & waxy. It’s beautifully elegant over the palate. The structure, tension, length and balance are just starting to ascend. Still needs another 2-3 years to show its better self. But, if you have multiple bottles now is a good time to try one. Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, very ripe pineapple, notes of kiwi, hints here & there of white peach, buttered popcorn, as it warms near room temperature, add butterscotch, cream, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, white spice with heat, touch of white pepper, saline, sea spray to sea fossils, waxiness, grassy notes, dry straw, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens. The acidity is beautiful...round & phat. The long finish is; rich, lush, ripe, elegant, well balanced and persists for several minutes.
If not for the alcohol heat, it would make 94 with a possible 95-96 down the road.
Photos of; Aubert Vineyard at sunset, the rootstock of the CIX Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, Mark Aubert and I think the CIX Vineyard but, not positive. — 6 years ago
Brown Estate
Phat Vine Napa Valley Charbono
This wine has haunted my dreams— shared with friends on New Years Eve and didn’t jot down my tasting notes, but I remember it being wildly full bodied and juicy. — 6 years ago
Arnot-Roberts
Watson Ranch Chardonnay 2015
I am not the biggest fan of a lot of CA Chardonnays but, I have come to fully embrace Arnot-Roberts, this vintage & terrior.
This is not a wine you want well chilled...better just under room temperature. When well chilled, it loses too much of its beauty & sheer elegance. Shows more CA Chardonnay structure/backbone with big green apple. When it is cold it does pair better with the Lattebusche Piave Vecchio...a drier, harder cheese. When it warms, the best choice is the Jasper Hill Farms soft, full cream. white, Harbison.
After it has warmed & had about a half-hour of air, the nose is rounded, lush & ruby. Sweet & sour lemon, green & golden apple, overripe pineapple, guava, green melon, kiwi with skin, lime candy, caramel, gentle, white spice, just a glimmer of, herbaceousness, chalk, grey volcanics, melted, brown butter with yellow flowers/lilies, jasmine, spring flowers with mixed greens.
The body is rich, lush and full, a touch gluey with good viscosity. Sweet & sour lemon, green & golden apple, overripe pineapple, guava, green melon, kiwi with skin, tangerine, lime candy, honeysuckle, caramel, cream, gentle, white spice, just a glimmer of, herbaceousness, chalk, grey volcanics, limestone, melted, brown butter with yellow flowers/lilies, jasmine, spring flowers with mixed greens. The acidity is phat, round and really well done. The rich, well balanced, elegant, long finish is delicious, settling into persistent, delicate white spice.
Just misses 94.
Photos of; Arnot-Roberts vineyard, staff at harvest and Duncan Arnot Meyers (left) and Nathan Roberts in their vineyard in Forestville, where they have Trousseau planted. — 6 years ago
Hubert Lamy
En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2014
It has been a little while since we have had Olivier’s 2014. It’s our last bottle of three and the honey notes have definitely deepened.
The nose shows; sweet & sour lemons, green & golden apple, lime zest-candy, ripe pineapple, green melon, apricots, white peach, gentle, warm, white spice, beautiful chalkiness, caramel, vanillin, honey, candle wax notes, sea spray-fossils, understated limestone & volcanic minerals, fruit blossoms, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers, jasmine with mixed flower greens.
The body is full, thick & slightly waxy. Nice viscosity. sweet & sour lemons, green & golden apple, lime zest-candy, overripe pineapple, green melon, apricots, white peach, grapefruit w/ a touch of sugar, gentle, warm, white spice, beautiful, powdery, chalkiness, caramel, vanillin, honey, candle wax notes, light butter & cream quality, fresh herbaceousiness, sea spray-fossils, understated limestone & grainy, grey, volcanic minerals, light sulphur/flintiness, fruit blossoms, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers, jasmine with mixed flower greens. The acidity is round/phat...really well done. The nice finish glides gently with elegance, good balance, just hits the low end of rich & lush and depositing soft, powdery minerals as it long sets.
Photos of; Domaine Hubert Lamy, the road sign that lets you know your in St. Aubin, Winemaker-Olivier Lamy and their Domaine branding. — 6 years ago
Olivier Leflaive
Referts Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2010
The nose reveals; lemon, lime, green apple, overripe pineapple, some some fruit, silvered almonds, honeysuckle notes, beeswax, wet river-stones, chamomile, orange peel, slight waft if dark caramel, soft vanillin, sea spray, light saline, warm toast, wet, soft chalkiness, touch of candied ginger, perfumed, spring flowers and fragrant yellow lilies.
The body is; thick, round, slightly waxy & voluptuous. 2010 is an excellent vintage and time in bottle has served it well. Striving to its peak, there is nice integration with honey qualities. Excellent texture/mouthfeel. Lemon, lime, green & golden apple, overripe pineapple, some some fruit, silvered almonds, honeysuckle notes, beeswax, wet river-stones, chamomile, butterscotch, orange peel, slight waft of dark caramel, soft vanillin, sea spray, light saline, warm toast, wet, soft chalkiness, limestone minerals, gritty, pungent, grey volcanics touch of candied ginger, touch of white spice, perfumed, spring flowers and fragrant yellow lilies. The acidity is round & phat. Like Goldilocks & her last porridge, it’s just right. The long; beautiful, voluptuous, sexy & well balanced finish is delicious and lingers on the palate minutes.
Playing very well into our Jasper Hill Farms Willoughby soft white cheese with champagne washed rind.
Photos of; our cold, morning April walk in their Puligny-Montrachet Vineyard, our tour through their cellars with Olivier Leflaive and our multi-course lunch paired with six of their wines...finishing with their Bastard. — 6 years ago
El Enemigo
Mendoza Chardonnay 2016
Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! 🎄🎁⛄️❄️🎅🤶
The nose reveals; heather honey quality, beeswax, slightly sour lemons-the good accents of Lemon Pledge, lime candy, overripe pineapple, understated, mixed stone fruits, some golden & green apple, orange rind, inside side of the the banana peel, cream, hints of butter, vanillin, caramel, soft, medium, white spice, chalky powder, river stones, delicate, herbaceous notes, volcanic minerals, spring flowers, touch of jasmine & yellow lilies.
The palate is; quite full, round, thick, lush & waxy. Guides effortlessly & smoothly over the palate...no harsh elements. Heather honey quality, beeswax, slightly sour lemons-the good accents of Lemon Pledge but, less of it on the palate than nose, lime candy, overripe pineapple, understated, mixed stone fruits, some golden & green apple, orange rind, inside side of the the banana peel, cream, hints of butter, vanillin, caramel, chalky powder, river stones, light herbaceous notes, saline, volcanic & granitic minerals, spring flowers, touch of jasmine & yellow lilies. The acidity is round & phat. The structure & tension have softened and will get better with a little more time in bottle. The length & balance are knitted well. The delicious finish is well balanced & polished with the soft, white spice lingering on the long set.
A nice Mendoza Chardonnay and a great Costco QPR at $16.99.
Photos of our visit to their restaurant & tasting room in the spring of 2018. Definitely place to taste & have lunch or dinner. — 6 years ago
Davis Estates
Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014
It has been awhile since we’ve had the 2014 and it’s evolving nicely.
My suggestion is you chill down the Davis Chardonnay, take it out of chill mode a half-hour to forty-minutes prior to enjoying. Then, get this soft white cheese from Harbison Cellars - Spruce Bark Wrapped Bloomy Rind and the Firehook crackers and enjoy them all together. They are a Heavenly pairing together.
As for the 2014 Davis Chardonnay, the nose reveals, more honey notes, overripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens.
The body is full, thick, lush and rich. The texture is gorgeous and sexy...beautifully delicious over the palate. Lots of honey notes, over ripe; pineapple flesh, golden apple, sour Meyer lemons. Apricots, peach, lime candy, more green apple, beeswax, honeycomb, tangerine notes, caramel, a touch of toffee, butter, cream, saline, excellent, soft chalkiness, limestone & crushed, grey volcanic minerals, a little white spice with a touch of heat, yellow lilies, fruit blossoms, jasmine with a touch of mixed greens. The acidity is excellent, round and phat. The long, rich, lush, gorgeous, sexy, well balanced finish persists nicely for minutes.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better CA Chardonnay for the money. $36 member price and $48 non-member price.
You want to enjoy this just below room temperature to get all it has to offer.
Photos of, the right side view from their terrace with their signature windmill, the center direct view of the valley floor through to the other side, the Harbison soft white cheese & Firehook crackers to a pair with the Davis Chardonnays.
Their Chardonnays show varying nuisances year to year but, are very consistent in quality year to year. — 6 years ago
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
La Maltroie Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2012
Mother Mary of God! It’s a stunning example of why I adore White Burgundy.
The nose reveals; Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apples, pineapple, lime zest, stone fruit, under ripe green melon, beeswax, honeysuckle, touch of caramel, fruit blossoms, river stones, cream for days, gentle white spice, powdery limestone & brilliant, soft gentle chalkiness, steely minerals, some flintiness with jasmine, mixed greens, yellow lilies and spring flowers.
The body is full, rich, lush and waxy. It’s simply stunning as it glides over the palate. It just doesn’t get much better in White Burgundy unless you spend seriously more money. Meyer lemon, Granny Smith apples, pineapple, lime zest, stone fruit, under ripe green melon, kiwi, bruised Bosc pear, beeswax, honeysuckle, vanillin notes, touch of caramel, fruit blossoms, river stones, cream for days, butter, gentle white spice with soft, warm heat, herbaceous, powdery limestone & brilliant, soft gentle chalkiness, steely minerals, some flintiness with jasmine, mixed greens, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The phat, round acidity is like a warm, gentle rain shower. The rich, lush, ripe, polished, well balanced finish is delicious and persists several minutes.
Photos of, Chassagne Montrachet, the old vines of Domaine Pierre Yves Colin Morey, Pierre-Yves Colin the eldest son of the famed Marc Colin and cellar of Domaine Pierre Yves Colin Morey.
— 6 years ago
Is that how you spell syllable🤔
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
We tried the 2017 last weekend. It was really good. I said, it needed a couple years in bottle. After having the 2015 tonight, I would say it’s better but, like this 15 it still needs a couple more years to flush out to its best form.
I like this rising Burgundian producer & new to me. For $39, it overachieves & drinks better than many more expensive CA Chardonnays. As I mentioned in my 2017 post, this producer uses a shade more new wood than is typical for White Burgundy...it has a little backbone.
The nose reveals; sour lemons, green apple with skin, lime zest to candy, overripe pineapple, under ripe, green melon, white peach, peach, apricot, kiwi, guava, cream, brown butter, white spice, limestone, chalky grains in powder, caramel notes, butterscotch candy, dry herbs, honey/honeycomb quality, grey volcanics, fruit blooms, jasmine, yellow lilies & spring flowers.
The body is; full, round, waxy, slightly gluey with nice viscosity. This also drinks like a nice Meursault. Sour lemons, green apple with extra skin, lime zest to candy, overripe pineapple, under ripe, green melon, white peach, peach, apricot, kiwi, guava, cream, brown butter, white spice, limestone, chalky grains in powder, wet some, flintiness, slightly, metallic minerals, caramel notes, butterscotch candy, dry herbs, honey/honeycomb quality, grey volcanics, fruit blooms, jasmine, yellow lilies & spring flowers. The acidity round, phat and well executed. The finish is; well balanced, nicely knitted, lush, rich, polished and lingers on for minutes ending in grippy chalkiness & minerals.
Needs to be decanted & enjoyed around 60 degrees.
Photos of; Domaine Pierre Boisson, staff picking grapes (that basket is a back breaker after awhile), beautiful Chardonnay clusters ready for harvest & Pierre, Bernard & Anne Boisson
@Shay A Maybe, your next producer introduction? Have to work that out. — 6 years ago