Pheasant's Tears

San Giusto a Rentennano

Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2010

It’s been nearly two years since I last enjoyed the 2010 Chianti Classico and the results are consistent with my previous experience. This bottle was double decanted a few hours prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2010 Chianti Classico pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of Montmorency and Balaton cherry, pipe tobacco, red rope licorice, carnations, mushrooms, decomposing forest floor, leather, tomato leaf, and cedar box. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with saline minerals. Drink now through 2040. — 6 months ago

Pooneet, Severn and 6 others liked this

McHenry Vineyard

Estate Bottled Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2022

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of four days. Best on Day 3 and 4. The 2022 Estate pours a ruby color with a slightly hazy, transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart red fruit: tiny underripe woodland strawberries, dried green herbs, red flowers, mushrooms, sous bois, spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and super fresh. Better after 2027 through 2037. Only 100 cases made. — a year ago

Scott@Mister, Bob and 9 others liked this

Château Saint-Pierre

St. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1993

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1993 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated black fruit: cassis, blackberries, along with celery, tobacco, green bell pepper, forest floor, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannins (integrated) and medium+ acid. The finish is medium and satisfying. This was a very nice showing for the 1993 and it’s clear that well-stored examples are drinking well right now and should continue to do so through 2031. — 2 years ago

Tom, Shay and 7 others liked this

School House Vineyard

Mezcolanza Zinfandel Blend 2016

As far as I’m concerned, these School House Mescolanzas are like, the anti-Napa Zinfandel. They are just so different from anything else out there. Until they get close to 10 years from vintage, they are backward; lean, green and mean. But if one has the patience, they eventually become quite charming. For this bottle, I did not follow my own advice.

Popped and poured, consumed over four days. On Day 1, this was completely coiled and the oak seemed a bit out of balance. I finished my glass and placed the cork back in the neck of the bottle. I checked in for a small taste on Day 2 and 3. By Day 4, it had opened enough to really enjoy. The 2016 School House “Mescolanza” Zinfandel Blend pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. There appears too be some very faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing. Expressive of dark bramble fruits, stone minerals, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium(+). This has all of the trappings for very nice expression of this wine but it’s a little young to my taste. Best after 2025 and these will drink well through 2037…and possibly longer.
— 3 years ago

Ely, Shay and 5 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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I love this unique style. You’re spot-on about their ability (necessity) to age.

Chehalem Mountain Winery

Tears of Vulcan Viognier Blend 2020

From Fermented wine shop in Canton. Chehamlem Mountains AVA — 4 years ago

Pheasant's Tears

Kartli Chinuri 2018

Nice cheap orange not crazy — 6 years ago

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Kakheti Rkatsiteli 2017

Dry, tannic, smoky finish — 7 years ago

Pheasant's Tears

Kakhuri Mtsvivani 2017

Currants, castelvetranos, kale, dried mango wtf — 7 years ago

Martin liked this

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Kakheti Mtsvane 2015

Nice orange wine from Georgia. Gives the impression of sweetness without actually being sweet. Some real grip without tannins, sort of an interesting orange wine mouthfeel. Nice. — 9 years ago

Paolo Bea

San Valentino Sangiovese Blend 2019

Poured into a decanter about 30 minutes prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2019 San Valentino pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and a decent amount of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes of Bing cherry, plum, licorice, Palo Santo, varnish, balsamico, exotic spices, and a mix of dried under brush and earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose . The finish is long and there is no shortage of excitement. A wine that simultaneously makes you think and fills you with joy. Drink now through 2034. — 9 months ago

Jamie, Andrew and 15 others liked this

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1985

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1985 was more recently acquired from the chateau and in pristine condition. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, pencil shavings, some dried purple flowers, some green bell pepper, mushrooms, leather, some ferrous earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Elegant and beautiful this was such a fun and rewarding wine to follow as the hours rolled by. A very strong showing at 40 years young and not slowing down soon. Drink now through 2040. — a year ago

Ira, Eric and 15 others liked this

Pestoni Family

Three Tears Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Ruby in color with medium plus intensity.

Fruity nose with lots of fruits, cedar and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing sweet cherries, currants, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, light earth, coffee, herbs, spices and black pepper.

Long finish with soft tannins and cherries.

This 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Delicious, complex and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft. Reminds me of a Left Bank Bordeaux.

This Single Vineyard is easy drinking and good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine.

I paired it with a Florentine steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. A very small production of 1,500 bottles.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$125.
— 2 years ago

Doug, Ted and 7 others liked this

Sandlands

Lodi Cinsault 2021

Popped and poured. The 2021 Cinsault pours a bright ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine has moderate intensity; fresh with ripe red fruits mostly raspberry, some confected cherry, Earl Grey, purple flowers and crushed gravel. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium(-?) tannin, medium acid pretty much medium, across-the-board confirming the notes from the nose with a very mineral finish. Super easy to enjoy. Drink now and through the next 5-ish years. — 3 years ago

Ira, Shay and 15 others liked this

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Mataro 2020

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. No formal notes. The 2020 Mataro pours a deep garnet/purple with a nearly opaque core and some staining of the tears. Predominately dark fruited with some pepper, and minerals. The wine is dry with very good structure. Tart and so fresh at this stage! I’m going to give my remaining bottles a bit more time. — 4 years ago

Peter, Tom and 12 others liked this

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Rkatsiteli 2018

Fabre meeting — 5 years ago

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Tavkveri Rosé 2015

More Georgian! Dank — 7 years ago

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Kisi

Apricot and dried herbs on the nose and palate. Great texture and balanced acidity.
— 8 years ago

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Kisi Kakheti 2015

yup, this was a good choice with the ameribella. cheese from Indiana; who knew — 9 years ago

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Dry Unfiltered Chinuri 2014

Very fine bubbles at first, fine acidity and structure, light not overly complex taste, hint of spring flowers. Very good aperitif wine. — 11 years ago

Christopher Tynan Wines

Judge Family Vineyard Syrah 2015

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2015 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah pours a deep, inky, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with pungent notes of bacon fat, dark brambles, toasted blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs and fine baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is aging slowly and gracefully. This remains my favorite Syrah made in the United States. Drink now through 2045. — a year ago

Ceccherini, Pooneet and 13 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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I have never seen this. Will be on the lookout!
Jay Kline

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To@Tom Casagrande Christopher Tynan is the winemaker at Cliff Lede. This is his eponymous label. He only makes one Cabernet from a single, unique vineyard and this Syrah.

Bernard Levet

Côte Rôtie Syrah 2021

This is the standard Côte Rôtie from Agnes Levet that’s a blend of different parcels. However, the philosophy and approach remain the same as “La Chavaroche” and “Les Journaries”. In the past, this bottling was known as “Améthyste” and only recently became more widely available in the US. “Widely” is a relative word, lol.

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous bouquet all of the different varieties and colors of brambles your heart could possibly desire along with all of the seeds and stems, freshly cracked black pepper, dried herbs, some of the animale, purple flowers some hints of old wood and yes, perhaps a kiss of brettanomyces. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long, drying and loaded with even more black pepper. This is giving me total 2014 vibes and if you liked that vintage in the Northern Rhône (as I did), you’re gonna absolutely love this. Drink now through 2036.
— 2 years ago

Ron, Daniel and 10 others liked this
Martin Bergo

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Excellent review. Thanks. I can’t however comprehend the term ”standard” for C-Rs, as the few (roughly a dozen) I’ve tried have been amazing.
Jay Kline

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@Martin Bergo I would never want to suggest “standard” to mean anything less than special though, merely stating such suggests there is something “non-standard” available, so I do get your point.

J. Gonzalez

Tears of LLorona Extra Añejo Tequila

Not too woody like most extra añjeo tequilas that I have tried — 3 years ago

Milissa, Vanessa and 15 others liked this
Eric Urbani

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Not too woody like most extra añjeo tequilas that I have tried

Pheasant's Tears

Goruli Mtsvane 2020

A deep red yellow. Smells like fish by the sea. Juicy fresh flavor with texture. — 3 years ago

Ferrando Vini

Etichetta Bianca (White Label) Carema Nebbiolo 2017

A couple of weeks back, I opened a bottle of the 2017 that was supposed to be my first impression of the latest release. Ferrando’s Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is one of my favorite wines in Piemonte and, well, it was a false start. It was brown, tasted like it was 30 years old, full of secondary characteristics and lacking any of the elegance or structure I’ve come to expect from these wines year in and year out. The cork appeared to be perfect; not sure what happened. It was just, flat. So, I opened another one of my bottles this weekend to see if I was dealing with a much broader issue. Much to my delight, this bottle was proper.

Tonight, the wine poured a striking, garnet color with a transparent core and a slightly watery rim. No staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. The wine is intense, woodsy, and has the smell of strong BO, spicy but in a good way? Like someone put on a fancy cologne to cover the fact that they haven’t showered in a week. Weird…I know…but trust me. You’ll smell it and then you’ll like it. Red flowers, red fruits like dried cherries and porchini too. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Long finish. Dried cherries, exotic spices and dried herbs. Overall, I got the impression of a round but rustic wine; unique in a way I have come to expect from these wines over the years. I had a little bit left in the bottle that I held over until the next day and it became even more fresh on Day 2. Based off my experience, you can certainly open these now and enjoy with some patience but I think these will benefit from some time in the cellar. Next bottle after 2027.
— 4 years ago

Stephen, Adam and 20 others liked this

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Lechkhumi Tsolikouri

smoky! no or minimal skin contact — 7 years ago

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Kartli Shavkapito 2017

So much subtlety going on with this wine. Lots of flavors from great fruit and great minerality. Lots of complexity that is super fun to unpack. Definitely have the sensation of never being able to taste all of the flavors in this. — 7 years ago

Martin liked this

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Kartli Tavkveri

Kvevri, вяжет — 10 years ago