Piping Shrike

Seven Stones Winery (Canada)

Speaking Rock Similkameen Valley Cabernet Franc 2016

Visited this lovely estate winery in August 2020. Had a wonderful tour, visited the wine cave, enjoyed 6-8 tastings. The Cabernet Franc is robust. Peppery and berry fruit on the nose followed by chocolate and a hint of coffee and a smooth, easy finish. Enjoyed a rare steak and piping hot baked potato with a large glass. — 4 years ago

Robert Mondavi Winery

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Full bodied machine of incredible. BlackBerry, cherry, subtle blueberry, light to mod tannins, light tobacco. Great bouquet and inky intense consistency. Fab piping. Lovely darkness. We could ask for some more balancing oak. All vote 93 (RSB) — 6 years ago

New Holland Brewing Co.

Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout

Okay, just black. Blonde wood/ baked apple hurrah, and then the dark quiet of space, or the grainy expanses of closed lids. The lacing of lazy, wood-boring insects. Such sights have set me to worrying of late. Mornings being a struggle at times, especially after these nighttime wooden cudgels and dark devices. The rack anyone? Coconut on coals. Tar socks. Dried violets. Black strap cola. Scraped vanilla beans, and dark chocolate cookie covered coal. Anise cinnamon and thin mint. Well, that’s the smell of the thing. The mouth below is unsweetened baker’s dark chocolate, blackened iron, vine charcoal, charred bone, hot springs through rubber piping, black sugar, Spanish “chocolate” brandy/black strap rum and graphite/smoke with evergreen suggestions. Not the Dragon of fire and smoke I expected, but certainly a formidable cave monster, living inside a volcano. I particularly appreciated the mineral/ethereal aspect. — 5 years ago

Severn, Sharon and 1 other liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1989

First, thank you Tom Moffat (RIP).

Nose is like a piping hot plate of ginger beef and scallions. Earth, smoke, cherry pipe tobacco, and blueberry cobbler dominate the palette. Chocolate and black tea finish lingers.
— 6 years ago

David, JJ and 1 other liked this

Alban Vineyards

Alban Estate Vineyard Viognier 2013

Nicely evolving. Will be interesting to see what happens to these with further age. Pairs well with piping hot bread freshly made by Jen. — 5 years ago

Shay, Mark and 10 others liked this

Château La Canorgue

Grenache Blend 2014

Grenache came to the party and decided to bring a few homies you might know... Syrah lingers in the background, occasionally piping up to let everyone know that he’s there. — 6 years ago

Piping Shrike

Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014

Great Shiraz all enjoyed — 8 years ago