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Domaine A
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Peter Lehmann
Stonewell Barossa Shiraz 2006
Deep Ruby in colour - very dark for a 15 year old red with no bricking at this stage. Blackberry and chocolate with ripe black fruits on nose and palate - not as pruney as previous Stonewell notes. Lush and full bodied from selected old vine Shiraz vineyards in the Barossa - in the Greenock district amongst others. This is Barossa Shiraz at its best from a good vintage. Hard not to like - warm and comforting - perfect for a cooler night with pork chops. — 5 years ago
Oyster Bay
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
2016 vintage, excellent consistency with previous years, bright tartness with a sweet and tangy nectarine finish, do not overchill this lovely fruity white — 9 years ago
Marcassin
Marcassin Vineyard Chardonnay 2009
Ripeness seems more in check than previous vintages. Beautiful texture and length. — 12 years ago
Tolpuddle Vineyard
Tasmania Pinot Noir 2013
Pale to mid crimson in colour. Red fruit aromas - dirty cherry with just the right amount of whole bunch adding the complexity. On the palate just medium weight but with structure and balance. A serious Pinot from the excellent Coal River of Tasmania. My first of 3 from the 2013 vintage. I should leave the next one for at least 2 years if I can keep my hands off it. Footnote: Our Delectable friend, Scott Rowe, who works for the owners has pretty much nailed this wine. Just read several of his previous notes. “Get some” he says! I totally agree. — 5 years ago
Baron-Fuenté
Grande Réserve Brut Champagne Blend
It’s Friday and that always and forever calls for Champagne.
This is an amazing Blanc de Blanc Champange for $24.99. What a QPR! It’s like stealing.
Previous notes apply.
Happy Friday & weekend!!!
Photos, we are kicking in those chairs, full yard candlelight with the Baron and watching the World Series. It’s a good Friday and not in the complete religious sense but, close. Cheers!🥂 — 7 years ago
#CatsForNats
Domaine Tempier
Bandol Rosé Blend 2016
Solid as always. Seemed a little more open then previous vintages. No reduction. Had the nose, medium weight and cut you’d expect. I think an above average vintage for this wine, although always reliable. — 9 years ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2003
As they always do, a singular & outstanding take on a difficult vintage. 2003 was hot & this wine is more powerful and robust than previous Tondonia. That said, 30 minutes in the decanter has this one open for business & delivering that distinct spicy fruit & structured textural expression. Will certainly cellar some, but this is good to go. — 10 years ago
Craiglee
Sunbury Shiraz 2012
See previous note from 73 weeks ago on March 2020. One of Australia’s great cool climate Shiraz. Noted for its spice and white pepper. Red fruited on the medium bodied palate and made in the historic blue stone winery which first made wine in 1860. Back then it was a vineyard surrounded by sheep but now Melbourne’s major airport, Tullamarine, is 20 minutes to the south. Wonderful balance and long living made by Pat Carmody and wife Dianne since 1976 after they replanted much of the vineyard. More in the style and weight of Burgundy than the Rhone. In the Langtons Classification under Excellent. Had another bottle 73 weeks later on the 5th January 2023 which didn’t show as well as it normally does. A touch of astringency. Going through a “dumb phase “? 88 points for latest tasting. — 5 years ago
Billecart-Salmon
Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend
Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.
Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.
So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.
All my numerous previous notes apply.
Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂
Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.
— 6 years ago
Ruinart
Brut Rosé Champagne
Long day cleaning & painting getting our rental property getting it ready for our new tenant. We are burnt but, a glass of Ruinart Rosé always perks us up.
We’ll be doing this a lot over the next two weeks. Hope everyone has better weekend plans than we do! Cheers!🥂
All my previous notes apply.
Photos of; the House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves & one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 6 years ago
Launois Père et Fils
Veuve Clémence Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
Pound for pound, ounce for ounce, the best Blanc de Blanc champagne for the money and then some! IMHO!
All previous notes apply. — 7 years ago
Faust
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
a classic Bordeaux style blend, previous older vintages they omitted Petit Verdot. Pouring a glass I noticed a deep purple wine with ruby edges and aromas of red and dark fruit with cedar spice notes. The palate showed ripe blackberries, blueberries and sweet red berry fruit, with sweet and savory oak notes. Very approachable for a 2013, but it needs 30 minutes to open up. On the finish tannins were smooth and firm, showing some minerality on the long finish. Faust wines do not disappoint, even when young. — 10 years ago
Bob McDonald
See 2 previous notes - the most recent in February last year which is consistent with this tasting. Easily the most concentrated and rich Cabernet I’ve ever had from Tasmania. Mint, coffee beans, cassis and Cocoa on the nose. Medium plus bodied. Seamless. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance being Merlot Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot 4/4/2. Growing ripe Cabernet in Tasmania is achievable if you get the right site. — 4 years ago