Rita's Earth

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1966

Opened earlier in the day and double-decanted to be served several hours later. The 1966 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core. This is red fruit heavy and sanguine with ferrous earth, leather, and old wood. The tannins are firm still. An almost evergreen St-Estèphe that’s iron clad and tough as nails. Better than good but at nearly 60 years old, will it ever relax? Hard to say. It would likely survive another 60 years but it’s hard to imagine it evolving a lot considering where we’re at today. So...drink now, I guess? — 5 months ago

Lyle, Jan and 14 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Ain't getting better. Tasted two bottles in 2023. Holding up more than expected but time's a ticking...
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

👏 👏

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003

Somm David T
9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds.
— 5 months ago

Vanessa, Daniel and 16 others liked this

Jean Foillard

Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2020

Somm David T
9.3

What a pair w/ Crostini, Chervil Sheep Cheese & Duck Confit. 👌

Dark, juicy, lush to mid fruit core, dark cherries, strawberries, hues of blueberries, raspberries, limestone, softened granitic earth, deeper red cola, black & red licorice, baseball card bubble gum, understated fresh herbs, dark, rich, sweet earth, hints of maple syrup, tree bark w/ sap, dark & red florals for days, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, relaxed tension, polished, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds. Delicious.

This is better than some premier cru red burgundies for far less $.

Absolutely one of the top three producers of Grand Cru Gamay.
— 6 months ago

Bob, Ceccherini and 17 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Yvon is worthy to be in that group…but his wines are so difficult to come by.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Deliberate.
Yvon embodies the humble and proud vigneron, a man who would rather tend his vines than host appointments, and sell to close friends than foreign markets.He has long farmed what are sure to be among the oldest vines in the entirety of the region, predominantly centered in Fleurie. Undoubtedly, these are some of the most pure, fresh yet unctuous wines that have ever come from the Beaujolais region. Never sulfured, they are the pinnacle of freshness and drinkability upon release, yet benefit from long cellar aging as well.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I’ve had L’Ultime once. It was worth the hype.

McPrice Myers

Beautiful Earth Syrah Blend 2021

Nicely done McPrice Myers. — 9 months ago

Bevan Cellars

Rita's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

Every now and again I crave a hedonistic Pinot, and winemaker Russell Bevan‘s M.O. is BIG in every category. All knobs are turned up. — 5 years ago

Severn, Eric and 11 others liked this
Eric

Eric Premium Badge

This one goes to 11.

Rare Earth Wines

California Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Easy drinking wine. No aftertaste. Good table wine. — 7 years ago

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2014

First time trying one of the Tempier reds. Damn, this is some towering, dense wine. Perfectly balanced though. Intense concentration without any overripeness or hyperextraction. Even this, the entry-level cuvée, obviously has the stuffing to age for a while. However, it's surprisingly giving now with expressive aromatics and layers of flavor. Nose of ripe strawberry and blackberry, fresh thyme, an almost smoky, arid, gravelly soil character, rich tobacco leaf, licorice root, a slight gameyness, and a slightly volatile, balsamic character. Palate is equally dense and ripe, but still has some lift to keep it from being quickly fatiguing. More ripe strawberry and raspberry, thyme herbaceousness, smoky gravel earth, tobacco, savory gaminess, and slightly volatile balsamic character. Medium (+) acid, medium (+) to high intensity incredibly fine-grained tannin, medium to medium (+) body. Begs to be joined by a rich lamb or beef dish to stand up to it. I'm gonna get another bottle of this and not touch it for quite a while because there's still so much room to unfurl and smooth out, even with it being as good as it is now because it's just almost too intense right now. Will be an amazing wine at maturity. — 8 years ago

Cassie Nordman
with Cassie
P, Ira and 19 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Tignanello Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2005

2005- a wine that's just moved into its older age. Dark fruits, dried fruits also, shellac, vanilla bourbon and damp earth. Beautifully integration on the palate, in a good place now. — 9 years ago

Anthony liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2004

Awesome! Everything I love about VT and CDP. Earth and fruit in perfect balance. — 10 years ago

Anthony, Sasha and 1 other liked this

Château Margaux

Premier Grand Cru Classé Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100.
— 5 months ago

Peter, Juan and 21 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Lyle Fass thank you…and I believe it. Were/are you celebrating your 50th?!
Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jay Kline yes sir! 50th is in the books!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Lyle Fass congratulations!!!

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2006

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. This bottle of 2006 was throwing a ton of sediment. Showing mostly red fruits with red currants, new leather, tobacco, earth, forest floor, baking spices…a touch green. Hello Cabernet Franc!! Good structure. The finish is long. Every time I have the opportunity to enjoy Sassicaia, I am reminded why it’s one of the great wines of Italy. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Drink now through 2036. — 6 months ago

Ira, Jan and 15 others liked this

Château Gruaud Larose

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Rustic old school styled Bordeaux with black fruits, cedar, leather, earth, graphite & cigar box. A wine I have had many times that is just hitting its prime with many years ahead — 8 months ago

John, Shay and 19 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2004

+1 hour decant(some fine/chunky sediment). A splendid crimson red color. On the nose: wonderful bouquet with plum, stewed meat, cassis, sweet tobacco, funky earth, leather. Taste: silky, finessed, balanced wine with red berries/plum, coffee grounds, cedar, tobacco, and a nice peppery pencil lead long finish. YUM! Pure class in a glass. — 8 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Vino and 22 others liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1964

Tasted blind. Totally different in style from the more elegant 1970 Château Petrus, the 1964 Château Cheval Blanc bursts with brettanomyces notes, but aristocratic and interesting rather than off-putting. Once your sense of smell gets past the brett, pronounced aromas of earth, dried plums and figs, cinnamon, licorice and mint emerge. Full-bodied, densely structured, concentrated and powerful, this is a hedonistic, sexy beast of a wine, waiting to be unleashed. Drink now. — 2 years ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2011

Scorewine
9.2

Visiting again this splendid Paulliac from the 2011 vintage. 2011 vintage was labeled as mediocre in Bordeaux and this lovely wine showed that it is actually a classic vintage with some great wines, so trust the chateau not only the vintage. The nose is tempting with notes if coffee, earth, oak, cassis, black fruits and hints of chocolate, the body is full with round tannins, acidity is splendid and finish is long. My score 92, drink to 2026, perhaps longer — 6 years ago

Scorewine, Aaron and 22 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2007

Fantastic. Smooth, elegant and classic. Rioja like it should be, with nose of pepper, sour cherry and pepper finish. Start is leather and earth. A great wine. — 7 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2002

A softened ruby color. Beautiful balance, everything in harmony. Wet earth, raspberry, cinnamon, a whiff of truffle, intoxicating nose. So much ripe, fresh red fruit on the palate. Such soft tannins, damson plum, a mineral streak running through. Drinking a 15 year old wine for 15th anniversary of diabetes. This is splendid in the moment — 8 years ago

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend 1982

Alder Yarrow
9.4

Cloudy ruby, this wine smells of earth and cedar and dried red fruits. In the mouth, dried flowers and forest floor mix with river-mud-tannins and a bright juicy acidity. Tasted out of magnum. — 9 years ago

John, Anthony and 15 others liked this
John Howard

John Howard Influencer Badge

Just tasted a few vintages of this. Very nice. Love the whites too.

Domaine Serene

Evenstad Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010

Very old world style Pinot. Lots of fruit and earth. Extremely complex yet soft and easy to drink. — 11 years ago

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2005

Shifting to a more feminine and elegant profile, after almost 20 years this still has a lot to offer. Complex fruity and umami notes of cherry, currants, pepper, spice, cured meat, tossed earth and truffle.
Great effort, year after year.
— 5 months ago

Shay, Jan and 10 others liked this

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Black fruits, sweet earth & spice with graphite & tobacco — 5 months ago

Lyle, Shay and 15 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Part of a Chateau Mouton Rothschild vertical from 1988-1990. Early on, this was a probably my favorite of the three Moutons and showed well throughout the course of the evening. Expressive red and dark forest fruits with tobacco, leather, earth and baking spices. The structure was still showing its tensile strength. This has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2040. — 6 months ago

Jan, Ira and 10 others liked this

Château Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 1997

Girl. Sup? Shoot. This was utterly brilliant tonight. Classic Bordeaux yet, even at 26 years young, somewhat precocious still. A beautiful mix of deep, dark and red fruit with currants, blackberries and cherries with chocolate, purple flowers, green pepper, tobacco, earth, leather and awesomeness. Plenty of structure to keep this strutting for years to come. Fabulous balance and complexity. Drink now through 2047+. — 8 months ago

Bob, Ceccherini and 14 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2019

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 9 months ago

Somm, Martin and 17 others liked this

Sandhi Wines

Rita's Crown Chardonnay 2014

Paul J
9.6

Awesome! Cork appeared soaked through but didn’t seem to impact the wine. Rich flavors of butter, cream, and vanilla. Very white burg like. Great QPR! — 3 years ago

Tom, Shay and 4 others liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2002

Hard to imagine a more classic / perfect Bordeaux nose. Just screams those dark red fruit with leather and earth on the nose. Would not have guessed it was this old. Hard to say, though, if it will come together more with time versus staying slightly disjointed - the tannins and acid sort of follow after each other without a seamlessness that I’d expect. But still delicious. — 5 years ago

Severn, Jason and 9 others liked this

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave

Hermitage Syrah 1983

Robert Cunningham
9.6

Sublime. Earth and truffles. Classic Chave. — 7 years ago

Keith and Ira liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Education wine, awesome earth and acid. Still has time in the bottle — 8 years ago

Andrew Pienaar
with Andrew

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah 1996

Incredible. Jaboulet family apparently inconsistent in final years of ownership, but this one had everything. So dense still, with lots of kalamata olive, olive brine, cherry, blackberry, black pepper, leather, cured meat, earth. Savory, sweet, powerful, elegant, hit every end of the taste spectrum. Super long. In magnum — 8 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2003

One of, if not my favorite, rioja producers. Fruit on the 03 is a bit crisper than other vintages. Cranberry, tomato (leaf?), deftly deliberate oxidation, earth and savory balsamic, all framed in lovely oak. Fine integrated tannin. Long savory finish — 10 years ago

MICHAEL liked this