Rocks Of Bawn
Alban Vineyards
Patrina Alban Estate Syrah 2010
I like the Patrina for its quality and QPR. Its quality is not all that far from the Reva but, about half price.
I also find the roasted or roasted chestnut quality I find in Rostaing wine out of Rhone. It is my belief, they have more or less styled their wines from Rostaing.
The nose reveals; dark, ruby & slightly candied, currants, purple fruit mix, blue fruits, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy black raspberries, baked, spiced plum, roasted chestnuts, smoke, grilled meats, touch of bacon fat, heavy expresso roast, dark, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, dry brush, pepper notes, some caramel, mid, nicely layered baking spices, dry herbaceousiness with bay leaf dominance, with fresh, blue, dark flowers with greens topped of with field of lavender.
The body is rich, lush and full. The tension, structure, length and balance are about five years from its peak. The tannins round yet, grainy and speak to another 10 years of excellent drinking ahead. Dark, ruby & slightly candied, currants, ripe; purple fruit mix, blue fruits, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy black raspberries & baked, spiced plum. Anise to black licorice, roasted chestnuts, smoke, grilled meats, touch of bacon fat, heavy expresso roast, dark, rich earth, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil with clay mixed in, dry brush, pepper notes, some caramel, mid, nicely layered baking spices, dry herbaceousiness with bay leaf dominance, with fresh, candied, purple, blue & dark florals with greens topped of with field of lavender. The acidity balances the alcohol like a waterfall over the palate. The long, ruby, ripe, slightly candied, well balanced finish slides into dry tannins & earth and persists several minutes.
Paired well with our slightly spicy Kentucky Bourbon Chicken Skews, Rosemary Roasted Fingerling Potatoes & Green Beans.
Photos of; the Patrina Vineyard, Owner/Winemaker-John Alban and imagery inside their barrel room. — 6 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
The Joseph Party and the 1983 Insignia from 3L.
The nose show lean, stewed fruits. While it is always a treat to drink their older vintages, this one probably better served 5 years early. Still enjoyable. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet.
The body is lean and very well resolved tannin structure. The tension, structure, length has lost some their step. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, barnyard, pine twigs, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet. the acidy is nice. The finish while fun, interesting has lost some of its flare but, again, still enjoyable. — 6 years ago
Delmas Wines
Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2013
Super floral, classic Walla Walla Viognier/Syrah coferment. More elegant side of the Rocks but still big. — 7 years ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Les Pagodes de Cos Saint-Estéphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
This is the second wine of Cos d’ Estournel, Les Pagodes De Cos. I find it’s a good idea not only to buy first wines of Bordeaux in good vintages but, also buy the hell out of 2nd wines of good producers as it’s a close relative of their first wine for a lot less money 💰. 2005 was a marquee vintage in Bordeaux.
On the nose, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, limestone minerals, graphite, crushed, dry rocks, stones, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers.
The body is not quite full. The tannins are round, soft and well resolved, 65%. The structure, tension, length and balance are peaking. Ripe & slight ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, dark spice, dry stems, mint, limestone minerals, slightly moist clay, graphite, charcoal ash, crushed, dry rocks, stones, tobacco with ash, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers. The acidity is quite nice. The long finish is; ripe & ruby, elegant, well polished & balanced and lasts minutes.
It’s just short of its peak and will drink well for another 8–10 years.
Photos of; the majesty of Chateau Cos d’ Estournel, library cellar, see through floor barrel room and the back terrace and grounds of the Chateau.
— 7 years ago
Domaine Guiberteau
Saumur Chenin Blanc 2015
Very mineral nose with gun powder, crushed rocks, white flowers in the end too. The palate is extra dry with a lemony layer and another mineral one with a very wide mid palate that pushes back to the a long finish with a pinch of salt. Superb, extra dry, food wine. I would recommend to pair it with slices of squid and garlic lemon and parsley made on the frying pane — 8 years ago
Retro Cellars
Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2012
Always love these Petite Sirahs from Mike Dunn, and this 2012 seems to be especially special. Dark purplish red. Overall lots of dark characteristics on the nose with tight bramble berries, black currants, spices, dried violets, a little cinnamon and even coriander. Even got a little gamey and savory with an hour or two in the glass. Heavy tannins (7/10) but smooth and full bodied. Kept beefing up as it sat open, currants on the attack, iron, smokey and a bit meaty. Larger in the mid-palate with some dark crushed rocks. Dark fruits coming through at the end after day one. Insanely dry and long with a nice little spice kick in the finish. Will drink well for the next decade or so. Drink till 2027. — 8 years ago
Hope & Grace
Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
On a Charles Hendricks wines run here. An early finish at our rental property to attend our friends Christmas party.
Thought we’d check in on the 13. It’s still early on the Santa Lucia...needs another 3-5years in bottle.
The nose is; brooding, dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries and poached strawberries. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, just a whiff of dry herbs, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender.
The body is, rich, ripe, ruby & full. There is sandy/dusty tannin presence. The structure & tension are still quite pronounced. The length & balance are good but, still require some evolution. It is round, elegant and slides nicely across the palate. Dark, rich, ripe, cassis. Well extracted blackberries, black cherries, black plum, plum, haunt blue fruits, black raspberries, dry cranberries, poached strawberries & in and out raspberries qualities. Notes of soft & elegantly, layered baking spices; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark chocolate, light caramel, understated dark spice, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dark, moist, turned earth, dry herbs-bay leaf, a touch mint & eucalyptus, dry top soil, wet clay, dark fruit cola, some black licorice with fresh & withering dark, red & blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round and holds the slightly higher alcohol in check. The nice, fruit finish is; plush, elegant, persistent, polished and then drifts into drier earthiness & dark spice. Better things ahead for this Charles Hendricks Cuvée in 3-5 years...picks up two score points.
Photos of, the exterior of the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville, their tasting salon, one of my favorite paintings that used to sit behind their tasting room bar but, now resides in Charles house and the vineyard that the fruit for this wine is sourced in Santa Lucia. — 6 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1983
Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.
The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.
The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 6 years ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.
When beauty arrives, it moves every sense in the body. This is what happens when you have the 05 after 11, 12, 13, 06 & 08. The 05 would be great anytime, not just after lesser vintages.
The body is silky, satin and velvety. The fruits are round, ripe and lush. They truly show the greatness of the vintage. It’s great tonight but, this is a long way from being truly ready. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, hint of blue & purple fruits & strawberries. Medium dark spice, soft baking spices, black licorice, both chocolates, moist clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, old tobacco, graphite, dry herbs, rich dark soils, dry stones, bright, candied, red, dark, blue florals. The acidity is excellent and the long finish is well balanced, nicely polished and persists nicely with a dark spice long set.
Excellent with our lamb chops.
Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago
Alzinger
Dürnsteiner Federspiel Riesling
A basket of salty herbs and rocks. — 7 years ago
The Standish Wine Company
Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006
This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.
On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.
The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.
Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 7 years ago
Hourglass
Blueline Estate Napa Valley Merlot 2011
Medium to dark mix of garnet and ruby red. Layered nose with spices, cedar, dark fruits and black tea. Quite dark too. Medium tannins and medium plus to almost full bodied. Super extracted with lots of oaky influence. Layered with notes of cigar boxes, dark cocoa, plums, cherries, a touch of prunes and crushed rocks undertone. Long finish with quite a bit of power. Drink till 2020.
Grabbed for under $50.00 in PA. — 8 years ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015
Second time having this wine this year with consistent thoughts.
It’s delicious and very approachable for a Lafite. Light on its feet.
The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed/spiced plum, raspberries on the glass edges, poached strawberries and hints of blue fruits. Dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, anise, dry stems, crushed dry rocks, dry top soil, clay, rich, dark earth, Indian/Asian spices, limestone, stones with dark, red, purple, candied florals in a field of violets.
The body is round, silky and just full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are astounding. The tannins, light on their feet but, grip with round tarriness. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed/spiced plum, raspberries on the glass edges, poached strawberries and hints of blue fruits. Dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, anise, dry stems, crushed dry rocks, dry top soil, clay, rich, dark earth, chewy leather, cigar with ash, Indian/Asian spices with medium heat, limestone, stones with dark, red, purple, candied florals in a field of violets. The acidity is perfect and holds the higher alcohol well. The finish is very well balanced, polished and persists endlessly. With proper cellaring this flirts with a perfect score in 20 plus years.
Photos of; Chateau Lafite Rothschild, their barrel room, oak aging vats and Estate vines. — 6 years ago
Koehler-Ruprecht
Kallstadter Saumagen R Spätlese Trocken Riesling 2009
@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂
What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me. — 6 years ago
Château de Chasseloir
Cuvée des Ceps Centenaires Comte Leloup de Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Melon de Bourgogne 2014
Buttered sea salt rocks with lemon, green apple, and banana on top and a hint of effervescence too. Lovely start of the summer, drink with anything wine. — 7 years ago
Rasa Vineyards
Primus Inter Pares Grenache 2015
This stunning Grenache was sourced from Monette's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks region. Prior to bottling the wine was left on the lees for 18 months in neutral French oak barriques. This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, white flowers, Mandarin orange rind and potpourri. This leads to flavors of red cherry, strawberry, orange zest and strawberry jam. This is pretty, downright sexy wine and absolutely irresistible at this juncture. While less acid-driven than the ’14 bottling, this outstanding wine is just as good and even more impossible to put down as the gorgeous aromatic and flavor range shines through. Only 103 cases made of this absolutely stunning Grenache, which is one of the best of its kind in Washington state. Drink 2019-2029- 95 — 7 years ago
Sodhani
St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
When “Let’s have a glass” turns into “Let’s have a glass of each”. This turned in another WOTN performance. Quick 1 hr decant and she was off to the races. Charcoal, melted licorice and dried flowers waft up from the glass. Waves of dark berries, spices, cacao, and crushed rocks keep on coming. Gorgeous finish. Awesome complexity, showcasing the exceptional quality of this vineyard and the amazing skills of TRB. Happy 5th anniversary to Beverly and @Arvind Sodhani! Looking forward to many more vintages to come!!! — 7 years ago
Domaine Henry Pellé
Menetou Salon Morogues Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Dried apricots, lemon zest, grapefruit pith, gardenias, wet rocks, marjoram. Vibrant acidity, light-medium bodied, juicy-rich texture, lengthy floral-citrus pulp-slightly briny finish. Mineral forward, delicate aromatics revealed more on palate, lends itself to an array of dishes. — 8 years ago
Alban Vineyards
Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah 2005
Alban Vineyards as they state in their label "The first American winery & vineyard established exclusively for Rhone varieties." This Syrah has settled in nicely after 10 years in bottle. I would say it's peaking. On the nose; scorched earth, sweet & slowly baked; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries and dark cherries. Mint, eucalyptus, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed rocks, loamy top soil and lilacs, violets and lavender. The palate is rich and nicely resolved. The body medium-medium plus. The fruits are ripe, creamy and juicy; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries, dark cherries and strawberries haunt the long fruit set. Mint, eucalyptus, sage, smoked meat, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, scorched earth, a little bacon fat, underbrush, a whiff of black pepper, lilacs, violets and lavender, great rich, round, fresh acidity with a very good, long, balanced, well structured, finish with length and staying power. I prefer this over the Cayuse I had a couple of weeks ago. Much better balance of fruit, earth, etc.. photos of their Edna Valley vineyard, fruit that needs netting to protect it from the birds, John Alban and the Alban barrel room. Producer notes and history...In 1985, John Alban planted grapes for other people until he bought an estate in 1989. He focused on wines made from Rhône Valley varietals. Alban is one of the pioneers of the Rhone Rangers movement. They are considered to one of the more influential American Rhone producers. In beginning to grow Viognier, Alban said, "I almost single-handedly doubled the world's acreage," referring to a time when its cultivation was reduced to 50 acres or 20 ha in two areas of the Rhône Valley, Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Alban's work, along with that of Josh Jensen of Calera Wine Company (just sold to Duckhorn, ugh!) in San Benito County, helped to significantly expand plantings of Viognier in California at a time when the variety was near extinction. Alban has 250-acre or 100 ha under vine. Their vineyard area extends 60 acres or 24 ha, planted with Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. The Alban wines produced are; Lorraine Vineyard, Reva Vineyard Syrah, Seymour's Vineyard Syrah, Patrina Alban Estate Syrah and Pandora, a blend of Grenache and Syrah. They also used to produce a dessert wine from 5% botrytis grapes and aged in 50% new oak, called Rotten Luck. You can still find past vintages on Wine-Searcher. — 8 years ago
Jeff Hasmann
As a Krug man, I can say this vintage DP rocks! Complex and layered notes of brioche, yeasty bread, flowers, and fresh apples. The list goes on. Trust me - the 2008 DP is to die for! Best I’ve had from DP for a very long time. Also, the final vintage of the current Chef de Cave. 2008 vintage on Jan 1, 2020 — 6 years ago