Tom Casagrande

9.4

Another very elegant, balanced, complex, and distinctive Syrah from The Rocks district. Sultry color. The nose is extraordinary and so “The Rocks”: tobacco leaf, asparagus, fire pit, sandstone, with the ripe berry ooze fruit in the background. On the palate, it’s so soft and enveloping, with dark ripe berries shot-through with crushed smoky rocks. Though it’s not heavy or jammy, texturally it coats the palate and won’t leave. So good. What I love about this small and unique district is that it shows, almost more than any region I can name, the effect of geology on wine. Rhône varietals, especially Syrah, grown here are unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted. I just hope that global warming doesn’t wreck things here. — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Incredibly consistent, 2018 notes fully apply. We love this wine, so fresh, so fun, so inexpensive via the Wine Club.

Nose has warmed green apple, lemon-lime seltzer, stainless steel and dry sandstone.

Palate has dried apple chips, frozen peach, tart green apple flesh with light sweetness and a dry finish.

Manually carbonated via soapstone bubbler in a pressure tank. — 4 years ago

Martinez

8.9

Gewurztraminer from the Zinnkoepflé Grand Cru - known for producing exceptional, very aromatic Gewurztraminer. Located above the villages of Soultzmatt and Westhalten (west of Colmar), the Zinnkoepflé takes its name from “Sonne Koepflé” - the local name given to small circular marine fossils found in its
predominantly sandstone-limestone soils (some examples on display at the winery). Fragrant, round, smooth. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2005 such an amazing vintage.

The 05 Pipeau is a bottle that I’ve looked at in my EuroCave for awhile & have passed on it for bigger name producers. But, not tonight w/o disappointment. Especially, for $25 a bottle upon release.

It took a small glass & a few sips to get there. I’m there now.
.
Ruby, Claret in a classic style.

Showing the beauty of the age & vintage. Ruby, inky, ripe, slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, raspberries, dried strawberries & notes of dry cranberries. Dry top soils, dark, rich, forest floor, river stones, dry tobacco, graphite, dark, grey volcanics, limestone/sandstone, anise to black licorice, dark, sweet tarriness, dry, dark dates, steeped tea with dark, withering florals that are also, red, purple and red. The acidity is mountain, cool, stream like and elegant finish that set nicely wire to wire with persistence.

Good first look and will drink well for another 15 years with proper storage.

Allen Brothers Ribcap...10 — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has ripe peach, cut cherries, tangerine peel dry sandstone and moist hay.
Palate has strawberry, peach, lime wedge, tart cherries, dry-sandy soil and a long finish. This bottle is just holding wonderfully and as fate would have us, we're enjoying our last bottle of the vintage. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This is my last bottle of this superb CCR. All sorts of secondary and tertiary scents found on. Gravel, sandstone, roasted herbs, almost a eucalyptus thing, iodine, macerated dark cherry, exotic spice market. Perfectly balanced in the mouth, with great acids and flavors that still seem youthful despite being 8 years old. Great stuff. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

So great. Loads of ground, smoky sandstone, ripe blackberry, maple syrup. Rich, structured, so good, so balanced. My favorite Zin plot of land. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

A gift from a neighbor, this is a friendly and open red. Medium intensity nose shows red fruit (even a little strawberry), cigar box, and sandstone. Broad and flowing in the mouth. Tobacco leaf, plummy fruit, iodine. Ends on a lengthy savory note (the 20% Syrah signature?). — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Keeping with our night’s theme of aged Rhône and Rhône-ish, we popped this and OMG. Time has stood still for this wine. Blind I’d probably say 2016. Ink, iodine, kirsch syrup, eucalyptus, salty sandstone. In the mouth it’s huge, but still has a sense of balance, with surprising acidity (not saying it’s high acid, because it’s not, it’s just that it seems higher than one would expect for a wine this large framed) lifting up the rich, long, mouthcoating flavors. A hefty amount of soft tannin still present. Lengthy, clingy finish. — 3 years ago

with Angelo

Severn Goodwin

9.2

A 2021 check-in on this bottle today, still holding well to prior notes:

Nose has lightly oxidized yellow apple, under-ripe papaya, pineapple core, cold butter and dry sandstone.
Palate has ripe pineapple core, lemon zest, (light) vanilla creme, pear puff pastry, yellow apple peel with slightly sweet notes to the medium finish.

Decanted 4H. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Meat sauce night part II. Always even more complex after it refrigerates overnight.

The nose expresses, ruby, lush, floral fruits of; blackberries, both black & regular plums, dark cherries, black raspberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries along the edge of the glass. Still a good presence of toasted barrel, anise to black licorice, vanilla, dark spice, nutmeg & clove, sweet tarriness, French expresso roast, mixed berry cola, used leather, dry & fresh tobacco leafs, sandstone & limestone, black pepper, herbaceousness-sage dominate, graphite, shades of menthol & mint, underbrush, dry clay, dry crushed rocks, stones, rich, turned, dark earth with bright, fresh & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple framed in violets & a field of lavender.

The body is round, juicy, clean & full. Wire to wire beautiful on the palate. The tension, structure, length and balance have hit second gear but, still needs more time in the bottle to flourish. This is bottling that will long haul to 30 years plus with proper storage. I will be saving at least one bottle to that age. The tannins are still sizable & meaty. Ruby, ripe, lush, candied/floral fruits of; dark currants, blackberries, both black & regular plums, slight sour/tart dark cherries, black raspberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries. Still a good presence of toasted barrel/shavings, anise to black licorice, dark spice with heat, sweet tarriness, French expresso roast, bright mixed berry cola/licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, used leather, dry & fresh tobacco leafs, sandstone & limestone, black pepper, herbaceousness-sage dominate, graphite, shades of menthol & mint, underbrush, dry clay, dry crushed rocks, stones, rich, turned, dark earth dry top soil with bright, fresh & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple framed in violets & field of lavender. The acidity is a cool stream & light on its feet. The finish is well balanced, elegant, nicely kittened that goes from ripe & juicy into dry tannins, earth & spice persisting endlessly.

The only faults that stick out to me is the ABV (a little hot) & believe they could dial back the amount of new oak & barrel toasting level. These do calm some with more time in the decanter but, not enough. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is hard to beat at $25.

White cheese starter.

Copying over & updating earlier notes...

The nose reveals; waxy, sweet & sour lemons, the light, good/softer aspects of lemon pledge, lime zest, green & golden apple, overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, apricots, white peach, orange rind, grapefruit w/ pith, tree bark, flintiness, notes of roasted caramel, vanillin, beautifully, elegant, grey volcanics, salty, powdery, even slightly floral chalkiness, white to lightly brown spices, sea spray, oyster notes, limestone/sandstone, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies framed in a field of spring flowers.

The body is thick, rich, lush and nicely rounded. If you like viscosity, no issues here. It guides over the palate presenting no mouth arguments. Waxy, sweet & sour lemons, the light, good/softer notes of lemon pledge, green & some golden apple with skin, lime zest, overripe pineapple, honeysuckle, apricots, white peach, orange rind, tropicals green melon, tree bark, notes of roasted caramel, beautifully, elegant, grey volcanics, salty, powdery, even slightly floral chalkiness, white to lightly brown spices with some medium palate heat, sea spray, oyster notes, sulfur/flintiness, limestone/sandstone, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies framed in a field of spring flowers. The acidity is near dead on...like a gentle cool stream. The long finish is, gorgeous & sexy, elegant, rich, good balance all around and persists gently for minutes.

Just gets better & better as it warms & opens up in the glass. This Bourgogne will add another point or two when I open my next bottle in 2-3 years. Except now, I own a bunch more of this 2018. Have some to enjoy early.

Excellent with our soft, white cheese...Jasper Hill Farms-Harbison. If you can find this cheese, it gets one of my highest recommendations. Bought it at Whole Foods but, you can always check JasperHillFarms.com if N/A where you shop.

Photos of; Masion Henri Boillot, Owner/Winemaker Henri Boillot, tasting room that looks into the barrel room and his Bonnes Mares Vineyard. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

FFV first constructed as the Larkmead Winery in 1884, the building was refinished with native sandstone from the nearby hills in 1906 and still stands tall today. Blended with 11% Petite Sirah, aromas of rich dark fruits with herb spice notes. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors with some vanilla oak and pepper spice. Firm tannins, medium finish, good mouthfeel ending with spicy fruit character. Nice! — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Color starting to mature a bit. Nose has lots of different things going on: cassis, warm brick, an iodine note, cigar box, and a bit of eucalyptus even. Soft and expansive in the mouth, though not terribly dense of concentrated. Dark berries, leather, lots of dry sandstone. — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Nose has ripe peach, under-ripe peach, dehydrated nectarines, fresh green apple peel, faint petrol note, turbinado sugar and crushed marble.

Palate has sweet peach, ripe tangerine, dried pineapple, sweet oak with moist sandstone pulling up the long finish.

Decanted 2H+
Drink 2027-32.

This bottle is moving more in an Auslese direction than prior experience; a beautiful wine!

Paired to Chicken Adobo (Milk Street recipe) and I'm convinced that coconut milk ingredient dishes are a perfect match to Riesling. — 3 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on September 24, 2022 at Audrey in Nashville with Ned and Beth]

Pinot from Antica Terra’s Estate vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills. Vines are planted on a rocky hillside in sandstone and alluvium soil with fossilized oyster shells. Cherry, blueberry and black raspberry fruit, with spice and rose petals. — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

Nose has fresh lemon slice, lemon juice on chalk, lightly oxidized yellow apple slice and crushed oyster shells.

Palate has warmed lemon, lemon peel, wet chalk, orange peel, (minor) lemon verbena tea with a sandstone-chalky finish.

A fun, but youthful, Chablis; expect this bottle to show better in 2021-22+. — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has cold raspberries, strawberry-banana smoothie, under-ripe cherry and (minor) green herbs.
Palate has dried orange peel, orange zest, red raspberry, red apple peel, green hay and wet sandstone. — 5 years ago

Becca

9.7

Extremely drinkable. Would pair well with spicy. Maybe pork or steak. Fruit forward without being too sweet. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This is quite the sultry, voluptuous red. I was a little dismayed to see 16% on the label, but it was actually pretty balanced. Nose has warm sandstone, baking spice, and sweet oozing dark red berries. Full (obviously) in the mouth, with peppery berry fruit and stony minerality in the finish. Went really well with mesquite-grilled porterhouses. — 5 years ago