Stave %26 Steel
Ca' d'Or
Selezione Grand Vintage Noble Cuvee Franciacorta Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Finally, after several years, I was able to get ahold of a Franciacorta! Traditional Method, 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Nero, aged 7 months in stainless steel, then secondary fermentation in bottle, aged on lees for 30 months as a non vintage. For $26, it was better than most champagne. It was like a baby Ruinart Blanc de Blanc in character. Aromas of Meyer lemon zest, clover honey, ripe apricot, brioche, and candied ginger. Pallet full of fine, and very present bubbles, exhibiting notes of golden apples, pineapple, white pear, lemon, creme brulee, clove, and a zippy finish. The bottle was empty way to fast. — 6 years ago
Hanzell Vineyards
Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2012
Hanzell Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay is poised, 26% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation in new barrels, with the balance matured in stainless steel. The resulting blend strikes a harmonious balance between freshness and oak, with pretty notes of ripe pear, lemon curd, marzipan, and meadow flowers. These notes are echoed on the palate, along a fine silky cord that steadily unfurls, with each layer providing dimension—a sort of weightless, gossamer expanse that closes with baking spice. Sample — 9 years ago
Penns Woods
Grüner Veltliner 2014
Sporting an elegant new label design, the Grüner Veltliner is a mouthwatering sipper produced in stainless steel, with aromas and flavors of tart apple, lemon, lime, lively acidity and a hint of warm pepper on the finish. Purchased Labor Day Weekend 2015. 12.5% ABV. $26. — 8 years ago
Domaine Vincent Paris
La Geynale Cornas Syrah 2013
This is spectacular! In the glass it shows Dense, opaque purple with a slight Ruby toward the edge. The edge is also delicately thin. You can smell steel shavings, wet asphalt, wild BlackBerry and faint red roses. Very light bodied, evaporating off your tongue. The minerality show through still, with finish of boysenberry, wild berry and basil. Love love love this Cornas! Opened 9/26/15 — 9 years ago
Dry Creek Vineyard
Sonoma County Fumé Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2014
This wine saw stainless steel fermentation and not a stave of oak in the process - surprising since it has a richness and fullness usually associated with oak aging. It contains 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and hits 13.5% abv with a trail sticker of about $14. The nose shows grass and citrus, heavy on the citrus. The mineral-driven palate gives a very full mouthfeel and displays a nice acidity. — 9 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
So, if it’s my birthday celebration, there is a juicy ribeye & some old(er) Claret.
My only disappointment with this bottle is as good as it is, there are better things still down the road.
The nose reveals classic Claret. There are earthy, funky fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets.
The body is medium full with rounded, nicely resolved, tarry tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are really singing. It would be good to have another 2001 LMHB in ten years. While 2001 wasn’t a critically acclaimed vintage, I think LMHB over performed the vintage. As well, it followed a grand 2000 vintage which, handicapped it from the start. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries, bright cherries, rhubarb, figs, with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry top soil, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice with soft heat, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets. The acidity is excellent...like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is elegance defined, extremely well balanced ending in soft, round, dry, dusty tannins with beautiful spice.
Photos of; Chateau La Mission Haut Brion & estate vines, beautiful barrel room, pond & Roman columns and the back vow of the Chateau.
Please indulge me while I post some history on this grand producer. As much as I love the wine, I love the history & people that do the hard work to bring us such great wines.
Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is not quite as old as Chateau Haut Brion. However, they are opposite side of the road neighbors. La Mission Haut Brion dates back to the late 16th century. The property came into being after it was purchased by Jean de Pontac in 1533. US winery history is a baby compared to France.
In 1607, the estate changed hands. It was inherited by Ms. Olive de Lestonnac. What an inheritance!
In 1815, something rare happened. Chateau La Mission Haut Brion became the property of an American owner, the Chiapelle family. At the time, the family was already involved in the Bordeaux wine trade. In fact, they knew about the business as they had managed a myriad of different estates including Chateau Cos d’ Estournel.
La Mission Haut Brion continued to change hands until it was finally sold to another American family, the Woltner’s. Frederic Woltner purchased La Mission Haut Brion in 1919. The also became owners on Howell Mountain.
It changed hands one final time in 1983 when it was purchased by Domaine Clarence Dillon, the owner of neighboring, Chateau Haut Brion. They renovated the entire property, starting with replanting the vineyards which, was completed in 1987.
The 26 hectare vineyard of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is planted to; 45.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.8% Merlot and 10.4% Cabernet Franc. 3.5 hectares of vines are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux.
To produce the red wine of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, the wine is vinified in large, 180 hectoliter, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new, French oak for an average of 22 months. The annual production of La Mission Haut Brion averages between 6,000 and 7,000 cases per year. — 4 years ago