Story Of Soil
Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco Nebbiolo
As the summer is slipping out of our hands, its time to to pop those complex reds that we’ve been lastning for. Produttori del Barbaresco is considered one of the best cooperatives in the world and its 2016 Barbaresco is a solid proof of that statement.
Restrained at first and needs a couple of hours in the decanter to reach its climax. True to its provenance its clasically crafted, and puts up complex profile of red cherries, rose hip, strawberries, spice, bitter orange and a volatile dried floral lift over a canvas of wet soil.
An offensive approach on the palate with a high acidity and a generous portion of mouth coating tannins that is well accompanied by a pronounced fruit profile with an evolving finish. Very good indeed, but is a couple of level behind to reach the higher tiers. — 5 years ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2016
Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.
2016 is such a beautifully, ripe and elegant vintage. The 16 stands tall from the other vintages we tasted.
The body is rich, bold and thick. Beautiful dark fruits of ripe, ruby; blackberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries and amazing blue fruits shine as it sit on the palate. There is more balance in the 16...fruits and earth. Saddle-wood, tobacco, leather, dry soil, dry & moist clay, dry stone, rich dark earth, lead pencil, bright, fresh, red, blue, dark flowers with violets. Very nice acidity with a beautiful finish.
Don’t even touch a bottle for 15 plus years. This nice now but, you will only be cheating yourself out of a very special wine 15 plus years from now.
Photos of; Clyde and Alfred at the bar, their Amphora style cement tanks they ferment part of each vintage now, road signs of the good neighbors they keep and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago
Domaine Robert Arnoux / Arnoux-Lachaux
Les Suchots Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Pinot Noir 1995
Tawny purple, opaque. With 3 hours of air the nose blossomed and exhibited the grace and power of a great Vosne. Notes of black cherries, Asian spice, some menthol, dark moist black soil, some sandalwood and a little rose petal. This powered up with air and showed its stuff over several hours of consumption. Great wine. — 6 years ago
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1953
Tasted blind. Reddish tawny, translucent and old looking. Awesome nose. Notes of leather saddle, pencil lead, currants, cherry, soil, and some toasted hickory. All guessed 61 Bordeaux. This got better through the night and was at its best in the last glass. — 8 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016
This is a sample of the 16 Insignia still in barrel.
On the nose, the dark fresh florals exploded. The fruits are very dark currants and well extracted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries and blue fruits hues on the edges of the glass. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, core of anise and fields of violets.
The body is thick and full. The wine still very fresh. The tannins big, meaty and chewy. The dark fruits are quite floral. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries with blue fruits. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, crushed dry rocks, river stones, tough leather, cedar, core of anise with red flowers and fields of violets. Very good round acidity. The long, big, ruby, lush, well balanced finish is beautiful.
The fruit, tannins and acidity all speak to it being 95+ and a long cellar.
— 8 years ago
Château Haut-Bailly
Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
This afternoon I had the pleasure of dinning with a 2009 Chateau Haut-Bailly. Made up of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and I can see why 09' is the vintage it is with great fineness.
There are beautiful aromas of dark fruit, black cherry, black plum, blackberry, black currant, mocha, wet soil, and minerals.
The first sip shows its elegance right away that is velvety smooth and great depth. Beautiful dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, fig, plums, black currant, graphite, and violets.
This is a full bodied wine with medium + acidity, medium+ gripping tannins with a long pleasing finish. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🖒 — 9 years ago
Château Latour
Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1962
Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!
We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 9 years ago
Tardieu-Laurent
Côte-Rôtie Syrah 1999
Dark regal tawny. Opaque. Awesome nose. Notes of black fruit, cigar, menthol, mocha, old wood, moist black soil, some camphor and some dry brush. Great fruit in the mouth with substantial structure and a lasting finish. Silky smooth. Love this wine. — 5 years ago
Château Lascombes
Margaux Merlot Blend 2003
The mouthfeel is a velvet glove. Just gorgeous and soft on the palate. Its hit a good phase & will still improve for another 7-10 years. Floral fruits with a raspberry heavy lean, blackberries, dark cherries, suppressed blackberries/black raspberries and a touch blue fruits. Soft graphite, used leather, dark rich soil, dry stone, crushed rock powder, fresh tobacco with brilliant florals that are purple, blue and framed in a field of violets. The acidity round & beautiful. The long elegant, well knitted & balance finish shows all the aged finesse & elegance that is classically Marqaux.
Photos of; Chateau Lascombes, modern & stylish barrel room and our Allen Brothers Ribcap, Crispy Potato Wedges and Caramelized Cooked Carrots. — 5 years ago
Herman Story
Late Bloomer Grenache
No surprise to see a Herman Story review from me but this Grenache was real nice. It had a very rich mouthfeel and coated your entire mouth in a satisfying blanket of goodness. The flavors waited a minute and came rushing in. It was a bit of a strip tease frankly. This is a richer and more fulsome Grenache with complex stories to tell. Very much enjoyed this! — 6 years ago
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks
I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.
The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.
The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.
The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.
Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 6 years ago
Herman Story
Casual Encounters Syrah Blend 2013
Nice black fruits with a little with of cocoa and a little bit of dust. — 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
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago
Château Cantemerle
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
Located in the communes of Macau and Ludon, Chateau Cantemerle, designated a great growth in the famous 1855 classification, has deep fine gravel soil. A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Black fruit aromas with spicy notes. On the palate dark berry flavors, a touch of pepper on smooth fine tannins. Long finish, well structured on a fresh ending. Needs decanting or a few more years in the cellar. Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago
Vietti
Perbacco Langhe Nebbiolo 2012
deep, dense perfume of violet, lavender. dried cherries, hint of muddy soil. balanced among fruitness, acidity(med plus), structure. med plus tannin. lovely! — 10 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Surely the god of wine "blessed" this vineyard.Oakville sun and soil trapped in the glass. After 24 years it is very mature and still vivid. — 5 years ago
Cayuse Vineyards
Bionic Frog Walla Walla Valley Syrah
Color - dark purple garnet. A bold expressive funky perfume fruit nose so classic of Cayuse with mineral-meat, smokey and mint notes lingering with a vanilla toast scent. Juicy and elegant; rich with dark plum-cherry flavors intertwined with a smokey soil bacon bitters taste—the mineral-iron characteristics follow with a tobacco long finish. Looking forward to seeing how the flavors change with different foods and as the wine opens up. Bionic Frog is favorite and definitely a wine to try and store in your cellar. Christophe Baron does it again! — 5 years ago
Herman Story
After Hours Rosé of Grenache 2019
Medium pink; medium plus intensity aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberry, red currant, mushroom, forest floor, limestone mineral; dry, medium acid, high alcohol, full body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; long finish, ripe red fruit and funky earthy perfume fills palate, big wine but well balanced, outstanding — 6 years ago
Luciano Sandrone
Le Vigne Barolo Nebbiolo 2014
Yesterday I had the pleasure of having the 2014 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne Barolo. This was my 4th in succession starting with the 2011 and they were all very similar in style and very structured.
On the nose is the ever present cherry, raspberry, red currant, clove, licorice, dried roses, some alcohol and dusty soil.
On the palate the nose is confirmed with dried cherries, raspberry, red plum, licorice, mint, herbs, graphite, a little burn of alcohol and newly tilled dry soil.
This wine and the others is medium to full bodied with medium + acidity and high fine chewy tannins that lead to a long fruit filled finish. As I went back through the 2011, 2012, 2013 and now the 2014 it brought back memories of each one and how similar they all were and expressing a distinct sense of place. The weekend is upon us and I wish all well. Enjoy a weekend of wine and happiness. Please be safe and have fun. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago
Marcel Lapierre
Morgon Gamay 2014
If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.
This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.
The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.
The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.
12% ABV 👍
Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 7 years ago
Smith Story
Helluva Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Ali Story, of Smith-Story Wines, was in town and did a nice tasting at Classic today. A pleasure to meet and very unique and enjoyable wines.
This is an elegant style Pinot...lots of brambly notes, kirsch, and cedar bark. All red and black fruits here. Ali said that the barrels this pinot is done in comes from Russell Bevan. Quite the opposite style! — 8 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
On the nose, sweet dark currants. Ripe & rich blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries & poached strawberries. Fair amount of baking spices, anise, black raspberry cola, black tea, violets and fresh dark florals. The palate is lush, beautiful & fresh. The fruits perfectly ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries & poached strawberries. Really delicious! Black raspberry cola, anise, moist rich turned earth, sweetened black tea, a touch of dark crushed rocks, some, sry top soil, a note of bay leaf, fresh tobacco leaf, very little graphite, nice round acidity and a long, slightly dry tannin fruit finish that last over a minute. It's very good now but patience will be rewarded waiting five more years to open. @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher — 8 years ago
Smith Story
Rheingau Pinot Noir Rosé 2015
Best rose of the year — 9 years ago
Château Calon-Ségur
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2013
"I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon"... I can see why Nicolas Alexandre Marquis de Segur said these iconic words after having this wine in my glass. The nose is so inviting with warm spice, cigar smoke, embers, and toast. Raspberry syrup, plums, vanilla, and toffee on the palate. Nice thread of smoke throughout with nice balancing fresh fruit. What an enjoyable wine! 20 months in new oak - obviously the more accessible style the new owners are going for... the Pinot the other night gave an experience, this one tells a story. — 9 years ago
J Chechik
Besides having a great, cool label - Herman Story wines are so spectacular. This is not your standard “red blend” & the Tempranillo/Petit Verdot give a great complexity. Easily paired w/ a huge range of food. — 5 years ago