Terre S. Sofia
Charles Heidsieck
Brut Réserve Champagne Blend
It’s a little birthday pre-celebration for the birthday girl before we head north tomorrow for a big Bordeaux tasting and dinner to celebrate.
That’s her enjoying the afternoon sun in the D&S Lounge on her day off. Happy Birthday Sofia! Love you.
As for the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, it never disappoints.
The palate shows beautiful mousse, green & golden apple, pineapple juice, some pear, a touch of cider, lemon & lime zest, kiwi, green melon, notes of caramel, baguette crust, mixed greens, saline, sea fossils & spray, grainy, grey volcanic minerals, low intensity white spice, thick, powdery chalkiness, spring flowers, jasmine, soft, crisp acidity and a well balanced & polished finish.
Photos of; the birthday queen on her throne, her birthday bouquet, long shot of our yard and a nice fall sunset with a glass of celebration nectar. 😜🎉🎊🎂🥂 — 6 years ago
Calabretta
Terre Siciliane Rosso Nerello Cappuccio 2015
Decanted briefly, but could do even longer. Lovely deep black cherries, cassis, roses. Funk burns off quickly on nose. Very lithe & medium bodied. Enchanting. Still a steal at low 30$s. Flavor profile is my sweet spot. — 6 years ago
Domaine les Hautes Cances
Terre de Cheyenne Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange Red Blend 2001
A bargain at $11 s bottle. Jammy, earthy — 7 years ago
Bellwether
"S" Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2015
27 April 2018. Verre de Terre, New York, NY. — 7 years ago
Azienda Agricola Corvezzo
Terre di Marca Frizzante Bio Prosecco
Reminded S of Susucaru. A little sour for me...but went well with food. Bought this at the wine store near Red Hook pool. Inexpensive! I forget exactly how much I paid but definitely under $15. Would happily put this in rotation. — 8 years ago
Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese Nerello Cappuccio 2009
Raspberry, black cherry intertwined with bright floral and intense mineral notes are found in the nose. The wine has great texture with fine grained fruit based tannins. Flavors of red raspberry and plum on the palate with a s stoney, earthy accent. Great length to the mineral driven bright finish. — 8 years ago
Ferghettina
Franciacorta Brut Chardonnay Blend
Apple, pears, white flowers. M+ acid, minerality and R/S. — 9 years ago
Arianna Occhipinti
SP68 Bianco Terre Siciliane Albanello Muscat of Alexandria 2013
"Love. Of course, love. Flames for a year, ashes for thirty." This well-known quote by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa' s The Leopard, sum up in few words who's the true enemie in aging wine and waiting too much before you die: the time! Arianna's SP68 white - she's a sicilian native as the writer of The Leopard - is here to remind us first of all that life is too short to collect so many wines without knock them back sooner mainly when they're pleasant fresh and fragrant; therefore that her wine more than others, is a flame of supreme love, though, we must drink up before it turns into ashes! — 10 years ago
Il Censo
Njuro Terre Siciliane IGT Perricone 2015
Brought this over to my parent’s place for dinner the other night; the first time since before the pandemic started reaching the middle of the US so, late February. My father spent his career as a Supply Officer in the United States Navy and we lived in Bahrain during the early 90’s, shortly after the Gulf War. My family would routinely host large gatherings at our house when the Italian merchants would visit my dad. They would bring all of the ingredients including, but not limited to, tomatoes, pasta, mozzarella di bufala, and wine from the family vineyards in Sicily. As kids, we would play fooseball with Mario and Mario (not making this up) while they waited for the sauce to be ready. Anyway, my dad says this wine reminds him exactly of what they used to bring. In an instant, my parents were transported back 30 years to some their fondest memories. Ahhhh...the power of food and wine. Okay, so what’s this taste like? Rustic. Dark cherry fruit with earth and a fairly pronounced barnyard funk. It’s not overrun with brett but it’s there. The tannin is assertive but fair and plenty of acid for non-fussy meals like pizza and pasta. An utterly charming wine that nods to everything you expect from the old world. — 5 years ago
Domaine Auguste Clape
Cornas Syrah 2004
Robe noire
Nez goudron fruit noir fume olive noire légère animalité
Bouche ample en attaque belle équilibre en milieu de bouche puis charge tannique importante mûre donnant des notes de terre humide et séchant pas mal le vin
Si cette finale s affine le vin ira loin — 6 years ago
Baron-Fuenté
Grande Réserve Brut Champagne Blend
After a long afternoon in the yard of cleaning up and replenishing flowers, for the dog days of summer, it’s just Sofia, me and the Baron before BBQ’ing.
Still absolutely one of the best Champagnes at $24.99 and slightly higher price points.
Bright lemon, lemon curd, lime zest, pineapple, bruised pear, cream soda, notes of wood, brioche, light herbaceous notes, volcanic minerals, sea shells & spray, jasmine, spring flowers, Juniper, very lively acidity and a delicious, well polished finish.
As a digestif after a night of nice red wine; golden apple, golden raisins, pineapple, bruised Bosc pear, Juniper, brioche, cream soda, touch of caramel, gray volcanic minerals, sea spray & fossils.
If you start with Champagne, save some for the end of the night after red wine. You’ll be glad you did. Changes the profile, intensity and pleasure dramatically. Night & day!!!
Photos of, Baron Fuentes, bottle labeling machine, Chardonnay grapes freshly harvested and our chilling spot in the D & S Lounge. — 6 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
The 2000 is delicious but, it is evolving at a glacial pace. Out of magnum.
On the nose, touch of barnyard, glycerin, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, dark,,turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals.
The body is full, round & sexy. Dry softened, sweet tannins. ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, fresh tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dry underbrush, dark, turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals. The acidity is magnificent. The structure, tension, length and balance are sensational. The finish is drop dead gorgeous. I’d still hold mine another 5 years as long as you have 3-4 bottles for more 5 year increments.
Photos of, their Estate vines, Clyde Beffa-Owner of K&L Wine Merchants, Owner of Chateau Lynch Bages - Jean-Michel Cazes, guests of the dinner and a sunset view from their Estate.
Producer notes and history...Lynch Bages takes its name from the local area where the Chateau is located in Bages. The vineyard of what was to become Lynch Bages was established and then expanded by the Dejean family who sold it in 1728 to Pierre Drouillard.
In 1749, Drouillard bequeathed the estate to his daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Lynch. This is how the estate came to belong to the Lynch family, where it remained for seventy-five years and received the name Lynch Bages. However, it was not always known under that name.
For a while the wines were sold under the name of Jurine Bages. In fact, when the estate was Classified in the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, the wines were selling under the name of Chateau Jurine Bages. That is because the property was owned at the time by a Swiss wine merchant, Sebastien Jurine.
In 1862, the property was sold to the Cayrou brothers who restored the estate’s name to Chateau Lynch family.
Around 1870, Lou Janou Cazes and his wife Angelique were living in Pauillac, close to Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron. It was here that Jean-Charles Cazes, the couple’s second son, was born in 1877.
In the 1930’s, Jean-Charles Cazes, who was already in charge of Les-Ormes-de-Pez in St. Estephe agreed to lease the vines of Lynch Bages. By that time, the Cazes family had history in Bordeaux dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century.
This agreement to take over Lynch Bages was good for both the owner and Jean Charles Cazes. Because, the vineyards had become dilapidated and were in need of expensive replanting, which was too expensive for the owner. However, for Cazes, this represented an opportunity, as he had the time, and the ability to manage Lynch Bages, but he lacked the funds to buy the vineyard.
Jean-Charles Cazes eventually purchased both properties on the eve of the Second World War. Lynch Bages and Les-Ormes-de-Pez have been run by the Cazes family ever since. In 1988, the Cazes family added to their holdings in Bordeaux when they purchased an estate in the Graves region, Chateau Villa Bel Air.
Around 1970, they increased their vineyards with the purchase of Haut-Bages Averous and Saussus. By the late 1990’s their holdings had expanded to nearly 100 hectares! Jean-Michel Cazes who had been employed as an engineer in Paris, joined the wine trade in 1973. In a short time, Jean Michel Cazes modernized everything at Lynch Bages.
He installed a new vat room, insulated the buildings, developing new technologies and equipment, built storage cellars, restored the loading areas and wine storehouses over the next fifteen years. During that time period, Jean Michel Cazes was the unofficial ambassador of not just the Left Bank, but all of Bordeaux. Jean Michel Cazes was one of the first Chateau owners to begin promoting their wine in China back in 1986.
Bages became the first wine sent into space, when a French astronaut carried a bottle of 1975 Lynch Bages with him on the joint American/French space flight!
Beginning in 1987, Jean-Michel Cazes joined the team at the insurance company AXA, who wanted to build an investment portfolio of quality vineyards in the Medoc, Pomerol, Sauternes, Portugal and Hungary.
Jean-Michel Cazes was named the director of the wine division and all the estates including of course, the neighboring, Second Growth, Chateau Pichon Baron.
June 1989 marked the inauguration of the new wine making facilities at Lynch Bages, which was on of their best vintages. 1989 also marked the debut of the Cordeillan- hotel and restaurant where Sofia and I had one of our best dinners ever. A few years after that, the Village de Bages with its shops was born.
The following year, in 1990, the estate began making white wine, Blanc de Lynch Bages. In 2001, the Cazes family company bought vineyards in the Rhone Valley in the Languedoc appellation, as well as in Australia and Portugal. They added to their holdings a few years later when they purchased a vineyard in Chateauneuf du Pape.
In 2006, Jean-Charles Cazes took over as the managing director of Chateau Lynch Bages. Jean-Michel Cazes continues to lead the wine and tourism division of the family’s activities. Due to their constant promotion in the Asian market, Chateau Lynch Bages remains one of the strongest brands in the Asian market, especially in China.
In 2017, Chateau Lynch Bages began a massive renovation and modernization, focusing on their wine making, and technical facilities. The project, headed by the noted architects Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei, the sons of the famous architect that designed the glass pyramid for the Louvre in Paris as well as several other important buildings.
The project will be completed in 2019. This includes a new grape, reception center, gravity flow wine cellar and the vat rooms, which will house at least, 80 stainless steel vats in various sizes allowing for parcel by parcel vinification.
The new cellars will feature a glass roof, terraces with 360 degree views and completely modernized reception areas and offices. They are not seeing visitors until it’s completion.
In March, 2017, they purchased Chateau Haut Batailley from Françoise Des Brest Borie giving the Cazes family over 120 hectares of vines in Pauillac!
The 100 hectare vineyard of Lynch Bages is planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel, chalk and sand soils.
The vineyard can be divided into two main sections, with a large portion of the vines being planted close to the Chateau on the Bages plateau. At their peak, the vineyard reaches an elevation of 20 meters. The other section of the vineyard lies further north, with its key terroir placed on the Monferan plateau.
They also own vines in the far southwest of the appellation, next Chateau Pichon Lalande, on the St. Julien border, which can be used in the Grand Vin. The vineyard can be split into four main blocks, which can be further subdivided into 140 separate parcels.
The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
The vineyards are planted to a vine density of 9,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
Lynch Bages also six hectares of vine are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Lynch Bages. Those vines are located to the west of the estate. They are planted to 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Semillon and 15% Muscadelle. On average, those vines are about 20 years of age. Lynch Bages Blanc made its debut in 1990.
To produce the wine of Chateau Lynch Bages, vinification takes place 35 stainless steel vats that vary in size. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of 30% French, oak barrels with the remainder taking place in tank.
The wine of Chateau Lynch Bages is aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 15 months. Due to the appellation laws of Pauillac, the wine is sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux Blanc, because Pauillac does not allow for the plantings of white wine grapes.
For the vinification of their white, Bordeaux wine, Blanc de Lynch-Bages is vinified in a combination of 50% new, French oak barrels, 20% in one year old barrels and the remaining 30% is vinified in vats. The wine is aged on its lees for at least six months. The white wine is sold an AOC Bordeaux wine.
The annual production at Lynch Bages is close to 35,000 cases depending on the vintage.
The also make a 2nd wine, which was previously known as Chateau Chateau Haut Bages Averous. However, the estate changed its name to Echo de Lynch Bages beginning with the 2007 vintage. The estate recently added a third wine, Pauillac de Lynch-Bages.
— 7 years ago
Azienda Agricola Sofia
La Vigna di Gioacchino Terre Siciliane Bianco Carricante Blend
Delicious
— 5 years ago
Torbreck Vintners
Woodcutter's Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013
Our marinaded tri-trip wine.
Good things happen when you take a good producer’s entry level wine and lay it down for 4-5 years. Then, pair with the right food.
Torbreck makes in descending quality order that I have had; The Laird ($400-$700), RunRig ($175-$200+), The Descendant & The Factor (around $90-$100 ish), their Struie (around $50) and the Woodcutter’s ($16-$24 depending on where you buy it).
The Woodcutter’s shows itself to be a close relative but, lacks some of the structure, depth and quality of fruit from its other siblings. However, the QPR is undeniable!
There are two things I am trying to convey. You don’t always need to spend $100 to $100’s for a really good quality wine. Second, even if you lay down a good entry level wine from a good producer in at least in a good vintage, very good things come through.
This shows, dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice, softly, layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet.
The body is; rich; ruby and full. The tannins are round, tarry, chewy and meaty. The structure, tension, length and balance are just a couple steps short of its peak. Dark currants, ruby, candied; purple fruit mix, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum & blue fruits. Sweet tarriness, dark, used, expresso grounds, anise to black licorice, limestone, black pepper, dry, crushed rocks, mixed berry cola, soft leather, wood shavings, dry herbaceous notes, dark spice with palate heat, more pronounced & layered baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg, hints of cinnamon stick, dark, rich turned earth, dark top soils, understated mint/eucalyptus with dark, purple, blue flowers in a violet & lavender bouquet. The acidity is round and nicely done. The long finish is, juicy to dry earthy, well balanced, elegant and persists without end.
The 2013 Woodcutter’s has another 10-15 years of good drinking ahead.
Photos of; their new tasting bar, Sofia during our private tasting with their International Brand Manager and that famous Barossa red clay soil structure with Estate vines. — 6 years ago
Domaine de Beudon
Gamaret 2012
Rubis fonce
Nez gourmand sur Les fruit noirs et des notes de terre
Bouche pleine dense et ultra délicate à la fois
Pourri s approcher d un très beau gamay — 7 years ago
Sintica
Reserve Sinti Red Blend 2005
From holiday trip to Sofia Bulgaria Easter 2018. One of the oldest vintages avail of Bulgarian wines. Balanced tannins (H+S), oak, dark red fruits, ooold with residue! Delicious all round — 7 years ago
Arianna Occhipinti
Sicilia Il Frappato 2010
Rubis fonce
Nez defruit rouge et de terre fraîche plutot dense
Attaque fraîche assez étroite sur une densité milieu du bouche plus plein et finale longue et fraîche avec un côté queue de cerise s amélioré à l aeration
— 8 years ago
Arianna Occhipinti
SP68 Terre Siciliane Nero d'Avola Frappato 2014
Right out of the bottle faint post rain rock, moss, and leather first pour nose showing deep red front-mouth fruit with youthful tannins that will coax your tongue to the roof of your mouth and groovy acid slowing things down letting the moment linger, penetrate, and compliment the amazing meatballs served up by Ben Barker (of Magnolia Grill Durham) at his son's amazing new pizzeria, in Carrboro, NC (do not miss!!)
More on this wine soon, but @13% alcohol and low $s, it's good stuff for sure! — 9 years ago
Cantina Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre Bosco Blend 2013
Purchased at Beltramos in Menlo Park. This wine is s little less sweet than a Riesling. Love how this reminds me of our time in Cinque Terre. — 10 years ago
Fredybeans
Rubis fonce
Nez thé épicé terre betterave
Bouche grenade frais aux tanins précis et au végétal noble
S améliore avec l’air et evolue tres bie depuis qq années
À attendre — 5 years ago