The opportunity to enjoy a small glass of this came rather unexpectedly yesterday afternoon and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the experience. I was looking over a collection of wines that needed a new home and a friend of mine who was the collection’s custodian, mentioned that he had something he had been meaning to share with me and without any fanfare, he walks back into the room with two small glasses and this ancient bottle. I hardly had any time to react before he poured me a small glass....as I looked three times to confirm that I was, in fact, drinking from a pre-war bottle of Madeira. The nose was stunning. A massive wave of confected fruit like candied citron. You know those beautiful syrup glazed orange (and other fruit) slices you’ll often see in European chocolate shops? Yeah...it smelled like that. Just a touch of VA. On the palate, this was totally mind bending. It’s almost all hazelnuts; remarkably dry; and there is pronounced acidity. The finish lasted for minutes. I can categorically state that this wine is very much alive and well but it’s a nerd’s wine as it’s super rustic and best served as an aperitif. — 6 years ago
Shafer HS is an all time favorite of mine but I don't typically open a bottle within 10 years of release. This bottle illustrated why. It's still in its chrysalis--developing and building and gaining weight and shedding tannin. Just not ready even after hours in the decanter. — 8 years ago
A favorite of mine from the folks at Miner. Crisp Chardonnay that is consistently very well done. — 9 years ago
I will quote a good friend of mine @Alejandro Garcia no words needed. 😋 — 9 years ago
Super beau en ce moment. Au nez, tabac, cafe, epices et fruits noirs. Dans le verre le vin montre une légère évolution, en bouche c’est tres bien l’elevage est bien assimile, tabac, cuir, eucalyptus, mine de crayon. Tres proche du profil bordelais mais un petit coté vanillé qui nous dit clairement que nous sommes à Napa... — 5 years ago
Last night, a buddy of mine who’s a Disabled Veteran and Registered Architect, announced that he was assuming control of a SDVOSB Architecture firm. He had spent the better part of a year of trying to reach a purchase agreement. So it was an evening of celebration. He’s been a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars fan for some time and he planned to pull the cork on a few bottles. We had a couple of rando bottles too but all were California Cabernet Sauvignon. I brought this bottle. It was part of my most recent delivery from Seavey and I was curious to try it out. Well...it was clearly infanticide. This was reductive at first and most of that blew off after about fifteen minutes. This was just so wound up. Delicious, fresh and almost crunchy fruit with a lot of structure. This was very bright compared to the Heart of Fay that preceded and just fell a touch short due to it being somewhat reticent. That being said, cellar time will be very kind to these and I would imagine this will show better down the road or with a lot of air, which this didn’t get. — 6 years ago
I lost my virginity 💗 I’ve been looking for this wine for soooo long so when I found this 2015 top vintage @ £135 I thought I’ll take one for the community 😁 Drinking amazingly already 👍
📍 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte 2015
🐮 Paired with Mrs Es Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pud w/ Dauphinoise Potato 😍
🏵 97-98 points 👏
🍇 Sangiovese
🍷 Deep dark ruby
👃 Beautifully elegant floral morello & red cherry through soft smoked oak w/ subtle black berry fruits, raspberry chocolate, light herb & fine mineral - Black Forest gateaux 😋
👄 Mee body of rich creamy velvet deep cherry, raspberry & cocoa w/ dark berry & mineral in perfect harmony
🎯 Med+ slight mineral dry dark, red cherry & blackcurrant explosion of balanced joy
🍒 Talking of cherry - I’ve popped mine 🤣
— 6 years ago
- Kayli Morgan, 2012 vintage. Hail to Jayson Woodbridge and his rule breaking. We are cult followers of his juice. The Kayli Morgan is a favorite of mine and fortunately I have several more bottles of this vintage because this wine is totally drinkable now but will lay down for many years and be spectacular. — 9 years ago
Very full bodied. In fact it seems highly concentrated. Lemon/lime/acidic nose. Buttery with plenty of minerals. Long finish. Mine was the 14 vintage and it seemed plenty strong enough to lay down for another year. Pairs well with strong cheese. — 9 years ago
The rock is primal. Earth elemental with fresh cut. Hint of pineapple and triumphant tannins coat your tongue with flavor. Minerals like a mine shaft. — 5 years ago
Great wine for a fun birthday — 5 years ago
@Plate & Bottle Summer Dinner.
Main Course, Beef Skirt Steak, Roasted Tomato, Artichoke, Potato Mousseline. Steak has mash potato, roasted tomato relish, lemony artichoke purée with a smokey component.
Hedy is an amazingly, creative Chef.
Superb food & the wine pairing doesn’t suck as a friend of mine is famous for saying.
Photos of the evening at our friends Jeff & Hedy.
— 6 years ago
Arden Barnett
Le Puy is becoming a favorite producer of mine... Just a beautiful wine full of elegance and finesse. Burgundy meets Bordeaux. — 5 years ago