Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2016 Geremia is a total knock-out. An exotic mélange of sweet dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol races out of the glass. The 2016 is deep, dense and full of character. It is also easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon work so well here in the way they express richness and structure, all with a real sense of Tuscan raw power. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2020) — 5 years ago

Kenneth Doll

8.9

Hints of tobacco and dark cherry; more acidic than I was expecting. Really didn't express itself even after the second day. Overall good though. — 6 years ago

with Tracy

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Fans of great Syrah will love this — 7 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Barbier Brewery from Groningen Holland / Dubbel not filtered. When someone from Groningen wants to express their enthusiasm, they say “Kon minder” = “Could be less”. Fruity beer, nice complexity. Good nightcap. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

A definite 94 tonight, with some stiff competition but still held itself well and was several people's WOTN. This wine is a darker expression of cab at this point. Lots of blackberry cassis, blueberry, and truffle in the entry and middle. The wine seemed to almost get a little more youthful in the middle and finish, and I was very glad that it was enjoyed tonight along with a 99 Rudd, a 98 Phelps Bacchus, and a 95 Togni. This wine will continue to benefit from some additional time in the bottle. Very happy that I opened this one tonight for the group. Compared to the Levante, this Ponente seemed to express itself much earlier without as much of a decant. — 8 years ago

with Shay

Shay A

9.3

Last night was the Confrerie St. Etienne Spring dinner. It was my first time attending. This is a chapter of the original group out of Alsace, France, and is the only chapter here in the US...just happens to be in my neck of the woods! Great introduction to Alsace wines.

This was the second wine that came with the third course, which was a beef tenderloin stuffed with lobster. Paired very nicely. I actually tried this wine for the first time about 5 days ago, but was the '14. I found this '13 to be a bit finicky in the glass for a while. It needed about an hour plus to really express the cocoa, espresso, blackberry filled nose. Finish of blueberries, Cedar, and very present tannins. Needs 3yrs or so to be pop and pour ready in my book. — 9 years ago

with Weston

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

2006 was a challenge for most in Rioja but the 2006 Vina Tondonia ‘Reserva’ is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The wine is a highly compelling blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%), which was sourced from their estate vineyards and aged for six years prior to bottling. Needing a two hour decant to fully express itself, the wine offers an aromatic profile of cranberry, orange, red currants, red cherry candy and toasty oak aromatics. The palate is plush once in the attack as the wine effortlessly dances across the mid-palate, producing a seamless effect. Red currants, blood orange zest, pipe tobacco flavors and shades of pomegranate seed all beautifully weave their way through the palate. Showing wonderful ageing potential, this is drinking marvelously right now and has another fifteen years to go. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 6 years ago

Barb colbert

9.5

Yum! Perfect white! — 7 years ago

Thomas Bennett-Stroud

9.0

Moschofilero is a little like the Chardonnay of Greece, except it doesn’t need much treatment to express its oily, rich, and crunchy personality. — 7 years ago

Guillermo Camacho

9.0

Wow! A nose that mimics Sauternes—lemon, Brett, honey/beeswax—, but with a classic Riesling petrol quality, leading you to expect a sweet plate, not the case. Palate is dry yet well devolved allowing a rich nuttiness to express itself through the acidity which is high but not at all overpowering. — 7 years ago

Colleen Tomasello

8.9

Nice blend. Housewarming with Shannon and Ryan! — 8 years ago

with Mike and Shannon

Kevin Ortzman

9.5

Adam's contribution to the Collectors dinner and it sure didn't disappoint. Yet another big wine from Russell Bevan. Full of fruit and awesome! — 9 years ago

with ADAM

Matt

9.7

This is effing delicious. Day 1: Heady on the nose, layers of raspberry/strawberry confiture, mulberry, sous bois, lavender, roasted fig, sweet spices, potpourri and rocks. Palate is so dense, layer upon layer of berries, garrigue, spices, mocha, licorice, black minerals, and crushed flowers. Like drinking velvet, opulent and sexy, crazy long finish. Day 2: the textural richness of this wines grew with air. Even more richness and posh on the palate. Nose unraveled, aromas of animal, leather, savory earth, sarsaparilla, and rich umami accents popped up. On the palate the wine shed some of its alcoholic edge and began to express those rich notes of coffee, cocoa, leather, and the deep layers of fruit grew. A purely hedonistic experience for S. Rhône drinkers. — 9 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

Initially reticent and needing 30 minutes of air to fully express itself aromatically, the 2006 Chateau Rieussec opens with a lighter bouquet of butterscotch, buttered popcorn, mango and ginger undertones. The palate shows really good freshness and intensity with a good sense of minerality. Pineapple creme brulee, poached pear, bananas foster and nutmeg flavors complete this beautiful wine. The exceedingly long, finish lingers and rounds out this complete wine. What this doesn’t possess on the nose, exceeds expectations on the palate and finish, as this elegant wine is one of the great wines of this vintage. Enjoy this wonderful wine over the next two decades. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 6 years ago

Ted Corvey

9.0

A lot of minerality and lemon. Elegant wine, that I really enjoyed, I think this will express better in a few years as the acidity tone down a touch. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

This Cabernet dominant wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard on Red Mountain. The 2015 version is heavy on the Cabernet compared to other vintages. A little more approachable than the Bel Canto right now, you’ll still be rewarded for cellaring it. The palate shows wonderful black pepper, green bell pepper, a bit of crushed gravel, and after a bit of decanting, the blackberries express themselves as well. Strong mouth coating tannins finish off this bold effort nicely. Drink 2020-2040- 93 — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Nickel & Nickel exclusively to produces 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines that express the distinctive personality of each vineyard. Established in 1997 by the partners of Far Niente. Aromas of stone fruit and citrus. On the palate apple, melon and pear flavors, with some lemon zest, vanilla and toasty notes. Nice balance with acidity on lingering finish on a gently spicy rich oaky mineral ending. Classic CA Chard, very nice! — 8 years ago

Matthew Hauck

9.2

Bright fruit dry with clean finish, very good! — 9 years ago

Mike Roynan

9.0

Very good $10 everyday bottle from PA Chairman selection — 9 years ago

Bobby Gilbane

9.2

D&R Air Express to the rescue!!! — 9 years ago