Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This 14 has a bit of a story. I opened their 2005 last weekend, which was fantastic, I also opened their 2014 as an example w/ a friend to show how important aging is in Italy reds out of Tuscany & Piemonte. Also, how long it takes for the amount of new wood use Italians put to both to soften. The Italians hold them back in bottle sometimes two to three years or longer. The 05 last weekend was a 93-94. This after an hour & half decant, 90-91. In time, add one to two points.

For those who didn’t study their ass off to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers exam, the difference between Chianti & Chianti Classico is, Classico needs to come from a specific region in Chianti and needs to have an additional 10% of Sangiovese over regular Chianti.

2014 a good but not all-star vintage like 2010.

The 2014 still young. Showing dry; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some black plum, dry cranberries & strawberry hues. Oak barrel shavings, dry; leather, cedar, & dry tobacco, limestone & sandstone power, dry twig, dry river stone, dry top soil, slight candied & withering; red, dark, purple flowers framed in violets, nice acidity and a taut structured & tensioned but balanced, elegantly polished landing on dry earth that lasts nearly 90 seconds.

It is a good pair w/ the lasagna that has a really nice dark seasoning in it. An aged Nebbiolo might have worked better. From, The Adorable French Bakery at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. No permanent location. — a year ago

Severn G

9.3

Prior notes still apply, delicious bottle.

Nose has toasted brioche, grilled lemon, warm lemon creme, lemon zest, oxidized pear slice and fresh, rising bread dough. Palate has lemon pound cake, cold toast, limestone chips, dried lemon slice and (light) candied orange.
Great mid-palate, a restrained richness is all elegance, acid balance is perfect and not pulling you one way or another. At 15 years past vintage, a great example of finesse in Champagne.

+

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductors Andris Nelsons and John Williams will be leading a very engaging program of Jessie MONTGOMERY (Starburst), John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, world premiere featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter!), COPLAND (Quiet City) and STRAVINSKY (Suite from The Firebird, 1919 version). We're getting the luxury of enjoying Mr. Williams two nights in a row...what a great weekend of Contemporary music! — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.4

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Our Pops conductor Keith Lockhart is leading a live-to-picture performance of Star Wars: A New Hope, a showing of the classic 1977 film, with the Orchestra performing Mr. Williams’ iconic score.
For live-to-picture productions, the orchestra performs the entire movie score in real time as the film unspools. (Vocals, dialogue and effects are isolated from the original music track.)
Generally we get to hear Star Wars scores a couple times per season here at Tanglewood, but tonight we get a chance to hear them with the backdrop of the movie (Episode IV) that launched a franchise, to say the least!

I celebrated another full trip around the sun, since my coming into this world, earlier this week. Tonight my wife, some dear friends and me will be enjoying some enticing wines along with our movie night. So notes...maybe, but I'll try! — 6 years ago

Kevin Bohlin

9.3

Purchased at winery and stored in a controlled wine cellar. Most reviews here are a bit young, this wine is now hitting its stride but could also benefit from another 1-2 years. Some call this a California Grand Cru while some call it overrated. I love Burgundy and would say this drinks on par with mid to low tier Grand Crus in my opinion. Sweet and rich yes, but balanced with bright acid and structure. It has an impressive nose of rose, black cherry and vanilla but with an earthy herb quality that reminds me of great burgundy. More air reveals attractive grilled herbs and stem qualities. The palate is intense and rich with cherry and raspberry, powerful but silky verging on velvety texture and a long finish with a signature WS acid profile. There is a lot of oak but with this fruit and bottle age it is lovely....DRC uses even more oak so it’s not a sin with the right wine! — 6 years ago

P. Ivan Love

9.1

At aprox. 22 usd/17 gbp, this wine is a real garbain.
Mature, intense and concentrated with a great complexity ranging from honey, dates, treacle, glue, sultana raisins, nut meg and vanilla.
The alcohol is there, but mellowed with time, acts as a lift for the aromas rather than being a burden.
With a vivid acidity, it is a real show of elegance and power that does wonders in food pairing!
— 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Our monthly 4th Friday event at the storage facility. No requirements, just wine you want to share with others! Always an enjoyable time.

These older WS pinots epitomize for me Sonoma Pinot at its best. So much strawberry, rhubarb, cedar and black cherry. Not overpowering at all. Perfect texture. — 8 years ago

with Mark

Erik Brown

10

We were fortunate enough to book a private tasting at their vineyard with friends this past summer. I love all of their wines, but this was a stand out. — 9 years ago

Severn G

9.1

2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Vaillon 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(90-92; Drink 2025-33)

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, written specifically for the intended soloist this evening) featuring the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, STRAUSS (Death and Transfiguration, Opus 24) and then RAVEL (La Valse). — 2 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.4

Williams Selyem Foss Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019: Medium-body. Medium acidity. Great fine tannins with layers & layers of bright, fresh flavors. Red fruits (cherry, raspberry & currants). Spice. Earth. Soft oak & smoke. A smooth seductive finish. For me, this was perfection in a bottle! Look at that color! The aroma! The taste! The structure! Can you sense it? An unforgettable Russian River Pinot, complemented with a spectacular meal! Paired with Rigatoni al Coniglio! Great day to all! Cheers🍷 — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy Valentines Day!

If you have not looked for this wine on WineSearcher.com or other, you should. Dan Standish has no American Importer. However, you can mail order off his list. Good luck with the Australian/United States import costs. Very prohibited.

Most quality Barossa wines take 15 years in bottle to show their ultimate beauty. Dan’s wines are no different. His Estate vines are 100 years old and produce 500 pounds of fruit per acre...very concentrated. Contrast that to extremely expensive & high quality Napa fruit, those Napa producers are at 2,000-2,500 pounds per acre.

We visited Standish in April 2017. We found Dan to be extremely talented & definitely marches to his own drum. He is salt of the earth and has traveled & worked in many of the world wine regions honing his craft and landing as Torbreck’s Winemaker in Barossa before starting, “The Standish Wine Company.”

As good as the 04 is tonight, it has 15 years of good life ahead...properly stored of course.

The nose is very intoxicating. It is a nice blend of purple, black & blue fruits. Mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, black plums, plums, blackberries, dark cherries, deeply extracted raspberries, some baked strawberries, black licorice to anise, dark fruit cola, black olive skin, medium dark spice, black pepper, charcoal, graphite, dry tobacco & underbrush, some bay leaf, alluvial soils, grey volcanic minerals/limestone with fresh & only slightly withering, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets & lavender.

The body is full, rich, ripe, lush and creamy on the palate after a two-hour plus decant. The structure, tension, length and balance are a little short of its peak and will hold there for 5-8 years. It’s a glorious glide on the palate. The fruits are ripe & lightly baked. Mulberries, olallieberries, boysenberries, black plums, plums, blackberries, dark cherries, deeply extracted raspberries, some baked strawberries, cherry kirsch, red & black licorice to anise, dark fruit cola, black olive skin, the dark spices are heavier on the palate & bring just the right amount of heat, sweet, dark tarriness, black pepper, used, dark expresso roast grounds, charcoal, graphite, dry tobacco & underbrush, some bay leaf, alluvial soils, grey volcanic minerals/limestone, moist clay, with fresh & only slightly withering, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, flush & perfect. The long finish is a unique even balance of; lush fruits, spice, herbs and earth that persists on the palate for minutes.

Photo on the left of Sofia’s 2 dozen long stems. Love you so much!

@Oswald — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Few wines fit perfectly into my wheelhouse. This is one of a few. I picked this up at Seavey last weekend. 1997 is such a historic Napa vintage and this wine lives up to every inch of it. It’s a wine that you want to slowly sip all night.

On the nose; very, ripe; blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, huckleberries with slightly baked strawberries haunt the background. Mixed berry cola, vanilla, cherry liqueur notes, some black licorice, limestone minerals, very light clove, soft subtle dark spices, dry crushed rock powder, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, very soft leather, forest floor, blue flowers and dark fresh & withering flowers.

The body is gloriously soft, round and beyond elegant. Still has plenty of soft, round, slightly tarry tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit its sweet spot with another 7-10 years of really good drinking left. It’s harmony on the palate. Ripe; blackberries, sweet & sour dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, huckleberries with slightly baked strawberries haunt the background. Mixed berry cola, vanilla, notes of caramel, cherry liqueur notes, steeped fruit tea, some black licorice, just a hint of herbaceous, limestone minerals, very light clove, soft subtle dark spices, dusty tannins, dry crushed rock powder, gritty volcanic minerals, dry clay, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, chewy soft leather, forest floor, blue flowers and dark fresh & withering flowers. The acidity is about as perfect as I’ve had. The finish is nothing short of astounding. It’s long, elegant, ripe, well balanced and doesn’t end. One of the more exceptional wines I’ve had in some time.

Photos of, Seavey Winery & tasting room, the stairs the lead up to Williams office and show that late 18th century architecture, Williams desk in his old office and their Estate vines with the hillside painting the background. — 7 years ago

Nicholas Moryl

9.5

Red currant, melon, and lilac on the nose, with a little pencil lead and leather as well. Fruit forward but really balanced, without being jammy at all. Would definitely drink again! — 9 years ago

with Rebecca

Michael Gallegos

Sales & Hospitality Red Car Winery

9.0

Surprisingly fresh for being 14 years old. 🔥🔥🔥 Though at 16+%abv..breathing fire. Drink now if you have any. This is the epitome of California Zin. — 9 years ago

Severn G

8.9

Nose has yellow apple peel, pear slice, straw and beach sand.

Palate has tangerine zest, ripe pear, under-ripe yellow peach, cold clementine orange with medium acidity and slightly dry finish.
A nice bottle; not sure if this wants more time, or a couple years past prime...

On the sold out (18K+ patrons) Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest Conductor Ken-David Masur is leading a 90th birthday celebration of John Williams. BSO soloists tonight are J. Williams Hudgins (vibraphone) & Jessica Zhou (harp), joined by Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Eric Revis (bass) and James Taylor (vocals/guitar). A truly wonderful night lay ahead, and my money is certainly on hearing at least one or two Star Wars movements this evening... — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Social distancing at home for a Saint Patrick's Day celebration with a WS pinot!

Pop and pour. A forbidding medium garnet color. On the nose: floral, tart raspberry, orange peel, and crushed rocks. Taste: A soft, light WS wine with strawberry, slight spice, vanilla. A medium finish ending with cinnamon berries and a slight tannic kick. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This Anthill is well extracted. Too much for how I like my Pinot’s. It is also has a slight alcohol burn in the back of my throat which; I & other professionals consider a fault in wine. It’s like Oregon fruit & florals meet the over-extraction of Bella Glos. That aside, there are some merits here.

The nose reveals slightly stewed, yet ruby & candied fruits of; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, plum, creamy raspberries and notes of pomegranate. Pronounced baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Black, rich earth, black licorice, sweet tarry notes, limestone, dark spice, dry, crushed rocks and bright; red, dark, blue and purple florals.

The body is big, thick and lush. She still has sticky, meaty, tarry tannins. The structure & tension is quite big. The length and balance are good but, still require some more time to hit their peak. Slightly stewed, yet ruby & candied fruits of; blackberries, strawberries, dark cherries, plum, creamy raspberries and notes of pomegranate. Pronounced baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Black, rich earth, gravely, dark volcanic minerals, black licorice, sweet tarry notes, limestone, dark spice, stem inclusion, leather, hints of graphite, dry, crushed rocks and bright; red, dark, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and good. The big, long, finish is, rich, ruby, elegant, well polished and persists for minutes.

Photos of; one of the vineyards they source fruit, three friends & partners that founded Anthill; Anthony Filberti, David Low, and Webster Marquez who met while working at Williams Selyem and the staff working the process in the cellar. — 6 years ago

Steven Comfort

9.3

This 5L bottle was at peak maturity; soft mouthfeel, nice black cherry fruit - an excellent example of RRV Pinot noir. — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.4

On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our full cast of conductors include Andris Nelsons, Christoph Eschenbach, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas and John Williams. The beautiful and vocally talented Audra McDonald is our host for the evening along with Midori on violin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.

This will likely be an evening to remember for some time. Program notes from the BSO "Reflecting the season-long theme, The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood will spotlight Bernstein's wide-ranging talents as a composer, his many gifts as a great interpreter and champion of other composers, and his role as an inspirer of a new generation of musicians and music lovers across the country and around the globe. The gala concert will feature a kaleidoscopic array of artists and ensembles from the worlds of classical music, film, and Broadway. The entire first half of the program is dedicated to selections from such brilliant Bernstein works as Candide, West Side Story, Mass, and Serenade. Music from the classical canon very dear to Bernstein's heart-selections from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and music by Copland-plus a new work by John Williams, makes up a good portion of the program's second half; the finale of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony brings the program to a dramatic close."

We're revisiting some producer bottles from our late Spring France vacation earlier this year.

Nose of under-ripe tropical fruits, banana skin, light oak touch. Palate has yummy papaya, under-ripe peach, tangerine and sweet oak.

Photos of the Jadot (Update, Bouchard!) Chateau with its beautiful colored slate roof (to the left of the chateau its the conservatory where we had an epic lunch during our visit and they used to overwinter their citrus trees in here many, many years ago), pictures of the first room of the most amazing library cellar in all of Burgundy (the subsequent rooms are even more amazing) and our bottle of the evening.

24hr Update, sweet oak and fermented tropical fruits just stunning today, last bottle. ☹️

OMG Update: somehow I grabbed pics from our Bouchard visit, argh! The only Jadot thing in the collage is the bottle, so sorry! — 7 years ago

Bryce Bannatyne

New Jersey Sales Representative Martin Scott Wines, Ltd

9.3

2007, Pretty incredible. "Do we have another bottle of this? I'd like to take one home", said my sister. At its zenith right now. Beautiful. — 9 years ago

with Alexa

Kevin Bohlin

9.4

Wow. One of my favorite WS so far. Still a bit young but after some air the deep Cherry qualities opened up to juicy citrus all held by a beautiful fine grained tannin structure and mouthfeel. I'll hang on to my other bottle another year at least. — 9 years ago