Martinez

8.9

Clean, bright Chardonnay by Stags’ Leap Winery, one of California’s oldest producers (not to be confused with the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, founded by Warren Winiarski and winner of the legendary 1976 Tasting in Paris). Contrary to what the label might suggest, the fruit does not come from Stags Leap AVA (as if two ways to punctuate wasn’t confusing enough…), but rather from Carneros and Oak Knoll, Napa Valley's much cooler southern appellations. Aromas of orange blossom, lemon zest, subtle oak notes. Grapefruit in mouth — 5 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

fully opaque, glass staining ruby/violet, prominent tearing; blackberry, black currants, roasted coffee, vanilla , lavender dust; black fruit, bell pepper, good persistence; prominent, fine, gritty tannin, 14.8% ABV; blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot sourced from their estate vineyard in one of Napa’s coolest appellations, spending 18 months in 60% French, 28% American, and 12% Hungarian oak — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2006 ‘Blewitt Springs’ by Clarendon Hills shows tremendous energy and verve despite being more than thirteen years of age. Brandy soaked red cherry, cigar box and bright guava puree aromatics fill the glass. Showing a seamless texture and a wonderful sense of minerality, this dazzles on the palate. Red fruits and rose water packed with mineral-driven flavors excite the senses. A long-ager, this will continue to beautifully evolve over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93 — 6 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

Tasted 2 days later not oxidized at all so this will last - just grabbed a leftover from a store tasting and forgot the bottle was in my cellar. Usually I am not a fan of red Burgs from predominantly white appellations but this one is OK although rustic. Very dark cherry spice touch cardamom chalky lacks finesse. — 7 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.1

Winemaker Sam Smith used grapes from from northern and central Monterey County to create the 2017 G 17 Syrah. It’s one of those only-in-America blends featuring two grape varieties of the Rhône Valley and one from Spain. The mix is 87% Syrah, 9% Grenache and 4% Tempranillo. It was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, a quarter of which were new. The grapes came primarily from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Appellations of Monterey County. Alcohol hits 14.4% abv and it retails for $22. Just under 1200 cases were made.
The first whiffs of this medium dark ruby wine are pretty boozy, but they're loaded with black berries, tobacco, smoke, leather and spices. The palate picks up black cherry and a ladle of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. The wine drinks surprisingly gentle, with enough tannic structure for roast or pork. A medium finish is noteworthy and is missed when it fades away. — 7 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.4

Wonderful nose of dark fruit, oak and cinnamon. Fantastic tastes of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, baking spices and oak. A bold wine with solid tannins that are still working to put on silk gloves. This is a blend of grapes from all 15 AVA's in Napa back in 2010. Probably has another decade or more in terms of optimal bottle life. Steve Reynold's at his best. — 8 years ago

with Lisa

Susie Reinecke

9.4

Zippy and delightful! — 5 years ago

Mark Turner

9.0

More on the earthy side. Pretty well balanced. Not overly pronounced tannins. Liked it but did not knock my socks off. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The ‘Alenza’ is only made in the best vintages and is named after Alejandro Fernandez’s wife. This 100% Tempranillo wine starts off an intense dark fruit aromatic profile with chocolate, cedar and damp earth undertones. The palate unveils a great combination of richness and balance with brandy soaked dark cherry, pipe tobacco, coffee ground and wild mushroom flavors that all beautifully amalgamate. Delicious now at thirteen years of age, this will continue to evolve for fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2035- 94 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

I like it so much I had to try another bottle. Located in the heart of Sonoma, WALT sourcing Pinot Noir fruit from premiere appellations, this one from Shea Vineyard in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Deep Ruby, luscious bouquet of berry fruit with floral notes. On the palate fresh strawberry and cherry flavors with sweet spice & earthy black tea tones. Fine rich soft tannins, lingering finish bring forward fruit and mineral tones. A Wow wine! — 6 years ago

Rashed Chowdhury

9.1

Sauve Blanc from Quincy in Loire Valley. Deep gold color hinting oak aging, fun mango and peach nose, 13% alcohol so beware. What a lighter body fun wine... such nice fruit throughout to balance the strong alcohol!!
Wine Bible by Karen McNeil, “Quincy and Reuilly are two tiny appellations near the river Cher, a tributary of the Loire. Again, the sauvignons can be quite crisp and delicious”.

Excerpt From
The Wine Bible
Karen MacNeil
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-wine-bible/id971459747?mt=11
This material may be protected by copyright. — 7 years ago

Jaime Grunlan

9.3

30 min decant. Deep dark red/blue. Strong vanilla and dark fruit nose. Smooth alcoholic palate. Firm tannins on medium long finish. This is classic high level Coombsville, which I love. — 8 years ago

Will Messer

9.2

Tried 3 bottles from 3 appellations in 2012; all were great. Liked the North Valley best. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

This pops with vibrant strawberry and kirsch, but continues reverberating with incense, citrus peel, damp chalk, and licorice. I would happily spend $15 again, but this gives me the confidence to trade up to Halos Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape the next time around.

Finally trying this label... Considering the esteem to which I hold Philippe Cambie and my love for Grenache, it's been a long time coming. Cambie, along with a Michel Gassier, produce Grenache-focused bottlings from nearly all the Southern Rhone AOCs under the Halos de Jupiter label. To Cambie, Grenache is the king of all grapes, thus the comparison to Jupiter (Zeus in Greek), forming the basis of the label. The halo symbolizes the appellations that best express the personality of Grenache. http://www.philippecambie.com/en/les-halos-de-jupiter/ — 9 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2006 ‘Pedestal’ is a sinfully good warm vintage Merlot by superstar enological consultant Michel Rolland that is drinking marvelously at now thirteen years of age. Following a long decant, the Merlot slowly unveils ripe black currants that combine with sandalwood, cigar ash and Turkish coffee aromatics that meld together in the glass. The palate has tremendous freshness and verve considering its age, as this silky wine effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Still showing serious power and concentration, the ‘Pedestal’ leads with a deep core of dark fruits that mingle with suggestions of milk chocolate, pipe tobacco, leather and anise flavors that sing in harmony. Fantastic now, this beautiful wine has at least another decade of life left. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him, and expanded the appellations in his domaine either through inheritance, purchase, or a system of leasing called "fermage." Aromas of stone and citrus fruits. The palate shows lemons with crisp apple, mineral & oak notes. This medium-body wine has good balance with integrated acidity, lingering, finishing smooth with a citrus mineral ending. Very Nice! — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.5

Rather suddenly, and without much explanation, Bordeaux found itself in the middle of my crosshairs as being the next place I wanted to conduct a deep dive in. With this shift in my general attention from New World to Old World I began to do more research on the various appellations, prominent chateaus, and nuances of Left Bank and Right Bank, as well as compile a spreadsheet highlighting specific bottles I wanted to seek out. For a reason unbeknownst to me, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the producer I wanted to start my deep dive with. I researched the history of the chateaux, learned about their wines, priced out vintages that were immediately available for my acquisition, and added it to my Bordeaux spreadsheet, waiting for the time to pull the trigger and purchase a bottle (or two) to start the trek with. As far as wines are concerned it was all I could think about: Ducru-Beaucaillou. Apparently, the mere act of researching a chateau left me beguiled, craving a wine I had never even had before! With all of this research in mind I’ve learned over the years that as much as I thoroughly enjoy researching and trying wine, it’s certainly more enjoyable to share the knowledge and the experiences with others. Enter @codyuzzel, who has heard more than his fair share of my wine ramblings over the years. One day we began discussing Bordeaux, Left Bank v. Right bank, and changes in our thought patterns about the region over the years, which eventually lead him to asking the million-dollar question: Are there any producers you’ve highlighted that you’re particularly interested in? I told him that Ducru-Beaucaillou was in my crosshairs, along with a handful of other producers that I’d explore once I’d tried Ducru. That’s when he texted me the picture; a picture of him holding a glorious bottle of 2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou. “I took this pic before we started this conversation.” Given the serendipitous nature of this occurrence he extended an invitation to pop the cork upon our next meeting, which is interesting in and of itself given that I had been thinking about visiting him at the wine bar just earlier that day. It’s moments like these that truly make the wine journey a sweet and rewarding one. Thanks, Cody, for your generosity and epic invitations.
.
Anise, graphite, plums, and blackberries. Very polished and very delicious. — 6 years ago

with Cody

Carson

9.0

Really great Roero is another display of the qualities of the famed Nebbiolo grape. This one is a prime example of one of the lesser-known appellations that put that grape to such great use. Juicy cherry and black licorice pack a punch while chewy tannins leave a long finish. This wine is so undervalued. #qprking — 8 years ago

Daniel Santoro

9.1

Un peu comme un très bon beaujolais, un jeune bourgogne, mais avec une touche grillée, qui le sort de ces deux appellations. Super sympa — 9 years ago

P A

9.0

Wow, this outstanding wine has somehow slipped under the radar. From the respected Pomeral region in S.W. France it has many of the traits of other Boudreaux appellations yet delightfully distinct. It is dark ruby in colour displaying the many wonderful subtleties of the Pomeral wines presenting mingling aromas of raspberry, black berries, black pepper, Earl Gray Tea and Lavender. With a well-balanced silky taste of fresh lush fruit, it leaves a lingering expression of spices and brown sugar. How did I miss this one? I have already ordered a case to be held for my next trip to Calgary. Cheers — 9 years ago