Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Three Vineyard Blend is an experimental wine that was bottled a few times in Diamond Creek's history, but never officially commercially released. The 2013, a blend of 70% Volcanic Hill, 25% Red Rock Terrace, and 5% Gravelly Meadow is superb. What a wine. Rich, powerful and savory, the 2013 is just starting to enter the place where it is approachable, in relative terms of course. There is still plenty of hillside tannin, and yet there is so much about the 2013 that is alluring. The aromatic breadth, the intensity of the fruit and the wine's persistence are all so compelling. Wow. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

LOCKED. UP. Tasted three 14 Cabs over 3 nights: 1 from Montagu, 1 from William Harrison and this one. Out of all 3, this one is the most tannic. The most restricted. And the one with perhaps the most potential. Opened with a great red berry nose, herbal. Middle is black cherry, olive, medium to full bodied. After 2 hours, showing more in the front. Will be more integrated in 2020. — 8 years ago

Kelli

9.0

MGM minnetonka. Mild. Easy drinker. Little spice at the end. Would buy again. — 8 years ago

Ashly Mitchell

9.6

So velvety and smooth. Starts off sweet but then mellows out with a fine finish. Subtle warmth creeps in after every sip. Why is the bottle so small?!? — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Friday night vibes... The Hossfeld’s aptly named Coliseum Vineyard was planted by the late Henry Hossfeld during the 1980s. The rock is so solid at this terraced vineyard that he literally had to frack the vine holes with dynamite. Late last year, the Hossfeld’s suffered significant damage from the Atlas Fire, including their homes and 15 of the 20 acres under vine, not to mention most of their 2017 crop. I knew this bottle would be special, but had no idea of the impact of the fires on this family.
Mark Carter founded his eponymous label in 1998 with the help of Nils Venge. Mike Smith would later become winemaker after Thomas Rivers Brown introduced him to Carter. Carter’s 2015 Hossfeld Coliseum is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and easily rivals Duckhorn’s 2014 Three Palms. Decadent black fruit leads the way, but it’s loaded with dates, fig, clove, spice cake, baking spice, and just the right edge of underbrush. This is best described as a gravy train of hedonism. — 8 years ago

PA

9.0

Not usually a fan of sweet wines but this was not too sweet and blueberry flavored. Good desert wine. — 9 years ago

Matt Trader

9.1

One absolutely fantastic domestic Riesling. This is the only one that comes close to German styled Riesling for me. It has that slate/rubber, and lemon zest nose I adore in a Kabinett Riesling from Mosel. Apricot, keylime, crushed rock, edible flowers, and a touch of white pepper. Touch of sugar, beautiful acidity, and light - medium mouth feel. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.4

Just a little something something to prep my palate before the Festivities began! Solid Chardonnay but I expected more.
On the fun side!: Blind tasting three wines tonight with friends: 2013 Beau Vigne Estate, 2014 Becklyn Reserve & 2013 Morlet Coeur de Vallee. Can't wait to dig in to those 3 bad boys!!! — 9 years ago

with Gina and Christine

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

We met & visited a number of Bordeaux producers while 2005 was still in the tank or just into barrel.

In talking with Winemaker-Owners about the 2005 vintage, you could see the twinkle in their eye as they were asked questions. They knew they had Bordeaux magic for the first time in five years.

We tasted this at what was deemed an “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting.” This was on the higher end of that tasting at $35. It is delivering a little better than its young expectation and the jewel to date from that tasting.

With and without protein, the 05 Chateau de Candale moved between 92-93.

The nose reveals; warm alcohol, immersed fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked, dark cherries, dark spices, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender.

This is a very good first look at this 2005. God willing, I have another look in on bottle two of three in another five years. This 05 has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.

The body is full, tarry with big, sticky, chewy tannins. Baked/poached, floral fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black plum, pomegranate, dark spices with a heavy, heated presence, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, loads of graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, dry top soils, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, muted eucalyptus, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender. The acidity is round & full just holding, for me, the slightly higher ABV in check. The long, heavy, dark, well knitted, more earth/spice dominated finish is showing the quality of the vintage. Yet, it still needs more time to be its best.

Photos of; Chateau de Candale, harvested Merlot fruit, recent buyers of Chateau de Candale - Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The nose is rich, ripe, round with a gummy fruit quality. Dark currants and cassis. Ripe & lush fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, black plum, ollieberries, soft well layered baking spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, sweet, dark spice, mixed berry cola, crush dry rock powder, dark rich soils, bay leaf/dry herbs and dark fresh dark floral bouquet.

The body is full but so soft and elegant and glides so beautifully over the palate. Ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, black plum, ollieberries, soft well layered baking spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, sweet, dark spice, mixed berry cola, crush dry rock powder, dark rich soils, bay leaf/dry herbs and dark fresh dark floral bouquet. The acidity is excellent. The structure, tension, length are really harmonious so young. The finish is so well balanced, elegant, rich ripe and goes on & on.

Photos of, Carter Cellars Winery, barrel room, tasting room and Beckstoffer Vineyard. — 8 years ago

Ben Rossen

9.1

This was the last of three bottles I picked up in the Loire Valley in 2014 - and time has worked its magic on this wine. The “Pierre de tuf” cuvée results from a long maceration in an ancient stone vat carved out of the tufa rock and then is aged 14 months in oak. It’s a powerful Cabernet Franc and has aged beautifully - with mellow caramel notes layered on top of vibrant dark fruit and cassis, very round tannins and a long lingering finish of boysenberry and cassis. — 8 years ago

Ryan Mayes

9.4

Our second visit to the winery and even more spectacular than the first. Hands down one of the most uniquely beautiful properties in the valley. They just don’t make them like this any more!
The Red Rock Terrace was my favorite of the three ‘15s. All three are offering ripe fruit core characteristic of the vintage, but found RRT to also have a velvety texture and balance of its own. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This is absolutely ridiculous. One of the best chardonnays I’ve ever had...all have been from Dan! Best nose on a Chardonnay I can remember. Salted popcorn kernels, toasted brioche, sweet caramel. The palate is gorgeously textured...lingers full of savory notes and wet rock. Benchmark Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

with Dan, Benjamin and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The wine was double decanted and we tasted it after three hours later. On the nose, a touch of pepper, soft spices, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, black raspberries, black plums, rich dark soils, light vanilla and fresh and decayed dark soils. The 2011 is very lean. It tasted like it had 10-12 years of bottle age rather than it's 6. Not to say that the 11 is turning just yet, but I certainly don't believe this is going to be a long cellar vintage. Soft fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rock powder, very soft leather, mid intensity volcanic minerals, lightly brewed coffee, strawberries come on later and acidity that could be better. The 2011 is not going to hold up as many of the other Insignia vintages do. It's already not as rich and full bodied as other vintages at 6 years of age. On the long finish, it's already showing some fig, date and prune qualities. Photos of their big dinning room and some wildly fragrant white roses on the back terrace. — 9 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Three weeks later and I’m craving another taste of this... See my previous notes but this time: moderately extracted ruby red. Some black currant in nose initially. Strawberry and raspberry jam flavors, some seed bitterness and tannin chewiness, otherwise well balanced. Slightly oily, cherry and citrus peel aftertaste emerges after 30 minutes, black pepper on nose and in aftertaste after 45. Light to moderate skin astringency after an hour — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines. — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

Wine club gathering with dear friends. Two whites and two reds, all tasted blind.

This was the Merlot I had so many years ago that changed my perception on what could be done with the varietal. Love this stuff. It can hang with many of the big boys and exhibits nice finesse and depth with loads of espresso, ripe red fruits, and tar/balsamic. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

After three hours decanting, this wine was just starting to show its true profile. Amazed at how locked up this wine still is. Yet, even when it matures in 2018-19 and it is closer to a pop and pour, this wine will probably still be "powerfully elegant." This wine is not a full bodied monster. Has a lot of floral perfume out of the glass. Hawthorne? Jasmine? Entry with a lot of acidity, good black cherry and terroir on the entry, with a smoother, more delicate middle that has an herbaceous component -- black licorice and a hint of cherries with Italian herbal notes. Stiff, very YOUNG tannin finish. Overall, very happy, and glad to be finally drinking on the case that I have in storage! Drink from 2019-2026 — 9 years ago

Jenn Birchwhat

9.1

Like a pina colada wine, very summery — 10 years ago