Ely Cohn

9.4

Can’t stop thinking about this golden nectar of Chenin. My favorite grape, from my favorite part of the Garden of France - Loire.This is like a deep conversation that lasts three hours but feels like fifteen minutes. There’s so much going on so take your time between sips. Go slow.Bartlett pears soft like butter. Granny Smith apples, vanilla, popcorn kernels. Round texture with high acid to cut through the fat. Finish of burnt caramel and lemon.As with the complicated ones, let this get to cellar temp to get the full dialogue. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.1

Monthly WTF guys blind tasting group. This month was our annual, and famed, Left Bank vs Right Bank theme. All wines served blind as usual. Started off with a Rosé and a champagne. Great night.

The most soft and plush wine of the night. I’d enjoy these soon as there isn’t a lot of acidity, or tannin, at this 5yr mark. Very ripe. Jammy/fruit forward...fresh squeezed blueberries and blackberries on the nose. Sweetened plum, bacon fat, boysenberry jam notes on the palate. I called this ‘14, Left Bank, St Julien. Thanks @Andrew Heffley . — 6 years ago

with Andrew, Jack and 6 others

John B

9.2

My favorite part of this wine is the nose. Complex aromas of cured meats, bacon fat and soy sauce with a hint of violets on the tail. Blue fruit, red currants and pepper on the palate. The most approachable at this early age of the three vineyard designates from Quivet. — 7 years ago

Marshal White

9.2

By day three its shed the puppy fat and oak and is showing something of the electricity of the vintage. Nice stuff. — 7 years ago

with Abbey and Alex

Martin G Rivard

9.6

@Shawn R Awesome Pinot bud!! Badass in a glass. My 1st time trying it. I have 1 left, Lentine gave it to me. You guys s are my wolf pack....”We’re the three best friends that anyone could have, anyone could have.....”
😘😂😂😘 — 7 years ago

with Christine

Martin G Rivard

9.6

OMG!!! I’m going to save myself some time and post these all at once. It was one of those epic nights!!!!!! LOL
8 of us began on a mystical journey of friendship, food & WINE!!
we began with five bottles of Haber which just arrived at my office yesterday! OMG! Now I only have three left! LOL!!!!!!!! I absolutely adore this wine and so did my friends. It was actually their WOTN which is a lot to say given the company it was in. I then opened a bottle of 2012 Memento Mori which was its usual opulent self!! Two of us preferred this wine over Haber but the remainder preferred Haber. I pulled this trick out of my butt from David Lentine!!!! A palate cleanser after heavy Cabernets and we opened a gorgeous Beaux Freres- The Beaux Freres Vineyard. We then got things going again with one of my favorite Chardonnays in Napa! This stuff absolutely rocks and should be bought by all. Nuf said, it’s that freaking good!!! Last but not least I decided to mix it up a little and pulled one of my favorite under the radar GSM blends that I know. Domaine de la grange des Peres. Every single one of my guests Took a sip and immediately snap their head up to say “what the heck is this! “that’s good!" You will look like a hero pouring it at anyone’s party and the cost is negligible at $95 a bottle! Bad ass in a glass as I always say. Every single one of these bottles proved to be as such! Love you guys sand cheers to you all! The individual rating for each wine was slightly different but I would say as a collective it was definitely a 9.6 type of evening.
Good time., good times — 7 years ago

with Christine, Joe and 3 others

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

When a red wine is a little green, it should be green like this one. Grassy aromas like top class white Bordeaux, flavors of cranberries roasted in duck fat, light in the middle, long and lifted on the back! Great with roast chicken and fingerling potatoes. Thank you 2004 for another good bottle- keep giving them up Burgundy guys! — 8 years ago

Juan Menendez

9.3

Three nights after opening was singing with gorgeous raspberry liqueur flavors and secondary thyme, tapenade, and bacon fat flavors. Just an awesome honest wine. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind... we're served three glasses from three brown bagged bottles. They all are similar in color: dark reddish tawny. This is more exotic in the nose than the other two, with notes of black fruit, plums, smoked meat and bacon fat, some licorice and a little cherry kirsch, some Asian spice and pepper, and some old desk wood. The wine is rich and velvet glove in the mouth, with a lasting finish you can taste for minutes later. Outstanding wine. Standing blind against its 1990 La La siblings, before the three bottle reveal I pegged this as the 90 La Turque which it is. Killer juice. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF guys blind tasting group. This month was our annual, and famed, Left Bank vs Right Bank theme. All wines served blind as usual. Started off with a Rosé and a champagne. Great night.

Not familiar with this producer. Very soft with a fantastic nose of plum, smoke, licorice and bacon fat. Palate showed baked fig, juicy blackberries and currant. Thanks @Bill Makens . — 6 years ago

with Andrew, Jack and 6 others

Mike R

9.8

If the Ancient Greek gods were around and drinking wine I bet this would be on their menu every night

100% estate grown and 100% CS varietal - three years in barrel - tobacco, tea and complex yet integrated tannins dusted in smoky clove scents. Intensely peppery, its youthful blackberry and cherry flavors shine through

Inky in color, the wine pops with black and blue fruit, smoke and vanilla aromatics. Fat, rich and fleshy, the wine is packed with it all including the kitchen sink

Decanted for three hours and served filet mignon with an amazing homemade BBQ hollandaise with grilled mushrooms NC sauce to celebrate the Wolfpack victory today - what a way to close out the evening - all full stomachs and world class smiles for all — 7 years ago

Stephen Jackshaw

9.7

My first turns two and we decided to have a little pre-party this weekend. I decanted for three hours and savored this. A flat out beauty of a wine, more elegance than what I've grown to expect on Howell Mountain. Showing very well now, but I won't open any others for a couple years to let it shed some baby fat. LONG — 7 years ago

Jason McCormick

9.1

One least favorite Cote Roties. That being said still a fantastic bottle of wine. We’ve drank three of these guys in the last week and have had it with everything from Spicey Korean stir fry to roast beef sandwiches. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Third red wine and second of the Heitz Cellars. After tasting all three guessed that this was the youngest of the three.

Deep ruby core with garnet edges. Layered nose with an attack of toasted notes, bacon fat, then opened up with some floral notes, dark cocoa, dark fruits and sweet spices. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Rich palate with sweet spices, spices and black fruits. Super long and dry finish. Drink till 2024. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Some more #whiteglovelove for you guys haha @David L @TheSkip @Bill Bender @Martin G Rivard @Shay Aldriedge @Shawn R @Ron R
@Carl Fischer @leon egozi


First wine in flight three for the Bordeaux Master's Class at Heart's Delight with all wines from Margaux.

Medium to deep ruby red. Layered nose with an attack of blackberries and cinnamon. Followed by an undertone of red cherries. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a touch gritty in texture, almost like a soft sandpaper. Quite a bit of a acidity but still balanced with notes of yeast, sweet spices, cinnamon, vanilla, and dark black fruits. Dry medium plus to full body with a long finish. Drink till 2037+. (91+) — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Eric Egan

9.2

Honestly, very disappointed by the Comtesse today. Seriously overrated. Found three or four minor producers with noticeably better wines from '95 onwards.

Still good but overall these guys have really gone down hill... — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

Annual guys WTF Christmas party with spouses. Lots of great wine. I’ll post my highlights with pics I got.

Absolutely delicious and in the zone! So much depth and complexity on the nose and palate. Smoked brisket and bacon fat, small hint of olive tapenade, baked mixed berry pie, and sandalwood jump from the glass. Didn’t want to put it down! Richly textured on the palate with sweet smoke, espresso, dark cocoa, blueberries, blackberries, and savory peppercorn. So much going on here. Thanks @Bill Makens . — 5 years ago

with Jack, Steve and 6 others

Jay Kline

9.4

Decanted about three hours prior to dinner which was basically grilled steak three ways. This was an absolute joy already, if not still a glimpse into greater things yet to come. The 2015 Les Grands Mûriers is special. To start, the bouquet is beguiling. A positively feral example of Syrah with smoked bacon fat, tart dark brambles, deli case, Herbs de Provenance and new leather. On the palate, there was a ferrous minerality that accompanied the abundant dark fruits and spices meats. So compact and full of energy! I already love this wine and look forward to seeing what this does with some age. Already great with an extended decant; will age gracefully for twenty years, I’m sure of it. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.7

Great way to celebrate the 4th of July. What are you guys drinking today?
______________________________
2010 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
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Oakville, Napa Valley, North Coast, California, USA
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Tasting Note:
Received a three hour decant and tasted blind. Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Layered nose with anise, cassis, cherries and rich undertone of black fruits as well. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. A light touch of heat on the palate but not overwhelming. Rich and lush palate with dark spices, blackberries, blue fruits, cinnamon and some dark cocoa. Long and lingering finish. A real treat to finally try a bottle! Drink till 2030.
________
One of the most prestigious wineries in the world, started by Jean Phillips in 1986 when she purchased a vineyard in Oakville that was cultivated by Ren Harris of Paradigm Winery. Now the estate is owned by Stan Kroenke who purchased the estate in 2006 with Charles Banks. This vintage was produced by Andy Erickson with Nick Gislason as his assistant winemaker. Made up of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Aged for alomst 24 months in 65% new French oak. Only 610 cases produced.
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Rating: 97 Points
Price: $$$$$$ - Retails on the secondary market for a minimum of $3,500.00. Release price from the estate was $750.00.
______________________________
#screamingeagle #july #july4th #cultwine @andy.erickson @paradigmwinery #cabernetsauvignon #redwine #wine #wein #vino #winelover #winelovers #wines #winetasting #winestagram #winesofinstagram #winerylovers #MillennialDrinkers
— 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

2010 was a very good vintage in Rhône. Rostaing is a well know producer with people that know and drink Northern Rhône wines, not so much with others that do not. The Ampodium is the entry level into Rene & Pierre Rostaing wines. It is a blend of 13 vineyards in Northern Rhône. They are simply one of the very best producers in the region. I spent an afternoon with Rene & his son Pierre tasting in the their cellar and in their La Landonne vineyard as shown in the photos. The 2010 is drinking beautifully with many good years ahead. On the nose; ripe & slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries, cherries, steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, iron pan, some white & black pepper, bacon fat, grilled savory meats, pork, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with violets. The body is round and medium full. The tannins round, still a little chewy & around 55% resolved. The length, texture, tension and balance are in near perfect harmony. The fruits are; round, ruby & ripe; slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries & cherries. Steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, chalky minerals, iron pan, coffee grounds, spice, some baking spices w/hints of vanilla, white & black pepper, drying blood, dry herbs/bay leaf, dry stems, moderate levels of bacon fat & pork, grilled savory meats, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with fresh violets for days. The acidly is round and dripping. The long finish is plush, velvety delicious and lasts & lasts. In good vintages, I would put this in blind with the best of of the best new world wines from any vintage that many love; SQN, Booker, Saxum, Alban, Cayuse, Horsepower etc.. I’d bet most of you would pick it over these producers that cost much more $$$. It’s simply one of the best pound for pound wines/producers for this varietal. Especially, for the $$$. Wow, what a wine for the $. $55 upon release. Photos of; Winemaker Pierre Rostaing and our group in their La Landonne vineyard, the small sign that barely identifies their Estate, an example of the Quartz mineral that runs throughout their La Landonne vineyard and the view back onto the river from the top of the very steep La Landonne Vineyard. Producer notes and history...Rene Rostaing produced their first wine in 1971. However, it took almost three decades before wine became a full time occupation for Rene Rostaing. Domaine Rene Rostaing came about through marriage. The wife of Rene Rostaing was the daughter of the famed Cote Rotie grower, Albert Dervieux, and the niece of Marius Gentaz-Dervieux who gave Christine the vineyard land that became the Northern Rhone estate for Rene Rostaing. Through inheritance from Albert Dervieux Thaize (his father-in-law) who retired in 1990, and from Marius Gentaz Dervieux, his uncle, Rene Rostaing expanded his holdings, giving him some of the best terroir in Cote Rotie. The new vineyard land was basically 3 small parcels in the La Landonne, Cote Brune and Vialliere lieux-dits. This initial expansion from his initial tiny parcel, allowed Rene Rostaing to change careers and become a full time vigneron. Since 2007, the estate has managed by Pierre Rostaing, (son) of Rene Rostaing. Currently Rene Rostaing owns 7.5 hectares of vines that is spread out among 20 different parcels located in 14 locations. Perhaps the most celebrated vines of Rene Rostaing are the 1.6 hectares of vines they own in the La Landonne vineyard (photo). On La Landonne, the vines are more than 60 years old. Some vines are even close to 100 years of age! Those are his largest holdings. The smallest vineyards of Rene Rostaing are located on Cote Blonde. Rene Rostaing also has vines planted in; Fonjean, La Vialliere, Le Plomb, Bouchare, Leyat, La Roche and La Tupin. Their oldest vines are more than 70 years old and are used for Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde. The majority of those plantings are on the steep hillsides with mica, schist and rocky soils. 25% of those vines are closer to the bottom of the slopes and on the flats. Rene Rostaing remains a traditional Cote Rotie producer who is not among the last to harvest. His wines are aged using very little new, French oak barrels. On average, Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie are aged in about 10% new French oak barrels. Rene Rostaing produces 4 different Cote Rotie wines. Rene Rostaing Ampodium, which was previously known as Rostaing Cuvee Classique, is a blend of 13 sections of different vineyards, but it does not include their best holdings on La Landonne or Cote Blonde. The fruit for Rene Rostaing Ampodium has at least 40% or more of the stems removed and run between 12-13.5% abv. The wine is usually made from 100% Syrah and is aged in an average of 15% to 25% new, French oak barrels. The amount of new oak can be less, depending on the character of the vintage. About 1,750 cases are produced each year. The wine is no longer called Cuvee Classique, the name was changed to Rene Rostaing Ampodium with the 2009 vintage. Rene Rostaing La Landonne comes from a terroir consisting of sands with iron oxide and traces of quartz. This wine is always produced from 100% Syrah. The grapes are partially destemmed, with about 10% to 20% of the stems removed, depending on the vintage. There are vintages when no destemming takes place. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats. Rene Rostaing is not a believer of using too much new oak for the aging, which on average uses 10% new, French oak barrels and the remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids (600 liter) and French oak barrels. This wine is like most wines from La Landonne, masculine and meaty in character, requiring at least a decade to soften and develop. On average, Rene Rostaing La Landonne produces less than 600 cases depending on what the vintage delivers. Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde is perhaps his best. It’s produced from a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The grapes are co-fermented. The vineyards is planted in the region call Arzel. Arzel is a poor, mineral laden soil with deposits of Silex and Mica on a steep hillside. The vines are more than 50 years of age. The grapes are partially destemmed…35% to 50% of the stems are removed. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats.
The remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids. This one is the hardest to find and most collectible of all their wines. In fact, they only produce close to an average of 350 cases of Cote Rotie in most vintages. Rene Rostaing Cote Brune made its debut with the 2013 vintage. The vines were once part of the holdings of Marius Gentaz, which eventually passed to Rene Rostaing. Rostaing replanted those vines in 2000. Made from 100% Syrah. — 7 years ago