Top Chef
Château de Beaucastel
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2012
From 375ml.
A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.
At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.
Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml. — 4 months ago
Mollydooker Wines
Carnival of Love McLaren Vale Shiraz 2010
As you can see from my previous Delectable notes I normally drink Mollydooker reds, particularly Carnival of Love, on cold nights in Winter. This certainly worked. Aromatics of black plum and other black fruits. The palate is ripe, sweet and full bodied - quite thick and textured. Has come together somewhat after 15 years but still a very powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz. Jeb Dunnuck’s comment of “full bore and hedonistic “ sums it up. This was the #2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2012. — 5 months ago
Château Angélus
St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2006
Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.
The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.
The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.
This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.
It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.
Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.
Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.
@Ek225 — 11 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.
Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute. — 7 months ago
Kosta Browne
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010
This 2010 is in tip-top form.
Beautiful, ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum/black plum for days, cherries, strawberries, raspberries & some pomegranate highlights. Cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg & soft vanillin, black teas, mid berry cola, both licorices, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped black tea, limestone minerals, some charcoal, pepper, grilled meats, dark spice w/ heat, sandalwood to cedar, dark, withering flowers with violets, grand acidity and a balanced, well tensioned/structured, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on spice.
Even adding the plum reduction sauce, the 2011 Burnello is still the better pairing.
Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, founders-Dan Kosta & Mike Browne and their barrel & tasting room. — 5 months ago
Château Pontet-Canet
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
Holy wow! This wine was a unique and memorable experience. It was zinging out from the first glass over the next few hours it only deepened and became more substantial. Very ripe fruit but not aged. It retained vibrancy with complex earthy notes. Absolutely fantastic vintage. Top notch. — 8 months ago
Brian Montgomery
Best Merlot ever had — a month ago