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. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is 50% Monastrell & 50% Petit Verdot.

This is nice and on latter side of its drinking window. Go figure w/ my palate. Brickish color on the edges. It is interesting, heady wine at this stage, soft, resolved with nice evolution and nothing that bites back. The benefit of drinking older wines. The nose is Spanish rustic. Understated fruits that are floral, slightly bright and yet have a stewy character. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, stewed black plums/plums. Vanillin, mid fruit cola, soft tarry notes, anise, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, hint of mint, light caramel notes, dry top soil, soft, old tobacco, dry twig, used leather with withering & candied; dark, red & blue flowers.

The palate is on the leaner side. Rustic fruits of ; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, stewed black plums/plums. Vanillin, mid fruit cola, soft tarry notes, anise, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, hint of mint, light caramel notes, dry top soil, soft, old tobacco, sandy limestone, dry twig, used leather with withering & candied; dark, red & blue flowers. The acidity is really good. The finish is well balanced with nice structure and similar wire to wire.

@Delectable this is the Pico Madama — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

My first bottle opening of a 2009 Bordeaux. We’ve tasted a number of 2009’s, this is the first one we’ve opened. Showing the glory of 2009, even in a lesser bottling. I’ll say it again, for the value buyer of Bordeaux’s, buy good producers second, third or other wines. 2009, perhaps, the best Bordeaux vintage since 1982.

Good first look to judge better more expensive, quality producers of 2009 Bordeaux wines for when to best open your first. I would say those need another 8-10 years more in bottle to have them fully shine to buying expectations.

Family member from the Jean-Michel Cazes family that brings us Lynch Bages.

The 2009 shows better on its own than with our Wagyu Ribcap.

It simply shows the elegant beauty of the vintage. It brings similarities to 1982.

It shows velvet tannins with ripe, ruby fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, poached strawberries & raspberries. Bay leaf, wet clay, dark spice with heat, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, soft cinnamon & understated vanillin, black licorice, dry twig, spearmint, tough leather, dry tobacco, graphite, oak barrel shavings with fresh & slightly withering; dark, red, purple florals. Acidity for days. Straight up; lush, well knitted and balanced finish that persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe vineyard, inside the Chateau-breakfast room and their barrel room.

1/15/21 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Simply one of the best Northern California Pinot Noirs for the money.

It takes four or five sips to get what this wine is meant to be when switching from the white burgundy.

This is another producer like Williams Selyem is good young but, amazes in 10-15 years.

The nose shows, ruby, candied & floral; blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, touch of baked rhubarb, mix of blackberries & raspberries, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark spices, black licorice, mix dark & mid fruit cola, dark rich, black earth, steeped fruit tea, dry twig, tree sap, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, limestone, volcanics with dry, withering & candied: red, dark, blue florals set in a field of violets.

The palate & body are elegant and sexy. Fantastic, glorious mouthfeel. Ripe, ruby, candied & floral; blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, poached strawberries, touch of baked rhubarb, blackberries & raspberries, burnt rhubarb, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark spices, black licorice, mix dark & mid fruit cola, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark rich, black earth, steeped fruit tea, dry twig, tree sap, underbrush, savory meats, touch fresh & dry tobacco, suede leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone, volcanics with dry, withering & candied: red, dark, blue florals set in a field of violets with hints of lavender. The acidity is like a gentle, cool, stream. The long finish is just flat out amazing. It’s; candied, florals, well knitted & balanced, floral and is endlessly persistent.

Still has 5-8 years of good drinking ahead.

Photos of; Walter Hansel tasting room & bistro, beautifully harvested Pinot Noir bunches & vineyard. — 6 years ago

Christy Fitzgerald

8.9

Organic wine from Italy that we had at Belissimo restaurant in Ireland. Great smooth medium bodied wine that lingers as it goes down. Nursing with cassis, twig and oak tannins . Very nice! — 8 years ago

Magda Chiarella

9.0

Floral, light and dry. Strawberry and lilac twig. Paired exquisitely with carpaccio. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Drinking nicely but still quite youthful.

The nose shows ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached strawberries & and soft mix of purple & blue fruit hues. Dark spice but not overpowering, chocolate fudge/pudding, dry tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some nutmeg & clove, vanillin, crushed limestone, dry river stones, dark, rich earth, soft herbaceous notes, hint of eucalyptus, brambly/dry twig, dry top soil, delicious lead pencil notes, moist volcanic ash, withering; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets, very good acidity with a well balanced, nice structured & tensioned finish that lasts 90 seconds.

Excellent w/ the Bone in Ribeye.

This has 15-20 years of good drinking life in it.

@Cole’sChopHouseNapa. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Its been awhile since I’ve opened a Geyserville. This is the 2015 50th Anniversary. Young for me on this bottling. But, a decent first look. Still shows some astringency. This will age like a Cabernet if stored correctly. 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 12% Petite Syrah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% ABV. Never opened a bad bottle of Ridge.

It is ready to drink but will improve over time. It will age 15 plus years stored correctly. Black raspberries, blackberries, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, clay, dark chocolate, forest floor with dry leaves, caramel, malt balls, dry twig, light, soft pepper, dark, mid & purple florals for days-violets, excellent acidity and a pleasant wire to wire finish.

Excellent gourmet burger wine. — 3 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

Rhubarb pie - windowsill cooling - a nice nose.

Dense, luscious and inviting fruit here. Raspberry coolie - dense Pom, and some twig and branch action. A lot more going as the wine warms from cellar temp.
This is.CDP for the price of a Rhone. Gorgeous. — 4 years ago

Evan Bloom

9.1

Too young, I know, but couldn’t help it;). Black fruits- currant, black berry, plum, cherry abound. Some hint of licorice and perhaps a little twig/ceder box. Easy drinking with moderate tanin. Moderate finish. Higher alcohol then expected but not hot. Excited to see this develop over the next couple of years. — 6 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.4

Exceptional depth and balance - this wine wears its grand cru status with panache. Quite youthful with red apple, lemon, biscuit, brioche, hazelnut and hawthorn flower. Substantial yet elegant. Beautiful presentation with at twine-sealed cork — 6 years ago

Jonathan McCarthy

9.4

Classic dessert white notes jump out of the glass: apricot, dried mango, marcona almond. The palate piles on peachy notes with a bracing, racy acidity! Driving! Twenty two years old. Finish goes on for days. There’s a fascinating retro nasal note of jute/twine. A treat. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.7

You know your wife loves you when she goes shopping & brings you back a £160 bottle of wine you’ve never tried 😍 Retailing £160-190 this clearly a decadent treat but is it worth it for this top year Rôtie? Well it’s like a dirty piggy in silky underpants 🐷 It’s a stunning wine but gosh it’s not cheap 😱

📍 Domaine Jamet 2009 Côte Rôtie

🏵 97 points and yes it’s amazing 😍

🍇 100% Syrah

🍷 Opaque deep ruby

👃 Smokey dried Iberian ham & sizzled bacon through dark spiced cherry cola & herby sprinkles w/ earthy blackberry, raspberry liquorice, mocha, twig sap & olive tapenade

👄 Med body of super fine silky elegant rich smooth punchy powerful dark cherry, dark berries & damson that’s perfectly balanced to slide down your guzzle hoke with perfection w/ a black olive liquorice & mocha tone

🎯 An incredibly long lasting never ending finale of creamy dark earthy fruits w/ an olive liquorice linger — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Margaux and Rack of Lamb. I’m in. The 05 vintage…magic!

Lamb w/ just enough fat, spice meet perfect ripe, bright, floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, red & black licorice/cola, perfect mid spice, sweet, lead pencil shavings, charcoal, cedar, not old, not fresh, tobacco, touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, pea gravel, dry twig, dry limestone powder, steeped tea, dark, rich soil with dry leaves, herbaceous notes-bay leaf, moist clay, an array of fresh, withering, floral bouquet, amazing, rainfall acidity, perfect, tension, balance, structure and polished finish for days. Absolutely stunning! — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — 3 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.0

Smells of blueberry scone

Light to medium with dried cranberry, cherry pie, eucalyptus sprig, more dried fruits - fig, watermelon.
A great mouthfeel with just a little.bitter vying for attention over the citrus acidity,
Classic twig and branch overture
Fantastic. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The one was opened same day.

The Elevation 1147 is their flagship wine.

2106 Elevation is a big step up from all their other reds. The mouthfeel is thick, round, gorgeous. Ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries & an array of purple fruits. Tobacco, leather, saddle-wood, light graphite, crushed rock powered, limestone alluvials, beautiful baking spices that need some time to tame, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, dry twig, dark rich soil, touch of moist clay, dry top soils, understated sweet tar & black licorice with fresh & withering; dark, red, blue flowers with lavender & violets that follow as it sets. The acidity is round & excellent. The finish is; ruby, lush, round, well balanced & knitted & persistently gorgeous wire to wire.

While many will find it hard to resist now, you would be doing your substantial invest & this 2016 a disservice by opening before 10 years in bottle.

This is a 95 now but, I see it as a 95-98 down the road. — 6 years ago

MaJ CappS

8.9

Good, stable, entry level Pinot from an amazing winery.

This is like a Pinot 101. A good beginners look into what a classic Oregon Pinot tastes like at this price point. Pom and cherry nose, a waft of a twig and branch. Blackberry compote, hints of warm pie. Takes an hour of air to see more fruit, tangerine acids, low tannin.
— 7 years ago

LM Segal

9.3

Impressive as everything Chacra makes, beautiful floral notes with twig, bright, clean cherry and some stemmy notes in a fresh, seamless package. — 8 years ago

Thomas Brenner

9.5

Tasting wine is a whole lot like a blind person feeling your face for far too long to "see" what you look like. Feeling this wine with my tongue and cheeks, I at first perceived a gestalt of dried sage, shy green olives, withered twig, a satchel of dehydrated and tart, unripe cherries, moon-harvested autumn cranberry, expired Craisins and straw.
Then, as I bore past the nose circa 45 minutes later, I felt up a minerality of sun-baked slate and parched potting soil (not wet potting soil)
And... just before the cops arrived, I copped another feel about 2 hours later and I beheld more of a wizened menthol and eucalyptus on this, the 2001 clos du val.
The cork broke several times before the very bottom of it ahso very gently came out intact. Phew! — 8 years ago