Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.7

There are few wines that so consistently deliver utter pleasure and deliciousness as this utterly perfect rendition of Trousseau Gris from @jolielaidewines. Pick you hipster wine adjective - smashable, crushable, glou glou - it fits them all. Goes down in a sunbeam of peach and citrus kissed berries with gorgeous floral tones with just a whisper of salinity. Mouthwatering and joyous. Even though I buy this by the case, I never, ever have enough. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

So...of course, if I’m drinking Maison Ilan, there is a story behind it. AFAIK, this was the last vintage that was released and I was fortunate(?) since many never received their allocation. My first of two bottles of “Aux Charmes Haut”. This was double-capsuled (no doubt by accident) which I found amusing. The cork was perfect and one of those super premium long sort of corks. The appearance in the glass was dark garnet bordering violet and a bit cloudy. From an enjoyment perspective, Day 1 was an utter waste. Too young. The bouquet was really intriguing with loads of dark and red fruits and spice but on the palate, this was completely coiled. All structure. I pushed the cork back in and waited for another day. On Day 4, I revisited, and it was in a much better spot. Ripe plums, dark cherries, bruised strawberries, forest floor, mushrooms...in that order. Still, it came across rather rustic, in a somewhat charming sort of way...but I never really fell head over heals for it either. No shortage of structure even on Day 4 gives me the feeling that the 2013 has a lot of life ahead. My last bottle will sit in the back of the cellar for some day long in the future and then I can once again recall the tales of this flash in the pan producer and what might have been. I would hold if anyone is still hanging on to these. — 6 years ago

Roman Sukley

10

2005 Sine Qua Non "The 17th Nail in My Cranium" Sta. Rita Hills Syrah
Buckle your chinstraps folks because tonight we’re headed to the wine world equivalent of the summit of Mt. Everest. The absolute pinnacle in the Universe of wine for yours truly. The “it just don’t get any better than this” moment as far as grapes are concerned. Let me begin first with the name of this magic elixir. If memory serves, it was derived from a combination of the fact that this was the 17th Syrah produced in the Garage d’Or otherwise known as Sine Qua Non, and, in that same year, Manfred was felled by a rogue barrel requiring several staples to close the gash to his cranium, hence... "The 17th Nail in My Cranium"
The wine is a blend of 96.5% Syrah and 3.5% Viognier which was aged 38+ months prior to bottling. % alcohol. 4 hour decant at cellar temperature. Achromatic Raven black motor oil in my Zalto. Undoubtedly, the wines I find most compelling are of the “swirl, sniff and contemplate” variety, and this one might just set the benchmark. Explosive aromatic potpourri of blackberry jam, roasted coffee, fresh ground black pepper, graphite and spice with a faint floral arrangement lurking somewhere in the background. On the palate, sweet cherry compote and black currant with undertones of roasted game and black olives. A big, full bodied wine that’s light on its feet. A tightrope walker. A powerhouse with impeccable manners. Elegant and lithesome. A ballet dancer. Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov in his prime. Complex, with layers of flavors in beautiful, perfect harmony. Crosby, Stills & Nash singing “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.” The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations.” Perfect balance. Pure, silky mouth feel. Immeasurable finish. And I mean that literally, as in it just continues on and on. Just utter perfection. A wine that is in fact so entirely perfect as to eliminate the need for a search for an alternative. The last word. To paraphrase The Bard, this wine “might (just) be the be-all and the end-all.”

— 7 years ago

Eddie Grystar

9.3

doesn't have the drop dead gorgeous polish of a fine burgundy, or even a cote rotie in its prime, but there's something about this that gets in your blood -- a rawness in the way the chewy tannin is still not quite integrated and the deep utter darkness of the nose.... like a long bike ride through the backwood mountains of west virginia... untamed, wild — 9 years ago

Robert Branden Shine

9.6

Utter perfection... — 9 years ago

jerod peitsmeyer

9.4

this to me tastes like what California cab is trying to be, but never achieves. a beauty. I feel like sometimes we compare this level of Bordeaux to wines of utter distinction and, therein, corresponding ridiculous pricing. when taken on its own merits, however, without label in mind, this wine could stand proudly with all but a few of the most beautiful blends that we common folk can ever hope experience. — 9 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double-blind. This note is from memory but what an impression it made! I called Barolo along with a few others at the table; likely from a vintage like 2012 or 2015 since everything seemed well and open for business. Dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, and roses with monumental structure. This was a touch glossy on the fruit side and I thought that had more to do with the generosity of the vintage rather than the producer. We were all surprised (and also a bit, “yeah, that makes total sense) when it was revealed to be the 2016 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis. Surprised because the 2016 vintage from such a traditionalist was drinking so well out of the gate! Not surprised with the glossy nature of the fruit which I find to be a hallmark of Cavalotto; simply gorgeous texture. An utter delight now and, I suspect, will be stunning with time. Now that I think of it, the 2013’s were very good upon release as well and there are a lot of similarities between the two vintages. — 5 years ago

Roman Sukley

10

2004 Sine Qua Non "Ode to E" Central Coast Grenache.
Gearing up for a major snowstorm here in Chicago. A great reason to pull the cork on greatness. On one of the best Grenache wines I’ve ever tasted. Heck, maybe THE best. If not first in it’s class, it definitely doesn’t take long to call the roll. Certainly one of my favorite wines, period. I love everything about it including the label: “A Love Forever In Bloom, Face With Tracks Of Life’s Attacks, Tattooed Scars Of History, Weathered Crust, Full Of Lust For That Rose Of Love For E.” The wine? The nose is a dreamy aromatic symphony of roses and raspberry compote. Also incense, pepper, graphite and a touch of smokey something off in the background somewhere. Beautiful. The palate is blast of sweet dark berry liqueur with that pepper and Asian spice creeping in on the backside. So lush. So complex. The finish? Intense, rather spicy and never ending. Never ending! As with all things Krankl, mind boggling balance between depth, complexity, raw power and utter weightless elegance. Simply put: Perfect. However you choose to define it. I think my favorite definition of perfection is from Coach Gary Gaines: “Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didnt let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasnt one more thing you could've done.” Well Manfred can certainly look us all in the eye on this one! — 7 years ago

Christian Ramirez Romanini

9.2

Dense red color. The nose however is brightly open and expressive, exuberant I’m tempted to say. Bursting aromas of herbs combine with vibrant raspberry jam in a dancing frenzy, delighting the nose. Very soft and refined palate, with some density but an outstanding finesse to the feel. This 2001 shines brighter than many, utter finesse and elegance, great and ready to drink, but an hour decanting would be my suggestions; it only gets better with time. — 8 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

8.9

UTTER LACK OF BANANA SMELL. AKA, best nouveau on the Denver market! (Not as peppery as last year.) — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Big ripe nose. Typical Moelsheim. Huge texture and so ripe. Killer acidity and ripeness. So clean and fresh. Utter purity. Amazing mid palate. So juicy and killer. Damn this is good. Long finish. — 9 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.6

This was utter excellence!! — 9 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.5

Bond 2001 Cab. The color shows little age —a bright dark red crimson. Nose floats with dark black and red berries, wet earth cedar and sweet honey spices; a minty menthol lingers filling the senses with utter satisfaction. OMG! a very sensual experience in the mouth —full body flavors coat every corner of the tongue with raspberry and blackberry flavors. A minerally, pencil lead, caramel mocha sweetness follows ending with a grippy tannin long finish. Can definitely age another 10-15 years. What can I say, WOW! — 5 years ago

with Karin and Jill

Willie Carter

8.9

Deep, deep purple in the glass. The blackberries on the nose threaten to overwhelm the oak, lavender, and vanilla aromas but never does. From the good folks at Von Strasser, this is a rather plucky Petite Sirah that I definitely underestimated. Big, dense stuff with high acidity. Despite the utter bigness of this PS, it has an undeniably smooth mouthfeel. The more you drink this, the more fun it is. Rustic yet refined, this baby has a lot going for it. Wonderful fruit on the palate with blueberry cobbler and cherry pie upfront and toasted oak and spices on the backend. Really nice expression of Petite Sirah. — 6 years ago

Martin Sher

10

One of those rare bottles that brings everything I love about this ‘hobby’ together. This was bought at the winery, stored perfectly and was in immaculate condition. Perhaps it was the amazing people around me, the appreciation of the historic nature of the wine - but I can’t recall tasting a more profound Napa Cabernet than this. It was an utter privilege. — 7 years ago

Austin Baik

10

Melony, definitely fruit forward - utter pleasure to drink — 7 years ago

with Stuart

Perry Riddle

9.6

This was a transcendent Riesling experience. The best Merkelbach I've ever had, and it's still so young. The best description I can fathom is the ripest kiwi ever with a sprinkle of sea salt and the pure essence of red slate. The characteristic spice is definitely there but hiding in the background for now. The utter depth, concentration, extract, and searing acidity make it unforgettable. — 8 years ago

Melissa MacLean

9.2

A deliciously balanced wine...just enough. Utter, just enough oak and acidity. A little fruity and light — 9 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.6

Nearly unanimous WOTN. Cherry mushroom candy, allspice, fuck I don't even know how to describe the utter deliciousness, it just reels you in and makes you love it. — 9 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

8.9

What it lacks in complexity it makes up for with utter deliciousness! — 10 years ago

with Daniel Khasidy