Violin
Boundary Breaks Vineyard
Finger Lakes Dry Rose Blend 2018
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Our conductors are David Newman and John Williams are leading a diverse program of cinematic works composed by John Williams entitled "Across The Stars: Music Of John Williams". We'll enjoy pieces from Star Wars (various episodes), Harry Potter, E.T., Memoirs of a Geisha and many others. All works to feature the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, a personal favorite soloist of ours on these hallowed grounds. Mr. Williams has rearranged many of the selections today to better feature Ms. Mutter, an exciting afternoon will lay ahead. 🎼🎻
Nose has mashed strawberry/banana and cut red delicious apple.
Palate has sweet strawberry, banana peel, ripe red currant and light green herb notes.
The wine is 100% DeChaunac, a more common varietal for colder climates, like Ontario; fruit is sourced locally (FLX region) from Sheldrake Point.
The 2018 may just be the finest version of this wine to date, so juicy and expressive on the palate, just beautiful for this warm afternoon. — 5 years ago
Caillez-Lemaire
Eclats Brut Damery Champagne Blend
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our full cast of conductors include Andris Nelsons, Christoph Eschenbach, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas and John Williams. The beautiful and vocally talented Audra McDonald is our host for the evening along with Midori on violin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
This will likely be an evening to remember for some time. Program notes from the BSO "Reflecting the season-long theme, The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood will spotlight Bernstein's wide-ranging talents as a composer, his many gifts as a great interpreter and champion of other composers, and his role as an inspirer of a new generation of musicians and music lovers across the country and around the globe. The gala concert will feature a kaleidoscopic array of artists and ensembles from the worlds of classical music, film, and Broadway. The entire first half of the program is dedicated to selections from such brilliant Bernstein works as Candide, West Side Story, Mass, and Serenade. Music from the classical canon very dear to Bernstein's heart-selections from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and music by Copland-plus a new work by John Williams, makes up a good portion of the program's second half; the finale of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony brings the program to a dramatic close."
We're revisiting some producer bottles from our late Spring France vacation earlier this year.
Awesome bottle, so mineral driven, toasted brioche spread with quince jam.
Photos of C-L champagne bottles resting with their temporary closures, resting 750's of their Cuvée Jadis rose and our bottle of the evening. — 6 years ago
Les Jacques
Syrah 2018
SyrahSession#2Wine#2
Deep, viscous Violin color, curiosity that this wine from Château des Jacques, Beaujolais Domaine renowned for its Moulin-à-Vent. Aromatically marked by the style of the house with a fat and creamy toasted breeding. The varietal notes are respected making this cuvée a kind of great gap between Rhône and Burgundy. A type of wine heralding decades to come and climate change? To be tasted in two years.
Robe Violine profonde, visqueuse, curiosité que ce vin du Château des Jacques, domaine du Beaujolais réputé pour ses Moulin-à-Vent. Aromatiquement marqué par le style de la maison avec un élevage toasté gras et onctueux. Les notes variétales sont respectées faisant de cette cuvée une sorte de grand écart entre Rhône et Bourgogne. Un type de vin annonciateur des décennies à venir et changements climatiques? A regoûter dans deux ans. — 2 years ago
Charles Ellner
Seduction Brut Champagne Blend 2006
Prior notes still apply, delicious bottle.
Nose has toasted brioche, grilled lemon, warm lemon creme, lemon zest, oxidized pear slice and fresh, rising bread dough. Palate has lemon pound cake, cold toast, limestone chips, dried lemon slice and (light) candied orange.
Great mid-palate, a restrained richness is all elegance, acid balance is perfect and not pulling you one way or another. At 15 years past vintage, a great example of finesse in Champagne.
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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductors Andris Nelsons and John Williams will be leading a very engaging program of Jessie MONTGOMERY (Starburst), John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, world premiere featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter!), COPLAND (Quiet City) and STRAVINSKY (Suite from The Firebird, 1919 version). We're getting the luxury of enjoying Mr. Williams two nights in a row...what a great weekend of Contemporary music! — 3 years ago
Sottimano
Currá Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2012
When tuning a violin, one has many options. A tuning fork has always been my preference. I like the clear tone created by the vibrations of the fork smacking the side of my case and then clamoring to find just the right harmony with the wood of the instrument. The sound has a purity and if Hemmingway was a tone, he would be the A created by the tuning fork. Wine can hit a tone. It can express a purity of flavor that harmonizes with itself, and most importantly, harmonizes with our own personal vibrations. It can be a clear and graceful expression of itself, un-muddled by faults or ego. Just fruit and alcohol and tannin and acid. The powerful clarity of a single note in the measure of a tune. — 6 years ago
Jean-Jacques Morel
Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay 2015
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our full cast of conductors include Andris Nelsons, Christoph Eschenbach, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas and John Williams. The beautiful and vocally talented Audra McDonald is our host for the evening along with Midori on violin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
This will likely be an evening to remember for some time. Program notes from the BSO "Reflecting the season-long theme, The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood will spotlight Bernstein's wide-ranging talents as a composer, his many gifts as a great interpreter and champion of other composers, and his role as an inspirer of a new generation of musicians and music lovers across the country and around the globe. The gala concert will feature a kaleidoscopic array of artists and ensembles from the worlds of classical music, film, and Broadway. The entire first half of the program is dedicated to selections from such brilliant Bernstein works as Candide, West Side Story, Mass, and Serenade. Music from the classical canon very dear to Bernstein's heart-selections from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and music by Copland-plus a new work by John Williams, makes up a good portion of the program's second half; the finale of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony brings the program to a dramatic close."
We're revisiting some producer bottles from our late Spring France vacation earlier this year.
Nose of sweet grass, wet minerals, apricot skin, spring rain on flowers and ripe lemon. Palate has curious light, sweet citrus notes, tropical yellow fruits, this bottle is alive!
Photos of Jean Jacques thieving the 2017 Puligny-Montrachet out for us to sample, the modest sign indicating you've arrived at the most interesting biodynamic place in Saint Aubin and our bottle of the evening.
24hr Update: Sweet, fermented tropical fruit. Honestly I believe this will be even better in another day. — 6 years ago
Vietti
Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d'Asti 2017
Just the best Moscato d'Asti money can buy, you'll never have more enjoyment packed into another bottle!
Our final bottle of the 2017 vintage.
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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, without orchestra or conductor 😉. Three humble souls playing an all BEETHOVEN program (Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor (Opus 1, No. 3) and Symphony No. 2 in D (Opus 36, arr. for piano trio by Beethoven)) with a few of the best players of instruments containing strings, Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) and Emanuel Ax (piano). A true delight for lovers of Classical music this evening! — 3 years ago
Marqués de Griñón
Dominio de Valdepusa Single Vineyard-Estate Bottled Petit Verdot 2011
Pitch dark, black fruits, a brooding wine, made of 100% Petit Verdot. This grape normally being the closing accord, now playing the first violin. Wonderful softness with the years, delightfull wine! — 3 years ago
Donnafugata
Tancredi Contessa Entellina Red Blend 2014
Omero Cellars
Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2017
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor, and violin soloist, Leonidas Kavakos is leading an BEETHOVEN (Violin Concerto in D, Opus 61) and then concluding with DVOŘÁK (Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Opus 70). It is a rare treat to have a combination conductor/soloist leading the Orchestra, only the second time I can recall in about 12 years of attendance. The other instance was with Anne-Sophie Mutter, also a violinist, a few years ago now.
Nose has cut yellow apple, bag full of lemons, light vanilla, light oak and limestone paste.
Palate has cold butter, sugared lemon, lemon pith, quince, yellow cherry and creamy oak lingers on the medium-long finish.
Quite Chablis-like, except the touch of wood notes are a little heavier, but the caveat, this wine is very young, likely drinking great 2021-23.
24 Hour Update: Oak has subsided, just a great bottle today. — 5 years ago
Louis Jadot
Clos de Malte Santenay Chardonnay 2013
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our full cast of conductors include Andris Nelsons, Christoph Eschenbach, Keith Lockhart, Michael Tilson Thomas and John Williams. The beautiful and vocally talented Audra McDonald is our host for the evening along with Midori on violin and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
This will likely be an evening to remember for some time. Program notes from the BSO "Reflecting the season-long theme, The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood will spotlight Bernstein's wide-ranging talents as a composer, his many gifts as a great interpreter and champion of other composers, and his role as an inspirer of a new generation of musicians and music lovers across the country and around the globe. The gala concert will feature a kaleidoscopic array of artists and ensembles from the worlds of classical music, film, and Broadway. The entire first half of the program is dedicated to selections from such brilliant Bernstein works as Candide, West Side Story, Mass, and Serenade. Music from the classical canon very dear to Bernstein's heart-selections from Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn and music by Copland-plus a new work by John Williams, makes up a good portion of the program's second half; the finale of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony brings the program to a dramatic close."
We're revisiting some producer bottles from our late Spring France vacation earlier this year.
Nose of under-ripe tropical fruits, banana skin, light oak touch. Palate has yummy papaya, under-ripe peach, tangerine and sweet oak.
Photos of the Jadot (Update, Bouchard!) Chateau with its beautiful colored slate roof (to the left of the chateau its the conservatory where we had an epic lunch during our visit and they used to overwinter their citrus trees in here many, many years ago), pictures of the first room of the most amazing library cellar in all of Burgundy (the subsequent rooms are even more amazing) and our bottle of the evening.
24hr Update, sweet oak and fermented tropical fruits just stunning today, last bottle. ☹️
OMG Update: somehow I grabbed pics from our Bouchard visit, argh! The only Jadot thing in the collage is the bottle, so sorry! — 6 years ago
Romain Fitoussi
SyrahSession#2Wine#1
Ruby, Violin, translucent and vibrant color. Gilliard is a Swiss domain in Valais. Cuvée honoring the fruit. Seductive nose on the freshness of youthful Syrahs: violet, lupine, blueberry and mountain berries... with aeration, pepper imposes itself along the entire length of the palate carrying a loose body without looking like it. The acidity is lively and brings charm to this tasting. The winemaking is fine and controlled. Northern expression of the syrah full of nuances, with contained strength.
Robe Rubis, Violine, translucide et éclatante.
Gilliard est un domaine Suisse du Valais. Cuvée mettant le fruit à l’honneur. Nez séduisant sur la fraicheur des Syrah de jeunesse: violette, lupin, myrtille et baies des montages.. avec l’aération le poivre s’impose sur toute la longueur du palais portant
un corps ample sans en avoir l’air. L’acidité est vive et apporte du charme à cette dégustation. La vinification est fine et maîtrisée. Expression septentrionale de la syrah tout en nuances, avec une force contenue. — 2 years ago