Works & Days
A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
If you haven’t had a well aged bottle of this producer, you owe to yourself to acquire a bottle or more.
I had the 06 Sunday and it had much bigger tannins…it was still youthful…more so than this 08 tonight.
Tonight this was leaner than the 06, but had beautiful fruits, nice evolution and violets for days. The nose & the palate blossomed with florals, ripe fruits & also had excellent acidity/finish.
It was a nose that the group engaged in for quite awhile before sipping. Truly special. — 6 months ago
A. Rafanelli
Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2023
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 Zinfandel pours a ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: black berries, black cherries, raspberries, fig, green herbs, a touch of rubber pool toy, black pepper, dry earth and some gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From my experience, this is the most youthful expression of Rafanelli Zinfandel I can recall. Good, but to my palate this will probably be better after 2028. — a month ago
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Was looking forward to this wine the most but sadly this bottle had seen better days. Very tertiary with mushroom and leather. Was still pleasant but suffered from the high expectation... — 3 months ago
Jean Foillard
Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2020
What a pair w/ Crostini, Chervil Sheep Cheese & Duck Confit. 👌
Dark, juicy, lush to mid fruit core, dark cherries, strawberries, hues of blueberries, raspberries, limestone, softened granitic earth, deeper red cola, black & red licorice, baseball card bubble gum, understated fresh herbs, dark, rich, sweet earth, hints of maple syrup, tree bark w/ sap, dark & red florals for days, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, relaxed tension, polished, lush finish that lasts 90 seconds. Delicious.
This is better than some premier cru red burgundies for far less $.
Absolutely one of the top three producers of Grand Cru Gamay. — 6 months ago
Yvon embodies the humble and proud vigneron, a man who would rather tend his vines than host appointments, and sell to close friends than foreign markets.He has long farmed what are sure to be among the oldest vines in the entirety of the region, predominantly centered in Fleurie. Undoubtedly, these are some of the most pure, fresh yet unctuous wines that have ever come from the Beaujolais region. Never sulfured, they are the pinnacle of freshness and drinkability upon release, yet benefit from long cellar aging as well.
Bootleg Wine Works
Napa Valley Red Blend 2019
Decent red blend! Dark cherry and a slight hint of anise on the nose, non-offensive on the palate with decently smooth tannins — 2 months ago
Château d'Yquem
Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2006
Y’quem two days in a row? Pinch me! Turpentine/French basement comes across the nose. A flavor punch to the palate, a mouthful of fruit and a looong finish - stewed apricot, peaches, apple. A hint of woodsiness (cypress?) and a sweet creaminess like crème caramel. Amazing wine that frankly overshadowed the apple tart tatin dessert pairing. — a month ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.
From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.
This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.
Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 5 months ago
Bootleg Wine Works
Prequel Sonoma County Syrah Petite Sirah 2018
Primarily a Blend of Syrah (78%)and Petite Syrah (21%) with token amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel blended in. Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Nice aromas of blueberry, lavender and smoked meat. Bramble berry fruit leads the palate along with touches of black pepper, dark chocolate and smoky oak. Luxurious and velvety finish. Full bodied, generous, bold and luscious. Part of Capital Grille’s 2024 Generous Pour Program. — 8 months ago
Jay Kline
Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — a month ago