Works & Days
Château Léoville-Las Cases
Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1990
Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 5 months ago
Apothic
Inferno Small Batch Limited Release Red Blend
Inspired by the “Apotheca”, a mysterious place where some of the earliest wine was blended and stored, Apothic wines offers a truly unique wine experience.
A red blend emerges from the flames, creating a most unexpected and masterful encounter.
Paying tribute to a time-honored craft, this wine has been aged for 60 days in whiskey barrels, creating bold notes of red and dark fruit with layers of maple and spice. — 9 months ago
A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Simply stunning! Especially, for a Sonoma, not a Napa Cabernet. 😳
Follow up AB Cowgirl wine after the Saxum. If ever you thought a Sonoma Cabernet could not stand tall with a great Napa Cabernet, have a well aged good vintage of A. Raf..
4 hour decant.
Still medium plus, round, velvety tannins. Lush, rich, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ripe strawberries, hints of heavenly raspberries, plum, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mid/dark berry cola, dark, dry Indian/Asian spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, caramel notes, malt balls, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice to anise, dry, crushed limestone powder, soft, fresh tobacco, dry, used leather, softened tarry notes, some dry herbs-bay leaf sprinkled with sage, dry crushed rocks/river stone, dry top soil, candied & withering, dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets & lavender, crazy, round, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced for days, elegant, polished and an endless finish. Harmony on the palate.
Find an 07, you’ll thank me later. My highest recommendation for Napa/Sonoma Cabernets.
10-15 years of good drinking left in this 07. — 15 days ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2011
Simply gorgeous.
A dark purple robe with mild ruby touches. The nose is deep and approachable. Cigar smoke and oak for days. There’s a plethora of dark fruits here with red cherries, blueberries, and the faintest hint of vanilla. Such a treat for the senses.
Steady but exciting. Reliable but thrilling. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. Quite traditional but it’s just so damn good year in and year out. Nice complexity and sturdy in its youth but perfect for aging. Very reminiscent of a nice Bordeaux. So smooth and refined but welcoming. The red fruit on the palate is pure and accompanied by tobacco, earth, and nutmeg. All in all, I could drink this all day everyday. — 6 months ago
Johan Vineyard
Vin de Days Blanc White Blend
Possibly my all-time favorite wine. I teared up the first time I tasted it. — 5 months ago
Alain Graillot
Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2020
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2020 Alain Graillot pours a deep ruby with a hit of violet. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. Some slight signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is moderate intensity. Fresh black bramble fruit, baked/smoked blueberries, dry oil cured black olives, black pepper, lavender potpourri, dried herb encrusted saucisson, stony minerals and subtle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is so long with a streak of minerals. The body is medium but the fruit is so grippy and clings to the palate giving the impression that it’s bigger than it is. Maxime said that they had picked way early compared to previous, recent years and completed harvest by September 3rd; a whole week before their neighbors began harvest. It shows. Remarkably fresh. Lovely. Utterly beautiful. Drink now with patience (and to enjoy the full-send freshness) or enjoy over the next 15+ years. Alain’s legacy seems to be in very good hands. — 8 months ago
Matt Waring
Why can’t all California “red blends” be like this? Full bodied and jammy but highly drinkable, even on its own. Lots going on here: black fruit, leather, vanilla, cloves. The finish is a little short but that’s my only complaint. Outstanding value. — a month ago