Château Rieussec R de Rieussec 2012
I have long adored Rieussec—but my experience has been limited to drinking Sauternes, what this Grand Cru Classé is best known for. Rieussec Sec is the drier version, tasted blind, I struggled to place it as a Bordeaux white. The nose is expressive and pretty with aromas of ripe peach and apricot, and pomme d’ambre […]
Shea Wine Cellars Wädenswil Clone Pinot Noir 2004
Wädenswil is a select clone originating in Wädenswil, Switzerland from ancient clones brought to Zurich by Swiss mercenaries (Swiss mercenaries?) who fought in the Burgundian Wars of the 1470s. The 2004 Shea Wine Cellars Wädenswil has a lot of power, it’s not so much a about fruit as it is about power. Dark and brooding, […]
Yalumba Muscat Museum Reserve Rutherglen NV
Aged in French oak puncheons for seven years, the Yalumba Museum Release Victoria Dessert Muscat is the color of deep mahogany with enveloping notes of Dalmatia Orange Fig Spread, burnt sugar, toasted nuts, and black raisins. Silky and concentrated on the palate, with medium plus acidity to lend balance to weight, it finishes spectacularly with […]
Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 1996
As always, Krug is for me, the perfect illustration of power and fineness. The common thread amongst all of the bottles I have been fortunate to taste is a sense of luxury. In a wine, luxury is not an easy to define, but most certainly Krug has it. A generous nose of brioche, apple galette, […]
Ovid Vineyards Experiment No EØ.4 Red 2004
From Ovid Vineyards is Experiment EØ.4, a compelling blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. As one might expect, the Cab Franc contributes an expressive, highly aromatic nose of blueberry crumble, butterscotch, Christmas fruit cake and star anise. Richly textured, with an intriguing creamy countenance that lends density […]
Bryant Family Proprietor Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
From the famed Prichard Hill estate vineyard, this 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a cult wine, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Screaming Eagle, Harlan and Colgin. The nose is typical of Napa Cab, with rich aromas of steeped blackberries, cassis, saddle leather, spice box and caramelized brown sugar. On the palate, it’s silky, […]
Shea ‘East Hill’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2004
As with the 2004 ‘Homer’, the Shea ‘East Hill’ Pinot Noir is mature, and is drinking well now. The aromatics are decidedly on the masculine side with intense, savory notes of preserved meat, woodsmoke, incense, dried herbs, and black tea. This profile carries over on the palate giving the impression of a wine that is […]
Avignonesi Riserva Grandi Annate Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2004
As with the 2004 ‘Homer’, the Shea ‘East Hill’ Pinot Noir is mature, and is drinking well now. The aromatics are decidedly on the masculine side with intense, savory notes of preserved meat, woodsmoke, incense, dried herbs, and black tea. This profile carries over on the palate giving the impression of a wine that is […]
POE Wines Ferrington Vineyard California Chardonnay 2010
POE is a newcomer on the scene, aside from the striking packaging, it’s a really lovely Chardonnay from Ferrington Vineyard in Anderson Valley. The nose is redolent with dewy Asian pear, lemon curd, almond cake and spice. Clean and balanced on the palate, with soft texture intersecting layers of acid and toasty French oak. Medium-plus […]
Tarlant Champagne Rosé Zéro Brut Nature NV
Don’t let the pink label fool you, this is a serious rośe. Tarlant’s Zéro Brut Nature sees four years on the lees and zero dosage. Salmon-hued with a fine prelage, the nose subtle at first, with tangerine and golden apple notes. It’s not a yeast-driven style at all, yeasty notes are there, but are submerged […]