Joel Lara

9.0

This was sadly really disappointing. Upon opening it had a beautiful balance. Tannins seemed integrated with beautiful cherry, cloves, and anise flavors. Maybe not the most complex but still beautiful and tasty. Some slight floral and tar hints emerged as well. Over time tannins became a bit more strident, and an overbearing bitter minerality emerged that ruined the palate and finish. The cherry went into hibernation with anise being virtually the only flavor. Totally disappointing for an aged Barolo. Rated as a 9.0, but only worth drinking within an hour or so of opening. After a couple hours it starts to go downhill if decanted. Maybe will maintain a while longer if not decanted. Day 2 is questionable. — 4 days ago

Joel Lara

9.2

Medium bodied with med/high acidity and moderate powdery tannins. The nose has flavors of smoke with sweet cloves and anise along with dark cherry and pomegranate. The same flavors come through on the palate, with the fruit gradually receding into the background while a saline, smoky minerality along with the spice notes shine through nicely. An initial smooth, round mouthfeel gives way to slightly drying tannins that are balanced by the bright acidity. Super tasty. — 22 days ago

Joel Lara

9.2

This is the 2017 Metodo Classico Mandala made by the Terrasol winery in Sicily. It’s a very dark pink, almost pale red sparkling rose made 100% from Nero d’Avola. It has a flinty minerality on the nose with notes of red fruit. On the palate, an initial surge of concentrated raspberry and chambord are followed by brioche, toasted almond, mineral notes, and hints of molasses with some floral notes peaking through towards the long finish. Medium bodied with good acidity and a slight bit of grip on the palate. Super tasty. According to a distributor, this is made with a “whole cluster direct press with a very delicate squeeze. Primary fermentation occurs naturally in stainless steel and the wine will remain there for 8 months or so, with frequent battonage.” Rested 58 months on the lees. Photo is of back label. — 25 days ago

Joel Lara

9.3

This is the 2023 vintage. Nice aromatics with intense, saturated flavors on the palate and good acidity. The citrus flavors dominate with notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit along with underlying ginger notes and subtle brioche. Towards the end of the palate and onto the finish the acidity seems to push the flavors into a second gear, amping up the intensity and providing a long finish with lingering brioche and ginger notes. I had this over several days, and it smoothed out over time with stronger brioche flavors and slight hints of toasted almond and browned butter starting to come through. Would probably benefit from a couple years of aging. Super tasty. — 6 days ago

Joel Lara

9.4

Initially, this was a bit closed with fruit notes dominating, but after an hour long decant it opened up nicely. The nose has mostly cassis and herbal flavors, and on the palate, cassis, tobacco, bay leaf, dried sage, dark chocolate, and graphite notes come through nicely. Has good acidity, and tannins are well integrated. Super tasty and paired well with rosemary and thyme roasted rack of lamb with potatoes and eggplant. — 19 days ago

Joel Lara

9.3

Well balanced, with good acidity yet retaining a softness on the palate. Flavors of brioche, baked apple, grapefruit, toasted hazelnuts, and a mineral-driven finish. Really enjoyed this, and went well with scallops with brown butter sauce. — a month ago

Joel Lara

9.0

This is the 2020 single vineyard Areni, made 100% from Areni grapes. The nose has notes of plum, cloves, black pepper, and smoke/leather. The same flavors come through on the palate with some blackberry and floral notes as well. There’s a nice concentration on the palate, and the cloves and plums are really lovey in the forefront. The acidity provides a nice juicy mouthfeel. Good finish, with the spice and leather/smoke lingering on the palate. Tannins are medium+, providing a slight dryness on the finish. Medium body. Very tasty, and went well with a mix of lamb, beef, and chicken skewers. Comes together a bit better on second day, so would benefit from a short decant on day 1. — 12 days ago

Joel Lara

9.1

Medium bodied with medium/high acidity. Peach and citrus notes dominating with subtle hints of ginger, vanilla, and a flinty minerality. Crisp and fresh with nice finish. Tasty, but would have enjoyed more complexity, as this was really all about the citrus/fruit flavors. — 20 days ago

Joel Lara

9.2

Tasty medium/full bodied Chianti Rufina. Has strong aromas of cloves upon opening , with some cherry and interesting herbal notes (primarily mint and bay leaves) emerging with some air. On the palate there are cherry, plum, anise, and cloves with some hints of leather and earthy mushrooms. Has nice freshness and smooth mouthfeel until the tannins emerge towards the finish with some grip and bitterness. Finish has good length with lingering earthy spice and fruit. On day 2, the flavors coalesced nicely with the cloves, anise, and fruit permeating the palate. Also, the tannins calmed down, resulting in a more balanced wine with a supple, fuller mouthfeel. This probably would have benefited from a one or two hour decant on day 1. — 25 days ago

Joel Lara

9.1

This is a full bodied Croatian wine made 100% from Teran grapes. The nose is interesting, with a really strong oregano flavor with notes of dark cherry, cassis, and blueberry. The same flavors come through onto the palate with a more complex savory mix of thyme, oregano, and earthy cloves with bitter chocolate hints. There’s great acidity and saturation of flavors on the palate with medium+ powdery tannins. Finish is moderate in length but doesn’t have much complexity. — a month ago