Tom Casagrande

9.3

What a steal this is (at about $25 from Garagiste IIRC. Nose leaps out of the glass with floral notes and bright dark cherries. Some granitic minerality too. In the mouth it’s intense and youthfully vigorous. Big whack of fruit initially then it tightens up and the youthful but fine-grained tannins are felt in the finish. Really nice acidity. I expected to like this but I LOVE it. — 9 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

From a tasting of Ridge oddities (meaning nonZin/nonCab/nonGSM), mostly white. This was unique and interesting. Big yellow fruit on the nose, with lavender and a very slight nuttiness (hickory nuts?). Very broad in the mouth, acids quite low. Seemed a little out of balance and had a bit of heat in the finish (14%). But I liked it. — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

This 100% Touriga Nacional has loads of ripe dark berry fruit and the floral (violet) notes expected. Also a bit of white pepper and saline/crushed rock minerality. Lots of ripe soft fruit on the mouth. Very little tannin. The fruit recedes on the finish and is replaced by rock dust minerals. This is for friendly casual week night drinking. Nice value! — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

100% late harvested Zin from the Benito Dusi Ranch (a great vineyard). Nose was port-like, with rich, slightly syrupy fruity, but without the whiff of the impending alcohol you’re about to feel when drinking port. On the palate, nice, slightly-raisined fruity, slightly-to-medium sweet (I forgot to write down the percentage of residual sugar), nice finish. A nice oddball dinner-ender. — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.2

From a tasting of Ridge oddities (meaning nonZin/nonCab/nonGSM), mostly white. A little bruised orchard fruit on the nose, with intense, almost pungent, minerality underneath, which carries through and dominates the palate. Soft acids. OK. Caveat: my rating may reflect that I’m generally not a Chenin fan (excepts really good sweet ones). — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.5

From a tasting of Ridge oddities (meaning mostly non-Zin, nonRhone varietal red, or nonCab) at a dear friend’s apartment. (Rest of the notes to be uploaded later today.) This reminded me of what Cal PN tasted like in the late 70s early 80s when folks were still trying to figure the grape out. Big-boned, loads and loads of oak. Can taste the oak tannins. Elegant is not the word I’d use for this. Others liked it more than I did. — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

Big purply fruit on the nose. Zin blackberry the main component. Soft and rich. Maybe a bit on the simple side for a Ridge Zin blend. Fun for short term drinking, but doesn’t strike me as an ager as there doesn’t seem to be a lot of structure. — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

From a tasting of Ridge oddities (meaning nonZin/nonCab/nonGSM), mostly white. Big nose, not shy. Floral, waxy, fresh pear skin fruit. Also big on the palate, with fruit persisting into the finish. Some minerality as well. Great balance. Everything in synch. — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

8.7

From a tasting of Ridge oddities (meaning nonZin/nonCab/nonGSM), mostly white. This had a light intensity nose, with bright green fruit and fresh cut herbs (tarragon?). Palate a bit more intense. Fresh, nice minerality, a little bitter note in the medium finish that is cleansing. — 18 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

Opening a special white on Wednesday to celebrate a great Tuesday. Weekday schmeekday. Nose is gorgeous, with oatmeal, lemon juice dripped on limestony clay, deep and ripe fruit, almost but not quite approaching peach territory. Intense in the mouth, with deep and penetrating flavors of slightly earthy minerality and deep appley fruit. Really nice length. If this is what this domaine’s village Meursault is like (it’s my first time scoring a Mikulski), I can only imagine what their 1er crus are like. (My score may be influenced a little by my mood tonight. 😉) — 7 days ago