Run With The Hunted

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano

Beautiful tempranillo led wine with 10% graciano from one of the benchmark vintages in the past 25 years. This Gran Reserva has legs for the long run but perfectly approachable now! — 8 months ago

Theodore, Jan and 2 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Unfiltered Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 2 years ago

Paul, Rob and 7 others liked this

Roots Run Deep Winery

Educated Guess North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

One the nose: vanilla, nutmeg, black cherry and tobacco.
Taste: red fruits, oak finish.
Good with or without food
— 4 years ago

Marimar Estate (Marimar Torres)

Dona Margarita Vineyard, Chico's Run Pinot Noir 2015

John W
8.9

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry and currant. On the palate, cherry, raspberry, anise, balsamic, with a medium- long finish. Medium body. Medium and nicely balanced tannins. — 6 years ago

Coyote's Run Estate Winery

Black Paw Vineyard Four Mile Creek VQA Pinot Noir

Well rounded balanced, long finish with fantastic nose and taste. — 6 years ago

Taylor Fladgate

20 Years Old Tawny Port Blend

20-year tawny a personal favorite. I’m always amazed how good this is whenever I have a glass. Taylor run today from Oporto by descendants of the Yeatman & Fladgate families, both of which have been partners in the firm since 1830s. Complex aromas rich with dried fruits & nutty spice. On the palate apricot and sweet berry flavors with honey and toasted nut notes, well balanced nice acidity. Lingering finish ending smooth with oaky nutty character. Very Nice. Price keeps going up each year. Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

Paul and Daniel P. liked this

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

Somm David T
9.2

I had this a number of times but, have never written notes. 🎶Tonight’s the Night!🎶

The nose reveals; lemon custard to candy, lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple, green apple, light stone fruits, green melon, lychees, cream, vanillin, light ginger, cream soda, mixed nuts, bread dough to baguette crust, light green herbs, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, sea shell fossils, volcanic minerals, yellow lilies, jasmine with mixed greens.

The body is; full, round, rich and slightly creamy. Lemon custard to candy, lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple, green apple, light stone fruits, green melon, lychees, cream, beeswax, vanillin, light ginger, white spice with some palate heat, cream soda, touch of caramel, toffee notes, nougat, marzipan, mixed nuts, bread dough to baguette crust, light green herbs, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, sea shell fossils, volcanic minerals, yellow lilies, jasmine with mixed greens. The acidity is crisp and sharp. The long finish is; rich, polished, elegant, nicely balanced, delicious and persists endlessly. Very good at its price point.

Photos of; the House of Piper Heidsieck, the train cave ride as Champange caves can run for miles and miles, artful cellar entrance and one of their Grand Cru vineyards.
— 7 years ago

P, Sofia and 18 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Shay A Please send me a photo of the Aldriedge’s new addition when it’s convenient. So happy for you both! Was there Krug today? Cheers! 🥂
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Great note 👌🥂
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Dick Schinkel Thank you. Have a great weekend. Cheers! 🥂

Vinos Libre Yá

Yá Cuvée 23 Brut Reserva Cava Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada 2020

Produced from the "mosto flor" ("free-run juice") of sustainably grown and hand-harvested grapes. Ya means "yes!" in Spain. Straw yellow with good flow of tiny bubbles and light mousse. Stone fruit aromas with a vanilla nut fragrance. On the palate peach and citrus flavors, good balance, plenty of acidity and lingers nicely. — 10 months ago

Tom and Paul liked this

Roots Run Deep Winery

Educated Guess Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

So good with a GF Ravioli dripping with mascarpone, served with spinach, and listening to Christmas music!! — 3 years ago

Ratti

Marcenasco Barolo Nebbiolo 2015

Located halfway up the hill dominating principal valley of Barolo, lined by vineyards, lies a precious 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with complex aromas of berry fruits, oak and fresh floral scents. On the palate dried cherry, tobacco, licorice, espresso and fresh herbs give this full-body wine grace and elegance. Soft fine dusty tannins, with earthy notes, on a well balanced frame makes this hot vintage wine approachable today as well as have room to run over the next decade. Very Nice! — 4 years ago

Paul, Tom and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 6 years ago

Joe, Juan and 3 others liked this

Roots Run Deep Winery

Educated Guess Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Pleasant aroma, fruity on the tongue with a dry finish. — 6 years ago

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The juice, the energy, the dammit I don’t want it to be so tasty but...Artemis got you. Because she’s a goddess and says so. I mean, there are other deities. Ones more powerful or whatevs but I’ll run through the woods with this for a night — 7 years ago

Greg, David and 29 others liked this

Truett-Hurst

Salmon Run Zinfandel Rosé 2016

Nice summer wine with salmon and shrimp — 7 years ago

Grace Family Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

2021 vintage. No 2020 made for obvious reasons and only 90 cases of the 2019 vintage made so realistically not in the marketplace. 2018 (9.6) yielded a whopping 152 cases. 2021 was slightly more prolific but not exactly easy to run into. Same eternal, quiescent pace and style as the 2018. The rare Napa Cab effort inviting conversation versus attempts to dominate/control/stifle it. You can keep all your assorted vintages and producers of Beckstoffer This and Thats. I'll take this, any vintage, over any interpretations/producers of that, any time. And, frankly, once you taste it, you likely will too. @me with your impressions. 01.29.25. — a year ago

Ted, Douglas and 9 others liked this

Tenuta San Leonardo

Terre di San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Terre di San Leonardo is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (40%), and Carmenere (10%), run by the Gonzaga family since its inception in 1724. Wine is fermented with ambient yeasts in concrete tanks and 20% is aged in French oak barrels. Ruby with aromas ripe red fruits and floral notes. On the palate flavors of rich plum and blackberry with herb, light spice and slight earthy notes. Medium+ finish, fine soft tannins, ending with fruit, floral and earthy mineral character. Tremendous value! — 4 years ago

John, Josh and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Selección Especial Rioja Tempranillo 2015

Just opened another bottle! Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), 36 months in oak, palate shows elegant flavors of cherry and currant with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Great vintage! — 5 years ago

Daniel P., Alex and 1 other liked this

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Baron de Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989

Profound. Energetic with a long spicy finish. Obvious pedigree but nearly light-bodied. Tad hot in finish. Room to run. Last bottle of my recent inheritance. 😢 — 6 years ago

Shay, Eric and 34 others liked this
Mario Vaillancourt

Mario Vaillancourt Premium Badge

@romo A shame this was your last one, great wine in a great vintage.

Cacique Maravilla

Pipeño País

First run with Pais. A touch of effervescence and delightful sour cherries. Great chilled. Good value. Delicious. Maybe lacks a bit of structure which would make it truly great. — 6 years ago

Kale Wines

Kick Ranch Vineyards Home Run Cuvée Grenache Blend 2013

Ming L
9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out.
— 7 years ago

Somm liked this