Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Third generation grower Jim Maresh launched his own brand in 2007. Maresh Vineyard was first planted in 1970 by grandparents Jim & Loie. Medium Ruby color with aromas of aa array of red berry fruits with a touch of cooling mint. On the palate cherry and berry fruits, well structured, with a touch of rustic spice. Fine dusty tannins, balanced with acidity, medium-bodied, long finish ending with earthy mineral character. Very Nice! — 2 days ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.2

#sauternes so sweet and balanced. Third of three bottles for my wife’s 40th birthday. We saved the best for last, as it turns out. Honeyed layers as this gently warms in a Burgundy bowl - caramel, marzipan, toasted almonds, some petrol, apricot jam. Tastes exactly how it smells with the acidity taking a step back from the honey sweetness swirling around a luscious oily mouthfeel. Touch of orange pith bitterness on the finish - lovely wine. Indeed it pairs well with Indian food but the force of this wine could have easily matched even spicier dishes. Beautiful wine and what’s amazing is it seemed this wine could easily go another 20 years. Good Sauternes is ever youthful. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

My first bottle opening of a 2009 Bordeaux. We’ve tasted a number of 2009’s, this is the first one we’ve opened. Showing the glory of 2009, even in a lesser bottling. I’ll say it again, for the value buyer of Bordeaux’s, buy good producers second, third or other wines. 2009, perhaps, the best Bordeaux vintage since 1982.

Good first look to judge better more expensive, quality producers of 2009 Bordeaux wines for when to best open your first. I would say those need another 8-10 years more in bottle to have them fully shine to buying expectations.

Family member from the Jean-Michel Cazes family that brings us Lynch Bages.

The 2009 shows better on its own than with our Wagyu Ribcap.

It simply shows the elegant beauty of the vintage. It brings similarities to 1982.

It shows velvet tannins with ripe, ruby fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, poached strawberries & raspberries. Bay leaf, wet clay, dark spice with heat, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, soft cinnamon & understated vanillin, black licorice, dry twig, spearmint, tough leather, dry tobacco, graphite, oak barrel shavings with fresh & slightly withering; dark, red, purple florals. Acidity for days. Straight up; lush, well knitted and balanced finish that persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Ormes de Pez, Saint-Estephe vineyard, inside the Chateau-breakfast room and their barrel room.

1/15/21 — 5 years ago

Paul J. Sorbo

9.0

Fruit forward, lush — 6 years ago

with Thomas and Jack

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

Bright yellow. Ripe orchard and tropical fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of lemon pith and honey. Smooth and fleshy in style, showing good depth to the juicy pear nectar, pineapple and melon flavors. Tightens up slowly on a long, silky finish that echoes the honey note. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2020)
— 6 years ago

Gregory Fulchiero

9.0

Really refined and silky pencil lead, Cassie, blackberry and beef stock. Chateau Calon Segur’s third wine. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

Surprisingly good and just might have been my WOTN. As I was moving in for a third passe, some chick dumped the remaining 150ml or so into her glass..... 😑 Nose of cola, dirty raspberry, herb. Entry is darker and thicker. Lots of black cherry. Dirty raspberry. Did I say LOTS of these fruits here? There was more of a milk chocolate note to the middle. Hint of cola. Rounded edges. Stunning wine for the price. Sorry I snoozed on this a couple of times but compared to some of the other wines this one competed well. 8 years old and tastes MUCH more youthful. — 8 years ago

Andrew Belzer

9.0

Cherry, boysenberry, leather, some green notes. Very soft and low acid. Definitely tates like the 14% alcohol on the label. But solid for a 30 year old wine! — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Vibrating electric citrus pumping goodness..Key Lime, Meyer Lemon, yuzu zest with amazing lightness on the palate. One bottle is never enough for two. And with Tegan’s friendly pricing you can afford that second or even third bottle. — 4 years ago

Norman

9.5

Hard not to love — 5 years ago

Willem Booij

9.3

I had my fare share of chateau Latour the last 2 decades, and every time it surprised me that this a wine that never gives up. Strong in good years en without fear in the so called “bad” vintages. With my hand on my heart I can tell you that Latour is my al time favourite, based on on at least a dozen time’s for as far is I remember I tasted it. Mostly by the generosity of good friends from the past and present. The same I can say about LFDL, but quit surprising not about this third wine of Latour, made in the same area from a different plot but by the same skilled crew and under the same conditions. So what’s there to tell about this wine? Is it good or is it not good, and the other big question is it worth the price asked for, its not a cheap wine! The 2015 Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour is a blend of 54.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41.7% Merlot and 4.1% Petit Verdot. The colour is perfect as it is, just as a great Bordeaux red bastard must be in its youth. Then the nose: The flavours fly out of the glass, notes of beautiful ripe Forrest fruit an blackberries, a hint of my humidor and some deep dark flowers. In the mouth it’s not a heavyweight champion but more a well structured delicate wine, some nice fruit and all ready very drinkable at this moment. Well balanced and still potential to soften a little bit more and give more flavours in the nearby future. But overall it’s a true to type Pauillac that satisfied my curiosity. I can easily drink a few bottles of this wine this decade but it’s not a bargain! But it’s from Latour so I think it’s going over the 93 point I rated it now in some years. — 6 years ago

Jase

9.2

Tried this twice and very much enjoyed it both times. — 6 years ago

Bryan Kesting

9.4

A very plush wine and similar in feel to other Krankl wines except very different flavor profile. Hard to explain other than I have never had a straight Graciano. Lavender, mint, Indian spices, and pepper. I would love to try this again in 4-5 years. — 7 years ago

with Scott

Kent Wessels

9.4

Had at bite and third and main — 4 months ago

Paul K

9.2

This is the third Sauternes I’ve ever had. The first two were crazy good d’Yquems. This was gifted open so I thought we could try tonight with dinner. Didn’t have high expectations but really pleasantly surprised!
Pairing really great with the salad I whipped up. Pretty proud of it actually; quinoa, tomato, cucumber, steamed broccoli, mixed greens, chicken, and poppyseed dressing. — 2 years ago

David Walser

9.5

Third wine at the meet the meat event. Now this is a MEAT wine. Well aged and ready to drink. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

This is the third time that I’ve had the pleasure of drinking the 2005 Caravina over the last year and it continues to be a stunner. It pours a dark garnet with no color variation however, this bottle was throwing an enormous amount of sediment. The bouquet is powerful with a lovely mix of dark fruits; currants and plums with sweet pipe tobacco, leather, and mushrooms. The palate is decadent with a very forward attack and layer upon layer of fruits, baking spices and earthier secondary characteristics. Finish is dry, long and super satisfying. Impeccable balance. Would be a deft pairing for most hearty meals but a winner on its own. I have to believe these are drinking at or near peak but if this bottle (and the previous two for that matter) is representative, that peak may last for many years to come. Hard to believe this isn’t their Grand Vin. — 6 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.0

Tonight's wine is the 2014 Matthiasson Linda Vista Chardonnay. I had this bottle 4 years ago and now it has shown a little more age where it is starting to soften up and the fruit is ripening.

On the nose I am getting pineapple, jackfruit, lemon, honey, beeswax, vanilla bean, praline, caramelized sugar and saline solution.

On the palate I am getting lemon, white peach, pear, herbs, honeysuckle, citrus, beeswax, almond, wet flint rock and minerality.

The wine is medium bodied and still a good freshness to it, medium + acidity that moves right into a medium to long citrus finish. We are halfway through our third week of seclusion and it is getting a little more difficult but we need to make the best of a situation we had no control over. We will all get through this and come out on the otherside better for it. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🥂🥂🥂🥂 — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

A delicious Chardonnay from Donelan. Certainly plenty of richness, apricot, white peach, floral elements too. But not remotely heavy. Nicely finessed and, goodness me, it's hard to resist a second or third glass.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Such fun being part of the community - thank you to everybody whose wines appear on my feed. I've learned so much from so many people and value the constant sources of inspiration from everyone. — 7 years ago

Lea Jane

9.2

2013 Ferris Wheel vineyard, Pinot Noir, marine sedimentary soil over sandstone. Complex mineralogy with well refined tannins. Long finish — 7 years ago