Twig & Twine
Domaine Ponsot
Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2022
This is like wine candy and not in the way I normally refer to wine candy. In this case, fruity but a bit too sweet. This tastes like a higher brix pick than I prefer w/ my red burgundy. The sweetness does fade some after it long sets.
Black cherries, strawberries, raspberries with some blue fruit. Eucalyptus, a pungent herbaceous quality, dry top soil, dry limestone powder, fresh & used tobacco, dry leather, dry twig, pronounced barrel shavings, soft baking spices- strong clove, understated cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, some grilled meats, pepper, mid berry cola, dry river stone, nice red, dark, blue florals with violets, excellent acidity and a well knitted structure-tension, needs more time to be well balanced but elegant & polished long finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth minerals & spice.
Maybe, better with a good long cellaring? — 7 months ago
Beaulieu Vineyard
Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007
Every time I have an older BV Tapestry, 15-25 yrs, I am always impressed with their better vintages. 2007 the rule rather than the exception. This when released in 2009-10 was between $35-$40 depending on when & where you purchased it. Having stated the above, these have proven to better than some to many Napa Cabernets costing $125 to $175 with the right long age. Bought in the last six months on the secondary market for $55 if my memory hasn’t failed me.
Tonight from a corvined bottle over the weekend still shows youthfulness but has excellent integration & evolution. Still has 12-15 years of good drinking ahead.
Ripe & lush, touch candied, dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, soft, wet herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets.
The palate shows lush, ripe with M+ velvety rounded tannins. Lush dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry leather, used tobacco with ash, lead pencil shavings, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, moist & dry herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon stick, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets, pretty acidity and a finish that is; well balanced/structured/knitted, elegantly polished that last two-minutes and lands evenly on fruits, soft earth notes & deep spices as it sets. — 10 months ago
Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga
Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2014
This 14 has a bit of a story. I opened their 2005 last weekend, which was fantastic, I also opened their 2014 as an example w/ a friend to show how important aging is in Italy reds out of Tuscany & Piemonte. Also, how long it takes for the amount of new wood use Italians put to both to soften. The Italians hold them back in bottle sometimes two to three years or longer. The 05 last weekend was a 93-94. This after an hour & half decant, 90-91. In time, add one to two points.
For those who didn’t study their ass off to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers exam, the difference between Chianti & Chianti Classico is, Classico needs to come from a specific region in Chianti and needs to have an additional 10% of Sangiovese over regular Chianti.
2014 a good but not all-star vintage like 2010.
The 2014 still young. Showing dry; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some black plum, dry cranberries & strawberry hues. Oak barrel shavings, dry; leather, cedar, & dry tobacco, limestone & sandstone power, dry twig, dry river stone, dry top soil, slight candied & withering; red, dark, purple flowers framed in violets, nice acidity and a taut structured & tensioned but balanced, elegantly polished landing on dry earth that lasts nearly 90 seconds.
It is a good pair w/ the lasagna that has a really nice dark seasoning in it. An aged Nebbiolo might have worked better. From, The Adorable French Bakery at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. No permanent location. — 2 years ago
Heitz Cellar
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!
The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish. — 3 years ago
Andrew Rich
Prelude Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2017
Smells of blueberry scone
Light to medium with dried cranberry, cherry pie, eucalyptus sprig, more dried fruits - fig, watermelon.
A great mouthfeel with just a little.bitter vying for attention over the citrus acidity,
Classic twig and branch overture
Fantastic. — 4 years ago
Cobb
Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Something to help the transition from Champagne to Cabernet.
Cobb & Hirsh Pinot Noirs are quite similar to me. Both well made, are good but have never astounded.
This 2014 is near its precipice.
The body is round & inviting. I sense a touch of tannins. Black cherries, blackberries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, just a hint of rhubarb, hovering raspberries, plum, haunting blueberries and black raspberries. Tree sap, hints of eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, light clove, some nutmeg, cinnamon, and feathery vanillin, lightly grilled meats, mix of fresh and used tobacco with soft ash, old used leather, soft, black pepper, mid dark spice, sandalwood, sandstone, red, purple and dark flowers, nice acidity with a softly tensioned, nicely balanced, elegantly, soft finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands softly on mid toned spices on the long set. — 6 months ago
Domaine de L'Arlot
Clos des Forêts St. Georges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2023
I am a fan of their work. This wine is so weightless, soft & gentle, it might float on water.
I met Toby Bekker in Australia who I thought his Grenache and Syrah wines were made in a Burgundian style. I asked him about his time in Burgundy and if that influenced his wines. He said, there he learned what not to take from grapes/wine. This is a shinning example of what he was taking about.
The fruits are perfectly ripe, floral & extracted. Cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, rhubarb tones, plums, haunting raspberries, light & softly layered baking spices- clove cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, understated red cola & licorice, excellent oak use-barrel powder, hints of dry herbs, understated dry twig, hints of grilled meats, notes of dry tobacco w/ ash, soft used leather, red flowers, red & pink flowers, excellent acidity and a well balanced, softly waking tension with grace and elegance on the two-minutes that lands gently on spice & earth.
Beautiful! — 7 months ago
Dana Estates
Vaso Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
I bought this at K&L recently for $79 to judge their 3rd wine vs the younger Dana & Onda I have. This is made from de-selected fruit from their 3 primary single vineyards.
If you love lush/plush, ripe. bold Napa Cabernets, you will love the 2014 Vaso today. It’s still early but drinking nicely tonight. It took a 3 hr decant. Prior, it was missing a bit of a mid-palate. Not now!
The nose is beautiful. Dark currants-cassis, sandalwood, dry twig, dryish tobacco, mid intensity baking spices, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, black licorice, dark to mid berry cola, steeped black tea, caramel/mocha, dry crushed rocks, candied to withering flowers framed in soft violets & lavender.
The palate is rich, lush, bold & striking. Dark currants-cassis, wild, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums-black dominate to pudding, a buffet of mixed purple fruits, some baked strawberries w/ haunting raspberries. Bold, dark spices, caramel, mocha, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & a touch of vanilla, anise to black licorice, a mix of fresh & herbs, light cedar to sandalwood, dry tobacco with some ash, graphite, dry river stone, limestone marl, dry crush rocks, dry top soil, dark, withering to candied; dark, red flowers with violets, grand acidity, layered finish that is well balanced-structured, still well tensioned, elegant & smartly polished finish that goes on and on. Delicious, especially the longer it sat in the decanter. 3 hours total.
I bought 13 & 15 Vaso for the same price before finishing my comments.
This has 15-20 yrs of good drinking ahead.
@SimplyRedVirtualLiveHamburg — 7 months ago
Château de la Maltroye
Clos du Château de la Maltroye Monopole Rouge Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2022
My continued quest to try as many 2022 Burgundies as possible.
On the nose, beautiful mid red berry w/ some darker fruits, bright red florals that are slightly withering.
Lovely, ripe, juicy strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, raspberries with tones of blueberries. Light dusty, dry top soils, dry twig, sagebrush, dry river stone, crushed, dry, limestone, some barrel shavings due to their 1/3 new oak use, understated red cola, baking soda, some light dry herbs, bright, red, dark & some blue forals, big acidity (maybe a bit too acidic) with a lovely fresh, elegant finish that lands a bit short. This doesn’t show a ton of depth now, but may in time. — 2 years ago
Château Brane-Cantenac
Grand Cru Classé en 1855 Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
Margaux and Rack of Lamb. I’m in. The 05 vintage…magic!
Lamb w/ just enough fat, spice meet perfect ripe, bright, floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, red & black licorice/cola, perfect mid spice, sweet, lead pencil shavings, charcoal, cedar, not old, not fresh, tobacco, touch of nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, pea gravel, dry twig, dry limestone powder, steeped tea, dark, rich soil with dry leaves, herbaceous notes-bay leaf, moist clay, an array of fresh, withering, floral bouquet, amazing, rainfall acidity, perfect, tension, balance, structure and polished finish for days. Absolutely stunning! — 3 years ago
Marcel Martinez
Pico Madama Jumilla Petit Verdot - Monastrell Blend 2005
This is 50% Monastrell & 50% Petit Verdot.
This is nice and on latter side of its drinking window. Go figure w/ my palate. Brickish color on the edges. It is interesting, heady wine at this stage, soft, resolved with nice evolution and nothing that bites back. The benefit of drinking older wines. The nose is Spanish rustic. Understated fruits that are floral, slightly bright and yet have a stewy character. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, stewed black plums/plums. Vanillin, mid fruit cola, soft tarry notes, anise, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, hint of mint, light caramel notes, dry top soil, soft, old tobacco, dry twig, used leather with withering & candied; dark, red & blue flowers.
The palate is on the leaner side. Rustic fruits of ; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, stewed black plums/plums. Vanillin, mid fruit cola, soft tarry notes, anise, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, hint of mint, light caramel notes, dry top soil, soft, old tobacco, sandy limestone, dry twig, used leather with withering & candied; dark, red & blue flowers. The acidity is really good. The finish is well balanced with nice structure and similar wire to wire.
@Delectable this is the Pico Madama — 3 years ago
Château Ormes de Pez
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2009
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
Domaine Marc Morey
Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay 2022
Welcoming the Holiday Season ⛄️❄️🎅🎁 Cheers!🥂
Round, viscous & gently waxy. Meyer slightly sour lemon, some lime zest, dry stone fruits-apricot lead, pineapple syrup, tropical melon, some green apple, slightly, overripe pear, orange peel, honeycomb-pot, marmalade fruit bits, melted caramel, coconut hues, pronounced salinity, dry herbs, mid white spice, crumbled chalk & volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, dry twig notes, white & Spring flowers with greens, very nice round acidity, well balanced, nicely layered, elegant, polished finish that lasts two-minutes and lands on spice & minerals on the long set.
Chassagne-Montrachet is amongst my favorite areas for its whites. — 7 months ago
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
I have posted a number of older vintage Jones Family Cabernets. Many 20 yrs and older. Three to four 97’s…none better than this one. I give few wines a score above 96. This is different. It is so close to perfect. Some might give it a 100. I struggle to give a wine a perfect 100. I have only done it 4 times in an estimated 25k wines tasted or bottles I’ve enjoyed. One was a port made before 1886 and tasted in Oporto at Taylor Fladgate’s tasting room in 2015, it was their Scion. Only sold there and at the time 5k at bottle. You end up there purchase the Scion taste regardless of the current cost. They put on a tasting show for you. I am half tempted here to give out a 100 but will refrain.
I am not sure what to add to that but will attempt to do so.
The nose is a beautiful, perfectly evolved Napa Cabernet. Nothing overpowers any of its singular components. I think the word I am looking for is harmony. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best, mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a flutter note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue & framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets.
The palate wire to wire is even & stupidly, gloriously, grand. It mirrors the nose very closely. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box w/ some light palate heat, best I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, kirsch not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, beautifully layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, caramel, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco w/ a hint is ash, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, dry, crushed rock powder, dry top soil, crushed limestone powder, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a fluttering note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets, perfect, rainfall acidity, extremely well balanced, even & subtle tension-structure that stands up on the long set, refined elegance with a finish that goes on and on and eventually lands on spice & beautiful, refined earthiness.
What a bottle! 98 that leans into 99. I paid somewhere between $80-$90 on the secondary market for this bottle. — 7 months ago
TOR Kenward Family Wines
Cimarossa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
If you like dark, sweet tarriness, dry herb buffet, round meaty, not overdone tannins, you will love this 2013 Tor Howell Mountain.
This 2013 Tor has just started its drinking window. It is really good but better things lie ahead in 5-8 years.
Dark, meaty, heavy, round tannins. Black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, plum, raspberries, sweet dark chocolate baking bar, mocha, caramel, black tea, dry herbs for days, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, dry top soil, limestone, volcanic minerals, dry river stone, dry clay, twig with raindrops, iron pan, touch of iodine, dark, withering flowers, lavender & violets, very nice round acidity and a well textured, tensioned, structured, balanced but still shows braun, elegant, polished finish that lasts for days and falls on clays, earth & spice.
Photos of my Pebble Beach Food & Wine tasting with Tor & Andy Beckstoffer. — a year ago
Château Kirwan
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
Drinking nicely but still quite youthful.
The nose shows ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached strawberries & and soft mix of purple & blue fruit hues. Dark spice but not overpowering, chocolate fudge/pudding, dry tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some nutmeg & clove, vanillin, crushed limestone, dry river stones, dark, rich earth, soft herbaceous notes, hint of eucalyptus, brambly/dry twig, dry top soil, delicious lead pencil notes, moist volcanic ash, withering; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets, very good acidity with a well balanced, nice structured & tensioned finish that lasts 90 seconds.
Excellent w/ the Bone in Ribeye.
This has 15-20 years of good drinking life in it.
@Cole’sChopHouseNapa. — 2 years ago
Ridge Vineyards
Geyserville Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2015
Its been awhile since I’ve opened a Geyserville. This is the 2015 50th Anniversary. Young for me on this bottling. But, a decent first look. Still shows some astringency. This will age like a Cabernet if stored correctly. 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 12% Petite Syrah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% ABV. Never opened a bad bottle of Ridge.
It is ready to drink but will improve over time. It will age 15 plus years stored correctly. Black raspberries, blackberries, plum, boysenberries, dark cherries, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, clay, dark chocolate, forest floor with dry leaves, caramel, malt balls, dry twig, light, soft pepper, dark, mid & purple florals for days-violets, excellent acidity and a pleasant wire to wire finish.
Excellent gourmet burger wine. — 3 years ago
Pierre-Henri Morel
Signargues Côtes du Rhône Villages Red Rhône Blend 2019
Rhubarb pie - windowsill cooling - a nice nose.
Dense, luscious and inviting fruit here. Raspberry coolie - dense Pom, and some twig and branch action. A lot more going as the wine warms from cellar temp.
This is.CDP for the price of a Rhone. Gorgeous. — 4 years ago
David Arthur
Elevation 1147 Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The one was opened same day.
The Elevation 1147 is their flagship wine.
2106 Elevation is a big step up from all their other reds. The mouthfeel is thick, round, gorgeous. Ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries & an array of purple fruits. Tobacco, leather, saddle-wood, light graphite, crushed rock powered, limestone alluvials, beautiful baking spices that need some time to tame, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, dry twig, dark rich soil, touch of moist clay, dry top soils, understated sweet tar & black licorice with fresh & withering; dark, red, blue flowers with lavender & violets that follow as it sets. The acidity is round & excellent. The finish is; ruby, lush, round, well balanced & knitted & persistently gorgeous wire to wire.
While many will find it hard to resist now, you would be doing your substantial invest & this 2016 a disservice by opening before 10 years in bottle.
This is a 95 now but, I see it as a 95-98 down the road. — 6 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️
23 yrs since birth and 21 yrs in bottle and the evolution is beautiful. Perfect w/the ribroast.
Fruits still holding with excellent integration. Blackberries, black plum to pudding, strawberries, raspberries, black cherries, sandalwood, soft, dark spices with gentle heat, mocha powder, some milk chocolate, caramel notes, understated graphite, anise to some black licorice, gravel, dry stone, used tobacco & leather, mid berry cola presence, dry twig, moist clays, red, dark florals with a violet frame, excellent acidity, well; made, balanced, tensioned, structured with an elegant finish that lasts nearly two- minutes and falls of soft earthiness & soft spice. — 6 months ago