Reviews

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia

2016 and 2013 Sassicaia served side-by-side (Hotel Diamant, San Cassiano, Alta Badia, Dolomites).

Château Dalem

Very similar to the 2016, except that the 2015 was a little less rich (contradictory to the general vintage expressions in Bordeaux - where the 2015s overall seem to have a little more girth and…

Château Haut-Bailly

Linear and straight-laced from beginning to end. A stack of seeming potential, but not showing a full pulse until 7+ years from now. Similar to a '16 SHL I had the other day, with a primary delivery…

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Much more linear and red-fruited at the moment when directly compared to the more unctuous and concentrated 2015 SHL, this 2016 displays red raspberry, red and black cherry, menthol, sage, and subtle…

Antinori Tignanello

Sleek and racy, with a bit of a bite for a frame in its current state. A good degree of class, but somewhat primary in its execution at this stage. Black cherry, plum skin, wet cedar, embers,…

Alois Lageder Chardonnay Löwengang

Sensual and a bit exotic on the front end, with hints of kiwi and guava circling around the sexy and focused core of yellow citrus and lemon curd flavors. Hints of yellow apple and nougat round out…

Tenuta Guado al Tasso (Antinori) Bolgheri Superiore

Plum and spice lead the charge, with earthy mushroom and wet soil components adding interest to additional notes of plum skin and muddled blackberry flavors. All in all, a great showing, pairing…

Château Gruaud Larose

Plum, black currant, leather, macerated black cherry, and wet cedar soil. Medium and graceful, but with a beautiful wrapping of subtle acidity that gently grips the dark fruit with a politely…

Château Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse)

Purple plum and plum skin, wet limestone (almost like the inside of a cave), black cherry, and spicy hints of white pepper smoked paprika. Smooth and remarkably balanced for such a primary delivery…

Château Troplong Mondot

Black currant, blackberry, fresh black soil, dark mulch, black cherry, clove, Christmas spices, burnt embers, and some pencil lead. A beautifully black and hauntingly earthy core, with a perfect push…

Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs

Aaah the standard Schramsberg BdB... The Caymus of Champagne... or rather, the Caymus of California "sparklers." Doughy, pie crusty, lemon curdy, banana peely, creme brûléey, high dosagey,…

Clos l'Église (Pomerol)

Red and purple plum, wet limestone, cassis, and some chalk. Grippy and hyper-focused, with a high register delivery that still manages to stay the course and provide a decent amount of flavor…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Dark, earthy red and black berry fruit, soft mulch and cedar, forest floor, and rained-on campfire embers. A pretty sweet kiss of red raspberry fruit on the back end provides lift to otherwise more…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville

More serious and firm that the 2015 CF Heritage served beside it, this 2016 has more dark power and grip than its older brother. Black fruit and some burnt embers make up the primary core, with small…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville

More plush and fruity when compared to the 2016 CF Heritage served alongside it, the 2015 impresses for its opulent red berry fruit and floral flavor. Round and plush red raspberry, red and black…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Black cherry liqueur, smooth cedar, wet mulch, and some black rock. Classy, finessed, and super sophisticated, the execution here is medium and agreeable, with no hard edges to be found. A faint…

Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend

The "Right Bank Bordeaux" red blend is the star of the 2016 A&B lineup. A Cabernet Franc dominant (50%) animal, with a 24%/24% additional split of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label

Red current, black cherry, and some spice box lead the classy execution of this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Subtle cedar and plum skin notes carry themselves throughout the attack as well. A…

Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc Heritage Reserve

A beautiful burst of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, subtle grass, and white stone rush on to the palate with verve and spunk, but with a smooth sophistication that shows class and complexity. A…

Tusk Estates L'Orange

A limited offering from Tusk with a TBD release/allocation date. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot. Blackberry, black cherry, dark plum skin, and grippy, bitter chocolate compete for center…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry, plum, black cherry pit, blackberry seed, underbrush, and some pyrazine and green peppercorn notes. Medium bodied (at least by Tusk standards), with a back end that tapered down into a…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Plum-dominant, with accompanying flavors of black cherry and black/purple berry fruit; wild, macerated raspberry makes a brief appearance, but is pushed over by the earthy plum note that elbows its…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" shouted the stinging nettle Tusk as is pulled the sheets over its face, refusing to get up and go to school. Balled-up, Coiled-up, spikey, and with even more air, a bit bitter…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Opulence is the word of the day here folks. Expressive and fruit-forward, the 2014 washes over the palate with velvety, lush black berry fruit. The hallmark slice of red fruit interjects briefly, but…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

The clear standout and undeniable best of the Tusk lineup was indeed the complex and sophisticated 2015 Tusk. As seemed to be the case for most everyone at the table, the progressive vintages…