Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

5,921 notes

2012

Favia Syrah Quarzo

Sierra Foothills · Amador County

It tasted like Syrah...

Reviewed 4 January 2019
2015

B Cellars Chardonnay Barrel Select

Sonoma County · Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Still kicking out energetic yellow citrus oil and lightly honeyed lemon flavors. Some alcohol and vanilla glycol on the initial pull, making for an angular attack initially. Balanced out much better…

Reviewed 4 January 2019
2014

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

California · Napa Valley

Previous notes apply. Flavorful and fun indeed. Shares similar characteristics to the standard Myriad Cabernet, with the Twins exhibiting some additional currant and mineral nuances that add…

Reviewed 3 January 2019
2012

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

California · Napa Valley

A notable showing, with blackberry, red and black currant, cedar, dark cassis, rock, and some faint leather and bitter floral notes working their ways over the palate with purpose and delineation. At…

Reviewed 2 January 2019
2015

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

California · Napa Valley

Good black and red core fruit, cassis, and some spice, with a medium distribution of flavor and a rounded, more plush finish. Some alcohol on the tail end showed up initially, but faded fairly…

Reviewed 31 December 2018
2014

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Another solid showing from this wine. Nicely balanced, flavorful, compelling mid-palate concentration while still staying light on its feet, and a good push of energy to keep the good time flavors…

Reviewed 31 December 2018
NV

Gardet Champagne Tradition Brut Chigny-lès-Roses

France · Champagne

PnP was akin to my previous notes a few months ago. Pithy and biting at first. The effervescence was a bit aggressive and steely/alkaline tasting. Some white stone and yellow fruit emerged, but in a…

Reviewed 31 December 2018
2013

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Block Series Stardust Heaven

Napa Valley · Stags Leap District

Time in bottle has certainly helped this wine come along beautifully, kicking out fascinating flavors of earthy black raspberry, black cherry, blackberry seed, black rock, scorched earth, black…

Reviewed 31 December 2018
2014

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Napa Valley · Oakville

So for those familiar with B Cellars, Venge, and To Kalon, it should come as no surprise that this particular concoction is chock-full of hedonistic and viscous unctuousness that delivers up-front…

Reviewed 30 December 2018
2012

Château Guiraud

Sauternais · Sauternes

Honeysuckle, ripe peach and lemon, Apple Jacks, dried apricot, olive oil and some subtle candied nuts. Not too cloying, but certainly presenting itself with an up-front viscosity that skirts a syrupy…

Reviewed 29 December 2018
2010

Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Southern Rhône · Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Notes of wild blackberry and blueberry, black raspberry, purple plum, black licorice, graphite, asphalt, and subtle pepper, limestone, and garrigue notes. After about an hour of air, this wine really…

Reviewed 29 December 2018
2000

Château Lafleur

Libournais · Pomerol

A lovely and enticing wine, with beautifully delineated and layered flavors of saturated plum, red/black currant, soft black cherry, tobacco/unsmoked cigar, earth, dusty/dry leather, and dried mint.…

Reviewed 29 December 2018
2007

Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia

Langhe · Barolo

After about an hour of decanted air and some swirling in the glass, this displayed beautifully layered and generous flavors of red and purple plum, Amarena cherry syrup (not overly sweet, viscous, or…

Reviewed 29 December 2018
2016

Roland Lavantureux Chablis Grand Cru Bougros

Chablis · Grand Cru

Notes of yellow citrus, apple flesh, lightly honeyed oil, faint grass, white seashell, and subtle minerality. Not a hugely saline-driven or mineral-infused animal, but with enough cut to keep the…

Reviewed 29 December 2018
2014

Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Yellow citrus, peach, yellow apple flesh, lemon oil, honey, vanilla, and some faint hazelnut dust. Well balanced on the front end, with an equally impressive weight distribution on the mid-palate.…

Reviewed 28 December 2018
2012

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Daughters of Earth Goldrock Ridge

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Coming off rich and spicy right out of the gate. Previous notes apply. A dark, ripe, and spice-driven Pinot, with saturated, viscous flavors that you have to chew on a bit to get the full effect.…

Reviewed 25 December 2018
2013

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Previous notes apply. Some nice red cherry and red raspberry notes. Has lost a little zip. Agreeable and satisfying, if not a bit simple and slower-paced at this stage. Drink now.

Reviewed 25 December 2018
2016

Fait-Main Chardonnay Penhoet Toyon Farm

California · Napa Valley

Improving with time (since I last had it in the summer). Previous notes apply, but this was a bit more accessible and giving flavor-wise than before. Promising progression so far. Deeper on the…

Reviewed 25 December 2018
2013

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Much improved since I last toyed around with this wine in early Spring. After about an hour of air, this gorgeous Cabernet really started to open up and develop complex flavors, wave after wave over…

Reviewed 24 December 2018
2016

Wren Hop Chardonnay Ritchie by Proxy

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Green apple skin, vanilla glycol, and lemon seed on PnP gave way to more unctuous flavors after about 30 minutes of air, with apple pie, poached pear, honeyed lemon oil, vanilla bean, and an enticing…

Reviewed 24 December 2018
2016

Vice Versa Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Now that this is in bottle it's exciting to see how this is settling in and where it's ultimately headed. A treasure trove of black cherry, red and black raspberry jam, earthy mulch, ginger snap…

Reviewed 23 December 2018
2016

Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Red and black cherry, strawberry, rhubarb, earthy cinnamon, and some cedar. Held its own fairly nicely for an appellation Pinot. The lighter side of medium bodied, with a medium finish. Not a ton of…

Reviewed 22 December 2018
2014

Vinroc Wine Caves Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak

Napa Valley · Atlas Peak

Dark black cherry, very ripe plum, and dark chocolate notes, with a bit of earth. Like The Mascot Cabernet served next to it, this wine suffered from a monolithic hit of near-over ripe fruit. A…

Reviewed 22 December 2018
2012

The Mascot

California · Napa Valley

The first bottle was almost completely blown out and prune-ridden. It had been open for 24+ hours and showing every second of its over-oxidation. Prune and over-ripe plum, with a muddled and lost…

Reviewed 22 December 2018
2012

Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Clos Sénéchal

Touraine · Bourgueil

100% Cabernet Franc. At first sip this came off fast and furious with incredibly tart and acidic cranberry and pomegranate juice notes. Fiercely palate-clenching, with aggressive acid and a cutthroat…

Reviewed 22 December 2018