Earthy, ominous, and a bit gritty, the 2006 BTK was exhibiting a "Fistful of Dollars" profile of weathered, black soil, grating earth, and antique wood notes encompassing the mature, dark core fruit…
Another "library" offering, this 2010 Falstaff had a little more verve and energy than the 2009 Tempest served before it. A somewhat tart pop of black cherry on the initial sip gave a first…
A gorgeous effort, with a wonderful combination of core fruit flavors and sleek minerality, all delivered with a cunning precision that charmingly marries opulence with regal elegance. This…
A wine that delivers the hallmark black and purple berry core fruit flavors, with chocolate chunk, black raspberry, and cassis notes. Some vanilla liqueur on the back end. Slightly wonky in its…
The first of a few "library" wines offered at the tasting. An inviting, if not a bit dark and brooding example of a more mature Merlot-based blend. Dark red and black currant, some wet cedar, cacao…
With the cork pulled a couple of hours before consumption, this Cabernet was given just the right amount of air to allow it to gracefully deliver its black cherry, deep red and black currant, tobacco…
High register, high toned red fruit core, with verve-filled pomegranate, red cherry, and some citrus rind. A lot of energy and forward drive on the initial attack, with a lithe, lean, and linear…
Like with most RM Pinots I've experienced, PnP was tight and high-toned (no surprise). More red fruit driven with notes of cranberry, citrus rind, and pomegranate. After over an hour in the decanter,…
This is certainly an easy drinker, with ultra-plush blue/black core fruit washing across the palate and coating it with a sucrosity that is both inviting and a little overwhelming at first. This…
Tight as a drum, with enough acid on the back end to suck all the fat out of sumo wrestler. Purity of fruit is notable indeed, as is the craftsmanship of the wine overall. However, this is a 2012…
Crazy intense, concentrated, and delivering so much blue/black fruit that the term 'hedonism' doesn't even come close to aptly describing this wine. It certainly has some sexy stripper pole aspects…
A smooth and somewhat simple delivery, with yellow citrus core fruit gliding nicely across the palate. The finish faded fairly fast, but the onset of the fruit mid-palate was decent. Nice, if not a…
Served side-by-side with a 2014 Bevan McGah. I favored the 2014 for its more exuberant personality and flavorful delivery of its blue and black fruit. The 2012 was probably a more balanced and…
Same as my previous notes from last month. Served side-by-side with a 2012 Bevan McGah. I favored the 2014 for its more exuberant personality and flavorful delivery of its blue and black fruit. The…
Tight and restrained, with a more earth-driven profile than the Napa or the Block 6. The mountain fruit was under lock-and-key for the most part throughout the entire consumption. Still, it had a…
I was very much drawn to this wine. It had a great combination of focus and concentration. Fairly rich on the initial delivery, with blue/black fruit, dark red raspberry and black cherry, bitter dark…
My first experience with this producer, and this did not disappoint at all. Beautiful blue/black core fruit, dark red raspberry, ripe black cherry, bitter chocolate, and a hint of cedar. The acid and…
An exquisitely beautiful and flavorful Chardonnay. Full of life and energy, flaunting rich, boisterous lemon curd and yellow citrus core fruit, with some roasted marshmallow, olive oil, and honey.
Just 10 days ago, the bottle I had of this was really singing with about an hour of air. This time, it was wound extraordinarily tight throughout most of consumption. Almost like a totally different…
Unfortunately I have to go against the CT grain on this one, as my experience was a little "meh" when all was said and done. This was the group's least favorite wine of the night. Part of the issue…
A much softer and more accessible representation of the 2013 vintage for Napa Cabernet. Purple and black fruit profile, with some nice cedar flecks on the back end. Not overly complex, but extremely…
Tight and compacted, with somewhat linear notes of yellow citrus and white stone core fruit, granite, pumice, and limestone. Burgundian in style, with a laser-like but somewhat lithe focus streaking…
93-94+ points this time around. With about two hours of air, it became more approachable and flavorful. Previous notes apply otherwise. I'll try to hold my next bottle until 2019+.
Giving and ripe, with a tender delivery that pushes the flavors gradually across the palate. Rounded and somewhat soft notes of yellow citrus, light honey, and phyllo. A touch yeasty on the back end,…
A truly captivating bottle of Merlot; drinking exquisitely smooth and voluptuous on the initial delivery. Notes of wonderfully nuanced purple and black core fruit, plum, black cherry, dark red…
