Reviews

Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Bryant Cabernet, 2012 Bryant Cabernet, 2015 Bryant Bettina.

Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Bryant Cabernet, 2012 Bryant Cabernet, 2015 Bryant Bettina.

Paul Pernot et ses Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Folatières

Very similar to the 2018, this year-younger brother is full of pithy and limey vigor, with notable persistence and a zingy-tart delivery that offers pogo stick flavor punching on through the vibrant…

Doyard Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Clos de l'Abbaye

A decisive and formidable hit of fresh herbs (tarragon, Italian parsley, mint) unloads from the front end push on the initial pop of the cork, with a clay/mineral-driven streak slicing directly…

Judge Palmer Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Served next to a 2015 Carter OG BTK. So, ya, that happened. Nuff said.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Though there is still some transition happening here, it appears to be headed in the right direction. After some swirling in the glass following the initial pull of the cork, this big boy quickly…

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

Wild berry jubilee, cassis, cinnamon, and vanilla Schnapps dominate the profile here. In my previous note a couple of years ago, I characterized the initial experience of this wine as having "a…

Next of Kyn No~11 Cumulus Vineyard

A smooth operator with a cool blackberry, plum, and black cherry core that is flanked by flecks of raspberry and purple licorice notes (.no need to ask me what purple licorice tastes like. I have no…

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

A rockstar virtuoso with a Hall & Oats soft soul (or perhaps One Republic - for you Gen Z'er hipsters out there), the Pichon-Longueville Baron presents lovely round edges that caress the black cherry…

Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard

So here I am again, in direct violation of my own advice. Even in my last tasting note on this wine, I explicitly said, "Don't make the mistake of just opening this cuz some wine-geek friend of yours…

Paul Pernot et ses Fils Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chalumeaux

Spun up til sun up, this is all lemon juice and chalk right now. Decanted for three hours, shake-and-bake'd like a Ricky Bobby rag doll, and dropkicked across the hall in hopes of bustin' out some…

Château Calon-Ségur

Boy, this thing was popping off like a fruity Napa cherry bomb for the first few hours of consumption. And...the heat wouldn't quit. Frankly, it was a bit blasted and kinda wonky on first pass.…

Fattoria Le Pupille (Elisabetta Geppetti) Saffredi

Dry and astringent on the initial pull of the cork (we must be in Italy?!), but with about three hours of a decant with a hold on the temperature at a consistent 50-52 degrees, this beauty fans-out…

Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard

Well now, here is a minx that starts out flirty and plush as soon as it sits down on the barstool. "Hey there sailor," with a cordial grin and a flip of the hair makes for fruity purple palate…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Chaillots Gillis

After digging into my recent arrivals of Maillart Champagne, I decided to try the 2017 Jolivettes, 2017 Mont Martin, and 2014 Chaillots Gillis. Punchline: Anyone who is holding these bottles should…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Grand Cru Jolivettes

After digging into my recent arrivals of Maillart Champagne, I decided to try the 2017 Jolivettes, 2017 Mont Martin, and 2014 Chaillots Gillis. Punchline: Anyone who is holding these bottles should…

Nicolas Maillart Champagne Premier Cru Mont Martin

After digging into my recent arrivals of Maillart Champagne, I decided to try the 2017 Jolivettes, 2017 Mont Martin, and 2014 Chaillots Gillis. Punchline: Anyone who is holding these bottles should…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Montmains Vieilles Vignes

Much improved from my last experience with this wine. More focus and intensity than its sibling 2018 Malandes Vau de Vey (served beside it), this Montmains delivers a notable green and yellow fruit…

Domaine des Malandes Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey

This is a succulent little fruit buster, with a much-improved glide from my last go-around. An extra beam of lift and grip adds a bump of intensity and focus. Lemony and slightly rich, but with a…

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle

Less overtly exuberant and much more of a "cooler" feel to it than the 2017, the 2016 carries an older world restraint that presents a balanced and suave profile, especially for such a young wine;…

Domaine Jean Chartron Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Pucelle

This started out a little funky and stubborn in the early going, with a completely muted nose and lifeless linear execution of "flavor:" lemon juice acidity and perhaps a little chalk on the palate,…

Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta I

It'll come to no surprise that my recommendation to anyone holding bottles is to wait at least 6-7+ years before expecting the total zenith consumption time for this Syrah-dominant youngster (I'm…

Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Les Mottelettes

Initially the flaw here was more difficult to detect, with an herbal note that seemed to add interest on the first pull of the cork. The nose was completely muted. With air, an alkaline note emerged…

Drew Family Cellars Syrah Valenti Ranch

Someone forgot to tell the Viognier that there was supposed to be Syrah in here, with the floral components masking the overly delicate "berry" fruit desperately struggling to show some Syrah…

Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir Morning Dew Ranch Vineyard

Lean and a bit mean, with the stem inclusion piercing the cranberry and pomegranate-water core. A prickly showing, and one that is slightly more complex than the Fog Eater, but much more…