Reviews

Joseph Phelps Insignia

A fair amount of funk on the nose gives way to a mild-mannered and sound delivery of cedar, tobacco, macerated cherry and plum, soil, sherry, and caramel notes. Slightly grainy on the finish, but…

Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras

A soft soul, with a contoured frame and smooth delivery of ripe red berry and subtle spice flavors. Flows with medium effort; not especially intense at this juncture, finishing with a caress of plush…

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

A beautiful expression, with meaty jerky and salami flavors intermingling wonderfully with black-red fruit. Leather, garrigue, mushroom, muddled strawberry, black cherry, red and black currant, and…

Kinsman Eades Syrah Aberro White Hawk Vineyard

Plush fruit, but harnessed and slightly muted overall. A cool feeling to it, with purple-black fruit and not much perception of heat. Round on the back end, but with a finish that maintains focus and…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

As before, brooding and almost rustic at first pass, but probably the most interesting Cabernet at the table, this MG impresses with some pyrazine and soil driven elements that help to lift the dark…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Side by side next to the 2022 Myriad TK.

Bergman Proprietary Red Wine

Blind.

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

Blind.

Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red

Blind.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Blind.

Tusk Estates L'Orange

Blind.

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque

This needs more time, but I'll say it is certainly compelling juice. Linear in presentation, but with enough beautiful fruit to offer a savory and mouth-filling experience. Clamps up a bit on the…

E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto

A solid showing from a pristine bottle, this outshined a 2003 Chave and 2015 La Turque, especially given the focus and directional energy carried by the Ex Voto. Smokey and meaty, but with…

Kellerei Bozen / Cantina Bolzano Lagrein Alto Adige - Südtirol Riserva Taber

Overtly peppy and more pop-and-lock than the Prestige I had a few nights earlier, the Taber is a freshy-fresh Cabernet Franc imposter, where higher-riding cranberry and crunchy strawberry notes meet…

Kellerei Bozen / Cantina Bolzano Lagrein Alto Adige - Südtirol Riserva Prestige

Hey man, for like $35-40 bucks, this wine is a solid performer. Undeniably superb depth and intensity for its class. Deeply pitched dark cherry and black fruit elements, with earth and fresh soil…

Impensata Proprietary Red Wine Engelhard Vineyard

This is still working itself out, with some heat pushing the otherwise beautifully pure fruit to the side at times. There are moments of glory here, with pockets of textural genius that envelop and…

Sine Qua Non Syrah Ziehharmonika

A pummeling purple palate eater with blackberries, blueberries, and booze hucked at your face with Xerxes force, the Mighty Z is still at war with itself. There are a bunch of separate elements here…

Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga

Dark black raspberry, wild muddled strawberry, licorice, huge/dark barrel spice influence, big boozy finish. Some earth shows up down the line, but the alcohol washes over the flavors, creating an…

Château Latour Grand Vin

LOCKED UP TIGHT BRO! Completely forget about these for another two decades. A tannic monster that is fully weaponized and ready for all out war. Glory is sure to be had one day, but that day is not…

BOND Vecina

This was tight and tannic, with a stern entry of crunchy berry, rock, and cedar notes. I kept coming back to this wine as it tried to relax its grip, but it wasn't giving up much of the goods. What…

BOND St. Eden

Soft earth-laced berries, red and black currant, plum, a slight kiss of mushroom, and leather notes make for a classical showing from a nicely aged wine. It's drinking time here, and seemingly at the…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

This comes off a bit disjointed at first pass, with an overly heavy and sluggish ripe/dark fruit front end and an angular and bitter tail. It is as if a cooler version is colliding with a hot…

Château Lafleur

Ah yes, there's that hallmark heroic nose that only Lafleur seems to be able to conjure up. Floral (violets) and freshly washed red and purple berries. The palate is full of Miami dance club pop. A…

Harlan Estate

Though this shows as a little yesteryear in performance, it is nonetheless an aptly alluring example, and one with which I wish I had spent a little more time. Slightly sluggish on entry, but with a…

Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mole Hill

Blackberry, dark wet soil, black licorice, and anise make for a heavy showing. A bit of a sandbaggy bruiser, but with overly rounded and soft contours hidden under its mass of fruit; indicative of a…