Kirsch, earth, spicebox, pine needles, and black cherry elements ride slightly higher toned and on a thin layer of alcohol before a two-hour decant allows for the flavors to file in proper line and…
Three years since I've last had this wine. The good news is that the booze blows off with some time in the decanter. The "other" news is that it's become even more lush and fruity. It kind of reminds…
Plum, black raspberry, black currant, spice, and a kiss of sweet cedar, this is entering into a wonderfully accessible drinking window that offers a nice dollop of modern succulence that flows…
Pouring a dark purple-black color, with a nose that instantly rockets up the nostrils with fresh wet muddled black cherries and wild blackberry aromas, the 2016 Vice Versa LPV lets you know way ahead…
Starting to come around and perform at an even more accessible level, the 2015 Pavie Macquin shows notable expansion of flavor after three hours in the decanter (kept at a cool cellar temperature).…
A 40/40 split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with the remaining fifth composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Falstaff is flaunty and flirty with its mélange of red, black, and blue fruit…
Funky earth and dusty plum, with cedar, mushroom, salt rock, smoke, and wilted herb flavors. Slightly thin and watery on the finish. Medium all the way around. No fireworks here this time compared to…
As before when I gave this a try in April, the Mysterons is a punchy and fruity ride on a purple and red berry rollercoaster. Spice, bitter chocolate, and dust (Thorevilos/Ecotone tufa dust…
Earthy red and black cherry and citrus peel present in a primary and linear format, but still provide accessibility that just begins to hint at its qualitative Grand Cru refinement. More red-fruited…
The first time I sampled the 2019 Crane back in April, it was surprisingly shut down and playing coy. Well, it's done hiding in the corner and waiting to be asked to dance. This sample was exactly…
Earth and cedar notes hit the palate shortly before the red and black currant and cherry fruit notes come into the picture. Getting a little sooty and coarse already. Old school. Drink now.
Similar to my experience with this wine back in April, the Beatrix showed a healthy dollop of red berry, cassis, earth, dry flowers, and an almost-Grenache-garrigue element that provides an herbal…
Locked, loaded, and tight as a drum, the 2016 Pavie is SUCH an infant all it needed was a pacifier and its blankie to get it all set for its requisite hibernation for the next 15 years. The precision…
Initially, the 2019 To Kalon was a bit reserved (by Napa standards of course) and took a little bit of coaxing after the first pull of the cork. Double-decanted and given over four hours to find its…
Dusty red berry, purple plum, currant, earth, and some embers. I much appreciated this wine more since my last having it back in January 2020. This bottle takes a short bit of time to open up, but…
This is round #2 with the 2019 LPV since my last sampling it back in April. Once again, it is unquestionably the star of the show. This is the best LPV Vice Versa has ever produced and is…
Flawed. Wet cardboard and a moldy funk on the nose. Bitter and seedy on the palate. Not like any MACDONALD I've ever had. Clearly flawed and not even close to being representative of 100 point-type…
Powerfully sharp and angular on the first pop of the cork, the Steltzner doesn't take long before it is hale and hearty with unified black and red berry fruit, rock, black cherry skin, and black…
Refined and acutely polished, the 2015 Promontory showed even better than when I had it back in April. Sophisticated red berry fruit and tobacco notes initially load the front end with classicism and…
I got all ramped-up to write about this wine and then just re-read my notes from 4/30/2021 that basically say it all (so, refer to those notes if you want to read my novella from April). This was…
In a sea of top-shelf Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, this SQN was able to wedge its way into the crowd and make a fine showing. However, two things about that. Firstly, there was an obvious profile…
Red and purple plum, spice, brush, red cherry, black raspberry, and faint hits of cedar, the "E" left me with the impression of a wine that has so much potential, but is nowhere near where it needs…
Of the three 2015 Vice Versas consumed this night for the dinner portion of the event, the Crane was.wait for it. the most fruit-forward of the three. It starts out a little hollow and plummy, but…
Displaying an exceptionally young and tight demeanor, the 2015s in general seem to require even more time in bottle before coming to full fruition. Double-decanted for over 8 hours, the To Kalon BBS…
I've played around with this wine here and there over the last few years and I am always a little circumspect about predicting how it is going to perform. LPV in general can shut down throughout…
