Reviews

Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Promesse

Similar stylistically to the Cornas Allegorie from Pichon, this Promesse shows higher red-fruited tonalities of cranberry, red and purple plum skin, and pomegranate on the front end. Violets and…

Domaine Bruno Clair Vosne-Romanée Les Champs Perdrix

Similar to my previous note in April, with subtle earthy black cherry and licorice flavors delicately sliding across the palate. A more diluted and lighter-weighted execution this time around,…

Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60

Olive brine, black raspberry, and plum are flanked by subtle game and earth notes. Finishes with a strong saline note. This needed a decent amount of air to ultimately perform, but it started to fill…

Paul Lato Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard

Deep purple plum, black raspberry, blueberry, olive brine, roast beef, and licorice make for a compelling example of the varietal. There is a concentration here that is so balanced and subtle that it…

Andremily EABA

A county fair carny's confection cart of churro, funnel cake, cotton candy, and kettle corn overwhelm the otherwise throbbing, syrupy blackberry smoothie core. Making for a glycerin-jolted coconut…

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT

Red and black cherry, wild raspberry, dusty earth, cinnamon stick, and faint burnt orange rind. Super arid and fuzzy on the initial pull of the cork, but with two-three hours of open air (decanted at…

Paul Pillot Bourgogne

Purple crimson color. Deep and brooding at first, with a bit of a stiff upper lip. Air helps to relax and deepen the dark red and black berry, limestone, licorice and evergreen notes.

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature

Somewhat similar to my experience with this wine from 2.5 years ago (June 2, 2018), though perhaps more relaxed and accessible at this juncture in terms of front-end approachability. Earth, spice,…

Château Troplong Mondot

I have previously voiced my esteem for this wine in this vintage on a couple of occassions, so I'll keep my comments relatively abridged (at least by my usual grossly loquacious propensities).…

Sine Qua Non Grenache The Gorgeous Victim

A big blast of kirsch, black cherry liqueur, black raspberry, and a hefty amount of rocket fuel on the finish. This needs a martini glass. My nose hairs... Where have my precious nose hairs gone...?…

Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud

Ya, so this is pretty rockin' juice. It needs a decent decant to blow off the slightest bit of booze (which is surprising how low the perceptible alcohol here is overall considering how its built and…

Château Beau-Séjour Bécot

As great as it was last year. Chocolatey blackberry and earthy, spicebox notes make for a sultry St. Emilion; drinking this puppy early is all too easy. Drink now or hold for a few years to shed some…

Castellare di Castellina I Sodi di S. Niccolò Toscana IGT

Deep purple plum, black and red cherry, subtle leather, smoke, and earth. There is a nuanced meatiness here that adds a considerable amount of depth and body to the profile. I was half expecting a…

Sine Qua Non Syrah B 20

In an absolutely gorgeous place right now. Completely elevated both texturally and flavorfully, especially compared to when I had it a couple of years ago (94 points from me back then, as it was…

Domaine Anne et Hervé Sigaut Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers Vieilles Vignes

Boy this puppy is locked and loaded at the moment, with so much surging energy it's gonna take a bit for it to totally unfurl. A primary power-pusher of fuzzy purple and red fruit flavors that hit…

Henri Boillot Bourgogne

Accessible flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, and a dash of spice set off this Bourgogne in a fashion that is immediately pleasing. It over-performs a tick or two above its class, fanning out…

Henri Germain et Fils Pinot Noir Bourgogne

Up from the nose wafted scents of spring flowers and fresh strawberries, however the palate offered a thin and overly lithe presentation of watery rhubarb and some citrus peel. No mid-palate drop at…

Domaine de Fondrèche Ventoux Divergente

Smooth and lithe, with notable purity of fruit. Blackberry with a lively injection of olive brine and sea spray. The saline element lifts the core, making for a slightly higher register delivery.…

Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage Cuvée Émilie

Blackberry-meets-cranberry in this beautifully pitched Hermitage that showcases both balance and succulence, all the while avoiding any heaviness. No heat nor hard edges here. Medium acid. Starts as…

Domaine Parent Corton-Renardes

Red and Black cherry, cranberry, plum skin, Asian spices, cinnamon stick, burnt orange zest, coffee bean, bitter bark and edible flowers, and dry twig dust. With air, this becomes deeper and…

Scarecrow Monsieur Étain

True to typical form, the 2012 M'Etain offers up its familiar plum, black cherry, and dusty spice profile in a way that hints at pleasant sophistication indicative of the producer, as well as an…

Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo

Similar to last year's note. A redder fruit profile, with tobacco and spice adding interest. Still advisable to wait another couple years on these.

Château Malescot St. Exupéry

Linear and thin upon opening, with a primary and somewhat watery delivery of red currant, cherry, vanilla, and light spice. A few hours in the decanter helped to ease some of the tension otherwise…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Incubo

Black and red cherry, red and purple plum, muddled strawberry, cassis, rainbow peppercorn, and subtle bark saunter along the palate with the pleasantries that typify the 2014 vintage. Satisfying and…

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

Pushing two years since my last bottle of the 2016 Falstaff, and with the 2018 vintage Realm allocation deadline quickly approaching, I was of course compelled to venture into my stash and see what's…