-
Agharta Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009
Sensational. Liquid sild, blackcurrant, licorice, heavy spice, hugely satisfying. An unfortunate but predictable 14.77 per cent alcohol volume. A lingering concord grape sweetness on the finish. The epitome of a superb new world CS. Price: Bought in the US. No receipt. $40+ USD is my recollection. Market Liquidity: What you want when you want […]
-
Grgich Hills Chardonnay, 2010
We went head over heels over the 2008. Read our rave here. We went gaga over the 2009. Read our rave here. Restraint overcame us with the 2010. It was subtle, to the point of simplicity, missed a lot of the exuberant finish the previous vintages displayed, and came up short where Chardonnay half […]
-
Domaine des Gorges du Soleil Rivesaltes Rouge, 1963
From the cellar: A somewhat spectacular bottle of Grenache in the Muscat style. Burnt chocolate, an array of dried fruit Turkish bazaar style, caramel and Australian Leatherwood honey (a most spectacular and distinct honey if you’ve never had it). But it’s not port. It’s not Muscat de Beaumes de Venise. It’s not sweet Sherry. It […]
-
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris, 2014
The new BM PG is out. A friend sent me an email recently “Don’t you drink anything besides Pinot Gris?” I apologize; it’s a half case here, a half case there. Fun fact: Did you know Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are all genetic mutations of the same grape? Sorry; this blog is […]
-
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2010
Grgich Hills step aside. Gorgeous California Chard. Elevated comfort food, er wine. Smooth, elegant, buttery, butterscotch, balanced, nuanced, a long soft cakey finish, lightly floral. It was sad we only had one bottle so we tasted a farewell to summer with a find summer wine. Thank you ABC. A most satisfying white. And what a […]
-
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2011
Hard to believe this is vintage Chardonnay; on first blush, acidic, citric, aggressively tropical. But with some air, and warmth, a lovely apple, pear and stone fruit comes forward, a modest vanilla balanced with a nuanced gun metal finish are reminiscent of tasting rooms in Burgundy. The bottom line: We didn’t love this. At least […]