Well, with this batch, I'm finally caught up! These go all the way back to the holidays. Lots of great stuff in this batch.
France
Domaine Besson, Montmains 1er Cru, Chablis 2013
Wonderful, aromatic, deep nose of grapefruit rind, tropical fruits, white flowers, and lots of chalky mineral; quite ripe and exuberant. Same personality on the palate, with lots of ripe, exuberant fruit supported by citrus and loads of mineral depth, all with a rich, slightly steely texture; the minerality is very salty; some pleasant green notes in there as well. A nice middle ground between Chablis and the New World. Wonderful stuff. 5 years ahead. 3.5 Stars [3/25/16]
Castelmaure, Col de Vents, Corbieres 2013
Excellent, rich, aromatic and slightly heady nose. On the nose and palate, a personality of juicy blackberry and plum, fleshy raspberry, and red currant, with bakers chocolate, slightly barnyardy earth, and chalky tannins. Full bodied and somewhat rich, but balanced by juicy acidity. Quite refined and elegant for the Languedoc, and the quality is very good. I like this a lot, it is very much my style. Drink now or in the next 3 - 5 years. 3 Stars [4/1/16]
Kuentz-Bas, Alsace 2012
60% Sylvaner, 20% Muscat, 20% Auxerrois. Good but low key nose. Orange notes upfront on the palate, followed by ripe pear, apricot/plum, and raspberry toward the finish, all with abundant mineral, overlaid with notes of honey, and supported by slightly steely acidity. Full bodied and dry; the quality is very good, and at under $12 this is a good value. Drink now but will probably hold up very nicely for a few more years. 2.5 Stars. [4/29/16]
Domaine Lafond, Roc Epine, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010
Opaque ruby. Lovely, dense nose, a bit low-key; smokey, with black cherry, blackberry, currant, earth, chocolate, and tobacco/herbs. Same personality on the palate. On the light side of full bodied, dark and juicy, dense and harmonious, though a bit short. A modest Chateauneuf, but very nice. Drink now. 3 Stars. [7/9/16]
Italy
Il Fauno di Arcanum, Toscana 2009
61% Merlot, 20% Cab Sauv, 16% Cab Franc, 2% Sangiovese, 1% Petite Verdot. Exceptional Tuscan nose: pungent black cherry, black raspberry, orange rind, herbs, and earth. Same notes on the palate. Wonderful, succulent, savory texture, and great earthy depth. So very Tuscan despite the tiny percentage of Sangiovese. 5 to 10 years more. 3.5 Stars [12/26/15]
Vesevo, Aglianico, Beneventano 2005
When first opened, as tight as a young Bordeaux. Decanted 3 hours, hit peak after 4 hours. Opaque ruby. Outstanding nose: loads of volcanic smokey/ashy rock/mineral, with dense black berry, orange rind, roses, minty herbs, tobacco leaf, and a very nice note of mature raisin, all underlaid by tar and chocolate; so deep and dense and aromatic, and with good acid tone; continuous to reveal more and more as it opens. On the palate, loads of dense, dark, juicy black raspberry and black currant, with lots of orange rind, floral notes, succulent tobacco leaf notes, some juicy, fleshy, plum, and a finish of chocolate and smokey mineral/earth, with lots of spicy tannin. Full bodied and penetrating, with exquisite acid tone, and such harmonious depth; the balance is perfect. Incredibly food friendly. An outstanding wine, fully the equal of a Taurasi. Love it!!! 15 strong years ahead. 4 Stars [1/6/16]
Other Europe
Dow’s, Quinta do Bomfim, Vintage Porto 1989
Medium garnet, going to salmon then clear at the rim. Outstanding nose, deep and spirity. On the palate, deep, rich, dark blackberry/black currant jam upfront, with loads of chocolate covered raisin, followed by a touch of tart, sweet raspberry, with mint and tobacco leaf toward a finish of chocolate, tarry earth, a touch of caramel, and lots of mineral. I love the freshness of the fruit. Powerful, rich, spirity, and very sweet, with big acid keeping it all in balance; the density of texture is impressive. This is a tremendous port. 20 to 25 years ahead, possibly longer. 4.5 Stars. [12/26/15]
Leth, Gruner Veltliner, Steinagrund 2013
Low key nose but with excellent depth and aromatics, with notes of mineral, herbs, grapefruit, and meringue. On the palate, a touch of lychee upfront, with sweet citrus rind and curd, followed by ripe, round nectarine, and honey, with blood orange (plus a touch of lime) and mineral toward the finish. Full bodied. Not as acid driven as the typical GV, but with a wonderful, round, rich texture. Really nice! Drink now or in the next 3 to 5 years. 3 Stars. [12/30/15]
US
Cenyth, Sonoma 2009
47% Cab Sauv, 28% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc, 8% Petite Verdot, 7% Malbec. Excellent nose of pure, ripe, juicy red fruit, evergreen, tobacco leaf/cigar box, and wonderful, earthy, mineral depth. Similar notes on palate, with grilled currant, and long finish of spice, tannin and mineral. Full bodied and dense, with good acid tone. Good quality. This is reminiscent of Opus One. Very nice. 5 to 10 years more. 3.5 Stars [12/26/15]
Elegante Cellars, Sangiovese, Walla Walla 2009
Lovely, aromatic, rich, minerally nose, with pungent black cherry, black raspberry, a touch of red currant, tomato paste, orange rind, herbs/tobacco, and stoney earth. Similar notes on the palate, with juicy, orangey acidity, and wonderful savory/succulent red fruits, and dense mineral undertones. Medium-full in body. Elegant. 5 years more. 3.5 Stars [3/6/16]
Southern Hemisphere
Penfolds, Shiraz, Bin 28, Kalimna, South Australia 2010
Wonderful, aromatic nose with dark, ripe fruit, roses, and leathery earth. On the palate, dried blackberry, succulent, juicy plum, touches of orange rind and roses, a hint of cigar box, leather, chocolate, and hint of olives, with loads of earthy mineral. Such richness and depth, but with bright acid and excellent tone. Great stuff! 10 years more. 4 Stars [12/25/16]
Vina von Siebenthal, Carabantes, Syrah, Aconcacau Valley 2010
Outstanding nose: fresh and slightly tart, with warm, sweet raspberry and blackberry jam (like warm jam on the stovetop), currants, lovely, aromatic notes of tobacco leaf and roses, and sweet, leathery, chocolatey earth; a lovely, high quality nose. Really lovely chocolate and fig notes emerge with air. Same personality on the palate, with warm, rich, inviting fruit: fresh blackberry jam, sweet raspberry, currant, juicy damson, sweet tobacco leaf, fig sauce, chocolate, a hint of leather, and sweet, chalky earth. Full and heady but with elegant acid tone, and spicy, slightly grippy tannins. Really excellent quality! 5 years ahead. 4 Stars [3/25/16]