- 2006 Majella Sparkling Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2022-02-07)
An interesting aging experiment, as I got this on sale many years ago. It is aging well, with no fading of fruit or bubbles. There is a nice, savory note from the deep, rich and aged shiraz fruit, not OTT and dry on the finish. I shared this with two other people who had never had sparkling shiraz; at first they hated it, but then over time they really enjoyed it. I did too. (B+/A-) - 2017 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (2022-02-07)
Similar impressions to the first note, with the caveat that this has improved with a little more time. Well made, balanced if somewhat staid Oregon Pinot. (A-) - 2019 Orofino Vineyards Riesling Hendsbee Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Similkameen Valley (2022-01-30)
Another tasty riesling from Orofino, although I thought this vintage wasn't quite up to previous vintages. This was a dry style, and as usual the citrus fruit, especially lime, was mainly in the background, with the mineral notes as dominant as the fruit, which I like. Not too complex (yet?), but very 'smashable' right now - very easy to drink and enjoy. (B+?A-) - 2005 Domaine Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie Le "L" d'Or - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine (2022-01-30)
This has really evolved well, developing a richer, more rounded texture. Still has plenty of acidity and minerality, but there is also that slightly rotten fruit (in a good way) note that older muscadets can have: they can start getting Chablis-like features as they age. Excellent QPR, and this still has a great deal of time IMHO. (A-/A) - 2019 Weingut Willi Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Kamptal - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal (2022-01-30)
A very nice entry level gruner. I agree that it is a little more round than the classic gruner style, but not too much. There are some green pea notes, nice acidity, mineral notes and a crisp texture. This should age very well for its level. (B+) - 2012 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Excellens Cuvee Especial - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (2022-01-29)
This wasn't my style at all. Tons of oak (French oak for a change in Rioja), extremely amorphous (could have been from anywhere and any varietal), quite in the modern style, plush, and rich. No 'somewhereness' or typicity here. (C-) - 2020 Synchromesh Riesling Long's View Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2022-01-29)
This tasted different than the estate riesling bottlings, with more texture and weight on the palate. But similar high quality riesling, with citrus and stonefruit, a nicely balanced off dry wine that is very refreshing. (A-) - 2017 Tawse Riesling Quarry Road Vineyard - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA (2022-01-29)
Hazy notes from a few days ago. Similar impressions as last time, a lovely, off dry riesling that has a mix of mainly citrus but also some stonefruit, and a nice mineral/talc flavour. Very smashable! RIP Paul Pender. (A-) - NV Barbier-Louvet Champagne Premier Cru L'Héritage de Serge" - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru (2022-01-23)
Had this last night and really enjoyed it. Light gold in colour, this was a rich, well balanced champagne with a good, suave mousse; red and citrus fruits in the nicely intense but elegant palate. This performed above its price (L 184119, disgorged in Oct 2019). (A-/A) - 2016 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville (2022-01-16)
This was a deep. fairly rich style, at least in part reflecting the 2016 vintage. Medium bodied, with red fruits and spice the main flavours. Good intensity and concentration, but not over the top. Tasted good on pop and pour, but this should last quite a while. (A-/A) - 2015 Tinhorn Creek The Creek - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (2022-01-15)
I was happy to see the significant price drop on this wine. I wish more wineries would have the guts to do this. At $60, forget it, but at 30, a winner. Rich and ripe but not over the top. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows itself first, but the other Bordeaux varieties give it some complexity. Mainly black fruits with some red fruits as well, medium to full bodied, drinking well now, but it should last too. (A-) - 2012 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Müller-Burggraef) Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (2022-01-13)
Drinking well now, but will last too. Now light to medium bodied, off dry but not sweet, elegant, perhaps lacking a little intensity and concentration, but still balanced and quite tasty, with mainly stonefruit and a bit of citrus on show. (B+/A-) - 2017 Château de la Roulerie Coteaux du Layon Chaume 1er Cru Chaume - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon Chaume (2022-01-11)
I was expecting a dessert wine style, but was pleasantly surprised with a medium bodied, elegant, off dry wine with flavours of apricots, orange, and lime. Nicely done. (B+/A-) - 2013 Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling The Contours Museum Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley (2022-01-09)
I had this last week, so just remember really enjoying this dry, well balanced, refreshing riesling; I recall talc and lime, nice concentration. This will last quite a while, but enjoyable now too. (A-/A) - 2018 Le Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir Le Grand Clos - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Twenty Mile Bench VQA (2022-01-08)
Quite light and stern when first opened, but 2 hours of air gave it more body and depth. A medium bodied, elegant Pinot, with cherries, beetroot and cranberry, and a nice velvety texture. I think this will get better with further aging; give it air if opening soon. (A-) - 2007 Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (2021-12-16)
Oxidized!
NR (flawed) - 2015 Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Großes Gewächs Alte Reben - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (2021-12-10)
I had forgotten I'd written a previous note to wait on this wine, but I'm glad I opened another one, as this was absolutely singing last night. A 'wow' wine, with fascinating, savory smells and tastes. First and foremost was incredible minerality, and a cool mountain stream vibe, along with excellent concentration. Refreshing and very serious at the same time. There was fruit, but the non-fruit elements were the focus this night. One of the best wines I've had all year. (A/A+) - 2009 Domaine Guion Bourgueil Cuvée Prestige - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil (2021-12-06)
I stumbled upon this in the cellar - a nice surprise. On pop and pour, it was quite mute, but over time it opened up. On the second night open, there's a light nose of mainly black fruits with slight earthy and herbal notes. The medium bodied and rather lean and tannic palate shows a mix of mainly black and some red fruit with iron, tobacco and earthy notes. No green notes at all on the palate, but as noted, the acid and tannins are quite healthy. This could use some more time I think, but I notice many people are saying it is past the due date? Hard to say if the fruit is diminishing. Great QPR as always. (B+) - 2017 Blue Mountain Brut (Gold Label) - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2021-12-05)
Disgorged 08/2020. The first few pours showed a very frothy sparkling that was rather acidic and aggressive in nature. As it got air and warmed up this harshness dissipated and the slightly toasty, apple and cirtus emerged a bit. Additional time in the cellar might help here. (B+) - 2019 Bartier Bros. Sémillon Cerqueira Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2021-11-25)
Mainly citrus notes on the nose, along with pear and almond. It has a fresh, medium bodied palate, with a combination of citrus (lime) and stonefruit (nectarines, pears) and a slightly waxy texture. This should improve with more aging, but nice now. (B+/A-) - 2004 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank - USA, California, Napa Valley (2021-11-25)
This had a nice nose, with some green notes included. Rather Bordeaux-like, medium bodied, with the cab franc dominant right now, including some green flavours with some air. Probably at or near peak? (A-) - 2002 Ridge Lytton Springs - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2021-11-25)
Very hazy notes. This was drinking well now, but could last a while too. Nicely integrated, with fruit a mix of red and black fruit, slight tannins, elegant and intense at the same time. No overt oak notes at all. (A-) - 2020 Synchromesh Riesling White Label Storm Haven Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2021-11-21)
This was a classic synchromesh style - starting slightly sweet, but by the end of the palate the healthy acid kicks in it finishes just slightly off dry. A mix of citrus and stonefruit on the juicy and intense, medium bodied palate. And low alcohol (around 8%) as is the norm here too. I'm a big fan of this producer's rieslings, and the 2020s are excellent. (A-) - 2017 Le Clos Jordanne Chardonnay Le Grand Clos - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA (2021-11-21)
Hazy notes. This seemed to be drinking very well now, but will last too. The balance and intensity of the wine were highlights. Medium to full bodied, with a great mixture of fruit, oak and acidity: everything in place. Nicely done. (A-) - 2004 Domaine du Gros 'Noré Bandol - France, Provence, Bandol (2021-11-18)
Hazy notes. Very dark in colour, with a mix of red and black fruits on the nice nose. Exuberant fruit on the full bodied palate, and with time came the rustic, gamy, leathery, funky, spicy flavours of classic Bandol; tannins are there, but largely hidden under all that fruit. Drinking well with some air, but it should last many years yet. Quite the powerhouse that probably is best with a huge steak. (A-) - 2018 Orofino Vineyards Riesling Clone 239 Hendsbee Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Similkameen Valley (2021-11-12)
Just had a taste of this, another lovely riesling from this producer. A dry style, with a slightly oily texture, nice concentration a mix of citrus and stonefruit and nice acidity and minerality. Great with a Malaysian meal of red curry. (A-) - 2011 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (2021-11-12)
My last note pretty well sums up this wine. It is still drinking nicely now. Not too complex, but a very tasty wine with blackfruits, tar and a fair amount of oak notes as usual for a Januik wine. Medium to full bodied, nice tannins, this should last a while. (B+/A-) - 2015 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (2021-11-10)
Last night this was a lovely, very refreshing style of kabinett. The fruit was mainly in the stonefruit and melon range, with healthy acidity and great minerality giving it considerable intensity and briskness. Perhaps a little closed now, but still very good, especially with some air. I'll try to let my remaining bottles rest a while, but there's no harm to try now. (A-/A) - 2009 Mount Pleasant Wines Sémillon Elizabeth - Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley (2021-11-09)
Had a taste last week, and this is still very young. Now it's quite fresh and brisk, lots of acidity, few secondary characteristics yet. (B+) - 2014 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Moulin-à-Vent - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Moulin-à-Vent (2021-11-07)
Dark ruby and purple in colour, with a nice nose with a mix of red and black fruit, and an earthy note. The palate is medium bodied, again with a mix of more red (dark cherry) than black fruit (boysenberry), with a nice purity (and a bit of spice) to the fruit and a velvety texture. Very slight tannins now. Dare I say its a bit pinot like, but mainly it's a comfortable, charming, cozy up around the fire kind of wine. Drinking well now, but no rush. (A-)