My brother decided to open this one today because Messi was retiring. First taste was straight from the bottle. Muted notes of black currant, dark black berries, blueberries. Hints of leather , cedar, coal. Decided to pour the rest of the bottle into a decanter and checked every 30 minutes give or take to see how it was developing. After 2 hours it was starting to show why this wine stands the test of time. Can easily be held inside a cellar for another 10 years if possible. The ending notes were ripe juniper berries, blackberries

After Oakville, went to Sonoma downtown for tastings at Bedrock and Three Sticks. I heard Bedrock has good zins and was always curious... and also because Bryant, Colgin, Pahlmeyer, and Realm were busy. Bad timing to not be on their allocation lists. So.... Bedrock is in an old house, General Joseph Hooker House, which you have to go through an alleyway to get to. There was literally no parking in the area... Quick notes as my friend was with me, gotta socialize. From memory, all C+, except for the last Monte Rosso CS, which I thought was very good.

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Bedrock, Santa Maria Valley, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Under the Wire, Pinot Noir, 2022, disgorged 2026, 12.5% abv.

Started off our tasting with some sparkling. As usual, the nose was a bit gasey and plastic-like, I typically can't get much aroma-wise for the bubblies. Light body, cherry soda, effervescent texture although I am not seeing many bubbles, quite sweet though, good amount of lemonade in here. Finish is surprisingly long, like lemon-y sprite. 

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Bedrock, Cuvee Katusas, Bordeaux White Blend, 2025, 13.8% abv.

Savory aromatics, more dessert-like than anything, bits of caramel dressing on desserts that have been left out, bit of clothes. Full body, not so "dry", entry is medium body though, offers both lighter colored fruits with some dessert dressing. A bit underwhelming. Medium finish, typical Bordeaux blanc style ending, savory. Time to hit the zins! 

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Bedrock, Lodi, Katusha's Vineyard, Mokelumne River, Zinfandel, 2024, 14.5% abv.

Aromas of metallic strawberries but quite moderate, not aromatically jammy nor spicey. Light body, fruity and sweet but not jammy, red fruits galore, bits of copper, hint of earth, bits of dust. Medium length finish, drying, cupric bramble fruit, getting hints of brown sugar. Overall mild. Argh. 

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Bedrock, Dry Creek Valley, Beeson Ranch, Zinfandel, 2023, 14.5% abv.

Mild aromas of bramble fruit, again not aromatically jammy nor spicey, ... but different from the previous Lodi zin and the upcoming RR zin. My drinking buddy is getting red already. Light body, light on the fruit, not very sweet and not jammy, closer to spiced dehydrated fruit, slightly more mysterious than the previous Lodi zin and the next RR zin, but still a bit underwhelming. Short to medium finish. These are quite well made as I wasn't get much alcohol on these pours. Truth be told, although all three zins were more on the easy drinking side, an my initial favorite was the 2023 Belloni (next), after some time I enjoyed this Beeson more.

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Bedrock, Russian River Valley, Belloni Vineyard, Zinfandel, 2023, 14.5% abv.

Again mild aromas of bramble fruit, again not aromatically jammy but dabs of spice. Light body, the most fruit of the three zins tried in this tasting, accentuated by some cooking spices, am I detecting some special wood? Distracted by friends condition. Short finish. I initially thought this was the better of the three zins I tried, but have to admit I finally preferred the Beeson zin after some time. These are quite well made as I wasn't get much alcohol on these pours. 

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Bedrock, Sonoma Valley, Bedrock Vineyard Heritage, Zinfandel Blend, 2025, 13.8% abv.

A special pour on a special tasting. Really appreciate everything! Back label says this is 63% zinfandel, 14% Carignan, 10% Grenache, 9% Mataro, and 4% Alicante Bouschet. 2025 zin blend in 2026? Aromas showing moderate levels of black fruit,  light on spices and mature vine. Medium body, similar to the nose, simple pour to be honest, getting some dry chalk, or others might refer to as "rocks", surprisingly the fruit is not dominating. Medium finish, again can't really feel the alcohol. I guess I expected too much, it's honestly a good pour, but thats about it. Friend is dying. One more before he pukes?

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Bedrock, Sonoma County, Monte Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022, 14.5% abv.

Nose is quite fruity, aromatically sweet and savory, a collection of cooking herbs, most notably a light bay leaf. Medium to full bodied although closer to medium bodied, on entry this was already great! Reflective of nose, very sweet fruit forward, major tatt bramble and then red fruits, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, currants, the whole works. Also accompanying spices like white peppers with fine tannins. Long finish and no real abv. This is quite balanced CS at 2022, not overwhelming but intense, and I cannot imagine how good it will be with some years on it. I think the hostess mentioned there were 112 cases of this (12 bottle cases)... out of all the pours I tried on this trip, I regret not gettinga bottle or two of this, especiallyat USD$95/bottle. Solid B-level for me and reminds me of Eisele. My friend is about to collapse me thinks... argh.

Two weeks later and I am still thinking of this pour... argh.

THANK YOU BEDROCK!!!

I APOLOGIZE IF MY FRIEND DID ANYTHING UNGENTLEMANLY IN THE BATHROOM!

Recently found out about this pub near seaport in Manhattan and figured I would give it a try after glancing at the menu. I know next to nothing about Australian wine and I hadn’t realized just how extensive their list is until I sat down. Really amazing food from down under too but that’s not what we are here for.

Their list is big for a pub! Especially one out here, most usually have one or two of each as options but we have a decent variety here it seems. The wine is affordably priced and they even let you purchase by the glass some bigger swingers like Patrick Sullivan and Tim Smith.

I tried a few wines with my partner at the bar, we ended up trying both the Patrick and the Tim Smith, as well as the Ben Haines and Pikes. I don’t know much about the typicality of Australian wine but I do know I enjoyed all of the wine.

Ben Haines Amber 2022
Clean orange wine with subtle honey and floral aromatics and citrus/orange/lemon notes on the tongue , very simple on the palate but very refreshing and completely uncomplicated.

Pikes Traditonale Riesling 2022
Wow. First smell took me to Christmas time, it feels like what most people might imagine a retsina wine to be. Super light and refreshing pine elements in the wine that beautifully surrounded the petrol and mineral notes, very well integrated wine and very much enjoyed the pine element.

Tim Smith BUGALUG 2023
Lovely Grenache, light cherry and floral/dried floral notes and delicious mouthfeel all the way down, my palette was starting to burn out a little bit as they poured really large glasses and this was one of the later I tasted but I thought it was a really elegant textbook Grenache especially for its price point.

Patrick Sullivan Chardonnay 2024

Wooof. My favorite of the night, delicious Chardonnay that immediately took me back to some of the better cuvees that au bon Climat produces, really lovely kiss of oak and caramel with citrus flavors layering underneath. It was zippy and zesty while simultaneous being decadent, one of my favorite styles of Chardonnay and I felt it was a very fair BTG price point too.

I also tried the penfolds maxs cab and the clover hill brut rose but these were just digestifs post meal, neither really caught my attention though both were very good I thought for your average pub wine in Manhattan. The brut rose was allegedly an interesting mix of grapes too, easy drinking sparkling wine.

Really I just wanted to make this post to highlight Old Mates Pub, it’s a great Australian Bar with a hell of a menu both food and drink. I don’t think nyc has had such a definitive ~Australian Wine Bar~ before so this is amazing to add to the list of regionally focused wine bars like Kaia and Stafilli and etc.

Enjoyed this bottle to celebrate some friends visiting, both who are 1985 born.

Stood the bottle up ahead of time and brought to Casaro Osteria in SF.

Opened and started to drink right away.

This is a nicely mature wine that is still drinking well.

Tannins are fully settled.

Still lots of fruit, but I also got fresh leather, slight tobacco, rosemary, and cloves.

Somewhat savory on the palate.

This can still hold on a while.

92 points.

Mayacamas did their member dinner this weekend and celebrated the judgement of Paris with some unforgettable wines. Forgive the shortened notes as it's not always easy at events like this. Apologies in advance I was so over taken by the Cabernet I didn't take a photo of the bottle but you can see it in the glass in #3.

2024 Sauvignon Blanc - More tropical and salinity than previous vintages. Going to want to age this

2024 Chardonnay - Fruit leather, Caramel light. Creme brulee, Bright citrus lemon meringue, Lemon grass, Melon rind.

2024 Sunset Barrel tasting - Floral and big fruit, Big black Berry, Mineral driven, Surprisingly drinking well

2011 Sauvignon Blanc - High Mineralty, walnut, creamy, high acid fruit, still bright. Drinking great

1995 Chardonnay - A Powerhouse white, slight creme brulee, chalky, crisp green apple. Not past its prime and not overly oxidized

1971 Cabernet Sauvignon - Leather, basement cellar, old Napa nose, Fruit leather but still some light red fruit, Tertiary green pepper, Bramble Berry, graphite, slightly eucalyptus, Not oxidized but fully resolved. It was like the perfect cab IMO. This must have been a huge powerhouse back in the day

1986 Cabernet Sauvignon magnum - Really threw me, would have guessed mid to late 90s. Lots of top block feel. A huge Napa cab. Lots of black fruit and floral. Cassis and black berry, lots of Bell peppers, leather, huge finish.

1975 chateau d'Yquem - Dried flower fruit, honeycomb, apricot, lemon candy. This was brought by another guest actually, super generous. Interesting surprise

1974 late harvest zinfandel - leather, nutty, cloves, some fennel on the nose. Earthy and herbal, not for everyone

Very good, very refreshing Patagonian Pinot Noir. The name of this line refers to the roaring winds that dominate the area where the winery is located, on the 45th parallel south.

Translucent garnet color. On the nose there's plenty of mint and eucalyptus with some mushrooms and petrichor. On the mouth the tannins are silky and gentle, with violet, Autumn foliage, salted caramel and a hint of black olive tapenade on the finish.

Bang for your buck, this is far superior to other, more expensive PNs from the area like Chacra's Barda. Easy 93 points.

Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Morgeot Les Fairendes (2023)

I’m trying to branch out from my “red wine is always the answer” mindset. Of course I’ll pair whites with fish, and champagne with caviar, but there’s more that white wine can do and it’s time I grow into it.

Hot take #1: champagne and fried chicken pairing is overrated, fight me.

Drank this bottle over two days using a Coravin.

Hot take #2: do you think I needed to use the Coravin for this? How about if it was a red wine? For me even a 90 minute decant gives most wines a vinegar note, but I think my opinion is a bit off from the norm.

Anyway. Day 1, paired with a roasted chicken quarter in mustard, shallots, and applesauce with acorn squash in sage butter. Day 2, paired with sous vide pork tenderloin in herbs de Provence (wife was trying an NA Chenin blanc) and a honey apricot glaze with a kale apple salad and mustard vinaigrette.

Lovely wine. Clearly young. Notes of apple with a little grapefruit. Sweet creamy finish (that’s what she said).

Lini 910 NV

First impressions: red wine soda. Mousse is very fine. Initially, flavors are raspberry and sour cherry, with no tannic grip or astringency. Body is light+, acidity is light. Very crisp finish. As it warms in the glass, some bitterness emerges, and the tannins become more pronounced and less integrated.

This is not a complex wine, and it won't reward patience. I think it's perfect as an aperitif or something fun to serve at a party, maybe as a more serious Prosecco alternative. It's a fun, tasty drink - as long as you drink it fairly quickly.

87–88/100

Been going back and forth on a few and would love any experiences, thoughts or recs. Choosing between Vinebox, WSJ or In Good Taste. Looking for enjoyable wine more than amount. Open to any other recs that you’ve tried and loved as well. TIA!

I had this wine a couple of days ago, but forgot to post here. Here’s are my notes:

Purchased on WTSO for $34.99

ABV 14.6%

45 minute decant

Nose: The aromatics were initially hard for me to pick up on, but over time I picked up on subtle notes of tart cranberry, dark black cherry, and a hint of toasted oak.

Palate: Medium to full bodied with bright red fruit leading, fresh raspberry and cherry alongside dark blackberries. I tasted a touch of white pepper as well, finishing with soft baking spice and a kiss of vanilla. The standout aspect for me is the tannin structure. It was really fine and velvety. It genuinely feels like dragging your hand through smooth beach sand.

I think for what I paid for, this was delicious, I would certainly be willing to buy it again.

Thanks for reading!

I'm going to Hungary, specifically Budapest for 5 days and then rent a car and wherever I can that has good wines and stuff, I would lik to visit at least a couple of wine cellars.

It's just been recently that I started doing wine tourism every now and then. I'm a headwaiter in michelin star restaurant and i got to learn a lot, also passed the wset2 3 years ago. So even tho I'm no expert, I know a thing or two due to my exposure to it everyday and I love tasting and getting to experience different flavors. Last sommelier that we had was arounda my age (26) so she was really modern in her way of managing our cellar. Lots of organic, biodynamic and natural wines were of her preference, also gave opportunity a good amount of wines outside the rules of denominations.

Current sommelier is way more classic in everyting: tasting, managment, flavors that he prefers etc

So I'm opened to almost anything but I would like to avoid tours that are too beginner friendly or that have "safer" tasting options.

She (the former sommelier) told me about Peter Wetzer so I have that in mind but that's maybe too far. My original plan was staying somewhere near Eger and Tokaj and find tours just days before.

Has anyone gone or tried Peter Wetzer here, does he have tours in his vineyard? Do you like some kind of tours in particular or you just go if you know the wine they work with? And if you can, while being in Budapest I'll go to some restaurants too, I'll also taste there so if you know wines or restaurants that I should try tell me :)

Terrific buy for a cool climate Burgundy with some age. Close out 50% off. Perfect bottle. Breathed for a few hours. Crunchy textured fruit, nose of cranberries, leather, dark chocolate, earth. Firm entry opening up a center core depth of all of the above. Nice acidity which only became more pronounced with air. At first I thought a bit flabby. Thankfully not the case. Delicious.

First Time vina tondonia, i was pleasantly surprised by the wine’s freshness after such a long oak aging… it did not show. As for the meursault… well, not a réputéd grower and though fairly Young, it showed incredible depth.

Perfect balance between depth and elegance, unmistakable characteristics of the finesse of wines from Vosne-Romanée. The nose opens with notes of red cherries, wild raspberries and violets, revealing gradually blood orange,sweet spices and a fine earthy undertone. Explosive to the palate, the texture is remarkably refined, with fine-grained tannins, vibrant freshness and a persistent mineral tension.
800€ 97pts

Best Pinot noir I’ve ever had. I’m not an expert by any means, but wow this is good.

Hard to believe I picked this up on wine bid for $25

Jammy, Smokey, acid is perfect. Just the right amount of age.

A great haul this year. The decanter, wine, and even the tray, were gifts

The opened wine, the 2014 marsyas was quite simply superb. Sublimelu balanced. Perhaps not a hugely complex wine, but flawlessly executed and so smooth, spicy, sweet, acidic all in balance. Utterly

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Hi! I'm not someone who drinks a whole lot of wine. I know I vaguely like dessert reds and rose. But this is less about drinking and more about cooking.

I'm looking at making a lamb pie and some recipe I see suggest using a red wine in the gravy base. I decided to look for a Chianti (though I'm open to other suggestions), the only ones I could find were Frescobaldi Castiglioni and Ruffino 1877 DOCG. I know everyone's taste is different, but I wanted some weigh in if one is better than the other?

Hey everyone,

I was on a trip with my wife in Portugal last year and we tasted amazing fortified wine in the Douro valley. Since we came back from this trip (we live in Canada), we tried to find good bottles but nothing could compare to the ones we've tried back there. Do you guys have any good recommendations of good bottles we can find in north america?

Thanks!

As the title states, I had no real idea what to expect. I know of Sauternes, so I had an academic understanding of what to expect, but had never taken the time to find one. Picked this up at my local wine shop for $22.

2017 Château Saint-Vincent.

For some reason, I was anticipating this being much sweeter and cloying. However, this had a nice zip of acidity and everything felt balanced. This is an entry level wine, so I can't imagine how something like Château D'yquem would be.

Medium-full body, but not syrupy. Silky on the tongue. Somewhat muted nose, but reminds me of honey, papaya, Myers lemons, and maybe mango? Fresh, bursting palate with beautiful sweetness and tangy acidity. Ripe stone fruit and apricots with honey, and maybe almonds. Has a nice long finish that coats the tongue.

The shop had 4-5 more bottles that I am going to pick up tomorrow. I understand that these can be laid down for some time, so looking forward to seeing how they evolve. May also just have to bite the bullet and pick up a few higher end offerings. Any suggestions would be appreciated!