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Paul H Galli

2011 Rhys "Bearwallow" PN - 13.5% There's been some controversy about the 2011 Rhys Pinots, so I'm going to sample some over the next month or so. Mature light-medium red with onion skin at edge. Fine spicy, pine sap, blackberry nose. Elegant, feminine, light bodied pure cherry fruit. Not an Earth-...

Paul H Galli

While the 2011 Horseshoe Syrah is a stunner, I have had mixed results (at best) with other 2011 Rhys red wines. Both the Home and Swan Terrace Pinots have been consistently disappointing. I always have a backup bottle handy when I open a 2011. It's clearly a vintage thing (except for Swan, which I ...

Paul H Galli

Word on the street is the new room at federal was Ned Johnson’s (Fidelity) former cellar he kept at his office. Federal took over the space. The whiskey selection at federal is very good too. Don’t be shocked when you walk in. It looks like a mom and pop packy at first blush. I loved reading the wo...

Paul H Galli

Had this tonight with some chicken breasts.
A great food wine.
Elegant, minerally cherry fruit with a touch o' earth.
A ringer in a Cote de Beaune tasting!
Drink over the next year or so..

TTT

Paul H Galli

My mom turned 92 recently.
She's a tough old bird!

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Paul H Galli

If you guys (or gals) don't buy another wine this year, you would be well served getting a case of this!

SILLY PRICE and the best QPR you will likely see in 2019!

TTT = Trust The Troll

Paul H Galli

Ye Gods!
A NO BRAINER!!!!!
DONE!

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Paul H Galli

A word of warning concerning the French Spirits seller called Le Cognac. I ordered a bottle of 1976 Normandin-Mercier Cognac on Feb 26th for $275, which I considered a good price. They claimed it was “in stock”. They charged my credit card on March 1st. I noticed that I had not received a confirmati...

Paul H Galli

Glenn L e v i n e wrote: ↑
March 9th, 2019, 6:03 pm
Bruce Lee wax removal...

7D62E552-B369-4E23-B7F3-3E27C9324233.jpeg

Can't stand wax seals....

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Paul H Galli

D@vid Bu3ker wrote: ↑
March 7th, 2014, 4:20 am
Nope. No SB here. Cannot stand the stuff.

+1

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Paul H Galli

Given your location, I doubt very much that you will get away with no cooling unit. If you just install an ordinary room air conditioner (without fooler circuit), you can maintain 60-62 degrees max all year round. You will only have to use it in the summer. You do need to fully insulate that room. TTT

Paul H Galli

Pretty cheesy art for such an expensive pad...

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Paul H Galli

Once again, anybody who doesn't do a deep dive on Arcadian Wines is REALLY missing out!

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Paul H Galli

There were some great CA Pinots produced in 2005.
For instance, the entire Arcadian lineup!

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Paul H Galli

However now the scary part is since I am 58 years old and have many great years ahead of me, I now have caught the bug possibly, and am craving to try a wine that gives me an experience that is close, without selling my house to buy wine. I do have a nice car but really dont want to live in it. JS,...

Paul H Galli

Brent C l a y t o n wrote: ↑
February 21st, 2019, 9:44 pm
They do their thing we do ours.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_(unit)

Then why does French wine use 750ml as their standard?

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Paul H Galli

Don't know why they charge NY sales tax on out of state sales!
Maybe has something to do with the third party aspect....

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Paul H Galli

Why does Europe even produce a non standard size is my question?

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Paul H Galli

Why do foreign sources have Cognacs available in 700ml while the US has them in 750ml versions?

Knowing Americans (and rightfully so), we would feel "uneasy" that the 700ml is an unusual size (especially considering 750ml is the standard for wine).

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Paul H Galli

Repeating Michael Chang's notice from the Dudognon thread (didn't want anyone to miss it) Astors is having a 15% off Brandy sale. First time customers get free shipping! If you've never ordered from Astor, than the fact you would get free shipping (around $20) makes this the cheapest source to get t...

Paul H Galli

Btw this dudognon is on sale for ~$180 or so at Astor today. Free shipping if it’s your first order. Just ordered my 2nd bottle of this beauty from them. flirtysmile For others, if you've never ordered from Astor, than the fact you would get free shipping (around $20) makes this the cheapest source...

Paul H Galli

Beautiful cognac. Butterscotch and pan de chocolat on the nose. Rich and incredibly complex palate. Alcohol is there but not distracting. Pedigree is obvious. Long luxurious finish. Can't seem to find this pup for under $477 delivered.... [cray.gif] That's more than I paid for the Lot 29.... I'll k...

Paul H Galli

Check out Premiers Grands Crus in France.....

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Paul H Galli

A Pox on you all....

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Paul H Galli

K&L just raised the price $150 up to $750.....

I LOVE K&L but their Cognac prices can easily be bested elsewhere....

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Paul H Galli

Craig G wrote: ↑
February 19th, 2019, 9:18 pm
Easy to say now that you ran out of Lot 29!

Never said I ran out.....

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Paul H Galli

The more I taste the Lot 53, the more I like it.

Originally, I much preferred the Lot 29.

My opinion now is that they are pretty close in quality, with the Lot 29 winning by a whisker!

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Paul H Galli

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
February 19th, 2019, 8:31 am
I like the tesseron a lot but I’d branch out to a few
other well aged ones like Navarre and Normandin Mercier

I intend to.

Have you had the Dudognon "Heritage"?
A real gem....

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Paul H Galli

I've already pounded a bottle of this.
So much for moderation......

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Paul H Galli

Been tasting there a few times over the years.
Great Chards produced here with great views of the Valley.
Advice: Use your lowest gear all the way down the hill with minimum brake usage (trust me on this one!)

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Paul H Galli

In 2010 I wrote the following review: 2009 Jean Calot Morgon VV Cuvee Unique - 13% - $24.75 Dark purple/crimson color. Great nose of roses and violets;quite floral. Spicy, powerful, minerally, primary chocolate cherry fruit with a very long finish of blackberries. Has ripe tannins and good acid. Thi...

Paul H Galli

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
February 5th, 2019, 5:25 am
You should try to find some normandin mercier; I think you’d like it.

Are you suggesting the straight XO Grand Champagne or another bottling?
Your great advice is straining my credit card!

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Paul H Galli

Dudognon 40yr “Heritage” Cognac Beautiful light golden brown color. Wonderful spicy nose of caramel, lemons, tea and mahogany. Smooth, decadent, tropical, ripe plum fruit entry led to a very, VERY long dry, rancio laden, pineapple aftertaste. There’s quite a bit of luscious, rich fruit especially c...

Paul H Galli

Damn!
After sipping on the Lot 29 and Lot 53 for the past four days, I had some of my old standby Delamain Pale & Dry.
As The Cream once sang, What A Bringdown.....

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Paul H Galli

Brian G r a f s t r o m wrote: ↑
January 20th, 2019, 12:17 pm
Which vintage would get your vote, Paul?

I *think* my vote would be 2000, but not entirely sure. It's like picking your favorite child.

That 2000 is a beauty but my vote goes for the 2005...

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Paul H Galli

I believe Joe thinks the 2005 Pisoni is his best ever from this vineyard...

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Paul H Galli

Had this again tonite and it was better the 2nd time around.
A really great Cognac!
I still prefer the Lot 29.
But I can see why others may not....

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Paul H Galli

The last of 18 bottles purchase upon release. And yes, I had a few pre-moxed ones over the years. But this last one was glorious. Absolutely pristine in color, it was hard to realize that this Chablis was 15 years old. Tropical fruits, salinity, and gentle acidity dominate. What a nice way to be ab...

Paul H Galli

Received this in the mail today and popped it. Again, somewhat preliminary tasting notes, but I'm quickly getting the hang of it. Tesseron Lot 53 - Perfection Coppery golden brown color. Rich nose of vanilla bean, Hershey's Cocoa, spice, mahogany and dried fruit (prune?) Complex, firm, spicy, honey,...

Paul H Galli

BTW, if anyone has any suggestions as to comparable Cognacs, I'm open. Plus if anybody disagrees with anything I say, please feel free to do so. I'm a newbie when it comes to Cognac and appreciate the opportunity to learn from those with more experience... For instance, please describe your impressi...

Paul H Galli

Oh oh.
The Lot 53 IS in my future....
Will report soon.

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Paul H Galli

David Henry wrote: ↑
January 15th, 2019, 5:42 pm
Before Parker gave the 29 100 points and the 53 98 points, you could get the 29 for under $200 and the 53 for around $100 with two Riedel crystal tulip cognac glasses at the old Sam's in Chicago. Both are great, but I give the slight edge to the 53.

Oh oh.
The Lot 53 may be in my future....

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Paul H Galli

A very entertaining tasting video featuring four Tesserons.
Going to Valhalla. I enjoyed that ride!

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Paul H Galli

Tesseron 29 is fantastic. I’ve had it twice at Artisan Wine Depot’s tastings of the Tesseron line. I couldn’t convince myself to buy one, though. FWIW I like their whole lineup. I hear ya. I auctioned off some wine at K&L to finance this purchase. This was the most ($600) I've ever spent on a bottl...

Paul H Galli

Some of these wines are natural Pesticides....

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Paul H Galli

Having pretty much exhausting (or becoming exhausted) my lifelong study of Burgundy & CA Pinots (although there is always something to learn), I've decided to take on Cognacs as my next area of specialization. I've had a dozen or so in my life, so I'm hardly an expert. But I tend to immerse myself i...

Paul H Galli

I have come to the conclusion that Arcadian Pinots are my all-time favorite from CA....

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Paul H Galli

1997 Arcadian "Sleepy Hollow" PN.
Not even close....

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Paul H Galli

1997 Arcadian "Sleepy Hollow" PN - 13.8% Mature, delicate, light colored garnet red with onion skin throughout. Great nose of spice, coffee and dried strawberries. Elegant, feminine, spicy smoked ham entry led to a long, luscious, lipsmackin' bing cherry finish. Perfect acid/fruit/structure balance...

Paul H Galli

Rob Weaver wrote: ↑
January 5th, 2019, 7:54 am
Why even post about these wines given the justifiable heartburn it gives some in this community? It’s like crowing that you got all of your PC futures. Seems unnecessary.

Unbiased tasting notes are ALWAYS necessary....

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