I had a great tasting at Vasques de Carvalho. It’s a pretty small operation, and still family- and Portuguese-owned. Highly recommended!
And be sure to walk across the bridge to experience the literal climate change.
2 Likes
I have’nt tapped an 09 in 4+ years, but plenty of love for Fourrier in general on this board and the 09 village Gevrey on CT.
1 Like
A rewarding find in a local (Manila) online shop. Strawberries, cranberries, lip-smacking delicious acidity.
2001 Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano
1 Like
If at first you don’t succeed…
Giving this a go with another bottle and it’s noticeably fresher and better. Last bottle had a soft but otherwise sound cork so I suspect that was the culprit in the slightly compromised bottle. I’m with Oliver M. and Jeremy H. that the sooner we get rid of natural cork, the sooner we drink consistently better. Still not putting into ‘great’ territory but it is very fine Pommard especially for the ~$35 retail price it went for back in the day Has the structure of Pommard and 2005 but doesn’t seem like anything to gain from holding further.
If you’re out there reading, Lyle, you chose well 
4 Likes
2021 Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert by the pool as NZ starts to warm up finally. Lovely piece of red fruit with some dark fruit wrapping the middle. Aging well but may not need any more time. Very nice
3 Likes
Marathon celebration for David’s “god knows how many times” finish. @Sandbergsm brought v neat cab, had gamay vibes (good thing).
5 Likes
2001 St. Supery Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
My daughter came over last night and I always like sharing her birth year wines with her. I saw this on Wine Bid for $15 a while ago and decided to take a chance on it and I am glad I did. The cork was brittle and needed my Durand to get it out, but as soon as I did, cherry aromas leapt from the bottle. Filtered for sediment and poured right into our glasses. With aromas of cherries (mixture of fresh and dried), leather, graphite, and green pepper, my daughter kept swirling and smelling. There was still the perfect amount of acidity and tannins still left, adding a little life and weight to the palate. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her birth year wine and it definitely over delivered for $15!! .
3 Likes
So right, mine are gone!
1 Like
6 Likes
2017 O Fugitivo, a limited edition skin contact white from Casa da Passarella and its winemaking wizard, Paulo Nunes. One of those one off purchases I’d forgotten about and randomly popped into my mind. Aromatics of bitter orange rind, dehydrated quince and dry flowers. Steely and dry, with great acid kick. Beautiful balance at only 12% abv. The flavor profile is fresh and incisive, despite its tawny color. Paired competently with “Bolhão Pato” clams and hake fillets with truffled purée.
4 Likes
me too. educational & delicious
1 Like
2012 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva
My experience with Italian wine rounds to zero, so grain of salt. This was good not great, pretty fierce and rustic earth/blood/iron character plus some cherry fruit with a touch of menthol. This was a winebid purchase so who knows how it was treated on the front end. I bought it on the strength of recommendations for Felsina as a long ager but there was a decent amount of nondescript old red wine character to this.
2019 Lindquist Syrah Bien Nacido Z Block
Ostensibly the original hillside Syrah planting at Bien Nacido. This was good though it suffers from the same sense of genericness I get with many domestic syrahs. Not that it isn’t a nice wine - bacon, pepper, orange rind plus berry fruit, all there and pretty tasty - it just isn’t that unique compared to other similar well made new world syrahs. This may just be me failing to appreciate subtleties, would not be the first time.
Duhart-Milon - Pauillac - 2001
Such a lovely wine. Classic Pauillac. Trademark aromas of cassis and cigar box, creamy blackcurrant and plum on the palate, velvety texture, subtle yet powerful fruit - good old-fashioned claret. It won’t improve further but still a few years to go. 92 pts
4 Likes
Lugged this Riojan classic to dinner at one of the numerous Spanish-themed eateries in the neighborhood. 24-year-old, all red berries, fruitcake notes, delightful acidity, good now but could reach next wow level with more cellar years.
2001 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia Reserva
7 Likes
Carré Frères Jeanvrai was clean, chalky, very pure.
Chaillon Lamier des Renards showed more weight and a vinous, almost Burgundian texture.
Dancer La Romanée 2019 had the usual flinty reduction, then a clear warm-vintage exotic note (mango). Not a flaw, just 2019 talking. Saline, precise finish.
Guffens Le Chavigne 2020 was energetic, citrus-driven, sharp and detailed.
Dujac MSD 2015 drinking beautifully: red fruit, rose, stem spice, silky tannins.
Coherent progression and strong showing across the board.
8 Likes
It’s nice to have a pointing dog, particularly as he’s trained to point cases of Chambertin Clos de Beze.
10 Likes
Thumbs up 
.
My 2nd favorite Dujac of my year outside of 2010 Clos St Denis.
3 Likes
Those Felton Roads are good. Had a great visit there 20 yrs ago and also fascinating lunch with Blair Walter in Adelaide a decade ago. Nice utilatarian decanter !! 
1 Like