I opened my second bottle of Lot 82 earlier this week, took a taste (it was very closed), let it breath for a couple of hours and then recorked. Checked it on days 2 & 3, still kind of awful. Day 4 it was stunning. Doubting myself, I gave a blind pour to my wife and she was blown away as well.
Does a 4 day decant seem crazy? I was getting ready to regrettably dump it. Would love to know what other’s experience has been with this wine.
nope…I’ve had a bottle of Lot 50 Walla Walla Cabernet opened last week on Thursday…I’ve tasted it every couple of days but it didn’t really open up until yesterday and, quite frankly, its still pretty tight and monolithic. I am not surprised that 82 (same winemaking family but different sites) is evolving along a similar path. Quite frankly, I am seeing a lot of tightness again in the 2018’s from Napa as well…some are more open than others but aromatically quite a few seemed pretty closed off.
I did not realize I had bought # 43 until I looked at my account. Sold 1/2 the case to my cousin and he drank them all. I have yet to try one. I bought this because it was a “blow out”…
Popped open another N.291 and followed over a few days. Still on the light side, but rounded out a lot since it arrived. A lot more spice to it.
Finally tried a bottle of n.141. Very nice.
Based on your recommendation, we opened the first of four bottles of 52 cab franc last night. It’s delicious! Definitely on the ethereal/elegant side of the spectrum with pristine red fruits, some menthol, and notes of warm baking spices. The lower alcohol level was a welcome change. Overall, it’s a precise, lithe & lovely wine- all the best features I love in good Pinot found in a cab franc! Who’d a thunk?
I haven’t tried 141 yet & plan to hold off a bit longer. In the past week, we checked in with both 142 Malbec & 143 petit Verdot, both of which I’d describe as dark & brooding, too. (I believe all three are the same producer). The PV seems shut down right now & the fruit is hiding. This trio has plenty of life ahead!
2003 Chateau Pavie…with a Holy Grail Picanha Roast
https://holygrailsteak.com/collections/roasts/products/upper-prime-black-angus-picanha-roast-32-oz
OK, after the Pavie became a bit tired, OG 240 Red Mountain Cabernet. But had to plug Cameron’s other gig here as the roast was made into Picanha steaks and grilled. Sliced thin and the MOST mouthwatering beef I’ve tasted a LONG time. Go try some and treat yourself and guests these holidays. Cheers, Tim
Just opened the 2018 Dry Creek Zin. This wine is right up my alley. Don’t believe it’s a $10 one note simpleton. If you like more etheral, old world style this wine has it. It may not be cru if you need strength to qualify but this is a wine I could drink all day. It’s like a best friend that I want to hang with. I have never found Zin of this quality for less than $30 and a lot of $40+ zins are too big and over extracted messes (in my opinion). I think it’s going to be a perfect Thanksgiving wine. Lots of balance b/w fruit and acid with tannins that are high end granache- like. I have 11 more and am going in for a 2nd helping (if available). I’ve been fairly judicious with my purchases, trying to stay w/i my style and so far I am blown away by the QPR. I was more than a little afraid at first of being disappointed because of my well earned scepticism in well reviews. Man, have I changed my tune. I only found de Negoce a little over 2 months ago and have about 20 cases. I’ve filled my 150 bottle cooler and am thinking of buying another although at my age I don’t buy green bananas so probably a bad idea. Thanks everyone for all the fun reading on this site. Looking forward to reporting on future old worldish bottles for those of us in that lane.
This is great news. Thanks for the review. All of the parts of this wine that you described is exactly what I look for in a Zinfandel. As you mention, many are an over-extracted glob. This sounds really high quality with tannin to match.
The Zinfandel sounds like it fits my preferences. I’ve stayed away from many of the Zin offers because they can be so big & extracted. Which lot is it? 168 is still available, but 61 is only offered in three packs.
We opened the CdR blanc, lot 292, a few days ago, shortly after receiving it. What a delicious blend of Roussanne & Viogner & a nice change from Chardonnay. The nose is very expressive with layers of orchard fruits & flowers. The palette was slightly more subdued, but I think that’s temporary as the wine settles from its journey. I’ve had many Virginia viogners before & enjoyed them, although some are over oaked. This is a revelation: peaches & orange blossoms riding a mineral backbone. Wish I’d gotten two cases!
Sorry. Newbie mistake. It’s lot 61 although there might be something after this from this producer. Yeah, this really good now as a CD but definitely ageworthy. Mine aren’t going to make it that long 
.
I found 10 bottles on de negociants that a NJ buyer is selling. No price listed. I’m in NorCal so not going to pursue but if you’re near the east coast…
Shoot, that CdR sounds like it’s great. I blew it. Viognier blends always scare me because at that price everything I taste is flabby to my palate. Now I know to trust that Cam likes whites and gets good stuff. I love Marsanne and have bought 5-6 cases of the french stuff along with (hopefully)burgundy- like Oregon Chard on reviews from here. Not a big Chardonnay guy through the years because, like alot of us, I got scared away by overoaked monstrosities from Napa. The french whites I’ve gotten so far are just what I was hoping for. Lots 289, 290, 291, 317 had nice acidity. Very food friendly for the rustic lunches and dinners that I love.
Note: This is not the typical “type” of cabernet on offer here. No new French Oak, but it’s a fun Northern Italian wine and is enjoyable. I’d hold it another year, but able to be enjoyed now as well.
N.07, 2017 SRH Pinot Noir, very tasty
Had a #274 supposedly Stonemaiden on Saturday at Chez Boet in Naples
. Showed very well. Dark with great fruit. Also had a 2005 Duhart Milon my wine friend brought. Showed will too although the BDX was dryer. Nice contrast
OG N.141 2018 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Fourth bottle. Trying to decide if I want more, at the current sweet deal?
So, I opened both 141 & 81(a favorite) to compare.
They were both very good, 81 more powerful, 141 has both power and elegance! Slight preference for 141 on day one.
On Day 2. Strong preference for 141, it had improved . 81 did not improve. I ordered another case of 141, it’s delicious, elegant, woody and very age worthy!
Definitely Scott, with dinner.
142 Malbec - only DN version on Malbec that was recently ordered and delivered. Ate with a smoked then seared rack of pork with a spicy rub.
As a pop and pour it was very good but average $15 Malbec. After 2 hours I had the second glass and it starts it wake up. Has a good Flavor both on the front and back of the palate sort of like a brazed red sauce rust has cooked for 12 hours in short ribs. Very much black berries and a bit of roasted nuts.
I’ve almost never had a Malbec that wasn’t better the next day and based on the first 2 glasses i suspect it will shine even more tomorrow.
If I were to score it’s a 91.