Thanks!!!
1 Like
Lot 255 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 55% Oak Knoll, 45% Coombsville, 65% new French oak, 15% alc…
Bottling Nov 30th, 2021. i.e. currently 1.5 years bottle age.
Wow, that first case went away very fast! I like it!
Smooth and powerful, Fleshy, Lush, decent acid, moderate finish. 1,5 Yums 
Likely 2 Yums with additional aging?
Nose Opens up with 2 hours in the decanter. This beauty should age well, 2 more cases to enjoy within the next 5 years?
with Apple/Hickory grilled Tri-Tip 
4 Likes
Though bottled only nine months ago, I’m sorry to say that Lot 324 Italian 2021 Barbera D’Alba can no longer be classified as a ‘Run don’t Walk’ wine since apparently all 200 cases are no longer available. For those that snatched up this $9 fun find, you are in for an informal, intriguing bouquet, medium bodied, dark red, fresh light fruit taste that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a short while. An ever so faint, first sip malic taste will quickly disappear on the second / third quaff. Need a summertime red, ~ this Barbera fills the niche for drinking alone or with cheese and summer fare. B+ (we enjoyed slightly chilled)
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68 on night 3 is singing like a Aretha. It slaps as the kids say.
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This one sounds great, I was seriously tempted, but I don’t need much Cab these days. It’s awesome that it is performing well for you and others!
67 hit peak on day 4 for me. Someone else mentioned this one will have a long life. I agree. I love this style of wine, but they take a long time to come together. This is going to be a very nice wine but I could see this taking several years yet. Just a lot of acid which calmed down by day 4 (a bit) and the tannins are still strong here. I have 2 cases just because I knew it was my thing and I’m glad I get to taste this one as it evolves over the years.
6 Likes
Here’s a rundown of recent tastes.
Now, I am definitely a ‘homer’ for Santa Barbara County, but IMHO Cam and company hit it out the the park on n.365 Syrah and n.372 Pinot. On-point expression, balanced, complete wines, not oaked like a Napa Cab. Serious QPR, glad dN grabbed 'em rather than these lots ending up back-blended into some grocery store red.
Earlier Syrah offerings have been less successful (see n.223 below), hopefully this is a turning point in particular for their Syrah selections. I have high hopes for n.393, their recent SCM Syrah!
Also a fan of some of the Nebbiolo-based reds dN has brought in. I haven’t tasted any of my purchases, but from those I tasted that a friend ordered, these have been delivering nicely.
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2021 de Négoce Syrah OG N.365 - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (5/20/2023)
Best dN Syrah I have tasted. Violets, white and roasted pepper, savory umami of indeterminate origin, subtle yet very attractive cool climate bouquet. Well balanced palate, dark fruit, herbs and floral inner aromas, a complete wine. Long finish, fine sandy tannins, minerality as a bass note, nicely mouthwatering.
While this doesn't have the amplitude aromatically and in the mid-palate or perhaps overall depth of a 'designated' cuvee--that might be why the source producer parted with this lot--all of the layers are in harmony. A realization of the promise dN can, and often does, deliver. (91 points) -
2021 de Négoce Pinot Noir OG N.372 - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (5/19/2023)
Best dN Pinot I've had. Big aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and sage, slightly lifted. Red fruited, round, medium acidity, oak is overall well-integrated, light tannins. Fruit and sage reprise on the finish, which is lengthy. A hint of bitterness, but so much flavor and really a complete palate arc, it really doesn't matter.
Drinking well now, though should drink well for at least 3-5 years. Excellent value, while not deeply structured or complex, this drinks as well as a $30 or $40 bottle.
Day 2: Stored overnight with a Re-pour as stopper to limit oxidation. Still delicious as before, though oak showed a bit more. I am leaning towards this benefitting from 1-2 years on its side, and drinking really well for several after. (91 points) -
2019 de Négoce Syrah OG N.223 - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (5/8/2023)
Full bodied, yummy texture, too much oak, yet dry with a nice seam of acidity, cholate raspberry ganache from my prior note is about right, integrated tannins. Structure balance is nice, flavor balance not quite there, drink now for up front character. (87 points) -
2017 de Négoce Barolo OG N.326 - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (5/7/2023)
Tasted at a friend's after a day open. Solid, accessible Barolo. Nice structure and varietal character. Finish is a bit short, but nice value overall, recommended. -
2018 F.lli Bettini Sforzato di Valtellina Fruttaio di Spina - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Sforzato di Valtellina (5/7/2023)
Opened at Geoff's place with filet roast. Reminded me of an old vine Zin, in a good way. Big structure, dried fruit, yet with substantial iron-like minerality and alpine herbs. Really delicious, needs protein, the impression of sweetness from the air-dried Nebbiolo grapes seems tailored for the latter stages of dinner. -
2019 de Négoce Pinot Noir OG N.176 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/22/2023)
On pop'n'pour, seemed overrun by oak. However, like a prior bottle, with air felt more integrated, though certainly a Pinot in a Cabernet style--more extracted and brawny, a bit of a Power Pinot. Still, nice delicious factor, even if not a varietal-focused style. -
2019 de Négoce OG N.229 Mourvedre/Syrah Ciel du Cheval Red Mountain - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (4/15/2023)
One of the better dN purchases for me. Certainly on the bold end of the spectrum--blue and black fruits, spice and a hint of gaminess. Dark fruited attack, rounded and silky, finishes with integrated, ripe tannins. Delicious now, but enough structure and freshness to age for 3-5 years. Oak is nicely integrated, though very much a new world impression. Big wine that doesn't feel heavy or clumsy, with a delicious factor going for it.
Reminds me of a well made Monastrell or Garnacha, certainly a good value as the quality present easily could be 2x to 3x this cuvee's price point. (91 points)
20 Likes
OG N. 70-A Blend Saturday evening with roasted Pork Loin, mashed potatoes, steamed corn on cob. Double decanted Friday evening, slipped a sample glass to allow more air overnight.
1st night, delicate aromas of raspberry with a light see through red color in glass- what I expect from an Oregon pinot. Sipping this slowly to make notes for next evening’s tasting. Good length with sneaky delicate tannins, red fruit and spice all work in harmony here. I’m impressed with this on 1st night with just a single decant.
2nd evening, fruit gets a bit darker in profile, acidity balances this wine against food, wife REALLY enjoying this wine - chased me for last glass- darn it. Score: 90-91 points. Still can use more bottle time here though. Give this another 6-12 months in bottle or maybe a slow ox? Bought extra cases when the “oversized shippers” sale was presented. Glad I did.
Cheers, Tim
5 Likes
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2018 de Négoce Merlot OG N.69 - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2023)
On the nose chocolate and raspberry with some mineral. On the palate a richer amalgam of glossy black fruits, red clay, red raspberry, dark chocolate, and tobacco leaf. The wine offers a clayey texture, square tannins, and a lasting, drying finish. That said, outside of the tannin structure, the fruit and style of this wine drinks closer to a Cabernet Sauvignon, to me.
This is a fabulous Merlot that is drinking wonderfully now with a couple hours of decant. It also has a long life ahead of it. Like other Merlots from 2018 (see n.124), this one has taken quite a bit of time to come around, but I believe it has finally arrived.
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet
88% Napa Valley, 12% Sonoma County
40-50% new French oak (93 points)
This was fabulous. Drank next to n.68 (for science) and enjoyed both. I think n.69 takes a slight edge over n.68 cabernet. I only had one bottle of this Merlot, and wish I was around at the time to acquire a case of this. Though it seems to have been a polarizing wine early on, it’s drinking beautifully now, in my humblest of opinion.
10 Likes
Brian,
Thanks for the tasting note, having the 68 past weekend, curious how the Merlot was, as Cameron stated in the offer, “My understanding is this is entire 2018 production of this particular high end cuvee” So this is likely the Vintner Select Merlot. Sitting on a whole case untasted.
Cheers, Tim
4 Likes
Finishing the rest of my first Lot 365 Syrah bottle tonight, after keeping it in the fridge with a Re-pour stopper for 2 days. This is killer juice, the pedigree truly shows, sanguine, layered, and perfumed. My initial score might be conservative . . . .
I mistakenly ordered a second case of this–but I am recharacterizing it as a happy accident. This is what cool climate Syrah is all about.
7 Likes
Yep, love the style.
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OG Lot 171 2018 Sonoma Coast (Petaluma Gap) Pinot Noir
First bottle of the one case. Last 2018 PN tried, of the 6 various 2018 dN PN’s that I have. That makes 2+ years bottled.
Delicious now, bright cherry, perfect acidity, complex mid-palate with a looong finish. Bold enough to take on spicy chipotle chilis.
This is excellent now, but, you CAN wait. Night 2, the dregs showed Zero oxidation, magic?
Easy double Yum . At only $15/ bottle you might just give it 3 Yum’s???
- with Homemade Chili Colorado😋*
7 Likes
2018 HHH Malbec dN 142
This wine is so broody and dark. I feel like I need to be drinking this in a poorly lit basement bar/cafe of a Cuban themed hotel in Miami where people are smoking cigars and bribing judges. Wished I had steak with chimichuri sauce. But I opened the with nice greasy cheese burgers. (We can’t all be like Scott every night)
But the tastes are spot on for Malbec. Very full body without being full alcohol. Leathery and chewy. Dark fruits and berries. Love this for the $12 -13 a bottle I paid for it.
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Luke,
Greasy Cheeseburgers are a big Yum! 
Spaghetti & Meatballs here tonight (not ribeye).
I like pleasant peasant food too. Beef Stew tomorrow.
142 is
3 Likes
N.25 cab sav with shepherds pie. 2 hour decant. Very easy drinker. 91+ and another nice bottle. N.20 on deck for this weekend.
4 Likes
L 106 Walla Walla 2018 Tempranillo waddled its way to a pseudo-acceptable tally in our third annual group tasting. As a quick background, ~ 2021 was the initial tasting with Cameron Hughes’ statement that this wine would be ready for summer holiday BBQs. Sadly, L 106 turned out to be completely ‘backwards’. In spite of a promising 2022 bouquet, this wine remained, in general, unpalatable. Round three 2023 reactions with few encouraging anticipated scores for Appearance, Aroma, Body, Taste and Finish were tallied.
Knowing we needed second comparison notes to confirm our 3rd annual L 106 backlash, out came a same $9 price point de Négoce Manuel Quintano 2019 Rioja Alavesa ‘Pionero’ (Tempranillo). Immediately there were exclamations for its bright appearance & bouquet, substantial full mouth taste with a ‘real wine’ finish.
Final L 106 scores came in with at least a ‘drinkable’ flat sentiment, scratching out this year an overall low ‘B’ mark with consensus of no apparent aging room to improve. The 3lbs of frog legs were appreciated more, in this case, than the wine. As for the Rioja Alavesa ‘Pionero’, ~ B+
PS: The good part of it all is the possible giving the final nine L 106 bottles away to the one person finding this wine at least acceptable and that leaving my wine closet with space for yet another dNé ‘futures’ 6-pack! I do not need to voice disappointment to de Négoce since CH has supplemented so many smiles over the past three years (96 cases ordered for friends, family and ourselves, 21 different varietals & blends and 1 very appreciative consumer).
7 Likes
OG N.76 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
No flaws, very little character. More like a totally decent red wine, less like a 97% CS from Napa Valley.
Just couldn’t find the CS flavor. After 3 hours in the decanter, it finally became a rather weak yum.
Previously I seemed to enjoy this one a bit more. 20 bottles down the old wine hole.
The remaining 4, nice as casual week night wonders? Paid $156/cs. Drink now, or “MAYBE” hold?
With Spaghetti & meatballs
Day 2- it’s better, opens up some more. No oxidation. Cellarable.
OG Lot 165 2018 Napa Carneros “Estate” Pinot Noir
This excellent wine always comes through. Just plain delicious!
4 cases has shrunk to only 5 bottles, every one thoroughly enjoyed.
@ $144/cs!!! It’s a triple QPR & Yum!
with grilled Salmon (fish 
)
Day 2. None left…
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I’ve been traveling, so not much time to drink down stuff in my cellar. But I popped open a N.365 and a Bedrock CA Syrah and compared them side by side this evening. It was very interesting. For me, at least, I thin the N.365 cuts right between the Angeles de Arena and CA Syrah.
BTW, it is so refreshing to finally drink some wine with structure after all of these “smooth” wines.
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Yeah, the n.365 is as good as (or maybe even better) than the AVA level Syrahs in this style that I often enjoy. It might be that the blending of sources has made this greater than the sum of its parts.
The reality is that making a successful wine without new oak and elevated ripeness is harder to pull off. There is no easy way to cover up a hollow mid-palate, weak finish or sub-optimal fruit when the amplitude is turned way down from 11.
I have no qualms with most dN reds being in the slicker style–I know that’s what I am paying for at a very good price. But it’s a massive win when a stylish mid-weight wine like this shows up at this price point.
6 Likes