Great Michael! I remember Cam called it (#255) our Christmas Gift! I also got 2 cases.
Well, actually 3 cases 
Absolutely No remorse…
3 Likes
OG dN Lot 198 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
With almost 3 years in the bottle, this 2018 is coming into it’s sweet spot.
This 2+ Yum WAS needing a long healthy decant. Currently, one single hour seems to do it very well. 
+
4-H Lamb is wonderful, not grassy! Grain Fed Lamb, like the wood Grains in the delicious Oak barrels do to this Grain Fed CS!!!.
with 4-H Lamb, fully Grain Fed!! 
5 Likes
328 2020 Sonoma Chardonnay.
We don’t go through a ton of Chardonnay as I am primarily a cab drinker and my wife Prosecco. But sometimes the meal calls for it. The only true fresh seafood market in town Primarily does restaurant orders, but also has a retail side and they offer their “miscuts” at $7 A pound…. It’s a bit of A surprise on what they have but today they had fantastic tuna, Very fatty salmon and chilian Seabass… so we froze the Seabass and the salmon and tuna turned into poke bowls ( and when the meat is that cheap, there is no need to hold back on the protein… I think there was 2 pounds of tuna and 1 pound of salmon split in five bowls)…. I opened our cabinet of Chardonnay and unfortunately have mostly lot 207 and 330 left, With a few Stragglers of 328, 133, 128, 245. Couldn’t risk opening a 330 or 207 ( not our faves). 228 fit the bill. Nice and crisp. Great floral nose. More peach/nectarines than lemon. Good raw fish/asian flavor pairing.
5 Likes
My only remorse is not getting another case.
Last one i opened was at Christmas dinner along with a n.200. The 255 was much more appealing to everyone than 200.
2 Likes
We just are not white wine drinkers, but today’s broiled whole trout needed something different for entertaining a couple for the husband’s 70th birthday and his anticipation of his first Social Security check coming in a month or so. Out came our first bottle of Lot 445 Paso Robles 2023 Albariño. I don’t generally equate ‘full bodied’ expressions with a white wine, but this white just hit it among all with an overall score of 93 (even my personal score eked out 92). I sheepishly applaud the current dN enterprise for introducing us to our first 2023 vintage with an A.
5 Likes
Saturday evening:
# OG N.70 2019 Chehelem Mountain Pinot Noir Blend C
Popped cork Friday evening, remvoved half glass, placed back inside cellar.
Served with gently roasted Salmon on a bed of French green lentils. In glass, light ruby color, aromas of raspberry and some allspice. These blends are starting to reach maturity now, tannins are integrated and expressive with food such as Salmon and Chicken. Picking up a pronounced sour cherry on Blend C that is really enoyable. Finish is medium plus in length now, that tannins/acidity/glycerin are integrating. 91+ points.
1 Like
#138 2018 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Really nice well-modulated Napa Cab. Reminded me in some ways of Laurel Glen from the 1980s, my first Napa go-to wine when I was on a stricter budget.
From CT review:
Very nice “every day” Napa cab. Approachable, surprisingly supple, lots of red fruit and a light touch of oak vanilla/spice, tannins very soft. A very likable cab that really wears its 14.8% abv well. Went great with grilled steak on a very warm April day in NJ. At dN prices a definite hit.
Score: 91-92. Relative to expectations: ++.
3 Likes
Lot 192 2019 Knights Valley Cabernet
One hour in the decanter. Lots of nice fruit and beautiful oak on the nose.
Strongly (14.9%) structured and full of flavor. Flawless, balanced & delicious!
The complexity of the aroma is truly top notch!
Day 2, delicious still, slightest signs of the extreme aeration. Can age quite awhile longer, if desired?
with Tri-Tip
3 Likes
OG dN Lot 188 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon
PnP. Mildly Complex & non-ponderous. A Pinot lovers CS, so I like it.
Drinking fine now, I am now putting this into the “drink soon” rotation. For me, this is Ready Now!
For those that prefer more age, it’s probably good for another year or two?
One solid Yum
with my delicious Korean Fare
2 Likes
If anyone remembers the CGCW, Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine?
FYI, my Yums = their Puffs. (But, I’m an easier grader)
Ha, an old timer here, go figure……
My Winemaking starting commercially in 1980.
Recently, after 48 years, they ceased operations:
Sorry to hear this - as a retailer in the 1980s (late 70s), I hung on every word (and puff). If a wine got “one puff” it was worth the effort to find - “two puffs” and you just HAD to have it - and “three puffs” was like getting a 100 point score back then. I got turned on to so many wineries through CGCW.
3 Likes
N.24, Very enjoyable wine. Some funk upon entry that then transitions to long sweet fruit with some complexity. Regretting that I didn’t purchase more.
4 Likes
Yes Scott, that Carneros PN, is/was extra beautiful!
4.5 cases gone here, except, the 1 single bottle in the “library”.
Enjoy
3 Likes
Lot 388 2021 Mendocino County Pinot Noir
PnP. Less than 1 year in the bottle, I already drank the whole friggin’ case! Doh! Cellar defender extraordinaire!
$109/case & refreshingly Pinotberry. QPR winner!
I want more offerings like this for these Tuesday nights. + !!
with Cod Fish 
Tacos 
3 Likes
I tried the dN lot 192 last night after only minutes in a decanter. Very similar experience to yours, Scott. Lots of black fruit and a pleasant heat from the high alcohol. It opened more and improved over the next 6 hours. This wine is in my notes as likely peaking in 2028 and costing me $13 (MSRP $70). Tastes like a $40 - $70 bottle, so typical very good dN QRP.
3 Likes
Norm,
The top notch aromas of #192 makes the T1 price a top notch deal!!
Tastes close to $70 to me?
Yep, $13/b - $156/ case, excellent QPR!!
6 bottles guzzled here, 18 remain for future guzzling, so nice! Library worthy!
2 Likes
Scott_F,
Glad to see you enoying N.24 still, I have been also. One of my favorite de Negoce Pinots, luckily I purchased > 3 cases, with over half left.
Cheers, Tim
2 Likes
Agree with both of you guys. N.24 is fantastic. 15 bottles left. I can only hope the Pinots under this new regime are as good…
2 Likes
Agree - this was really tasty despite being young. A totally good surprise !
(#447 Cabernet)
I sadly only have 3 left. I contacted the new owners to see if they had any plans for a future vintage from the same source, but unfortunately they said “no”
- 2018 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 50 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (5/2/2024)
Wow, this is really good right now. It's a pretty big WWV Cab with lots of fruit and 14.9%, but the alcohol isn't noticeable at all on the nose or palate, and the fruit is dark yet well-proportioned and not overripe. There's a nice underpinning of tannin right now, but the wine needs it. Very easy to enjoy and like and will please many people. I can tell this was very well-made and the fruit is from a good vineyard. Enjoy these now and for another 5+ years easily.
Posted from CellarTracker
5 Likes