I don’t disagree on 315, but for a $9 French cab, what did you expect? Also, can’t imagine a worse pairing than with sauerkraut and kimchi.
If you don’t like shiraz, fine, but both 344 and 279 are well-made and a great value for shiraz; would not waste on a hot dog even without sauerkraut. Looking forward to the others
I think the “hotdog wine” is just Scott’s short hand for wine that requires no thought. My thought on that category goes to my post a few back is more about wine that I don’t mind wasting a half bottle. And none of the Syrah are bad (just young) but they were so cheap I don’t mind wasting a few
But I welcome the input of all on their categories of wine.
OG dN Lot 188 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon
PnP. Crisp acid & Mildly Complex & bright. 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 yellow Curry chicken & green Curry vegetables
OG dN Lot 193 2019 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
PnP, about a third way through the one case.
Very lush on the palate with both red and black fruits, good acid and tannin structures. This delicious wine has great fruit, oak and balanced tannin.
Super Yummy, this may be the poster child Cellar Defender Cabernet! Probably a double or triple Yum! / 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% new French oak, 14.8%. $120/cs.
The ultimate QPR! This continues to develop nicely, you can age it longer. No idea how long this will last?? with Tacos
2018 de Négoce Pinot Noir OG N.197 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley (10/31/2024)
Popped and poured wine for TNF with the wife. Beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of spice, along with cherry wafting around the bowl. Modestly aromatic Pinot Noir here- like that. Clean well made wine, with minerality, modest touch of tannins on a medium long finish. Over 3 hours opened, wine developed a bit more complexity between aromatics and fruit. At $20/bottle a fantastic de Negoce bargain. 3rd bottle off two cases purchased. (92 points)
Haven’t been too active here recently since life happens. But I popped open one of the few remaining N.181 Cabs from the cellar. These have really settled in to a great place and a style of cab that I really love. Have a really good plum and blackberry profile going on.
2019 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.181 - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (11/1/2024)
Only have a few more bottles left and haven't left notes in a while. Popped the bottle last night and notes are from day 2.
Nose starts off floral with plums, blackberries, and a bit of cocoa. Medium bodied with a bit of fruit driven sweetness and balanced acidity. Palate of plums, blackberries, cocoa, a bit of blueberries, and a touch of honeysuckle. Light but firm tannins bring in some granite and a bit of black tea. Medium long finish driven by black fruit skins, pencil lead, granite, and a some floral elements.
These have been drinking great for awhile and seem to have settled in a way that I really like. I think these have a decent life ahead of them since they are still drinking better on day 2 than day 1 for me. (91 points)
Friday evening served with marinated outside skirt steak and bottom sirloin steak. Wine was similar to tasting earlier this year in July. Delicious Napa Cabernet from wonderful 2018 vintage.
2018 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.08 - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/1/2024)
Double decanted back into bottle 30 minutes prior to dinner. Pours dark crimson in glass. Aromas of dark fruit (cassis / blackberry), nutmeg, spice in the glass. Very inviting nose. Classic flavors of cassis with blackberry fruit, mixed with savory tones make this Cabernet just sing in your mouth. Minerality, glycerin, tannins round out a long finish. Hard to put the wine glass down with this Cabernet inside. Start drinking these now and for next 4-5 years. Wish I purchased more cases... (93 points)
Saw the favorable reviews on CT for N.40 diamond mountain cab. Tried tonight with NY strip steaks. Good to go on PnP and tannins were fine. Very nice high quality wine. Will be putting these in the near term rotation along with 78, 25, 21 and 27.
349 2021 Syrah. This is coming around as a classic aus syraz. It’s starting to taste like the two of the 2018 344 I had from a Syrah sample pack if got. . I treat the dN 21 Syrah as “easy drinkers” but I think they will shape up to be great in the next few yrs. I’ll let them sit for a while longer.
400 Napa cab. Second bottle since delivery about a yr ago. It’s not ready but it’s a high quality wine. Reminds me of a young 17/50/145 with some pretty harsh tannins. But it opened up after about two hours with some good fruity tastes. Taste no smoke. Taste no flaws other than being young. Won’t drink my third bottle for anther year. The mistake I made with 17/30/50/100/145 was that I drank 6 in the first yr trying to understand the bottle. Now I know just to not open for another yr.