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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2013 Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Phinca La Revilla

 Tempranillo more
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12/24/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Let's see if the monster has calmed down. And its so f-ing corked! Darn.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    1/8/2024 4:54:00 AM - And how many years of wine wasted because of cork!
Red

2015 Château de Mercuès Cahors

 Malbec Blend, Malbec more
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8/19/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Doesn't smell as rustic as one might think. With some power and density, and salty minerality as well. And really, I'm just not sure when I would drink it. Hey oh, its $34 a bottle? Gosh darn that is over.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    12/15/2023 6:17:00 AM - Easy conversion I use for Euro to US prices is: Euro x 2 = USD x 1.35 = retail shelf price US. So ex-cellar Euro at 10 = roughly $27 retail US.
Red

2020 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage

 Syrah more
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12/14/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Kinda roasty toasty, wonder if its been open a couple of days?

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    12/15/2023 6:14:00 AM - I didn't open it. Vendor dropped it off and it did not taste as I expected it to.
Red

2021 Chemistry Pinot Noir Alliance

 Oregon/California more
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11/1/2022 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote: NR

"It's fantastic!" our guy at Star Liquor says, and being a trusting fellow I take his word for it. Chemistry, being an alliance between Stoller and Chehalem, are known mostly for Willamette Valley wines, but this Alliance is a broader collaboration between California and Oregon (so not even Willamette Valley per se).

As is mostly the case when you strip away the components that make pinot noir great (and greatly expensive), one is left with something much simpler: pleasant, light, and fruity. It doesn't offend yet it tends to sustain my argument that there is no good inexpensive pinot noir.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    5/23/2023 9:02:00 AM - Just like Sushi, you don't want Pinot Noir cheap. Why are you not shopping at Waterford Fitchburg?
Red

2006 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia

 Nebbiolo more
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2/13/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Really powerful and massive and fruity, even still. Frankly, if I had any, I still leave it down in the cellar. I think this one is on the 20 year Barolo plan!

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    2/14/2023 4:11:00 AM - Good point. 30 year plan!
Red

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco

 Nebbiolo more
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2/11/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Simply sensational and soulful Barolo right now. Just can't get any better than this!

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    2/12/2023 4:43:00 AM - Indeed! So good I forgot the appellation! Or thought it was Barolo... which Produttori would probably find insulting!
Red

2021 Thorne & Daughters Pinot Noir Copper Pot

 Western Cape more
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10/16/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Curiously enough one of the best SA Pinots that I have had.
White

2018 Franz Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Kirchweg

 Wachau more
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7/29/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Some bolder red fruit here. And power, weightier on the palate.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    12/19/2022 6:00:00 AM - Yeah, red fruit. On his Gruners I often get a red fruit character. Which I like, but is pretty bold.
Red

2013 Vietti Barolo Ravera

 Nebbiolo more
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12/8/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Also with a touch of a port like smell to the nose. Full and round with an intense grip on day five.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    12/8/2022 5:27:00 PM - It's not a sprint, its a marathon.
White

2001 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant

 Savennières-Coulée de Serrant Chenin Blanc more
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6/10/2010 - Stefanos T. wrote: 85 points

Deep golden. One of the most erratic wines out there: can be heaven or hell. This one was certainly not heaven. Wine for wine-perverts only. Nose that smells of seaweed, mussels and iodine.... In the mouth unforgiving, iodine, sour apple juice and who cares what else. The wine has no fault - a slight oxidation is always part of the style, but have the 2007 now and you will be blown away, this however was perversion incarnated. You wont get these flavours anywhere else, but do you enjoy them? 85 points due to individuality...

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    3/11/2022 8:41:00 AM - Love this note. Wine for wine perverts only.
Red

2012 Paolo Bea Montefalco Sagrantino Pagliaro

 more
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12/11/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

In a really crowded field of wonderful wines this was, well, the last one finished.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    12/11/2021 7:27:00 AM - Last because it was last. Pretty rough drinkin', which I guess its supposed to be Sagrantino!
Red

2014 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon

 Mt. Veeder more
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10/28/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

I guess I will have it three times this week outta half. Going strong and out of a Reidel BV glass, excellent.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    1/4/2021 5:23:00 AM - Riedel now makes a specific glass for BV's GdL bottling. Not sure how far it gets outside of the winery. But it does make high extracted Napa Cabs taste good!
Red

2017 Stringer Cellars Metal Bender

 Alexander Valley Red Blend more
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11/5/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

A little bit more bramble, a little bit less black darkness to it. Just arrived.
Red

2009 Gabriel Billard Bourgogne

 Pinot Noir more
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8/2/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Bright red candied fruit, lots of '09 structure. Good stuff, would prefer it at $20 than $25.
Red

1996 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva

 Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo more
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11/18/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Very pronounced and very savory - walnut, sharp cherry fruit. 95% Temp and Menzelo [sp? sorry]. Earth, soilage, damp earth and wet leaves. And then super soft on the mid palate and very good acidity in the back end. That is quite lovely.
Red

1988 Patrick Jasmin Côte-Rôtie

 Syrah more
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9/22/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Some tasters say pure menthol but to me it smells amazing. Tim's says rusty water but I think it's amazing

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    9/22/2019 5:05:00 PM - Tim notes "if you lanced a gentile boil and allow the liquid to cascade over the nusty nail and drank it..." but I kinda like it.
White

2017 Michel Bouzereau et Fils Meursault Les Tessons

 Chardonnay more
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7/12/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Watery and mineral and so darn good. With cream and salt. Wow, those are a cut above.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    8/15/2019 4:46:00 AM - Amazed you got away with swearing on CT!

    I once read from Hugh Johnson that a wine "finished like water" and he very much meant it as a compliment. I don't have the exact reference in his writings anymore.
Red

2010 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano

 Sangiovese more
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2/21/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Again, corvin has not done this favors.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    2/22/2019 5:18:00 AM - Vendor kept it under Coravin for a long time. And then popped the cork. The wine completely fell apart soon after.
White

2016 Union Sacré Gewürztraminer Belle de Nuit

 Santa Barbara County more
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6/10/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote: 98 points

Mineral and some earthy funk on the nose with the gewurtz perfume buried underneath. And some power on the back.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    11/13/2018 4:45:00 AM - Just a funny typo. I don't use points but when I accidentally click them I find it humorous to just leave them.
White

2007 K Vintners Viognier

 Columbia Valley more
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8/30/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Burnished wood and fat on the palate but not off. Mineral and not tired. But I’m not sure a crowd pleaser either.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    8/31/2018 5:29:00 AM - Indeed I did! It was the Summer of '09 all over again!

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    8/31/2018 5:30:00 AM - What do you think of these K wines? I can't wrap my head around them. Mind emailing me at sommelier waterford?
White

2016 Paul Pernot et ses Fils Bourgogne Blanc

 Chardonnay more
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6/9/2018 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

This is now the long term barrel bottle of Bourgogne. The one held back an extra 6 months in barrel. Wet limestone and minerality on the nose. Touch of cream and honey but just hints. Just opened and really darn good.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    7/23/2018 9:03:00 AM - Alas no, no label change. The only way to know is when it shipped. Paul Pernot usually ships very early - like almost as soon as the new vintage is brought into the winery. We usually get ours in early October the year after vintage. This cuvee was released in April six months later. Not sure if they will do it again. But to my palate it certainly makes a difference!
Red

2016 Giornata Il Campo Rosso

 Paso Robles Red Blend more
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10/30/2017 - wilypod Likes this wine: 86 points

Really is kinda like an Italian vino di tavola: not too dark, firm cherry fruit, low tannin, good acidity, no discernible oak, friendly. I liked it best slightly cooler than room temps, say 50-55 F, because the alcohol is listed a 13.5% rather than the humble vino di tavola typical 12%. But then one gets all that Paso Robles sunshine in it too. Maybe a Calabrese vino di tavola?
Red

2011 Fratelli Revello Barolo

 Nebbiolo more
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9/14/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote: NR

Man, that has just gotten better and better in the bottle.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    5/24/2018 11:16:00 AM - Yes remember - I got sued over that tasting note.
Red

2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption

 Dry Creek Valley more
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4/4/2018 - nzinkgraf wrote: NR

Red cherry chapstick to the finish. There’s some fruit spice in the aromas. 100% Zinfandel.

  • Comment posted by Ben Christiansen:

    4/5/2018 10:32:00 AM - Did it have on cherry chapstick and nothing more?

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