5/19/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Pretty aromas of spice, dust and red fruits. Palate: Spicy cherries show with big richness yet enough tannins and acid to hold the fruit in check. Other reviewers say this needs time but I disagree. Time will soften the tannins and the wine will then be flabby IMO. I recommend drinking up now and over the next 1-2 years. Very good not great.

5/12/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Typical cornbread aromas I get from the De Selle bottling of which this is from (along with the Clos Mirelle vineyard). Palate: Very solid acid levels with cherries and some watermelon. Always like this bottling to give you the Ott style but for half the price as this wine is from the grapes that don’t make it into the grand vin.

5/10/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour double decant (mag decanter). Nose: Lots of chalk minerality with perfumy cherries. Palate: Good acid levels with soft cherries and a pleasant finish. Decent wine but not showing a ton of nuances. 90+ points due to balance.

5/3/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Similar aromas as last bottle (notes on 12/12/18..graphite, tar, etc.) but much more muted. Palate: Very soft tannins in the 5+ years sideways in the cellar with black fruits, graphite but now with an elegant, medium finish. The tannins are very soft but that should not disuade you from decanting as upon pop and pour this was still closed. A slow ox might do the trick, but decanters recommended. Given the evolution my last bottle will only go 2-3 years max before consumption. Now 91+ points.

4/27/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Still the same cinnamon qualities along with additive moss, a touch of fusile mineral and earth. Really solid aromatics! Palate: Quite soft and evolved at this point (versus last notes on 7/30/22) in terms of the tannins and acid levels. Cherries with leather and some dust. This bottle is the best of the 4 even though all have been good. In a perfect spot I would drink this up over the next year max. Now 90+ points and a great QPR at only $15/bottle.

4/24/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

2 hour decant (mag decanter). Well this was disappointing given how great the last bottle was on 9/22. While not corked nor any evidence of brett this was devoid of fruit for the most part and overly acid driven. No score given.

4/12/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour slow ox. Nose: Bright sweet red fruits and wet cement traces with that typical perfumy Spring Mountain aroma that is SO intoxicating! Unreal aromas. Palate: Red fruited with some blueberry and soft yet very present tannins and solid acid levels. Finish is lengthy yet fresh due to the acids. A wine of superb class and truly exemplary of what is possible in Spring Mountain. So glad to have one more in the cellar. Fantastic!

4/10/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Very similar to last notes on 6/8/22 but as I predicted the acids have finally folded in on this Corsican beauty. Still very minerally with decent acids but not the searing ones from years past. Went great with sushi but if I buy more of this in a newer vintage it will get a couple years sideways before consumption. Wonderful Rose and now 91 points (up from 89+).

3/31/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

I echo the thoughts of several reviewers here on this wine. It is pleasant with aromas and flavors of melon, pear and soft, rounded acids. For only $33 for a magnum it was a good value and went well with Pan Asian food. 88+ points.

3/23/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Complex aromas of minerals, peat smoke and hints of pencil lead. Palate: Blackberries with very balanced tannins and acids this late stage. Long elegant finish with traces of the pencil lead and minerality. Last notes were on 5/20/18 and this is still going strong although given the soft tannins I would say 2 years max before I finish off my last bottle.

3/14/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Basic Rose that gets the job done but not very memorable. Decent for the $10 I paid but would not buy again.

2/29/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Lots of moss and chalk mineral. Palate: Good acid presence with bright red fruits. Good but not as good as the Athena bottling.

2/24/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour decant. Nose: Earth and pencil lead in abundance. Very Margaux. Palate: Soft styled with the pencil lead and loam showing with black fruits in a supporting role. Finish is long and elegant. Fabulous and perfect with fillets at Capital Grille. 92+ points.

2/17/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

20 minute slow ox. Nose: Pretty aromas of assorted herbs, sage, perfumy roses and earth. Palate: This has really blossomed since my last notes (on 9/14/21). Soft tannins and just enough acid to give lift. Still has the spicy cherry profile with some white pepper hints. Really like where this is now so last bottle will be drunk over the next year. Now 90+ points.

2/4/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Beautiful aromas of fresh roses, black tea and some tree moss with slate minerals. Palate: Still nice acid levels with Bing cherries and perfect balance of acids to fruit. This could go longer but why wait? It is ideal now IMHO. Last and best bottle of this. Now 92+ points.

1/28/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

2 hour slow ox. Nose: Earth, meat and olive tapenade. Palate: Spicy with meaty/gamey qualities, white pepper, soft tannins and a fairly lengthy finish. This was quite good for $33. 92+ points.

1/26/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Similar notes to last bottle on 8/14/15 but less tension and everything more folded in. Outstanding. 93+ points.

1/26/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

2 hour decant. Nose: Complex aromas of tobacco, graphite, cassis, fresh flowers and earth. Unreal! Palate: Perfect balance of dark fruits, graphite, pencil lead and an amazingly long balanced finish. Unreal good and one of the best Bordeaux wines I’ve had in quite some time! Went perfect with filet mignon. 94+ points.

1/24/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Herbs and soft cherry. Palate: Still good acid structure after 25 years of age. Cherries with traces of blood and iron. Delicious!

1/19/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

Over the hill. Pruny and maderized despite decent coloration.

1/5/2024 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Same Spring Mountain minerality as previous bottles. Cherries abound with mint hints. Palate: Red fruits with the minerals showing. Fabulous just like previous bottles and does not show any of the 15.2 % alc level. Given how soft the tannins are I would not decant this but rather slow ox it to eliminate the risk of over oxidation.

12/31/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Lots of wood/oak aromas with some earth. Quite rustic. Palate: Very oaky and not much fruit. From my past experience with this BdM from other vintages I don’t feel this bottle, while drinkable, was fully representative. Hence no score given.

12/24/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Much more representative than last bottle. Now 89+ points.

12/21/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Complex aromas of graphite, wet earth, tar and loam. Just what classic BdX should yield. Palate: Very 2014 with a linear, focused style in the acid and tannin profile. Fruit is blackberry with the secondary tar, earth and loamy qualities coming through along with inky Stargazer lily. I've been cellaring these three bottles since 2017 and this was the right time to crack open the first. Drinking great with a good decant. Plenty of life left in this beauty. Nice effort.

12/9/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

2 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Complex aromas of Burg funk, topsoil, Stargazer lily, and iron. Classic NSG! Palate: Somewhat light but with soft tannins, good acid levels and precise red fruits. The pungeant Stargazer lily is evident with cherries and a fairly long, yet elegant finish. This was quite impressive and for only $40/btl on sale I will be reloading as this makes a great cellar defender while you wait for more backward Burgs to reveal themselves.

12/2/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

3 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Inky, Stargazer lily aromas w/ black fruits and nuts. Palate: While quite acidic on pop & pour this opened up nicely after extensive aeration. Ample tannins and black fruits show with a trace of mineral bitterness. Overall pretty solid for a $24 entry point, but if you have this now or anytime over the next 3 years give it plenty of air first. 90+ points.

11/10/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

2 hour slow ox. Nose: Garrique, moss and traces of petroleum & wet cement. Fabulous nose. Palate: Bitter minerals, soft styled tannins, and red fruits. Finish is elegant, but serve it chilled as I did to eliminate the alcohol heat (@55-60 degrees). 91+ points.

11/8/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Complex aromas of moss, spice and black cherry with hints of orange peel. Palate: Good spine of acidity with black cherries in abundance and soft yet present tannins that along with the acid provides solid tension levels. Great value at only $20/bottle.

11/4/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour slow ox. Nose: Slate mineral aromas with some spice. Palate: Spice and black pepper evident combined with red fruits. Some bitterness on the finish making me wonder if this bottle was fully representative. For this bottle 88 points. Hopefull my other 3 bottles will show better.

10/25/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Complex aromas of herbs, moss, pan grille, perfumy cherries and vanilla hints. Palate: Nice, taut acids and accessible tannins frame this BdM that features cherries with underbrush and leather. This was very nice and thankfully not corked like the first one (on 12/22/21) but I still prefer the 2010. If you have this now give it plenty of air time first. Went great with Tuscan spiced Pot Roast.

10/21/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

30 minute slow ox. Nose: Has the classic Etude slate minerality that I recall. After air time additional aromas of Ludens cherry cough drops show. Palate: Really balanced with a mix of dark fruits and cherries. Good acid and tannin levels contrast the somewhat rich profile and give tension. Finish is elegant. Classy wine that, while Caliesque, still has an almost Burgundian sensibility. Tony Soter may be gone (he is focused on his Oregon projects), but his Etude legacy lives on. I like this!

10/18/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Initially interesting road tar funk aromas with red fruits underneath. After some glass air the funk mitigated somewhat and the fruit took center stage. Palate: Solid acid profile with balanced tannins and cherries. Very lithe and delicate this is a wonderful QPR play at only $20/bottle.

10/8/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

60 minute slow ox. Nose: Herbs and touches of cinnamon and wet cement. Palate: Still fresh tannins and acids with high toned, underripe cherry and mineral undertones. Finish is short to medium. For a base level CC this is solid. At $16.50/bottle a good half case buy. 89+ points.

9/25/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Deep sweet apricot aromas with raisins. Palate: Very sweet apricot flavors buttressed by firm acidity. Sweet raisins as well and a finish that goes on for a minute! Outstanding Eiswein

9/17/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Still drinking great on this last bottle. Tannins quite subdued so drink up IMO. 90+ points on this amazing QPR IGT.

9/9/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Watermelon and saline aromas. Palate: Really good acidic tension on this bottle versus the last one (4/22). Flavors of watermelon and cherries with some ocean salt and a long finish. Now 92 points.

9/2/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Deep inky/Stargazer lily aromas with perfumy florals. Just spectacular! Palate: Despite frustrations from a broken and stuck cork this last bottle of mine is firing on all cylinders! Still bright acidity, with cherries and some blueberry fruits. Finish is incredibly elegant and lengthy. Could be the best one of these I've had. Great to go out on a high note!

8/20/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Nice and toasty with mineral presence. Palate: Solid acid levels with muted lemons and a clean, elegant finish. Such a solid finesse wine with a low alcohol level (12.25 %). Wish I had bought more than 3 bottles. Good value at $19. 90+ points.

8/19/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Cherry and strawberry aromas abound. Hints of minerals. Palate: Simple with the cherries and strawberries showing. Good acidity and while simplistic is a nice porch pounder for only $10/bottle.

8/16/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Aromas of hay, lanolin and faint lemons. Palate: Appropriate acid levels frame up ripe lemons and melon with a taut, spicy finish. Wonderful Alsatian deck wine to enjoy on a hot MN summer day. Yum!

8/12/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

30 minute slow ox. Nose: Lots of Howell Mountain dustiness along with briar patch and moss. Super cool aromas! Palate: Primarily dark fruited but with some cherry hints this brings taut yet refined and soft tannins along with a lushness held in check by the tannins and acid. Finish is lengthy with nice amplitude. Really nice bottle. A shame my last one was corked. 92+ points for this one.

7/30/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Lots of gravel minerality present with a trace of sweet cherries and cornbread. Palate: High tension from the firm acids combined with the minerals wakes up the palate. Fruit is in a supporting role but gives just enough strawberry. My first bottle of Romassan/Bandol offering from Ott. Outstanding and possibly could displace the de Selle as my favorite from this house. Pricey…but damn good.

7/22/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour slow ox. Nose: Spice and pan grille with earth and blackberries. Palate: Good richness buttressed by still good acid levels and soft, ample tannins. Flavors of blackberries, spice and the characteristic grapefruit minerals common in Rosellas Syrahs. Yet another great effort from Carlisle.

7/13/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Cherries and assorted minerals abound with just a trace of mushroom to show off its nearly 20 year evolution. Palate: Perfect, velvety tannins and ideal acid levels marry with sweet cherries and the minerals in the background. Ideal balance in this last bottle of mine! Went perfect with boneless Prime Ribeye on the Weber charcoal grill. Great way to celebrate my new career move. Wine is in an ideal phase to consume. 92+ points.

7/8/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Lots of lemon and toasty oak but held in check with superb mineral expression. I did not get the matchstick that others did but this has been cellared longer so perhaps that’s it. Palate: While giving less punch than what the nose would promise this does show wonderful balance with the minerals forefront followed by fresh lemons. My first PYCM wine and it did not disappoint. Fabulous! 91+ points.

7/5/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Cherries and strawberry aromas with a touch of minerals. Palate: The cherries and strawberries really come through with some decent acid levels to balance everything out. This is quite fruit forward and lacks minerality on palate. For only $34 from WTSO it's a fairly solid QPR play but more minerality would take this higher in score. 89+ points for me.

7/4/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

1 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Same almost pungent earthy aromas as the first bottle almost a year ago but more tame. Red fruits present with minerals. Palate: Soft styled with semi ripe cherries and some raspberry. Minerals are underneath with a fairly lengthy finish. In a good place now with air.

7/2/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Lemons and minerals abound with some tropical fruits in the background. Palate: Almost candied lemon flavors with still bright acidity (although much more tamed than the last bottle drank 5 years ago). Also present are pineapple and minerals. The finish goes on for about 30 seconds and continues some resonance after that. Fabulous Chard that is drinking perfectly right now. Now 92+ points given the exceptional balance. Last bottle of this and a great time to open.

6/30/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

3 1/2 hour decant (mag decanter). Nose: Complex aromas of blackberries, blueberries, earth and graphite. Palate: Spice, alc heat and blackberries early on but after a little time in the fridge the alcohol heat was mitigated and the blueberries come out more. This is a big boy and if you open now give at least 2 hours of decant time. Alc is only 14.6% but it comes off as higher so in addition to the decant I suggest giving it a bit of chill. Solid Cab if you are willing to invest in proper service preparation.

6/23/2023 - Mattshank wrote:

Nose: Nice reduction with a bit of matchstick but very subtle. Pears and some flint minerals. Palate: A touch of oak frames things up with ample acids, apple and pear fruits, and an elegant finish. Much more in the zone versus the first bottle drank a year ago. This is in a nice place now with plenty of life left. Refreshing and perfect on a hot 92 degree day in MN. Glad to have 2 more left in the cellar.