5/15/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Have been sitting on this for 7 years. Consumed over multiple evenings. Nose shows dusty road, cedar box, and dried herbs. On the palate blackberry, black cherries, tar, and coffee. Tannins are firm but do not detract. Best with served with a hearty meal that can help with the tannins.

5/15/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

PnP, consumed over multiple hours. Cork was in fantastic shape for a recent secondary market purchase. Out the gate this was singing. A little darker red fruits and just a sense of cola over loam. By hour 2 the cola had blown off and it was more juicy red fruits (raspberry, pomegranate, boysenberry) and lots of pine needles and sap. Definitely acid driven towards the end of the bottle (not sharp or harsh) but almost leaned California Central Coast in its profile. Still very pretty and drinking very well past the 2019 drinking window.

If you have some (I still have one), ENJOY.

5/11/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Wow, wow, wow; really enjoyed this.

Blackberry, cassis, tobacco, graphite, leather, and mushroom is just starting to emerge. Tannins are integrated but still noticeable and linger leaving a smile on my face. This is LOVELY and I'm actively looking for more.

5/11/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Purchased as part of a mystery case. Not familiar with the producer.

PnP served with dinner finished later in the evening. Very pale in color this is a light bodied pinot clocking in at 12.4% ABV. Not thin (ok maybe slightly thin) this shows candied red fruits (raspberry, strawberry and watermelon) with just a hint of soil. The fruit isn't gushing like a Jolly Rancher, it is reserved yet still mouth watering. Balance is OK but length is a little short.

5/7/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Last tasted 2 1/2 years ago. Still really like this as it shows good fruit with lychee, peach, white flowers and grapefruit with a steely mineral backbone. The mineral component comes more into focus as the temperature comes up.

Last of 3 and they've all been enjoyable.

5/3/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

First of our 23s. Fruit driven showing slightly underripe strawberry, raspberry, watermelon and a slate back end. When I read my notes from other vintages this seems fairly consistent. Should hold its drinking profile over next 2 years.

4/30/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Similar impressions to bottle earlier this year. Saline and minerals are what stand out with hints of tropical fruit and nuts in the background. Got a little more viscosity this time around but I'd still classified as medium bodied with pleasant acids up front. 100% Fiano and I DID buy again.

4/28/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a restaurant. Saw 30 minutes of air. No formal note taken.

This was singing with lots of dark red fruit, tobacco, bits of stewed tomatoes, crushed herbs, maybe even a bit of pepper. Loads going on, excellent balance, a true treat. Delicious!

4/28/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Picked up on a recommendation by a merchant locally. Overpaid compared to national prices but...

White flowers, lemon curd, apricot, a little sense of beeswax. Medium weight, good length. Nice to try.

4/27/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Slight underripe strawberry, raspberry with a bit of watermelon and a slate back end. Seems very similar to my tasting note from May of last year and is holding.

4/27/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Very solid and enjoyable! Red to dark red fruits, bits of violets and roses, hints of sage. Mid weight with pleasant tannins. Like this producer and will seek out more.

4/26/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Had 5 so checked in on one. Consumed over two evenings, stayed pretty consistent both nights.

Nose shows tropical fruits, white flowers and wet rocks. On the palate this is very fruit driven with mandarin orange, lychee, and white peach over some limestone. It's got a richness to it and I wish it had a little more acid but as a Spätlese it seems appropriate with a little RS.

Enjoyed especially given the price point of low 20's.

4/21/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a large dinner, slow-ow'd 90 minutes or so before we got to this. Much more tannic than I was expecting. Had some dark savory cured meat aspects, olive tapenade and blackberry but to me what stood out was the firm tannins. Guess I was expecting more given past bottles.

4/15/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Darker side of the red fruit spectrum but very well balanced and integrated with exceptional mouthfeel.. Holding steady at this time. 1 more to go I'll try to drink over the next 2 years.

4/14/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Consumed over multiple nights sealed under vacuum. Pretty similar both nights with matchstick, lemon/lime, beeswax peach and white flower. Enjoyed!

4/12/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Purchased locally (and probably overpaid compared to outside of our market). PnP, consumed over 2+ hours with spouse.

Deep red color. Nose shows bits of green bell pepper, blackberry, and dried herbs. On the palate get a combination of black and red juicy fruits, more jalapeno than bell pepper, white pepper and again dried herbs.

Unique and interesting. Would buy a lot more if it were high teens as opposed to high twenties in our market but fun nonetheless.

3/29/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Wow last tasted almost a decade ago.

Tannins resolved at this point but still silky; cassis, boysenberry, menthol, hints of dried herbs. Quite lovely at this point.

Recommended.

3/19/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a dinner shared with friends. Lots of biscuit/yeast less peach, honey and chalk. Long finish with more tannins than I was expecting.

3/19/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a dinner with friends. Red apple, strawberry, slight yeast, good acids, great mouthfeel. Enjoyed and picked up locally the past year for $50 and at that price its a rebuy all day long.

3/18/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a large dinner; no formal note.

Previously have had the 44a which I enjoyed so picked this up. Well made, crisp but not biting extra brut, showing notes of apple, lemon, a steely backbone with hints of bread.

3/17/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Heat damaged which is frustrating given how it’s been cared for.

3/17/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Consumed over 2 days. Night one dropped into a decanter had 2 glasses over 2 hours. Very tasty eucalyptus, cassis, leather and oh-so integrated with a nice 20+ second finish. 2nd day shows a bit more dried herbs but still same basic profile. Drinking VERY well but should hold for 3-5 more years.

3/9/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Dropped into a decanter served 30 minutes later and consumed with spouse over the next 2 hours. WOW kind of wine. Loads of iron, olive brine, black cherry, pepper and bacon fat. Didn't get any funk but wow was everything in balance. Long, intense and an absolute memorable experience.

3/7/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Easy to read dates of being bottled in 2017 and disgorged in 2021 this was a recent local purchase. Seductive mouthfeel, crisp lemon, white flowers, hints of apple, slate and toast. Very precise wine with exceptional mouthfeel. Really enjoyed this.

3/6/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Consumed over 2 nights. Big and alcoholic. Had a hard time getting past the cocktail aspects of this. I guess I enjoyed it more on night one where there were some savory aspects to this but still found it too big for my palate.

3/4/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

This was a lovely surprise. CT notes say to consume by 2018 and I'm happy to report this was still very much alive and delightful. Really opened up over the 2 hours. Black and blue fruits, iron, tobacco, soy and pepper. Really well balanced with surprising amounts of acids and fully integrated tannins. Paired well with a mushroom risotto.

3/5/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Consumed over 3 nights and never reached my expectations given the pedigree of the vineyard. The first night there was a bit of the sea-spray and oyster shells I like but it never had the freshness/zip/lift I love about Chablis. It was too round. Oh well, single bottle I picked up based upon the vineyard.

2/29/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

My contribution to lunch with the (mostly) retired guys. Unfamiliar with this brought as a let's see...and it reminds me of an orange wine. Almost salmon in color this show lots of tannins with some mandarin orange, white flowers, charcoal (yup I got that) and toasted nuts. Don't know if I've had another wine (before today with this and a Joaquin Fiano) that were aged in chestnut barrels. Strongly considering going back and buying another to see what 3 - 5 years in the cellar offers things.

2/25/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Decanted 60 minutes before dinner, drank with dinner and finished later that evening. Single purchase from 10 years ago, cellared properly over that time.

Pretty classic Sangiovese profile showing cherry, stewed tomato, and herbs along with some dried leaves and gray tea. This wasn't nearly as sharp on the contrast of acid and tannins as others have described. In fact our bottle was lacking a bit of the acids and more tannin driven.

2/23/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Once again, our host out did himself pairing a 7-course meal with an all Sauternes tasting. Covering 50 years from a '55 d'Yquem in shockingly great shape to a pair of '05s, this '01 Rabaud-Promis was my contribution.

All wines showed well, this was probably liked more by others than myself as I felt it was lacking just a bit of acid. Nonetheless it was still in excellent shape. Honeysuckle, pineapple, nutmeg some of that traditional crème brûlée all showed nicely. Not overly viscous or heavy I just wanted a slight bit more acid.

Given how some of its tablemates from the 80s and 90s showed I don't see how this couldn't be appreciated for decades to come.

2/24/2024 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:

Brought to a friend's house and shared over conversation. No formal tasting note.

Similar in profile to other bottle we had 5 years ago. Nice bright fruits (apple, lemon, pear) add in some white flowers with a brioche backbone. Zippy acids give this lots of lift. Nice weight and depth. really enjoyed this.

2/21/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

3rd of 4 and the effervesce has really subsided on this...bubbles faded out after 15 or 20 minutes of air.

Fairly rich wine with ripe fruits over bits of brioche. The acid lift at the front of the wine is the key to me and helps overcome the lack of bubbles leaving a pleasing bottle for sure.

Will consume my last over the next year.

2/20/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Strawberry, kiwi fruit, perhaps some watermelon as well. Things are still holding together fruitwise but what stands out to me are the acids--really like the acids on this still.

2/18/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Consumed over 2 nights. First was fairly soft and elegant with red fruits leading the way. Night two the fruits were a little darker (boysenberry, black raspberry) but still nicely acid driven. Lovely balance and a strong recommendation.

2/18/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Loads of grapefruit, some lemon/lime, and orange with a little salinity. Love the zippy acids. Enjoyed

2/16/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

I don't know if I'll ever be impressed with these. Good amount of air and was still underwhelmed. Tight and tannic with hints of cherry and anise and not much else.

2/14/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Dominated by brioche and yeast there are some bits of apple and white flowers in there but this seems like an intense, mature bottle. Not certain of when it was disgorged. A little too one dimensional for my liking.

2/9/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Slight heat damage showing coffee grounds. Yes there are dark red and black fruits but they are hidden.

2/8/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Black fruits (blackberry, black cherry, figs), mocha, hints of vanilla. Smooth tannins make for an enjoyable modern experience. Last of 3. Not falling off a cliff but if I had any left I'd consume over the next 2 years.

2/4/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Bing cherry, nutmeg, cinnamon, nicely balanced very feminine and delicate. Served with grilled salmon; perfect pairing!

2/3/2024 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:

Shared with a friend over dinner. Finished later in the evening at home.

LOVE the nose on this. Garrigue, potpourri, red licorice, cherry and sandalwood. On the palate a little more fruit driven with blackberry, sour cherry, white pepper, and dried leaves. Fine tannins linger a good 30 seconds in the mouth. Like the taste; LOVE the nose. Overall very enjoyable and pretty much a solid buy every year.

1/31/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Shared with spouse, no formal note taken.

Saline and minerals are what stand out with hints of tropical fruit and nuts in the background. Medium bodied with enough acids to keep things interesting. 100% Fiano and would buy again. Recommended!

1/27/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Really enjoyed this over two evenings. Clocking in at 12.9% ABV this is feminine and inviting. Tart red fruit (pomegranate, raspberry, sour cherry) on the nose with baking spices and dried herbs. On the palate more fruit influenced with the tart red fruits leading the way (not extracted or juicy just more forward) and dried leaves. Acid driven but lovely and put a smile on our face.

1/27/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Nice and integrated, not fading.

Tropical fruits, white flowers, minerals, lemon and hints of oak. Drinking well. Enjoyed and recommended.

1/25/2024 - Bellissimo Does not like this wine:

Underwhelmed or maybe this needs time. A little too much oak influences on the nose makes this seem aggressive. On the palate it's a little more reserved but not yet harmonious and the oak is still dominant. If I purchased more than 1, I'd revisit in 2 or 3 years. As I didn't, I don't anticipate going back for more.

1/20/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Last of 4. Excellent QPR and if I could have done it again, I would have purchased a case.

Oak is still evident with hints of vanilla but it is in the background to the blackberry, pepper, olives and smoke. Everything is in balance and nicely integrated. Should hold here for 3 or so years.

1/16/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Opened on a whim. Single bottle so no following this over years.

Roses and violet floral aspects, cherry and some pine needles. Tannins are there but are manageable. Very nice with food a little grippy on its own.

1/15/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Felt it was a little tight at first. After it had sat in the glass 15 minutes and came up a little on temp enjoyed this more. Grapefruit, stone fruits, decent mineral streak plus a hint of salinity. Would buy again!

1/14/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a restaurant, shared with family. No formal note taken. Pretty much PnP; maybe saw 20-30 minutes of air. Served with main courses over an hour or so.

Dark cherry, herbs, balsamic, leather and cocoa with just hints of the American oak. Pleasant acids with lovely structure with fine tannins. This is drinking exceptionally well right now.

I should have 4 more and will try spacing them out every other year or so.

1/10/2024 - Bellissimo wrote:

Brought to a friends, shared over pizza and conversation. Slow O'd 3 hours before we got around to this. Sour cherry, blackberry, tobacco, herbs. Felt a little "gritty" but it wasn't; just similar impression. Less impressed than last bottle a year ago. But still a step above the '17 which is in our market now.