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Comments on my notes

(45 comments on 36 notes)

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Red
2014 Hors Catégorie Vineyards Syrah Hors Catégorie Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
6/17/2023 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
75 points
Had such high hopes for this. Absolutely terrible with Bret.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    6/17/23, 5:56 PM - Not sure. I’ve had other labels of Christophe’s and they all seem to have a strong Bret presence. Either flawed or just his style.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    6/17/23, 6:18 PM - Absolutely will do. And I do have high sensitivity to Bret.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/23/24, 3:49 PM - Agreed! I am very sensitve to bret and anti-bret. A friend of mine loves it, so he got all of the wines from Christophe Baron that I had left for free. :)

Comment (See all 7 comments)
Red
2015 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
11/25/2023 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
99 points
Only 99 because we drank it a year or two young. If a 100 point Pauillac & a 100 point Napa had a super child, this would be it!! :)

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    11/27/23, 6:41 AM - Should be awesome. The guys are great and every vintage I've had so far has be absolutely stellar. Enjoy!

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2018 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard Paso Robles Willow Creek District Red Blend
9/10/2023 - haldolugr wrote:
92 points
We did a side by side of the 18/19/20 together. The 18 had great fruit but it didn't seem to integrate fully - was a bit all over the map from the middle to the finish. Was lacking the structure that was found in the 19/20. If you don't read my other reviews, 19 was the winner!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    9/11/23, 5:21 AM - Love Saxum as well! If you have any 18s left, save them for several more years before opening. That vintage is the longest lasting and requires age the most of the 3 that you compared. All Saxum wines in general are built for the longer haul.

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Red
2015 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT Sangiovese
3/25/2023 - Kris G wrote:
flawed
Bottle from Xtrawine stored at 12 °C, gave the impression of being 100 years old. Strange: my bottles from Xtrawine have a very low flawed-rate, but 90% of my Felsina bottles from them (several purchases from different vintages) are flawed.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    3/25/23, 6:19 AM - Likely caused at the distributor level (warehouse or trucking at less than optimal temperature). So many variables that the consumer doesn't see when buying retail.

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Red
2019 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir Black Label Sta. Rita Hills
10/17/2022 - spacewife wrote:
Don’t drink

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    10/24/22, 4:00 PM - Because????? :) Too young, terrible, etc. :)

Comment
Red
2013 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT Cabernet Franc
8/12/2022 - Ernestas wrote:
89 points
Crowned as one of the finest single varietal Italian CF’s, but for me it was a stunning disappointment, maybe its a faulty bottle or expectations placed too high, who knows. Aged for 20 months in 70% new FR oak. Medium intensity aroma of fresh and dried cherries, sweet briar, tomato leaf, sweet tobacco, plums, licorice. Medium+ body, entry has weird sweetish string, continues to smoky mid palate which lacks in structure with its medium light acidity and powdery tannins.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    8/15/22, 3:57 PM - Did you have time to decant, breath for a few hours before drinking? We had the same reaction to our first glass a few months ago and then let it decant for a couple of hours. Was fantastic after that. Hope this helps if you have additional bottles.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2016 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia Red Rhone Blend
6/15/2022 - Mag357 Likes this wine:
Very clear color. Aromas of fresh red fruits, very lifted. After three hours of air, became darker yet it keept its tansluscency. This wine gained at some point of time red fruited density, with lovely raspberry and strawberry aromas, a lush and slky mid palate, excellent freshness and good persistence. No hard edges here, no heat (although 14.5 alcohol), brilliant light footed winemaking focused on the fruit quality, and will age well. Very different from Clos des Papes or Vieux Telegraphes which in profile are much more somber and edgy when young. In style, this is closer to La Janasse Vieilles Vignes, but in a less spicy manner, and less extracted. This is a wine for the hedonist. Chapeau Mounir, you avoided Brett, this is fantastic !

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    6/15/22, 7:14 PM - Try their white CDPs. Magis and others are off the charts good!

Comment
White
2018 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
11/3/2021 - RichardsEric1 Likes this wine:
97 points
Always one of my favorites. I really like the heavy weight of the nose, the mouth feel, and color of this wine. This vintage is lighter on the nose and creamier on the palate. I wonder if bottle age will send it in the other direction?

Color. Bright yellow with a touch of lime green.

Nose. White flowers, a little caramelized sugar, toasty oak, a touch of pumpkin puree, baked apples, orange Creamsicle, and a little creamed corn.

Palate. Rich toasty oak, balanced cinnamon with baked apples, a little tannin, and perfect acidity.

While the finish is noticeable at the 20 second mark, it's dominated by oak. I am hopeful the sugar will emerge soon and the finish changes.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    11/14/21, 4:00 AM - Agree with your assessment! If you love this, try the Wayfarer Chard. Even better in my opinion.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    11/14/21, 5:21 AM - 2018 is the best that I've had so far. I would definitely seek that one out. It has an additional level of spice and complexity that, for me, puts it above the Pahlmeyer Chard. 2019 is the current release. It's the Wayfarer Vineyard Chard. they don't make the SV versions of Chard like they do with the Pinots. Hope this helps!

Comment (See all 3 comments)
White
2018 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard Paso Robles White Rhone Blend
9/29/2021 - dcwino wrote:
Napa and Bordeaux gathering (Clarity - Vienna, Virginia): Extremely ripe expression. There is a hint of oxidized apple, but also very ripe yellow tropical fruit, caramel and white chocolate. Noticeable heat at the end. Although I am able to appreciate some of the CDP blancs I am having a difficult time with this wine.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    10/3/21, 6:10 AM - If you have any additional bottles, I would give them 2-3 more years before opening. I have found this to make a material difference in all Saxum wines. Hope this helps.

Comment
Red
2013 Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso Toscana IGT Cabernet Franc
5/17/2021 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
96 points
Excellent representation of the varietal (Cab Franc). Really opens up after being open/ in the glass for an hour or two.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    6/16/21, 4:56 PM - Excellent! Thank you. Will check it out.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2018 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard St. Helena
5/6/2021 - #1Winelover wrote:
Has anyone had this yet? I am very excited to try it but I don't want to waste a bottle and I no longer have confidence in my Coravin!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    5/6/21, 7:47 PM - Awesome wine based on past vintages, but i wouldn't dream of opening it until 2024/2025 at minimum. These single vineyard beauties, from great vintages, need time.

Comment (See all 9 comments)
White
2018 Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Ma Princesse Russian River Valley
4/24/2021 - Niagara wrote:
88 points
I want so much to like this, because it's expensive. But it's just insipid.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    4/24/21, 1:42 PM - I would give it at least 3 or 4 years, if you have more of it, to open. Luc makes his wines to age. They are never very good this young, but really fantastic with appropriate age. I find his 2014s just barely hitting the drinking windows now. Hope this helps.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2017 Clos Solène L'Insolent Paso Robles Red Bordeaux Blend
1/2/2021 - tward wrote:
This was one of a few bottles of Paso wines from well-regarded producers that I found discounted in limited quantities. Tried to drink this over a few nights and though the label abv is 14.8% this could serve better as a dessert wine (hard cheeses, on its own, something for the cigar folks?) Dense, dark, extracted, some sweetness from the oak. Tongue staining purple, very heavy.

I'm aware this style is the pinnacle or even the only representation of what a REAL WINE IS for some fellow wine drinkers. This does clearly aim to "play with the BIG BOYS" and I think it probably does a good job at that. The bottle, tall with broad shoulders, weighs a kilo (2.2 lb) empty.

I'd have guess a Petit Verdot-heavy blend and this is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Petit Verdot.

I think this shows some promise for further integration and settling into something that, while I don't think will be elegant or understated, could find more harmony and balance. Regardless of your style preference, pair this with hearty food.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/3/21, 12:25 PM - If you have more bottles, give them a few years. Guillaume makes his wines for the longer run. I wouldn't suggest drinking their 2017s until 2023 or later. Hope this helps.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/3/21, 2:59 PM - Good analogy with L'Aventure. Maybe it's a 'French guy" thing. We are finding that the 2014s from both of them are just barely entering their drinking windows now. Cheers!

Comment (See all 6 comments)
Red
2015 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Memorious Sta. Rita Hills
12/28/2020 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
84 points
Brett and funk! NG.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/31/20, 4:54 AM - Certainly possible. Wish I'd kept better notes on the last bottle, as I recall a similar experience. Interestingly, didn't have that experience with their other wines.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2014 Realm Cellars The Bard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
12/5/2020 - TJ1967 Likes this wine:
95 points
Thank you Realm for making an exceptional one hundred dollar bottle of wine. As both Carter and Realm start to creep their prices upward to match their competitors, I just want to praise both producers "entry level" group of wines. My message to both producers, please continue to produce these fairly reasonably priced knockouts for us to enjoy.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/6/20, 2:35 PM - I buy their single vineyard cabs too, but pound for pound, love Bard, Falstaff and Tempest!

Comment (See all 4 comments)
Red
2016 Andremily Syrah No. 5 Santa Barbara County
12/6/2020 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine:
96 points
Having recently joined an SQN tasting group on FB and seeing multiple raves on Andremily, I had gotten curious and recently acquired this and the Mourvedré to see, what it was all about. To be fair, it wasn't the first time I came across it. An acquintance recomended it a long while ago, and the high TWA notes hadn't escaped me. But now was the time. This 2016 was paired against the 2017 SQN "The Hated Hunter". Clearly, they're cut from the same mold. Initially, I probably even found this to be the most approachable and maybe most enjoyable of the two. Huge homerun quality wise. And then in this super rich, Californian way. This could just never come from France. When in the mood, this was so satisfying when the craving for super luxurious, power wine is there. In the end, the SQN pulled of and showed more vibrance, freshness and energy, making it the better of the two, but it is almost splitting hairs. Very well done by Jim Binns!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/6/20, 8:38 AM - If you get the chance, try their Rose' as well. Really great too!

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2017 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Oakville
11/8/2020 - Geaux Tigers wrote:
90 points
2 hr decant. Disappointed is a word I would use here. Unlike other BTK renditions I’ve had, Realm or otherwise. Overly restrained and underly expressive on both the nose and the palate. Not quite flat. While the usual BTK notes are present, it’s like they were clipped. Seemingly these grapes were not picked with the usual ripeness I expect from Realm and it showed. This wine was whooped by every other bottle we had last night. I’m perplexed.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    11/8/20, 5:00 PM - 17 was a tough vintage in Napa. Regardless of decanting time, I wouldn't even think of opening any other bottles of this for 4 to 5 years. That will optimize what Benoit made of the vintage.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    11/12/20, 5:32 PM - 17 vintage was so tough on Napa. Lots of great wines from Sonoma. I bought very little Napa.

Comment (See all 4 comments)
Red
2016 Rhys Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains
10/20/2020 - melzar wrote:
91 points
Very good California Pinot Noir. A little "green", but should shed that with age. Nose redolent with Pinot Noir fruit. Great fruit and acidity as well as an annoying vegetal note on the palate. I may sound critical, but I remain in line for my next allocation!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    10/20/20, 4:56 PM - I've found that all of the Rhys wines need significantly more time to be ready to drink than other CA wines. The 2013s and 2014s are just barely ready now, with significant life ahead. Remarkable differences from their younger versions. Hope this helps!

Comment
Red
2013 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard Sonoma Coast
5/24/2020 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
98 points
Stunningly good!!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    8/24/20, 7:37 AM - It's new world at heart, but not at all a huge wine. Completely balanced and very nuanced and elegant. Really terrific.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    8/24/20, 1:33 PM - Yes they do. The 2013, despite 7 years of age is very fresh and clean.

Comment (See all 4 comments)
Red
2016 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus Calistoga
12/8/2019 - BerkeleyBoy wrote:
90 points
Very un-exciting and a let down with all the hype. A wanna-be cab that fell short. Very disappointed considering the price. Other vintages have been far better.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/10/19, 6:44 AM - I think that you are way too early on this one. I wouldn't touch 2016 Napa Cabs until 2022 at minimum, and most folks making the wines would deem that to be too early. IMO 2013's are still a little too young. Suggest giving it a chance in several years if you have any left.

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Red
2014 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
12/7/2019 - ashikoh Does not like this wine:
91 points
opaque, ruby violet; blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice, violets; concentrated fruit bomb, dark fruit, medium acidity, medium tannin, a bit hot, 15.2% ABV; made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new French oak, only free run juice used; very primary, at this point disappointing for $200, Parker scored 100

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/8/19, 3:02 PM - I think it's very early for this vintage. If you have more bottles, I wouldn't even think of opening until 2022 or later. Quilceda wines age exceptionally well.

Comment
Red
2013 No Girls Tempranillo Walla Walla Valley
5/1/2019 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
75 points
Very disappointing!!!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    5/1/19, 11:56 AM - Sure! Very odd, overly fruity almost like a "jug" wine. Not verietally typical of Tempranillo at all. We dumped 2/3 of the bottle in the sink. Similar experience with the last bottle of this that we opened. Think I have one left and wont even bother to try it. Hope this helps. Sorry for being the bearer of bad news.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    5/1/19, 12:06 PM - Would love to hear your thoughts after you open it. I've also had their other varietals and liked them much more than this. I do typically love Tempranillo. Drink a lot of it from Spain and Paso Robles.

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Red
2014 L'Aventure Cuvée Chloe Paso Robles Willow Creek District Red Rhone Blend
4/29/2019 - jeagle Likes this wine:
Tasted and decanted four hours prior to consumption. Very promising, but simply too young. The oak is not yet resolved and the structure is too persistent. Maybe two more years.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    4/29/19, 5:57 PM - Great note! Wine makers in Paso tell me that the 14s need to most time of all recent vintages. 15 ready before them. Suggest 3-4 years more. Hope this helps.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2016 Occidental Pinot Noir SWK Sonoma Coast
4/29/2019 - hawkeye54 wrote:
97 points
Stunning wine. Never had a Pinot like this. Beautiful aromas of red cherry, smoke and rose. Sweet oranges and red cherry dominate the palate. Beautiful balance with a good tannic finish. Absolute pleasure to drink. I don't know what 5-10 years bring to this wine, but there's no reason to feel bad about drinking now. Wow.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    4/29/19, 5:55 PM - Just had the 2014 of this wine last week. Same response as yours! So far, my favorite of their lineup.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2014 Realm Cellars The Bard Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
4/22/2019 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
97 points
Awesome stuff! Plenty of life ahead as well. BOOM!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    4/23/19, 5:31 AM - Yes, I have been on their list for many years. Amazing how consistently great their wines are across the entire portfolio. Excited for Juan's new venture in Paso!

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2015 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri Sassicaia Red Bordeaux Blend
2/16/2019 - 87tellub Likes this wine:
91 points
PnP from 375: Light to medium purple with hints of garnet at the edges. Nose is reserved and has aromas of sweet smoke and blackberry. Palate has a lot of power behind it. Silky texture. Tons of acidity. Finish has notes of caramel and roasted cauliflower. It's tight and would benefit from a long decant.

After a short (1-2 hour) decant nose is still mostly shut but it's a really nice palate. Gets more floral and herbal with the air. Maybe it's the food but it really gets more interesting. Not what I expected. Evolves into notes of freshly cut parsely stems and fresh grass. I'm not sure I love it but I don't hate it.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    2/17/19, 5:19 AM - Great notes, thanks! I have a 6 pack of 750s of this vintage. Not planning on opening any of them until at lease 2022. Your notes helped me confirm that. Wonder if the format had something to do with the one you tried being closed.

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Red
2015 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc Oakville
2/2/2019 - Coachron13 Likes this wine:
92 points
Mixed opinions on this. I thought it was excellent, while still very young. My wife, a cab franc lover, was expecting more from it. No hurry on these, I expect it to open up even more with more aging.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    2/3/19, 5:30 AM - Give the 15s some time yet, particularly the Detert, coming from To Kalon. The 2012s from them are in perfect form eight now!

Comment
Red
2014 Clos Solène Harmonie Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend
1/18/2019 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:
91 points
Interesting! I think this is in a closed phase? Muted nose, minerality would almost think in the nose this is a burgundy but then has a clean ripe dark fruit plum on the nose. Acids/alcohol have softened and fruit is soft and plush. Plums and light spice but this needs a few years to open back up. Easy to drink now but suspect 2-3 years and this will be really showing great.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/19/19, 4:37 AM - Finding the same with 2014 wines from Paso. Several of the prominent wine makers there have told me to wait on the 2014s and that the 2015 will be ready to drink sooner.

Comment
Red
2013 Quintessa Rutherford Red Bordeaux Blend
12/8/2018 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
92 points
Good, but not worth $170/ bottle by any stretch.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/9/18, 5:30 AM - Thanks! I like it a lot more at that price.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2010 Aloft Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
9/26/2018 - beej Likes this wine:
Holy crap
The nose throws the terroir and varietal right up ur nose to the deepest recesses of ur brain.
Wow!
This wine will most assuredly outlive me!
Proof that quick glycerine and a medium texture r no indication of quality of experience.
Railroad ties, brisket and a chalky tannin laden dark chocolate palate wafting thru the nose.
Omg; this is serious juice.
Thank u mike!!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    9/27/18, 5:08 AM - Very well said! :)

Comment
Red
2009 Domaine du Coulet (Matthieu Barret) Cornas Billes Noires Syrah
7/5/2018 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
80 points
Waaaay to funky and bretty for me. It was pretty expensive too!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    7/8/18, 3:44 AM - Thanks! Haven't drank much Australian yet, but will give it a try.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2007 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
1/23/2018 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
95 points
Excellent and still going strong. Much softer and well integrated than I thought given the producer and vintage.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/24/18, 5:35 AM - Agreed!, thanks! I also have some 06 Heitz Trailside at home that is absolutely singing now.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/24/18, 8:48 AM - Yes, surprising how many wine makers/ winery people that I talk with that like 2006 from California/ Napa better than 2007. I have a mag of 06 Dunn Napa that I am curious about.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    1/25/18, 5:35 AM - Will do. Thanks.

Comment (See all 6 comments)
White
2015 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette Marsanne
12/1/2017 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
94 points
I drink very little white wine, but this stuff is awesome!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    12/1/17, 5:00 AM - Thanks Tim! Here's to expanding palettes in 2018.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2007 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
8/15/2017 - bonedoc wrote:
96 points
I overpaid for this wine but I love it, and have yet have a vintage I didn't love. Sometimes your palate is just in line w a producer.

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    8/15/17, 1:23 PM - Bonedoc: Try the 2006 if you can find it. Less $ that the better rated vintages like 07 or 2010 and just as good!

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2012 Kind Cellars Proprietary Red Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
3/3/2017 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
97 points
This wine is like Lucky Charms- Magically delicious!!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    3/4/17, 5:46 AM - #1 Wine Lover: Yes, remarkable to me that more people don't know about Kind (yet). Their Cab Franc is also awesome. Couldn't agree more about Realm. Everything they make is fantastic!

Comment (See all 2 comments)
Red
2007 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bancroft Ranch Howell Mountain
2/19/2017 - mikemboutiquewines wrote:
94 points
Significantly better than the last bottle of this that I opened. Nicely balanced with great fruit. Wish I had a few more bottles!

  • mikemboutiquewines commented:

    2/19/17, 7:56 AM - My pleasure Tim. If you haven't had their single vineyard Merlot from Bancroft Ranch, it is definitely worth trying as well.

Comment (See all 2 comments)
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