I drank this over several nights and glad I did because the wine evolved quite a bit over that time, suggesting to me it still has a long drinking window ahead of it. Color is medium straw yellow right now. The nose is pretty much the “fruit salad” of every other review, with very present notes of lime, lemon peel and pineapple but it’s clear to me that this wine is currently making the transition to show some more tertiary characteristics of beeswax and ginger. Petrol notes were also present for me (I love the petrol). Full and luscious palate with still-present acidity makes for a pleasant finish, though it’s surprisingly tight. I really like the wine but being very familiar with the region, I think lacks some of the depth of fruit that other producers show. Admittedly my first bottle from this house so I’m still rating it well, and deservedly so. But it’s just a half step behind some of the other Pfalz greats (though it’s reflected in the price!).
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An excellent bottle, and one that will age well. Displays a medium-light straw yellow color at the moment. The nose is very Burgundian: burnt caramel, lemon cake and bitter orange. Quite restrained on the oak and the fruit. The palate exhibits great depth with a richness complimented by a wonderful tension, minerality and “dryness” resulting in a really terrific structure. Yet is still retains a bit of a California terroir with a strong backbone and approachable style at a relatively young age. Will be great in 5 to 10 years as everything further integrates. Not sure how they make it so special - apparently only 15% new oak, so perhaps that’s it. Anyway, very enjoyable, loved it, highly confident it will score 94+ at peak.
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This was my first experience with this producer and the first 2018 Barolo, which are apparently drinking very well. I was generally impressed on both fronts. The wine has a dark garnet ruby color right now with medium level transparency at the rim. Nose is pretty typical Barolo and definitely evolved over the course of the evening: dark cherry, spearmint and fresh herbs which eventually transitioned into a bit more tar and roses as the wine opened up. High degree of acidity present early on also blew off but was not misplaced, as it adds to the structure of the wine. Notes of iron and just a trace of roasted red pepper on the finish completed the cycle. Drank over four hours without decanting (we weren’t sure we’d finish it), I’m generally impressed with this winemaker and will try again! I think this is a potential 93-94 in five years. Excellent price point too.
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2017 Georg Mosbacher Forster Ungeheuer Riesling Großes Gewächs
4/27/2024 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 92 Points
I drank this over several nights and glad I did because the wine evolved quite a bit over that time, suggesting to me it still has a long drinking window ahead of it. Color is medium straw yellow right now. The nose is pretty much the “fruit salad” of every other review, with very present notes of lime, lemon peel and pineapple but it’s clear to me that this wine is currently making the transition to show some more tertiary characteristics of beeswax and ginger. Petrol notes were also present for me (I love the petrol). Full and luscious palate with still-present acidity makes for a pleasant finish, though it’s surprisingly tight. I really like the wine but being very familiar with the region, I think lacks some of the depth of fruit that other producers show. Admittedly my first bottle from this house so I’m still rating it well, and deservedly so. But it’s just a half step behind some of the other Pfalz greats (though it’s reflected in the price!).
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2021 Ridge Chardonnay Monte Bello
4/18/2024 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 92 Points
An excellent bottle, and one that will age well. Displays a medium-light straw yellow color at the moment. The nose is very Burgundian: burnt caramel, lemon cake and bitter orange. Quite restrained on the oak and the fruit. The palate exhibits great depth with a richness complimented by a wonderful tension, minerality and “dryness” resulting in a really terrific structure. Yet is still retains a bit of a California terroir with a strong backbone and approachable style at a relatively young age. Will be great in 5 to 10 years as everything further integrates. Not sure how they make it so special - apparently only 15% new oak, so perhaps that’s it. Anyway, very enjoyable, loved it, highly confident it will score 94+ at peak.
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2018 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barolo Bussia
4/6/2024 - hrazdiiv Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was my first experience with this producer and the first 2018 Barolo, which are apparently drinking very well. I was generally impressed on both fronts. The wine has a dark garnet ruby color right now with medium level transparency at the rim. Nose is pretty typical Barolo and definitely evolved over the course of the evening: dark cherry, spearmint and fresh herbs which eventually transitioned into a bit more tar and roses as the wine opened up. High degree of acidity present early on also blew off but was not misplaced, as it adds to the structure of the wine. Notes of iron and just a trace of roasted red pepper on the finish completed the cycle. Drank over four hours without decanting (we weren’t sure we’d finish it), I’m generally impressed with this winemaker and will try again! I think this is a potential 93-94 in five years. Excellent price point too.
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