macaujames

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• PSPatrick says:

  12/26/2023 12:59:00 AM - James, I would like to thank you for your thoughtful comments and feedbacks over the last months. Wishing you Happy Holidays and a good start into a happy, healthy and successful new year!

• Stoic Warrior says:

  10/29/2023 5:56:00 AM - Re La Rioja Alta, I just posted my note about the 2010 904. FYI, I had 6 of those. I still have 2 of the 2010 Ardanza Especial, a dozen or so other Ardanza's, 1 of the 2005 904 and, (ahem!), 1 bottle of the 1968 904, which the wife was given as a gift by Jeremy Watson back in the '70’s when she worked on his advertising for Spanish Wines UK. We're holding that for our 50th wedding anniversary (still a few years away!)

• mysterycooper says:

  3/2/2023 4:58:00 AM - Well I never! This is a first; not sure why, but thanks macaujames. Hope 2023 is a good one for you.

• srh says:

  4/15/2022 5:36:00 PM - HAPPY Easter to you & yours as well, my friend!

• srh says:

  12/31/2021 11:14:00 AM - Here's wishing you & yours a MARVELOUS 2022 as well! :)

• Mark1npt says:

  12/31/2021 5:53:00 AM - Happy New Years to you and yours too, James!

• Vinomazing says:

  12/8/2021 8:25:00 PM - Happy Holidays, wishing you and yours joy and good health into the New Year!!

• VlgJeff says:

  11/14/2021 11:29:00 AM - Thanks for becoming a fan. Although we seem not to have too many wines in common, I really appreciate your detailed TNs, especially your notes about aeration -- which I have found can make the difference between Like and Dislike. Cheers!

• SimonHea says:

  11/7/2021 11:38:00 PM - Hi macaujames, thanks for becoming a fan. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading some of your reviews and look forward to reading more. Cheers!

• FransS says:

  9/25/2021 9:16:00 AM - Thanks for becoming a fan. You make good, very informative, tasting notes Greetings FransS

• Mark1npt says:

  8/8/2021 7:21:00 AM - You are correct, we don't have much Rose, but I did like this maker....it sells a ton here in holt old Florida!

• Mark1npt says:

  7/18/2021 5:49:00 AM - MJ......I probably would have thought the same as you! I havne't had many airport wines that gave me more than I was expecting! Cheers!

• lukeintowine says:

  7/8/2021 11:23:00 AM - Hi macaujames, thanks for becoming a fan. Your tasting notes are an inspiration. Thank you!

• Mark1npt says:

  6/25/2021 5:10:00 AM - Yw. MJ.....this one is readily available here in the States for about $25. Should be a good buy based on your note. Cheers!

• PSPatrick says:

  3/16/2021 12:11:00 AM - Thank you again for your recommendations! Julia Bertram has been on my bucket list for some time now, but I never got to buy any of her wines. Following your repeated recommendation I now took the heart to buy a few bottles despite of my full drinking queue (and put Sermann on the bucket list...). I was not able to get the Goldkaul, unfortunately, but ordered 2018 Handwerk, 2017 Forstberg and 2018 Hardtberg. I am very much looking forward to trying them! I am still exploring the Pinot Noirs of Holger Koch, which quickly became a favourites of mine (next to Ziereisen). I highly recommend Holger Koch's PN Reserve (which is almost impossibly difficult to get), but the "***" is close behind. Let's try some together at some point.

• PSPatrick says:

  3/13/2021 9:39:00 AM - That's good news! Keeping my fingers crossed that it will work out for you as planned! I am looking forward to a certain degree of normality, including dining and travels...

• Harley1199 says:

  1/16/2021 10:55:00 AM - Me? I'm not sure of that ... The more knowledge I have, the more I am looking for, an endless seeking. Have good time and cheers my friend,

• Harley1199 says:

  1/16/2021 7:33:00 AM - Thank you James. I also wish you a very HNY. In Rioja 2007 is a so-so vintage giving an early yet incomplete satisfaction. Sincerely speaking, in the last decades I'm becoming a huge fan of Bosconia rather than Tondonia but maybe 07 is showing an atypical stuff :-) Cheers!

• Purple Tooth says:

  1/2/2021 8:06:00 AM - Happy New Year MJ! I have a feeling there's going to be much more to celebrate, or endure in 2021. Either way, a great cause for popping corks, twisting caps, and pulling tabs!

• df1962 says:

  1/1/2021 12:43:00 PM - Thanks macaujames. All the best to you and yours for a safe and vinous 2021. What I learned in 2020 life is too short for even ok wine.

• PSPatrick says:

  1/1/2021 11:21:00 AM - The 2006 Prado Enea indeed is very good, but to me not on the same level as the 2004. Both need a few years. The 2004 Especial should also turn out very well, a good choice, great that you have some! And thank you for the recommendation - 2018 indeed is regarded highly in Germany, and 2019 is already said to be even better ("the best vintage of the century so far"). I have already stocked heavily on Spätburgunder from 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016, let's see if I can make space... Most importantly: Happy New Year! May 2021 mean good health and only great bottles for you!

• Motz says:

  12/16/2020 7:24:00 AM - Mornin' MJ! I found a great, traditionally styled Bordeaux at Costco in eastern WA. 2015 Chateau Villambis. Worth seeking out.

• Soteriologist says:

  12/5/2020 6:01:00 PM - Thanks for the reminder, James. I will wait with buying the 2016 Guigal CDR Rouge until they want to get rid of it because the subsequent vintages are coming down the pike. I am presently in the process of trying to empty my cellar as far as possible and loading up only with steals.

• PSPatrick says:

  11/30/2020 1:50:00 AM - Thank you for the compliment! Easy to return, the same can be said about your palate!

• Vinomazing says:

  5/23/2020 1:40:00 PM - Good Saturday...an exceptional wine for an unrealistic value, rare these days. The '10 Ardanza was US $28 here lowest, also grabbed some magnums for longer haul at $70...nice weekend!

• Harley1199 says:

  5/23/2020 11:51:00 AM - Oh James, thanks for that advise. I will try soon, hope so. In spite Viña Ardanza was been an easy drink during last years certainly it isn't my next target. This year I want to focus on several 2005 riojas and, perhaps the first 2004 Ardanza from my cellar. Cheers!

• Soteriologist says:

  5/7/2020 3:33:00 PM - Thanks for the heads up. I am a little behind in many matters, couldn't even get around to nailing down my list of "duty bottles" for this year, so apart from that Riesling on easter sunday with my family I haven't opened a single bottle of wine since February 25th. I think wine will not be one of the primary worries to organize my time around for a while. Hope everything is well with you !

• NYC_Maenad says:

  5/2/2020 5:48:00 AM - I won't argue about the weather in Irouleguy, or vintage quality overall, but as far as Brana goes, the rose was better in 2015 than in 2016 or at least has consistently shown better so far. I can say this confidently having drunk over 70 bottles of the 2015, every one of which was more enjoyable, complex and electric than the 12 bottles of 2016 we've consumed so far.

• PSPatrick says:

  4/19/2020 11:42:00 AM - Let's pencil that in! Stay safe!

• PSPatrick says:

  4/14/2020 12:04:00 PM - The 1999 Redoma was truly special. I had a 1996 (from a different source) a few weeks ago that wine was really good, but the 1999 was in a completely different league. It was so youthful that one could argue it was too young to drink now. I have had a few wines from Portugal, including from iconic producers, but I have rarely seen such structure, balance and minerality. The wine should be even better in 10 and in 20 years. Yes, it was “Wow”! But your LDH 904 2005 also sounds like quite an Easter treat! I haven’t had it in four years but am a huge fan of the wine. I tried the 2009 and 2010 recently, bot amazing wines, the 904 2010 close to the Redoma. Will try to find more. We should share a bottle as soon as the current madness is over. Cheers, Patrick

• Soteriologist says:

  4/12/2020 2:21:00 PM - Wow, wish I could have been there with you. In my family we had a simple but very enjoyable 2018 Karl Wegner & Sohn Dürkheimer Hochmess Riesling Kabinett which did the job.

• Harley1199 says:

  4/12/2020 7:50:00 AM - U2 James

• Soteriologist says:

  4/8/2020 2:48:00 PM - Thanks for the encouragement regarding the 2015 Guigal CdR. Would have opened 2 - 3 bottles this year anyway as I have 15 of them left until 2023 ! I envy you over your upcoming 2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva. Cheers and all the best !

• PSPatrick says:

  3/29/2020 1:50:00 AM - Thank you, macaujames! That is a great price for the Terra Montosa, I'll check it out! All the best for you and your loved ones!

• Vinomazing says:

  6/2/2019 11:16:00 AM - Happy Sunday!!

• Soteriologist says:

  1/30/2019 11:37:00 AM - Regarding the 2015 Guigal CdR rouge: look at the message board of my profile :D Will taste within a couple of weeks. Cheers !

• grapenomad says:

  11/6/2018 7:22:00 PM - Thanks for the kind words James, Lapierre is pure ecstasy!

• wineaficionado says:

  2/1/2018 7:16:00 PM - Thanks for your comment. Chianti Classico is a fixture in my world for sure.

• Motz says:

  12/2/2017 6:47:00 AM - Macau, France, in Bordeaux. Wow! You learn something new every day.

• Motz says:

  11/26/2017 8:14:00 AM - MacauJames: Your handle intrigues me? Do you live in Macau?

• BillLowney says:

  5/31/2017 3:50:00 PM - Thanks for the kind comments. Keep an eye out for Lafon Rochet 2014. It is $20 more expensive than Lilian Ladouys 2009 but it is a big step up in grandeur. These two chateaus are next-door neighbours with similar taste profiles. Also, don't miss out on Meyney 2014 which is very nice and very good QPR.

• jmcmchi says:

  5/24/2017 4:06:00 PM - Sorry to say the Schild shiraz is not up to the level of the St Cosme. At that price point I would have to stick with France :)

• grapenomad says:

  5/20/2017 5:23:00 AM - Thank you for the kind words. May you keep drinking awesome wines!

• jmcmchi says:

  5/18/2017 3:44:00 PM - Re St Cosme CduR I paid $11.49 for it and am picking up some Schild Shiraz tomorrow for which I paid $10 I am expecting them to be of roughly equivalent quality To my taste, the difference in relative value is much more stark higher up the scale (ignoring Grange, HoG et al). Top flight wines from St Hallett, Hewitson, Rusden, Rockford, Kilikanoon, Sons of Eden in SA or Dalwhinnie (in Victoria) stand comparison with Cote Rotie or Hermitage from Chave, Chapoutier, Guigal, usually for a fair amount less. But I have to admit, the relative pricing varies a lot and can distort the vlue ratio; I have sourced Shiraz directly, via the UK or from the US, and similarly for the French wines, and cannot say that one place is always better than another

• jmcmchi says:

  5/12/2017 11:25:00 PM - good point on the Battenfeld Spanier. The Clare was fantastic with different styes from Watervale and Polish Hill River. Current releases with lime freshness and older ones with petrol and slate. Then there was the Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills. Good value by comparison with Germany and Alsace

• jmcmchi says:

  4/27/2017 4:36:00 PM - Good to hear from you, Macaujames. I am in S Australia for a few weeks, overturning several of my preconceptions and prejudices from my last visit seven years ago

• NZ wino says:

  1/18/2017 1:32:00 AM - Macaujames - re Te Mata Awatea : I note you drink a lot of French wine - the NZ wine can be drunk earlier - Te Mata is well established and 2013 was an outstanding year for the Gimblett Gravels region - so 5 years plus is the drinking range - I have yet to try a 10 year old vintage.

• jmcmchi says:

  1/9/2017 11:24:00 AM - Re Fonbel 2005; we drank this with lamb lyonnaise. Next bottle will probably be with a Beef Bourguignon, probably with a Bordeaux in the sauce. Re Paloumey 2010; I ran this through a vinturi into a decanter about two hours before drinking; it probably could do with a couple of hours more at this stage

• Burgundy Al says:

  12/23/2016 10:02:00 AM - Macaujames, Re Heredia 1995. First that bottle was 2 years ago, so I don't recall every detail. Second, I wouldn't consider Tondonia 1995 to be fully mature. I typically think on Tondonia as just entering maturity in the 20+ year range. All that said, I expected a 2010-2045 drinking window after drinking that bottle.

• wineaficionado says:

  10/22/2016 2:51:00 PM - Thanks for your comment. It is worthwhile to explore wines from Portugal (white and red). The quality price ratio is unbeatable!

• CHINACAT says:

  10/8/2016 5:09:00 PM - Thanks for your message. Glad to hear you had the same good experience with this wine in a group setting. Some of the novices in my group were skeptical when I said we were going to drink a Spanish wine, but they were quickly won over by this bottle. I find this cuvee punches above its weight in good years. Cheers!

• sigge says:

  3/28/2016 12:56:00 PM - The Muga Rioja Reserva Selección Especial I expect needs another 5 years. Evene if very tannic now I have been surprised earlier how quick some wines gets mature and opens up. I expect the same with this wine.