| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2007 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Exzellenz Sacrashe VineyardRutherford more |
4/25/2021 - travelme Likes this wine: 94 pointsOpened at a Big Boy Night dinner and this was excellent. Dark purple with a slight reddish hue in the glass. It had notes of cedar, chocolate, and vanilla. A slightly dry palate knocked it down just a few points in my eyes but this was another exceptional wine. Sad to see it go. I still have a 6L and one more bottle that I bought for my daughter to have one day (birth year wine). Can’t wait to try it again. |
| Red |
2020 The Language of Yes Syrah En Passerillage Rancho RealSanta Maria Valley more |
11/10/2021 - srilko4 Likes this wine: NRIt is an established tradition, at least in Côte-Rôtie, to co-ferment Viognier with Syrah. This is said to enhance the aromatic potential (good!), the alcoholic degree (not so necessary in California), color stability and structure of the wine. The Viognier has added a unique floral note to the otherwise peppery Syrah. (It is important to note that the Santa Maria Valley is one of the climatically coolest sites in California where Syrah can be successfully grown, and enjoys perhaps the longest season. These are two important factors contributing to the formation of rotundone, the sesquiterpene molecule responsible for the peppery aroma in wine.) So, without further ado, the notes: As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, The Language of Yes project is not intended to try to slavishly replicate the wines of Southern France, but rather to seek to find and amplify the unique characteristics of our climats and terroirs in the Central Coast of California, (at the same time seeking inspiration from our Gallic equivalents.) Having said that, there is the most remarkable “taste-alike” correspondence between this wine and the Platonic goût de Provence - a singular ubiquitous balsamique (resinous) quality imparted some say by the local underbrush, the garrigue - lavender, rosemary and sage, notably - but perhaps also by proximal pine forest. In any event, the wine is marked by its lively acidity, vivid (let’s call it pink) pepperiness, with strong suggestion of black olive, violets, licorice and white flowers. On the palate, slightly angular immediately upon opening but softening considerably with time. The wine was not filtered and will greatly benefit from decanting and a healthy exposure to air.
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| Red |
2013 Chateau St. Jean Cinq CépagesSonoma County Red Bordeaux Blend more |
8/12/2022 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 pointsMedium bodied with evident tannins. Raspberry, cherry, with a bit pepper on the palate.
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| Red |
2017 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Eighteen Seventy-Three Napa Valleymore |
7/8/2022 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 pointsProbably the most approachable at an early date of the Hall Cabernet offerings. Ripe, black and blue fruit on the palate, with some baking spice, coffee and a hint of herbs on the finish. Full bodied with grippy tannins. Best with red meats and some spicy foods.
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| Red |
2018 Force Majeure Parabellum Coulée Rhone BlendRed Mountain Red Rhone Blend more |
6/28/2021 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 pointsBurger night at a club, poolside, so plastic glasses. Still, despite the glasses and the heat, this was a really enjoyable wine. Great QPR! I actually like this Syrah blend better than FM more expensive Syrahs. BTW, the FM's website says this vintage is 86% Syrah 14% Mourvèdre, while Jeb Dunnuck's review says it is 93% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre. I tend to believe the FM website.
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| Red |
2018 Force Majeure Parabellum Coulée Rhone BlendRed Mountain Red Rhone Blend more |
6/27/2021 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 94 pointsTwo hour double decant. Deep dark plum color. Maple syrup soaked pork belly, eggplant, plum, vanilla bean, and subtle peppercorn on the rich and deeply fruited nose. Smooth, dry, full bodied palate, with nice acidity. Firm, full tannins on the longish, subtly spicy finish.
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| Red |
2004 Château Duhart-MilonPauillac Red Bordeaux Blend more |
1/10/2022 - Oenecnist wrote: NRFurther to my Note of Jan 5, '19; this is #3-ish. Solid cork. Decanted with somewhat light sediment for its age. Dark purple; ripe blackcurrant, black fruits, some graphite that follow on the palate, very good mouthfeel; some persistence. Gained some complexity over the 2h meal. Delicious, glad we have more, wish we had even more. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement and then a basement locker since purchase. My evaluation (see earlier posts for my 4-category, non-point rating system): This is outstanding- when considering quality, age, and price.
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| Red |
2018 Château Lagrange (St. Julien)Red Bordeaux Blend more |
11/23/2021 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 94 pointsBright garnet-purple colored, medium to full-bodied, big, rich, elegant, integrated and balanced bright vibrant blackberry, black currants and plum fruits with crème de cassis, mocha chocolate, spice, cedar and graphite pencil lead with silky tannins, and a great mid-palate. This offers instant gratification for early drinking but should age gracefully for a decade or more.
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| Red |
2002 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson VineyardNapa Valley more |
5/24/2021 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 92 pointsConsistent with that earlier tastings, this was dark garnet colored, full bodied, complex and concentrated with notes of what Robert Parker refers to as soy, beef jerky and smoked game tones. There is a layer of bacon fat and graphite overlaying the more subdued flavors of black blackberry and raspberry with accents of of licorice and pepper.
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| Red |
2010 Château BeychevelleSt. Julien Red Bordeaux Blend more |
6/6/2021 - rmcnees wrote: 91 pointsRuby colored, medium bodied, soft, nicely balanced, initially slightly astringent on opening (what Stephen Tanzer referred to as 'medicinal'), it opened up and that blew off after 1/2 hour to reveal pleasant black currant and black berry fruits, notes of floral, earthy leather, herbs and hints of plum on the smooth moderate finish.
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| White |
2012 Reuling Vineyard ChardonnaySonoma Coast more |
4/29/2018 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 93 pointsAromas of nut, buttered popcorn, papaya and hint of flowers. Flavors of buttered popcorn, mango, vanilla, mineral and touch of banana. Ends with a buttered popcorn infused finish of 25+ seconds. This has come around since the last time I had it. Put on some weight.
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| Red |
2011 Fantesca Cabernet SauvignonSpring Mountain District more |
7/12/2019 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 91 pointsDeep purple in the glass. Fills the mouth with dark, black and blue fruit, chocolate and toasty oak. Nicely integrated smooth tannins. Full bodied with a long lingering finish.
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| Red |
2007 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Imagine RhapsodyStags Leap District more |
11/5/2017 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 92 pointsRock Blocks are always fun since they change from year to year. The 2007 is medium garnet in color with a touch of bricking at the rim. The color belies the freshness of this wine. This is a bit more fruit forward than the 2008 with notes of bright red fruit...raspberry, strawberry cherry and cola. Less brooding than the 2008 and a touch less structured. This is right at the apex of its drinking window. |
| Red |
2009 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir SouthingSta. Rita Hills more |
11/4/2017 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 pointsWow, this has really hit its stride. Dark garnet color. Dark, sour cherry, smoke and a bit of pepper on the palate. Medium bodied with a dry, mineral finish. Apparently I have been drinking my Southing too early.
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| Red |
1997 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley more |
12/24/2016 - rmcnees wrote: 91 pointsBlackish purple/garnet, full bodied, firm, tight, complex concentrated black berry and black currant fruits with tones of spice and cedar with hints of smoke, anise and subtle mocha turning to a tangy gripping tannin finish.
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| Red |
1998 Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valleymore |
1/6/2007 - AlphaWillie wrote: 90 pointsDecanted for about 30 minutes and served with pork chop dinner. This bottle was great and did not have any of the issues that others have reported.
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| Red |
2013 Château ClinetPomerol Red Bordeaux Blend more |
5/15/2014 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 93 pointsTasted @ big Bordeaux tasting in Zurich. Great aromatics of red fruit, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and sweet spices. It's medium-full bodied with medium-high acidity and medium+ tannin. Good length. A very balanced and elegant Pomerol with surprising power and mid-palate for the vintage. One of the best 2013s I have had so far.
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| White - Sparkling |
2012 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Sea Spray Blanc de NoirsSta. Rita Hills more |
12/31/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 89 pointsConsistent with earlier notes, this opens with light strawberry and cherry on thepalate with a bit of toast on the finish. What was interesting is that we drank side by side with the newly arrived Sea Spray 2012 Late Disgorged. Surprisingly there was a noticeable difference with the LD showing more polish and complexity. The LD was drier for a start and had an additional yeasty layer that I believe, created the polish. The LD was definitely my preferred style and I was quite surprised by the difference.
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| Red |
1997 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore VineyardRutherford more |
12/31/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 92 pointsPart of a fabulous New Years flight including a 1997 horizontal of Freemark Abbey Sycamore, Bosche' and the estate Napa Cab. The Sycamore was lighter in color than the Bosche but there was only the slightest touch of bricking at the rim. This was hugely representative of Sycamore. A floral, Margaux like nose. Lots of bright strawberry and raspberry with a hint of cola. Medium bodied and finish.
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| Red |
1997 Freemark Abbey Cabernet BoschéRutherford Cabernet Sauvignon more |
12/31/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 92 pointsWow! Glad I waited for a special occasion to open this. Deep indigo color. No evidence of bricking or age in the color. Nose was a bit musty and earthy. On the palate, a typical Bosche' profile. Deep, dark fruit, mostly blackberry and cassis, with a hint of tobacco and the Bosche' trademark eucalyptus. Full bodied with a long lingering finish.
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| White - Sparkling |
2012 Sea Smoke L. D. Sea SpraySta. Rita Hills Pinot Blend, Pinot Noir more |
12/31/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 92 pointsDrank this along side last years original 2012 Sea Spray and the difference was a huge surprise. The LD was drier, more polished and complex, building on the fruit and brightness of the original 2012. Definitely my preferred style.
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| Red |
2005 QuintessaRutherford Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/12/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 pointsExcellent transition wine from pre dinner whites to the heavier Napa cabs served with beef tenderloin. This was lighter than I remembered. Still the same characteristics though. A hint of clove and spice on the nose. Bright plum, cassis and a bit of cherry on the palate with a medium finish. This needs at least 30 minutes of air to reveal the fruit and complexity. Was a bit surprised that this did not have the same weight or body of the '04 Fantesca or Clark Claudon that followed.
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| Red |
2004 Clarendon Hills Syrah Piggott Range Vineyardmore |
9/12/2015 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 92 pointsConsistent with earlier notes, this exhibited a rich dark purple color, full bodied, and full smooth polished aromas and flavors of raspberries, blueberry, blueberries and smoked meat with notes of spice and floral elements with hints of oak with nicely integrated silky tannins on the lingering finish. However, the fruit was more subdued and a bit leaner than the full throttle profile of previous experience a few years ago.
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| Red |
2008 Arns Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valleymore |
4/18/2015 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 90 pointsMedium garnet color. A bit of a musty nose on opening but this blew off in 5 or 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, this opened to reveal bright red fruit, mocha and a bit of sweetness that I would typically associate with Mt Veeder. However this winery located on Howell Mtn below the fog line produces something much more layered and complex. A delicious bottle drinking very well right now.
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Comment posted by rmcnees:
12/29/2023 4:52:00 PM - Touche' on collecting this label in a large format birth year vintage - a ritual I followed with each of my kids. Best wishes and CHEERS.