Quick Reviews
Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon – California – 2014
Fairly dull cab, nose was slightly funky and flavor notes were mostly muted berry… but VERY muted. Didn’t give this time to open up (served at restaurant) so try letting it sit for at least an hour and maybe your experience will be better. Did not stand up to a simple steak dish.
Belle Glos Pinot Noir – Sonoma California – 2015
Velvety and lush, don’t let the faint nose dissuade you. This is the pinot version of a fat cab. Slight acidic bite lies beneath a luxurious blanket of smooth dark berries with soy sauce notes. Just the tiniest bit of sugar, just the right amount. Paired well with gorgeous ribeye at Ruth’s Chris. Really one of the best pinot noirs I’ve had in at least six months.
Leviathan Red – Napa California – 2013
Napa is King of red blends and expectations were high for this Leviathan. However, despite silky smooth tannins and a complex set of flavor notes, this didn’t knock my socks off. There’s fresh red cherry here but perhaps a bit too fresh, resembling cherry more than I like. The nose is so subtle it was difficult to pick up, and hints of smoke and chocolate disappear so quick you have to keep tasting to be sure they were there. Not bad, but just not as spectacular as I was expecting.
Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay – France – 2015
OK, here goes. I love Louis Jadot, but am not a fan of chardonnay. So how does the Jadot Puligny-Montrachet hold up? A bit too much butter on the nose, but Winepisser fans will know I am not a lover of buttery chardonnays. Thankfully the rest is not a margarine mess, but a more balanced French chardy. Toasted apple and subtle oak, with just the right amount of sugar. Even those who loathe chardonnay might accept this one.
Domaine Long Depaquit Chablis – France – 2015
A bit too understated, disappears quickly and will wilt if paired with anything other than the tames dishes. Drinkable but almost comes off as a bargain pinot gris. As forgettable as a third party vice presidential candidate. (Go ahead, name one. That’s this wine.)
Lanson Black Label Champagne Brut – France – NV
Dry but with more flavor than other champagnes in the brut class, which can sometimes come off as nothing more than soda water. Subtle apple. Not bad.
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc – Napa California – 2014
Grassy cat pee, comes as shockingly close to a New Zealand SB as I’ve ever had from Napa. Very tart. Best CA sauvignon blanc I’ve tasted to date!
Terres Secrètes Saint-Véran Blanc – France – 2015
Light toast with strong floral notes. Crisp, not at all oily like some of its American brethren. While refreshing, it is still bogged down by the weight of the grape.
Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Romane Machotte Rouge – France – 2014
Chocolate and blueberry with just the right tannins make this fantastic. Fruity, sure, but also dry. Nose is spice with a hint of mint. Syrah/grenache blend.
Full review coming soon.
Wild Horse Viognier – California – 2014
Spicy tart nose almost comes off like gewurtztraminer. Creamy texture mimics Cali chardonnay but the final flavors are all viognier: red apple, flowers and just-right acidity. Very nice.