2014 Ceritas Pinot Noir Elliott Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (3/12/2024)
I was a bit disappointed that this wine had not fulfilled the promise of a bottle in 2019. Some secondary notes of English tea and spice box are coming in but there is still a stemmy, herbal quality to the fruit and there is still a sense of being clenched. In the best case, it develops bottle sweetness and the stemminess turns to gentle spice and the fruit clarifies as the whole wine relaxes. I have no idea if that will happen. As it stands, this is still a good and enjoyable wine just not what I was hoping it would be. (89 points)
2021 Ridge Lytton Springs - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (3/10/2024)
Grabbed a bottle of this as well even though MLipton did not mention the Lytton Springs. This was also livelier than I remembered and sans creamy dill. Lytton is more brambly berries with herbs and spice than the darker Pagani, it was also more tannic and reserved. Really excellent as well. Again, I got to share a bit with pigdaddy and reminisce about our intersecting journeys through wine. What a lovely evening. (91+ points)
2021 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (3/10/2024)
Wow! As my old friend MLipton elided, this is a splendid, throwback to the 90s Pagani. The nose doesn't have the American oak creamy dill or elevated alcohol that drove me away from this American classic. It's not like this is a slight or IPOB wine, but it seems more in line with what I've had from Bedrock than the last young Ridge Pagani I tried. There is a real vibrancy to the fruit as deep and dark as it is. I get this dark earth, licorice, espresso savory mélange from Pagani that undergirds the fruit in a savory way. Silky and voluptuous through the palate, well shaped by acidity and buried structure. The best part of drinking this is that I got to share some with pigdaddy, who shares a love of the Ridge wines of yesteryear and has kept closer tabs on them than I. This bottle had an emotional, nostalgic resonance with me which will probably lead me to buy a case even though I need more wine like a hole in the head. (93 points)
2015 Giovanni Canonica Barolo Paiagallo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/7/2024)
This was an absolutely wild ride. We had this decanted at the restaurant while we had white and anitpasti. At first it was clenched with lots of structure and firm, drying tannins. Macerated cherries in rosewater was there again along with dusty herbs and lightly savory leather. Then about an hour or so in, it totally popped and the structure melted into the wine and it became velvety. I've only had this happen with a few wines (one of the traits I associate with Allemand Sans Soufre), it's hard, hard, velvet! Crazy! I guess now I know what happens when you decant it. A similar experience note wise with the last bottle, but texture wise, a different beast. Again, I don't have great advice on whether to age or drink. I'll probably go at mine every 2-3 years until they're gone if you haven't had it or have multiple bottles, dive in. (92 points)
2014 Eric Texier Côte-Rôtie Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (3/6/2024)
Eric once said to me that 2014 Brézème was the apex of what he was trying to create (at the time). I wonder what he thinks of the Côte-Rôtie? (Maybe he'll tell us.) It reminded me of very fine tea, sensorially it seems infused rather than pressed. Beautiful, clear, brilliant garnet color. Gemstone like, really. Herb and bramble infused tart berries. Taut and savory on the palate. Lithe and firm. It kept shifting and changing, a violet note here a different fruit there, some woodsy aromas poking out. As enjoyable as it was, it never really shook off it's structure (which is more present than in the Pergaud reds from 2014) so it seems like it could blossom even more in a few years. I think it'll develop more spice and floral aromas and the fruit and savory notes will deepen. 3-5 years which will put it right at the rule of 15. (93 points)
2012 Colombera & Garella Lessona Pizzaguerra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Lessona (3/6/2024)
I opened this to juxtapose with the Texier Côte-Rôtie as Cristiano's winemaking philosophy and approach remind me of Eric's. This was much rounder than both a recent 2013 and the last bottle I had back in 2020. I would say this is mostly resolved in terms of structure to my palate, but YMMV on that. The fruit is a bit darker cherry now, the ferrous quality is more of a nuance than a note now. It still has a brambly, savory, leathery quality and hints of rose and herb top notes. This is good to go now, but I only have one more bottle so I'll try to save it for another 4-5 years in the name of science. (92 points)
2021 Ch“teau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (3/5/2024)
Pale salmon/pink color. This doesn't show much fruit, lots of savory onion skin, mineral and herbs but not really brisk. Good match with salade niçoise. Still good but drink up. (87 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rosa-ae - Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (3/5/2024)
More of a light red than a pale rosé. It was a bit frooty on the first day but the next it was more Cerasuolo like, still with red fruit but more integrated with the herbal, sea air thing we like so much. (88 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and delicious. Still bright red Sangiovese fruits with lots of underbrush, grilled herbs, dried flowers. Really lovely stuff. Disappeared quickly. (92 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsa - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and silky. Fruitier than the 2011 Riserva that we finished right before. We're coming down to the last few bottles of this. It might be my favorite house wine in the last 10 years. (92 points)
1986 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (3/2/2024)
Herbal mountain Cabernet with lots of savory, earthy notes with some dried fruit and graphite. On the downslope, aren't we all, but doesn't seem like it'll fall off a cliff anytime soon. This was an auction OCB purchase a few years ago and the corks are wet at least halfway up. There may be more youthful bottles out there. (88 points)
2011 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (3/2/2024)
This was outstanding, maybe the best wine we had all evening. All of the yellow fruits you could want, with a bit of spring meadow and river stones. Has just a bit of leesy maillard note that is roast nut adjacent that Chardonnay gets when it ages gracefully. As good a bottle of CA Chardonnay as I can remember and as good a bottle of Chardonnay as I've had in a while, period. (95 points)
2015 Weingut Knoll Riesling Smaragd Ried Schütt - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (3/2/2024)
The most important thing here is that the Schütt terroir seemed to keep the vintage in check. Nectarine and waxy yellow fruits, a bit of stone under a broad base. This doesn't seem like a great vintage for this wine (the highs are VERY high) but it was very good and not flabby. Ready now, but who is to say how long these wines can last? (91 points)
2015 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) Les Fouchardes - France, Loire Valley, Vin de France (3/2/2024)
My last bottle and the best one yet. Still luscious, but I find that it has evolved into something more elegant. All of the Chenin notes are there, beeswax, flowers, just so yellow fruit, chamomile, etc. This is a really special wine and a treat to share with good friends. (93 points)
2019 Stein Palmberg Riesling Spätlese trocken "Alte Reben" - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/2/2024)
Somehow this got lost in the shuffle of a bunch of bottles and spirited conversation. I got a text the next day that the wine was showing superbly.
2018 Domaine de Saint Pierre Arbois Les Brûlées - France, Jura, Arbois (3/2/2024)
I don't remember the last time I've had one of Fabrice Dodane's wines. This was a delicious bottle with great texture. This seems ouillé but it does have significant textural resonance. Great with food. It doesn't come to my market, so by the time I find it and ship it, it's a bit on the high side for our regular rotation but something to grab if you see it. Ready to drink now, but should age well medium term. (91 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and delicious. Still bright red Sangiovese fruits with lots of underbrush, grilled herbs, dried flowers. Really lovely stuff. Disappeared quickly. (92 points)
2009 Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Ghemme Collis Carellae - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Ghemme (3/1/2024)
It's been a few years since my last bottle. This was approaching open with some mentholated cherry and brambly forest and leather notes. This could still use a couple more years but is worth checking now if you have an appropriately hearty meal. We actually had this with congee and it worked really well. (91 points)
2009 Mauro Franchino Gattinara - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara (3/1/2024)
Pure cherry and forest notes with a bead of limestone seeming (I have no idea if that's the actual terroir, it just reminds me of it) minerals into the still quite tannic finish. I left this bottle open for a week afterwards tasting it every day, just for kicks. I usually don't like red wines the next day, but this actually improved. This is a very traditionally made wine and so the loosening of tannic grip without falling apart or completely oxidizing leads me to conclude there is still quite a bit of upside. I don't have tons of experience, so I'll check in again in 3-5 years. (90+ points)
2019 Dard et Ribo St. Joseph Les Champs - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (2/29/2024)
The most striking thing is the distinct black olive tapenade note that jumps right from the open bottle. I expected this to be fruitier than it was. Instead, it was more structured and earthy. There's plenty of fruit, no doubt, but it needs some time to come together. The Dard wines sometimes overcome speific terroir with technique, but this seemed very much St. Joseph with the tapenade, cracked pepper, dark blue fruits smashed on rocks. We enjoyed the bottle, but it will probably be better in 5 years or so when the structure melts a bit. (91+ points)
2014 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (2/27/2024)
This is in a better spot than the last time I had it 4 years ago. Snappy with a lacy mineral structure and really fine tannins. Clear cherry notes, earth, and leafy herbs. Classically proportioned. For me, it is go time for this wine. (92 points)
2015 Domaine de Roally Viré-Clessé Tradition - France, Burgundy, M“connais, Viré-Clessé (2/27/2024)
This is the 22nd of 30 bottles of this wine, so I'm not sure what more I had to add to previous notes. The slightly lower score is probably because of a lack of attention. Waxy yellow fruits, density, honey and honeysuckle. I may save a couple of bottles in a dark corner for science, but I'm still full steam ahead on this. (91 points)
2018 Monteraponi Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (2/26/2024)
Much better than the last bottle I had, but I still think this is a "drink up" wine. I like the savory edge to the bright red fruits. I only have a couple more and they'll be gone this year. (89 points)
2019 Ch“teau Yvonne Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (2/25/2024)
The best bottle of this vintage that I've had. Age seems to be firming it up and focusing it a bit. It's always had plenty of fruit, but now it's showing more mineral structure and floral elements. I'm really curious what another year or two will bring, although it's quite good now. (91+ points)
1999 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/24/2024)
Another killer bottle of this. Black cherry, leather, mineral, graphite notes on the nose and on the palate. Really great energy on the palate with some structure framing everything perfectly. The finish really drives with lingering fruit. I don't know if the current version of the estate Cabernet will reach these height as they feel much more plush. Firmly in the zone. Fire at will. (95 points)
2020 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Hill Ranch Heritage - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/23/2024)
Opened side-by-side with the Once & Furture version. This was more dense with a darker fruit profile with notes of cocoa and anise. The less open wine of the two I think it requires a couple more years in the cellar. (92+ points)
2020 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/23/2024)
Opened side-by-side with the Bedrock version. There is a through line in these but with slightly different stylistic choices. This is more lush and silky in the fruit. Dark berries and cherries, some floral notes and spice emerge. Good now, but should be even better in a couple of years. (91+ points)
2021 Tiberio Pecorino - Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Pescaresi IGT (2/22/2024)
Another good showing for this and it does pick up steam as it opens. Nice bracing sea air and mineral notes. My last bottle of this vintage. This is a great servant to our house. (90 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (2/22/2024)
Whoa! If the Tiberio is sea spray, this is a salt/mineral bath. It took a good while for this to show any fruit at all, lots of structure. The open bottle was more generous a few days later. I think this will be much better with a few months to settle as these just showed up locally. (88 points)
I was a bit disappointed that this wine had not fulfilled the promise of a bottle in 2019. Some secondary notes of English tea and spice box are coming in but there is still a stemmy, herbal quality to the fruit and there is still a sense of being clenched. In the best case, it develops bottle sweetness and the stemminess turns to gentle spice and the fruit clarifies as the whole wine relaxes. I have no idea if that will happen. As it stands, this is still a good and enjoyable wine just not what I was hoping it would be. (89 points)
2021 Ridge Lytton Springs - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (3/10/2024)
Grabbed a bottle of this as well even though MLipton did not mention the Lytton Springs. This was also livelier than I remembered and sans creamy dill. Lytton is more brambly berries with herbs and spice than the darker Pagani, it was also more tannic and reserved. Really excellent as well. Again, I got to share a bit with pigdaddy and reminisce about our intersecting journeys through wine. What a lovely evening. (91+ points)
2021 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (3/10/2024)
Wow! As my old friend MLipton elided, this is a splendid, throwback to the 90s Pagani. The nose doesn't have the American oak creamy dill or elevated alcohol that drove me away from this American classic. It's not like this is a slight or IPOB wine, but it seems more in line with what I've had from Bedrock than the last young Ridge Pagani I tried. There is a real vibrancy to the fruit as deep and dark as it is. I get this dark earth, licorice, espresso savory mélange from Pagani that undergirds the fruit in a savory way. Silky and voluptuous through the palate, well shaped by acidity and buried structure. The best part of drinking this is that I got to share some with pigdaddy, who shares a love of the Ridge wines of yesteryear and has kept closer tabs on them than I. This bottle had an emotional, nostalgic resonance with me which will probably lead me to buy a case even though I need more wine like a hole in the head. (93 points)
2015 Giovanni Canonica Barolo Paiagallo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/7/2024)
This was an absolutely wild ride. We had this decanted at the restaurant while we had white and anitpasti. At first it was clenched with lots of structure and firm, drying tannins. Macerated cherries in rosewater was there again along with dusty herbs and lightly savory leather. Then about an hour or so in, it totally popped and the structure melted into the wine and it became velvety. I've only had this happen with a few wines (one of the traits I associate with Allemand Sans Soufre), it's hard, hard, velvet! Crazy! I guess now I know what happens when you decant it. A similar experience note wise with the last bottle, but texture wise, a different beast. Again, I don't have great advice on whether to age or drink. I'll probably go at mine every 2-3 years until they're gone if you haven't had it or have multiple bottles, dive in. (92 points)
2014 Eric Texier Côte-Rôtie Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (3/6/2024)
Eric once said to me that 2014 Brézème was the apex of what he was trying to create (at the time). I wonder what he thinks of the Côte-Rôtie? (Maybe he'll tell us.) It reminded me of very fine tea, sensorially it seems infused rather than pressed. Beautiful, clear, brilliant garnet color. Gemstone like, really. Herb and bramble infused tart berries. Taut and savory on the palate. Lithe and firm. It kept shifting and changing, a violet note here a different fruit there, some woodsy aromas poking out. As enjoyable as it was, it never really shook off it's structure (which is more present than in the Pergaud reds from 2014) so it seems like it could blossom even more in a few years. I think it'll develop more spice and floral aromas and the fruit and savory notes will deepen. 3-5 years which will put it right at the rule of 15. (93 points)
2012 Colombera & Garella Lessona Pizzaguerra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Lessona (3/6/2024)
I opened this to juxtapose with the Texier Côte-Rôtie as Cristiano's winemaking philosophy and approach remind me of Eric's. This was much rounder than both a recent 2013 and the last bottle I had back in 2020. I would say this is mostly resolved in terms of structure to my palate, but YMMV on that. The fruit is a bit darker cherry now, the ferrous quality is more of a nuance than a note now. It still has a brambly, savory, leathery quality and hints of rose and herb top notes. This is good to go now, but I only have one more bottle so I'll try to save it for another 4-5 years in the name of science. (92 points)
2021 Ch“teau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (3/5/2024)
Pale salmon/pink color. This doesn't show much fruit, lots of savory onion skin, mineral and herbs but not really brisk. Good match with salade niçoise. Still good but drink up. (87 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rosa-ae - Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (3/5/2024)
More of a light red than a pale rosé. It was a bit frooty on the first day but the next it was more Cerasuolo like, still with red fruit but more integrated with the herbal, sea air thing we like so much. (88 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and delicious. Still bright red Sangiovese fruits with lots of underbrush, grilled herbs, dried flowers. Really lovely stuff. Disappeared quickly. (92 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsa - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and silky. Fruitier than the 2011 Riserva that we finished right before. We're coming down to the last few bottles of this. It might be my favorite house wine in the last 10 years. (92 points)
1986 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (3/2/2024)
Herbal mountain Cabernet with lots of savory, earthy notes with some dried fruit and graphite. On the downslope, aren't we all, but doesn't seem like it'll fall off a cliff anytime soon. This was an auction OCB purchase a few years ago and the corks are wet at least halfway up. There may be more youthful bottles out there. (88 points)
2011 Ceritas Chardonnay Porter-Bass Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (3/2/2024)
This was outstanding, maybe the best wine we had all evening. All of the yellow fruits you could want, with a bit of spring meadow and river stones. Has just a bit of leesy maillard note that is roast nut adjacent that Chardonnay gets when it ages gracefully. As good a bottle of CA Chardonnay as I can remember and as good a bottle of Chardonnay as I've had in a while, period. (95 points)
2015 Weingut Knoll Riesling Smaragd Ried Schütt - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (3/2/2024)
The most important thing here is that the Schütt terroir seemed to keep the vintage in check. Nectarine and waxy yellow fruits, a bit of stone under a broad base. This doesn't seem like a great vintage for this wine (the highs are VERY high) but it was very good and not flabby. Ready now, but who is to say how long these wines can last? (91 points)
2015 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) Les Fouchardes - France, Loire Valley, Vin de France (3/2/2024)
My last bottle and the best one yet. Still luscious, but I find that it has evolved into something more elegant. All of the Chenin notes are there, beeswax, flowers, just so yellow fruit, chamomile, etc. This is a really special wine and a treat to share with good friends. (93 points)
2019 Stein Palmberg Riesling Spätlese trocken "Alte Reben" - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/2/2024)
Somehow this got lost in the shuffle of a bunch of bottles and spirited conversation. I got a text the next day that the wine was showing superbly.
2018 Domaine de Saint Pierre Arbois Les Brûlées - France, Jura, Arbois (3/2/2024)
I don't remember the last time I've had one of Fabrice Dodane's wines. This was a delicious bottle with great texture. This seems ouillé but it does have significant textural resonance. Great with food. It doesn't come to my market, so by the time I find it and ship it, it's a bit on the high side for our regular rotation but something to grab if you see it. Ready to drink now, but should age well medium term. (91 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (3/4/2024)
Fully resolved and delicious. Still bright red Sangiovese fruits with lots of underbrush, grilled herbs, dried flowers. Really lovely stuff. Disappeared quickly. (92 points)
2009 Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Ghemme Collis Carellae - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Ghemme (3/1/2024)
It's been a few years since my last bottle. This was approaching open with some mentholated cherry and brambly forest and leather notes. This could still use a couple more years but is worth checking now if you have an appropriately hearty meal. We actually had this with congee and it worked really well. (91 points)
2009 Mauro Franchino Gattinara - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara (3/1/2024)
Pure cherry and forest notes with a bead of limestone seeming (I have no idea if that's the actual terroir, it just reminds me of it) minerals into the still quite tannic finish. I left this bottle open for a week afterwards tasting it every day, just for kicks. I usually don't like red wines the next day, but this actually improved. This is a very traditionally made wine and so the loosening of tannic grip without falling apart or completely oxidizing leads me to conclude there is still quite a bit of upside. I don't have tons of experience, so I'll check in again in 3-5 years. (90+ points)
2019 Dard et Ribo St. Joseph Les Champs - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (2/29/2024)
The most striking thing is the distinct black olive tapenade note that jumps right from the open bottle. I expected this to be fruitier than it was. Instead, it was more structured and earthy. There's plenty of fruit, no doubt, but it needs some time to come together. The Dard wines sometimes overcome speific terroir with technique, but this seemed very much St. Joseph with the tapenade, cracked pepper, dark blue fruits smashed on rocks. We enjoyed the bottle, but it will probably be better in 5 years or so when the structure melts a bit. (91+ points)
2014 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (2/27/2024)
This is in a better spot than the last time I had it 4 years ago. Snappy with a lacy mineral structure and really fine tannins. Clear cherry notes, earth, and leafy herbs. Classically proportioned. For me, it is go time for this wine. (92 points)
2015 Domaine de Roally Viré-Clessé Tradition - France, Burgundy, M“connais, Viré-Clessé (2/27/2024)
This is the 22nd of 30 bottles of this wine, so I'm not sure what more I had to add to previous notes. The slightly lower score is probably because of a lack of attention. Waxy yellow fruits, density, honey and honeysuckle. I may save a couple of bottles in a dark corner for science, but I'm still full steam ahead on this. (91 points)
2018 Monteraponi Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (2/26/2024)
Much better than the last bottle I had, but I still think this is a "drink up" wine. I like the savory edge to the bright red fruits. I only have a couple more and they'll be gone this year. (89 points)
2019 Ch“teau Yvonne Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (2/25/2024)
The best bottle of this vintage that I've had. Age seems to be firming it up and focusing it a bit. It's always had plenty of fruit, but now it's showing more mineral structure and floral elements. I'm really curious what another year or two will bring, although it's quite good now. (91+ points)
1999 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (2/24/2024)
Another killer bottle of this. Black cherry, leather, mineral, graphite notes on the nose and on the palate. Really great energy on the palate with some structure framing everything perfectly. The finish really drives with lingering fruit. I don't know if the current version of the estate Cabernet will reach these height as they feel much more plush. Firmly in the zone. Fire at will. (95 points)
2020 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Hill Ranch Heritage - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/23/2024)
Opened side-by-side with the Once & Furture version. This was more dense with a darker fruit profile with notes of cocoa and anise. The less open wine of the two I think it requires a couple more years in the cellar. (92+ points)
2020 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/23/2024)
Opened side-by-side with the Bedrock version. There is a through line in these but with slightly different stylistic choices. This is more lush and silky in the fruit. Dark berries and cherries, some floral notes and spice emerge. Good now, but should be even better in a couple of years. (91+ points)
2021 Tiberio Pecorino - Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Pescaresi IGT (2/22/2024)
Another good showing for this and it does pick up steam as it opens. Nice bracing sea air and mineral notes. My last bottle of this vintage. This is a great servant to our house. (90 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (2/22/2024)
Whoa! If the Tiberio is sea spray, this is a salt/mineral bath. It took a good while for this to show any fruit at all, lots of structure. The open bottle was more generous a few days later. I think this will be much better with a few months to settle as these just showed up locally. (88 points)
