I kind of fell behind in my notes over the last several months due to work and travel, but things are a bit more calm now so I was able to put some things down to capture my thoughts. There were several gatherings so I was able to open more bottles than I normally could.
2021 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Mont - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (7/1/2024)
A juicy, racy version of Le Mont. Yellow fruit and flowers with zesty mineral energy on the palate. These wines are so much more open on release than they were 20 years ago. Go ahead and drink now or hold if you want. I really like the youthful verve and I'm not sure they will age like the wines of old. (91 points)
2018 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/1/2024)
I find this wine to be pretty consistent vintage to vintage even in warmer years like 2018. This isn't crunchy like 2014, but I can see it developing like 2009, which is fantastic (and maybe better than the 2014 will be). This is approachable now and the broad Chenin flavors are balanced by citrus, spice and some minerality. The oldest of these I've had has been the 2005, bit I think that this has the stuffing and structure to be even better than that. These are great wines. (92 points)
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Ripaille Rouge - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/2/2024)
This is in about the same place as my last bottle. Again, finely drawn and pure red fruit, predominately tart cherry but maybe with some more plum and spice elements. Very fine but persistent and chalky tannins. This seems to be aging slowly. Wait 2-3 years before opening another bottle. (92 points)
2019 Sandar & Hem Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (7/4/2024)
OK, this is much better than previous bottles, which were a bit confusing. A light weight wine for a SCM Cabernet. Closest in style to Kenny's 2014 Bates Cabernet. All the correct fruits like cassis and plum with a light tannic structure. Good acids lift the wine and make it juicy. I like the style but it's definitely on the light side for Cabernet. (89 points)
2020 Claire Hill Mourvèdre Del Barba Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (7/4/2024)
Delightful bright berry fruit with some wood bark and savory notes. Juicy mid-weight with present but not abrasive tannin and balancing acids. Lively and fun, perfect with July 4th burgers. Gone really quickly. Ready to drink. Claire is doing great work. (90 points)
2015 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/5/2024)
I pulled this because of a concerning note I read on Wine Disorder. It's full yellow, but not too dark. It is dense and a bit wooly when first opened, but my bottle cleared up quickly and stretched out. There is a ripe Chenin notes that can border tropical (maybe guava, not pineapple) but mostly normal yellow fruits and no shortage of density and mineral structure as well as floral notes. This is a dense wine but not overripe or oxidized. This was purchased from Flatiron NYC and delivered to me in November the year it was released. This is the third bottle I've had and all are on the same trajectory. I hope I'm not just lucky and others are getting p'oxed bottles and my luck will change. This could use a few more years. I think I'll check in every couple to see. (93 points)
2022 Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (7/5/2024)
This was very impressive. Density and drive without excess weight. This might be even better than the 2020. Flowers, minerals, creamy fruit, cut and length. This has all the elements to get even better with some aging. This is stopped with a very nice natural cork, as long and high quality as I've seen so that hopefully portends a long life, but who knows. (93 points)
2013 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti) - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the second most approachable after the Roagna. They also shared a stylistic kinship, both were lightly colored with a bit of orange at the rim with a similar presentation on the nose and palate. This showed a lot of spices, orange zest, red berries, not just cherry, herbal notes and leather. I wouldn't quite call it silky, but it was well proportioned and not spiky (at least not after a little more air). This really turned the head of one of my friends who wasn't familiar with Cappellano. I wouldn't hesitate to open this if there is time to give it some air, but like the Sandri, I think 4-5 more years will allow some things to sort out, but it isn't far off. (94 points)
2013 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'mia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the least approachable, and it wasn't that close. This has an informed traditional feel to it, by that I mean the fruit is deep and pure but there is no sense of extraction or manipulation. All of the Serralunga notions are present with a minerality and slight ferrous quality underneath. There is real depth to the fruit and polish to the tannin, but they are formidable. There is enough fruit to deal with the tannin, especially with Colorado lamb chops, but this needs 5-7 years, maybe more. I've had a huge amount of success over the years cellaring Brovia, so I expect that this has a tremendous future. (92 points)
2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This is was second least approachable, slightly ahead of the Brovia. Although from different hills, Barolo versus Serralunga, there seems to be a similar winemaking style, call it informed traditional. This wine had a darker color than the rest and a more mineral and licorice presentation at the bottom of the fruit. Less spice driven than deeply fruited, with floral notes abutting dark earth and mineral ones. Fully structured, but with enough fruit to be enjoyable. Vajra wines of the last couple of decades have been remarkably reliable for me. They age gracefully with remarkable purity with none of the lows of more idiosyncratic producers, but maybe not the high highs either. This is an excellent wine that I expect to be great in 5-7 years. I may check in again before that if I get curious, but I think that's about right. (93 points)
2013 Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the most "roses and black cherry" of the bunch. Very precise, with pure ruby color rim to rim. Tannins were present, but fine, making the wine approachable. It grew with additional air. I would say it was the 4th most approachable wine tonight. Try again in a couple of years. (92 points)
2013 Roagna Barolo Pira - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the most approachable wine of the evening, ahead of the Cappellano with which it shared stylistic kinship. Had a bit more ruby to the color than the Cappellano and with that the fruit notes were a bit darker as was the leather and a touch of balsamic (but not a lot, I actually hate that). There were similar spices, but also some classic tar and roses. If you have multiple bottles I wouldn't hesitate to check in now. I don't think it needs the prep that I gave it, decanting for a couple of hours prior to dinner should do the trick. I think this is the closest to being in its prime drinking window (which should last a long time). (93 points)
2013 Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva Perno - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was probably my personal favorite of the evening. It combined the spice and leather elements of the Roagna and Cappellano with deeper, darker fruit. Some savory notes and some floral ones as well. This was the third most open of the wines and I would have no problem opening this for dinner from now on out as long as I had time to properly prep the bottle (admittedly, on the advice of Jamie, I've only ever had it double decanted for 6+ hours). If you only have a few bottles, I think this is probably 3-5 years away from what I would consider peak. There are still some things that could stitch together in a neater package. (95 points)
2019 Monteraponi Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/6/2024)
I only had a taste of this as I was on my way out, but it was right in line with expectations. In a good spot now and we're going to start drinking through it while finishing up the last few 2018.
2010 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/8/2024)
Absolutely on point. Tannins are most just scaffolding and the fruit is pure as a beam of light riding on the chalky structure. There is Chinon dark earth and herbs, but also purple flowers, lilacs maybe. I don't get any Brett here, and usually don't. I don't know if that's because other tasters are mistaking Chinon notes for Brett or because mine didn't sit anywhere in temperatures above 70 for it to bloom. Anyway, at peak, have at it. (92 points)
2018 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) Les Gélinettes - France, Loire Valley, Vin de France (7/8/2024)
So, I'm not 100% sure what the varietal is here. It used to be Cabernet Sauvignon but I think this is Grolleau by this vintage. The 2019 is labeled that way. In any event, it is a bottle of joy. Round juicy berry fruit pulverized in a stone mortar and pestle with garden herbs and flowers thrown in. Snappy and bright with the lightest of tannic flourishes. A perfect accompaniment to homemade Kafta and mezza. (91 points)
2020 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) Le Trame Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/9/2024)
The 2021 was so exuberant and striking and went so fast that we opened this. In the same vein but with a little more structure and more savory notes, but still open and delicious for my palate. Drink now to whenever. (93 points)
2021 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) Le Trame Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/9/2024)
This is the zestiest, juiciest, most delicious glou-glou Chianti/Sangiovese I may have ever had. There is real depth to it, but my God, the fruit. It comes in waves and lasts forever. I find these wines are great young and seemingly designed that way. My only issue is the price, which is up 83% since the 2015 vintage, but that is what it is. For me, drinking great now and should drink great whenever you want out to 15 years. (94 points)
2019 Ch“teau Simone Palette Rosé - France, Provence, Palette (7/10/2024)
We made MD crab soup with fresh crab from our local purveyor. This was a splendid match. Simone Rosé doesn't try to match food with structure, it isn't a particularly structured wine, but with complexity and what I would call umami. It reminds me of wines raised under flor in that way. There is a sweetness on the palate akin to slowly browned onions. Forest notes complicate the berry fruit with spice notes. Not really floral, but the herbal side of a meadow. Lovely and ready to go for me. (92 points)
2021 Ch“teau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (7/10/2024)
A little better than my bottle in March, but maybe that was the pairing with MD crab soup. (88 points)
2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (7/12/2024)
Honestly, I found this a little disappointing and rustic. I like t say that Chevillon Cailles is my favorite Grenache as it shares a fruit expression with some of my favorites. This was a bit coarse on the palate and the nose wasn't very detailed. It had some good fruit and sous bois complexity, but left me wanting more as this can be such a superb wine (and a bottle 6 years ago was much better), in fact, I often like it more than Les St. Georges. Oh well, only great bottles. This is a KL import from Grapes in NY from original release stock, so reliable provenance, but the cork was soaked about 1/3 up, so may not be pristine. Other bottles may show better. (88 points)
2016 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (7/12/2024)
What does one say about Mugneret-Gibourg and who cares what I say anyway? Another in a long line of great bottles, this is my first bottle of 2016 Vosne and it seems like it is starting to really round into form. This wine can be the grumpiest in the stable for me but the tannins, which present, are in check and moving towards the background. It' has the silken texture that I so love about these wines. Vosne spice, pretty dark fruit that lingers. Lovely. Seems to be entering a window but still growing in stature. Try again in 2 years but it should age gracefully as they do. (92 points)
2020 Montenidoli Canaiuolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/12/2024)
This is one of our go-to wines every year and this is my lone bottle left from this vintage. We were serving MD crab soup again so I thought the age might be a simulacrum of the Simone from the other day. In a sense the age made it less aggressive structured and it did have some bottle sweetness, but not the depth or the umami of the Simone. Still a very good wine that will probably stay at this level for several more years. I know there are people that dig these with age, I never seem to get more than a couple of vintages behind. (88 points)
2017 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
After the let down of the Cailles, we decided to open this to not waste good liver cells. This is a more linear and precise expression of Charpentrie compared to 2019. It reminds me of 2014 in its crystalline purity and crunchy minerality. The fruit here i smore lemon drops and the cut incisive. It grows with air and is drinking well enough now but should age effortlessly. (94 points)
2019 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
We loved the Charpentrie from this vintage, so we opened this for comparison. This wine is always a bit broader and richer than the Charpentrie, and so it holds here. The fruit is richer and there are fewer layers, but this is mighty stuff. (94 points)
2019 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
This was jaw dropping. Seemingly endless depth of fruit, spring meadow florals, stones and minerals all wrapped up in a juicy driving package. As good a young white wine as I've had in a while. It seems to have endless layers, delineated and stacked. It's not cheap, but it may be my favorite white wine in the world. If you have multiple bottles, you should experience it in its youthful splendor. I have no idea what the upper end of aged improvement is for this cuvée. I hope I live long enough to find out. (97 points)
2020 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Meix Sous le Ch“teau - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (7/14/2024)
This was an excellent showing. Very Meursault and very 2020. White and yellow fruits with density but made juicy by the balancing acidity which also gives a perception of minerals. There is the slight nut skin element and some spice on the back end that is so Meursault. A delicious wine that went pretty fast, maybe because it's hot outside and this is so refreshing in 2020. For me this is drinking well now and for the next 4-5 years but should age for those that gamble. Natural cork. (92 points)
2022 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (7/14/2024)
I couldn't agree more with my friend John's note on this wine. Right everything. I'll add juicy yellow fruits, tangy, sea spray spiked acidity, and rocks to clean it all up. An annual buy for us. Good value even as the price inches up. (91 points)
2021 Monte Rio Cellars Zinfandel Royal T - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (7/16/2024)
This is a new wine to me and a very welcome one. It's loaded with Zinfandel's signature berry fruits but it also has savory herbs and an earthy/leathery/licorice aspect that reminds of Monteraponi Chianti Classico. The alcohol is only 13.5% so it remains more svelte than one would imagine. I love the brightness and depth to the fruit that doesn't feel extra heavy. It also doesn't have that weird artificial strawberry candy quality (this isn't the exact note, but I don't have a better descriptor) that I don't like in Lodi Zinfandel. Goes really well with a simple basil+tomato+garlic pasta. This vintage is sold out locally, or I would grab a case. Excited to try the next vintage to see if it is as good. I'm really enjoying diving back into Zinfandel and mixed old vine cuvées over the last few years. There are producers and wines that are meeting me where I am and I'm open to their qualities. Great now but could also develop over a few years. (92 points)
2021 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Mont - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (7/1/2024)
A juicy, racy version of Le Mont. Yellow fruit and flowers with zesty mineral energy on the palate. These wines are so much more open on release than they were 20 years ago. Go ahead and drink now or hold if you want. I really like the youthful verve and I'm not sure they will age like the wines of old. (91 points)
2018 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/1/2024)
I find this wine to be pretty consistent vintage to vintage even in warmer years like 2018. This isn't crunchy like 2014, but I can see it developing like 2009, which is fantastic (and maybe better than the 2014 will be). This is approachable now and the broad Chenin flavors are balanced by citrus, spice and some minerality. The oldest of these I've had has been the 2005, bit I think that this has the stuffing and structure to be even better than that. These are great wines. (92 points)
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Ripaille Rouge - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/2/2024)
This is in about the same place as my last bottle. Again, finely drawn and pure red fruit, predominately tart cherry but maybe with some more plum and spice elements. Very fine but persistent and chalky tannins. This seems to be aging slowly. Wait 2-3 years before opening another bottle. (92 points)
2019 Sandar & Hem Cabernet Sauvignon Bates Ranch Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (7/4/2024)
OK, this is much better than previous bottles, which were a bit confusing. A light weight wine for a SCM Cabernet. Closest in style to Kenny's 2014 Bates Cabernet. All the correct fruits like cassis and plum with a light tannic structure. Good acids lift the wine and make it juicy. I like the style but it's definitely on the light side for Cabernet. (89 points)
2020 Claire Hill Mourvèdre Del Barba Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (7/4/2024)
Delightful bright berry fruit with some wood bark and savory notes. Juicy mid-weight with present but not abrasive tannin and balancing acids. Lively and fun, perfect with July 4th burgers. Gone really quickly. Ready to drink. Claire is doing great work. (90 points)
2015 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/5/2024)
I pulled this because of a concerning note I read on Wine Disorder. It's full yellow, but not too dark. It is dense and a bit wooly when first opened, but my bottle cleared up quickly and stretched out. There is a ripe Chenin notes that can border tropical (maybe guava, not pineapple) but mostly normal yellow fruits and no shortage of density and mineral structure as well as floral notes. This is a dense wine but not overripe or oxidized. This was purchased from Flatiron NYC and delivered to me in November the year it was released. This is the third bottle I've had and all are on the same trajectory. I hope I'm not just lucky and others are getting p'oxed bottles and my luck will change. This could use a few more years. I think I'll check in every couple to see. (93 points)
2022 Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (7/5/2024)
This was very impressive. Density and drive without excess weight. This might be even better than the 2020. Flowers, minerals, creamy fruit, cut and length. This has all the elements to get even better with some aging. This is stopped with a very nice natural cork, as long and high quality as I've seen so that hopefully portends a long life, but who knows. (93 points)
2013 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti) - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the second most approachable after the Roagna. They also shared a stylistic kinship, both were lightly colored with a bit of orange at the rim with a similar presentation on the nose and palate. This showed a lot of spices, orange zest, red berries, not just cherry, herbal notes and leather. I wouldn't quite call it silky, but it was well proportioned and not spiky (at least not after a little more air). This really turned the head of one of my friends who wasn't familiar with Cappellano. I wouldn't hesitate to open this if there is time to give it some air, but like the Sandri, I think 4-5 more years will allow some things to sort out, but it isn't far off. (94 points)
2013 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'mia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the least approachable, and it wasn't that close. This has an informed traditional feel to it, by that I mean the fruit is deep and pure but there is no sense of extraction or manipulation. All of the Serralunga notions are present with a minerality and slight ferrous quality underneath. There is real depth to the fruit and polish to the tannin, but they are formidable. There is enough fruit to deal with the tannin, especially with Colorado lamb chops, but this needs 5-7 years, maybe more. I've had a huge amount of success over the years cellaring Brovia, so I expect that this has a tremendous future. (92 points)
2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This is was second least approachable, slightly ahead of the Brovia. Although from different hills, Barolo versus Serralunga, there seems to be a similar winemaking style, call it informed traditional. This wine had a darker color than the rest and a more mineral and licorice presentation at the bottom of the fruit. Less spice driven than deeply fruited, with floral notes abutting dark earth and mineral ones. Fully structured, but with enough fruit to be enjoyable. Vajra wines of the last couple of decades have been remarkably reliable for me. They age gracefully with remarkable purity with none of the lows of more idiosyncratic producers, but maybe not the high highs either. This is an excellent wine that I expect to be great in 5-7 years. I may check in again before that if I get curious, but I think that's about right. (93 points)
2013 Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the most "roses and black cherry" of the bunch. Very precise, with pure ruby color rim to rim. Tannins were present, but fine, making the wine approachable. It grew with additional air. I would say it was the 4th most approachable wine tonight. Try again in a couple of years. (92 points)
2013 Roagna Barolo Pira - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was the most approachable wine of the evening, ahead of the Cappellano with which it shared stylistic kinship. Had a bit more ruby to the color than the Cappellano and with that the fruit notes were a bit darker as was the leather and a touch of balsamic (but not a lot, I actually hate that). There were similar spices, but also some classic tar and roses. If you have multiple bottles I wouldn't hesitate to check in now. I don't think it needs the prep that I gave it, decanting for a couple of hours prior to dinner should do the trick. I think this is the closest to being in its prime drinking window (which should last a long time). (93 points)
2013 Elio Sandri Barolo Riserva Perno - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/6/2024)
Tasted with 5 other Barolo, double-decanted at noon and consumed with dinner starting at 8. This was probably my personal favorite of the evening. It combined the spice and leather elements of the Roagna and Cappellano with deeper, darker fruit. Some savory notes and some floral ones as well. This was the third most open of the wines and I would have no problem opening this for dinner from now on out as long as I had time to properly prep the bottle (admittedly, on the advice of Jamie, I've only ever had it double decanted for 6+ hours). If you only have a few bottles, I think this is probably 3-5 years away from what I would consider peak. There are still some things that could stitch together in a neater package. (95 points)
2019 Monteraponi Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/6/2024)
I only had a taste of this as I was on my way out, but it was right in line with expectations. In a good spot now and we're going to start drinking through it while finishing up the last few 2018.
2010 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Clos Guillot - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/8/2024)
Absolutely on point. Tannins are most just scaffolding and the fruit is pure as a beam of light riding on the chalky structure. There is Chinon dark earth and herbs, but also purple flowers, lilacs maybe. I don't get any Brett here, and usually don't. I don't know if that's because other tasters are mistaking Chinon notes for Brett or because mine didn't sit anywhere in temperatures above 70 for it to bloom. Anyway, at peak, have at it. (92 points)
2018 Ferme de la Sansonnière (Mark Angeli) Les Gélinettes - France, Loire Valley, Vin de France (7/8/2024)
So, I'm not 100% sure what the varietal is here. It used to be Cabernet Sauvignon but I think this is Grolleau by this vintage. The 2019 is labeled that way. In any event, it is a bottle of joy. Round juicy berry fruit pulverized in a stone mortar and pestle with garden herbs and flowers thrown in. Snappy and bright with the lightest of tannic flourishes. A perfect accompaniment to homemade Kafta and mezza. (91 points)
2020 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) Le Trame Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/9/2024)
The 2021 was so exuberant and striking and went so fast that we opened this. In the same vein but with a little more structure and more savory notes, but still open and delicious for my palate. Drink now to whenever. (93 points)
2021 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) Le Trame Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/9/2024)
This is the zestiest, juiciest, most delicious glou-glou Chianti/Sangiovese I may have ever had. There is real depth to it, but my God, the fruit. It comes in waves and lasts forever. I find these wines are great young and seemingly designed that way. My only issue is the price, which is up 83% since the 2015 vintage, but that is what it is. For me, drinking great now and should drink great whenever you want out to 15 years. (94 points)
2019 Ch“teau Simone Palette Rosé - France, Provence, Palette (7/10/2024)
We made MD crab soup with fresh crab from our local purveyor. This was a splendid match. Simone Rosé doesn't try to match food with structure, it isn't a particularly structured wine, but with complexity and what I would call umami. It reminds me of wines raised under flor in that way. There is a sweetness on the palate akin to slowly browned onions. Forest notes complicate the berry fruit with spice notes. Not really floral, but the herbal side of a meadow. Lovely and ready to go for me. (92 points)
2021 Ch“teau Pradeaux Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (7/10/2024)
A little better than my bottle in March, but maybe that was the pairing with MD crab soup. (88 points)
2008 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (7/12/2024)
Honestly, I found this a little disappointing and rustic. I like t say that Chevillon Cailles is my favorite Grenache as it shares a fruit expression with some of my favorites. This was a bit coarse on the palate and the nose wasn't very detailed. It had some good fruit and sous bois complexity, but left me wanting more as this can be such a superb wine (and a bottle 6 years ago was much better), in fact, I often like it more than Les St. Georges. Oh well, only great bottles. This is a KL import from Grapes in NY from original release stock, so reliable provenance, but the cork was soaked about 1/3 up, so may not be pristine. Other bottles may show better. (88 points)
2016 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée (7/12/2024)
What does one say about Mugneret-Gibourg and who cares what I say anyway? Another in a long line of great bottles, this is my first bottle of 2016 Vosne and it seems like it is starting to really round into form. This wine can be the grumpiest in the stable for me but the tannins, which present, are in check and moving towards the background. It' has the silken texture that I so love about these wines. Vosne spice, pretty dark fruit that lingers. Lovely. Seems to be entering a window but still growing in stature. Try again in 2 years but it should age gracefully as they do. (92 points)
2020 Montenidoli Canaiuolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/12/2024)
This is one of our go-to wines every year and this is my lone bottle left from this vintage. We were serving MD crab soup again so I thought the age might be a simulacrum of the Simone from the other day. In a sense the age made it less aggressive structured and it did have some bottle sweetness, but not the depth or the umami of the Simone. Still a very good wine that will probably stay at this level for several more years. I know there are people that dig these with age, I never seem to get more than a couple of vintages behind. (88 points)
2017 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
After the let down of the Cailles, we decided to open this to not waste good liver cells. This is a more linear and precise expression of Charpentrie compared to 2019. It reminds me of 2014 in its crystalline purity and crunchy minerality. The fruit here i smore lemon drops and the cut incisive. It grows with air and is drinking well enough now but should age effortlessly. (94 points)
2019 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
We loved the Charpentrie from this vintage, so we opened this for comparison. This wine is always a bit broader and richer than the Charpentrie, and so it holds here. The fruit is richer and there are fewer layers, but this is mighty stuff. (94 points)
2019 Domaine du Collier Saumur La Charpentrie - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/12/2024)
This was jaw dropping. Seemingly endless depth of fruit, spring meadow florals, stones and minerals all wrapped up in a juicy driving package. As good a young white wine as I've had in a while. It seems to have endless layers, delineated and stacked. It's not cheap, but it may be my favorite white wine in the world. If you have multiple bottles, you should experience it in its youthful splendor. I have no idea what the upper end of aged improvement is for this cuvée. I hope I live long enough to find out. (97 points)
2020 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Meix Sous le Ch“teau - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (7/14/2024)
This was an excellent showing. Very Meursault and very 2020. White and yellow fruits with density but made juicy by the balancing acidity which also gives a perception of minerals. There is the slight nut skin element and some spice on the back end that is so Meursault. A delicious wine that went pretty fast, maybe because it's hot outside and this is so refreshing in 2020. For me this is drinking well now and for the next 4-5 years but should age for those that gamble. Natural cork. (92 points)
2022 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (7/14/2024)
I couldn't agree more with my friend John's note on this wine. Right everything. I'll add juicy yellow fruits, tangy, sea spray spiked acidity, and rocks to clean it all up. An annual buy for us. Good value even as the price inches up. (91 points)
2021 Monte Rio Cellars Zinfandel Royal T - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (7/16/2024)
This is a new wine to me and a very welcome one. It's loaded with Zinfandel's signature berry fruits but it also has savory herbs and an earthy/leathery/licorice aspect that reminds of Monteraponi Chianti Classico. The alcohol is only 13.5% so it remains more svelte than one would imagine. I love the brightness and depth to the fruit that doesn't feel extra heavy. It also doesn't have that weird artificial strawberry candy quality (this isn't the exact note, but I don't have a better descriptor) that I don't like in Lodi Zinfandel. Goes really well with a simple basil+tomato+garlic pasta. This vintage is sold out locally, or I would grab a case. Excited to try the next vintage to see if it is as good. I'm really enjoying diving back into Zinfandel and mixed old vine cuvées over the last few years. There are producers and wines that are meeting me where I am and I'm open to their qualities. Great now but could also develop over a few years. (92 points)
