We were away half the month and it's been slow so I actually got to record some notes!
2014 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/31/2025)
I had such a great experience with a recent bottle of 2015 so I thought I'd give this a go. It was a bit more muted to start but after about 30 minutes it opened up to show all the classic Croix Boissée fruit smeared over chalk. It starts out with classic chalky firmness but with additional air the palate became silkier and silkier. A great wine now with some upside from here. (94 points)
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/31/2025)
Another great bottle of this wine. It performed a particular trick that I haven't seen with this vintage before, it actually got more linear and airy after about an hour. My friend had never had Collier before and was blown away. (94 points)
2017 Az. Ag. Antoniotti Odilio Bramaterra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Bramaterra (7/28/2025)
Pine inflected dark cherry nose. The slightest hint of roasted fruit sneaks in from time to time, but isn't dominate. The palate has resolved since my last bottle and has lost some rusticity. Quite nice. (90 points)
2012 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (7/27/2025)
A languid version of this wine. Deep, smooth fruit with savory nuance. I only had a glass soon after opening so didn't get to follow it. I think it could still use a couple more years. (91 points)
2015 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grézeaux - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/27/2025)
From magnum. Just as good as it was from 750 a few weeks back. Classic Grézeaux berry fruit with a dark earth stoniness. Tannins are still there but moving towards resolved. This is in a prime drinking window, IMO. (92 points)
2023 Trediberri Barbera d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba (7/27/2025)
A juicy, rollicking rendition of Barbera. Spice, berries and a hint of leather and flowers. Good to go now. (90 points)
2023 Montenidoli Canaiuolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/27/2025)
Didn't pay much attention to this. Worked well enough with some grilled veggies. This is a wine we buy every year and usually drink into the next year. We won't change that any time soon. (88 points)
2013 Georges Descombes Morgon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (7/26/2025)
Out of magnum. Delicious and in a perfect place. Herbal, iris notes on top of cool crushed berry fruit. Nice bead of acidity with the faintest tannic grip. Served cool with a selection of barbeque. (93 points)
2023 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) 5 Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/23/2025)
Like a junior Le Trame. Pristine Sangiovese character with great silky texture and freshness. I could drink this all the time. (90 points)
2020 Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (7/22/2025)
I really can just copy my note from last year. This is such a savory and soulful rendition of Barbera. It feels like someone grew it in a garden. There is a leathery edge to the fruit and savory herbs as well. The fruit is like dark plumbs and mulberry. This works so well at the table for us. The acidity of Barbera and the savory quality of the wine just meld with simple Italian inspired cooking. Good to go now, but I think this will improve over the next few years. (90 points)
2018 Domaine Marc Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondot - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (7/21/2025)
In a great spot for current drinking. Not flabby like the vintage reputation, but won't be confused with a 2014 or 2017. Still it shows some nice minerality under the yellow fruit. Virondot has a distinct fennel and mint top note that distinguishes it. Drink over the next few years. (92 points)
2017 Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/20/2025)
I've had better bottles of this so I'm not sure what this bottle represents. Took to a restaurant and it had warmed up before we had it. Showed even more rustic than I am accustomed to from these wines (there is always some rusticity, which is part of the charm). I'll try another soon as I have a decent amount. It could just need some time. (89 points)
2016 Ceritas Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Martin Ray Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (7/19/2025)
I thought this would be a little further along its journey since my last bottle in 2020. It has moved a bit, but I can essentially copy that note. Deeply colored and bursting with black currant, plum and berry Cabernet fruit. Violets, a bit of licorice and graphite with a little underlying savory notes. Really well shaped if young and structured. The tannins are undeniable and solid but not aggressive. This should turn out to be a stellar Santa Cruz Cabernet. Try again in 2-3 more years. (93 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/18/2025)
It's been 4 years since my last bottle of this and I'm not sure if it is the wine or the bottle because this was more mature than I expected and a lot more developed than the Kabinett AP12 from a few days prior. Soaked cork and a slightly burnished aroma of baked apple. It did freshen up with air, but never became the classic Falkenstein feinherb that one expects. While it still worked, I'm not sure this bottle is representative so I'll try anther soon. (89 points)
2021 Trediberri Barolo Berri - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/16/2025)
The 2020 was so lovely on release that I wanted to give this a spin and also decide whether to buy more. This was a dense, savory, and chewy version of this wine. There is a lot of fruit packed underneath but there is very little pliancy at this point. There is a really intriguing purity, sort of like Vajra Viole, that could really blossom. Like everyone else, I'm fairly new to these wines and I'm not 1005 sure what the future holds, but I think it will be quite good in 5-7 years. (92 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/15/2025)
The only nod to age for this wine is a little bit of sponti upon opening that makes it seem a bit unfocused. 20 minutes in and it has started to show the bracing minerailty and briskness that Falkenstein is famous for. Lime blossom, tart apple with a firm, chalky spine. Delicious now. (92 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (7/15/2025)
This hasn't developed as I had hoped. Similar to other bottles with salt/mineral/shells but lacking balancing fruit. (87 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Casanova Dell'Aia - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/14/2025)
This was more like the Cavarchione but less svelte and a bit more bigger and more rustic at the edges. Still very good and drinking well enough with the right food. (91 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Cavarchione - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/13/2025)
Working my way through the 2018s from Istine and this was up next. Darker and richer than the Vigna Istine adding plum and licorice notes to the dark cherry. Plusher but also a bit more tannin than the Istine but still in a great drinking window. Will also be drinking these over the next few years. (93 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Istine - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/12/2025)
This was lovely. Refined dark charry with savory notes of leather along with some fennel and spice notes. Very svelte and in the zone. I'll tuck into my remaining bottles over the next few years. (92 points)
2014 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/31/2025)
I had such a great experience with a recent bottle of 2015 so I thought I'd give this a go. It was a bit more muted to start but after about 30 minutes it opened up to show all the classic Croix Boissée fruit smeared over chalk. It starts out with classic chalky firmness but with additional air the palate became silkier and silkier. A great wine now with some upside from here. (94 points)
2016 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/31/2025)
Another great bottle of this wine. It performed a particular trick that I haven't seen with this vintage before, it actually got more linear and airy after about an hour. My friend had never had Collier before and was blown away. (94 points)
2017 Az. Ag. Antoniotti Odilio Bramaterra - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Bramaterra (7/28/2025)
Pine inflected dark cherry nose. The slightest hint of roasted fruit sneaks in from time to time, but isn't dominate. The palate has resolved since my last bottle and has lost some rusticity. Quite nice. (90 points)
2012 Eric Texier Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban Vieille Serine Domaine de Pergaud - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Saint-Julien-en-Saint-Alban (7/27/2025)
A languid version of this wine. Deep, smooth fruit with savory nuance. I only had a glass soon after opening so didn't get to follow it. I think it could still use a couple more years. (91 points)
2015 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grézeaux - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (7/27/2025)
From magnum. Just as good as it was from 750 a few weeks back. Classic Grézeaux berry fruit with a dark earth stoniness. Tannins are still there but moving towards resolved. This is in a prime drinking window, IMO. (92 points)
2023 Trediberri Barbera d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba (7/27/2025)
A juicy, rollicking rendition of Barbera. Spice, berries and a hint of leather and flowers. Good to go now. (90 points)
2023 Montenidoli Canaiuolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/27/2025)
Didn't pay much attention to this. Worked well enough with some grilled veggies. This is a wine we buy every year and usually drink into the next year. We won't change that any time soon. (88 points)
2013 Georges Descombes Morgon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (7/26/2025)
Out of magnum. Delicious and in a perfect place. Herbal, iris notes on top of cool crushed berry fruit. Nice bead of acidity with the faintest tannic grip. Served cool with a selection of barbeque. (93 points)
2023 Podere le Boncie (Giovanna Morganti) 5 Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (7/23/2025)
Like a junior Le Trame. Pristine Sangiovese character with great silky texture and freshness. I could drink this all the time. (90 points)
2020 Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore (7/22/2025)
I really can just copy my note from last year. This is such a savory and soulful rendition of Barbera. It feels like someone grew it in a garden. There is a leathery edge to the fruit and savory herbs as well. The fruit is like dark plumbs and mulberry. This works so well at the table for us. The acidity of Barbera and the savory quality of the wine just meld with simple Italian inspired cooking. Good to go now, but I think this will improve over the next few years. (90 points)
2018 Domaine Marc Morey & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Virondot - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (7/21/2025)
In a great spot for current drinking. Not flabby like the vintage reputation, but won't be confused with a 2014 or 2017. Still it shows some nice minerality under the yellow fruit. Virondot has a distinct fennel and mint top note that distinguishes it. Drink over the next few years. (92 points)
2017 Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/20/2025)
I've had better bottles of this so I'm not sure what this bottle represents. Took to a restaurant and it had warmed up before we had it. Showed even more rustic than I am accustomed to from these wines (there is always some rusticity, which is part of the charm). I'll try another soon as I have a decent amount. It could just need some time. (89 points)
2016 Ceritas Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Martin Ray Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (7/19/2025)
I thought this would be a little further along its journey since my last bottle in 2020. It has moved a bit, but I can essentially copy that note. Deeply colored and bursting with black currant, plum and berry Cabernet fruit. Violets, a bit of licorice and graphite with a little underlying savory notes. Really well shaped if young and structured. The tannins are undeniable and solid but not aggressive. This should turn out to be a stellar Santa Cruz Cabernet. Try again in 2-3 more years. (93 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/18/2025)
It's been 4 years since my last bottle of this and I'm not sure if it is the wine or the bottle because this was more mature than I expected and a lot more developed than the Kabinett AP12 from a few days prior. Soaked cork and a slightly burnished aroma of baked apple. It did freshen up with air, but never became the classic Falkenstein feinherb that one expects. While it still worked, I'm not sure this bottle is representative so I'll try anther soon. (89 points)
2021 Trediberri Barolo Berri - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/16/2025)
The 2020 was so lovely on release that I wanted to give this a spin and also decide whether to buy more. This was a dense, savory, and chewy version of this wine. There is a lot of fruit packed underneath but there is very little pliancy at this point. There is a really intriguing purity, sort of like Vajra Viole, that could really blossom. Like everyone else, I'm fairly new to these wines and I'm not 1005 sure what the future holds, but I think it will be quite good in 5-7 years. (92 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (7/15/2025)
The only nod to age for this wine is a little bit of sponti upon opening that makes it seem a bit unfocused. 20 minutes in and it has started to show the bracing minerailty and briskness that Falkenstein is famous for. Lime blossom, tart apple with a firm, chalky spine. Delicious now. (92 points)
2022 Torre Dei Beati Pecorino Giocheremo con i fiori - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (7/15/2025)
This hasn't developed as I had hoped. Similar to other bottles with salt/mineral/shells but lacking balancing fruit. (87 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Casanova Dell'Aia - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/14/2025)
This was more like the Cavarchione but less svelte and a bit more bigger and more rustic at the edges. Still very good and drinking well enough with the right food. (91 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Cavarchione - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/13/2025)
Working my way through the 2018s from Istine and this was up next. Darker and richer than the Vigna Istine adding plum and licorice notes to the dark cherry. Plusher but also a bit more tannin than the Istine but still in a great drinking window. Will also be drinking these over the next few years. (93 points)
2018 Istine Chianti Classico Vigna Istine - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/12/2025)
This was lovely. Refined dark charry with savory notes of leather along with some fennel and spice notes. Very svelte and in the zone. I'll tuck into my remaining bottles over the next few years. (92 points)
