Reality has set in. We're eating and drinking well. We have access to great local food sources and the resources to utilize them. We count our blessings every day and drown our sorrows and fear.
2002 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (4/1/2020)
Has that Gouges structure but maybe a bit less Barolo-like than the 2001. Nice combination of pitted red fruit and sous bois. Filled out with air and brought a note of graphite to the underpinning. Rounding into form nicely and may even improve in the short term. (93 points)
2017 Azienda Agricola Cos Terre Siciliane Zibibbo in Pithos - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/2/2020)
This was really interesting. Almost completely fruitless. Brassy, savory notes and flowers. You can really feel the amphora in the mouthfeel that's almost salty. Interesting wine if not something I'd want every day. (89 points)
2018 Girolamo Russo Etna Nerina - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (4/2/2020)
Racy, fresh and vibrant. Almost a garrigue type herbiness added to honeydew and lemon. Juicy and vibrant. (91 points)
1995 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Mountain - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (4/3/2020)
This has aged perfectly. There is still a bit of the mountain structure to the wine and it has retained some currant and black cherry fruit. Whisps of smoke, minerals, cedar and tobacco add shade and nuance. I miss these old Patrick Campbell wines. I wish there were still wines like this today. (94 points)
2014 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Les Chevalières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (4/4/2020)
Best bottle of this yet. All of the classic fruit and mineral notes that this site produces along with some of the flint and walnut skin notes that a bit of age can bring. Still brisk but a bit calmer. (94 points)
2014 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (4/4/2020)
Jesus this is an acid bath. Slender and crisp green apple and stones. Mouth watering, almost puckering, acidity drives the finish. A few rounder chenin notes pop up, but this is all about linear drive. Really interesting. Didn't budge over a week in the fridge. (91 points)
2010 Antoniolo Gattinara Castelle - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara (4/5/2020)
These Antoniolo's are really hitting a sweet spot for me. They show really great depth of fruit and notes of minerals, woods and licorice. A bit of a floral top note as well. I was worried this might be closed but it was delicious. There is still a good bit of structure here and it may even get better with time, but I love this sort of expression when there is still lots of fruit but some other notes have really emerged. (94 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (4/6/2020)
Impeccable. (92 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (4/7/2020)
Can't really do better. (92 points)
2017 Girolamo Russo Etna San Lorenzo - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (4/8/2020)
This was good, but not great. Translucent ruby color and an estery complex nose o herbs and kirsch type fruit. There is some grip here and interest but it doesn't seem to have the body to carry its alcohol. Drink it now for what it is. I've had better vintages of this wine and I'm not really sure what is up with this producer who is fairly new. I'm not really sold on aging Etna reds much thus far either so I don't know that this will improve in the cellar. (89 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Nero di Lupo - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/8/2020)
Delicious, forward and fun all in a 12% alcohol package. Svelte but velvety, juicy red fruits with that animal/earthy thing I get from Nero d'Avola. It has been a while since I've had this, what a treat at the dinner table. (91 points)
2017 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (4/11/2020)
Another beautiful bottle that has put on a bit of weight without sacrificing the purity and crystalline presentation. I still have no idea whether these will continue to improve with longer term aging and I may never find out given how delicious they are at this stage. (92 points)
2015 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (4/11/2020)
Stunning. I'm really in love with the whites from Collier. This shows the warmth and joyful fruit of the vintage but with a strong backbone and density. At maturity this will be incredible, but it is great now. (94 points)
2015 Domaine Pfister Riesling Engelberg - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru (4/12/2020)
The warmth of the year shows in the round stone pit fruit dripping with honey and a nose that adds a bit of honeysuckle to the rocks, citrus and mineral that I expect from this wine. It is in its infancy and may get even better in the cellar but is enjoyable now. Since Boxler has become harder and more expensive to acquire, Pfister has become my Alsace go-to. Everything I've had has been excellent. Note: this has a glass stopper. (93 points)
2017 Mélanie Pfister Paar deux cépages - France, Alsace (4/12/2020)
Consistent with my last bottle. Easy to drink and approachable with yellow fruits and flowers while retaining snap and a svelte style. (91 points)
2016 Wilde Farm Wines Syrah Halcon Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (4/13/2020)
I wanted to like this more than I ended up liking it. Quite a bit of VA and a wine that is neither fish nor fowl. I think I know what it is trying to be, but doesn't seem to quite get there. Believe it or not, I was hoping for a bit more dense and bright fruit from this. (88 points)
2017 Jolie-Laide Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Shake Ridge - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (4/13/2020)
I was really looking forward to this but like the Wilde Farm it disappointed a bit. Had a bit more density than that Halcon syrah if not more flesh. Red berry fruit and herbs dominate but again the VA kick makes it a little less enjoyable for me. I like what I think they have in mind here and note that this is the first vintage with fruit from this vineyard. (89 points)
2017 Domaine Costal Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (4/14/2020)
Correct, if a bit ripe, Chablis. Yellow fruits and that earthy, oyster shell minerality. Maybe more stone than mineral. Lacks a bit of zip and drive. (89 points)
2017 Antoine Arena Patrimonio Carco Blanc - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/16/2020)
Richer and a bit less vibrant than I expected. Still very enjoyable but maybe doesn't have the structure for the table. I remembered this being a more aggressively mineral wine but who knows. Still a nice quaff in any event. (89 points)
2018 Domaine d'E Croce (Yves Leccia) Patrimonio Blanc - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/16/2020)
Of the Corsican vermentinos that I've tried this go around, this one was the most in my wheelhouse. More salty and driving with a real kick of chalky minerals to clear the sharp fruit off the palate. There is also a sense of density here. Quite good. (91 points)
2018 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Blanc Vieilles Vignes - France, Corsica, Ajaccio (4/16/2020)
I think I prefer my vermentino in the salty mineral style. This is a bit diffuse but floral and nice enough. A nice "patio wine" as we used to say but I had higher expectations. (88 points)
2018 De Fermo Pecorino Don Carlino - Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Pescaresi IGT (4/16/2020)
My first time with this wine and it was memorable. It was almost chewy. Like chalk chewing gum. Herbs and minerals and then only underneath was fruit more on the pitted end than citrus and maybe even a hint of pineapple, but in a good way. Salty n the palate and with a long driving finish. Maybe even some pine thrown in the mix. This held up over 4-5 days open in the fridge. Really cool and different from our go to pecorino, the Tiberio. Will be in the rotation. (91 points)
2012 Georges Descombes Morgon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (4/17/2020)
Apex bottle of this wine. I imagine the leanness of the vintage has allowed it to keep such an elegant shape. As S said, "This smells like our home," by which she meant everything we like to cook, eat and are about. I liked that take. Nice mix of fruits and that hazy floral/herbal/meadow thing I get from the best versions of this wine. My last bottle and totally on point. Probably the best Beaujolais I've had so far this year, maybe longer. Open if you got em. (93 points)
2018 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Rosé Vieilles Vignes - France, Corsica, Ajaccio (4/18/2020)
Now this is really hits the rosé spot. Sharp and mineral with tart strawberry laced with white flowers, minerals, rose hip and citrus zest. There is body and stones as it warms. Penetrating mineral finish with acidity that clears off the palate. (92 points)
NV Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (4/19/2020)
Oh, this was very nice given the sale price I paid for it. Was going to go back and load up for future parties, etc. but it was gone. Oh well. This was a broad style but well balanced between brioche, yellow tree fruit and some minerals. (90 points)
2017 Antoine Arena Patrimonio Rosé - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/19/2020)
Soft red berry fruits a bit of floral nuance. Some minerals on the finish. I bit softer than I like my rosé but still a nice tipple. (89 points)
2018 De Fermo Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore Le Cince - Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (4/19/2020)
Whoa, another first time De Fermo for us and another super interesting wine. Dark pink and smelled of onion skin, herbs and the faintest bit of fruit. Kind of rustic and coarse on the palate, in a good way. More like a light red than what one would normally consider rosato. This would be great with the spring onion pizza that our friend Gabe would be making right now if these were normal times. (90 points)
2013 Yarra Yering Dry Red N°2 - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (4/21/2020)
Wow, I really liked this. I was in the mood for a bigger, fruitier wine than we normally drink and was afraid (despite the reputation of Yarra Yering for restraint) that the wine might be goopy or overblown. Not at all. It was rich for sure, with lots of blackberry and black currant fruit, but there was a strong earthy-cocoa element along with a hint of dark licorice. With some air, a nice floral topnote added to the complexity and the wine firmed up. I also really like the shape of the tannins. I went back to buy some more from the same source, and it was gone. I gotta get better at trying things faster. (94 points)
2015 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (4/22/2020)
While I can appreciate the quality here I'm just not sure it is for us. Maraschino liquor soaked cherries it seems to have an oxidative, dried style of fruit and floral notes. It lacks the snap and vibrancy we prefer in our wines and seems a bit hot. Again, I can see how it might work for other folks but this just doesn't fill a need for us. (90 points)
2017 Dönnhoff Dellchen Riesling Großes Gewächs - Germany, Nahe (4/23/2020)
I don't think I've had this since the 2014 vintage. That wine was elegant if a little slight, this is not that. It is really intense and has a deep bed of stone with that white peach thing I associate with Dönnhoff along with the Concord grape pith that I get from young, dense riesling. I don't mean to imply that this was a slog, it was delicious to drink and even fun as it opened up, relaxed, and released some floral, herbal meadow nuance. I'm not the best person to ask about drinking windows, but I'd wait 2-3 years and then have another. (93 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (4/24/2020)
These wines have so much character. This is rustic, in the best possible way. The fruit is on the dried side and it plays second fiddle to savory herbs, leather and bark tones. Real old-school tannic grip is still here in a way that is refreshing with something fatty. It feels soulful, like it's actually from a real farm. (90 points)
2017 Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (4/25/2020)
This was good but I found it a bit loose. Happy to drink it and it had chenin characteristics but I may not have picked it as chenin blind. Steph liked it more than I did. (88 points)
2018 De Fermo Bianco Concrete - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (4/25/2020)
A new-to-me blend of Pecorino and Chardonnay. Bright, lively, crisp and quaffable. Green apple and brisk sea air. (87 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Frappato - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/28/2020)
The light color and playfulness might make you miss that it is slightly more than it seems with understated intensity and a bit of grip. Mostly berries, herbs and flowers. Joyful. Low alcohol. (90 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Sicilia Ramí - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia (4/28/2020)
It's been really fun running through these COS wines. This wine has a little bit of fruit, but that is mostly incidental and more like orange rind. This wine is more about savory herbs and almost umami coated rocks. Not easy to drink by itself but it strikes me as the type of wine that if oyu got the food pairing right, you could have one of those transcendent experiences. (90 points)
2017 Istine Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (4/29/2020)
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with this but my expectations were set by a single vineyard Cavarchione from 2016. Given the vintage, I was expected something a bit richer than what delivered. Mid-weight cherry dominates with some complexity but lacks depth and energy. I'll still keep an eye on this producer who is fairly new to me. (88 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG (4/30/2020)
Again, the pale color and the seeming approachability belies a deeper structure that sneaks up on you rather than knocking you down. Really fine tanning mount a resistance as the fruit fans out. Dried flowers and herbs mingled together. This was so delicious with dinner that we finished the bottle half way through. (92 points)
2014 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Delle Fontane - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG (4/30/2020)
We opened this up because the other Cerasuolo went down so easy. If anything, this is a bit lighter but also a bit denser than the first one. I love the sense of tensile strength that's just laced with layers of red fruits, some darker ones and flowers and herbs layered between. This has a leathery snap to the finish that I love. Man, these have been fun. (93 points)
2002 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (4/1/2020)
Has that Gouges structure but maybe a bit less Barolo-like than the 2001. Nice combination of pitted red fruit and sous bois. Filled out with air and brought a note of graphite to the underpinning. Rounding into form nicely and may even improve in the short term. (93 points)
2017 Azienda Agricola Cos Terre Siciliane Zibibbo in Pithos - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/2/2020)
This was really interesting. Almost completely fruitless. Brassy, savory notes and flowers. You can really feel the amphora in the mouthfeel that's almost salty. Interesting wine if not something I'd want every day. (89 points)
2018 Girolamo Russo Etna Nerina - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (4/2/2020)
Racy, fresh and vibrant. Almost a garrigue type herbiness added to honeydew and lemon. Juicy and vibrant. (91 points)
1995 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Mountain - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (4/3/2020)
This has aged perfectly. There is still a bit of the mountain structure to the wine and it has retained some currant and black cherry fruit. Whisps of smoke, minerals, cedar and tobacco add shade and nuance. I miss these old Patrick Campbell wines. I wish there were still wines like this today. (94 points)
2014 Jean-Philippe Fichet Meursault Les Chevalières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (4/4/2020)
Best bottle of this yet. All of the classic fruit and mineral notes that this site produces along with some of the flint and walnut skin notes that a bit of age can bring. Still brisk but a bit calmer. (94 points)
2014 Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (4/4/2020)
Jesus this is an acid bath. Slender and crisp green apple and stones. Mouth watering, almost puckering, acidity drives the finish. A few rounder chenin notes pop up, but this is all about linear drive. Really interesting. Didn't budge over a week in the fridge. (91 points)
2010 Antoniolo Gattinara Castelle - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara (4/5/2020)
These Antoniolo's are really hitting a sweet spot for me. They show really great depth of fruit and notes of minerals, woods and licorice. A bit of a floral top note as well. I was worried this might be closed but it was delicious. There is still a good bit of structure here and it may even get better with time, but I love this sort of expression when there is still lots of fruit but some other notes have really emerged. (94 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb #23 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (4/6/2020)
Impeccable. (92 points)
2017 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett #12 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (4/7/2020)
Can't really do better. (92 points)
2017 Girolamo Russo Etna San Lorenzo - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (4/8/2020)
This was good, but not great. Translucent ruby color and an estery complex nose o herbs and kirsch type fruit. There is some grip here and interest but it doesn't seem to have the body to carry its alcohol. Drink it now for what it is. I've had better vintages of this wine and I'm not really sure what is up with this producer who is fairly new. I'm not really sold on aging Etna reds much thus far either so I don't know that this will improve in the cellar. (89 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Nero di Lupo - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/8/2020)
Delicious, forward and fun all in a 12% alcohol package. Svelte but velvety, juicy red fruits with that animal/earthy thing I get from Nero d'Avola. It has been a while since I've had this, what a treat at the dinner table. (91 points)
2017 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (4/11/2020)
Another beautiful bottle that has put on a bit of weight without sacrificing the purity and crystalline presentation. I still have no idea whether these will continue to improve with longer term aging and I may never find out given how delicious they are at this stage. (92 points)
2015 Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (4/11/2020)
Stunning. I'm really in love with the whites from Collier. This shows the warmth and joyful fruit of the vintage but with a strong backbone and density. At maturity this will be incredible, but it is great now. (94 points)
2015 Domaine Pfister Riesling Engelberg - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru (4/12/2020)
The warmth of the year shows in the round stone pit fruit dripping with honey and a nose that adds a bit of honeysuckle to the rocks, citrus and mineral that I expect from this wine. It is in its infancy and may get even better in the cellar but is enjoyable now. Since Boxler has become harder and more expensive to acquire, Pfister has become my Alsace go-to. Everything I've had has been excellent. Note: this has a glass stopper. (93 points)
2017 Mélanie Pfister Paar deux cépages - France, Alsace (4/12/2020)
Consistent with my last bottle. Easy to drink and approachable with yellow fruits and flowers while retaining snap and a svelte style. (91 points)
2016 Wilde Farm Wines Syrah Halcon Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (4/13/2020)
I wanted to like this more than I ended up liking it. Quite a bit of VA and a wine that is neither fish nor fowl. I think I know what it is trying to be, but doesn't seem to quite get there. Believe it or not, I was hoping for a bit more dense and bright fruit from this. (88 points)
2017 Jolie-Laide Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre Shake Ridge - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (4/13/2020)
I was really looking forward to this but like the Wilde Farm it disappointed a bit. Had a bit more density than that Halcon syrah if not more flesh. Red berry fruit and herbs dominate but again the VA kick makes it a little less enjoyable for me. I like what I think they have in mind here and note that this is the first vintage with fruit from this vineyard. (89 points)
2017 Domaine Costal Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (4/14/2020)
Correct, if a bit ripe, Chablis. Yellow fruits and that earthy, oyster shell minerality. Maybe more stone than mineral. Lacks a bit of zip and drive. (89 points)
2017 Antoine Arena Patrimonio Carco Blanc - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/16/2020)
Richer and a bit less vibrant than I expected. Still very enjoyable but maybe doesn't have the structure for the table. I remembered this being a more aggressively mineral wine but who knows. Still a nice quaff in any event. (89 points)
2018 Domaine d'E Croce (Yves Leccia) Patrimonio Blanc - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/16/2020)
Of the Corsican vermentinos that I've tried this go around, this one was the most in my wheelhouse. More salty and driving with a real kick of chalky minerals to clear the sharp fruit off the palate. There is also a sense of density here. Quite good. (91 points)
2018 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Blanc Vieilles Vignes - France, Corsica, Ajaccio (4/16/2020)
I think I prefer my vermentino in the salty mineral style. This is a bit diffuse but floral and nice enough. A nice "patio wine" as we used to say but I had higher expectations. (88 points)
2018 De Fermo Pecorino Don Carlino - Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Pescaresi IGT (4/16/2020)
My first time with this wine and it was memorable. It was almost chewy. Like chalk chewing gum. Herbs and minerals and then only underneath was fruit more on the pitted end than citrus and maybe even a hint of pineapple, but in a good way. Salty n the palate and with a long driving finish. Maybe even some pine thrown in the mix. This held up over 4-5 days open in the fridge. Really cool and different from our go to pecorino, the Tiberio. Will be in the rotation. (91 points)
2012 Georges Descombes Morgon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (4/17/2020)
Apex bottle of this wine. I imagine the leanness of the vintage has allowed it to keep such an elegant shape. As S said, "This smells like our home," by which she meant everything we like to cook, eat and are about. I liked that take. Nice mix of fruits and that hazy floral/herbal/meadow thing I get from the best versions of this wine. My last bottle and totally on point. Probably the best Beaujolais I've had so far this year, maybe longer. Open if you got em. (93 points)
2018 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Faustine Rosé Vieilles Vignes - France, Corsica, Ajaccio (4/18/2020)
Now this is really hits the rosé spot. Sharp and mineral with tart strawberry laced with white flowers, minerals, rose hip and citrus zest. There is body and stones as it warms. Penetrating mineral finish with acidity that clears off the palate. (92 points)
NV Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Brut Réserve - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (4/19/2020)
Oh, this was very nice given the sale price I paid for it. Was going to go back and load up for future parties, etc. but it was gone. Oh well. This was a broad style but well balanced between brioche, yellow tree fruit and some minerals. (90 points)
2017 Antoine Arena Patrimonio Rosé - France, Corsica, Patrimonio (4/19/2020)
Soft red berry fruits a bit of floral nuance. Some minerals on the finish. I bit softer than I like my rosé but still a nice tipple. (89 points)
2018 De Fermo Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore Le Cince - Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (4/19/2020)
Whoa, another first time De Fermo for us and another super interesting wine. Dark pink and smelled of onion skin, herbs and the faintest bit of fruit. Kind of rustic and coarse on the palate, in a good way. More like a light red than what one would normally consider rosato. This would be great with the spring onion pizza that our friend Gabe would be making right now if these were normal times. (90 points)
2013 Yarra Yering Dry Red N°2 - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley (4/21/2020)
Wow, I really liked this. I was in the mood for a bigger, fruitier wine than we normally drink and was afraid (despite the reputation of Yarra Yering for restraint) that the wine might be goopy or overblown. Not at all. It was rich for sure, with lots of blackberry and black currant fruit, but there was a strong earthy-cocoa element along with a hint of dark licorice. With some air, a nice floral topnote added to the complexity and the wine firmed up. I also really like the shape of the tannins. I went back to buy some more from the same source, and it was gone. I gotta get better at trying things faster. (94 points)
2015 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (4/22/2020)
While I can appreciate the quality here I'm just not sure it is for us. Maraschino liquor soaked cherries it seems to have an oxidative, dried style of fruit and floral notes. It lacks the snap and vibrancy we prefer in our wines and seems a bit hot. Again, I can see how it might work for other folks but this just doesn't fill a need for us. (90 points)
2017 Dönnhoff Dellchen Riesling Großes Gewächs - Germany, Nahe (4/23/2020)
I don't think I've had this since the 2014 vintage. That wine was elegant if a little slight, this is not that. It is really intense and has a deep bed of stone with that white peach thing I associate with Dönnhoff along with the Concord grape pith that I get from young, dense riesling. I don't mean to imply that this was a slog, it was delicious to drink and even fun as it opened up, relaxed, and released some floral, herbal meadow nuance. I'm not the best person to ask about drinking windows, but I'd wait 2-3 years and then have another. (93 points)
2011 Azienda Agricola Caparsa Chianti Classico Caparsino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (4/24/2020)
These wines have so much character. This is rustic, in the best possible way. The fruit is on the dried side and it plays second fiddle to savory herbs, leather and bark tones. Real old-school tannic grip is still here in a way that is refreshing with something fatty. It feels soulful, like it's actually from a real farm. (90 points)
2017 Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (4/25/2020)
This was good but I found it a bit loose. Happy to drink it and it had chenin characteristics but I may not have picked it as chenin blind. Steph liked it more than I did. (88 points)
2018 De Fermo Bianco Concrete - Italy, Abruzzi, Abruzzo (4/25/2020)
A new-to-me blend of Pecorino and Chardonnay. Bright, lively, crisp and quaffable. Green apple and brisk sea air. (87 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Frappato - Italy, Sicily, Terre Siciliane (4/28/2020)
The light color and playfulness might make you miss that it is slightly more than it seems with understated intensity and a bit of grip. Mostly berries, herbs and flowers. Joyful. Low alcohol. (90 points)
2018 Azienda Agricola Cos Sicilia Ramí - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia (4/28/2020)
It's been really fun running through these COS wines. This wine has a little bit of fruit, but that is mostly incidental and more like orange rind. This wine is more about savory herbs and almost umami coated rocks. Not easy to drink by itself but it strikes me as the type of wine that if oyu got the food pairing right, you could have one of those transcendent experiences. (90 points)
2017 Istine Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (4/29/2020)
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with this but my expectations were set by a single vineyard Cavarchione from 2016. Given the vintage, I was expected something a bit richer than what delivered. Mid-weight cherry dominates with some complexity but lacks depth and energy. I'll still keep an eye on this producer who is fairly new to me. (88 points)
2016 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG (4/30/2020)
Again, the pale color and the seeming approachability belies a deeper structure that sneaks up on you rather than knocking you down. Really fine tanning mount a resistance as the fruit fans out. Dried flowers and herbs mingled together. This was so delicious with dinner that we finished the bottle half way through. (92 points)
2014 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Delle Fontane - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG (4/30/2020)
We opened this up because the other Cerasuolo went down so easy. If anything, this is a bit lighter but also a bit denser than the first one. I love the sense of tensile strength that's just laced with layers of red fruits, some darker ones and flowers and herbs layered between. This has a leathery snap to the finish that I love. Man, these have been fun. (93 points)