Search found 1143 matches

by Claret
Sat Aug 26, 2023 1:19 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The 2019 Rauzan Segla has been uncorked, and other ramblings....
Replies: 26
Views: 11060

Re: The 2019 Rauzan Segla has been uncorked, and other ramblings....

1985 Rausan Segla was my Margaux bargain of the vintage. I got a case from Sokolin in NYC for $185. Long gone, every bottle was delish. I still have an 89 and a few 00 left from Rauzan Segla.
by Claret
Wed Aug 23, 2023 1:18 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: COVID and wine - not a great combination
Replies: 29
Views: 15463

Re: COVID and wine - not a great combination

Total loss of taste and smell for 4 or 5 days, then full recovery.
by Claret
Tue Jun 13, 2023 2:03 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Mixed Grill and BDX in the 916
Replies: 10
Views: 582

Re: Mixed Grill and BDX in the 916

It is always worth the drive over the Sierra Nevada to be with my 916 friends. Thanks to Arv and Jen, Bill and Linda, for their hospitality. Always nice to remember the late and original board member, PappaDoc. Another feast and wine extravaganza. The food surprise was the marinated lamb flank. Gril...
by Claret
Tue Apr 18, 2023 11:20 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Cheval Blanc vertical dinner
Replies: 15
Views: 1470

Re: Cheval Blanc vertical dinner

Cheval Blanc is my favorite Bordeaux. Sadly I do not have any left. The 1974 23 years ago was a light weight CB, poured by a generous friend who got it cheap at auction, fun to drink. The 82 was my favorite at a 82 vertical in 92 among a few Firsts. My bottle consumed in around 08 seemed to be fadin...
by Claret
Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:33 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: BWE in the 916
Replies: 9
Views: 1093

Re: BWE in the 916

Would have loved to be there, but impossible Sierra snow conditions.

I had planned on bringing 2000 Langoa Barton so it would have been a nice contrast.
by Claret
Mon Feb 20, 2023 7:09 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: BWE in Ft. Lauderdale 2023
Replies: 52
Views: 3502

Re: BWE in Ft. Lauderdale 2023

Sounds like my 86 Montrose is sorta, kinda getting ready for consumption?
by Claret
Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:30 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Etna, Sicilia, newbuzz, wines
Replies: 4
Views: 320

Re: Etna, Sicilia, newbuzz, wines

Count me as a fan of Sicilians. Going to a restaurant in Florida on Tuesday with a Sicilian chef and a nice list.
by Claret
Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:49 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 1989 Latour
Replies: 12
Views: 807

Re: 1989 Latour

I will likely be opening my lone 89 in the coming months.
by Claret
Wed Jan 25, 2023 4:07 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: A question about US wine distributors
Replies: 5
Views: 294

Re: A question about US wine distributors

They need a small focused importer for sure. Being out of the biz for 17 years now, my contacts are long gone.
by Claret
Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:01 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Blow By Blow....
Replies: 16
Views: 919

Re: Blow By Blow....

I saw Jeff last November in Reno. Great show and the end of the world tour. His last show. This hurts.

I need to spin my Japanese pressing of Blow By Blow soon.
by Claret
Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:21 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Thoughts on the 2000 Montrose? Anyone had it?
Replies: 21
Views: 717

Re: Thoughts on the 2000 Montrose? Anyone had it?

Arv, we had the 70 the time you came to my house, about 20 years ago.

I am down to one each of 86 and 89.
by Claret
Thu Dec 08, 2022 4:49 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: My $25 Birthday Wine
Replies: 28
Views: 2849

Re: My $25 Birthday Wine

Happy Day Bill.

I have a brace of untasted 96 LB. Great to hear you enjoyed it.
by Claret
Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:16 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Thanksgiving 2022, Day 1
Replies: 7
Views: 362

Re: Thanksgiving 2022, Day 1

Nice to see a note on St Innocent Temperance Hill. I had the 11 recently and while enjoyable and developed, it was clearly a product of the cool vintage with some of the green stuff I sometimes get from Temperance.
by Claret
Wed Nov 16, 2022 2:06 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Two Bordeaux
Replies: 7
Views: 476

Re: Two Bordeaux

AKR wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 6:57 pm Those two are such real classics.
We finished my last 96 Lagrange recently with Bill. It always delivered.
by Claret
Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:09 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Will you join me in drinking to oblivion as American democracy ends on Tuesday night.
Replies: 142
Views: 3953

Re: Will you join me in drinking to oblivion as American democracy ends on Tuesday night.

We may have AZ by the time the Reno votes come in at 11 eastern tonight, but, hey, let’s pile on these fucking shithead right wing puke balls. Nevada is not so much about Reno as Vegas/Clark County. More open thinkers there than in the rural redneck/cowboy counties. As for Reno, we have an influx o...
by Claret
Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:07 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: BDX in the 916
Replies: 4
Views: 415

Re: BDX in the 916

Another great time in Sacramento. Thanks Bill and Linda, Arv and Terry. The Clos du Bois was alive and pleasure giving from a modest vintage. One of my most aged California experiences. Pape Clement was classic Graves with tobacco and earth notes. Lagrange was in fine form and complex. I truly enjoy...
by Claret
Tue Sep 20, 2022 2:02 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The infinite modesty of 1996 Sociando Mallet
Replies: 13
Views: 910

Re: The infinite modesty of 1996 Sociando Mallet

A recent bottle with a high fill was excellent. Tertiary with rounded tannin and guiding acidity, this bottle delivered. No green notes whatsoever. Glad to have 1 left.
by Claret
Wed Sep 07, 2022 3:14 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Beaujolais is truly on the big rise up!
Replies: 25
Views: 968

Re: Beaujolais is truly on the big rise up!

On a different level, I know. But Jadot Beaujolais Village always delivers for an easy to find supermarket value.

I do have a bottle of 09 Lapierre Morgon in the queue.
by Claret
Sat Jul 09, 2022 7:26 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What are we drinking in the Omicron ominous?
Replies: 1979
Views: 189937

Re: What are we drinking in the booster boon?

1994 Montrose, fully tertiary and will not improve. Good but not great at this stage. My last bottle last week was much better. Starts off full cedar with dry tannin. After about 1 hour in the decanter the mature fruit emerges. Fully tertiary and enjoyable old school Bordeaux. The tannins do not di...
by Claret
Fri Jun 17, 2022 6:59 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Classic Bordeaux - Who Are The Remaining Stalwarts
Replies: 118
Views: 4093

Re: Classic Bordeaux - Who Are The Remaining Stalwarts

What's the legally allowed error for labeled ABV? And how compliant and/or accurate are they? A variation of +/- 1% could hide or exaggerate differences. Lots of wiggle room: Does the alcohol content stated on the label need to indicate the exact alcohol content of the product, or does TTB allow a ...
by Claret
Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:03 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

Two more from SI this month. 2008 Shea Special Selection needed 2+ hours in the decanter for the heavy funk to blow off. It morphed into a fullish bodied PN with more time to go. This weekend 2002 Seven Springs is just delightful. It reminds me of a 1er Volnay. Lighter in body, tertiary and at peak....
by Claret
Mon May 30, 2022 8:11 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: TN: 89 Rauzan Segla and a few others
Replies: 8
Views: 526

Re: TN: 89 Rauzan Segla and a few others

I am a a big Rauzan Segla fan. I got a great deal on a youngish case of the 85 and probably drank it too soon, but man was it good. It has remained a favorite since.

I have an untasted 89 and a few 2000 left.
by Claret
Wed May 25, 2022 12:03 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

Yes, the Pinot Blanc is very nice, although I have not had one in a while.

I used to enjoy the Pinot Gris and Villages Cuvee. Are they both out of the lineup now?
by Claret
Tue May 24, 2022 6:10 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

Too bad. Burnt and roasted, they sound baked.
by Claret
Tue May 24, 2022 1:35 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

Thank you, David and stefan. More mature SI to come in the next couple of weeks.
by Claret
Mon May 23, 2022 8:36 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

Happily my Covid loss of sense of smell and taste has passed. Last week with about 85% sensory ability I opened 2008 SI Momtazi Special Selection. I find Momtazi to be fuller bodied and different than my preferred sites in Eola-Amity Hills. I have not been wowed by Momtazi prior to this bottle. The ...
by Claret
Mon May 23, 2022 8:30 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

I have had mixed experiences on about 10 bottles of 2010 Evesham Wood Les Puits Sec PN. A bottle shared with William P. 5 years ago was fantastic. Another bottle had tart acidity. The last few bottles have been very good, and the latest was really good. Light bodied and red fruited with nice savory ...
by Claret
Mon May 23, 2022 2:00 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Tasting from unfashionable vintages from the 1990s
Replies: 38
Views: 2202

Re: Tasting from unfashionable vintages from the 1990s

AKR wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 3:49 pm ex Somms drinking conventional stuff? not PetNat or Mondeuse?!
Well, there was a Trousseau from San Benito County and an obscure French white varietal I was unfamiliar with from Willamette Valley.
by Claret
Sun May 22, 2022 2:33 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Tasting from unfashionable vintages from the 1990s
Replies: 38
Views: 2202

Re: Tasting from unfashionable vintages from the 1990s

1994 PLL yesterday at a dinner with 3 ex somms. I had enjoyed 3 bottles in the past and this bottle was singing. Mature with smooth tannins and happily consumed post Covid loss of taste and smell, now fully resolved.
by Claret
Fri May 13, 2022 1:12 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: St. Innocent thread
Replies: 161
Views: 24639

Re: St. Innocent thread

I was psyched to open a 2008 Momtazi SS on the tail end of my recently acquired Covid. I lost my sense of taste and smell Wednesday, so no go!
by Claret
Fri May 06, 2022 12:22 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: So what have you bought lately?
Replies: 4837
Views: 1546726

Re: So what have you bought lately?

Count me as a fan of the under rated Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt.
by Claret
Mon May 02, 2022 5:10 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: What is your favorite Bordeaux estate?
Replies: 50
Views: 4623

Re: What is your favorite Bordeaux estate?

Cheval Blanc
by Claret
Tue Mar 08, 2022 5:24 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 2009 Fieuzal
Replies: 10
Views: 773

Re: 2009 Fieuzal

The 89 was horrible, varnish tainted.
by Claret
Mon Feb 28, 2022 11:54 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: Hermitage dinner at the Medlar restaurant in Chelsea
Replies: 23
Views: 977

Re: Hermitage dinner at the Medlar restaurant in Chelsea

Beware of 1990 La Chapelle. I am not sure what happened, but I was told a container of Rhône’s baked one Memorial Day weekend. There is a huge difference between European sourced 1990 Rhône sourced here and their European counterparts. The Chapelle is a casualty, but I have tasted substandard Chapo...
by Claret
Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:04 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 2 Biodynamic vineyard wines
Replies: 0
Views: 590

2 Biodynamic vineyard wines

Smoked a turkey on the Weber for the Super Bowl and opened 2017 Walter Scott Gamay, Arlyn Vineyard and 2015 Zind Humbrecht Riesling Turckheim. Both are farmed biodynamically and performed at the head of the class. The ZH Riesling was a cross between a high quality QBA/Kabinett and a trocken. Off dry...
by Claret
Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: The Great 2022 Wine Buying Freeze has begun!
Replies: 207
Views: 7899

Re: The Great 2022 Wine Buying Freeze has begun!

How cold is it out there?

Still frigid at 3 months.
by Claret
Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:16 am
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: 2008 Masi Amarone Costasera, 2016 Ste. Michelle Red Mountain
Replies: 4
Views: 342

Re: 2008 Masi Amarone Costasera, 2016 Ste. Michelle Red Mountain

I have been enjoying wines from Terra Blanca on Red Mountain.
by Claret
Sat Jan 15, 2022 8:58 pm
Forum: Our Forum
Topic: A nice Beaune 1er Cru
Replies: 12
Views: 679

Re: A nice Beaune 1er Cru

stefan wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 6:23 pm Condolences, Nic. It must have been hard to celebrate your 48th without wine.

Fortunately, Oregon PN is a good substitute for red Burgundy in the $30-$70 range.
How true on both accounts.

Walter Scott 2014 Vojtilla Chardonnay is uncorked and blowing off reduction.