Search found 678 matches
- Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:31 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Some 1998 Chateauneuf du Papes
- Replies: 5
- Views: 626
TNs: Some 1998 Chateauneuf du Papes
A little while back, my family and I visited with some friends and we ended up enjoying a couple of nice wines together over a very nice dinner. N.V. Domaine Tissot (André & Mireille now Stéphane) Crémant du Jura Extra Brut . This wine presents a sharp, cutting nose of copper minerality, dark ci...
- Fri Jan 24, 2014 4:34 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
- Replies: 6
- Views: 438
Re: TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
Tom, I did some research on this right before the trip. Here is what I dug up: Champagne’s Special Club is a unique collection of 26 Grower-Producers who all have the common goal of promoting the expression of terroir in the region. The Special Club or Club Trésors de Champagne (Treasures of Champag...
- Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:19 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
- Replies: 6
- Views: 438
Re: TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
Jim, we stayed pretty close to the villa most of the time we were there, with day trips to the beach to go snorkeling, boogie boarding, swimming and such. There's really a lot more to see than we got around to. Next time, I'd like to hike the rainforest, get up to see the radio telescope, visit old ...
- Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:48 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
- Replies: 6
- Views: 438
TNs: A Swing through Puerto Rico
A few weeks ago, my family and I joined another family for a quick getaway to Puerto Rico. We brought a bunch of wine along with us and enjoyed most of them over the course of the five evenings we spent together down there. My friend likes to focus on Spanish wines while he’s at the villa there, so ...
- Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:51 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Poll: Please comment on these champagnes.
- Replies: 24
- Views: 6915
Re: Poll: Please comment on these champagnes.
I picked Salon, as it's just so distinctive and you don't come across it very often. However, don't overlook the Femme from Duval-Leroy. The 1996 in particular was tremendous (and their 1996 Blanc de Chardonnay Brut ain't no slouch, either!). And I definitely agree you should seek out the Special Cl...
- Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:10 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Is Jeff Leve the next Robert M. Parker, Jr.?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 13764
Re: Is Jeff Leve the next Robert M. Parker, Jr.?
There are an amazing number of credible and talented wine critics coming up through the ranks to join those who've been at it now for many years. But with the plethora of wine blogs and sites like Jeff's, the power of crowdsourcing reviews from places like CellarTracker!, and just the general global...
- Wed Jan 08, 2014 3:51 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Italian night
- Replies: 0
- Views: 148
TNs: Italian night
Back in mid-November, Ron Kramer and Joyce were very kind to offer a bunch of us access to their condo complex’s entertainment suite for a fun night of Italian food and largely Italian wines. Folks brought some really interesting stuff and it was great to meet several new people for the first time a...
- Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:07 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Dinner wines
- Replies: 0
- Views: 135
TNs: Dinner wines
My wife and I were invited to another couple’s house for dinner recently and enjoyed some really inventive dishes and several excellent wines with them. NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé . This is broad and generous on the nose, but also a bit spiky and minerally—showing fine and elegant aroma...
- Mon Jan 06, 2014 9:44 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Another evening at China King
- Replies: 0
- Views: 224
TNs: Another evening at China King
Once more unto the breach with 10 dear friends at China King for Peking ducks and tons of side dishes to go with an enormous assortment of wines… Sparkling/white wines: 2010 François Chidaine Vouvray Pétillant . This is very crisp and crunchy on the nose—showing fresh and tingly aromas of struck mat...
- Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:20 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: 1989 Cos d'Estournel
- Replies: 2
- Views: 263
TNs: 1989 Cos d'Estournel
We drank some very nice wines for my wife's birthday recently: 2009 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi Knights Valley . This is just a tremendous wine all around. It’s loaded with full aromas of fresh figs, sliced melon, apricots, wet stones, minerals and a bit of soft oak in the background....
- Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:26 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: California Cabernet tasting
- Replies: 4
- Views: 409
Re: TNs: California Cabernet tasting
Glad to hear that, Tim! My experiences with BV's Georges de Latour have been mixed, for sure, over the past several years, from a wide variety of sources: 1973: Drunk 2x. The first one pretty decent but on the downslide, the second one better but still showing rather aged. 1974: Drunk 3x. First one ...
- Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:45 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Wines drunk at home
- Replies: 0
- Views: 207
TNs: Wines drunk at home
Those who follow my tasting notes at all will know that a lot of my wine drinking is done at informal tasting events with my wine geek friends. However, I do also sometimes take notes on bottles drunk at home with my wife and family. I tend to save those up for some period of time and then post them...
- Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:30 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: California Cabernet tasting
- Replies: 4
- Views: 409
TNs: California Cabernet tasting
There was an opening in my friend Ed’s regular tasting group last month for their tasting of California Cabernets, and I was happy to answer the call. As usual, all wines were served blind, and the restaurant staff determined the order of serving, with all wines poured at once into numbered glasses....
- Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:26 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN's: Some more tailgating wines
- Replies: 0
- Views: 111
TN's: Some more tailgating wines
My wife and I joined another friend of ours and his son for an afternoon of NFL tailgating last month, with a few wines to go with our grilled sausages, burgers and the like. 2009 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains . This is a lovely Chardonnay for my tastes, starting with plush but elegant aromas...
- Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:25 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Tailgating wines, with 2000 Ormes de Pez
- Replies: 0
- Views: 126
TNs: Tailgating wines, with 2000 Ormes de Pez
I joined three friends for our annual football tailgate a little while back, and we drank plenty of good wines to go along with the massive amount of grilling we did. N.V. Simonnet-Febvre Chardonnay Crémant de Bourgogne Brut . This wine features a crisp apple and cider nose that also shows some copp...
- Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:12 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Another crazy night at Peach Farm
- Replies: 1
- Views: 239
TNs: Another crazy night at Peach Farm
A little while back, I was fortunate to join 10 other wine lovers for a fun dinner at Peach Farm in Chinatown. A crazy variety of wines were brought along and they were paired with the usual crazy variety of dishes that poured out of the Peach Farm kitchen all night long. Sparkling/white/rose wines:...
- Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:57 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Mostly Spanish wines
- Replies: 2
- Views: 521
TNs: Mostly Spanish wines
There were 9 of us recently at Portugalia in East Cambridge for a delightful dinner of Portuguese specialties paired with some terrific wines. There was no official theme to the wines going into the evening, and nothing was served blind. Still, some interesting flights managed to take shape and seve...
- Tue Dec 24, 2013 4:10 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: Xmas 2013, Day 5
- Replies: 8
- Views: 387
Re: Xmas 2013, Day 5
Been enjoying your posts, as usual, Stefan. Glad you had a nice bottle of '85 La Lagune--the last one I had was quite nice but seemed to be fading. Your bottle shows that it still has the stuffing, if treated well, though. Now, I really would like to try that '89--you've certainly got me eager to se...
- Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:57 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: The Christmas wines have been uncorked....
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1738
Re: The Christmas wines have been uncorked....
Sounds really nice, Jim. I'm pretty sure I've posted a note on the board regarding the 2002 Staglin, which was pretty damned special, IMO. Do a quick search if you're so inclined (after the chocolate dessert is done!). We're going with Ducru Beaucaillou for Christmas dinner here, as well. Have the '...
- Thu Dec 19, 2013 4:08 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: A 5-Cab lunch
- Replies: 0
- Views: 110
TNs: A 5-Cab lunch
I had a rare chance to hang out with a couple of friends recently in the middle of what was supposed to be a work day, and we decided it would be nice to open a few bottles to drink over lunch. 1996 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley . There are just lovely aromatics here—w...
- Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:34 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Poker in the Clubhouse
- Replies: 0
- Views: 165
TNs: Poker in the Clubhouse
Tom hosted our regular poker game a little while back in the clubhouse of his condo, and his idea was to serve wines that he thought we’d never shared together as a group before. While a small number actually did turn out to be old favorites, most of these were indeed “new” wines to us, which was a ...
- Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:53 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Italian night
- Replies: 0
- Views: 144
TNs: Italian night
A friend of mine recently arranged for five of us to join him for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Newton that I had never previously been to. At the last minute, he fell ill and couldn’t attend, but the rest of us carried on and drank some fine wines with the tasty dishes that came streaming out ...
- Mon Dec 09, 2013 4:37 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: 08 Ch. Palmer "Alter Ego"
- Replies: 9
- Views: 877
Re: 08 Ch. Palmer "Alter Ego"
I went to a tasting over the summer where a company was demonstrating a new product that when attached to wine bottles can track the range of temperatures the wine has been exposed to during shipping. I think they were running a trial with Ch Palmer and were pouring the '08 Alter Ego from a pristine...
- Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:44 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: 1979 Chateau La Lagune
- Replies: 2
- Views: 262
TNs: 1979 Chateau La Lagune
I helped out a friend a little while ago who needed to inventory a bunch of new wine shipments he had just received. We toiled for a few hours at his off-site wine locker and then traveled a short distance to a local tavern to have dinner and drink a few of the wines from his stash. 2006 Pahlmeyer C...
- Sat Dec 07, 2013 6:09 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: West Coast Pinots
- Replies: 3
- Views: 563
Re: TNs: West Coast Pinots
Nobody was more surprised than me (as I am pretty sure I was the only person there who had ever tasted a single bottle of Loring)...
Definitely check out Rivers-Marie.
-Michael
Definitely check out Rivers-Marie.
-Michael
- Sat Dec 07, 2013 5:47 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: West Coast Pinots
- Replies: 3
- Views: 563
TNs: West Coast Pinots
It was a pleasure to join my friend Ed and his monthly tasting group at a local restaurant a little while back as a sub to somebody who couldn’t make it. This group often seems to focus on European wine, so I was very curious to see what sorts of wines they would bring to a blind tasting of “West Co...
- Sat Dec 07, 2013 3:47 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
- Replies: 6
- Views: 420
Re: TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
Was Kathleen a cross-dresser in that film??
- Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:09 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN's: Burgundies and sausages
- Replies: 2
- Views: 246
Re: TN's: Burgundies and sausages
My favorite is Blue Seal Kielbasa from Chicopee, MA. I am pretty sure you can order it online and have it shipped. Or they carry it at the Big Y supermarket on Route 1 near Gillette Stadium...
-Michael
-Michael
- Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:24 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN's: Burgundies and sausages
- Replies: 2
- Views: 246
TN's: Burgundies and sausages
A little while back, my wife and I joined our friends Tom and Sandy up at Jud and Lisa’s home to taste through some fine red and white Burgundies. We had great cheeses and other appetizers with the whites and then sat down to dinner with a whole bunch of different types of grilled homemade sausages ...
- Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:41 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN : 2010 Claux Delorme
- Replies: 1
- Views: 148
Re: TN : 2010 Claux Delorme
Great note, thanks!
I've heard of the producer but never tried it (or any wine from Valencay). Maybe a bit like Cheverny in style, it sounds like?
-Michael
I've heard of the producer but never tried it (or any wine from Valencay). Maybe a bit like Cheverny in style, it sounds like?
-Michael
- Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:32 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
- Replies: 6
- Views: 420
Re: TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
Nic, I don't know much at all about Verite, other than that I have now had this 1999 La Muse twice (last time in early 2009) and have liked it a lot both times. I can't speak for their other wines or vintages, sorry!
-Michael
-Michael
- Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:39 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
- Replies: 6
- Views: 420
TNs: Poker wines, including '99 Monbousquet
One of our recent regular poker games took place at Zach’s house, with the wines supplied by Kyle. Only the opening wine was served non-blind, with the rest served in organized flights of two. 2009 Château d'Oupia Minervois Rosé . This is kind of light and tight on the nose, with gentle aromas of st...
- Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:01 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN's: Dinner at Peach Farm
- Replies: 4
- Views: 410
Re: TN's: Dinner at Peach Farm
Thanks, guys!
I love Bordeaux, but thrive on variety, as well. As a professional market researcher, I always enjoy learning something new--in this case about different wine areas and styles!
Best,
Michael
I love Bordeaux, but thrive on variety, as well. As a professional market researcher, I always enjoy learning something new--in this case about different wine areas and styles!
Best,
Michael
- Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:31 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN's: Dinner at Peach Farm
- Replies: 4
- Views: 410
TN's: Dinner at Peach Farm
A little while back, 9 of us met at Peach Farm in Chinatown to dine on many, many crazy dishes and drink many, many crazy-good wines. As usual, there was no theme, no blind flights, and no drinking order, just good times. 2002 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Millésime Or . A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40%...
- Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:58 am
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TN: 79 Certan de May & Pichon Lalande, 86 Lafaurie Peyraguey
- Replies: 1
- Views: 153
TN: 79 Certan de May & Pichon Lalande, 86 Lafaurie Peyraguey
Here and there over the past year, we’ve tried to get a small group together on Monday evenings over at our friend Ed’s house. On a recent Monday it was just 3 of us, but we did our best to consume a lot of Chinese take-out and drink several outstanding wines. 1996 Gosset Champagne Celebris Brut . O...
- Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:44 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Some California Pinots and Syrahs
- Replies: 0
- Views: 108
TNs: Some California Pinots and Syrahs
A friend and I recently attended a concert together and decided to do a little tailgating in the parking lot before the show. 2006 Inman Family Wines Pinot Noir Russian River Valley . There are a lot of toasty brown spice notes on the airy and pretty nose of this wine, with some sassafras and autumn...
- Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:11 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: 2001 Cos d'Estournel and others
- Replies: 2
- Views: 300
TNs: 2001 Cos d'Estournel and others
A friend of ours had to move his wine cellar and called upon four of us for help in lugging all the bottles to a new location. Our reward was an opportunity to cherry-pick a few bottles from his stash to drink afterwards to ease the pain in our aching backs. 1996 Pol Roger Champagne Blanc de Chardon...
- Wed Nov 27, 2013 7:41 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: Casual dinner notes
- Replies: 0
- Views: 111
TNs: Casual dinner notes
My wife and I had another couple over recently for an early dinner, and we ended up opening a fair number of wines by the time all was said and done. 2008 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley . This wine has a bodacious and delightful bouquet to it, loaded with fun scents of hazeln...
- Wed Nov 27, 2013 6:37 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: 89 PLL, 90 Talbot, 02 Brane-Cantenac
- Replies: 2
- Views: 373
TNs: 89 PLL, 90 Talbot, 02 Brane-Cantenac
A little while back, our golf foursome was thwarted by decidedly inhospitable weather and so we opted instead to retire to the sanctuary of the clubhouse to play some poker and drink some wines we had brought along initally for the 19th hole. Later, we ambled over to a fun little BYO joint for dinne...
- Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:24 pm
- Forum: Our Forum
- Topic: TNs: BubbleQ II
- Replies: 4
- Views: 738
Re: TNs: BubbleQ II
Thanks, Alex. I have 2 bottles of the '99 Clos des Goisses left and probably will try to keep hands off for another 2-3 years. The '98 is the vintage I really want to try...
-Michael
-Michael