Wines from Romagna Master Class

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On October 24th, I attended a Wine Enthusiast Master Class; An Exploration of Wines from Romagna, presented and curated by Jeff Porter.

Emilia-Romagna is one of the 20 regions in Italy located in the north central part of the country with the eastern half bordering the Adriatic Sea.

The largest city in the region is Bologna where the oldest university in Europe, the University of Bologna is located. This region is also home of some of the most famous food products in the world. Those would include Parmesan cheese, Prosciutto di Parma ham, Mortadella, Balsamic vinegar, Tortellini and the pasta dish, Ragu Bolognese to name few.

This tasting focused on the eastern half of the region, specifically Romagna. Even though the food products are world famous, the wines from this region are not with the exception of Lambrusco, a fizzy red wine in both sweet and dry styles that pair well with the various cold cuts of the area. The still wines definitely don’t have the recognition of the wines from the regions directly to the north such as Piedmont, Tuscany and the Veneto.

The master class poured 10 red wines from some of the 16 subareas of Romagna. The majority of the wines were produced using organic methods and fermented in stainless steel or concrete.

The tasting for members of the trade was held at the Arlo Soho Hotel located at 231 Hudson Street in Manhattan.

Master Class

2019 Monografia/4 Riserva (Marenzo): Clear medium red with a brick rim, sweet tar on the nose, tight with some roasted nut notes, bitter almonds on the finish with firm tannins.

2021 Cadisopra (Marzeno): Opaque medium brick with a brick rim, sweet tar on the nose, tight red fruit with slate notes, firm tannins.

2021 Condé (Predappio): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, tar and graphite on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with firm tannins with slate and graphite notes on the finish

2021 Notturno (Predappio): Opaque black with a purple rim, dusty crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy black fruit with spice and slate notes on the finish, some heat.

2021 Ombroso Riserva (Bertinoro): Clear dark red with a purple rim, dirty tar and graphite on the nose, tight black fruit with slate notes, big tannins.

2021 Vigna Baruccia (Mercato Saraceno): Opaque black with a purple rim, violets, tar and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy and dusty black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins.

2022 Godenza (Predappio): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, sweet dirt and dark chocolate on the nose, tight with graphite notes and firm tannins.

2022 Classe 33 (Serra): Opaque dark purple with a purple rim, dusty slate and graphite n the nose, juicy red fruit with graphite notes, silky tannins, nice balance.

2022 Il Colombarone (Bertinoro): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, closed nose of plummy violets and slate, juicy and silky bright red fruit ending with firm tannins.

2023 Papasse (Modigliana): Clear medium purple, dusty crushed raspberry and slate on the nose, juicy red fruit with firm, dusty tannins.

Big Bottle Bordeaux NYC

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On October 10-31, Bordeaux Wines held their 5th edition of their Big Bottle global wine campaign targeted to restaurants and retail shops in the New York City area.

It was to introduce new and current consumers to “discover the modernity and diversity of Bordeaux”.

They would do that by pouring white, red and rosé wines from 3-liter bottles which is a double magnum also called a Jeroboam. Those bottles hold four standard (750ml) bottles of wine.

The kickoff event was held on October 9th at OCabanon restaurant located at 245 West 29th Street in Manhattan with a trade tasting in the afternoon and a consumer tasting later that evening. I attended the trade tasting.

Wine in large bottles tend to age slower than wine in regular bottles, but I have to say, drinking a glass of wine poured out one of those huge bottles always taste special.

Some of what I sampled:

2015 Chateau Thieuley (Bordeaux): Opaque black with graphite and roast meat on the nose, chunky and tight with crisp acids.

2017 Chateau Blaignon (Medoc): Clear dark red with a purple rim, crushed ripe red fruit on the nose, chewy and dusty.

2018 Les Haut de Smith (Pessac-Leognan): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, perfume of ripe, earthy fruit, silky red fruit with dusty, crushed stone notes, moderate tannins and acids.

2019 Chateau Paloumey (Haut Medoc): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, crushed red graphite on the nose, chunky with firm and dusty tannins, crisp acids.

2019 Chateau Puyanche (Francs Cote de Bordeaux): Clear medium brick in color, dusty ripe fruit on the nose with chewy, dusty fruit.

2019 Chateau Clos du Roy (Lalande-de-Pomerol): Opaque black with a purple rim, nose of black ripe fruit, thick, chunky and dusty fruit, firm tannins with nice balance.

2020 Chateau Haut Selve (Graves): Opaque dark red, earth, tar and dark fruit on the nose, juicy and silky with good structure.

2020 Mouton Cadet (Bordeaux): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, closed nose of ripe red fruit, chunky and dusty ending with tight, firm tannins.

2021 Chateau Robin (Castillon): Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed stone and blueberry on the nose, concentrated fruit ending with big tannins.

2022 Chateau Pascaud (Bordeaux Superieur): Clear medium purple with a brick rim, bell pepper, white pepper and roasted nuts on the nose, chewy with minty firm tannins.

Vino Noble & Art

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Avignonesi is a winery in Tuscany, Italy with vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino. They specialize in Vin Nobile di Montalcino. Vin Nobile is a D.O.C.G (Denominazione D’Origine Controllata e Garantitta) and not surprisingly in this part of Italy where the Sangiovese grape is King, their DOCG wines are made primarily from the Sangiovese grape, specifically the Prugnolo Gentile Sangiovese clone.

They also produce wines outside the DOCG classification with international grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Those wines that are outside of the DOCG and are classified as I.G.T. (Indicazione Geografica Protetta).

Avignonesi’s stated mission is “working every day to become a good ancestor, nourishing the land and people, creating a better world for those to come”. They focus on organic and biodynamic wine practices.

On October 3rd the winery held a wine tasting in collaboration with artist Amrita Marino who created artwork for the event. The tasting was held at a Chelsea art gallery located a 541 West 25th Street in Manhattan.

They served one white and seven red wines from their portfolio.

2022 Da-Di Rosso: A field blend of various red grape varietals, clear light purple, tar, rocks and crushed red fruit on the nose, dusty leather fruit with a firm finish.

2014 Vino Nobile di Montalcino Vintage Release: 100% Sangiovese. Clear brick in color, perfume of tar and mint with tarry, silky red fruit, medium bodied.

2020 Vino Noblie di Montalcino: 100% Sangiovese. Clear light red with a brick rim, graphite on the nose, dusty, licorice fruit with firm, dusty tannins.

2020 Vino Noble di Montalcino “Poggetto di Sopra”: 100% Sangiovese. Clear dark brick, closed nose of tar ending very tight and tannic.

2021 Grifi: Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque dark red with a purple rim, tar, graphite and crushed black fruit on the nose, chewy and dusty fruit with silky tannins.

2020 Desiderio: 100% Merlot. Opaque dark red with a brick rim, big perfume of sweet crushed black fruit and dark chocolate, chewy with stone and mint notes on the fruit, great balance.

2019 50 & 50: A collaboration of two wineries, 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot. Clear medium brick with dusty graphite on the nose, firm with tight dark fruit.

Wine Spectator N.Y. Wine Experience 2024 Day 1

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The 43rd anniversary of Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience was held on October 17-19 and was sponsored by the wine spectator’s scholarship foundation.

The yearly event began in San Fransico 43 years ago and for a while alternated between San Franciso and New York City until it was decided to make New York City the permanent home for the event.

The event consisted of several vertical wine tastings and seminars in addition to two days of Critic’s Choice Grand Tastings.

The grand tastings were an opportunity to sample over 260 international wines that scored 90+ points from Wine Spectator in addition to be able to speak with many of the owners and winemakers that were pouring their wines.

I would say that this is the best wine tasting event of the year for the consumer. It was a huge event with two floors of wine.

I was lucky enough to attend both days which gave me the opportunity to sample a good amount of really good wine.

Since I couldn’t possibly sample every wine that was on hand, I narrowed down on what I would try. I decided each day would be devoted to the wines of one particular floor and on each floor, I focused on what I normally do in these massive tastings, I concentrated on Bordeaux and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with an occasional outlier.

New World

2008 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (Napa Valley): Opaque dark brick, mint, graphite and cooked fruit on the nose, chewy black fruit with mint notes, silky, firm tannins.

2014 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, toast, tar and red fruit on the nose, thick with firm tannins and acids.

2014 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford (Napa Valley): Clear medium red with a brick rim, cooked red fruit on the nose, silky black fruit, silky tannins, great balance.

2016 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, nose of violets, tar and pickle juice, juicy, chewy red leather fruit with moderate tannins and acids.

2016 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, smokey tar on the nose, chunky chocolate on the fruit with nice structure and a long finish.

2017 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, roast nuts on the nose, chunky and chewy dark fruit with dark chocolate notes, good grip.

2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, plummy, chewy, chunky with silky acids on the good grip, long finish.

2018 Heitz Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard (Napa Valley): Clear medium red with a purple rim, sweet tar on the nose, juicy dark fruit, firm tannins.

2018 Schrader Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clone (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, toasty dark chocolate on the nose, chunky and chewy with dark chocolate notes, firm grip.

2019 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mt. (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed blueberry on the nose, chewy dark fruit with lip smacking tannins, long finish.

2021 Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, chewy dark fruit with graphite notes, firm tannins.

2021 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, roasted nuts on the nose, chewy dark fruit, firm tannins.

2021 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, closed nose of ripe fruit, tight and concentrated, big tannins.

2021 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, pickle juice on the nose, tight and concentrated with mint notes, big tannins.

Old World

2010 Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac Leognan): Clear dark red with a brick rim, tar and smokey black leather on the nose, silky, peppery fruit with bitter almond on the long finish, great balance.

2010 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion (Pessac Leognan): Opaque black with a purple rim, toasty and tarry on the nose, thick dark chocolate fruit with silky tannins and a long finish.

2014 Domaine Faiveley Latricieres Chambertin Grand Cru (Burgundy): Clear medium brick, nose of tar, earth and cooked fruit, silky red fruit with earth notes and red leather on the finish, great balance.

2015 Chateau Chevel Blanc (St. Emilion): Clear medium brick, closed nose of dark chocolate, silky fruit with tight and firm tannins.

2017 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien): Opaque black with a purple rim, nose of sweet tar and smoke, bright red fruit ending with big tannins.

2018 Chateau Leoville Las Cases (St. Julien): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, perfume of tarry black fruit, silky dark fruit with cigarette smoke notes, good grip.

2019 Chateau Lynch Bages (Pauillac): Opaque black with a purple rim, dusty tar on the nose, tight, concentrated and silky with black pepper notes, firm finish.

2019 Chateau Haut-Batailley (Pauillac): Opaque black with a purple rim, roasted nuts on the nose, chewy with firm tannins.

2020 Chateau Pichon Baron (Pauillac): Opaque black with a purple rim, smokey stone on the nose, chewy, bright dark fruit ending with crisp acids.

2020 Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafite (Pessac Leognan): Opaque black with a purple rim, closed nose of crushed strawberry, chewy red fruit with firm tannins.

Spain’s Great Match NYC 2024

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On October 1st, I attended the 30th Spain’s Great Match food and wine event in New York City.

The event which was hosted by the Trade Commision of Spain, showcased 300+ wines from Spain as well as culinary and wine seminars.

This was a huge event not only with the number of wines served from all the regions of the country but with the delicious foods of Spain that were served. Those foods included paella, grilled octopus, patatas bravas and Jamon to name a few. In my opinion, Spain produces some of the best cured hams in the world.

The event was held at Mercado Little Spain, a Spanish food hall located at 10 Hudson Yards in the Hudson Yards district of Manhattan.

I attended the trade event in the afternoon with the consumer tasting later in the evening.

One thing that frustrates me is the trend to use an QR code to access the listing of the wines that are being presented instead of physical book. It makes it very difficult to take notes especially at a tasting with so many wines.

Wines of Abruzzo Master Class

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Abruzzo is one of twenty regions in Italy. It’s located in the central part of the country on the east with a coastline along the Adriatic Sea.

The region is mountainous with three different national parks and is considered the “greenest” region of Italy. It’s pretty much off the tourist trail.

Not surprisingly, they make wine. The notable red variety grown in the region is Montepulciano and for white wines that would be Trebbiano.

On September 30th, Vinous, an online wine magazine, hosted a master class of the wines of Abruzzo presented by Eric Guido.

The event was held on the 60th floor at Manhatta Restaurant located at 28 Liberty Street in lower Manhattan.

At the master class they served four whites, all made with 100% Trebbiano Abruzzese and nine reds all made with 100% Montepulciano.

It was an interesting tasting, most of the wine made in this region is red and when young the reds are very dark in color and full bodied.

Wines of Abruzzo

2021 Ciavolich Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Fosso Cancelli: Medium to dark gold, peaches and green herbs on the nose, tight, firm, with lime notes on the finish.

2022 Amorotti Trebbiano d’Abruzzo: Slightly cloudy light gold, sweet earthy nose, moderate fruit with ripe and earth notes on the fruit, good grip.

2021 Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Fonte Canale: Clear dark gold, sweet kiwi, tropical fruit and slate on the nose, firm with tart lime notes.

2021 Francesco Cirelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Anfora: Clear dark gold, sweet candy and asparagus on the nose, full fruit with cooked vegetable notes, firm finish.

2020 Cantina Tollo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Mo: Opaque dark red with a purple rim, slate and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy dark chocolate fruit with good structure.

2020 Marina Cvetic Montepulcino d’Abruzzo Riserva San Martino Rosso: Opaque black with a purple rim, sweet violet and barnyard on the nose, chewy fruit with slate notes ending with mouth filling tannins and crisp acids.

2021 La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Docheio: Opaque dark red with a purple rim, stinky, cooked vegetables and crushed rocks on the nose, chewy and chunky with good structure with bitter almond notes on the long finish.

2021 Torre Dei Beati Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Cocciapazza: Opaque black with a purple rim, dark chocolate and cooked fruit on the nose, tight and concentrated with crushed rock notes, tight tannins.

2020 Castorani Montelpuciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Podere Castorani: Opaque black with a purple rim, perfume of tar and slate on the nose, chunky with big tannins.

2020 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vecchie Vigne Branella: Dark purple with barnyard on the nose, bright black fruit with firm tannins and crisp acids.

2020 Tenuta Terraviva Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Lui: Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed peppercorn and barnyard on the nose, chunky bright red fruit with tight acids.

2021 Fattoria Nicodemi Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cocciopesto: Opaque black with a purple rim, slate and crushed black fruit on the nose, chunky with green herb notes ending with very firm tannins.

2019 Illuminati Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Pieluno: Opaque medium red with a brick rim, perfume of tar, leather and violets, silky red fruit with crushed rock notes ending with firm tannins.

The WOW Tasting Experience

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On August 10th, I attended the WOW (Wonders of Whisky) tasting experience.

It was a curated, “journey around the world through spirits” tasting of over 100 whiskies and spirits.

The event was held at The Bordone event space located in an industrial section of Long Island City, New York at 43-10 9th Street. The building was a couple of blocks from the east river and the event was held on the rooftop terrace of the building which gave us a magnificent view of the Queensborough bridge and the Manhattan skyline, even more so when the sun went down, and the lights of the city turned on.

There were mostly brown spirits being poured but gin, rum and tequila were available to sample as well.

With the brown spirits, there was a strong presence of single malt Scotch on hand but there were still plenty of Bourbon and Rye as well as Irish whiskey, Japanese whisky, Cognac and brown rum to sample.

Scotch is not usually my go to spirit but if you’re pouring a Johhny Walker Blue Label or some other nicely aged single malt, I’ll give it a try. But I do like a nice cognac, so I was happy that they poured Hennessy XO to sample.

They had two sets of live music with all women musicians performing on string instruments.

Some of what I sampled:


Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon

Brother’s Bond Rye/Bourbon
Woodinville Rye/Bourbon, 8yrWhistlepig 10yr Rye, 12yr Rye
Hakata Japanese 10yrKeeper’s Hand Irish/Am Whiskey
Glenmorangie 18yrJohhny Walker Green, 18yr
Rum Clement VSOPBarcelo Rum Anejo, Imperial

Zachys Burgundy Grand Tasting

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On September 14th, Zachys wine shop held another one of their comprehensive wine tastings at their retail store which is located at 30 Midland Avenue in Port Chester, New York.

The event was the Burgundy Grand Tasting. It was a walk around tasting of over 30 selections of wines to showcase the “diversity and complexity” of the region and to experience “the essence of Burgundy’s terroir”.

The majority of the wines were from the 2021 vintage which was a “challenging” vintage. A challenging year usually means that the grapes didn’t have the opportunity to ripen which in Burgundy means that many of the wines come out thin with high acids.

It was an excellent tasting of wines from one of the premier wine regions of the world, but I have to admit that I was struggling to find a red that I would enjoy having a full glass of, I did try some nice whites though.

Some of what I sampled:

White

2016 J.Michel Guillon Santenay Blanc: Clear medium gold, ripe peaches on the nose, juicy, moderate fruit ending with good acidity.

2017 J. Michel Guillon Marsannay Blanc “Champs Pedrix”: Clear light gold, roast almonds on the nose, nice fruit with a firm, spicy finish.

2021 J. Drouhin Meursault: Clear light gold, perfume of tropical fruits, moderate fruit with firm acids on the balanced finish.

2022 JJ Vincent Pouilly Fuisse “Marie Antoinette”: Light gold, tropical fruit notes on the nose, moderate juicy fruit with some toast notes on the finish, nice balance.

2022 Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc “Oncle Vincent”: Clear, almost colorless, lime notes on the nose, juicy, citrusy and toasty, good grip.

Red

2020 J. Drouhin Corton: Clear medium purple, pretty perfume of smokey crushed raspberry, silky red leather fruit ending with firm tannins.

2021 Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils Nuits St Georges: Clear medium brick, red cherry on the nose, moderate silky fruit, balanced finish.

2021 J. Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir: Clear light purple, perfume of sweet red leather and smoke, dusty fruit with crushed rock notes, tart finish.

2021 Domaine Parent Pommard “Les Epenots”: Clear light brick, perfume of tar and sandalwood, silky, red tarry fruit, firm grip.

2021 J. Faiveley Bourgogne: Clear light purple, perfume of sweet red leather and smoke, dusty, crushed rocks on the fruit, tart acids.

2021 J. Faiveley Mercurey “La Framboisiere” Monopole: Clear light purple, sweet smokey tar on the nose, plummy with tight leather fruit.

2021 J. Drouhin Clos des Mouches: Clear light purple with a spicy, tarry, smokey nose, silky red fruit with stone notes, firm with a long finish.

2021 Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin “Mes Cinq Terroirs”: Clear light purple, closed nose of roast meat, moderate tight red fruit with a tight and firm finish.

Wine Enthusiast Sip of Italy

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On September 10, Wine Enthusiast magazine held another in their “Sip” series of wine tastings. The last one was Sip of South America and this time around it was Sip of Italy.

The event was an opportunity to sample Italian wines from 50 wineries from all the geographic Italian wine regions.

Coming on the heels of Suckling’s great wines of Italy tasting the previous week, the start of the month of September was full of Italian wines. I attended the trade tasting in the afternoon and there was a tasting open to the public that evening.

The event was held at City Winery located at 25 11th Avenue on the west side Manhattan.

I wanted to sample as many Amarone as possible before moving on to the other regions.

Some of what I sampled:

2021 La Collina dei Ciliegi “Prea” (Veneto): Clear medium gold, spicy cinnamon on the nose, full juicy fruit with floral notes, good balance.

2022 Bozen Sauvignon Blanc “Mock” (Alto Adige): Clear light gold, peachy grass on the nose, moderate fruit with good acidity and balance.

2015 Pasqua Amarone “Mai Dire Mai” (Veneto): Medium opaque brick, tar and mint on the nose, juicy red fruit, firm finish.

2017 Santi Amarone (Veneto): Clear light brick with a tarry nose, chewy and tarry, ripe fruit, long finish.

2018 La Collina dei Ciliegi Amarone “Ciliego” (Veneto): Opaque dark brick, smoke, tar and ripe prunes on the nose, firm, chewy leather fruit with a smokey grip at the end.

2018 Zenato Amarone (Veneto): Opaque medium brick, crushed black fruit on the nose, chewy ripe fruit with a good grip and nice balance.

2018 Bolla Amarone (Veneto): Clear light brick, smokey black cherry on the nose, dusty, chunky black fruit ending with silky tannins.

2018 Covalli Amarone (Veneto): Clear light red, closed nose of woody tar, bright red fruit with bitter almonds on the finish.

2018 Santi Amarone (Veneto): Clear light brick, roasted nuts on the nose, juicy bright red fruit, nice balance.

2019 Cesari Amarone (Veneto): Clear medium red, smokey tar on the nose, big fruit with leather notes and good structure.

2019 Sartori Amarone “Reius” (Veneto): Clear light brick, sweet spices and roasted nuts on the nose, juicy, silky with slate notes, firm tannins.

2019 Ruffino “Modus Primo” (Tuscany): Opaque medium red with a brick rim, toasty pickle juice on the nose, chewy black leather fruit with firm, silky tannins.

2022 Gaddo Bolgheri Rosso (Tuscany): Clear medium brick, smoky black cherry on the nose, chewy, dusty black cherry fruit, good grip.

2022 Cascina Gilli Freisa “Il Forno” (Piedmont): An obscure grape varietal, clear medium brick, raspberry and red leather on the nose, bright red fruit, firm finish.

Vintus Portfolio Tasting 2024

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Vintus, a company founded 20 years ago, is one of the many importers in the New York City area. Like most importers they will have a tasting of the wines and spirits in their portfolio to showcase to members of the restaurant/hospitality industry. Those tastings are usually a couple of times a year, in the Spring and in the Autumn.

On September 9th they held this season’s portfolio tasting.

The event was held at Saint Bartholomew’s church, a Protestant Episcopal church founded in 1835. It’s located at 325 Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan.

As far as trade tastings go, this was one of the most spectacular venues in which to host a tasting, the interior of the church where the tasting was held is beautiful. And many of the wines in their portfolio weren’t too bad either.

Some highlights:

2020 Far Mountain Myrna Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley): Clear light gold, floral, roast peaches on the nose, moderate body with roasted nuts notes and good acidity.

2022 Chateau de Nalys Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Grand Vin (Rhone): Clear light gold, white flowers on the nose, spicy cinnamon fruit with a good grip.

2010 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark brick, cigarette smoke on the nose, silky, black olive fruit with silky tannins and a long finish.

2018 Hospices de Beaune 1er Cru Dames Hospitalieres (Burgundy): Clear medium brick, perfume of plummy leather and mint, tight with spicy tree bark fruit notes, goof grip on the long finish.

2018 Mondot (St Emilion): Opaque medium purple, dark chocolate and black olives on the nose, chewy black fruit, silky finish, nice balance.

2019 Tommasi Amarone Classico (Veneto): Clear medium brick, crushed green herbs on the nose, silky and juicy tarry leather fruit, balanced with a long finish.

2018 Chateau Troplong Mondot (St Emilion): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, crushed red fruit on the nose, concentrated and silky red fruit ending with silky tannins.

2020 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis (Rhone): Opaque dark red, nose of sweet tar and dirt, chewy black fruit with a long finish and a great balance.

2020 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune e Blonde (Rhone): Opaque medium purple, sweet roasted meat on the nose, concentrated and chunky with crushed stone notes on the balanced and long finish.

2020Le Macchiole Paleo Rosso (Tuscany): Cabernet Franc, clear medium red with a purple rim, dusty stone on the nose, juicy black licorice fruit, good grip at the end.

2020 Far Mountain Fission Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County): Opaque black with a purple rim, black olives on the nose, concentrated black fruit of smokey leather with a long, tarry finish.

2020 Far Mountain Amotus Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County): Opaque black with a purple rim, violets, dark chocolate and spicy black olives on the nose, concentrated with tobacco, pencil shavings and dark chocolate on the fruit, great balance, long finish. A big wine.

2021 Petrolo Galatrona (Tuscany): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, dusty red tar on the nose, tight and concentrated with a moderate finish.

2021 Lucien Le Moine Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint Jacques (Burgundy): Clear light brick, nose of tar, dirt and cigarette smoke, juicy red fruit with bitter almond notes on the finish.

2021 Lucien Le Moine Chambolle-Musigny Rouge Reserve (Burgundy): Clear light red, nice perfume of tar, barnyard and smoke, tight black cherry fruit with a good grip at the end.

2021 Chateau La Fleur Petrus (Pomerol): Opaque dark red with a purple rim, woody, dusty sweet tar on the nose, silky red fruit, great balance with Asian spices on the long finish.

2021 Chateau Malescot St. Exupery (Pauillac): Opaque medium purple, perfume of slate and crushed black fruit, concentrated with dusty fruit, great structure, long finish.