Tag: Bordeaux

Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience 2025 Day 1

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The 44th annual Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience was held on October 16-18.

It was three days of wine seminars and two days of the Grand Tastings on Thursday and Friday nights.

The event which raises money for the Wine Spectator Scholarship fund, was first held in San Francisco and alternated between that city and New York City until they decided to make New York the permanent home for the event.

The Grand Tasting which was open to the public is, in my opinion, the best wine tasting event of the year. It was two floors of over 265 participating international wineries and chateaux serving their wines that scored 90+ on the Spectator rating scale.

I was lucky enough to be able to attend both nights. It’s a massive amount of high-quality wines and as in the case in these types of mega tastings, I focused my efforts. On day 1 that focus was on the red wines of Bordeaux and (mostly) California Napa Valley. What was exciting is that most of the wineries showcased an older vintage of their wines which is always a treat to experience.

The event was held at the Mariott Marquis hotel at 1535 Broadway in the heart of the theater district in Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled:

Napa Valley

2009 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, peppery tree bark on the nose, chewy dark fruit with black pepper notes, firm grip.

2011 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon “Monte Bello” (Santa Cruz Mts.): Opaque black, brick rim, perfume of violets, roast meat and a touch of oregano, silky bright red fruit with a nice grip and firm tannin.

2012 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Special Selection” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, perfume of sweet red fruit and white pepper, chewy and chunky dark fruit with dark chocolate and spicy red fruit notes, good grip, long finish.

2013 Opus One (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, brick rim, sweet tar, white pepper and saline on the nose, tight and concentrated black fruit with a chewy, long finish.

2014 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon “Gravelly Meadow” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed black fruit, pickle juice and milk chocolate on the nose, chewy and chunky with dark chocolate notes, nice balance.

2014 Harlan Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black, slate and tar on the nose, chewy black fruit with a great balance.

2016 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon “Kathryn Hall” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, chalk and barnyard on the nose, chewy and chunky with crushed stone, dirt and saline notes, firm grip, long finish.

2016 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, dirty tar and red roses on the nose, tight and concentrated black fruit ending with crisp acidity.

2017 Bond Red Blend “Vecina” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed rocks and pickle juice on the nose, chewy dark fruit with tree bark notes ending with firm tannin.

2017 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon “Lot No 1” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, spicy crushed black fruit and tar on the nose, chewy and tarry black fruit ending with a firm grip.

2018 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon “Solari” (Napa Valley): Opaque medium red, brick rim, sweet tar and crushed green herbs on the nose, silky red fruit with stone and chalk notes, firm grip.

2019 Joseph Phelps Red Blend “Insignia” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, tobacco, cooked asparagus and dirty chocolate on the nose, thick and concentrated black fruit with smoke, steel and herb notes, firm grip, long finish.

2021 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard “The Reserve” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, juicy green herbs on the nose, chewy, chunky and dusty black fruit with slate and dark chocolate notes, long and firm finish.

2021 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Heritage Clone” (Napa Valley): Opaque thick black, violets and black pepper on the nose, thick and concentrated black fruit with a nice grip and long finish.

2022 Continuum Estate Sage Mountain Vineyard (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, cigarette smoke, white pepper and violets on the nose, chewy and silky with lip smacking tannin. Still young.

Bordeaux

2001 Chateau Phelan Segur (St. Estephe): Opaque black, dirt, mint and dark chocolate on the nose, thick and chewy with gritty chocolate notes on the silky finish, nice grip.

2010 Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe): Dark red with a brick rim, cedar, tar and cooked vegetable on the nose, silky, chewy fruit with dark chocolate notes, firm grip, long finish.

2014 Chateau Haut Brion (Pessac Leognan): Clear medium red, dirty chocolate on the nose, tight red fruit ending with firm acidity.

2014 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion (Pessac Leognan): Clear medium red, brick rim, dirty black fruit on the nose, tight and concentrated black fruit ending with firm acidity.

2014 Chateau Montrose (St. Estephe): Opaque dark red, tar, sweet chocolate and toasty black cherry on the nose, concentrated and tight black fruit with dusty slate and gun metal notes, balanced grip with a long finish.

2015 Chateau Langoa Barton (St. Julien): Opaque black, purple rim, dirty chocolate on the nose, tight, silky red fruit, nice grip, some heat.

2016 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien): Opaque black, purple rim, green herbs and chalk on the nose, chewy bright red fruit ending tight.

2016 Chateau Giscours (Margaux): Opaque dark red, purple rim, sweet barnyard and dirt on the nose, tight black fruit ending with big tannin.

Zachys Bordeaux Grand Tasting

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Zachys is a fine wine retailer and auction house. Founded in 1944 by Zachy Zacharia, it was a destination wine shop in suburban Scarsdale for many years. They eventually moved their store and operations to Port Chester, New York at 30 Midland Avenue.

Like many wine shops, they will host informal wine tastings for customers, but on occasion they will host a ticketed and a more focused wine tasting.

Port Chester is about an hour train ride north from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. I’ve been to several of those ticked tastings and I can say that it’s worth the train ride. Whatever theme or category the tasting will be, it will be an excellent tasting, and they will be pouring quality juice.

On September 20th, they held a Bordeaux Grand Tasting. The event featured over 30 wines from the major appellations. It was a very enjoyable tasting because they not only poured current vintages, but poured some older vintages as well.

Pauillac

2003 Chateau d’Armailhac: Cloudy medium brick, big perfume of violets and sweet crushed gravel, chewy dark fruit with mint notes, great balance and a long finish.

2021 Chateau-Pontet Canet: Clear medium purple, ceder, graphite and cigarette smoke on the nose, silky red fruit with dusty, tree bark notes on the finish.

2022 Chateau Lynch-Bages: Opaque dark red, purple rim, slate and gun metal on the nose, chewy and dusty crushed black fruit ending with silky tannin.

2022 Chateau Clerc Milon: Opaque dark red, purple rim, cedar and sweet red fruit on the nose, dense and chewy black fruit with a good grip and a balanced and long plummy finish.

2022 Chateau Haut Batailley: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of ripe fruit, chewy red fruit with silky, firm tannin, long finish.

Pessac-Leognan

2014 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte: Opaque dark brick, perfume of cedar, cigarette smoke and sweet cooked fruit, chewy with mouth crunching tannin, long finish with mint notes.

2019 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte: Opaque dark brick, perfume of smoke and barnyard, chewy black fruit with crushed rock notes, silky and dusty tannin on the balanced finish.

2022 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte: Opaque dark purple, cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy black fruit with silky and firm tannin with green herbs on the long finish.

Margaux

2008 Chateau Rauzan-Selga: Cloudy dark brick, stinky barnyard on the nose, silky, chewy red fruit with barnyard notes on the firm finish.

2009 Chateau Rauzan-Selga: Opaque dark brick, crushed slate and barnyard on the nose, chewy red leather fruit with roast meat notes, chewy finish with a great balance.

2021 Chateau Rauzan-Selga: Opaque dark purple, mint, red tar and roast meat on the nose, concentrated tight red fruit with bitter cherry notes, moderate tannin and acidity, long finish.

2022 Chateau Rauzan-Selga: Opaque black, purple rim, crush red berry, mint and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy and toasty fruit with dark chocolate notes, good grip, long finish.

Saint-Julien

2014 Chateau Branaire Ducru: Opaque dark brick, tar, mint and barnyard on the nose, chewy dark fruit with crunchy tannin, great grip, tarry finish.

2016 Chateau Branaire Ducru: Clear medium brick, tree bark and red tar on the nose, concentrated and dusty ending with tart acidity.

2018 Chateau Branaire Ducru: Opaque medium brick, sweet barnyard on the nose, chewy, mouth filling fruit with cedar and gun metal notes, great balance.

Saint-Emillion

2005 Chateau Canon: Opaque medium brick, perfume of slate, steel and dirt, chewy fruit and chewy tannin with crushed rock notes, long finish.

2009 Chateau Canon: Opaque cloudy dark brick, ripe, juicy fruit on the nose, chunky and steely with bitter cherry notes ending with a nice grip.

2015 Chateau Canon: Opaque black with a brick rim, saline, cinnamon and earth notes on the nose, chewy with slate notes, great grip, long finish.

2022 Chateau Canon: Opaque medium brick, perfume of dusty red fruit, chewy red fruit with green herb notes, nice grip, long finish.

Saint-Estephe

2016 Chateau Les Bosq: Opaque dark brick, ripe red fruit on the nose, chewy and chunky dark chocolate fruit, good grip.

Suckling’s Great Wine World NYC 2025

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James Suckling is a journalist and wine critic that regularly organizes and hosts wine events in Miami, San Francisco and New York City.

On June 11 & 12 he hosted the Great Wine World New York City wine event, which was held at The Glasshouse, a venue located on the far west side of midtown Manhattan at 660 12th Avenue.

There are mega tastings and there was this. Two days of a 3 hour walk around tasting each day featuring 800 wines of the world rated 90+ points from Suckling from 380 producers from 55 wine producing countries, with different wines on each day.

This year they had 6,000 attendees with consumers and members of the trade about evenly split between them. 100% of the proceeds from the cost of the trade ticket went to the California Fire Foundation.

There was plenty of excellent juice to sample those two days. It was a little hectic and confusing because the wine booths were in alphabetical order instead of bunched up by country, so you basically spent the time wandering around cavernous venue looking for the wines you were interested in sampling. But I suppose that way most of the people in attendance didn’t congregate at the most popular tables.

It was a very nice tasting.

As usual for me at these big tastings, I focused my energies on Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

Some of what I sampled:

Old World

2015 Chateau Pontet Canet (Pauillac): Opaque dark brick, tar, graphite and dark chocolate on the nose, tight red fruit with crushed rock notes on the firm finish.

2015 Chateau Gloria (St. Julien): Opaque dark red, perfume of milk chocolate and barnyard, tight black fruit ending with crisp acids.

2016 Chateau Malartic Lagraviere (Pessac Leognan): Opaque dark purple, crushed sweet red fruit on the nose, juicy black fruit ending with a nice balance.

2017 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac): Opaque medium red, sweet tree bark on the nose, tight with barnyard notes and a firm finish.

2018 Chateau Sociando Mallet (Haut Medoc): Opaque dark red, perfume of violets and plums, chewy, minty fruit with firm tannin.

2018 Chateau des Laurets Baron (St. Emillion): Opaque dark red, purple rim, barnyard on the nose, tight and concentrated with oaky tannin on the firm finish.

2019 Chateau Giscours (Margeaux): Opaque dark purple, crushed stone on the nose, tight, dusty fruit with green stem notes, silky tannin.

2020 Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse (Pauillac): Opaque dark red, black fruit and graphite on the nose, chewy, dusty fruit with slate and black olive notes on the finish, good grip.

New World

2019 Heitz Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque medium purple, black pepper on the nose, concentrated and juicy black fruit with stone and crushed nut notes on the finish, good grip.

2019 St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon “Dollarhide” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, nose of petroleum and crushed dark berries, juicy and chewy black fruit with mint notes, firm finish.

2021 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Benchland Select” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, black olives and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy with slate notes and graphite on the finish.

2021 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon “The Gryphon” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, crushed blueberry on the nose, concentrated spicy red fruit, with peppery notes ending with dusty, silky tannin.

2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Fay” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, graphite, toast, smoke and crushed strawberry on the nose, tight and concentrated black fruit with gun metal notes on the firm finish.

2021 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, crushed blueberry and roast meat on the nose, chewy, concentrated red fruit with graphite and slate notes on the finish, good grip.

2021 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed blueberry and fresh rosemary on the nose, concentrated chunky black fruit, crushed stone notes and silky tannin. Firm tannin and acids on the young wine.

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black, crushed blueberry and milk chocolate on the nose, chunky and chewy black fruit with slate notes on the firm finish.

2022 Quintessa Red Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, sweet blueberry on the nose, juicy blueberry fruit with dark chocolate notes on the nicely balanced finish.

2022 Amici Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, dark chocolate on the nose, chunky and chewy with dusty, lip-smacking fruit.

2022 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir “MacGregor Estate” (Sonoma): Opaque dark brick, blueberries and forest floor on the nose, silky red fruit with dark chocolate notes.

Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York City 2025

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On June 7th, I attended the fourth annual Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter. Decanter is a British based wine magazine with news focusing on wine regions, wine makers and wine with the requisite wine reviews and buyers guide.

It was a consumer tasting event with several sit-down master classes, a walk around Grand Tasting and a separate room dedicated to wines from this years featured region of Rioja, Spain where over 30 wines from that region were available to sample. The Grand Tasting brought together more than 55 world wine producers to showcase their wines.

This event was a very nice consumer tasting. The event didn’t have the quantity of wines that the mega tastings of the Suckling, Icons or Spectator tastings had but they did have a tight, well curated list of global wines on hand.

I liked the fact that the Bordeaux and California wineries that were there all brought a bottle or two of an older vintage wine to sample along with the current release wine.

There was enough good wine with an amazing view from the 60th floor for an enjoyable afternoon.

Some of what I sampled:

New World

2022 La Jota W.S. Keyes Vineyard Chardonnay Howell Mtn. (Napa Valley): Medium gold with greenish tints, sweet white flowers on the nose, juicy peach and melon fruit, good structure.

2022 Cobb Doc’s Ranch JoAnn’s Block Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast): Medium gold, toasty white flowers on the nose, tight with good acidity.

1999 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, brick rim, pretty perfume of black olives, mint and dark chocolate, chewy fruit with chocolate and stone notes.

2013 Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir Chehalem Mts. (Oregon): Clear light brick, tree bark on the nose, dusty and minty fruit with firm structure.

2014 Quintessa Rutherford (Napa Valley): Magnum. Opaque black, brick rim, green olives and milk chocolate on the nose, chunky and chewy with black olive and dark chocolate notes, great structure.

2015 Cornerstone Oakville Station Merlot (Napa Valley): Opaque medium purple, warm crushed red fruit on the nose, chewy with licorice notes, good grip, long finish.

2015 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn. (Napa Valley): Opaque black, dark purple rim, mint, tobacco and roast meat on the nose, chewy and concentrated with black licorice notes, firm structure, long finish.

2015 Delille Cellars Harrison Hills (Columbia Valley): Opaque dark red, crushed black fruit on the nose, tight with earth and tree bark notes, firm finish.

2015 Black Stallion Estate Transcendent (Napa Valley): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Opaque dark red, purple rim, toasty barnyard on the nose, tight, silky red fruit with mint notes, firm, long finish.

2016 Outpost Wines True Vineyard Immigrant Howell Mtn. (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed red fruit, bacon and dark chocolate on the nose, tight with slate notes, crisp acids.

2021 Clos du Val Yettalil Stags Leap District (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red to black, roast meat and crushed black fruit on the nose, concentrated and firm with slate notes and a long finish.

2021 Outpost Wines Howell Mtn. Grenache (Napa Valley): Clear medium red, crushed strawberry and tree bark on the nose, tight with ripe and chewy fruit, firm finish.

2022 Quintessa Rutherford (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, crushed stone and red berries on the nose, chewy with bitter cherry and smoke notes, nice structure.

Old World

2010 Chateau Lascombes (Margaux): Opaque medium brick, mint and black olives on the nose, smoky and chewy with tobacco and slate notes, great balance.

2012 Chateau Clerc Milon (Pauillac): Magnum. Opaque medium red, mint, tar and black olives on the nose, chewy and smoky with slate notes, great balance, long finish.

2015 Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac Leognan): Opaque dark brick, closed nose of forest floor and dark plums, smoky and chewy with mint notes on the firm tannins.

2018 Jean Claude Boisset Chambolle Musigny (Burgundy): Clear medium brick, barnyard on the nose, silky red fruit with bitter cherry notes on the finish, good balance.

2019 Pasqua Amarone Famiglia Pasqua (Veneto): Clear light red, bacon fat on the nose, chewy red fruit with leather and crushed berry notes, balanced with a good grip.

Vinous Icons New York City 2025

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Antonio Galloni is a wine critic and founder of the internet wine magazine Vinous. On February 27-March 1, the magazine held its second edition of Vinous Icons New York which was a series of wine dinners and two walk around tastings.

This year the event was held at the Pier Sixty event space at 60 Chelsea Piers on the west side of Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River.

This space was much larger than the venue that held the event last year with more room to walk around, in addition to a great view of the New Jersey skyline across the river.

The events were open to members of the trade and to the public and I attended both walk around tastings on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

This is one of the best wine tasting experiences of the year with the sheer quantity of top end wines to sample from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and the United States.

With so many wines available to try, as usual I focused my attention on the wines of Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Most of the wineries poured different wines on each day so there was more than enough on both days to keep me busy with those two wine regions.

Some of what I sampled:

Old World

2006 Chateau La Grange (St Emilion): Clear medium brick, black olives and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy, black licorice fruit, chewy tannins with crushed rock notes on the finish.

2009 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, dirty cooked fruit and dark chocolate on the nose, dense and chewy with silky tannins and dark chocolate notes on the long finish.

2010 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque dark red, brick rim, closed nose of smoke and tree bark, dense and chewy dark chocolate fruit, silky tannins, great balance.

2015 Chateau Haut Bailly (Pessac Leognan): Clear medium brick, tarry dirt on the nose, chewy graphite fruit ending with firm tannins.

2015 Chateau Troplong Mondot (St Emilion): Opaque black, brick rim, closed nose of crushed stone, chewy dark fruit with firm tannins, balanced acidity.

2016 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque dark red, brick rim, tarry barnyard on the nose, tight red fruit, firm tannins.

2020 Chateau Pichon Longueville (Pauillac): Opaque dark purple, toasty violets on the nose, tight with chewy red fruit, firm, long finish, still young at this point.

***

2008 Ornellaia (Tuscany): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and leather on the nose, chewy dark fruit with slate notes, nice acidity, long finish.

2014 Vega Sicilia “Unico” (Ribera del Duero): Opaque dark red, brick rim, smoky dirt and tar on the nose, chewy, dusty fruit with graphite notes, long finish.

2016 Bodegas Vatan “Arena” (Toro): Opaque black, purple rim, spicy red cherry nose, chewy dense fruit with tar, mint and smoke notes on the finish, great balance.

2016 Allegrini Amarone “Ferramonte”(Veneto): Opaque medium brick, pencil shaving and mint notes on the nose, chewy, chunky dark fruit with great balance.

2019 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany): Clear light brick, toasty dirty cherry on the nose, moderate chewy fruit with leather notes, drinking nicely now.

2020 Isole e Olena “Cepparello” (Tuscany): Opaque medium brick, brick rim, tar, graphite and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy with silky acids with dusty tar notes on the finish.

2021 Ornellaia (Tuscany): Opaque dark red, purple rim, stinky tar and leather on the nose, chewy, dense and dusty fruit with slate notes, nice balance.

New World

2014 Stag’s Leap Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Fay” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, brick rim, blueberry and crushed rocks on the nose, chewy dark fruit with tar and cigarette smoke notes ending with firm tannins.

2015 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, smoky tar and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with slate and chocolate notes on the finish.

2018 Continuum Estate Red Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, dark chocolate on the nose, concentrated dark fruit ending with nice balance.

2021 Brand Proprietary Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, stemmy, plummy smoke on the nose, chewy black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins.

2021 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, tree bark on the nose, chewy black fruit with mint notes, silky and firm tannins on the long finish.

2021 Futo “Seta” (Napa Valley)” A red blend, opaque dark red, purple rim, stone and crushed rocks on the nose, concentrated dark silky fruit with slate and dark chocolate notes, great balance.

2021 Futo Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed rocks, smoke and blueberry on the nose, juicy, silky fruit with silky, firm tannins on the finish.

2021 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon “Red Rock Terrace” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, ripe smoke and black fruit on the nose, tight and chewy dark chocolate fruit firm tannins on the great balance, still young.

2021 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon “Volcanic Hill” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed black fruit and blueberries on the nose, concentrated black fruit, nice silky tannins, great balance.

2021 Vineyardist Cabernet Sauvignon “Heritage Ridge” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, smoky dirt on the nose, concentrated, chewy and chunky with silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 Vineyardist Cabernet Sauvignon “Calarcadia Vineyard” (Napa Vally): Opaque black, closed nose of slate and crushed rocks, silky dark chocolate fruit, firm tannins on the nice balance.

2021 Stag’s Leap Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Fay” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, stone, tree bark and crushed sweet fruit on the nose, chewy black fruit, firm and silky tannins, long finish, still young.

2021 Repris Cabernet Franc Moon Mtn. Vineyard (Sonoma): Opaque dark red, purple rim, closed nose of vanilla and milk chocolate, mouth coating dark fruit with dusty, firm tannins, long finish.

2021 Ovid Red Blend “Hexameter” (Napa Valley): A Cabernet Franc focused wine, opaque black, purple rim, tree bark and milk chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit ending with toast notes on the crisp tannins.

2021 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir “Raschen Ridge” (Sonoma Coast): Clear medium purple, spicy cinnamon on the nose, juicy, dusty red fruit, nice balance.

2021 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon “Sacrashe Vineyard” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, chewy and thick fruit with graphite notes on the silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon “Coombsville” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, crushed rocks on the nose, dense and tarry red fruit, dusty finish, nice balance.

2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir “Richaven” (Russian River Valley): Opaque dark red, toasty red fruit on the nose, juicy dark fruit with tar notes, crisp acids.

2022 Tor Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, brick rim, dark plum and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy and minty fruit ending with silky tannins.

Wine Paris 2025

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On February 10-12, I attended the 6th annual Wine Paris global wine & spirits exposition in Paris, France.

According to Vinexposium which is the organization running the event, there were 4,600 exhibitors from 50 producer countries with a record attendance this year of 52,000 people from 140 countries.

The event was held at the Porte de Versailles expo center located in the southern part of the city served by a couple of lines on the Metro system.

It was a huge event with many pavilions showcasing the wines of the world, not surprisingly, the largest was the French wine pavilion which is where I spent my first afternoon.

Some of what sampled:

White

2022 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis (Burgundy): Clear light gold with lime notes on the nose, juicy with good acidity.

2022 Montirus “Mineral” (Vacqueyras): Clear medium gold, lime and tropical fruit notes on the nose, medium bodied and nicely balanced.

2022 Albert Bichot Bourgogne Aligoté (Burgundy): Clear light gold, spicy tropical notes on the nose, moderate juicy with good balance.

2023 Jean Charton Pugliny-Montrachet “Clos de la Pucelle” (Burgundy): Clear light gold, tropical fruit notes and toast on the nose, juicy fruit with roast nut notes followed with nice acidity.

2023 Jean Charton Chevalier-Montrachet “Clos des Chevaliers” (Burgundy): Recently bottled, clear light gold with toasty tropical fruit notes on the nose, juicy, sweet fruit with nice acidity.

2023 Domaine Berthelmont Puligny-Montrachet “Les Foltieres” (Burgundy): Clear light gold, sweet green herbs on the nose, juicy moderate fruit, balanced and long finish.

Red

2006 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy dark fruit with green herbs, slate and tree bark notes.

2007 Domaine de Reveirolles Chateauneuf du Pape (Rhone): Clear medium brown, brown rim, dirt notes on the nose, chewy fruit with minty chocolate on the finish.

2012 Domaine Bosquet des Papes (Chateauneuf du Pape): Opaque dark brick, brick rim, dark chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with slate and chocolate notes ending with silky tannins,

2014 Manuel Olivier Vosne Romanee (Burgundy): Clear light brick, tarry nose, juicy and firm moderate fruit, silky tannins, long finish.

2015 Benjamin de Beauregard (Pomerol): Opaque dark brick, brick rim, cooked vegetable on the nose, concentrated tight moderate to light fruit, toasty finish.

2017 Chateau Petit Mongot (St. Emilion): Opaque dark red, purple rim, perfume of violets, bell pepper and cooked vegetable, concentrated black fruit ending with moderate tannins and acids.

2018 Anseillan (Pauillac): Opaque dark red, brick rim, dusty ripe tar on the nose, tight and juicy fruit with stone notes, good grip, long finish.

2019 Philippe le Hardi Gevrey-Chambertin “Cru Petite Chappelle” (Burgundy): Clear light brick, toasty barnyard on the nose, chewy milk chocolate with silky tannins.

2019 Pauillac de Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac): Opaque black, brick rim, toasty slate on the nose, concentrated dusty fruit, firm, toasty finish.

2019 Chateau Angludet (Margaux): Opaque dark red, brick rim, toast notes on the nose, chewy black fruit with a toasty, firm long finish.

2019 Chateau Endos Haut Mazeyres (Pomerol): Opaque dark red, warm crushed dark fruit and tar on the nose, juicy dark fruit with silky, graphite tannins, good balance.

2022 Roland Lavantureux Bourgogne “Les Fauconniers” (Burgundy): Clear medium purple, roast meat and barnyard on the nose, juicy red leather fruit ending with firm tannins, long finish.

2022 Chateau de Laborde Gevrey-Chambertin “Villes Vignes” (Burgundy): Clear medium purple, spicy wet cardboard on the nose, juicy red fruit with tar notes, good balance.

Union Grands Crus Bordeaux New York City 2025

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The Union Grand Crus Bordeaux was founded in 1973 and currently has 132 Chateaux members covering 14 appellations. The Union promotes the Grand Cru wines of its members with over 80 worldwide events.

In the beginning of each year, the Union tours the United States to introduce the newly released vintage. On January 20th the tour stopped New York City with both a tasting for the trade in the afternoon and another tasting for consumers in the evening. As in years past, the event was held at the Cipriani event space located at 120 East 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan across from Grand Central Terminal.

Bordeaux is a huge wine producing region with over 6 times the vine area planted than Napa Valley. Everyone focuses on the top tier wines, but you can grab a nice bottle for everyday drinking especially in good vintages, without having to pay the sky-high prices that the top tier wines charge.

Bordeaux had a string of some excellent vintages in the late ’90’s and early 2000’s but the last few vintages have been challenging for them, and I didn’t know what to expect at the tasting. From what I understood, 2022 was a “weird” year. The weather for the year had all the hallmarks of turning into a lousy vintage, but the wines turned out much better than anyone anticipated.

Reading the reviews from wine writers, the word “fresh” popped up very often. I meant that to mean the juicy, bright red fruit and moderate tannins and acidity that I was getting from many of the wines that I sampled. I didn’t get the teeth chatting tannins from most of the wines that I’ve gotten in other years. Of course, there were wines with firm tannins and brisk acids and knowing that these wines are still very young and need some more time in the bottle to flesh out.

I thought the vintage came out somewhere in the middle in style, I was pleasantly surprised and think that many of the wines will be for early drinking,

Vintage 2022

Saint-Julien

Chateau Beychevelle: Opaque dark red, purple rim, dark chocolate and sweet fruit on the nose, juicy and chewy ending with moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Branaire-Ducru: Opaque medium red, brick rim, sweet tar and cigarette smoke on the nose, juicy, earthy fruit ending with moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Gloria: Opaque dark red, perfume of violets and white pepper, juicy dark fruit, moderate tannins with tart notes at the end.

Chateau Gruaud Larose: Clear medium red, purple rim, dusty black fruit on the nose, juicy, tight red fruit, tight finish.

Chateau Leoville Poyferre: Opaque dark red, purple rim, tar and crushed dark fruit on the nose, tight fruit with crushed rock notes, very firm finish.

Chateau Talbot: Clear medium red, crushed red fruit, green herbs and milk chocolate on the nose, juicy and dusty red fruit ending with moderate tannins.

Chateau Lagrange: Clear medium red, graphite on the nose, dusty fruit ending with crisp tannins.

Saint-Estephe

Chateau de Pez: Clear medium red, brick rim, tar and leather on the nose, juicy with leather notes, silky tannins and finish.

Chateau Phelan Segur: Clear medium red, black licorice and earth on the nose, chewy black fruit with dusty, silky moderate tannins.

Chateau Cos Labory: Clear medium red, tarry roast meat and pencil shavings on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with lip smacking tannins.

Pauillac

Chateau d’Armailac: Clear medium red, dirty tar on the nose, chewy black fruit ending with very firm tannins.

Chateau Pichon Baron: Opaque medium red, brick rim, spicy dark chocolate on the nose, juicy dark fruit with chocolate notes, moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande: Clear medium red, dusty red fruit on the nose, juicy black licorice fruit, silky tannins, long finish.

Pomerol

Chateau Clinet: Clear medium brick, dusty stone and white pepper on the nose, juicy red fruit with silky tannins and moderate acids.

Chateau Gazin: Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed red fruit and green herbs on the nose, very tight.

Chateau Rouget: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of dark fruit, sweet tar and cigarette smoke, juicy black licorice ending fruit with firm but silky tannins.

Saint-Emilion

Chateau Canon: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of sweet red fruit, juicy red fruit with moderate, crisp tannins.

Chateau Canon-La-Gaffeliere: Clear medium red, dusty, dirty nose, juicy red fruit with dark chocolate notes ending with moderate tannins and acid.

Clos Fourtet: Opaque medium purple, purple rim, crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy red fruit with silky tannins.

Chateau Franc Mayne: Clear medium red, dirty, stinky nose, chewy red fruit, silky, juicy tannins with some bitter almond notes on the finish, well balanced.

Haut-Medoc

Chateau de Camensac: Opaque dark red, purple rim, sweet tar and dirt on the nose, chewy, tarry fruit with silky tannins and moderate to low acidity.

Chateau Beaumont: Opaque dark red, purple rim, closed nose of sweet spice, chewy black fruit with barnyard notes, firm tannins.

Chateau Coufran: Clear medium to dark red, closed nose, chewy with bitter almond notes, tannic.

Pessac-Leognan

Domaine de Chevalier: Opaque dark red, roast nuts and violet on the nose, very tight and tannic at this point.

Chateau Haut-Bailly: Clear medium red, barnyard notes on the nose, juicy with lip smacking tannins.

Chateau Pape Clement: Opaque medium red, purple rim, spicy toast on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with crisp acids.

Margaux

Chateau Kirwan: Clear medium red, crushed red fruit on the nose, juicy with bitter cherry notes on the firm tannins.

Chateau Prieure-Lichine: Clear medium brick, tarry dirt on the nose, chewy red leather fruit with dark chocolate notes ending with moderate tannins and acids.

Sauternes & Barsac

From what I sampled, 2022 seems like a good year for the botrytis wines, most were nicely balanced.

Chateau Bastor-LamontagneChateau Doisy Daene
Chateau Doisy-VedrinesChateau Guiraud
Chateau Suduiraut

Wine Spectator N.Y. Wine Experience 2024 Day 2

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The 43rd annual Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience was held on last October 17-19. It was three days of wine seminars and a Critics Choice grand tasting. The proceeds were for benefit of The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation.

The Grand Tasting was held on two days and had over 250 international winemakers pouring their wines in a walk around tasting.

This event is probably, if not the best consumer wine tasting of the year with two floors of over 200 international wines rated 90+ points on the Wine Spectator ratings scale.

This year I was lucky enough to attend the event on both days. As is usual for me at these mega tastings, I focused my energies on one floor each night prioritizing Bordeaux and Napa Valley wines.

The event was held at the Marriott Marquis hotel at 1535 Broadway in the heart of Times Square, Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled:

New World

2004 Ridge Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mtns.): Opaque black, tar, graphite and black leather on the nose, silky fruit with graphite notes ending with silky tannins.

2008 Pahlmeyer Merlot (Napa Valley): Opaque black fruit, brick rim, crushed raspberry and mint on the nose, juicy, smokey fruit and nicely balanced.

2014 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, roast nuts and bacon on the nose, juicy black fruit with mint notes, firm tannins.

2015 Opus One (Napa Valley): Opaque black, brick rim, earthy crushed dark fruit with mint notes on the nose, concentrated, stoney black fruit ending with a great grip and balance with a long finish.

2016 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Lot No. 1 (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed blueberry, wet stone and graphite on the nose, chunky, juicy dark chocolate fruit, great grip, long finish.

2019 To Kalon Vineyard Co. Cabernet Sauvignon H.W.C. (Oakville): Opaque black, purple rim, closed nose of crushed blueberries, juicy crushed fruit with firm acids.

2019 Bond St. Eden (Napa Valley): Clear medium red, purple rim, tarry nose, bright black fruit, firm tannins.

2021 Dominus Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, graphite and black fruit on the nose, juicy and silky with silky tannins and a firm grip.

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mt. District (Sonoma): Opaque black, purple rim, gritty dark chocolate on the nose, very concentrated black fruit with herb and mint note ending with firm crisp tannins.

2021 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard The Reserve (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed red fruit and stone on the nose, juicy black fruit ending with big tannins.

Old World

2012 Chateau Cos d’Estournel (St. Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, nose of dirt and stinky dark chocolate, tight concentrated fruit ending with big tannins.

2015 Chateau Canon (St. Emilion): Opaque black, brick rim, big nose of barnyard, chunky dark chocolate fruit ending with lip smacking tannins.

2015 Chateau Giscours (Margaux): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and dried leaf on the nose, concentrated black fruit with mint notes ending with firm but balanced tannins.

2016 Chateau Talbot (St. Julien): Opaque black, brick rim, toasted roast nuts on the nose, concentrated fruit with raspberry notes, silky and firm tannin.

2017 Chateau Pavie (St. Emilion): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed black stone on the nose, silky black fruit with graphite notes, great balance, long finish.

2018 Chateau Phelan Segur (St. Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, crushed blueberries on the nose, concentrated, silky red fruit ending with a great grip.

2018 Chateau Pichon Longueville Lalande (Pauillac): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed stone on the nose, concentrated and silky black fruit with mint notes, silky tannins, great balance.

2019 Chateau Leoville Barton (St. Julien): Clear dark red, purple rim, crushed black fruit and dark chocolate on the nose, silky red fruit with tar notes, firm grip.

2019 Chateau Montrose (St. Estephe): Opaque black, purple rim, stone and crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy red fruit, firm tannins.

Saint Emilion Tasting NYC 2024

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On October 28th, the Association de Grands Crus Classes de Saint Emilion held their USA trade & press tasting tour of Saint Emilion wines from the 2020 vintage. Most of the 25 Grand Cru Chateaux of the region were on hand at the tasting to pour their wines.

Bordeaux has 57 appellations on the right and left bank of the Gironde Estuary with the Entre Deux Mers in between. St. Emilion is on the right bank and the wines are dominated by Merlot with many of the Chateaux at this tasting bottling wines made with 100% Merlot.

Newly released Bordeaux tend to be a bit hard edged and need some time in the bottle to round out, the wines at this tasting for the most part were no exception with many having firm tannins. Each producer did bring a wine from an older vintage, and I always welcome the opportunity to sample Bordeaux with some bottle age to it.

The tasting was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion located at 123 West 18th Street in Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled:

2012 Chateau Bellevue: Opaque medium brick, graphite, tar, chocolate and dirt on the nose, chewy, dried leaf fruit, long finish.

2015 Chateau Chauvin: Opaque black with a brick rim, black tar on the nose, chewy and chunky fruit with mint and graphite notes, firm tannins.

2015 Clos Des Jacobins: Opaque dark red with a brick rim, violets, mint and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy with slate notes, silky tannins ending with firm but manageable tannins.

2016 Chateau Badette: Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed red fruit and mint notes on the nose, chewy, minty red fruit, very firm tannins.

2016 Chateau Grand Corbin-Despagne: Opaque dark red with a brick rim, perfume of mint, graphite and barnyard, chewy red fruit, silky tannins, good grip with a long finish.

2016 Chateau Fombrauge: Opaque dark red with a brick rim, perfume of tar and barnyard, concentrated black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins.

2016 Chateau De L’Oratoire: Opaque black with a brick rim, black earth on the nose, chewy black fruit with graphite and mint notes, good grip.

2016 Chateau Badette: Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed red fruit and mint on the nose, chewy minty red fruit ending with very firm tannins.

2016 Chateau Grand Corbin: Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed red fruit, graphite and milk chocolate on the nose, chewy, black fruit ending with silky but firm tannins.

2019 Chateau Franc Mayne: Opaque dark red with a brick rim, crushed red fruit and white pepper on the nose, silky, chewy red fruit ending with silky firm tannins.

2020 Chateau La Croizille: Opaque black with a purple rim, violets and tar on the nose, tight and concentrated with crushed rock notes, moderate tannins.

2020 Chateau Fonplegade: Opaque dark purple with a purple rim, nose of crushed red fruit and barnyard, juicy red fruit with leather notes, moderate tannins.

2020 Chateau Badette: Opaque black with a purple rim, sweet tar on the nose, chewy black fruit, silky tannins, good fruit and balance.

2020 Chateau La Tour Figeac: Opaque dark red with a purple rim, white pepper and tar on the nose, juicy fruit with steel notes, moderate tannins.

2020 Chateau Bellevue: Opaque purple, purple rim, closed nose of roast meat and nuts, tight, silky fruit, firm tannins.

2020 Chateau De L’Oratoire: Opaque dark red, purple rim, minty dark chocolate on the nose, chewy red fruit, moderate silky tannins with some bitter almond notes.

2020 Chateau Croix De Labrie: Opaque black, purple rim, violets, roast meat and slate on the nose, silky red fruit, very firm tannins.

2020 Chateau Fonplegade: Opaque purple, purple rim, crushed red fruit and barnyard on the nose, juicy red fruit with leather notes, moderate 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.