todd10

Delta Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, South Island

This is not a fruit forward wine. This wine was very earthy, and I enjoyed that for a change. I was getting aromas of dried tobacco. It also had a hint of cola and smoke. Nice length with a pleasant hint of heat on the finish.
Tasted Feb 2022.

Framingham Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough

Fantastic aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit. I could swirl and sniff this all night.
Nice acidity level. Great tropical fruit flavors.
Tasted October 2022

Lan Gran Reserva 2012, Doca Rioja

The first aromas that I got was chocolate, This was followed by oak.
What I did enjoy was the flavors. Not that I ever ate a cigar box or leather, but these were the taste that I got. I love these types of flavors that I do not taste in 90% of the wines I drink.
I did not notice much evolution after I opened the wine so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted October 2022

Bodega Garzón Reserva Albariño 2018, Maldonado

Albarino is one of my favorite white wines. However this one disappointed me. The nose was a subtle hint of lychee. The taste I can best describe as apple. The mouth feel was not what I was expecting. It was a little spritzy. When swirling it in my mouth, it almost felt like I was swirling a cola drink in my mouth. Acidity was okay. Overall, I have learned that perhaps when I buy Albarino wines, I should stick with Portugal and Spain.

L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington

On the nose I was getting beeswax with a hint of chamomile tea. This wine was a nice dry wine with a long tasty finish. Not that I ever tasted citronella, but I image that was the taste that I was getting. A waxy lemon flavor. At first I was giving this wine a 91, but that flavor grew on me. This was my first Semillon, and I am looking forward to the next.
Tasted May 2021

Jean-max Roger Cuvée Les Caillottes Sancerre 2019, Ac

Aromas of citrus and a hint of jalapeno. I very nice balanced wine. Long tasty finish. The taste of this wine is where is gets an A+. I rarely buy the same wine twice, but I would consider buying more than one bottle of this. One thing to note is not to over chill this or it will lose all of its magic. I say this because my wine chiller ended up coooling this wine too much. I will guess 8C to 10C is the target for this.
Tasted December 2022

Two Sisters Eleventh Post 2016, VQA Niagara River

Aromas of oak and dark fruit. Very balanced. Nice tannins but not over whelming. Delicious flavors of dark fruit with a hint of oak makes me want to want to have another glass, after that glass...maybe just another glass.

Tasted September 2020

Re-tasted March 2021. I was expecting at least the same or better results than 6 months ago. However, it seemed to take a step backwards. Same flavor and aroma profiles but these profiles were not as strong as 6 months ago. I would give this a 91 now.

Château Clarke 2015, Ac Listrac Médoc

I feel I should have waited a few more years before I tasted this. I did not fine the aromas or flavors as complexed as I was hoping for. In the nose, I was getting black current with a little oak. On the palate very grippy tannins. That surprised me considering the wine is 70% Merlot. Dark fruit flavors.
The tannins did smooth out a little after the bottle was opened for a while so I do recommend to decant for at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour.

Tasted June 2020

Château De Nages Jt 2019, A.P. Costières De Nîmes

When I opened this, I was getting notes of cherry, dark chocolate and graphite. It had some nice dark fruit flavors. A hint of heat on the finish that I enjoyed. Some tannins but not overwhelming.
I did not notice this wine evolving throughout the evening, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted July 2023.

Pierre Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Cuvée Prestige Vieilles Vignes 2017, Ac Gigondas

I was a little disappointed with this wine. I have enjoyed a few nice Gigondas wines the last few months but this one was missing the charactor and balance of what I have come to expect from a Gigondas. Black fruit on the nose and palate. Grippy tannins. Nice finish. I would suggest to decant for 30 minutes.
My opinion is if you plan on opening this, perhaps wait a couple more years for some more charactor to develop.
Tasted June 2020.