A Letter to Elise and a Tribute to All Our Wine & Food Friends, Past & Present! (03/28/26)
What was poured
In the order it was served. Quoted tasting notes are credited to their sources.
1 · 2023 Domaine de la Solitude Lançon Père et Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape France - blend of Counoise, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Clairette Rose and Grenache Blanc grapes
"Beautifully detailed nose with peppery freshness. Intense, with fine tannins, gently saline and not overly marked by wood this year - lovely drinkability. This is excellent and based on a recipe belonging to an ancestor of the Lançon family. Aged in three-year-old barriques. No filtration or fining."95 points Matt Walls Decanter Magazine
## Who gave the rating?
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2 · 2020 Château de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Saintes Pierres de Nalys France - blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Muscardin, Mourvedre, Vaccarese and Terret
Alluring, with a svelte mix of cherry coulis, red licorice and mulling spices that are nicely rendered and textured on the palate. Gilded with apple wood smoke and grilled herbs on the lengthy finish, this is drinking beautifully now. Rated 94 Wine Spectator Magazine
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3 · 2022 Shafer Relentless Napa Valley - Syrah/Petite Sirah
The 2022 Relentless is another superb wine from Shafer in this brutally challenging year. Deep and explosive to the core, the 2022 is seriously impressive. There's a center of strength here that is palpable. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, cloves and blood orange all build into the deep, resonant finish. This is so impressive. Rated 95 Vinous
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4 · 2020 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde France - Blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier grapes
In spite of the dark forest berry fruit this has so much floral and mineral freshness, it is uplifting! Concentrated and very focused, the interplay of oak, fine fruit tannin and fruit aromas on the palate are spot on. Just bottled, so it really benefits from some air in the glass or decanting. Rated 95 James Suckling
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5 · 2022 Turley Grenache "Pesenti Vineyard" Paso Robles
Pale to medium ruby-garnet in the glass, the 2022 Grenache Pesenti Vineyard is expressive, complex and perfumed. It opens with a detailed and complex nose of licorice, dried flowers, sage and juniper that float above loads of ripe but balanced raspberry and strawberry fruit at the core. The medium-bodied palate is lacy and polished, offering a clean spine of acidity that intermingles with dusty, sturdy tannins. The finish is long and complex, vibrantly bouncing between spicy, floral, red-fruited layers with great clarity.Rated 94 The Wine Advocate
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6 · 2019 Neyers Sage Canyon California Red Wine - blend of Carignan, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah grapes
Offers ripe wild blackberry and huckleberry notes that mingle with Kalamata olive and fresh sage flavors. A terrific mix of fruity and savory elements, with cigar box and malty Assam black tea lingering on the finish. Delivers polished tannins.Rated 92 Wine Spectator Magazine
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7 · 2018 Jaffurs Grenache Santa Barbara County - 100% Grenache - $30
The 2018 Syrah (Santa Barbara County) is superb. Rich, deep and fleshy, this striking, absolutely delicious Syrah has so much to offer. Blueberry, violet, lavender, chocolate, spice, licorice and black pepper capture the essence of cool-climate Syrah. The 2018 is an irresistible appellation-level wine that punches well above its weight. What a knock-out! Rated 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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8 · 2018 Sinor-LaVallee Syrah San Luis Opisbo County
Mike Sinor's estate Syrah shows how cool-climate versions can be boldly powerful as well. Intense aromas of violet, herb, peppercorn and wet soil lead from the nose into a very textural palate loaded with nori wrap, blackberry and black plum flavors. Cracked pepper spices up the finish. Rated 94 Wine Enthusiast Magazine
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How the night looked
