Some of the Best of the Best on TBD

 

 

1-Dominus Estate 2012 Red Napa Valley California
Antonio Galloni 100 Rating
The 2012 Dominus is a wild, exotic wine. Harvest began on October 9 and finished on the 21st, very late by present-day standards. Ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, rose petal, incense and rose petal soar out of the glass. Deep and vibrant, with terrific freshness, Dominus is very clearly one of the wines of the year. I loved the 2012 from barrel, but found it quite closed after bottling. Now, after all these years, I finally see the realization of the potential suggested in my barrel tastings. Magnificent.

 

2-Le Chiuse 2016 “Diecianni” Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany Italy
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
The 2016 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is a jeweled ruby color and is very expressive on the nose at this stage, with lovely clarity and concentration in its notes of wet stones, framboise, rose petal, and pure orange. It feels trapped in time, with bright, refined tannins and mouthwatering freshness without ever feeling out of it. Reminding me of the moment when an orchestra is tuning and becomes perfectly in tune, so the whole room resonates, though it’s not about being louder, this wine ignites all the senses. It’s a truly superb and singular wine from Le Chiuse. Bravo.

 

3-Chateau La Gaffeliere 2018 Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Bordeaux
Vinous 99 Rating
The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!

 

4-Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape Les Apotres Southern Rhone Valley France
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
A relatively new cuvée that encompasses all the permitted varieties of the appellation and is brought up in amphora, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Apotres offers a beautiful perfume of black raspberry and blackberry fruits interwoven with loads of spring flowers, white truffle, spice, and sappy garrigue aromas and flavors. This beauty is seamless, medium to full-bodied, and my money is on it being the finest vintage for this cuvée to date.

 

5-Accendo Cellars 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
The flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted out of bottle, and it might be the best yet. Deeply hued, it has an incredible array of black and blue fruits as well as leafy herbs, bouquet garni, graphite, and spicy oak that builds with time in the glass. Rich and full-bodied, it has a great mid-palate and incredible tannins.

 

6-Andremily 2021 Syrah No 10 Central Coast California
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
The 2021 No 10 checks in as 93% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier that was raised in 65% new French oak for 22 months. It shows that classic 2021 focus and purity, with darker berry and cassis-like fruits intermixed with ground pepper, sandalwood, violets, and smoky, meaty nuances. With full-bodied richness, it’s incredibly concentrated and has ultra-fine tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This absolutely heavenly red from the genius of Jim Binns tops out my scale. It should benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and have over two decades of ultimate longevity.

 

7-Sea Smoke 2022 Pinot Noir Ten Santa Rita Hills California
The Tasting Panel 97 Rating
Winemaker Dan Schroeder reflects on the character of Sea Smoke’s estate vineyard. “In terms of its unique climate and soils and the meticulous care and thoughtfulness that went into its planting, there is really no other vineyard like it in California.” The vineyard is a monopole, planted only to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in one of the only east-west coastal ranges in the U.S. The wine is named for the ten top clones of Pinot Noir, and the wine is aged 16 months in 56% new French oak. Charmed by exotic notes of Asian Five Spice and unearthed blueberries, layers of Red Delicious apple pair with notes of pennyroyal minerality. It finishes with rose petals laced with anise and black cherries dotted with sweet basil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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