So I start this by trying to decide if I shouls talk about Montalcino or Brunello.  So, in a compact I will try to give a little of both.
Montalcino is an area of Tuscany most famous for Brunello wine.  Montalcino also gives us Rosso di Montalcino, and some “Super Tuscans”. Some sweet white wines are also produced there.  Brunello is the most famous wine from the region made from Sangiovese.  Brunello was the first to be awarded DOCG (Denominaziione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status.  Basically a controlled designation of origin.  Brunello is aged 5 years with Reserva 6, (what we are having tonight).   This Brunello is from Renieri, (Bacci wines ) a highly respected winery which produces several brands from the estate. 
When I opened the bottle I was struck immediately by the fragrance.  So inviting, very foral but also very fruity. 
The liquid is very dark and seems dense. When the juice hits your tongue -rapture- I can hear the angels singing. 
Luscious, velvety smooth.  Evidence of a master creator, for  the wines and vineyards.  Huge fruit tones; currant, plum, black cherry.  These are accompanied by licorice, oak and cedar, smoky tobacco and hints of cocoa.  Who couldn’t love this right?  Just thinking about it now is causing my mouth to water.  The finish is long and bountiful. 
This wine is also meant to be shared with a big meal.  I am thinking a big steak with some sort of heavy side like a hearty mac n cheese.
Enjoy
@55$

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Just look  at that beauty

Yes I said 1995. 1995 was by all accounts a very good year in Bordeaux, most high 90’s rated.  This wine usually scored in mid 90’s from most raters.

Ch. Giscours is a third growth, but don’t tell it that.  It has been producing fine wines forever, rivaling the seconds and firsts in the past 20 vintages.

The nose  exhibits aromas showing off ripe fruits,  raspberry, blackberry, dark cherry, with notes of oak.

The juice shoots volumes  in your mouth.  Big juicy notes that make the eyes bulge.  So many layers, definitely structure and complexity.  Full bodied cannot even begin to describe.  The tannins are huge.  Let this one breathe please.  This is not a stand alone. Protein is needed in some form to go with this.  Have a big steak and enjoy the evening.

Enjoy

@120

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Altra cabernet hails from Atlas Peak, Napa.  It is the “child” of Margo Culcasi and Gerry Moffit, a fitting tribute to a long lasting friendship.  Gerry is the winemaker and is also associated with Kapcsandy, Blankiet and Grace Family.  These wines are of course some of the premier wines of California. So my expectations were high going into this.

Whoa, the nose just about rips through your soul.  The smell of freshly pressed fruit erupts through the air making the nostrils quiver.

Once you pour the juice into your mouth, the rich depth and complexity overloads the senses.  The mouth is watering uncontrollably.  So much is going on.  The taste of cherry, casis, chocolate with hints of wood (cedar) all explode in the mouth.  You would expect big bold tannins that make you pucker.  Instead you have these soft, lovely elegant tannins  that are just beautiful to the mouth.  And, all of these flavors very gradually recede…over like a month.  This is been one of life’s most pleasant experiences.

Enjoy

@80

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For those who have not heard  of Ch. Montelena ….I will leave you to do your own research.   Just think “judgement of Paris”. For those who have, well let me just say this wine is worth the hoopla.  Known mainly for the Chardonnay,  they also do Zin, Cab., and a riesling. 
Today I focus on the Napa Cab 2012.
A gorgeous ruby color that sparkles in the glass. Dorothy could only wish for such.
The nose is complex.  The sweet aroma of roses and violets, coupled with the sensuous  aromas of tobacco.
The beverage soothes into the mouth.  Full, rich , refined and elegant.  Very fruity. The complexity will drive you insane, trying to decipher all of the flavors.Very, very soft tannins that just keep you hooked and lures you into more. 
The Barrett family continues to drive quality and excellence, and in my “judgment” they win again.
Enjoy
@45
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Every  now and then you come across something that really blow your mind.  The wines of the Barton family are such.  Leoville- Barton a second-growth and it’s sister, Langoa-Barton a third growth are just supreme wines.  The Barton family has owned the vineyards since the mid 19th century.

Tonight I offer the 2006 Langoa-Barton, Wine Spectator gave it at 91.  A score like that and it is considered a third growth (not if I were alive in 1855). The beautiful dark raven color shines in the glass.  Like rubies sparkling in the light.  The nose erupts from the uncorked bottle.  Violets, roses, fresh very ripe fruit.  A plentiful basket beckoning.

Loosening the liquid into the mouth your body immediately knows it is being allowed to sample something special.  The full rich fruit coats your mouth and tongue.  Cherry, blackberry, plum and currant.  Soft, elegant tannins linger in the finish.  Balanced, structured, complex….you come up with your own adjectives. Get this while you can not many are left.

Enjoy

$$$

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I love Malbec. Let me just start by saying this.  When I post about a Malbec from anywhere but Argentina I get so much flak.  My friends and followers from South America cannot help but give me grief,some even going as far as to accuse me of making it up, that France does not make Malbec. Well it does, not as much anymore but it does.  I remind them that it is one of the 5 Bordeaux grapes.I do not want to take anything away from Argentina.  Both areas produce magnificent wines.

Cahors is an area of Southwest France known for producing Malbec and too lesser degree Merlot and Tannat.  Today we look at Chateau de Mercues 2012. This wine is actually a blend of Malbec and Merlot @80-20.   A dark almost black color looms invitingly in the glass.  A beautiful rich color basking in the glory of what is to come.

The bouquet fills the room with violets, cherry and plum.  Soon the flavors come over the mouth.  The sensation sends a tingling through the body.  A friend gave me this word “winegasm”, I think it works.  So much going on here. Big, bold fruit.  Very ripe plum which is followed by black cherry  and notes of chocolate and spice that follow. Subtle tannins that leave your mouth grasping for more.  A prime example of a great wine from Georges Vigouroux. I will definitely have this one again.

Enjoy $

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This sultry Pinot is, well Damn good.  Titus has proven again that he is a master of his craft.  And, as a  winemaker at Chappellet he knows how to turn grapes into beautiful wines. Sonoma Loeb as well as his own label- Titus- are to die for.  But today my focus is on Sonoma Loeb. 
I can’t help but just love this wine.  The nose is full of floral notes, violets and roses.  Combine this with cherry and plum and who can resist.  The room fills with these  aromas making good you at our cell feel at ease and tranquil.
When the juice hits your tongue the senses overload.  Mouthwatering  is not enough to describe what is going on.  At once those cherry anes thd plum flavors pop, then oh then the chocolate comes through. Yes, I said chocolate, who can resist that.  There is so much happening here.  Spices; clove and a little pepper are on the end.  But the end just keeps going.  WOW.  Such intensity, depth,  structure.  This wine has it all.  Definitely  not your normal west coast pinot. Drinking ,ore like a hearty burgundy.  I close my eyes and just enjoy the rapture. 

$$$

Enjoy

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I have always been a sucker for a good zinfandel. And now I am attached to the Oak Ridge tit.  This amazing wine from Lodi is well….amazing.  Lodi is of course wellth known for producing some of the finest zins. 
The floral bouquet magically erupts from the bottle.  Red, ripe berries and violets permeate my nostrils. 
Barrel aged for 18 months brings out those dark berry notes that coat your mouth. A subtle sweetness lingers finally giving way to cinnamon and spice.  Everything nice. 
$$
Enjoy

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Well I had the great opportunity to try Owl Ridge Cabernet, Alexander Valley 2012.  This is a must try wine.  A winner of Best of Class awards.  Winemaker is Joe Otos, who also consults for several other wineries.

All the fruit comes from Alexander Valley.  The aroma punches through. Ripe, red fruit -raspberry and cherry are forefront. A little not of oak to finish off. (French Oak that is)

The flavor is big and bold.  Again, that big bold red fruit intensity.  The fruit covers the inside of your mouth with so much fruit.  Cherry, raspberry and that little touch of oak.  Hints of cinnamon and pepper and the vanilla note that softens.  Oh how lovely. The tannins are there but oh so soft.

$$$

Enjoy

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