Former Wine Critic @ Robert Parker Wine Advocate, reviewing wines there from 2006➡️June, 2023, primarily for Portugal, Greece, USA off of West Coast (esp. NY, VA), & others in E. Europe, Middle East. Retired.
Recovered trial lawyer.😱Long retired. Interested in lots of things besides wine & law--travel, photography, politics, film, music, art and SyFy, among others.
Header photo: Santorini, Greece.
This is a new instance for me, but I've been at Masto a couple of years longer than Nov. '24!
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The ripeness is relative, as this retains the brightness and tightly-wound nature of the 2009, while adding a layer of fruit and flavor to help soak up tannins. It's youthful today and it will improve more. Expect a long life ahead--a decade and then some
P.s. I tried to position the label photos to emphasize the interesting graphic on the bottom of the label. If you're wondering, it is Kefraya's tribute to Phoenicians who planted vines in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley 4000+ years ago
$45-ish #wine
1/2
Lebanon is not just Musar! Two examples: 2009/2010 of Chateau Kefraya's flagship "Comte de M," a Cab Sauv/Syrah from vines at 1100 meters
The 2009 is a bit funky and a bit dusty, but silky and firm on the finish, with good acidity, concentration and tightly-wound focus. This has a lot more time left and may still improve.Leaning to N. Rhone, needs food!
If the '09 is very good at 15+ years, the youthful 2010 has blossomed into a bigger star, riper and less funky
This was just the 2d vintage of a brand dedicated to the memory of an historic TBA with 303° oechsle. The theme is ripe & sweet (listed Spätlese, it's more Auslese), but it's not really a dessert wine and it has fine balancing acidity.
It's full bodied, fresh and bright. The peach and mango flavors are in control, but delectable.The unctuous texture is cut by that acidity. It seems shockingly young, impossibly delicious. Riesling, baby!
$25 then, about $60 now.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXkeH6bNuCQ6ds_nTlmkpqrPKCCJgb9Ym&si=K4-h7HEf1VdsP-_c
If anybody remembers it, this was a rather terrific mini-series by Steven Spielberg and others. All 10 episodes, complete and remastered, are on YouTube.
Sort of picks up where Close Encounters left off.
Had good luck of late on older Santorini. Gai'a's '08 flagship, just shy of 20 years, is mature & perhaps then some, but enticing with benefits of age
The color's darker & you can taste some oxidation, but there's also chirpy acidity & rich flavors. Tasty! Be happy if you still have this lively Assyrtiko, but drink soon. The flaw--wasn't as good the next day, when age and more oxidation caught up, power took over. 13%, synthetic cork. About $50 these days
Glad I could do a red this weekend. Um, looks like a beautiful June week coming up with lotsa white wines to be opened. 🫠And yet there is still no white wine icon.
I can't imagine what July and August are going to look like this year. I hear all this El Nino talk..
Don't worry, I will proudly be up to the task of drinking some white wines. 💪💪
If you want steelier Barolo, this probably isn't the 1st choice, but it has plenty of virtues in a richer style. There's mid-palate finesse to go with a little tightness & lusher fruit.
Ripe, it still holds its balance, ending with that big, tasty fruit on a finish that has controlled grip. It evolved well in the glass, too, and the next day. If it seems a bit softer and plumper than some visions of Barolo, it worked on its own terms
14.5% alc, $40 then
2/2
Still a nice drink, but no point holding well-stored bottles beyond this summer, even if it holds.
And if you care, that label sure says "summer"
1/2
Not the most profound cider ever, but 355ml bottles (12 oz) are easy to carry, fun, inexpensive ($48 for a 12-pack.) This was a spring 2025 order. I was wondering how they'd hold, saved a few
They needed 60-90 days to settle down last spring after delivery. No surprise, they're in fine shape today
There's a slight fizz, almost still (I like that!). It's leaner and less exuberant, showing dry green apples. I often liked it better without the overt fruitiness from youth
To reply
Still full of flavor, a touch earthy, & textured, it's leaning to Burgundy. If you guessed Pinot Noir on this aromatic red, I wouldn't mock you. Has some hints of Grenache & Mavrodaphne too.
Overall, a fine success, maturing but aging slowly.
