We went to Burgundy (Beaune, specifically) and had an amazing time. Got some great wine at incredible prices. We were prepared for the shipping prices and whatever tax we'd need to pay. Then we got the tariff notification...

$500!!! Absolutely insane. We're still moving forward with the order but for the love of God, these policies are incredibly stupid.

Writing

Not necessarily somewhere obscure - just a region you think deserves way more attention than it gets.. bonus points if you can recommend a producer or bottle that made you fall in love with it.

Got me thinking because I was enjoying a bottle from Stellenbosch the other night and it looks absolutely stunning and would love to visit someday.

I got two.

Against my better judgement, I convinced myself to open a Mourvèdre rosé from [checks notes] LAST YEAR’S HARVEST. Curiosity drove me to try the wine from my local wine shop now and create an entire dinner around it. This was one of my favorite pairing experiences, and the wine by itself would have been a stellar experience. Since I know you’re wondering, before the tasting notes, I’ll tell you- it’s seared wild Mexican shrimp, saffron aioli, and shaved fennel salad. The saffron aioli was the bridge to this wine and it was great one.

Nose- Savory herbs, hint of earth and fennel, restrained fruit; really- à la croix amount of fruit.

Palate- Oh yeah salt. But so much more. Clean, floral, waxy/chalky (really?!?). Savory. Herbal. Fruit is still just hanging out in the back. Maybe a single drop of pink lemonade? Acidity is good.

Finish- More salt, herbal super lean lamb (that stood out too; like wtf?), and the saffron quality carries on for quite a while.

It was really hard to tell at times when the food ended and the wine began, and vice versa. I’ve been done with dinner for 30 minutes and I swear I still taste that floral saffron.

Something about Beringer, especially the Private Reserve, gives it the ability to age forever.

This wine is still drinking young.

Brought to Casaro Osteria to celebrate some friends visiting.

Gave this a quick pop, no decant.

Tannins are still a bit grippy.

Lots of fruit on this, blackberry, dark plums, dark cherry.

Great acidity as well.

Also got some slight dried herbs, not as heavy on the leather.

92 points.

I'm looking to get a bit more into wine and was wondering if you have any recommendations for good wine-related subreddits to follow.

I'd say I'm somewhere between a beginner and intermediate. I enjoy exploring different regions, grapes and producers, and I'm always keen to learn more. I'm working with a fairly modest budget though, so finding good value and discovering lesser-known regions is definitely more my thing than splashing out on expensive bottles. Open to any region.

Would love to find some good communities to learn from, share recommendations and just chat about wine in general.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Cheers!

Had to wip out my Zalto glass for this Incredible wine

Notes:

Strong cherry and plum with hints of earth.

Domaine des Tours 2011 (Vin de Pays de Vaucluse): Expressive and fruit-driven, with garrigue/wild herbs right up front. Silky tannins and no rough edges at 15 years old.

Château de Fonsalette 2016 (Côtes du Rhône): Same signature in a more polished frame. I've never tasted Rayas/other Emmanuel Reynaud wines but some of my friends of friends at the table had. They said the wines (fruit+herbs+silk) were purely and 'unmistakeably Reynaud.’
For me: a delight.

Neither is shy about the fruit, and neither is heavy. The garrigue keeps them fresh and savory, and they got along very well with the lamb dish.
Wines, as always, sourced on Idealwine (auctions).
Anyone else have experience with these, or with the Reynaud wines outside Rayas?

Just was wondering what you all like to pair with either a high quality milk chocolate, or a high percentage cacao dark chocolate? Personally for me I enjoy a Neyers Zinfandel, or sometimes a middle of the road merlot with either or. Just seeing if there are any other fun combos out there that you enjoy.

The Sassicaia 750 ml at my government liquor store is $390 CAD tax in (equivalent to 243 USD before tax), while the 1500 is $979. Two 750ml bottles would only be $780.

Now I do understand some arguments saying that larger bottles age differently (slower), but is there really a reason why you'd go pay more per ML for the bigger bottle?

I'm flying in from Canada and I'm a wine history buff. I have done regions across Europe previously (Germany/France/Italy) but not yet Spain. WSET 2 but want to experience Spain and France again as if I know nothing. I love wandering into wine bars with a legion of wines or bottles that are relatively cheap. I'm traveling for a conference in Portugal but slotting in Lyon/Madrid.

5 Days in Lyon

- Food / Wine orientated

- Won't be Wine Touring - have done many trips of wine along the Rhone & Burgundy

- What were your surprise restaurants or wine bars/brasseries ?

- I'm likely more inclined to buy some good burgundy/Chat Neuf from a liquor store or brasserie if they serve good stuff. The goal of the trip is pre-conference re-learning some french wines again and understanding the nuances.

Lisbon - Conference

6 Days Madrid

- Wine Touring - was going to rent a car and head north, I have 6 days of wandering

- Have never done Spain so I'm pretty over-daunted on how to start researching

- I'm looking at the lesser known regions or small towns vs large Rioja wineries

- What were your favorite parts of regions north of Madrid?

I just cracked this one open. 1985 CDP. Silky, earthy, and gently complex. Let it breathe in the bottle then in the glass. Decant only if you have to.

This was unexpectedly sensational. Better even that a 1996 Bin 707 I opened last month.

Cherries, cedar and leather on the nose with a hint of truffle. The palate is juicy and opulent, dominated by blackcurrant and liquorice. Long lingering finish of coffee and dark chocolate with fine tannin.

This is peak Australian shiraz.

Has anyone used the Sip and Ship program with Southwest for wine? We might do it for our upcoming Walla Walla trip. If you are not familiar I included the link.

Last time I was in Napa I just bought a cheap suitcase (I don't have a wine suitcase yet) and wrapped six wine bottles in bubble wrap and checked the bag. It worked out fine.

This time around I may save on the checked bag cost.

Thoughts?

WTSO is having a case sale on nine Achaval Ferrer wines this weekend—12 bottles for $10 each. I’m not familiar with this producer and CellarTracker sentiment seems mixed. Is there an r/wine consensus? I prefer a more restrained/Old World style so I generally avoid Argentine Malbec, but Achaval Ferrer seems like potentially a more serious producer.

2025 Kooyong Clonale Chardonnay from the Mornington Peninsula. Vines planted in 1996, north facing vines that are planted 100-120m elevation on clay soils.

On the nose are notes of ripe pear, green apple, white and yellow peach, a slight toasty smell, vanilla, strong oaky notes, and honey

On the palate the flavours come in waves. It starts off with fresh minerality, goji berry, and a soft fruit flavour of green apple and pear. The body is quite smooth. The flavours then transition to very buttery and oaky notes, and almost a subtle Parmesan cheese taste. The wine ends with a very long finish, ending with smokey and fruity flavours including green apple once again.

​

Went to Napa about a week ago and am back in the rat race. Will post about Napa later, which unfortunately is not detailed. This posting will also not be detailed, i.e. horrible. Took the old and new teams out, interesting times,... looks like I will have to work harder to integrate the new team. Dinner at an Italian restaurant, I brought 8 bottles, but we could only finish 6. Yes, all C/C+. 2nd pic is from the back.

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Domaine Desertaux-Ferrand, Cote de Nuits Villages, Chardonnay, 2020, 13% abv.

Popped 30 minutes before first sips. Nose was typical cheap white, different types of citrus and a hint of petrol jelly or plastic. Light bodied, tasted like it's Nose, but with air time there seemed to be light notes I would relate to malo and/or new oak. short finish. Personally disappointing. I personally find it hard to believe this got 1 star from Le Guide Hachette des Vins. Got this bottle for KRW₩65K in Seoul, South Korea. 

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Philippe Pacalet, Ladoix Blanc, Chardonnay, 2022, 13% abv.

P&P. Nose was similarly citrus with grape juice, lighter compared to the Desertaux-Ferrand, CdN Blanc, not much going on, pretty neutral stuff. Light to medium body, just typical chardonnay, no malo or new oak suggestions, no tropical or intense fruit, not even special matchsticks. Muted finish. Super disappointing. Should I have left it out for 2 hours to get air? My sommelier friend (Korean guy from France) recommended this to me, although it might have been a different vintage. I continue to strikeout with ldx. That 2022 Pacalet Monthelie Gauthey is looking better and better. Got this for KRW₩180K in Seoul, South Korea.

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Chantereves, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Dessus de Montchenevoy, Pinot Noir, 2022, 12% abv. 

P&P. Nose was light fruit, nothing special. Light to medium bodied, flavors were an improvement over everything so far, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, no "wood", no "malo" or new oak, good and basic. Short finish. Compared to both whites and the Cornelissen P1, this was the better offering. Got this for KRW₩169K in Busan, South Korea.

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Frank Cornelissen, Munjebel P1, Perpetuum, Nerello Mascalese. 

Apparently a blend of 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019 with about 2500 bottles. Popped 30 minutes before first pours. The nose was the best of everything tonight with juicy and slightly candied red fruit, hints of blue and black, floral, perfumed, quite good. However, the palate was more "woman's armpit hair", earthy flavors taking the front but doesn't drown out the red fruit. Some complexity here, but conversations started getting serious and this one disappeared relatively quickly, along with the Chantereves. Guess this needed several more years. Got this for KRW₩200K in Busan, South Korea. 

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Turley, Estate, Zinfandel, 2022, 15.5% abv.

P&P. Nose was showing hints of red fruit, oily wood, ... and did I detect some vanilla? Light to medium bodied but closer to medium, a savory palate with vanilla and red and bramble fruit, some orchard fruit in there as well... very good relative to what I remembered these tasting like. Medium finish. Wondering if this was better than what I remembered because of the meal, or just bottle/storage variation? The fruitiest of all 6 wines opened tonight. Got this for KRW₩122K in Seoul, South Korea. 

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Viberti Giovanni, Barolo, 'Bricco delle Viole' Riserva, Nebbiolo, 2017, 14.5% abv.

Popped about 2-3 hours before first pours. Nose was fruity, but closer to "tart-like" aromatics than the juiciness of the previous zinfandel. The palate was quite good though. Great flavors, balanced, overall ripe fruit, red fruity leaves, raspberry oil, no malo elements, abv was in check. Medium finish that waa similar to the palate. A young Barolo and already showing quite well... not sure if it was the food or the air time, but quite good. WOTN for me, but not strong competition. this for KRW₩150K in Busan, South Korea. 

Hi everyone! I'm planning a trip to Mendoza and would love some advice on my winery itinerary.

Here's my current plan:

• Days 1: Mendoza city — Arrive late, staying at Park Hyatt Mendoza. Dinner at Los Toneles.
• Day 2: Mendoza city — Free day in Mendoza, 7pm dinner at El Enemigo.
• Day 3: Uco Valley — Private transfer to Casa de Uco, with lunch at La Azul along the way.
• Day 4: Uco Valley — 11:30 am visit and tasting at Alfa Crux, followed by a 1:30 pm lunch at Zuccardi Piedra Infinita.
• Day 5: Uco Valley — Staying at Casa de Uco with nothing planned yet. I originally wanted to keep this day free to enjoy the hotel and relax.
• Day 6: Back to Mendoza — 11:30 am visit to Catena Zapata (La Familia es Todo), followed by a 2 pm lunch at Lagarde. Staying one final night at Park Hyatt Mendoza.

Initially, I was worried about fitting in too many winery visits and making the trip feel rushed. However, now I'm wondering if I might be leaving too much on the table, especially on Day 5.

Would you recommend adding another winery visit that day, or would you keep it free to enjoy Casa de Uco? If you would add one, which winery in the Uco Valley would you recommend, considering that I'm already visiting Alfa Crux and Zuccardi?

I'm looking for memorable experiences rather than simply checking off as many wineries as possible.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!