CellarTracker! 4th of July Stellar Wines
- N.V. Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rosé Reserve – France, Champagne
Day 1: Very good with strawberries, toast, minerals, spice, rose petals and chalk. Medium finish and nice acidity. 92 points
Day 3: Well I don’t often do day 3 reviews on Champagne but glad I did. Bright and expressive with strawberries, spice, sour apple, rose petals, chalk, minerals, tropical fruit and toast. Medium plus finish. These 2020 based NV’s have been outstanding from Heidsieck. I would say another 5 to 8 years of enjoyment. 94 points (94 pts.) - 2010 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Had this in 2024 at Celebrate Walla Walla and loved it then and even better with a solid decant. A rich wine with cherry, plum, dark chocolate, wood, spice, coffee beans and some pepper. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2032. 94.5 points (94 pts.) - 2012 Dominus Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley
While young this is showing some great long term promise. Decanted about 1.5 hours but could have used a bit more. Bordeaux like with cigar, cherry, bell pepper, oak, minerals, floral and gravel. Medium to long finish. Super complex wine and would decant minimum of 5 hours. 96 points
Group and my wine of the night. (96 pts.) - 2013 Alpasión Old School – Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco
Ok this was singing tonight. Slow ox for 3 hours. Most balanced wine of the night with spice, cherry, toast, minerals, plum, mild pepper and a long finish. Drinking window open for business but don’t worry good through 2030 plus. Outstanding and good luck finding these. Friends got two from the winery a year or so ago. Bottle 1762/2100. My second favorite of the night. (95 pts.) - 2006 Viña Cobos Malbec – Argentina, Mendoza
Very interesting wine that I would not buy but appreciated it overall. Iodine, spice, blackberries, minerals and a touch of heat. Big wine and powerful. (92 pts.) - 2014 Promontory Penultimate – USA, California, Napa Valley
Day 1: Wow what a treat on the 4th. Finished 2nd in the voting and my third favorite of the night. New oak for sure but added in a positive way along with spice, dark currants, wood, vanilla, minerals, sour cherry and dust. Long finish and this is young and will probably improve over the next ten years. Decanted about 2 hours. Wonderful stuff.
Day 2: Somehow there was a small amount left and was even better. Oak, vanilla, spice, dark chocolate, dark fruits, cherry, dust, minerals and perfume. Long finish and super concentrated. Love it! Thanks to Jason! 96 points
Recommendation: Get a bottle as it is worth the cost. (96 pts.) - 2012 Blankiet Estate Mythicus – USA, California, Napa Valley
Liked this a bit better two years ago but still a good showing against a lot of great wines tonight. Cherry, floral, smoke, minerals and blue currants. Some oak elements but again in a good way. Medium plus finish. I would say drink these within the next 4 to 8 years. (93 pts.) - 2016 Spence Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Atelier – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Had this earlier this year and another stellar bottle. Features blueberries, oak, dark chocolate, perfume, earth, dust and minerals. Very balanced wine and should drink well for many more years. (94 pts.)