Well I had some really good wines with friends during quarter two. One thing about great wine is the opportunity to share with others. Try and upping your game the rest of the year so if the price point is $50 bring a really cool wine you enjoy that no one has tried or go higher on the price point. No one will complain and you will be invited back again and again. Don’t be that cheapskate always sliding in under the price point of the event.
1996 Château Margaux – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (5/10/2025)
Jason Opens some Bangers! (96 Margaux, 13 Marcassin & Chateau de Fargues) (Eagan, MN): Beautiful wine featuring funk, blueberries, charcoal, dust, earth, cigar, dried flowers and dried leaves. Long, long and long finish. Amazing. (98 points)
- 1998 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (5/25/2025)
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie at Lori’s House (St. Paul, MN): Wine of the night by almost everyone. This is an amazing effort and one of the great Shiraz wines from Australia. Other vintages are not even close to this level. Natural cork and 14.5% alcohol. Black licorice, eucalyptus, black pepper, tar, red currants, dust and spice. Medium to long finish. 30 minute decant and had to removed sediment. Seek some out as it has another 5 plus years of enjoyment. (96 points)
- 2009 Sheridan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Block 1 – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (4/5/2025)
Bringing this tonight and really just look to stained out any sediment. Glorious wine and exceeds the quality of Leonetti and Quilceda Creek in my opinion and less. Amazing fruits featuring boysenberries, raspberries and mulberries. Concentrated with pencil lead, minerals, floral and coffee beans. Medium to long finish. Wine of the year candidate. 96+
Wine showed equally as well at the event and was an easy wine of the night. (96 points) - 2020 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata – Argentina, Mendoza (4/4/2025)
Day 1: WineguyX’s note inspired me to open this and I am really glad I did. This is so much better than the Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Nicasia Vineyard (don’t buy that) and stock up on this wine. Might be a top 20 of the year candidate. Pop and pour and explosive in a good way. Funk, minerals, blueberries, dust, cherry, floral, dark currants, mild spice and tea leaves. Super concentration and long finish. Drinking well right now but will go another 15 plus. 95 points
Day 2: Even better. Funk, stone , tea leaves, blueberries, tobacco, dried rose petals, spice, mild oak, dust and cherry. Long finish and nice acidity. Beautiful wine. 96+ (96 points) - 2012 MTR Productions Syrah Memory Found – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (4/2/2025)
Day 1: Natural cork. 13.1% alcohol. A very flavorful yet elegant wine. Green olives, white pepper, raspberries, sour cherry, minerals, tar, mild spices and dried flowers. Medium to long finish and nice acidity. Picks up a perfume flavor on the finish which also adds to the excellence of this wine. A truly outstanding effort that still will drink well for at least 5 more years. 94 points
Day 2: Hard to believe a wine that is over 10 years old can improve this much on day 2 but its true. White pepper, smoked meats, green olives, stone, tar, spice, dark fruits, raspberries, smoke and earth. Super long finish and a true masterpiece. For sure top 20 of the year. 96+
Recommendation: Find this wine and buy!
Wines Promoted: https://winedisruptors.com/wines-promoted/ (96 points)