aka Wine Steve
@caspernick.bsky.social
Pilot, Sommelier, Master Mariner, Wine Educator, Sailing and Powerboating Instructor
www.capitalboater.com
www.capitalboater.com
An exceptional Cru Bojo- "concentrated" is what the missus and I both thought. Ripe fruit, great structure with powdery tannins, gobs of flavor and priced in the 30's. Only 88 points on release, this one is getting another look at when I find more.
January 14, 2026 at 12:20 PM
An exceptional Cru Bojo- "concentrated" is what the missus and I both thought. Ripe fruit, great structure with powdery tannins, gobs of flavor and priced in the 30's. Only 88 points on release, this one is getting another look at when I find more.
Tasty but lacking concentration and complexity. Too bad, I sat on it for a few years.
January 12, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Tasty but lacking concentration and complexity. Too bad, I sat on it for a few years.
I tasted this Saperavi before, but from a funky amphora bottle. It doesn't improve past the 87 points I thought it was worthy of the first go around. Thin and lacking much structure, it still tastes decent and has some interesting notes but for $25, my cash goes elsewhere.
January 10, 2026 at 11:33 AM
I tasted this Saperavi before, but from a funky amphora bottle. It doesn't improve past the 87 points I thought it was worthy of the first go around. Thin and lacking much structure, it still tastes decent and has some interesting notes but for $25, my cash goes elsewhere.
Drank some Moonshine last night, and I liked it. Super smooth, apple driven and only 70 Proof. Might get a proper bottle now.
January 9, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Drank some Moonshine last night, and I liked it. Super smooth, apple driven and only 70 Proof. Might get a proper bottle now.
There's something about Cali Pinot- you can spend a ton or get in the door under $15. This one really impressed me for its QPR. Some cellaring in my buddies basement helped, no doubt.
January 8, 2026 at 12:36 PM
There's something about Cali Pinot- you can spend a ton or get in the door under $15. This one really impressed me for its QPR. Some cellaring in my buddies basement helped, no doubt.
Can you guess what the flavor profile is on this Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon? I must say, the tannins were very grippy, even a touch green after 5 years of age. It runs $13, perhaps a decent weekday quaffer.
January 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Can you guess what the flavor profile is on this Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon? I must say, the tannins were very grippy, even a touch green after 5 years of age. It runs $13, perhaps a decent weekday quaffer.
I bought this bottle of Samso (Carignan) sight unseen. I should have known better, but $35 for a Priorat sounds enticing. It was obviously not well cared. It's at peak, if not a touch over the hill, yet still delivered amazing tertiary notes on the palate. The nose was a bit too 'old, and tired'.
January 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I bought this bottle of Samso (Carignan) sight unseen. I should have known better, but $35 for a Priorat sounds enticing. It was obviously not well cared. It's at peak, if not a touch over the hill, yet still delivered amazing tertiary notes on the palate. The nose was a bit too 'old, and tired'.
Malbec- so smooth, so tasty. I should focus more on this grape in 2026.
Paired it with a Tri-tip I roasted in the oven after a quick broil.
Paired it with a Tri-tip I roasted in the oven after a quick broil.
January 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Malbec- so smooth, so tasty. I should focus more on this grape in 2026.
Paired it with a Tri-tip I roasted in the oven after a quick broil.
Paired it with a Tri-tip I roasted in the oven after a quick broil.
Over the hill- such a shame. It had a beautiful, mature nose but alas... the wine was so sour it was hard to enjoy the tertiary development. Oh well, you win some and you lose some in the game of cellaring wines.
January 2, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Over the hill- such a shame. It had a beautiful, mature nose but alas... the wine was so sour it was hard to enjoy the tertiary development. Oh well, you win some and you lose some in the game of cellaring wines.
Good morning and Happy New Year. We stayed home, ate fondue and opened this stunning Shiraz. I must say- it's one of my favorite 2025 wines. Got a few left for 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Good morning and Happy New Year. We stayed home, ate fondue and opened this stunning Shiraz. I must say- it's one of my favorite 2025 wines. Got a few left for 2026!
A friend brought this Barolo over so I opened it last night. It's not great, but it's not bad, especially for $16 from Trader Joes. It's certainly too young for many, but you can tame the tannins with some decanting/aerating. The flavors are true to form and it gives ample satisfaction.
December 31, 2025 at 1:21 PM
A friend brought this Barolo over so I opened it last night. It's not great, but it's not bad, especially for $16 from Trader Joes. It's certainly too young for many, but you can tame the tannins with some decanting/aerating. The flavors are true to form and it gives ample satisfaction.
Another Moldovan wine, this one being 100% Rarǎ Neagrǎ. Slightly green tannins eventually mellowed out, the combo red and black fruit with a touch of oak was quite enjoyable. $17 gets you in.
December 30, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Another Moldovan wine, this one being 100% Rarǎ Neagrǎ. Slightly green tannins eventually mellowed out, the combo red and black fruit with a touch of oak was quite enjoyable. $17 gets you in.
Ten bucks gets you this Kiwi Sav Blanc. Consistent, tasty, certainly zesty and widely available. They make a nice Chardonnay as well as a delicious Pinot.
December 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Ten bucks gets you this Kiwi Sav Blanc. Consistent, tasty, certainly zesty and widely available. They make a nice Chardonnay as well as a delicious Pinot.
Musar Blanc and Lobster for Christmas dinner. What a treat!
December 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Musar Blanc and Lobster for Christmas dinner. What a treat!
It was a Christmas miracle. A 1998 Vin de Pays that my buddy found in his attic. Tertiary development for sure, yet still offering hints fruit with a silky mouthfeel. I was shocked.
December 25, 2025 at 2:24 PM
It was a Christmas miracle. A 1998 Vin de Pays that my buddy found in his attic. Tertiary development for sure, yet still offering hints fruit with a silky mouthfeel. I was shocked.
I realize the bottle is empty- but we have unanimously agreed that white Glüewein is our favorite flavor. Thoughts?
December 23, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I realize the bottle is empty- but we have unanimously agreed that white Glüewein is our favorite flavor. Thoughts?
Paired this smooth Sake with a delicious rice bowl. It's been a while since I drank the stuff. Do you drink yours chilled, room temp or warm?
December 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Paired this smooth Sake with a delicious rice bowl. It's been a while since I drank the stuff. Do you drink yours chilled, room temp or warm?
Aged Brunello with some braised beef shanks. So absolutely amazing..
December 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Aged Brunello with some braised beef shanks. So absolutely amazing..
I have drunk/opened thousands upon thousands of wine bottles in my time but this is a first. A double corking. Delicious wine btw...
December 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I have drunk/opened thousands upon thousands of wine bottles in my time but this is a first. A double corking. Delicious wine btw...
That's the last of my Rangpur Gin, touched by some dry Vermouth and gently bathing some stuffed olives.
December 15, 2025 at 10:33 AM
That's the last of my Rangpur Gin, touched by some dry Vermouth and gently bathing some stuffed olives.
Enjoying an ‘18 Poujeaux with a Strip steak and salad. Jet lag is a beotch….
December 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Enjoying an ‘18 Poujeaux with a Strip steak and salad. Jet lag is a beotch….
Drank some Chasselas on the plane ride home from Switzerland. I gotta say, it's quite nice! It reminds me of Chardonnay done in a minimalist way- no oak, MLF or battonage. Light and crispy with good acidity, a medium (-) body, aromas/flavors of apple, citrus and herbs. Too bad you can't find it.
December 13, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Drank some Chasselas on the plane ride home from Switzerland. I gotta say, it's quite nice! It reminds me of Chardonnay done in a minimalist way- no oak, MLF or battonage. Light and crispy with good acidity, a medium (-) body, aromas/flavors of apple, citrus and herbs. Too bad you can't find it.
A stunning CDP that we paired with Fondue, in Zurich. 13.5% ABV, low for the style yet relatively full bodied and silky smooth. The dessert was something else.
December 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A stunning CDP that we paired with Fondue, in Zurich. 13.5% ABV, low for the style yet relatively full bodied and silky smooth. The dessert was something else.
German Pinot Noir, under the radar and called Spätburgunder. This one was chock full of barnyard, sour cherries, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Low in alcohol at 12.5%, it had a lovely freshness, despite the funk.
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
German Pinot Noir, under the radar and called Spätburgunder. This one was chock full of barnyard, sour cherries, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Low in alcohol at 12.5%, it had a lovely freshness, despite the funk.
Guess what I taught on the top deck of our river boat….
December 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Guess what I taught on the top deck of our river boat….