Mark Squires :orangewine:
@marksquires.epicure.social.ap.brid.gy
Wine Reviewer at Robert Parker Wine Advocate from 2006 to June 2023, responsible primarily for Portugal, Greece, the USA off of the West Coast (esp. NY, VA) […]
[bridged from https://epicure.social/@marksquires on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
[bridged from https://epicure.social/@marksquires on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
Do you have critical comments about the selection in a small supermarket near my home? Fair enough. But as someone who has lived in Pennsylvania my whole life, to me it is still amazing and shocking to find so many wine offerings even in a routine small […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 30, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Do you have critical comments about the selection in a small supermarket near my home? Fair enough. But as someone who has lived in Pennsylvania my whole life, to me it is still amazing and shocking to find so many wine offerings even in a routine small […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
California Pinot can't age? This producer has made a few that age just fine! Still amazing how great this was nearing age 30. The color gives it mostly a youthful appearance for its age. It's silky, delicious and bright. It has the combo of finesse and flavor […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 29, 2024 at 11:56 AM
California Pinot can't age? This producer has made a few that age just fine! Still amazing how great this was nearing age 30. The color gives it mostly a youthful appearance for its age. It's silky, delicious and bright. It has the combo of finesse and flavor […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
2/3 Next, Tempranillos (under other names). The '04 Maurodos San Román was the biggest, richest. Not much finesse and a little one-dimensional, it held well and coated the palate.It's as good as it is going to get, tasty, a bit creamy. 14.5%. $50 then.
The […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
The […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 27, 2024 at 12:06 PM
2/3 Next, Tempranillos (under other names). The '04 Maurodos San Román was the biggest, richest. Not much finesse and a little one-dimensional, it held well and coated the palate.It's as good as it is going to get, tasty, a bit creamy. 14.5%. $50 then.
The […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
The […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
1/3 Portuguese peeps, I betrayed you for another part of Iberia. I mostly liked them. Not as much as yours, of course! I didn't know all of these well; only one was mine. White first: My fave might have been the 2020 Granbazán Etiqueta Ambar, a Rias Baixas […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 27, 2024 at 12:06 PM
1/3 Portuguese peeps, I betrayed you for another part of Iberia. I mostly liked them. Not as much as yours, of course! I didn't know all of these well; only one was mine. White first: My fave might have been the 2020 Granbazán Etiqueta Ambar, a Rias Baixas […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
Karamolegos' very old vines 2016 Assyrtiko (up to 120 years) is holding brilliantly. Tightly wound, eventually expressive and powerful, it shows few signs of entering the next phase of development. It seems so young! And it does open and tastes great. That's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 25, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Karamolegos' very old vines 2016 Assyrtiko (up to 120 years) is holding brilliantly. Tightly wound, eventually expressive and powerful, it shows few signs of entering the next phase of development. It seems so young! And it does open and tastes great. That's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
Mostly Cab, this familiar label has aged well. It's in a perfect place to drink, soft, round and rich, but showing some mature nuances. It can hold, but I don't see great improvement to come. If you want to spend a few hundred, you can still find this older […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 24, 2024 at 7:51 AM
Mostly Cab, this familiar label has aged well. It's in a perfect place to drink, soft, round and rich, but showing some mature nuances. It can hold, but I don't see great improvement to come. If you want to spend a few hundred, you can still find this older […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
My label is faded, but this '95 Monbazillac Cuvée Madame, the specialty bottling from Tirecul la Gravière, is young. Muscadelle and Sémillon from very old vines, this was and is a star. Darker in color now, but concentrated, powerful and laced with orange […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 24, 2024 at 1:42 AM
My label is faded, but this '95 Monbazillac Cuvée Madame, the specialty bottling from Tirecul la Gravière, is young. Muscadelle and Sémillon from very old vines, this was and is a star. Darker in color now, but concentrated, powerful and laced with orange […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
This is the stereotype I have of 08 Douro reds Douro--fresh, silky, bright, a wee bit thin (that's age too), but a pleasure, if not quite profound. Mostly Touriga Nacional, this inexpensive red has aged beautifully and tastes great. It's ripe and there's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 20, 2024 at 12:11 PM
This is the stereotype I have of 08 Douro reds Douro--fresh, silky, bright, a wee bit thin (that's age too), but a pleasure, if not quite profound. Mostly Touriga Nacional, this inexpensive red has aged beautifully and tastes great. It's ripe and there's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
I've been saying, look for traditional LBVs. Beautiful today, this graceful wine from Ferreira (Sogrape) seems very Vintage Port-like. It has notable power, reasonable depth and a big, flavorful finish. Aromatic and expressive, this is lovely. It's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 18, 2024 at 11:20 AM
I've been saying, look for traditional LBVs. Beautiful today, this graceful wine from Ferreira (Sogrape) seems very Vintage Port-like. It has notable power, reasonable depth and a big, flavorful finish. Aromatic and expressive, this is lovely. It's […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
I have and had a lot of vintages of Seavey, and I've often been less impressed with the 02 than some (that's relative!), but this bottle sure shows great. Deep, concentrated and powerful, it has plenty of pop on the finish, classic cassis nuances and relative […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 15, 2024 at 11:13 AM
I have and had a lot of vintages of Seavey, and I've often been less impressed with the 02 than some (that's relative!), but this bottle sure shows great. Deep, concentrated and powerful, it has plenty of pop on the finish, classic cassis nuances and relative […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
This *** Auslese was a bit lower in level than normal. I correctly suspected minor seepage. Still, top Riesling is amazingly resilient. Was I concerned? No, sir! (Ok, a little.) But it was fine, better than fine. Maybe a little more mature, but still youthful […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 12, 2024 at 11:26 AM
This *** Auslese was a bit lower in level than normal. I correctly suspected minor seepage. Still, top Riesling is amazingly resilient. Was I concerned? No, sir! (Ok, a little.) But it was fine, better than fine. Maybe a little more mature, but still youthful […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
More pleasant surprises, this time a '97 I wasn't sure of; the winery started in 1996 (with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown).This is gorgeous in fact, elegant, still showing good fruit, but a mature overlay. It has grip, a lively demeanor and it tastes great […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 9, 2024 at 12:53 PM
More pleasant surprises, this time a '97 I wasn't sure of; the winery started in 1996 (with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown).This is gorgeous in fact, elegant, still showing good fruit, but a mature overlay. It has grip, a lively demeanor and it tastes great […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
From a big, ripe vintage, this '09 shows more elegance now, and it tastes just great. As it evolves in the glass, there's a surprising touch of minerality and some grip on the finish. It's delicious, beautifully crafted and in prime form. Will it still hold? […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 6, 2024 at 10:37 AM
From a big, ripe vintage, this '09 shows more elegance now, and it tastes just great. As it evolves in the glass, there's a surprising touch of minerality and some grip on the finish. It's delicious, beautifully crafted and in prime form. Will it still hold? […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
@SwellWines Hard to be definitive today. Several of the key states (AZ, PA, among them) are slow counters. In PA for example, that is caused by the legal inability to count mail ballots in advance. There were a lot of them!
How fast the verdict comes in will […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
How fast the verdict comes in will […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 5, 2024 at 3:26 PM
@SwellWines Hard to be definitive today. Several of the key states (AZ, PA, among them) are slow counters. In PA for example, that is caused by the legal inability to count mail ballots in advance. There were a lot of them!
How fast the verdict comes in will […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
How fast the verdict comes in will […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
Everybody tense enough?
Stay alert. Not like the first guy. But you can breathe a little. 🙂 #koala #australia
Stay alert. Not like the first guy. But you can breathe a little. 🙂 #koala #australia
November 4, 2024 at 12:26 PM
Everybody tense enough?
Stay alert. Not like the first guy. But you can breathe a little. 🙂 #koala #australia
Stay alert. Not like the first guy. But you can breathe a little. 🙂 #koala #australia
2007 Avantis "Collection" Syrah (new vintages around $70) from Central Greece. This has pulled in tannins and wood, although it is a bit creamy, perhaps to a fault. There's a hint of game, but its maturity is a plus as it has pulled everything together while […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 3, 2024 at 3:56 PM
2007 Avantis "Collection" Syrah (new vintages around $70) from Central Greece. This has pulled in tannins and wood, although it is a bit creamy, perhaps to a fault. There's a hint of game, but its maturity is a plus as it has pulled everything together while […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
A field blend from 80-year-old vines that were part of the regular white, this is slightly richer. It still has a bright, lively feel, but not much personality. Fresh and elegant (last one was only 13.1%), it's very young, another decade? BUT there is a big […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
November 1, 2024 at 11:22 AM
A field blend from 80-year-old vines that were part of the regular white, this is slightly richer. It still has a bright, lively feel, but not much personality. Fresh and elegant (last one was only 13.1%), it's very young, another decade? BUT there is a big […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
A bit long in tooth? Surprise, only a bit. Very silky, this is beautifully textured. The blueberries have turned to game nuances. There is a hint of decay on opening, but it gathered itself and improved over 60 minutes. Add a nice finish with grip. I went […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 30, 2024 at 11:22 AM
A bit long in tooth? Surprise, only a bit. Very silky, this is beautifully textured. The blueberries have turned to game nuances. There is a hint of decay on opening, but it gathered itself and improved over 60 minutes. Add a nice finish with grip. I went […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
Living in a battleground, you are minding your own business and suddenly you see a notice on social media that Harris is having lunch at a Philadelphia deli icon. I joined a group outside this Philly landmark, hoping for a glimpse. We did not get one, but at […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 23, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Living in a battleground, you are minding your own business and suddenly you see a notice on social media that Harris is having lunch at a Philadelphia deli icon. I joined a group outside this Philly landmark, hoping for a glimpse. We did not get one, but at […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
This '01 Reine (last bottle!) is a little tired, not bad, but a bit boring, the big fruit replaced by muted baked strawberries. Um, the last one from my stash was drunk over a decade back. The downside to having a cellar: things get overlooked, can't drink […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 18, 2024 at 11:03 AM
This '01 Reine (last bottle!) is a little tired, not bad, but a bit boring, the big fruit replaced by muted baked strawberries. Um, the last one from my stash was drunk over a decade back. The downside to having a cellar: things get overlooked, can't drink […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 16, 2024 at 4:28 PM
This Virna from my photo this weekend got opened (hey! I'm not just gonna look at it), and it was lovely. Finesse in the mid-palate, a bright feel, gentle but a bit tight on the palate. A fine performance, still rather young. Ripe but balanced, a touch of […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 14, 2024 at 12:08 PM
This Virna from my photo this weekend got opened (hey! I'm not just gonna look at it), and it was lovely. Finesse in the mid-palate, a bright feel, gentle but a bit tight on the palate. A fine performance, still rather young. Ripe but balanced, a touch of […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
The tourist mobs these days everywhere that is well known are incredible--and off-putting. A few years back, it was still mobbed. I figured I can see the Mona Lisa in books unimpeded. So, conceding reality, I turned up the reflections on the filter. I call it […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 13, 2024 at 12:57 PM
The tourist mobs these days everywhere that is well known are incredible--and off-putting. A few years back, it was still mobbed. I figured I can see the Mona Lisa in books unimpeded. So, conceding reality, I turned up the reflections on the filter. I call it […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
A last bottle moment kicks off Italian week (15th Anniversary of Italian citizenship!) Crognolo has held beautifully, but it is certainly mature. Still bright, it has good depth, a touch of power, beautiful fruit and a long finish. What a nice bargain, and it […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]
October 9, 2024 at 4:27 PM
A last bottle moment kicks off Italian week (15th Anniversary of Italian citizenship!) Crognolo has held beautifully, but it is certainly mature. Still bright, it has good depth, a touch of power, beautiful fruit and a long finish. What a nice bargain, and it […]
[Original post on epicure.social]
[Original post on epicure.social]