ComfortWinery.com

Vintage Tunina

 

Dolce Arianna 2001 Vin Santo

 

2002 Artesa Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer San Benito County

Good dessert wines are the best at the end of a great meal, and this late harvest Gewurtztraminer from Artesa was the perfect capper for Jeremy's delectable slow-cooked ribs meal, which we enjoyed with a magnum of '95 Lafite Rothschild.

 

2000 Long Vineyards Johannisberg Riesling Botrytis Wine

I was introduced to Long Vineyards by my friend Alex Julian, who has been a huge fan of their Chardonnays for over 25 years.   They have a way with whites, and their handling of this botrytis Johannisberg Riesling was masterful -- noble rot with some cellar age takes the white grapefruit and sugary honeysuckle fruit to the next level!    $50; 92 points

1969 Chateau d'Yquem

This was the final taste at the end of Quentin's epic 40th birthday party.   High minerality, rocks, traces of lemon rind and honeysuckle; this is a special bottling in any vintage -- try it every time you get the chance!    90 points

1996 Van Der Heyden Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Paul Provance was the first person that turned me on to the wonders of Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, and Van Der Heyden is one of the few producers of this obscure dessert wine.

1996 Van Der Heyden Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

When you visit Van Der Heyden, make sure to buy one of their fabulous dessert wines (either this one or their Semillon).   This is a true family winery; moreso than 98% of the wineries that use the word "Family" on their label.    The family-business aspect will become instantly clear to you before you even get to the tasting room -- as you dodge the children's toys in the driveway...    $100+ (if you can find a '96); 91 points

Stuhlmuller Vineyards 'Sticky' Fortified Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

David Greenwald brought this super-rare bottling from Stuhlmuller to John Durham's tasting.  The only other dessert wine made from Cab Sauv that I know of is made at Van Der Heyden -- and they use botrytis fruit (instead of fortifying with brandy).  Fortified or not, both of these dessert cabs are wonderful, and present classic cabernet flavors in a sugary melange that pairs wonderfully with chocolate treats. $45; 90 points

Felsina Borardenga Chianti Classico Vin Santo 1999

Chianti classico white dessert wine from Felsina.  Carmelized flavors, golden hue, hot alcohol on the nose burns off somewhat after about 30 minutes.   $35 (375ml); 88 points

Dow's 1945 Vintage Port

I purchased this bottle of vintage Dow Port at Berry Bros. & Rudd in London last year, and enjoyed it with my grandfather, George Geise, my Mom, stepfather, Candy, and Stan.   Grandpa was flying over Portugal from air bases in England during World War II, so the bottle has special meaning to him!   The wine is still vibrant, with hazelnut and mocha flavors behind the soft red fruit.   $1,100; 97 points