Stephen McConnell Blog

This isn't your average wine review platform, so consider yourself forewarned. You'll come across content here that may not align with the usual wine jargon that today's wine enthusiasts are used to.

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No Loach

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Despite what you think of the current ownership–and marketing–I have been visiting De Loach for several decades and this is GREAT Zinfandel. It brings up all the perfect possibilities of the variety in a package streamlined and beautiful to drink. Smoky and rich in the nose, a glass-feel not bricking at 10 nor horrendously leggy, even at 15 it exhudes all the kinds of things we NEED from zinfandel.
Mention This

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

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18 vices

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

I know I told you numerous times ’18 was such a fabulous year in Bordeaux that even down in the bargain satellite arenas it was a no-brainer to buy a ton and for that I apologize, but in my defense I did not promise they would age well. *Vintages of the decade* rarely do. And now I’m cautioning you, if you followed my advice, to drink the shit out of them, because they are going south fast.
Coronavina

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Bought a six pack of these on release at deep discount and wasn’t in love with it at the time and I’m still not entirely in love with it but it has its merits. Kind of chubby, kind of 99% pleasing, although I feel the fruit is starting to fade terribly. It’s all bitter angst which on one hand I kind of appreciate and on the other hand, coupled with it’s chubby nature I kind of fucking hate.
Relax, bro

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Weirdest thing, and a new one for me, pulled out a perfect cork and went to pour and it just tricked out of the bottle. Checked the cork again, And it was complete. Stuck my pinky in the neck of a bottle and realized there was a huge ring of tartarites–cholesterol style–stuck to the neck at the base of the cork. A little push and flow resumed. Perfectly okay, I’m fine with some sediment and tartrates but definitely exposes the wine making style. And how I love carignane. Is that a hedgehog?
Collection I

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Remember this one? Collection is nice but still lk kinda miss Brut Premier. I think this is my last one. Fruit is a bit shy, as it goes fairly precipitously and immediately between toasted almond and acid. Still gorgeous though. @louisroederer_@hautesomm
Saintly

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Gritty, grainy, and packed with dank fruit, 10YO with a sublime nose ripe and almost minty on its tertiary movements. Savory dried saliva and dark woodsy layers of ridiculous complexity, tight and taut on pour–lavish and overwhelming with a little air. In the mouth, a perfect bitter where east-side California slowly rises from bottom-land to gentle, hot foothills.
Creamanty

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

No Champagne was harmed in this scam. I actually really like both these wines. Kinda surprised at myself. A CA charmat and a french methode. Nicely done. @unefemmewines@1849wine
What a Girl Wants

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Classic classic Napa cab. Unfortunately, a style of classic becoming more and more classic with every Napa cab you open. Thick and impenetrable, a nose of obtuse sweaty roasted ripeness flowered with brown banana and dark muddled heroin-infused cherry. In the mouth, watery syrup packing all grainy concentration and no sparkling life.
Accidental

1 month ago | wine1percent.com | Stephen McConnell

Two ridiculously different pinots, the Occidental (at “13.0”) feeling hot and alcoholic while managing a certain Sonoma Coast feel of green-ness while insufferably ripe and–honestly–awkward. The SYV shows classic SYV ripeness while managing a balance of vegetal–assumably from WC–in a blustery, grainy, tannic package. My vote is on the Melville, obviously.