Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
SQN's Grenache are some of the most unique expressions of the varietal anywhere. They are big and fruit forward, but they have depth and energy as well. And, they can age better than most.
Purple in color with some ruby hues and ruby at the rim. Mostly opaque if a bit flat. The nose has some funk on it (more than just bottle age) along with cassis and leather. Full bodied. On the palate, sweet cassis fruit with underlying earthiness. Mature but still offering up a lot. Nice finish. This is probably better with some food at this point. Goulash would work well. Drink over the next few years.
This was really special. One of the best Pinot Noir's I have had in a long time. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and a bit on the flat side. The nose has sour cherries, cherries, spice with loads of minerality. Medium to full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, this has layers of complexity. Black cherries, sour cherries, minerals and earthiness. Delicious. Lively acidity. Long finish. At age 15, it still has some youth but starting to show good development. This would be great with a bean casserole. Drink over the next ten years. This bottle was bought on
One of our go to value wines (especially when buying on futures), this continues to impress even after the sale of the winery. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, this is tasty with some complexity. No doubt, this could last fifteen years, but we tend to drink these young and age the single vineyard wines. Great on its own, this went well with a Butternut squash curry.
If you look around, this varies in price from $35 to $70 typically. At the former, that is a tremendous value in California Cab. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has spice, cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate and char. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, ripe cassis (not over ripe) with some underlying char. Long finish. Very tasty on its own and makes a great wine with burgers or meatloaf (or a steak). Drink over the next ten years.
From what used to be known as Terry Hoage Vineyards. It is 96% Syrah and 4% Mourvedre. Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, plums, spice, black pepper and Roasted herbs. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Concentrated. On the palate, this is big and slightly jammy, but so delicious. Deep. Flavors of black raspberries, black pepper and spices. Long finish. Great on its own. Foods will need to be able to stand up to it. Roasted Lam Chops would work. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.
This is a household favorite every vintage, but this one may be the best yet. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is big with cassis, cedar, slight leather and spice. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Good balance. On the palate, this is young but accessible. Big fruit but not overblown. Good energy. Cassis, leather and spice. Long finish. Drink over the next ten to twelve years. Great on its own, this would be nice with grilled Portobello Mushrooms.
This is one of the best values in Syrah. It is also one of the best Syrahs. it ages so beautifully, it is a pleasure to drink one at age 18. Perfectly mature but not showing any age. Purple in color, shimmering bright. Opaque. The nose is great with black raspberries, a hint of barnyard, black pepper and char. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is complex and layered. Lovely texture. Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char. Long finish. great on its own but perfect with dinner. It will work with most fowl, meats or pork. It raised a veggies
Myriad's wines are starting to really get noticed which is great for them, but less so for people trying to afford them. That said, there is no question they are on a par with the best wines in Napa, which is to day the world. This one is inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is powerful but classic with cassis, graphite, leather and spice. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Wonderful texture. On the palate, this is deep with a tight complexity. If opening soon, give it a long decant. Flavors of cassis with cedar and spice and char. Long finish. This drinks well not w
This is a blend of 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache, and 18% Mourvedre from Paso Robles. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is lovely with black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs. Full bodied. Plush but silky texture. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Some complexity but perhaps not as much as other bottlings from this vintage. More powerful though. Black raspberries, jammy with some blueberries. Long finish. This is drinking well and should continue to for another decade. Better on its own than with food, but maybe some big roasted meat di
