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2020 Recanati Yasmin Red, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a kosher wine from Israel.  It is an 80/20 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot for this vintage.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some black raspberries, cherries, and slight milk chocolate.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Cherries and black cherries.  OK Finish.  This drinks easy and will work well on its own, for the Seder, or with Chicken or Brisket.  Drink now.  

2020 Recanati Yasmin White, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is an inexpensive Certified Kosher (OU) wine from Israel.  It is a 60/40 blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  On the nose, there is a bit of gooseberry and slight alfalfa.  Light bodied.  Easy drinking.  Slight acidity.  On the palate, this is refreshing.  Nice as an aperitif or with fish (Gefilte?).  Drink now.   

2022 Kirkland Signature Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

We are big fans of Kirkland (Costco) products including their wines.  They contract with quality vendors to makes legitimate wines at a fair price.  This is no exception.  A straight down the middle New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  Light gold/green in color.  The nose has grapefruits, gooseberry and slight herbal notes.  Light to medium bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is dry but has good bright fruit.  Gooseberries and some grapefruits.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  While it is likely most of this is drunk on its own, it will work with lighter foods.  A nice choice for a tuna s

2021 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Such a great value!  This is a blend of 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, and 6% Counoise.  This is garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, roasted meats and earthiness.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking quite well.  Varietal complexity with an excellent texture.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries and some plums.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well and would be an excellent choice for a weekday meal be it pizza, meatloaf or veggie wraps.  Drink over the next

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$69.00USD

Rhys makes some of the best Pinot Noir's (and Chardonnays) anywhere.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice, char and slight earthiness.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered from the first sip.  Cherries, earth and smoke.  Long finish.  This took a while to get to this point, but it is drinking well. It should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own but better with food.  Roasted duck would be perfect.  

2022 Sineann Grüner Veltliner Pear Blossom Vineyard, USA, Washinton, Columbia Gorge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This continues to be a delightful take on Gruner from the Pacific Northwwest.  Light golden with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has granny smith apples, limes and minerality. Medium bodied.  Good acidity. On the palate, apples and limes.  Nice finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that is nice on its own but a bit better with food.  Lighter foods such as chicken or tuna salad will work nicely.  Drink over the next three to five years.

2021 Flora Springs Trilogy, USA, California, Napa, Wine Revfiew

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

While this is the 38th year of this bottling, it represents a sort of reboot as their vineyard sources have changed.  In addition, they brought in winemaker Mike Smith as a consultant.  Of course, the proof is in the pudding, er, wine.  This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Pop and pour, this took about an hour to start to open and really got going at the two hour mark.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, plums, black cherries, spice, and a slight minty (Eucalyptus?) note.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.

2018 Levo Under The Gun Petite Sirah, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$42.00USD

This is a blend of 78% Petite Sirah, 18% grenache, and the remainder Syrah and Roussanne.  It is a big, bold wine that is drinking well.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, black cherries, and spices.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and char.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and would work well with meats or poultry off the grill.  Drink over the next six to ten years.  

2022 Desire Lines Riesling Cole Ranch, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

Cole Ranch AVA is the smallest AVA in the United States.  It is west of Ukiah in Mendocino County.  The vineyard was planted in 1973.  It is a very interesting take on Riesling and certainly one of the better ones tasted from California (yes, that is a bit of a back handed compliment).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peach, some ginger and plenty of minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is dry.  Minerality dominates but also some ginger and slight peach.  Good finish.  It is nice on its own, but really, better with good.  It was perfect with

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