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2016 Paternoster Aglianico del Vulture Synthesi, Italy, Basilicata, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is the entry level wine of Paternoster, one of the top producers in the "arch of the boot".  Although this is showing some age, their top bottlings are still quite young as Aglianico is a grape that ages quite well.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, wild thyme and char.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this seems fully mature.  Cherry and dried cherry fruit.  Moderate finish.  It needs some food.  A great choice for mid-week Pizza.  Drink up.

2019 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Another of my favorite German producers and this is possibly my favorite of all of his wines.  This was better than a bottle I had a couple of years ago.  Light golden in color, with slight silvery hues, clear and bright.  The nose is great with lots of minerality/"wet rocks" along with a touch of pineapple and some salinity.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet.  It is also deep and delicious.  As it ages it will develop a complexity but lost some of the vibrancy.  The answer of course is to drink some young and some old.  Flavors of pineapple and minerals.  Lon

2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Mosel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Certainly one of the top wineries in Germany (or anywhere) and still "reasonably" affordable.  Light golden in color.  The nose is clean with no noticeable sulfur or petrol.  Aromas of peaches and "wet stones".  Medium bodied.  Great acidity.  Lively.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Peaches with minerality.  Long finish.  This is perfect with Roasted beets and goat cheese.  Also, nice on its own.  It is evolving nicely but still will drink well for another twenty years or more.  

2018 Lunarossa Quartara Colli di Salerno IGT, Italy, Campagna, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a really interesting white wine from southern Italy.  It is 100% Fiano grapes.  They are vinified in buried amphora lined with beeswax with their skins.  They are then aged for a time in wood barrels before being bottled.  Light golden in color with a touch of deeper hues.  The nose is different with dried flowers, some earthiness, and a bit of lemony notes.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, this has a round mouthfeel but good acidity.  Lemony notes with a bit of funk.  Long finish.  This would be excellent with most fresh seafoods.  As for ageing, it should go another few ye

2012 Jaffurs Syrah, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is the basic Jaffur's Syrah.  One of the better value is the fine wine world.  Normally, these get consumed early on, so it was fun to taste one with some age.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight char, black pepper and roasted meats.  Also, a bit earthy.  Full bodied.  Mild tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this seems mature.  Drinking well.  Nice depth with a bit of complexity.  Flavors of black raspberries, with char and a nice earthiness.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It went very well with Indian takeout.  

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$300.00USD

Beautiful bottle.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, dark chocolate, slight graphite and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Great balance.  Flavors of cassis, blueberries, dark chocolate and spice.  Long finish.  This is young but drinks nicely with a bit of air.  It will get better.  Drink over the next twenty to thirty years.  Great on its own, for now, stick to rich or fatty meats, but also roasted vegies will work.

2010 Martin Estate Gold, USA, California, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

From a half bottle.  This is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.  It is a late harvest dessert wine.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has honey along with a touch of peach.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this has some sweetness but that has probably faded since release.  Some honeyed notes.  Moderate finish.  These need to be drunk up at this point.  It works better with some food.  Cheese or less sweet pastries would work.

1999 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine, Canada, Ontario, Niagara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$58.00USD

From a 375ml bottle.  Interesting wine.  Kind of a deep pink with some ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries, a bit of tomato, and slight honey note.  Medium bodied but viscous.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet.  Flavors of raspberries with slight herbal quality (Chervil?).  Moderate finish.  It is showing its age but still has plenty of life.  Still, probably best to drink sooner than later while is still has some vibrancy.  It would work with a plain cake such as sponge cake, nicely.  

2013 Empreinte Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Yountville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$175.00USD

The label states they make single vineyard, single varietal wines.  First time trying one.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, slight cedar, spice and a slight earthiness.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is concentrated and deep.  Lots of cassis flavors with some earthiness and  char.  Long finish.  Very good.  More concentrated and piercing than complex but that works for this wine.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It will work well with roasted or grilled meats and fowl.  

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