Recent articles

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Bedrock Vineyard Heritage, Sonoma Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a field blend of over twenty varieties from the home ranch of Bedrock including Zinfandel, Carignan and Mataro.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is complex with black cherries, plums, black raspberries, spice, black pepper and char (and more).  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  This is young but this bottle anyway, was open and drinking well.  The palate is deep, concentrated and complex.  Black cherries, black raspberries, plums, spice and char with a slick but plush texture.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with foo

2019 Andremily Syrah G2 Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

This is a different Syrah from Andremily.  It is a one off release from the G2 Vineyard in Paso Robles.  The wine is a blend of 88% Syrah with 12% Mourvedre.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper, roasted meat, char and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this has a great plush texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit with black pepper and char.  Slight black olive note on the finish.  Delicious if still very young.  Give it another five to eight years and drink for twenty after that.  great on

2019 Andremily Grenache, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

There are very few great California Grenache's, but this is one.  This is a blend of 79% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre, 6% Syrah and 4% Graciano.  Purple in color, garnet at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, Black raspberries, plums, char, roasted herbs and meats.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, this has juicy acidity.  Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is very young, of course, and will improve, but its quite good today.  It would be a nice match for Cajun Roasted Chicken.  

2008 Contrade di Taurasi (Cantine Lonardo) Taurasi Le Coste, Italy, Campagna, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$54.00USD

This is 100% Aglianico from southern Italy.  Amazingly, the grapes are not harvested until November but the vineyards are at 1300 feet.  They are also ungrafted!  The wine is ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, anise, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep.  Dark cherries, cherries and black licorice.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  Osso Bucco would be classic but it went great with vegan "Italian Sausage" as well.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.   

2013 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$88.00USD

This is Sangiovese from Tuscany.  Gorgeous wine.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, some black cherries, spice, tea leaves and slight worn leather.  Full bodied.  Strong acidity.  Light to  medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Flavors of cherries, forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This begs to be drunk with food.  Pasta with a nice meat sauce and some cheese and bread would be perfect.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2008 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Deep garnet in color with some lighter ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight cedar, dill and dust.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is complex with tight layers.  Flavors of cherries, some black cherries, spice and slight char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It will work well with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2020 Carlisle Zinfandel, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

One of the great values in California wine.  This is their base Zinfandel.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, char and bramble.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is open and delicious.  Good acidity.  Flavors of black cherries and black raspberries.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and would work well with most (non seafood) dishes.  A nice choice with foods off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2019 Andremily Mourvèdre, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Nice to try one of these on the younger side but it really will improve with more age.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has deep and strong with plums, slight black raspberries, smoked meat and spice. Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Plums and black raspberries with underlying smoked meats.  Long finish.  This could use another few years in the cellar and then drink for twenty after that.  Great on its own, this will work nicely with a roasted brisket.  

2019 Sineann Abondante, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

This is a blend of red wines after they have completed their single varietal bottlings.  It differs from vintage to vintage but tends to have Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel as the main grapes.  It is always a great value.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries and cherries with some spice and char.  Medium bodied.  Good energy and well balanced.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Nice black cherry and cherry fruit.  Good finish.  This is a perfect wine for mid-week pizza night.  Drink over the next five years.  

2020 Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Vieilles Vignes de Grenache, France, Roussillon, IGP Côtes Catalanes.Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is 100% old vine (averaging 65 years old) Grenache from southeast France.  The nose has raspberries and sour cherries along with a slight floral note.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the wine is concentrated with raspberries and cherries.  Good acidity.  Nice texture.  The wine is  nice on its own, but paired with a Chocolate Pots de Creme, it worked quite well.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

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