Rhys Chardonnay's are some of the best anywhere.  Some say they have a Burgundian quality to them, and that may be true, but they are also clearly from California.  Sunshine and ripeness.  This one was gorgeous.  Light golden in color.  The nose has a great minerality with nice minerals and lemon cream.  On the palate, it is delicious but lean.  Great acidity.  Nice lemony notes.  Long finish.  Sometimes these wines can shut down after a few years, so this should be drunk soon, or put it away for another five years or more.  

Ho fortunate to be able to taste this wine again.  This was opened at a friend's birthday party and as you might expect, it went quickly.  Luckily for me, they made sure I got a glass!  The 92 is often overlooked between the 91 and 94 (and even the 93), but 1992 was a very good year too.  The 92 is drinking quite well right now if starting to show a bit of age.  Garnet in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose takes one to Bordeaux.  Gorgeous combination of cassis, tobacco, slight dust and slight leather with just a hint of dried fruits.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Layers of cassis over

This was a Six Liter Methuselah bottle of wine.  The cork came out in one piece with the use of a Durand.  It was soaked up the sides but did not leak.  The bottle was sampled right away and then over the next few hours.  Purple/ruby in color.  It looked to be about ten or fifteen years old (not 41).  The nose was initially muted, but with air this had some cassis and black cherries, some dried fruit, dust, cedar and a slight funk.  With air, it got younger for the first hour and then plateaued.  On the palate, this still has a nice freshness to it.  There is some age showing but not a whol

An excellent bottle of Champagne.  Light golden in color with a nice mousse of fine bubbles.  On the palate, this has red apples, slight ginger, minerals and a bit of saline.  On the palate, this is a bigger wine.  More so than prior vintages which is not bad or good.  It is still a very crisp wine which is a good thing.  Slight citrus, slight green apples and lots of minerality.  A long/tart finish.  This will go with a wide variety of foods and is delicious on its own.  At $60 per bottle, this is fairly priced.  

Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight strawberries.  Good acidity.  On the palate, strawberries.  A bit of orange peel on the finish.  The finish is long and tart (in a good way).  A very refreshing bottle of Champagne.  A bit less complex but at the same time, it has a very nice intensity to it.  Very food friendly with almost any food.  12.5% Alc.  

This has 80% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and 4% Carignane.  It is drinking just wonderfully right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, dust, leather, slight earthiness and cherries.  On the palate, this is fresh with vibrant fruit and light tannins.  Black raspberries, slight peppery notes and a nice warm earthiness to it.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Just a lovely wine.  It won't get better but should continue to mature and evolve over the next decade.  Will work with almost any food at this point.  

Pop and pour, this wine is in a great place right now.  Ruby in color with some garnet swirls.  The nose is great with cherries, slight funk, and tea leaves.  On the palate, this has great acidity.  Lots of cherries with some dried cherries over some forest floor flavors.  Good finish.  This is past its time as a fruit bomb though it has plenty left.  It is developing some lovely tertiary qualities.  Of course, it needs some great pasta or other Italian foods on the dinner tables.  

Urban Vintner is an Ohio wine making wine from purchased grapes.  This wine was made from grapes purchased in Chile.  I tasted from a freshly opened bottle.  I was told it improved greatly with air.  Purple in color.  The nose is all about bell pepper.  Concentrated and persistent bell pepper.  Maybe a bit of smoke as well.  Now, a little bell pepper in a Cabernet can be charming at times, but this was unpleasant.  On the palate, this has tingling acidity.  Perhaps some trapped CO2.  There are some plums on the palate with slight tannins.  Short finish.  Tastes vary and you might like this,

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine from purchased grapes.  This particular wine uses grapes from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State.  This was the best of their wines and is not only respectable but quite good.  Garnet in color.  The nose has black cherries with a slight herbal (chervil?) note.  The tannins come on strong at first but mellow out on the midpalate and finish.  There is some depth and complexity but this is young and could use a few years in the cellar.  It is a quality and varietally correct Cabernet.  It calls for bigger grilled or roasted foods and will also