The 2003's a general rule are all drinking at peak now.  It was a very hot vintage.  Some wines got very ripe and others, stayed green when the plants shut down due to the heat.  Inky purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice and cinnamon.  Very clean.  On the palate, this has light to medium tannins,  still plenty of cherries and black cherries.  Ripe bit not over the top although concentrated.  Long finish.  This probably won't get better but should be good for another ten to fifteen years.  it will work well with grilled or roasted meats or on its own.  

This was decanted for a few hours prior to drinking.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, raspberries, slight earthy funk.  On the palate, this has big red fruits.  Light tannins.  Very well balance.  Mostly cherries with underlying earth.  Long finish.  This is very concentrated.  It needs at least ten years and closer to twenty to hit peak.  It will work well with roasted fowl.  Lots of upside on the score with some patience.  

This house may be better known now for their reds, but they make some fantastic whites as well.  And, as this bottle shows, they can be quite age worthy.  Medium golden in color.  The nose is nice with lemons, lemon peel, along with spice and vanilla.  There is a fair amount of oak still on the nose.  On the palate, plenty of lemons, slight wax, vanilla and spice.  Mild oak tannins.  Long finish.  There is still plenty of fruit left but also plenty of oak.  This should continue to slowly age out from here, but won't get any better.  Good finish.  This will work well with salmon or roasted d

This is a white Bordeaux from the heart of the Graves region where some of the best white wines come from.  It is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon.  This is truly a wonderful wine that is just starting to get close to its peak.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is gorgeous.  Slightly waxy with pears, a touch of honey and citrus.  Very clean.  On the palate, this has just a bit of viscosity.  Lots of pears, slight apricot/honey and slight vanilla.  It is dry with good balance and acidity.  Lots of depth.  Long finish.  Probably at its peak for the next ten ye

This is the luxury cuvee of Moet & Chandon.  It might be the most well known of all of the luxury cuvees.  The amazing thing is that they make 5 million bottles of this wine every time they produce it.  Of course, it is not produced in every vintage.  They have made a 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and now this 2008.  So, it is made almost every year.  The 2008 is special though.  it is probably the best vintage since 1996.  It is expensive, but for a top notch luxury Champagne it is reasonable.  If you do open a bottle, pay attention.  Don't just open to start a night and let the f

After going decades without trying this, this is my second time this month.  And you know what, it shows well again.  Yes, this wine can be dissed by wine nerds, but it is enjoyable and reasonably priced.  One glass is plenty but that is true with many sweet wines.  Tawny in color.   The nose has a nice caramel and red apple quality.  There is little oxidation showing on the nose.  On the palate, this is nice.  Sweet but less than expected.  Caramel and nuttiness, with a slight salinity.  No hint of heat or alcohol.

First off, this is not wine, it is Brandy.  That said, it is distilled from young, Palomino and Airén grapes. Then aged for ten to twelve years in American oak that had previously been used for oloroso sherry.  It is 40% abv.  Light golden in color.  The nose has alcohol but also a nice nuttiness with a bit of dates.  On the palate, this is warm but not hot.  There are nice figs along with caramel.  Warmth on the finish.  For $30, this is a nice value in Brandy.  Best sipped on its own.  

Dark brown in color, drab green at the rim, bright and opaque.  The nose has a nice coffee quality to it along with a bit of chocolate and slight fig notes.  On the palate, this is smooth.  Not a lot of depth but tasty.  Sweet.  The chocolate and figs carry thru to the palate.  Nice finish.  This would be good on its own for dessert or with a not too sweet chocolate dessert.  

This is a sweet dessert wine.  The PX grapes are picked and dried on straw mats until they have lost half of their weight at which point neutral spirits are added.  The soleras average over 30 years old though I didn't notice a VORS designation on the label.  Dark in color like black coffee.  The nose reminds of "tootsie rolls" along with some fig and coffee.  On the palate, this is viscous.  Notes of coffee and nutmeg along with fig.  Sweet.  Long finish.  This wine will last for decades.  This should be served for dessert either on its own or with a less sweet dessert made with coffee, fi

This is a great bottle of wine.  Of course, only if one likes Sherry in a dry, oxidative style.  The average age of the wines making this up is 40 years old.  Light copper in color. The nose is great though there is some volatile acidity. Nutty, with salinity and slight burnt orange peel. On the palate, this is complex and deep. Dry.