Nice to check in on this wine after a few years.  It is open and drinking beautifully.  Richters wines are always good to great, but they are always some of the best values in Germany.  This one is no exception.  Light golden in color.  The nose has slight peach with lots of minerals/wet rocks.  With air a bit of floral not comes out.  On the palate, this is sweet but not overtly.  A reasonable amount for Spatlese.  It is crisp with nice peaches and wet rocks.  Long finish.  This will go with almost any food but will excel with spicy Thai or Indian.  It is still young but drinking great and

Always a treat to try one of the iconic California Zinfandel producers.  These are not big, brambly Zins and to really appreciate them, they do need some good cellar time.  That said, this was absolutely delicious and if you have a few, it is worth trying one young.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has raspberries, black cherries, slight black pepper and a bit of spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Medium to full bodied but silky.  Good acidity.  Black cherry fruit with some underlying char.  Good finish.  This should continue to improve for a few more years and be good for ano

Purchased off a store shelf, pop and pour.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, charcoal, a slight floral note and with air some roasted meats.  On the palate, this is leaner bodied.  Slight tannins.  Black raspberry fruit with some earthiness.  The wine is drinking well already and doesn't seem like it will get much better.  It is very good right now though.  It will work great with stews and casseroles.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

This is coming along quite nicely.  It's not yet at peak and still drinks big and young.  Purple in color.  The nose is big with black cherries, some black raspberry, spice, some chocolate and a bit of coffee.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Lots of black cherry and black raspberry fruit over a bit of char/dark chocolate.  Slight black licorice on the finish.  This is delicious and great on its own or with bolder roasted meat (or vegetable) dishes.  It will continue to improve for another five to ten years, and be good for another ten to fifteen after that if well stored.  This bo

This is a pretty big Pinot.  It is also delicious.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose seems to have some volatile acidity.  Not an issue but might be worrisome with some age.  Other than that it has a very pretty cherry liqueur nose.  On the palate, lots of black cherries.  A bit of root beer.  Full bodied.  A bit of sweet alcohol but not hot or warm.  That sweetness is especially evident on the finish.  This is the kind of Pinot that is delicious on its own.  Would be perfect on the deck next to a summer fire.  It will work with big foods or BBQ.  

This is from a region typically more known for their whites.  The owner of this winery is the son and nephew of the owners of Clos Rougeard, a "cult" wine in the Loire Valley.  This is Cabernet Franc from old vines.  It is a very nice wine.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has a slight barnyard with cherries, black licorice and slight hay quality.  On the palate, concentrated cherries.  Nice layering as this unwinds in the glass.  It has a soft texture but at the some time intense.  Long finish.  Certainly not over ripe, this wine will work better with food.  It would be interesting to try

This was fine.  Probably a bit past prime, but it probably never was great to begin with.  More a victim of higher expectations given the vintage and age. Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cherries.  Not old, but not exciting either.  On the palate, there is some energy here.  It has a nice velvety texture.  Cherry flavors.  Not much depth.  Medium finish.  If you have any, drink up soon.  This will work well with fowl.   

Moro is one of the top producers in Ribera del Duero.  This is their entry level red and is made from Tinto de Toro (a clone of Tempranillo).  It spends four months in oak before being bottled.  Purple/ruby in color.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust and slight dill notes.  On the palate, this is very ripe fruit.  Very light tannins.  Mostly cherries, some sour cherries with some black licorice notes and spice especially on the finish.  This is made for immediate drinking and it is fine for that.  It will works with stews and foods without strong flavors.  

This is a nice solid Chianti for a very nice price.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries, anise and tea leaves.  Light tannins.  On the palate, sour cherries over slight forest floor.  Good finish.  This is very food friendly with excellent acidity.  Will go great with pasta, pizza and fowl dishes.  It should probably be drunk in the next few years but will probably be drinkable for five to seven if not at peak.  

From the Cahors region of southwest France.  In Cahors, Malbec is known as  "Côt", "Côt Noir" or "Auxerrois", so the fact that the label says Malbec tells us a lot about the intended market for this wine.  Not to mention that in other than in Alsace, naming a varietal on the label, is usually not a good sign.  Of course, its what is in the bottle that count.  Ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherry hard candy.  On the palate, this has sour cherry candy with slight plums.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  A short to medium finish.  This is made to drink now, with BBQ or on its own.  Noth