Cream Sherry is a specific style of Sherry that is sweet.  Harvey's Bristol Cream is a blend of Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso, with some Pedro Ximénez.  At one point, this was the largest selling Sherry.  While it might have fallen out of favor in recent years, it still has a large set of devoted fans.  Tawny in color.   The nose has a nice caramel covered apple quality to it with just a bit of toffee.  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.  This

This is a blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Picardan, and Clairette Blanche.  From a 375ml size bottle which is a great format for early drinking or when one wants just another glass or two.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with pears, spice, slight wax, and slight honey.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  The pears come thru along with the baking spices.  Good balance.  Light tannins.  Long finish.  White Rhone varietals can be tricky to age, but this seems like it should be good for five to seven and probably more.  It will work well with sea

I have been beating the drum for Torrin wines for a while now. They do take a long time to open up, but this one seems a bit more open than most. Of course, we are now seven years from vintage. This is delicious. It is a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Grenache. The label lists 16%ABV and although it is not noticeable on the palate, one does feel it. Inky purple in color. The nose is concentrated with black raspberries, iodine, roasted meats, char and spice. On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush texture. It is much wider on the palate. Lush black raspberries over char and spice.

The base Bedrock wines are wonderful values.  The Zin and the Syrah are about my only case purchases these days.  Wonderful wines.  The 2018 Syrah is designated as California.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, char, slight roasted meats, just a hint of bacon fat and a bit of spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely, juicy texture.  Black raspberry fruit with underlying char and roasted meats.  Good finish.  Young though mine are not likely to see old age as I tend to drink these young while waiting on other wines.  Perhaps I need to hide a bottle in the cellar.  It likely w

This is the "leftovers" from Sineann.  Every vintage is slightly different but it usually has Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.  It is a great value.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black raspberries, spice and a woody note.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Lots of lively cherry and black cherry fruit.  Good finish.  This is easy drinking and works well on its own.  It also works well with burgers or pizza.  Made for immediate drinking, it will drink well for the next five years.  

The 2012 Saxums have been pretty open since release although they did recently (last two years) go into a slightly shut down phase.  No worries, this bottle was pop and pour and drinking quite well. A blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slightly roasted meats and spice.  Full bodied with a lovely big texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit on the palate with some blueberries over a bit of char and pepper.  Long finish.  There is a lot of alcohol here but it is not noticeable.  This is delicious if not for everyone.  Most

This is always a great value from Oregon/Washington producer Sineann.  Peter Rossback makes a lot of a wide variety of wines.  Once he is done, he makes a couple of different blends with the leftovers.  The Abondante is the better of the two (the other is labelled Red Wine).  This sells for around $22 and comes screw capped!  This vintage is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight chocolate and char.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Drinking well right now.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  This should drink well for

I am always looking for reasonably priced wines and this one sells for around $25 locally.   It is a very nice wine that is worth picking up a bottle or two of if you like Sonoma Cabs.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight cassis, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this is ready to drink now.  The black cherry fruit carries thru.  Light tannins.  Some depth and complexity.  Solid finish.  It will work well with burgers or grilled foods.  It should be consumed in the next five years.  

Some of the best values in the wine world are from Chianti.  Figure out the best wineries, and buy the second or third best wines.  Of course, the top wines are great too, but they can be pricey.  This wine can be found for under $30 and it is excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, tea leaves/tobacco and slight cedar.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Nice acidity.  Black cherry fruit of char and forest floor.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well with light tannins.  It will continue for ten years, so no hurry.  A great match