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2013 Domaine Parent Corton Grand Cru Blanc, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Light golden in color, slight green hue.  The nose is tight and not giving up much.  Revisiting it later doesn't add much; some minerality.  On the palate, there is more going on at this point.  Slightly oily texture which is nice.  Burnt lemon peel notes.  Ok finish.  Hard to tell where this is going.  It seems fresh and clean but in a shell right now.  Probably should hold or give it a lot of air.  Seem like it would work well with sea food and lighter dishes.  Hopefully, this has some upside with proper cellaring.  

2013 Maybach Family Vineyards Chardonnay Eterium, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

Yellow/gold in color.  The nose has sulfur/smoke and lumber.  Someone mentioned marshmallow, and yes, that was on there too.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Very plush and creamy.  Lots of oak and charred oak.  A bit of lemon on the finish but also a bit of heat.  This is a stylistic thing and some will love it and for others, it is just not the type of Chardonnay the want.  If you are in the former, add a few points to the score.  If you are in the later, lay it down for 3 to 5 years and let the oak integrate a bit and hope the fruit can emerge.  

2000 Dom Perignon Champagne P2, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$325.00USD

This was the second time in a week being lucky enough to try this.  Although they were similar, this bottle was served colder and seemed just a bit better.  it seemed fresher and more lively with more acidity.  Golden in color.  The nose has some peach, minerals and smoke.  With air, some seltzer came out.  On the palate, it starts out slightly sour (in a good way).  Nice lemony notes.  It finishes more like a lemon candy with a sour/sweet note.  What an incredibly long finish this has.  It will go with just about any food.  It has depth and complexity but still seems youthful despite being

2014 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Cabernet.  Purple /ruby in color.  The nose is warm with black raspberries, raisins, dust and spice.  On the palate, this seems a bit cooler.  Cherries with dry earth.  Its a big fruity wine.  Some warmth on the finish.  There is some complexity here and light tannins.  It will take heartier foods.  These are pretty unique grapes so its not clear how well this ages.  Probably best to drink the next five years.  Still, for around $20, this is a nice value.  

2010 Bodegas Olarra Rioja Cerro Anon Reserva, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.97USD

Seems like a pretty modern take on Rioja.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight dust, and a bit of black cherries.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cherries, black cherries with medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Easy drinking but also a bit of depth.  This will please with or without food.  This retails for around $20 which is a great value.  

2016 Alain Jaume & Fils Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is very good and for $30 a nice value.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight mocha, spice and plums.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy and plush.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  The mocha note carries thru.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Delicious.  Will work with heavier foods (think cassoulet).  This has some upscale with future development and should be good for another decade, maybe more.  

2014 Clos Margalaine, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, slight barnyard and a bit of cigar tobacco.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Drinking well right now with black cherry fruit and underlying earthiness.  Good acidity.  Should be pretty food friendly for medium or heavier foods.  Nice finish.  Drink now.  It might last for five more years, but won't get any better.  

2006 Domaine René Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This seemed to be in a great place right now.  Ruby in color.  The nose is cherries, slight sour cherries and slight anise.  On the palate, this is still youthful but showing nice depth.  Slightly viscous.  Sour cherries and cherries with underlying anise and minerals.  Good finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods, even sea food.  Probably needs another five years until peak and then should drink well for another decade after that.  

2007 Meerlust Rubicon, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend from South Africa.  Purple, ruby at the rim.  The nose is interesting.  Red fruits with some bell pepper notes.  A bit of tobacco as well.  On the palate, this seems a bit better.  Cherries and some cassis.  Underlying earthiness.  Good finish.  Drinks like a nice Bordeaux with a bit of age on it.  The bell pepper on the nose will be welcome to some and a problem for others.  Seems to be at peak right now.  Drink sooner than later.  

2012 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight charred meats and hints of bacon.  On the palate, this is pretty ripe for St. Joseph but well with limits.  Lovely, full texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying earth.  Deep with layers that unwind in the glass.  Still young but getting there.  Needs bigger or spicy foods to match.  Works well on its own.  A bit expensive for a St. Joseph but well worth the $60 tariff release price. 

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