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2005 Jean-Paul Magnien Clos St. Denis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is nice but perhaps given the vineyard and vintage, it fell below hoped for expectations.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, a bit of spice and just a hint of sour cherries.  Medium bodied.  No tannins.  Persistent acidity.  On the palate, this is nice with black cherries and some cherries, but it just sort of stops there.  Not much depth and no complexity.  It is enjoyable and certainly worth drinking but that is it.  Food will help.  Drink up as this doesn't seem likely to improve.   

1999 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Barbaresco Sorì Paitin, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

From Magnum.  Nice showing at age 25.  Brick red in color but no browning, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, dust, dried flowers and a hint of anise.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this has depth and some complexity.  Flavors of cherries with some anise and light char.  There is some oak showing but it seems mostly integrated.  Good finish.  This needs food to shine (duh).  It would be great with a plate of pasta with a mushroom cream sauce.  In regular 750ml format, it probably should be consumed in the next five years or so.  

NV Mawby Blanc Brut, USA, Michigan, Leelanau Peninsula, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Riesling from northern Michigan.  Light golden in color, clear and bright with many tiny bubbles.  The nose is nice with some red apples and a touch of tangerine rind.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, apples with a slight bitter almond note.  Tasty.  This drinks well on its own, very clean, but really worked better with food.  Stuffed Mushrooms (with cheese) went quite well.  Drink over the next few years.    

2020 Elena Fucci Aglianico del Vulture Titolo, Italy, Basilicata, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Italy has so many great women winemaker's and this is another one.  Made from the Aglianico grape in Italy's boot.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, forest floor and slight spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance and acidity.  On the palate, nice texture.  Flavors of black cherries, chocolate, spice and slight earthiness.  Great finish.  This is great on its own but even better with food.  It would work well with Pasta with Beef but also a Cheesy Pizza.  Drink over the next six to ten years.  

2019 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Family Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oak Knoll, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

Gorgeous Napa Cab.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is deep and concentrated with cassis, graphite, cedar, spice and slight tobacco.  Full bodied.  Great balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious with a great texture.  Concentrated.  Flavors of cassis, earthiness and spice.  Long finish.  This is very young but quite accessible.  It should drink well for twenty years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with bigger foods that can stand up to the tannins.  Of course, a steak, but also Roasted Root Vegetables.  

2022 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

One of the best Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in California.  Definitely a step up from the regular Bedrock Sauvignon Blanc bottling.  Green gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose  is very nice with some tropical fruit, slight citrus and some minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good balance and acidity.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is tasty with mango, lemons and some minerality.  Depth.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with many foods.  This worked well with a Roasted Eggplant and Goat Cheese dish.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2012 Dönnhoff Dellchen Riesling Großes Gewächs, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

Gorgeous wine.  This is a dry Riesling from Germany that is getting close to peak.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with peach, slight citrus (oranges mostly), and loads of minerality.  Medium to full bodied.  Wonderful energy and balance.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is complex and deep.  Layers of fruit and minerality.  Grapefruit, oranges, and schist.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is lovely on its own but better with food.  This would be a great companion to Sushi.  Drink over the next ten to twenty years. 

2021 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Becklyn wines are consistently excellent.  This is their basic cabernet.  Purple  in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight cedar, dust and saddle leather.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is deep and delicious.  Flavors of cassis with some earthiness and char.  Long finish.  Drinking well already, it will probably still improve a bit.  Great on its own, this will work well with a grilled Ribeye but also a Pizza.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. 

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