This is interesting.  I normally prefer a Rose to be young (with a couple of important exceptions) but this still tasted youthful at 5 years from vintage.  It is made from Merlot and a bit of Cabernet Franc.  Orange/salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has watermelons, strawberries and slight hay.  On the palate, this is clean with just a touch of acidity.  Cherries and strawberries.  Nice finish.  This will go with anything from a light salad to a burger or fowl.  

A very pretty white wine from the Rhone.  This is a big, round wine that is unique and outstanding.  Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Roussanne.  Golden in color.  The nose is gorgeous with peaches, minerals, slight lime, toast and a slight waxy/floral quality (not unlike my late Aunt's apartment).  On the palate, this is round with a slightly oily texture.  very nice acidity.  Long finish.  In a very good way, this is somewhat like a white Burgundy with a peach candle melted in.  Delicious.  It would go great with food especially vegetarian grain dishes (couscous, quinoa, etc.). 

Nice to revisit this wine.  Tasted (note posted elsewhere on this site), it was quite tight.  While still quite young, this wine has really made a lot of progress.  Still not at its peak, but providing a lot of pleasure right now.  It is a blend of 89% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier.  inky purple in color.  The nose is great with black raspberries, smoked meat, white pepper and floral notes.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Black raspberry fruit over scorched earth and also some pepper.  Great texture.  Long finish.  This will go well with big meat dishes but also roasted veggie

I am a big fan of the Chenin Blanc grape and Sandlands makes some of the best in California!  They have a low alcohol but at the same time, these are not wispy or lacking in fruit.  Light bronze/gold in color.  The nose is great with lemons, wax, slight orange peel and minerals.  On the palate, this is lean but solid.  Nice acidity.  A bit of lemon, over a nice steely minerality.  Nice finish.  Worked great on its own but will work with lighter foods and even a burger.  Probably should last for 5 to 8 more years, but perhaps even longer.  It would be fun to put a bottle away and these are n

Wow.  This is truly a special wine.  Just gorgeous and will still get better.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight lavender, and roasted meats.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  A wonderful silky/lush texture.  Great energy.  Delicious black raspberry fruit layered with charred earth and black pepper.  Long finish.  This is a very unique take on high end Syrah.  It should continue to improve for five years and be god for twenty more after that.  It will go with roasted foods as well as Indian and much more.  

Another great basic release from Bedrock.  This time its their Sauvignon Blanc.  Light golden with some green swirls in color.  The nose has some candied grapefruit and a bit herbal tones.  Very pretty.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Grapefruit with some lemon.  There is some depth here though I wouldn't age it more than a few years.  Lots of energy right now.  It will work well with lighter foods and salads.  It is also great in the glass on its own.  Very tasty.  

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