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2016 Halcon Vineyards Pinot Noir Oppenlander Vineyard, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

Nice to revisit this again.  It has done nicely in the last couple of years.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries and sour cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Wonderful texture.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries and some sour cherries.  This still has a bit more maturing until peak.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

2017 No Girls Double Lucky #8, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

My second time trying this wine.  Same overall impressions.  It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Tempranillo.  Almost black in color, more ruby towards the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries and the burnt rubber smell.  Medium bodied if not a bit thinner.  On the palate, this is a nice quaff.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Easy drinking.  No idea on what the pricing will be.  

2005 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Rouge, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$198.00USD

At or near peak and drinking well.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, slight funk. slight black cherries and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, bold cherry and some black cherry fruit.  Slight forest floor and mushroom underneath.  Nice energy and balance.  Good finish.  This should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this would work well with salmon or a mushroom dish.  

2004 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

This was drinking great, at or close to mature peak.  Ruby/purple, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is classic Pegau, that is, barnyard.  Approaching the limits of Brett tolerance.  Also some black cherries and slight spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the Brett is present but not as noticeable.  Fresh cherries and black cherries with some spice.  Complex and layered.  Delicious and contemplative.  Long finish.  drink these over the next four to seven years if well stored.  This drinks great on its own but would work great with lamb stew.  

2017 Force Majeure Syrah Force Majeure Vineyard, USA, Washington, Red Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$72.00USD

A fantastic Washington state Syrah.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black pepper, black raspberries with some roasted meats.  Full bodied. Wonderful almost seamless texture.  On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This will continue to mature for another seven to ten years and drink well for twelve to fifteen after that.  It drinks well on its own and will require bigger flavors (less as it matures).  Spicy foods are a nice match.  

2015 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Foothills Reserve, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$77.00USD

This is 100% Syrah from Washington state.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is boysenberry, black pepper, slight roasted meats and a hint of burnt rubber.  Medium to full bodied.  Delicious.  On the palate, lush black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Also some black pepper.  Very smooth.  Long finish.  This is still young and will no doubt continue to improve for another five to seven years.  It should drink well for ten to fifteen more after that.  Drinks well on its own and will work with bigger foods especially roasts or off the grill.  

2015 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is 100% Syrah with a 15.3% ABV.  That said, the alcohol isn't noticeable.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with some spice and black pepper.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and ash.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  At age 7 this may yet improve a bit but it just about at its prime drinking window.  It should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  This will go well  with roasted meats, fowl or veggies.  

2018 Domaine de l'Enchantoir Saumur Blanc Terres Blanches, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a really enjoyable Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley of France.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of minerals, orange peel and slight floral notes.  Medium bodied.  Slightly sweet.  Concentrated minerality on the palate.  Long finish.  This is delicious now and should drink well for another decade.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter salads and seafoods.  

2014 Weingut Knoll Riesling Selection Ried Pfaffenberg Steiner, Austria, Kremstal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some diesel and schist along with a bit of lemon/lime.  Full bodied.  On the palate, tart lemons with an underlying minerality.  It does seem like there is a slight residual sugar. Good acidity.  This is a serious Riesling that should drink well for another ten to fifteen years (at least).  This drinks well on its own but will work better with just about any food.  It should be a nice match for Thai or Indian.  

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