This is a very nice value for those looking for a reasonably priced California Cabernet.  It is from Paso Robles, an area generally not known for its Cabs.  Dark ruby in color.  The nose has cherries and slight kirsch notes along with some baking spice and a bit of vanilla.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity.  Cherries with some oak.  Medium finish.  This will improve over the next couple of years as it integrates and should be good for five to seven after that.  A nice with with grilled burgers.  

A fine showing for this wine.  At age 18, it is drinking well with plenty of time left.  This bottle was decanted for sediment and served.  It could have used an hour in the decanter or more to really open.  The last glass was the best.  Deeper ruby in color, mostly opaque.  The nose is clean for the most part.  Cherries, raspberries, some earthiness and nice minerality on the nose.  On the palate, this is medium to full bodied.  Plenty of depth with nice layering in the glass.  A lot of fruit left; cherries and raspberries and some black raspberries, over a dry earthy quality.  This bottle

John Alban is one of the pioneers of Rhone varietal wines in California.  His eponymous winery  is still one of the best.  This is a big wine but for those who like this style, it is excellent.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, slight roasted meats and gravelly dirt.  On the palate, the texture is lush and almost seamless.  This is slightly sweet, most likely from ripe fruit.  Black raspberries and some black cherries.  Plenty of depth with a long finish.  A tasty wine for sure.  It drinks great on its own (and was perfect with a nice Cuban cigar).  It wi

72% Zinfandel with 20% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre.  This is a brawny wine that is delicious.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black pepper, slight bramble and baking spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy black cherries over a bit of char with slight woody notes.  There is a nice depth to this wine.  It should continue to develop complexity over the next few years.  It should last another decade.  Whether it improves or not depends on how mature you like your Zins.  This is great on its own and should work great with grilled meats or spicy hot foods.  

Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  This is a big wine that is more about darker fruits than a more traditional Brunello.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, some spice and just a hint of forest floor.  On the palate, the black cherries and black raspberries come thru.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This wine is delicious.  It is still young but drinks well.  Great on its own but should work with bigger foods and roasted dishes.  

2018 version.  80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay.  It is composed of the following vintages:  50% 2015, 25% 2014, 25% 2013, with10% Pinot Noir still

Gruner Veltliner may be the "national" grape of Austria, and there are many great ones, but they also do a fantastic job with Riesling.  Golden in color.  The nose has nice minerals, a slight peach and a slighter diesel quality.  On the palate, this is dry.  Excellent acidity.  The wine is full bodied.  Depth and complexity.  Long finish.  This should go with just about any food.  Just starting to show some maturity, it will last a couple more decades if that's how you like your Riesling.  

An interesting and fairly priced wine from northeast Italy.  The Kerner grape is a cross between Schiava and Riesling.  Light pale gold in color.  The nose has some peaches and a bit of minerality.  On the palate, this is round and soft.  It sets the expectation for acidity but there really isn't a lot.  It drinks easy with the peach notes carrying thru.  This probably should be drunk now.  It will go well with salads and quiches.  

This is a blend of Rousanne (98%) and Viognier (2%) and one of my favorite white wines.  Of course, white Rhone varietals can be wonderful, frustrating, fascinating, great or dead at any point once they pass five years of age.  So it was with some trepidation that I tasted this wine when a friend brought it over.  No worries, this wine was singing and drinking great.  Golden in color.  The nose is showing some maturity.  Aromas of pears, slight dried flowers and wax.  On the palate, a slightly oily texture.  Pears and canned pears with a bit of earthiness.  Deep.  Not a lot of acidity.  Lon

One might think an Albarino that is five years old would be way past it.  Maybe more so if it were from California.  In this case, anyway, that would not be true.  This was drinking quite well.  As I don't know the winery, it is not possible to say how this drunk younger or if it is better or worse now.  It is, however, still quite enjoyable.  Yellow golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is all about minerals with a bit of alfalfa.  With air, a bit of citrus (lime?).  On the palate, this has a nice cut.  The lime comes out more.  Refreshing.  Good finish.  It is light bodied.  Indeed