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2015 Heitz Cellar Chardonnay, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Light golden in color.  The nose has some oak/spice on it but not a ton.  Also some baked apples.  On the palate, the apples are fresh with a slight bit of ripeness.  The oak is a bit more persistent but again, not over the top.  Good bite of refreshing acidity.  Nice finish.  This works on its own as a cocktail wine but will work just fine with lighter fare.  It should make good drinking over the next few years.  It may not be worth long term cellaring, but it might surprise.  

2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$2500.00USD

Opened about an hour before the tasting and allowed to breathe. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is beautiful with a nice earthiness (mostly clean), baking spices, cherries (red and black). On the palate there is a juicy acidity that gives way to a lush texture and big fruit. Dark and red cherries but also some clay and spice show thru as well. Tight layers that unwind in the glass. Long finish. Certainly needs time or air, but drinking great right now.

2005 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1200.00USD

Wow. The best red Burgundy I have ever had. Everything I could ask for except two things. 1) it still is very young and B) the price is way out of my range. That said, what a treat to drink this. The bottle was opened slightly before the tasting. Dark purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is tight at first with spice and a warm earthiness. With air the red cherries come out and also some black currants. On the palate, there is a nice meatiness to this along with dark cherries and sandalwood. It is deep with layers of fruit and earth.

2016 Jean Biecher et Fils Altenberg de Bergheim, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

An interesting blend of Gewurztraminer and Riesling.  It was sold for $20 which is a nice value.  Light gold/green in color.  Oddly, this seems to have some trapped CO2 in the bottle as it shows up on the glass if the not the palate.  Neither varietal seems to be very pronounced on the nose, although both show up a bit.  Slight lychee, apricot and minerals.  On the palate, this is viscous.  A perception of sweetness but seems dry though ripe.  Lychees and apricots.  Good finish.  Will work well with Indian or Thai food.  

2013 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$199.95USD

Wow.  This is drinking great but may yet hit that 100 point mark.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, smoke, gravel and graphite.  All of those come thru to the palate along with some roasted meats.  Firm tannins.  Drunk over two nights, it was fresher on Night one and deeper on night two.  Fantastic both nights.  This will probably follow that path as it matures.  Will work with meats and heartier foods.  

2016 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$124.97USD

Wow.  Rhys hits another home run with this Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with lemon cream and vanilla.  The palate matches.  Smooth and almost seamless.  Depth and complexity.  So good right now that it would be a shame not to drink one this young.  Based on past history, this is likely to shut down for a bit and not emerge for 7 or so years.  So, if you don't like older Chards or can't wait, then just enjoy now!  Will work with medium or lighter weight foods.  

2015 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is their basic Cabernet from a winery that makes both Washington and Oregon wines.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, sandalwood and fresh cut lumber.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  There is a fair amount of oak, but also plenty of cassis fruit.  Easy drinking.  Good finish.  For a $30 Cab, this is a nice value.  Some depth.  Needs a couple of years and drink over the next five to seven after that.  

2012 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cherries, slight cough syrup, some anise and spice.  Nice.  On the palate, this has a lovely juicy but velvety texture.  Cherries and cherry cough syrup with some underlying spices.  Nice finish.  Very food friendly.  This still is a bit young and another few years of cellaring will be beneficial.  If not,, give it some air now.  

2012 Fratelli Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vigneto Monte Sant’Urbano, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cherries, slight prunes, slight raisin along with some anise and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this  is ever so slightly sweet with cherries, dried cherries and slight prune.  Medium tannins.  Nice depth with layers of complexity.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Should work with medium and heavier dishes very well, probably not so much with spicy foods.  Seems to be closing in on peak but should certainly have another 7 to ten years left.  

2014 Jaffurs Syrah Thompson Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

These usually take at least five years and really ten to open up, but this is drinking very well right now, if a bit tight and young.  It is delicious.  Purple inc olor.  The nose has boysenberries, slight black olive, black pepper and slightly roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Juicy black raspberry fruit with underlying char and slight leathery notes.  Deep and tightly layered.  It takes some coaxing but unwinds in the glass.  Long finish.  Needs spicy or meat dishes or even roasted veggies.  Some upside, this needs about five years to peak and should have a decade m

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