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2009 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Baby Poux Vineyard

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

The name for this wine comes from the fact that way back in the day, these were the youngest vines in the Champoux Vineyard.  They may still hold that distinction, but these wines are getting close to thirty years old now.  This wine is a great example of Washington Cabernet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight spice and some leather.  On the palate, this seems to be getting close but not yet at peak.  Layers of cherries, cassis and dry earth.  Mild tannins.  Nice finish.  This will go well with heartier foods.  It may still have some upside and certain

2012 Ledge Syrah James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some char and a bit of leather.  On the palate, this is nice with black raspberry fruit.  Some complexity.  It doesn't seem like this will improve.  It is a very good wine but, this is from perhaps the best Syrah vineyard in California.  The expectations were high and this did not meet up to those expectations.  That may be unfair, but there it is.  This sold for around $50 on release.  

2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This was drinking quite well although it has years left.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is very nice with black cherries, cedar, chocolate and cigar box.  On the palate, this is youthful but ageing well.  Layers of cherries, black cherries and tobacco.  A nice back bone of acidity.  Good finish.  This can be drunk along but shines with food.  Obviously Italian food but really a wide variety.  Probably about 5 years from peak and should be there for 8 to 10.  

2017 Guy Saget Sauvignon Blanc La Petite Perriere, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-

This is an under $10 Sauvignon Blanc from France.  It is made in the style of a Loire Valley wine, that is more mineral based with some fruit and good acidity.  Light golden in color.  The nose is fine with minerals, and slight grapefruit.  On the palate, this is slightly bitter.  An underlying minerality.  Slightly flabby.  Innocuous.  For the price, it is fine, but don't expect magic.  

1958 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal Reserva, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1958
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

A birthday/birth year wine.  Iced tea in color.  The nose is nice with nuts, orange peel, and slight chocolate note.  On the palate, this is a bit nutty with some alcohol showing.  Good acidity.  Complex layering.  Long finish.  Like all 1958's, this is not quite mature but doing quite well.  ;-)

2013 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+

From Magnum.  Consumed over 4 days, it was probably best on day 3 and day 4.  100% Grenache.  16.4% Alcohol and not noticeable.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries, dark cherries, some coffee grounds, spice and slight floral notes.  On the palate, this is not as big of a wine as expected.  Wonderful seamless texture.  Delicious.  Dark cherries, cherries, spice along with light tannins.  Long finish.  Will work with a wide variety of foods.  This is still quite young and has a few more years until maturity and a good decade or more after that.  One of the top examples of California Gren

2014 Sine Qua Non Syrah Piranha Waterdance, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

81% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvèdre, 4% Touriga Nacional and 1% Graciano.  Inky purple in color.  This is very different for an SQN wine.  It does have 15.8% Alc but there is no sign of that.  The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, some roasted meats and herbs and black pepper.  On the palate, this is almost elegant.  It has a refined quality but also the intensity and concentration one expects.  Black raspberry and blueberry fruit on the palate with underlying coffee grounds and char.  Great texture.  Long finish.  This is still quite young and has some upside even as good as it

2014 K Vintners Syrah Powerline Estate, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and violets.  On the palate, this is almost seamless.  Black raspberry fruit, some black pepper.  Great juicy but lush texture.  Complex.  Long finish.  Needs big or spicy foods but there is enough acidity to handle them.  This is delicious and so easy to drink now, but should continue to mature for another 5 to 7 years and be good for at least a decade after that.  

2010 Quintessa, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with cherries, cassis and chocolate.  Also some dustiness.  On the palate, this is very elegant.  Not the big fruit bomb I was expecting.  Cassis, layered with chocolate and char.  Great texture.  Nice balance.  Good finish.  Will work with a wide variety of foods.  Seems to still be youthful.  There might be some upside but it is delicious now.  

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