Upon first tasting, this wine wasn't giving up a thing.  Really tight.  But after an hour or two of air and multiple other pours being taken, this finally started to open up and show something.  That said, drink this quick or be prepared to wait a while before revisiting as if not shut down, it is getting there quickly.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries with rocks and dust.  With air a bit of a floral note.  On the palate, this is almost jammy but not quite with black cherry fruit.  A nice minerality underneath.  It is delicious and only going to get better from here.  It ne

This wine has notoriously been slow to come around.  This is a very masculine but classic Bordeaux.  This was decanted for sediment (not a lot) and then allowed to breathe for an hour or so, it opened nicely although the best days are still ahead for this wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, some earthiness and a fair amount of oak coming thru as cedar and slight fresh cut timber.  On the palate, this was tight initially.  Eventually opening up to show a classic, if still on the young side of mature, Bordeaux.  Cassis, black licorice, black cherries and slight earthiness. 

Golden in color, lots of small bubbles.  The nose is yeasty with some ginger.  On the palate, this has a slight sweetness to it.  More so than one might expect from a Brut.  Bright acidity.  Creamy texture.  Drinks easy.  Very food friendly.  Fun way to liven up a party.  

Sean Thackrey is one of the world's great winemakers who hangs out in Bolinas California.  This is basically a field blend of what doesn't make his top Cuvees.  Although it is non-vintage, each Cuvee carries a Roman Numeral designate.  This is XI, but the current release is XXV.  This wine is approximately 16 years old and was really made to be drunk in the first few years.  Sometime, however, wines hide in the cellar only to provide a pleasant surprise later on.  It was originally claimed to be a blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Carignan, and Barbera, however, DNA testi

This is from the Arbois region in the Jura Division of France (just to the west of Switzerland).  It is cool there and getting grapes ripe presents challenges.  This is definitely a love it or hate it wine.  Made from the Trousseau grape.  Light ruby in color, some Rose's are deeper in color.  The nose is bright rhubarb with some cranberries.  On the palate, this is tart rhubarb and slight cranberries.  It is light bodied and easy but has a concentrated depth at its core.  Would work well with a limited number of foods.  Definitely a wine to geek out and observe the subtleties.  This would

This is a Chenin Blanc based sparkling wine that is infused with Peaches.  It is not meant to be a serious wine that should be cellared for long term.  It is made to be a fun wine, buy it, take it home and pop a cork.  At $13, it does this nicely.  Deeper golden in color.  The nose is unmistakably - peaches.  Duh!  There is a slight effervescence to the wine.  The peaches carry thru to the palate.  Light bodied and easy drinking.  Nice for a party.   

There are a lot of people who would love this wine for $20.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has sweet cassis with slight coffee.  On the palate, the sweet cassis continues.  Slight tannins.  To some, this wine will be delicious, slightly sweet and great on the back deck.  For others, this will be goopy and cloying and not a wine made for cellaring.  Both sides are probably correct.  

This wine is from Bergerac which is just east of Bordeaux in south west France.  2014 was a very difficult year in Bordeaux so I will presume as much for Bergerac although their wines are not often seen in the US.  This bottle was unfortunately, not very good and even at $10, it can not be recommended.  There is a chance that the bottle tasted was not representative so keep that in mind.  Bergerac wines tend to be Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot on Cot (Malbec).  The Ruby in color, a bit thinner.  On the palate, this has a strong geranium scent.  There is also a dusty cherry note

Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  On the palate, this is slightly bitter with bracing acidity.  Some cherry fruit.  slight to medium tannins.  Finishes with sour cherries.  This wine really demands food but should work with a wide variety.  At $20, it is fairly priced.  

From a top producer in the Loire Valley, this is a basic Sauvignon Blanc.  For $16, this is a nice value.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is a bit dusty with some pine notes.  With air a bit of grass and minerals emerge.  On the palate, this is like eating sweet tarts.  It has a dry but sugary quality to it.  Tart citrus.  It took some getting used to but then it drank fine.  Long finish.  Worked great with an assortment of cheeses which really helped the wine come together.