Recent articles

1997 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

I wondered if this were past prime, but no, it is drinking beautifully (at least this bottle).  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cherries, dried cherries, sandalwood and tea leaves.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  complex and layers of cherries, dried cherries and forest floor.  Great acidity.  Perfect at the dinner table.  Long finish.  Everything I want out of cellaring a wine for 20 years.  Still fresh and vibrant but also mature and complex.  Certainly no point in waiting on these.  

2015 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is still young but drinking quite well now.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, black raspberries, leather, bramble and spice.  On the palate, this is juicy with lots of fruit.  Black cherries mostly.  Some leathery tannins.  Depth.  Delicious.  Drank over a couple days, it was better on day 2.  Nice finish.  Food friendly or on its own.

2015 Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes, France, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Wow, is this good.  $30 retail and a great value at that price.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose has sour cherries, cherries, anise, slight spice.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Medium bodied but lush.  Great acidity.  Juicy black cherry fruit.  Deep and some complexity.  Light tannins.  Great with food.  It is delicious.  

2005 Gravner Breg Anfora, Italy, Friuli, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

It can be hard to find a time to open these kinds of "orange" wines.  I love them but they are not for everyone.  This is a white blend of grapes that is fermented, on the skins in amphorae and then finished in barrels.  It has Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.  These kind of wines are best served at cellar temperature.  Golden brown in color.  The nose is oxidized but also has some apple cider, slight citrus and even a floral note.  If oxidized wines bother you, stay away.  I found the nose vibrant.  On the palate, this is also vibrant and full of energy.  Apple cider

2008 Veuve Doussot Champagne Ernestine Millesime, France, Champagne, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  Nice mousse with lots of small bubbles.  The nose is nice almonds, slightly yeasty, and some ginger.  This is spry and a bit shy at first.  Ginger and slightly chalky.  Good acidity.  Works well with food.  Some complexity.  Good finish.  Not a big wine but certainly persistent.  Good value for Champagne.  

2014 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Made by Thomas Rivers Brown at his eponymous winery.  This is the basic Napa bottling and not the single vineyard wines.  It is still a great Napa Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cedar and spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Cassis fruit with some spice.  Firm tannins.  This will continue to improve for a decade but is delicious now with a long decant.  There is some oak but it works deftly with the fruit.  Deep.  Great finish.  At $6, it is well priced for a higher quality Napa Cab.     

2016 Sineann Pinot Noir Oregon, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is actually one of the better values in Oregon Pinot Noir from year to year.  It is a blend of what is left over after the single vineyard bottlings.  It is a great way to check in on a vintage and the fact that it is available in a 375ml format makes it great from a lot of purposes.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has sour cherries with some black cherries.  Light tannins on the palate.  Juicy, black cherry fruit.  Finishes a bit sour.  These are on the larger size for Oregon Pinot but age quite well and after a decade drink much more mature.  

2014 Jonata Winery Todos, USA, California, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

7% Syrah, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 3% Sangiovese and 2% Viognier.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some black pepper, spice and slight floral notes.  On the palate, this has some depth with a nice varietal complexity.  Good mouth feel.  Works well with or without food.  I don't know if this improves but should last a decade or so.  It is basically, the "leftovers" for the Jonata single varietal wines.  That doesn't mean it is not excellent in its own right.  A nice alternative to their expensive bottlings.  

2011 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with leather, plums, black raspberries, pepper, dark cherries and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Very nice texture.  Lots of black cherry and black raspberry fruit.  Depth.  Drinking quite well now but still youthful.  Worked well with spicy food.  This is ripe but not over ripe.  Possibly some upside but easily has another decade or more of life left.  

2015 Donelan Vénus, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a white Rhone blend of grapes; Rousanne and Viognier.  Golden in color.  This was served at red wine temperature which for me was ideal.  It really cut down on the acidity and brought out the aromatics.  YMMV.  The nose is really nice with candle wax, slight peach, floral notes and minerals.  On the palate, this is dry and full bodied.  A bit of honey nevertheless along with peach and vanilla.  Lovely texture.  Good finish.  This worked quite well with food.  There is a nice depth to this.  It drinks very "red" like.  

 

Pages