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2014 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

I really enjoyed this wine.  A long time Napa standard, it had been a while since I had revisited it.  Light golden in color.  The nose has melons and red apples.  Very clean, little oak and no butter.  On the palate, this is crisp and refreshing.  Some apples, some melon with a nice mouthfeel.  Food friendly.  Under $30.  Really a nice value in Napa Chardonnay.  

2015 Denner Theresa, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

30% Rousanne, 25% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Picpoul, and 10% Vermentino.  This is one of my favorite (mostly) Rhone white wines from Paso Robles.  Light golden in color.  The nose is really nice with peaches, slight canned peaches, a nice minerals streak, some vanilla candle and some lemon peel.  On the palate, this has a great oily texture.  Slightly viscous.  An excellent crispness.  Depth and complexity.  Do not serve this too cold as the complexity really comes out when the wine starts to get over 60F.  Peaches, lemons, and minerals.  Long finish.  Great with food.  

2012 Notre Vin Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This wine is from the late great winemaker Denis Malbec's own winery.  He made wine for some of the top wineries in Napa including Kapcsandy but was sadly killed in a car crash in 2017.  This wine is certainly a tribute to his skills.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight cherries, spice with slight tarragon note.  On the palate, this is has a nice structure.  Pinpoint fruit hanging with tannins.  The fruit has cassis and cherry and while ripe, not over done.  This drinks well now but consumed over a couple days, it was better on Day 2 suggesting its best days are still ahead.  Nic

2012 Gallica Suzuri Series Shake Ridge Ranch, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

This is a GSM blend.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries and a hint of herbal notes.  On the palate, this carries thru.  The green note is a bit distracting.  One dimensional.  Easy drinking.  Its a fine wine but for $52, I find it a bit lacking.  Maybe with age?  I don't think so, but who knows.  

2012 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

40% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 9% Counoise.  Tablas Creek is making some of the best Rhone varietal wines anywhere and they have been for 20 years.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice, deep and has a nice complexity.  Plums, dark cherries, slight char, black pepper and spice.  With air, purple fruits come to the forefront.  On the palate, this is young and still not yet at peak IMO.  Plums, black raspberries layered with char and spice.  A hint of muskiness as well.  Lovely mouthfeel.  Great texture.  Nice finish.  These wines are built to age and while the 2012 is more open tha

NV Bodegas Tradición Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado 30 Years Old VORS, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Sherries are to a particular taste.  Very Old Rare Sherries may even be more so due to the cost.  Personally, I love them.  This bottle was consumed over three days.  It was at its best on day 3 (wine was corked and stored on the counter).  Gorgeous color of shimmering light brown/gold/orange.  Clear and bright in the glass.  On the nose, this is so complex.  Caramel, tootsie rolls, some alcohol, camphor/iodine, and minerals.  Complex.  On day 2 and 3, the alcohol is less noticeable.  It is oxidized but doesn't offend (me).  On the palate, it feels like there will be a bit from either the a

2008 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This vineyard now belongs to Jadot USA but prior to that, Sineann made some of the best Oregon Pinot Noir from it.  At ten years from vintage this is still young.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Black cherry and cherry fruit, layered with damp forest floor.  Great lush texture.  Lots of energy.  Long finish.  Worked great with food.  At least a decade more of development until peak.  Certainly a couple points of upside possible.  

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