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2011 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This has improved a bit over the past few years.  It still needs time though.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis and still a fair amount of oak showing as fresh cut lumber and spice.  On the palate, this has a nice mouthfeel.  Good depth.  Cassis, with a slight earthiness.  Nice finish.  Easy to drink on its own, a crowd pleaser.  Hold a bit and there is some upside.  

2010 Halcon Vineyards Syrah Alturas, USA, California, Yorkville Highlands, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is still pretty tight and in need of cellaring or air.  Getting there but taking forever.  If drinking soon, give it a nice decant.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity.  Black raspberry fruit.  Some tannins.  Some depth, it unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Hold for a few more years.  

2008 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

These wines are taking forever to come around.  Just now starting to show something.  This is going to be a beautiful wine.  Its outstanding now, but not nearly at peak and needs a lot of air.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, minerals, black pepper and slight black olives.  On the palate, this is cooler climate in style.  Black raspberries, slight black olives, earthiness and a mineral streak.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  

2010 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Syrah Pyramid Block Sentinel Oak Vineyard, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a winery that really doesn't get the publicity it deserves.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, some black pepper, a hint of roasted meats and herbs.  Neither war climate not cool climate in style.  On the palate, black raspberries layered with char and slight earthiness.  Good acidity.  Lots of tasty fruit with light tannins at this point.  It takes an hour or two to really open and then is drinking beautifully.  Nice finish.  Good with food.  

2015 Domaine Camus-Bruchon & Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color.  The nose is tight.  With a few hours of air it opened a bit more to show a nice earthy cherry quality.  On the palate, this is soft.  It has a sweet tart quality to the cherry fruit.  A bit clipped on the finish.  At $40, this may provide value if it develops over the next few years.  Time will tell.  

2015 Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile des Vergelesses, France, Burgundy, Wine Reviews

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose has cherries but also a geranium note.  With air, that quality blew off and the nose also showed cherry powder and spice.  In any event, with air this got much better on the nose and also the palate.  Juicy acidity.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  A bit drying on the finish.  It got much deeper and more complex with air, so there is some upside to cellaring this.  Around $65.  

2015 Camille Giroud Volnay, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was the WOTN of our tasting.  It kept getting better of the 4.5 hours during which it was consumed.  At $60, you can make your own choice as to "Burgundy value".  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with black cherries and spice.  On the palate, this is juicy with light tannins.  Black cherries turning a bit drying on the finish.  There is some depth here.  Given a few more years of cellaring, there is a bit of an upside.  

2015 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Villages, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

I really enjoyed this (more than the group I was tasting with actually).  It has a great texture and is open and drinking well right now.  It probably won't make old bones.  For $27 it is fairly priced for immediate drinking.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has fresh cherries, cherry powder and slight earthiness.  On the palate, this has big cherry fruit.  Slight tannins.  A wonderful silky texture.  A bit sour cherry on the finish.  Seems food friendly as well.  

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