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2015 Faiveley Bourgogne, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is an excellent value.  For around $18, it is hard to get a better Pinot anywhere.  Not that it is amazing or mind blowing, but it is correct and affordable.  That is what Bourgogne should be about.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries, powdered cherry drink and slight spice.  This has a very nice medium bodied, silky texture.  Cherries and sour cherries on the palate.  Slight depth.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  

2015 Domaine Maillard Père & Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color.  The nose has sour cherries and a slight barnyard note.  Someone mentioned vanilla and there is a bit as well.  This has a nice texture.  Sour cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Long finish.  It continued to open for a few hours suggesting that there is some upside to this wine.  At around $40, there is some "Burgundy value" here.  

2015 Domaine Trapet (Jean et Jean-Louis) Gevrey-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This took a while to open.  In fact, about 3 hours until it really started to hit its stride.  My score went from an 88 to a 91 during that time, so I guess this needs some cellaring or time.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is tight but eventually shows some cherries and cherry powder.  Some spice and an interesting iron note.  On the palate, this has tart cherries.  With air, they got a bit fresher and riper.  The finish was more about sour cherries.  Nice texture.  Some depth.  

2016 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Chardonnay Beaujolais Blanc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This was fun to throw into a Burgundy tasting.  Is it on point?  Technically, yes.  And at $15, no harm done.  This is actually a wonderful value for a Chardonnay of this level.  Medium golden in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, some lemon, and spice.  I wouldn't think this saw oak, but it certainly had some of those characteristics.  On the palate, this is tart with almost a cherry quality which is interesting for a white.  Some minerality.  A bit of depth.  I would prefer a bit more acidity and cut but it was fine.  

2015 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

For under $25, this is an excellent value in Chablis, in Burgundy and in Chardonnay.  Light, silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some gun powder and some slight green apples.  Also nice minerality/chalk.  On the palate, this is lively and crisp.  Nice green apple and minerals notes.  Long finish.  This would go great with foods as well.  It should be drunk in the next few years.  

2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2003
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Light ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, slight roses.  On the palate, there is plenty of cherry fruit here.  This was an incredibly warm vintage, but the wine is not roasted.  It, perhaps lacks the depth of some vintages, but it is drinking well and very tasty.  Slight tannins left.  Some acidity.  At 15 years from vintage, it won't get better, but has a decade left of life.  Food friendly.  

2001 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose is very nice with cassis, slight cedar, some earthiness to it as well.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Still some fine tannins.  Plenty of fruit.  Layers of cassis and earth.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Worked well with hearty vegetarian fare.  I don't think it improves from here and I would drink these up in the next five years or so.  

2013 Château de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Light golden in color.  The nose is nice with minerals/slight chalk and lemon chiffon.  On the palate, this has a nice acidity.  Works well with food.  Some lemons but more about the minerality.  Long finish.  Not sure how this will age but at 5 years from vintage, it is in a great place.  Refreshing but with some complexity.  

2016 Sineann Zinfandel Old Vine, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

From one of oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the Pacific Northwest dating back to the early 1900's.  I love this Zin as it is not boisterous but it is intense.  It also ages well.  Purple in color.  The nose has raspberries, cherries and some spice.  On the palate, this is deep.  Tight right now.  Cherry and black cherry fruit.  Great acidity.  Nice finish.  Food friendly.  Good now but will get more complex with age.  

2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Puccini Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This was a bit backward and tight and the moment.  It needed some time and air although it is getting close.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black cherries, slight bramble, and raspberries.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  Once it opens, it is just delicious.  Deep but tight.  Gobs of juicy black cherries and raspberries.  An underlying char.  Works with big foods.  Nice finish.  Will it age?  Yes.  How well just depends on how you like you Zins.  

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