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2007 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, spice, black raspberries, violets and bacon.  On the palate, this is mature and complex.  Layered, it unwinds in the glass.  Black cherry fruit, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice.  Nice texture.  Wispy tannins.  Good balance.  Long finish.  No hurry, but I don't think it improves from here.  

2013 Ziereisen Syrah Gestad, Germany, Baden, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black raspberries and slight bacon fat.  On the palate, cranberries and black cherries.  Slightly sour notes. Light tannins.  This is a great wine to fool people in a blind tasting.  After all, who is going to guess German Syrah?  At around $30, this is not crazy priced either.  Nothing amazing here but it is a solid, cooler profile Syrah.  

NV Graham Beck Brut Rosé, South Africa, Western Cape, Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Salmon orange in color.  A nice mousse with small to medium bubbles.   The nose is very nice with strawberries and light lemon notes.  There is a nice depth to this wine although it turns a bit flabby on the palate.  Given that this sells for under $20, that isn't the worst thing in the world.  It is tasty and makes a nice inexpensive but festive sparkler.  

2015 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Joy Road Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Light yellow in color.  The nose is gorgeous with lemon cream notes.  Slightly oily texture.  Young but already showing a deep complexity.  Lemon cream notes with an interesting slight mint note on the finish.  There is some oak here, but it is integrated beautifully.  This should age well for a decade, probably two.  There is some upside potential.  

2011 Zaca Mesa Syrah, USA, California, Santa Ynez Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Nice value here.  This drinks cooler climate in style.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cherries and dark cherries with baking spices and sandalwood.  On the palate, this has decent acidity.  The cherry flavors carry thru along with some cola notes.  At under $20 per bottle, this is easy to gift or drink at a party and yet, interesting.  I would like to taste this in a warmer vintage to see how it compares.  

2015 Dönnhoff Riesling Trocken, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

The 2015 is awesome but it is shutting down as I write this in 2018.  Time to let even the basic wines sleep or give them some air.  This is light golden in color.  The nose has wet rocks and a slight pineapple note.  It gives the perception that it will be sweet but it is dry.  Great minerality.  Long finish.  This is under $20 and a great value.  Screw capped as well.  

2010 Mollydooker Enchanted Path, Australia, McClaren Vale, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a classic big Australian export wine.  Its a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet and really goes well on a cold winter's day.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has some black cherry cough syrup, black raspberries and black pepper.  On the palate, this is ripe with black cherry and black raspberry fruit.  It is warming but not hot.  Nice texture.  Tons of fruit.  Its about pleasure not contemplation.  Long finish.  Certainly not for every one, but I like it at the right time.  

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