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2009 McPrice Myers Altas Vinas, USA, California, Santa Barbara - Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, red raspberries, anise and black pepper.  Nice.  On the palate, black and red raspberries with some black licorice.  It has some complexity and depth although it could use a bit more.  Nice finish.  It is drinking well now though it might not be at peak.  Not sure if it will get any better though.  It really is good even if I hoped for more.  

2012 Hidden Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Impassable Mountain Reserve, USA, California, Sonoma - Wine Review

Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, spice, slight fresh turne loam and bit of chocolate.  On the palate, this has ripe but not overtly ripe fruit.  Plenty of depth.  Very nice, lush texture.  Long finish.  This is still young and has a way to go before peak but it is absolutely delicious today.  

2015 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Germany, Mosel - Wine Review

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  For some reason, the JJ Prum 2015 wines have not shut down.  This one is amazing.  It will get better as well and probably has 50 years of great drinking ahead.  One of the truly great wines out there and when one factors in price, there are not many better values.  This was from a 375ml bottle.  Light golden in color.  The nose is clean with minerals, wet rocks and slight peach and grapefruit.  On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying.  Great acidity.  More about minerals but some stone fruit.  Deep and contemplating.  Long finish.  Spectacular.  

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz - Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is in a great place.  Rubyt/purple in color.  The nose is great with cherries, macerated cherries, a bit earthy, some sandalwood and slight cranberries.  Full bodied.  Sikly texture.  Layers of complexity unwind in the glass.  Cherries and dark cherries, wet forest floor and spice.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Seems like it is getting close to peak but not quite there with a long life left.  Great wine!

2015 Fairway & Vines Ben Curtis Cuvee, USA, California, Mendocino - Wine Review

Score: 
82
Grade: 
B-

This is a cuvee made for golfers, in this case Ben Curtis.  I suspect it is sold at Golf Courses.  I don't really know what grapes are in it.  Purple in color.  The nose has cherries and raspberries.  On the palate, this is big fruit.  The label lists 14.9% alcohol.  It is sweet and jammy.  Not my favortie style but if that is what one likes, they may like this a bit better than I.  Certainly a fun wine to get to be able to try.  

2014 Chateau l'Abbaye de Giraudon

Score: 
84
Grade: 
B

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is earthy with cherries.  On the palate, the cherries are tart finishing up a bit shrill.  Not great depth.  That said, there is something nice and comfortable about this wine.  It is earthy with some tobacco notes.  If under $12, there may be some value.   

NV L'exeption d'Aimery Crémant de Limoux Rose, France, Languedoc - Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

A very nice value in sparkling wine.  This is a blend of Chardonnay (70%), Chenin (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%).  Pink in color.  A nice mousse of medium sized bubbles.  On the nose a bit of strawberries and a bit or orange peel.  On the palate, orange peel including a bit of bitterness along with some orange citrus.  Slight strawberry note.  This is a fun aprkler with enough acidity to work at the table.  Good finish.  

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