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2013 Waterstone Chardonnay, USA, California, Carneros - Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Was quite impressed with the whole lineup from Waterstone.  This one should be available for under $30 which is an excellent value in Chardonnay.  Light golden in color.  The nose is clean with some grapefruit.  It shows no oak on it which is very nice.  On the palate, this is crisp and clean and all about the minerality.  It has some body to it and a nice depth.  Long finish.  This drinks easy but will work great with some food as well.  

2013 White Oak Vineyards & Winery "Mighty Oak", USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

This is a propreitary red blend out of Napa that seems to have a lot of Merlot in it.  At under $20, there is a lot of value here.  Purple in color.  On the nose there is soem cherry flavors.  They carry thru to the palate.  Easy drinking and great for parties.  There is some depth and the kind of wine that you can open with anyone and not worry.  

2013 Lobo Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Wulff Vineyards

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is certainly a step up from the 2014.  The question is whether it is the vintage or just the extra year in bottle.  I suspect both but mostly the later.  The nose has cassis and spice but none of the bell pepper of the 2014.  On the palate, this has just a bit more precision and a bit more ripeness.  Both are young and it will be very interesting to follow them.  There is still room for this to improves as well.  

2014 Lobo Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Wulff Vineyards, USA, California, Napa - Wine Reviews

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Nice wine. It seems young and has a chance to come together and score higher.  Right now, its more pieces parts.  The nose is cassis, and some green bell pepper along with baking spices.  On the palate, there are strong tannins.  Plenty of cassis with some depth.  Tight finish.  I would hold or give this a long decant right now.  

2012 Mathew Bruno Beckstoffer Georges III, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Excellent wine.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, chocolate and spice.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Really delicious.  Deep.  Plenty of cassis fruit, some dark cherries and a bit of milk chocolate.  Nice finish.  Has a decade or two of life left.  

 

Revisited on 10/26/18.  This is singing along.  Notes consistent with a year ago.  Still tannic and tight but with a lot of potential.  

Wine of The Week - 2016 Gallica Albariño - 90 Points

Albarino is one of Spain and Portugal’s signature grapes, but Albarino from California is another matter altogether. Typically forgettable when grown in California, Gallica has found the secret to Albariño’s success by finding the correct vineyard - this one from Calaveras County - a plot at 2,100 feet elevation, and treating it with enough love that, though it stylistically differs from its Spanish brethren, it is successful in its own right.

2011 Two Terroirs Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Spring Mountain - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color.  The nose shows cassis and chocolate but also some green bell pepper.  On the palate, it comes across as a Bordeaux.  If that bell pepper quality is an issue, then you will not like this.  For me, however, I don't mind it if there is still good fruit and depth.  This has that.  Medium tannins.  14.5% on the label.  This wine seems like it will improve with a few years in the cellar.  

NV Elisabeth & Francois Jourdan Coteaux du Languedoc L'Argentier, France - Wine Review

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

A blend of Syrah, Carignane and Grenache.  I could find no vintage designation on the label (so its probably there in extra large font ;-) )  A very nice value wine.  Purple in color.  Black raspberries, pepper, cherries and plums.  Also some spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Very tasty.  Easy drinking.  Some complexity as well.  Good finish.  Nice value but more than that.  

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