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2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Bennett Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with honey dew, slight tropical notes, and a bit of sea air.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  Crisp, yet with rounded edges.  On the palate, this is tasty with honey dew melon and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad would be a great match.  Drink over the next five years.  

2018 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs and meats, and black pepper.  Light tannins.  Nice texture.  good balance.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Black raspberry fruit with some char and a bit or pepper.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with a bit of food.  It went well with vegetarian (black bean) Chili.  

2016 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Gramolere, Italy, Piedmont, Wine review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight asphalt, slight rose and iron.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great acidity.  On the palate, this is tight but opens in the glass.  Cherries with some asphalt and minerals.  Deep.  This is just entering its drinking window and should be there for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own but better with food.  A plate of truffle pasta would be perfect.  

2018 Ridge Mataro Gonsalves, USA, California, Contra Costa County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with raspberries, plums and spice.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Some depth.  Flavors of black raspberries and plums.  Better with food. It went well with roasted veggies.  Drink over the next five to seven years. 

2019 Weingut Thörle Saulheimer Schlossberg Riesling Trocken, Germany, Reinhessen, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Pale yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight pineapple along with nectarines and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is dry.  A bit  herbaceous but also nectarine notes and minerals.  Good finish.  This is fine on its own but better with food.  It would work well with Thai food or lighter salads.  Drink over the next five to eight years.

MacRostie 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

A terrific Pinot considering the price, this affordable wine showcases the rustic quality of Sonoma Coast fruit. Obvious strawberry, red raspberry, light pomegranate, and plum fill the palate. The weather along the Sonoma Coast also produces a brambly quality, more macerated deeper and richer red fruits along with an ideal acidity and moderate tannins. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen wisely chose to keep the oak treatment minimal, using only 30% new French oak with reduced toast levels. These choices make this great with food - a delicate Pinot Noir that offers some heft and swagger.

2017 Andremily Mourvèdre, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

Another great wine from Andremily.  This is 88% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah and 3 Viognier.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, blueberries, dark chocolate and roasted meats.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is lush and delicious.  Flavors of plums, black raspberries, slight blueberries with pepper and char.  Some chocolate on the finish.  This is delicious on its own.  It will need big food flavors to match.  Smoked brisket would work.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  

2020 Pope Valley Sangiovese Brut Rosé, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This had been purchased at the winery.  First time trying a sparkling Sangiovese wine.  Deep salmon pink in color.  It has a nice mousse with small to medium bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is nice if not expected.  Green apples with slight rhubarb and strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, apples, and slight strawberry notes.  Moderate finish.  A pleasant wine that will work better with food than on its own. Drink now.

2017 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Müller-Burggraef) Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett, Germany, Mosel, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This was ordered off the list at Copper in Charlotte, NC.  It went quite well with spicy vegetarian Indian cuisine.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has some peach, matchstick and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous.  Strong acidity.  On the palate, this is slightly  sweet but maybe less than expected which was nice for a Kabinett.  Flavors of peach and minerals.  Long finish.  This is drinking well at this point but should have at least a dozen years left.  

2021 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$46.00USD

Rhys may be my favorite Chardonnay producer (that I still choose to afford) and Santa Cruz may be my favorite region for Chardonnay.  But, still, this is their basic offering and I had low expectations.  They were far exceeded.  What an excellent wine.  I ended up drinking two bottles over three days and that is unusual.  Light golden in color with slight silvery/green hues.  Clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Very mineral driven but also some lemon creme, vanilla and a touch of grapefruits.  Medium to full bodied.  Lots of energy.  Light tannins.  Great acidity and balance.  On the pal

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