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2020 Sandlands White Table Wine Napa Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a blend of 67% Chenin Blanc and 33% Semillon from Napa Valley.  Very pale golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with a touch of red apples, orange rind and minerality.  Also a bit of wax.  Good balance.  On the palate, the minerality stands out.  Some apple notes.  Good finish.  This is a nice, lighter styled white wine that works well with lighter foods.  A nice wine with a Quiche.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2016 Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5%Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre.  It is drinking quite well now.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight cough drop note, wild herbs, char and some black raspberries.  Very nice creamy texture. Good balance.  On the palate, this is very tasty.  Black cherries, black raspberries and char.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  This is just getting to peak but should drink well for another seven to ten years.  Great on its own, this should work with a  lots of foods.  Lamb of beef stews would be perfect.  

2015 Torrin Akasha, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$90.00USD

This is 100% Syrah.  Torrin wines are big, bold wines that really need at least a decade in most vintages to really come around for my tastes.  That said, at age 9, this was singing.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, smoked meats, slight bacon fat, black pepper and violets.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, black raspberries, char, some blueberries and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is great on its own, but even at age 9 will be a difficult food pairing.  A nice BBQ Brisket would work.  Drink over the next ten to fif

2007 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni, Italy, Umbria, Wine Revivew

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

One of the top wines coming out of Italy.  This is made from 100% Sagrantino grapes in Montefalco, Italy.  Just now really entering its drinking window.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with plums, black raspberries, clove, and slight leather.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, char, spice and just a hint of forest floor.  Long finish.  This is delightful on its own, but better with food.  It went great with Eggplant Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen year

Cuvaison 2022 Chardonnay, Kite Tail

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Kite Tail has always been a very expressive Chardonnay and this iteration is no exception. It deviates from traditional Chardonnay and delves into richer, more mature elements. What’s surprising then is that this iteration has less oak and less malolactic time than previous versions. Yet this still retails a wonderful acidity, character and aroma, not to mention a palate experience that brings in oak-like notes, without the cumbersome oak heaviness. All estate grown, all Chardonnay, this offers a nose of soft muted lemon, resin and butterscotch/gardenia.

2017 Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast,Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

Deep golden in color and cloudy but bright.  That is typical appearance for Aubert.  The nose is a bit different with pineapples, baked apples, lemon curd and vanilla bean.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is a lot going on.  The pineapple carries thru along with apples, slight vanilla, spice and some lemon curd on the long finish. This is complex and deep.  It is great/contemplative on its own but will work well with food.  It went very well with Veggie Flat Breads, but would also be great with clams.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2019 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$73.00USD

Probably my favorite in the excellent lineup of Rivers Marie Chardonnays and this vintage is no exception.  Light golden/silver/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose is deep and strong with green apples, lemon peel, minerality with slight chalk, slight spice and vanilla.  Full bodied.  Crisp but rounded edges.  Great racy texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Flavors of green apples, lemon juice and minerals.  Long finish.  This is drinking beautifully, if young on its own but will work well with the right food.  Calamari would be a great choice.  Drink over the next ten to fif

2018 Ferren Wines Chardonnay, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is their basic offering (not a single vineyard) that is supposed to be a bit more approachable in its youth.  Light golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, slight lemon citrus, spice and salinity.  Nice texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is round with no hard edges.  Good minerality.  Apples with some spice.  Good finish.  It is drinking well now and should be for another seven to ten more years.  Good on its own, this would be nice with baked Trout.  

2012 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$104.00USD

There is always a question as to how well white wines age in general and the Rhys chardonnays specifically.  This one, anyway, is ageing quite well at age 12.  Light gold/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemon curd, vanilla and minerality.  Full bodied.  Good balance.  No tannins.  On the palate, this is nearing peak but not really showing any signs of old age.  Flavors of lemon curd, some citrus, vanilla and char.  Long finish.  This is deep and complex.  Great on its own, better with food.  It would be great with sea food, but was also great with Pasta Primavera.  I would t

2011 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$230.00USD

There is an old saying that great wineries make great wine even in off vintages.  That is undoubtedly true and this is yet another example.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, graphite, slight leather, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is deep, complex and delicious.  Perhaps maturing a bit quicker than better vintages.  At age 13 it is nearing peak.  Loads of cassis with some tobacco and char.  Long finish.  This is great on its own and will work well with most non-seafood dishes.  It went great with a P

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