Rhys makes some of the best Pinot Noir's (and Chardonnays) anywhere.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice, char and slight earthiness.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is complex and layered from the first sip.  Cherries, earth and smoke.  Long finish.  This took a while to get to this point, but it is drinking well. It should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own but better with food.  Roasted duck would be perfect.  

This continues to be a delightful take on Gruner from the Pacific Northwwest.  Light golden with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has granny smith apples, limes and minerality. Medium bodied.  Good acidity. On the palate, apples and limes.  Nice finish.  This is an easy drinking wine that is nice on its own but a bit better with food.  Lighter foods such as chicken or tuna salad will work nicely.  Drink over the next three to five years.

While this is the 38th year of this bottling, it represents a sort of reboot as their vineyard sources have changed.  In addition, they brought in winemaker Mike Smith as a consultant.  Of course, the proof is in the pudding, er, wine.  This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Pop and pour, this took about an hour to start to open and really got going at the two hour mark.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, plums, black cherries, spice, and a slight minty (Eucalyptus?) note.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.

This is a blend of 78% Petite Sirah, 18% grenache, and the remainder Syrah and Roussanne.  It is a big, bold wine that is drinking well.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, gravel, black cherries, and spices.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit with some black raspberries and char.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and would work well with meats or poultry off the grill.  Drink over the next six to ten years.  

This is Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder and St.

Cole Ranch AVA is the smallest AVA in the United States.  It is west of Ukiah in Mendocino County.  The vineyard was planted in 1973.  It is a very interesting take on Riesling and certainly one of the better ones tasted from California (yes, that is a bit of a back handed compliment).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has peach, some ginger and plenty of minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is dry.  Minerality dominates but also some ginger and slight peach.  Good finish.  It is nice on its own, but really, better with good.  It was perfect with

Yes, this is young and will improve.  But you know what?  Some days you just want your wine to do the talking.  This perfect after one of those days.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  High energy.  Great balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep and delicious.  Black raspberries, char and black pepper.  Long finish.  This will get even better but was great.  Drink over the next twenty to thirty years.  We had it on its own, but this would be just fine with a steak or (veggie) Bu

This is a conglomeration of the remaining barrels after the single varietal wines have been bottled. And, like those, this keeps getting better every year.  It is a blend of 57% Syrah, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Misc.

if Napa had First Growth designations, this would be on the list.  The Lafite of Napa.  Long history, Great wines, and a Reasonably large production.  Such consistency.  At age 22, this is cruising along without showing any old age.  Purple in color, garnet at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar, smoke and just a hint of leather.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Flavors of cassis, slight earthiness, char and just a bit of leather.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Great on its own, this would be classic with

This is from an Island located south west of Sicily.  Although part of Italy, it is actually closer to Africa (Tunisia).  It is a fascinating dessert wine. Made from Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) grapes.  Amber in color with some golden hues.  The nose is great with canned peaches, apricots and candied oranges.  Viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying.  Delicious.  Enough acidity to carry the fruit.  Also a touch of honey.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this would work well with Biscotti or shortbread.  Fun.