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2019 Levo Grenache 22 Tango, USA, California, Central Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Grenache, 15% Graciano, and 9% Syrah.  It is a ripe styled Grenache that is very impressive.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, spice and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with some minerality and char.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Great on its own, this will be a difficult food match until it ages more.  For now, ribs off the grill would work.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2021 Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is their basic Cab bottling and it is very good and for Napa, a great value in high end Cabs.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has cassis, some leather, a bit of earth and spice.  Nice, semi-plush texture with good balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, with earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This will get better with short term cellaring.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  It is great on its own and would work well with a steak or other big meats off the grill.  

Calera 2020 Pinot Noir, Ryan Vineyard

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

When Pinot Noir vines hit around 20 years of age, they typically show a beautiful maturity of fruit. At a grow elevation of 2,200 feet and planted in limestone soils Calera’s wines show an intensity and acidity other wines only strive for. Soft and lithe, this Pinot is an easy drinking, very amenable wine. There are fruit notes with a little more earthiness, light mushroom and damp leaf. You’ll notice rhubarb, pomegranate, very light cherry with a firm tannic structure to support the acidity. Perhaps curiously, there are not certain flavors that dominate this Pinot, as is typical of many.

2015 Foradori Granato, Italy, Dolomites, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is made from the Teroldegao grape in northeastern Italy.  The wine is purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice and slight anise.  Full bodied.   Medium tannins.  Excellent acidity and balance.  Lively.  On the palate, this is deep, young and delicious.  Flavors of black cherries, some black currants with spice and slight char.  long finish.  This will still mature a bit but no harm drinking it now.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, but better with food.  This would work well with game dishes.  

Acumen PEAK 2021 Cabernet Franc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

It’s always exciting to see a winery launch a new wine and for Acumen, this is their first ever Cabernet Franc. True, they have grown and used Franc for years, just not as its own bottling. This offers tight, dusty tannins supported by a mélange of dark red and black berry fruits. There is an earthy core with light black tea leaves, cigar notes and pomegranate. The oak program is evident (60% new French oak was used) but not overwhelming. Comprised mainly of Cabernet Franc, there are small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added in to finesse this already lovely wine.

2021 Sineann Pinot Noir Yates Conwill Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette, Yamhill-Carlton, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

Deeper ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spices and char.  Medium to full bodied.  Silky texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with some forest floor and char.  Long finish.  This is delicious and deep and should improve with some short term cellaring.  It is on the  bigger side (for Oregon) but it has the stuffing to develop.  Nice on its own, this will work wellw ith flavorful food.  A good choice with duck.  Great value.

2021 Sineann Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$44.00USD

This is a bit more elegant than most Sineann wines.  Light ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose  has sour cherries and sandalwood.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is very nice albeit not that complex.  It drinks easy with persistent sour cherries.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  It is nice on its own and will well with many foods.  Pork chops would be a great pairing.  Drink over the next six to nine years.  

2022 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Kalita Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette, Yamhill-Carlton, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Very light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries with green herbal streak.  Soft texture.  Light to medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, plenty of cherries with a slight bitter cherry note.  Long finish with some heat.  Overall, a nice Pinot that is drinking well and should continue over the next five to eight years.  It is better with food and would work well with savory pasta and mushroom dishes.

2023 Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, USA, California, Willamette, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a Rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes.  The wine saw about four hours of contact with the skins.  Pale salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  It has a very  nice nose with watermelon and rhubarb.  Creamy texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of strawberries and watermelon. Long finish.  This drinks easy with no bite or bitterness.  It would work well with lighter foods but also fried chicken.  Drink over the next few years.   

2022 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

This is their basic Pinot Noir bottling.  It is made with estate fruit from their six vineyards which are vinified separately and then blended.  It is an easy and accessible Pinot Noir (and realistically priced).  Medium ruby in color with blue hues, clear and bright.  The nose is tight and took about an hour to really show much (if drinking soon, give it a decant).  With air it shows cherries, dust, slight pomegranate, and forest floor.  Plush texture.  good acidity.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, slight sour cherries, forest floor.  Some menthol on the finish.  A very

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