I wish I knew more about this wine.  I loved it!  Alban makes (not counting this), two different Viogniers.  They make and estate Viognier and a Central Coast Viognier.  Both are labeled as Viognier.  This one is neither of those two.  It carries the additional labelling as Sarments.  The word means cutting or scion, so I assume these vines were propagated from other vines somewhere...  Anyway, I like the Alban Estate Viognier but don't love it.  I prefer Viognier more like a Condrieu which is a region making Viognier in the Rhone Valley in France.  I would like to say the difference is in

A popular trend in Bourbon is finishing them in wine barrels.  It is interesting to see the effect that has on Bourbon.  110 Proof.  This is a 4-year-old Bourbon, finished for 6 months in French Bordeaux wine barrels which previously held Ammunition Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.  Special mash bill of 70% Corn, 20% Rye, and 10% Malted Barley.  Light brown (iced tea) in color, clear and bright.  I love the nose.  Caramel, butterscotch, and old wood.  It smells like Bourbon although very smooth especially considering the alcohol.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is caramel, but also cherry (

Gigondas is often thought of as a "lesser" Chateauneuf du Pape.  That can be good as in pricing or bad as in quality.  This is neither.  It is one of the best Gigondas produced and it is not inexpensive.  That said, if you like CdP, you will love this.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, spices, slight floral, black cherries and earth.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Deep.  Flavors of black raspberries, earth and char.  Long finish.  This is not yet  at peak but

This is a blend of 47% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah and 18% Grenache from Paso Robles.  While its fun to taste these young, Torrin wines really need ten years to really strut their stuff.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, roasted meats, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Flavors of black raspberries, plums with spice and char.  Long finish.  if drinking soon, give this five hours or more of air.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Better on its own for now but as it ages this will work

It was nice to revisit this after an off bottle.  This one was singing.  Pale gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  it starts out simple but then opens to show lemon peel, slight lime, lots of minerality, salinity and a slight pineapple.  Medium bodied with light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this took about an hour to open.  It has a bit of lemons, some pineapple and deep minerality.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own but better with food.  It would work well with lemon pasta.  It seems like this could be interesting as it ages so if you have a few, maybe

Mending Wall offers some of the "more affordable" Cabernets that Thomas Rivers Brown makes (but prices seem to be rising).  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, crushed gravel, slight cedar and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, there is juicy cassis fruit with some underlying gravel, char and some spice.  Long finish.  Of course, this is very young.  Cellar for a few more years and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  Great on its own, it will become more food friendly as it ages.  If drinking soon, go with bigger (and fatty) food

This is a new winery for me and the first Syrah I have had from this AVA.  This Syrah is quite good and well priced for the quality.  I was expecting more of a cool climate profile but this is sort of middle of the road in California Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, floral (purple?) notes, grilled meats, wild herbs and slight bacon fat.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, there is juicy black raspberry fruit with some herbal notes and slight char.  This has depth.  Long finish.  Very tasty.  It drinks well on its own

Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great but not blowsy.  Melon, slight citrus and flint.  Light to medium bodied.  Crisp.  On the palate, this drinks easy but it also has some persistence.  Flavors of melon and lemon.  Nice finish.  This is very nice for drinking alone and will work well with cheeses or salads (such as crab or chicken).  Drink over the next few years.  

Made with Estate grown fruit.  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with limes, green apples and a touch of lemon.  Medium bodied.  Nicely balanced.  Refreshing.  On the palate, limes are the forefront with a touch of lemons on the finish.  This is easy drinking but has some substance.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  A nice summer lunch wine.  Drink over the next couple of years although it is a bit past prime already.  

These usually take a decade or so to round out into form so it was interesting to try this one a bit earlier.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat, and roasted herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still a bit tight but opens nicely in the glass.  Flavors of black raspberries with some char and a nice mineral streak.  Good finish.  No harm opening this now but it may still improve.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  Great on its own, but better with food.  Thi