Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

Top Ten California Syrahs - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

Wine To Go Buy This Week – New Year’s Edition -Domaine Carneros 2008 Le Reve Blanc de Blancs – 90 Points

France’s Champagne Taittinger started its U.S label with the opening of Domaine Carneros in 1987 and has gone on to create world-class sparkling wines in America, of which their flagship Le Reve has always been a consistent standout. This Blanc de Blanc is comprised of five Chardonnay clones from the Domaine’s Carneros estate fruit.

2019 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Another great Cab from Becklyn.  This is their entry level and while not inexpensive, it is a great value for a top Napa cab.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, vanilla and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis with slight vanilla and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well if young.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Great on its own but will work well with roasted meats or veggies.  

2021 Sandlands Zinfandel, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This bottle has some serious Brettanomyces issues.  I am usually pretty tolerant but this was near my limits.  Almost undrinkable on day one, it was allowed to breathe over night and while still present, it was tolerable (for me) on day 2.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly clear and slightly flat.  On the nose, there is a lot of barnyard/band-aid aromas.  There is some fruit underneath but it is hard to get to.  On day two, the barnyard is more in the background and the nose is more about clay and band-aid along with some black cherries.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the pa

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 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. 

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.

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