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

2016 Halcon Vineyards Pinot Noir Oppenlander Vineyard, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

Nice to revisit this again.  It has done nicely in the last couple of years.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries and sour cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Wonderful texture.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries and some sour cherries.  This still has a bit more maturing until peak.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

2015 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is 100% Syrah with a 15.3% ABV.  That said, the alcohol isn't noticeable.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries with some spice and black pepper.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and ash.  Light tannins.  Good finish.  At age 7 this may yet improve a bit but it just about at its prime drinking window.  It should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  This will go well  with roasted meats, fowl or veggies.  

2017 Toad Hollow Merlot Richard McDowell Selection, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
80
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Purple in color with some Ruby swirls.  There is a ton of volatile acidity on the nose (nail polish).  Some mulberries.  On the palate, this is tart and tannic.  More sour cherries on the palate.  It is better on the palate than the nose.  Past its optimal drinking window.  Drink up.  Probably better without food as it might over power most foods.  

2014 Mahoney Vineyards Pinot Noir Las Brisas Vineyard, USA, California, Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
78
Grade: 
C+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cedar and alcohol.  Just a hint of cherries.  On the palate, just a touch of cherry cough drops.  Firm tannins.  Shorter finish.  Certainly drinkable if at a wedding but this seems past prime.  Drink now.  Better on its own than with food.  

2018 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petite Sirah.  It is a nice value in California Cabernet.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with cassis and a bit of coffee.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherry pie filling, but also some tart cherries.  With air, some dark chocolate and spices.  There is oak on this but that will integrate with time.  Nice finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder foods.  As it ages, it will be more

2019 Simi Chardonnay Sonoma County, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This took some time to open and showed a better on day 2.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with smoke, minerals butterscotch, and a touch of grapefruits.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru along with some citrus.  Very clean finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but much better with some food to bring out the subtleties.  Salmon or heavier seafood dishes would work well.  Drink over the next three to five years.  There is an upside to cellaring.  

2019 Fetzer Chardonnay, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

A very nice value in California Chardonnay.  This does see just a touch of oak and partially went thru Malolactic fermentation giving the wine a bit more roundness and accessibility.  Light golden in color.  The nose has yellow grapefruits, and a touch of green apples.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the yellow grapefruit comes thru along with a bit of tropical fruit.  Nice acidity.  Drinks easy.  This drinks well on its own and would be a nice summer sipper on the deck.  It will work well with salmon or lighter salads.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Fetzer Gewürztraminer, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

This is an outstanding value in off dry wines.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit candied with lychees, honeysuckle and slight peach notes.  Slightly viscous texture.  On the palate, this drinks very easy with lychees and peaches.  Slight tannins.  It improved with about 30 minutes of air.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own for those who enjoy a bit of sweetness.  It will work great with Thai or other spicy Asian foods.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

One of the great values in Zinfandel.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice and bramble.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has lots of energy.  Black cherries, some blueberries, spice and smoke.  Great acidity.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This will probably drink well for ten to twelve years, but I always seem to drink these young.  No regrets about that.  Great on its own, this will be great with roasted veggies or a garden (or meat) burger.  

2017 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

These usually take time but given the vintage, this is drinking well already.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberry fruit, black pepper, and a touch of black olive.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  The wine is tight but opens with a couple of hours of air.  Black raspberry fruit over a char/dry earthy base.  Great acidity and energy.  Long finish.  This should continue to get better for the next five to seven years and drink well for seven to ten more after that.  It will work well with meats, a lamb stew would b

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