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

2022 Di Costanzo Cabernet Sauvignon DI CO, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$72.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, dust, slight leather and spice.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with some cassis and slight tar.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well now on its own but probably a bit better with food.  This should go nicely with Lamb Stew.  drink over the next ten years.  

2022 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is the base Rhys Chard and while not quite at the level of the single vineyard releases, it is also not as expensive (yet very good).  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with Lemon creme, slight granny smith apples, and salinity.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the lemon creme comes thru along with the green apples, and slight vanilla.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is delicious and drinking well.  It is great on its own and would work nicely with broiled Crab.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.

2014 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$147.00USD

This is a blend of 48% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 22% Mourvedre from the west side of Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep with black raspberries, roasted meats, roasted herbs, black pepper and earthiness.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Deep.  flavors of black raspberries, slight blueberries, char, slight dark chocolate and earthiness.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work with bigger foods.  It will work well with Koren BBQ.  Drink over the next ten to twenty years. 

2016 Keplinger Hangman's, USA, California, Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier from the Hudson Vineyard in Carneros.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, bacon fat, roasted meats, milk chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity and balance.  On the palate, this is delicious (and serious)  with black raspberry fruit, chocolate, black pepper and char.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with bigger, heavier foods.  It would go very well Carne Asada.  drink over the next five to ten years.

 

2021 Sine Qua Non Distenta White III, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

This white wine from California checks in at 15.5% abv.  It is a blend of 33% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, 24% Gelber Muskateller, 12% Roussanne, and the rest Petit Manseng.  Light golden in color with some green hues, clear and bright.  The nose has peaches, wax, almonds, honey and a bit of alcohol.  Full bodied.  Good energy.  On the palate, this is a big white wine.  Big flavors of peach, apricots, almonds, and honey.  Long finish.  It drinks great on its own and if pairing with food, it will need big flavors.  It would go well with pork chops.  Drink over the next ten years.  

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