Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
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.
A very nice Syrah from Santa Maria in southern California. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted meats, and slight violets. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this has bold fruit. Flavors of black raspberries with some black pepper and char. Great texture. Long finish. This is drinking well now if still youthful. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. It's great on its own and will work nicely with Roasted vegetable.
This is a blend of 85% Zinfandel and 15% Alicante Bouschet. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight plums, black pepper and a bit of char. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Great balance and energy. On the palate, this is tasty. Flavors of black raspberries, some raspberries and a bit of bramble. Long finish. This is drinking well now on its own and will work with spicy foods. BBQ Ribs would be a nice match. Drink over the next five to ten years.
One of my favorite Napa Cabs, it was nice to try a Materium with some age on it from a very good if not great vintage. Inky purple in color with a thin ruby rim, opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, cedar, graphite and char. Great texture. Medium to firm tannins. On the palate, this is not quite at peak but getting there. Layers of cassis with some minerality and char. Long finish. Delicious. This is great on its own and will work well with heavy meaty dishes such as Prime Rib. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.
The fruit for this came from the Lewelling Ranch vineyard. Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright. The nose is deep with cassis, boysenberries, dark chocolate, black pepper and spice. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is tight but opens with air. Delicious. Flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, slight forest floor and spice. Long finish. If drinking soon, give it a long decant but better yet, wait a few more years and then drink over the next twenty. Great on its own, this will work with big fatty dishes (not seafood).
Great showing for this wine at age 14 (and not the best vintage). Deeper golden in color, clear and bright. The nose shows slight oxidation along with lemon creme, slight vanilla and minerality. Full bodied. Nicely balanced. On the palate, this is layered and complex. Still plenty of fruit but also some tertiary notes of dried fruits, earthiness and nuts. Long finish. This is mature and seemingly at peak or slightly past. It begs for food and would go nicely with Fruit Salad but also scallops. Drink up.
