Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
In the running for wine of the year. Consumed from Magnum while tailgating at the Browns vs.
This is a blend of 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre. Consumed in the NY Jets stadium parking lot prior to the Monday night game between the Browns and the Jets. A lot of fun. While still very young, this was a perfect wine for the occasion. Big, bold and delicious. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, roasted herbs, plums and slight violets. On the palate, this has a wonderfully rich texture. The wine goes down easily. It is also delicious. Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying char and a bit of pepper. Great energy and balance. Long finish. Goes great with
This was in magnum and opened to celebrate the engagement of our friends daughter. The non-wine geek crowd seemed to really enjoy it (as did the wine geeks present). Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, some black pepper and slight bacon fat. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Juicy, slick and medium to full bodied. Plenty of boysenberry fruit over a bit of char and slight dry earthiness. Good balance. Nice finish. This is coming around now and just about at peak. Even in 750ml format there is no hurry though, this should have another decade. It will go well wit
This is an intriguing Viognier. Much of California Viognier comes off as alcoholic or hot and certainly lacks the floral lightness of many of the Rhone counterparts. This bottle strikes a middle round which is quite nice. Light golden in color. The nose has lots of grapefruit with a bit of a floral quality (white flowers?). Medium bodied. On the palate, this has a grapefruit juice quality but a bit livelier that say a Sauvignon Blanc. Not really showing any age at the moment, still, I would drink this sooner than later to enjoy the freshness. It will go well with all but the heavies
This is an intense and concentrated wine. While it is drinking well today, proper cellaring will be rewarded. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has cassis, black cherries, coffee and iron. On the palate, this is full bodied. Deep but tight. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice. Long finish. It needs about seven to ten years until peak and should be good for fifteen after that. It drinks well today on its own and will work with bigger foods.
Sojourn makes some might fine Pinot Noir, this one included. Ruby in color with some purple swirls. The nose is bit but pretty with sour cherries, rhubarb, and earl grey tea. On the palate, this has a soft texture. Layers of sour cherries and forest floor. Clean. Nice acidity. Good finish. This will work well with lighter foods and heavier sea foods and fowl. It is drinking well now but should last another decade or more.
Torrin is a winery that despite critical acclaim, never seems to get the buzz of others from Paso Robles. I guess that good as the prices remain reasonable and the wines obtainable. Not that they are inexpensive. But they are great! Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight smoke, and some roasted herbs and meat. Wonderful texture. This, juicy yet lively. On the palate, this is still young. Firm tannins. It is drinking very well yet, it seems like there is a lot of development still to come. It has at least another five years until peak. It shoul
I am a huge fan of Rivers Marie Cabernets. They make a bunch of single vineyard ones, but this "base" one is always great. And for Napa, it is a good value. The release price was $65. This took some time to open but after an hour or so, it was singing. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, cedar, and some coffee. On the palate, this has firm tannins. Cassis over coffee grounds. Great balance. Long finish. This will likely last as long as the single vineyard wines, another decade easily, probably two. It is delicious on its own right now but should gain in complexity as it mature
What a beauty. This wine is drinking great and while it may age gracefully, it won't get more enjoyable for my tastes. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has red licorice, black cherries, cherries and spice. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Juicy acidity. Lots of cherry fruit over a bit of char. Long finish. This is delicious on its own. Gulpable. It will work with roasted or grilled meats, veggies or fowl but needs bigger foods. It should be at this level for another five years and then start morphing into more of a claret style.
Wow. This is a wine that is rarely reviewed but just excellent. Right up there with anything Napa produces. Opened for my birthday dinner because it also goes great with food. Deep purple in color. Opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, spice, slight cedar and plums. With air, a bit of iodine. On the palate, this is full bodied. Deep and complex. Young with firm tannins. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice and slight char. Delicious. Long finish. This will no doubt continue to evolve over the next decade and closer to two. It reminds me of St.
