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

2007 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black pepper, black raspberries, slight roasted herbs, and some bacon fat.  Full bodied.  Cooler climate in style.  On the palate, boysenberries, black pepper, slight earthiness with good acidity.  Slight tannins.  deep and layered.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This went very well with Indian food (Syrah is a surprisingly good food match with Indian food).  Seems to be still on the younger side of peak though drinking well now.  

2008 Carlisle Two Acres, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a field blend of mostly Rhone varietals and some Petite Sirah.  The Petite Sirah seems to take over more and more as this wine ages.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, plums, char and some roasted herbs.  On the palate, this has boysenberries, some black cherries and spice.  Nice medium bodied mouth feel.  some complexity.  Slight tannins.  Good finish.  Probably at peak now, but no hurry at all on this.  

2014 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

I love it when I can find an affordable great wine in a 375ml format.  These are (sometimes) available directly from the Tablas Creek web site.  While this wine is still young, it makes a nice glass or two (or three) while waiting for the full bottles to develop.  Great for the times you just want a bit of wine.  40% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Counoise.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is really nice with dark cherries, black raspberries, some black pepper.  Nice sensuous texture.  Great fruit.  This has depth but it is quite primary right now.  Delicious, but wil

2013 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

I try to let some of my Carlisle wines age.  Really, I do.  This is about as successful as I get.  They are just so good young.  This one was consumed at age 5.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, some raspberries, a bit of black licorice and char.  On the palate, a really luxurious texture.  Delicious.  Black cherries, some black licorice and char.  Great balance.  Long finish.  Great on its own or with food.  Great wine.  

2014 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

I really enjoyed this wine.  A long time Napa standard, it had been a while since I had revisited it.  Light golden in color.  The nose has melons and red apples.  Very clean, little oak and no butter.  On the palate, this is crisp and refreshing.  Some apples, some melon with a nice mouthfeel.  Food friendly.  Under $30.  Really a nice value in Napa Chardonnay.  

2015 Denner Theresa, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

30% Rousanne, 25% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Picpoul, and 10% Vermentino.  This is one of my favorite (mostly) Rhone white wines from Paso Robles.  Light golden in color.  The nose is really nice with peaches, slight canned peaches, a nice minerals streak, some vanilla candle and some lemon peel.  On the palate, this has a great oily texture.  Slightly viscous.  An excellent crispness.  Depth and complexity.  Do not serve this too cold as the complexity really comes out when the wine starts to get over 60F.  Peaches, lemons, and minerals.  Long finish.  Great with food.  

2012 Notre Vin Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This wine is from the late great winemaker Denis Malbec's own winery.  He made wine for some of the top wineries in Napa including Kapcsandy but was sadly killed in a car crash in 2017.  This wine is certainly a tribute to his skills.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight cherries, spice with slight tarragon note.  On the palate, this is has a nice structure.  Pinpoint fruit hanging with tannins.  The fruit has cassis and cherry and while ripe, not over done.  This drinks well now but consumed over a couple days, it was better on Day 2 suggesting its best days are still ahead.  Nic

2012 Gallica Suzuri Series Shake Ridge Ranch, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B

This is a GSM blend.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries and a hint of herbal notes.  On the palate, this carries thru.  The green note is a bit distracting.  One dimensional.  Easy drinking.  Its a fine wine but for $52, I find it a bit lacking.  Maybe with age?  I don't think so, but who knows.  

2012 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

40% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 21% Grenache and 9% Counoise.  Tablas Creek is making some of the best Rhone varietal wines anywhere and they have been for 20 years.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice, deep and has a nice complexity.  Plums, dark cherries, slight char, black pepper and spice.  With air, purple fruits come to the forefront.  On the palate, this is young and still not yet at peak IMO.  Plums, black raspberries layered with char and spice.  A hint of muskiness as well.  Lovely mouthfeel.  Great texture.  Nice finish.  These wines are built to age and while the 2012 is more open tha

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