2014 Hors Catégorie Vineyards Syrah Hors Catégorie Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$310.00USD

Wow.  My first time trying this wine and it is spectacular.  Purple in color with a slight ruby rim.  The nose has toast, black raspberries and black pepper.  With air notes of soy sauce and black olives emerge.  Full bodied but this lovely silky but powerful texture.  On the palate, this has great boysenberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It is deep and complex and persistent on the palate.  It is also delicious.  Long finish.  This will easily continue to improve for a decade and be good for another decade or two after that.  It worked great with a spicy pasta dish but would work

2015 J. Bookwalter Cabernet Franc Suspense Conner-Lee Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is a very nice Cab Franc from Washington.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, tobacco and slight bell pepper.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Good fruits black cherries and cherries with underlying herbal notes.  Good finish.  Slight tannins.  This works better with foods and went well with a home made pizza.  It seems still young and might get better but should easily last another 5 to ten years.  

2017 Bieler Family Pinot Grigio Daisy, USA, Washington, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is an inexpensive Pinot Grigio from Washington state.  It costs about $10 which is fair.  Light white gold/copper in color.  The nose is light but mostly minerals.  Easy drinking although it finishes bitter.  Has some acidity.  If this is the option at a party, it is fine.  Drink now.  

2008 Sineann Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is doing quite well at 11 years from vintage.  It is a Washington state Cab Franc that in its youth was boisterous and ripe but has calmed down, picked up some funk and is drinking well.  Purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight tobacco and baking spice.  On the palate, this has wispy tannins.  Good juicy black cherry fruit with underlying char and a bit of forest floor.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Works well on its own or with some bigger or medium foods especially roast.  

2017 Urban Vintner Carménère, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
78
Grade: 
C+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio wine making wine from purchased grapes.  This wine was made from grapes purchased in Chile.  I tasted from a freshly opened bottle.  I was told it improved greatly with air.  Purple in color.  The nose is all about bell pepper.  Concentrated and persistent bell pepper.  Maybe a bit of smoke as well.  Now, a little bell pepper in a Cabernet can be charming at times, but this was unpleasant.  On the palate, this has tingling acidity.  Perhaps some trapped CO2.  There are some plums on the palate with slight tannins.  Short finish.  Tastes vary and you might like this,

2017 Urban Vintner Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine from purchased grapes.  This particular wine uses grapes from the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State.  This was the best of their wines and is not only respectable but quite good.  Garnet in color.  The nose has black cherries with a slight herbal (chervil?) note.  The tannins come on strong at first but mellow out on the midpalate and finish.  There is some depth and complexity but this is young and could use a few years in the cellar.  It is a quality and varietally correct Cabernet.  It calls for bigger grilled or roasted foods and will also

2017 Urban Vintner Trigger Rouge Muddy Paw, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
82
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is made by a winery in Ohio from California grapes.  It is a Zinfandel blend made in a lighter and easier style.  Light ruby in color.  The nose has candies cherries.  On the palate, this is sweet and almost cloying.  It reminds one of home made wines made in Italian communities often self referred to as "Dago Red".  Not a style that I prefer but those who like a sweet red will probably enjoy this more.  Food such as pizza or cheese would certainly help.

2017 Urban Vintner Sémillon Muddy Paws, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Urban Vintner is an Ohio winery making wine in Ohio from purchased grapes around the globe.  Muddy Paws is their value line with $1 from every bottle going to the local animal rescue.  The grapes for this wine are from Washington state.  Light silvery green/gold in color.  The nose has some peach and a bit of citrus.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet with peach notes.   There is also a bit of a minty quality on the finish.  Not a lot of depth in this wine, but easy sweet wine.  Those looking for this type of wine will probably like it more than I.  Mostly a cocktail wine or with a nice

2017 Urban Vintner Sauvignon Blanc, USA, Ohio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This winery is located just east of Cleveland Ohio.  They purchase grapes from around the world and craft wines.  Most wines are sold locally or at their tasting room.  These grapes are from Clear Lake in Lake County, California.  Light silvery/gold in color.  The nose is a bit grassy with a slight melon note.  A nice slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this is light.  Some melon notes.  It's a bit flat but overall an easy, clean wine with no faults.  This should be a popular wine at the tasting room on a Friday summer night.  

2016 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Phinny Hill Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

One of the best Cabs from Sineann I have had.  This is classic Washington Cab.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight fresh rubber and tarragon.  On the palate, this is deep and intense.  Black cherry fruit over spice.  It unwinds in the glass.  Firm tannins.  Drank over three nights and it was best on night three.  Long finish.  This will work with a wide variety of foods.  Probably needs about five to seven years and then should be good for fifteen after that.  If opening now, decant for six to eight hours.   

Pages