2009 Le Clos de la Meslerie, France, Vouvray, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

One of the cool things about Vouvray is that it is made from Chenin Blanc grapes which more often than not can age well.  When I walked into a local  wine store and saw this for $20, it was well worth the flier.  The only real problem is that there are no more.  Made by American Peter Hahn and imported with Rosenthal, this is a lovely wine.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice minerality with hints of orange peel and a bit of apricot.  Medium bodied and slightly viscous.  At age 12, there is just a bit of sweetness here (some has probably faded since bottling).  A n

2015 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Another winner from the great 2015 vintage.  Light silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has great minerality with a slight peach note.  Slightly viscous.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is sweet though not cloying.  Great acidity to balance it off.  Loads of minerality with some peach notes.  This is more about minerals and "less is more".  Complex.  Long finish.  This will continue to improve for another decade.  It should drink well for thirty years.  Great with a wide variety of foods (factor in the sweetness) but Thai food is a great choice.  

2006 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Charvin always makes a more elegant styled Chateauneuf with a larger amount of Grenache.  At age 15, this is drinking quite well.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spices, slight dried floral notes and a bit of clean earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Bright acidity.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with underlying spice, slight char and minerality.  Depth and layers of complexity.  Delicious.  Great on its own, this will excel with the right food such as beef or bean stew.  Fully mature, drink over the next ten years.  

2016 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese, Germany, Nahe, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$85.00USD

This is young and took some time to open, but then was excellent.  Light golden with slight green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is deep with flint, slight peach, wet rocks, and quince.  It takes a while to really open.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Not dessert like, but certainly sweet.  Good acidity.  Peach, slight apple with great minerality.  Depth.  Long finish.  This will reward future cellaring, maybe another five to eight years.  If drinking now, open and let breathe for four to six hours.  Great on its own, this will work well with cheeses including Mac n Chees

2015 Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico Stielle Gran Selezione, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

A nice, Chianti, this is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, forest floor and some anise.  Medium bodied.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to eight years.  It works better with food, pasta with meatballs or mushrooms would be a nice choice.  

2018 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is a blend of organic grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Syrah, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca, that is made in Portugal.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is very pretty and perfumed/fragrant.  Cherries, anise and a slight dill (presumably from American oak) notes.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries.  This has nice depth and is delicious.  Good acidity.  Some warmth on the long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with foods that one might paid with Pinot Noir s

2020 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Branco, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of white organic grapes:  Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro made in Portugal.  It sees 30% new American and French oak barrels and the rest is done in stainless steel.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is smoky with lemons, white pepper, peach and slight grapefruits.  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, nice lemon, peach and white pepper notes.  Lower acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and will also work with lighter foods.  It is very tasty and should prove to be popular at this price point.  Drink over the next cou

2020 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Colheita White, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a white blend made from Antão Vaz, and Viosinho organic grapes.  Golden in color with silver hues, clear and bright.  The nose has grapefruits, powdered sugar and slight vanilla (and yet, no oak was utilized).  Also an interesting minty note.  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Tingly acidity.  On the palate, lots of grapefruit with a slight bitter note.  This drinks easy and is refreshing.  It works nicely on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Salads or seafood would be good but also chicken salad.  Drink over the next year.  Nice value.  

2018 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Colheita, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a red blend using Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Aragonez organic grapes from Portugal.  Garnet in color, lighter at the rim, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, and a bit of chocolate.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is nice fruit here.  Easy drinking with black cherries and slight char.  Slight bitter cherry note on the end.  This is a nice value.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with weekday food such meatloaf, pizza or pasta.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2017 Shalestone Saperavi, USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Tasted as an additional wine in a Georgian Wine tasting, this is made from the Saperavi grape which is the primary red grape of Georgia.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some black raspberries, and gravel.  Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  On the palate, the cherries and black cherries come thru.  It is a bit softer and more supple than the Georgian Saperavi's tasted alongside.  Light but persistent tannins.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  This will work better with food but is nice on its own.  It would work nicely wi

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