2014 Immortal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Slope, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is the winery that used to be the Hidden Slope Winery.  They still make great Cabs.  It is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color,  ruby at the rim.  The nose has nice cassis, slight blueberries, baking spices and minerality.  On the palate, this is ripe/sweet and slightly jammy with cassis fruit and underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  Not quite at maturity, this will continue to develop and broaden out.  It should drink well fro ten to fifteen more years.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with a roast or steak.  

2012 Le Petit Cheval, France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

This is the second wine from Cheval Blanc, but that doesn't mean it is not a quality wine nor is it inexpensive.  It is one of the better second labels out there.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has cherries, tobacco, black cherries, slight mint and cedar.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  There are slight tannins.  A nice complexity with cherries and black cherries over tobacco/earth.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should be in this window for another seven to ten years.  It works better with food but drinks nicely on its own.  It would pair well with lamb.  

2001 Vieux Château Certan, France, Bordeaux, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2001
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$333.00USD

2001 was a good if not great vintage and the better wines are certainly at peak.  That would include this one.  It is one of the better Merlot's produced in Bordeaux.  Purple in color, ruby at the core.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight plums, some cedar and a bit of milk chocolate.  Full bodied.  The wine has a nice complexity to it.  If is mature and on the refined side.  Layers of plums, cherries with an earthy/dried fruit base.  Moderate finish.  This worked well with a stuffed mushroom cap dish.  No real hurry at this point, but probably best to drink up within five to ten years.

2013 Cayuse Syrah En Cerise Vineyard, USA, Washington, Walla Walla, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

Another top wine from Cayuse.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, burnt rubber (in a good way), black olives and iron.  What a great texture.  Juicy and velvety.  On the palate, the black raspberry dominates with some underlying minerality and a hint of funk/musk.  Long finish.  This is still young but chugging along.  It may still improve a bit over the next few years and then be good for another 15 after that.  

2016 Crescere Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

Another wine from this new producer.  Philippe Melka is the winemaker.  purple in color, opaque and bright.  More of a claret style of Cab than a fruit bomb.  The nose has cassis, graphite, rosemary and slight tobacco.  On the palate, there is cassis, camphor with a slight sour cherry note that is interesting.  Nice acidity.  Good finish.  This seems a bit more restrained and in need of air/time.  It should get better with about five to seven years of cellaring and then drink well for another seven to ten years.  It will work with a wide range of food.  

 

2008 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$240.00USD

it's always a treat to drink Solaia, especially with a few years on it.  It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc.  At age 12, this seems to ageing a bit faster than many vintages, but that puts it in a great place now.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, chocolate and slight tarragon.  On the palate, this has such wonderful balance.  A bit on the  voluptuous side but enough acidity to balance it off.  Cassis  and black cherries layered with an earthy/roasted herb quality.  Complex.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now, it sh

1999 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Dragonfly, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1999
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

it still amazes me that some people say California cabs don't age.  This one, at age 21, is gorgeous and still showing youthfully.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, tobacco and black pepper.  Open and very nice.  On the palate, there are light tannins present.  It drinks so smoothly.  Plenty of cassis, layered with earth and tobacco.  Long finish.  This wine is beautiful today but should last another ten years.  It will work nicely with roasted meats, veggies or fowl.  

 

2016 The Third Twin Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Ggemelo The Third Twin Vineyard, USA, California, Ventura, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$445.00USD

This is another project from Elaine and Manfred Krankl.  Very impressive wine.   It is a blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 9% Petit Sirah, 6% Graciano and 2% Viognier.  It comes in a very cool shaped bottle and label, which by the way lists the alcohol at 15.8%.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, some char, plums and mint.  What a wonderful texture.  Its is big yet dances on the palate with energy.  Delicious.  The black fruits come thru to the palate but there is an ash quality  that is very interesting too.  A long finish.  This is drink

2017 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$145.00USD

My first time trying this wine.  It is 55% Grenache Blanc, 32% Roussanne, 8% Chenin Blanc, and 5% Petit Menseng.  It is fantastic.  Golden in color with just the slightest ruby coloring to it.  The nose is tight at first but opens up nicely in the glass.  Aromas of caramelized pears, orange peel, wax, and chalk.  Full bodied.  It is a big wine but deep with complex layers of pears, oranges, spice and smoke.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  Roasted fowl would be a good match.  This is drinking great now and should continue for ten

2002 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$66.00USD

For those who don't believe that Gewurztraminer can age, they would be wrong as this wine shows.  Deep golden in color.  Clear and bright.  A gorgeous nose of lychees with smokey notes and a slight sea air quality.  This is slightly viscous.  It gives the impression that this will be sweet but drinks more semi-sweet although with air, the sweetness comes out more.  Thee palate has peaches with layers of fruit and minerals.  Long finish.  This is drinking beautifully at age 18.  Seems like it could easily do another five to maybe ten more.  Works great on its own and will work well with sala

Pages