2014 Kapcsándy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard, USA, California, Yountville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$312.00USD

These are some of the slowest to come around wines in Napa.  They act very similar to a Frist Growth Bordeaux.  It was with some trepidation that we opened this at age 9.  95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose is classic.  Cassis, pencil lead, spice, chocolate and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this took a couple of hours to open and unwind, then it was stunning.  Cassis, some chocolate and underlying char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but may still earn that 100 point moniker.  Eighte

2005 Château Troplong Mondot, France, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
99
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$325.00USD

In a really special place right now.  Fantastic.  This is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, slight chocolate, tobacco, leather and slight funk.  Full bodied.  Velvety texture.  On the palate, this is vibrant but also showing layering and complexity.  Flavors of black cherries and cherries with underlying earthiness.  Some chocolate on the finish.  This is at peak but should drink well for another decade.  Great on its own as it is contemplative, but will work great with roasted fowl, meat or even vegetab

2008 Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune, France, Alsace, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$365.00USD

Arguably the best Riesling in the world.  This dry Riesling comes from Alsace.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  Clean.  Aromas of peach, slight apple, chalk, crushed stones and slight sea air.  Medium to full bodied.  A great backbone of acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Dry.  Notes of peach, apple and chalk.  Slightly viscous texture.  Long finish.  Complex.  Drinking great now, this should have another twenty or thirty years of life left.  Very food versatile.  It will match with almost anything.  It would be awesome with Thai food.  

Alma de Cattleya 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Harvested from five different vineyard sources, winemaker Bibiana Gonzalez Rave says her goal is to define “the specificity of a dry, beautifully intense wine, yet with volume and texture.” And this she does quite well. Her 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is a little softer than past vintages but nonetheless offers bright, expressive fruit – lemongrass, lime zest, guava, apricot Asian pair, and Green Apple. The acidity is fairly mild, and this proves to be a very drinkable wine with enough to use it for different types of food. 3,400 cases. ORIGIN: Sonoma County. ALCOHOL: 13.7%.

Stonestreet Estate Vineyards 2014 Blanc de Blanc

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This 2014 Blanc de Blanc is a sparkling wine with a brisk acidity and a hint of chalky minerality. Hand harvested and whole cluster pressed, there’s a lovely creaminess to this wine with very mild carbonation, allowing more of the fruit to come through. It offers lemon-lime notes, guava, red delicious apple and grannie smith green apple, light unsweetened honeysuckle, Asian pear, a hint of baked brioche. The balance of the flavors makes this easy to pair with a diversity of foods. 178 cases. ORIGIN: Alexander Valley, Sonoma. ALCOHOL: 12.5%

2005 Château Fleur Cardinale, France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Gorgeous showing for this wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is wonderful with black cherries, chocolate, spice, cherries and slight funk.  Full bodied.  Lush texture.  On the palate, this is just about at maturity.  Plenty of vibrant fruit; cherries and black cherries but also starting to show some depth and complexity.  No hurry though.  This should drink well for another ten to twenty years.  Nice on its own, but better with food. Lamb would be a good match.

2016 Aeris Wines Etna Bianco Superiore, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is Carricante from Sicily but made by California winery owner Kevin Harvery (Rhys).  Light golden in color, some darker gold swirls, clear and bright.  The nose is intriguing with minerality, some char, lemons, almonds and salinity.  Lovely, slightly viscous texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, loads of minerality, some lemons and slight smoke.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own, but would be better with food such as a Lemon Pasta.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Piner Olivet Ranches Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight bramble.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has cherries with some underlying char.  Moderate finish. Nice to have something a bit different every now and then.  Drink over the next five years. A nice wine with pizza.  

2016 Kavaklıdere Selection Cappadocia, Narince Emir, Turkey, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Made from Emir and Narince grapes grown in Turkey.  Pale golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemons, slight grapefruit and minerals.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, lemons, bitters and slight grapefruit.  Some depth.  Though probably past its prime, it is still enjoyable.  Drink soon.  This works better with food and would be nice with some grilled appetizers.  

2020 Kirkland Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

There are at least four other Kirkland wines reviewed on this site quite positively.  There is nothing to complain about for the money, but I had hoped for better.  $15.  No sign of smoke taint (that was a year with fires).  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and a bit of spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some black cherry fruit.  Not much in the way of nuance, but certainly drinkable.  Slightly bitter on the finish.  This would be a nice mid-week wine with a burger or meatloaf.  

Pages

Pages