2014 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Wine Review

Biased Review. This is our wine, so it was made in a style that I love. Of course, I like it. Although the critics were quite kind to it, YMMV. This was consumed over two nights and was better on day 2. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black raspberries, slightly earthy with black pepper and slight roasted herbs. Full bodied. On the palate, this has black cherries, char, slight plums and spice. Medium tannins. Nice acidity. Good finish. This still needs about five more years to peak and should stay there for another ten to fifteen after that. Right now, it drinks well on its own and will work well with Indian foods, Roasted meats and vegetables or fowl.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2014

Current Price:

$47.00USD

2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. The 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008 was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective. Unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. The American wines were mostly from California (144 wineries), but a few examples from Arizona (2 wineries) and Washington State (5 wineries) were also included. While this is a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers aren’t represented, there is still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts. The events included two general tastings and a series of focused seminars.

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America’s Best Rhone Style Red Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we discussed the white Rhone style wines offered at the 2008 Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco on March 18. This month we turn to the reds, of which we tasted 50. Among those we tasted were some old favorites and some wineries or bottlings with which we were not yet familiar. We don’t pretend that we tasted a representative group of wines, because our sample was skewed to wines we have loved in the past and others about which we have heard positive comments.

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Top Ten California Syrahs - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2014 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

WARNING - Biased Review. This is our highest rated (by the critics) wine. WA96 points. In my biased opinion it is not there yet, but will get to that lofty position. It needs lots of air or a decant. If you ate opening a bottle today, 24 hours ahead of time is not too much. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, black olives, slight oak and roasted meat. On the palate, what a great texture. Not quite seamless, but going in that direction. Black raspberry and blueberry fruit with underlying black olives and slight charred earth. Good finish. Needs hearty or

2013 SonkinCellars Persona, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

WARNING-Biased Review. Although both of the 2014's scored higher, this is the best wine SonkinCellars made. It is still quite tight and needs air or time. Purple in color, inky at the core. The nose has black raspberries, black olives, slight roasted meat, slight cedar and spice. On the palate, this has firm tannins. Lush black raspberry fruit. An under layer of spice and roasted meats. Long finish. Still a few years from peak. Everything that needs to be in a great California warm climate Syrah that is not over the top but pushes ripe. Of course, this is a completely biased revi

2014 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Wine Review

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2014 SonkinCellars Persona, USA, California, Wine Review

2013 SonkinCellars Persona, California, Wine Review