2002 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Nice to revisit this.  The vineyard is now owned by Louis Jadot (of Burgundy fame) but for many years, this was the top wine in the Sineann portfolio and 2002 was as good as it gets.  Now, at age 22, this wine was brilliant.  Deep garnet with slight purple swirls in color, no signs of browning, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, spices, sandalwood, slight earthiness and slight char.  Deep and complex.  Medium to full bodied.  Light remnants of tannins left.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep, layered and complex.  Plenty of fresh cherries, some

2019 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard, USA, Oregon, McMinnville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$42.00USD

Consumed over two days, this was better on day 2.  Momtazi is an interesting vineyard with a bit different profile than most Oregon Pinot Noir vineyards.  It seems to produce bigger wines with a few different qualities such as coffee, char and dry forest floor when young.  Ruby/Purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums, coffee beans and char.  On day 2, more red fruit cam out along with a bit of forest floor - dry leaves.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good balance.  The palate has black cherry flavors.  On day 2 there were also some red cherries and a

2009 Frédéric Magnien Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Great showing for this.  At age 15, it is still youthful but showing some tertiary development.  For Burgundy, this is on the bigger, more powerful side.  deep ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, spices, and slight earthiness.  Full bodied.  Light but present tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious with cherries, black cherries and spice.  Long finish.  Showing depth and complexity that will no doubt emerge over the next decade or more.  Great on its own, this would be very nice with a plate of

1996 Jean Raphet et fils Charmes-Chambertin, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1996
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Burgundy is not the "mine field" it used to be but back when this wine was released, every bottle and most producers seemed like a crap shoot.  Opening this bottle certainly had me concerned, but I need not have been.  It showed very well and at least equaled my highest hopes.  Better than a very good bottle opened about six months ago.

2021 CHEV Chardonnay, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

My first time trying this Chardonnay made by  Michael Browne (formerly of  Kosta Browne).  I liked the wine but this is not the style of Chardonnay I look for.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big  with marzipan, red apples, char, oak, vanilla and alcohol.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is a bit nutty with apples, char, oak and alcohol.  Long finish.  The oak, char and alcohol were somewhat difficult for my palate and these did calm down a bit on day 2.  Good acidity.  These may yet develop and turn out more to my liking with a few years rest.  Right now, these will be a

MacRostie 2022 Chardonnay, Nightwing Vineyard

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$66.00USD

The Nightwing Chardonnay, which I have reviewed favorably for several vintages, again nails something unusual – a Chardonnay that encompasses all the best of Chardonnay from everywhere – great acidity, expressive fruit, tactile mouth feel, pure pleasure, and lastly, a great food companion. You’ll notice lemon meringue, apricot, white peach, Asian pear, blood orange, a whisper of butterscotch and resin, and lime kefir. Keeping the fruit lively the wine was barrel fermented, aged on the lees for 10 months and only used 23% new French oak.

Whitehall Lane 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mancino

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Plush is not a usual descriptor for a wine, however this Cabernet is like velvet; smooth, silky, tactile, luxurious…effortless. The moderately tight tannic structure supports black cherry, boysenberry, blueberry and huckleberry fruit notes, while the wood influence provides a sense of stability, almost like a guardrail, keeping the fruit, acidity and tannins in check. This is one of those wines that when you drink it you are reminded of how different iterations of Cabernet can be, and at this moment, the polished feel of this wine is like an old friend, comfortable and welcomed.

2013 Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella Mai Dire Mai, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$110.00USD

16.5%abv.  This is a blend of Corvina 65%, Corvinone 15%, Rondinella 10%, and Oseleta 10%.  Deep garnet in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, raisins, char, spice, chocolate,  slight cedar and black licorice.  Complex and big.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate the has cherries, some black cherries, and fennel.  Long finish.  This wine is in a great place right now.  It should drink well for another ten years.  Great on its own, this would be great with venison or other slow cooked meat dishes.  

2018 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, sandalwood and tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  This is young but reasonably accessible already.  On the palate, this is concentrated and deep.  Flavors of black cherries, slight anise and slight forest floor.  Long finish.  No harm drinking now but better to wait three to five years and then drink for ten to twelve after that.  A great match for Pasta Bolognaise.  

2022 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Poggio Ai Ginepri, Italy, Toscana IGT, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a Bordeaux blend from Tuscany.  It is comprised of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petite Verdot.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cherries, mike chocolate, spice and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, cherries, fresh cut oak, chocolate and a bit of funk.  Long finish.  This is a great "Bordeaux" styled wine (you can also call it a Super Tuscan) for the money.  It is drinking well now but may still improve with some cellaring.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own b

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