MacRostie 2020 Sparkling Wine Blanc de Blancs

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

This is the first Chardonnay-centric sparkler MacRostie has ever made and, as an inaugural effort, they nailed it, creating a lovely wine that is complex and just plain enjoyable to drink. This is a soft, velvety sparkler that drinks incredibly smoothly. The carbonation is fairly mild, a plus in that we get more of the aromas and flavors of the wine than it being obstructed by bubbles. Soft baked bread, light lemon-lime, whispers of resin, grapefruit, white peach and Asian pear fill the palate.

2021 Tree Fort Pinot Noir Lush & Juicy, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara.  Its rare to find good Pinot for under $20, but this manages to do it.  Screw capped.  Pale, ruby in color with some blueish hues.  clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show some rhubarb and cranberries.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate a sort red currant, slightly medicinal note (better than it sounds) along with red berries.  A bit of menthol on the finish.  After about an hour, its more of a cherry cough drop note.  A solid Pinot that is nice on its own, but improves with food.  This went well with vegetarian taco roll-u

2000 Château Branon, France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$149.00USD

This is from one of the early Garagiste (Garage wines) wineries.  Inky purple, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with cassis and a touch of brown sugar.  Plush texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  Long finish. Drinking well and close to maturity.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  This would work nicely with beef stroganoff.  

2000 Château Siran, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, cherries and dust.  Medium to full bodied.  Great lush texture.  On the palate this is bigger than on the nose.  Cassis with some char.  Firm tannins.  Medium depth.  Good finish.  i found this to be slow maturing like many 2000's but it is certainly accessible and drinking  well at this point.  it should go at least another ten years.  This would work nicely with Lamb chops.  

2014 Robert Keenan Winery Mernet Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Spring Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is a 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, cassis, and some char.  Full bodied.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tight but complex.  It unwinds slowly.  Black cherry fruit with some spice.  Good finish.  This is drinking well and will work well with many foods.  Certainly, it would be nice with Rotisserie Chicken.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.   

2008 Château Pontet-Canet, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Great showing for this wine.  Still, not close to maturity, but certainly no harm drinking now.  Purple in color with very slight dark brown hues, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, cigar, graphite, and a slight herbal/minty note.  Medium tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis with underlying char and minerality.  Good acidity.  Complex.  Long finish.  This is delicious and kept improving all night long.  It will improve but was fantastic now.  Great on its own, this needs big/fatty food now such as Prime Rib.  Drink over the next twenty years.  

2016 Roland Champion Champagne Grand Cru Special Club, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

Light golden in color with a nice mousse of medium small bubbles.  Clear and bright.  The nose has some pears but overall, quite tight.  Medium bodied with good acidity.  More open on the palate with lemon-lime notes and minerality.  Good finish.  Overall, it seems to be hiding something, but even with air, it never developed the depth it seems to promise.  To be sure, a very nice wine that will work with most foods.  It would go well with spicy Hunan food.  Drink over the next few years.  

2018 Domaine de Brizé Anjou Loire Renaissance, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is 100% Chenin Blanc fermented and aged in wood barrels.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose shows some citrus and spice.  A nice oily texture.  On the palate, lemons.  Crisp.  Nice finish.  A very nice wine that is drinking well.  The oak is not obtrusive and seems to add a bit of weight/texture to the wine.  It is lovely on its own and should work well with many foods.  It would be a nice pairing with scallops.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.

2018 Samsara Syrah, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

Ruby in color, mostly opaque and partly bright.  The nose has cherries, strawberries, slight black olives and slight black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Lower acidity.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with a soft texture and light tannins.  Easy drinking and approachable.  Seems more cooler climate in style.  Nice finish.  More on the delicate/feminine side of Syrah.  Nice on its own, this will work well with foods, but stay away from foods that may overpower it.  Pan roasted chicken breast would work well.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

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