2018 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$171.00USD

This is a blend of 66% Grenache Blanc, 28% Roussanne, and 6% Chenin Blanc.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great.  explosive.  Apricot jam, slight gun powder, lemon, orange peel and almonds.  Full bodied.  Just enough acidity to be lively.  On the palate, this is delicious.  A big wine but enough going on that it is vibrant and not stodgy.  Flavors of lemon, slight orange and slighter apricots with underlying minerality.  Long finish.  Delicious.  Still young but open and drinking great.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Lovely on its own, this will work well

2021 C.L. Butaud Desert Willow Mourvèdre

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

C.L. Butaud started making wine in 2014 in Texas and this is an exceptional Mourvèdre from a place where you don’t see exceptional Mourvèdre. Using native yeasts and partial whole cluster fermentation, they coax out pomegranate, Rainer cherry, a campfire smoke quality, light Asian pear and some plum, a whisper of tar and there is a quiet minerality throughout the wine. The acidity and tannins are in check and support the overall drinking experience.

Paraduxx 2019 Proprietary Red Wine

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

The Paraduxx portfolio has been solely focused on blended wines, something they do admirably. The 2019 is comprised mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon with lighter amounts of five other grape including Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. The medley offers dusty black, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, red raspberry light cedar, and sandalwood notes with a very light green tea element and vanilla. The tannins are fairly taught, even after four years, supporting the structure of the wine, and the acidity comes into play making this an ideal companion for food.

2014 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, France, Northern Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$285.00USD

These wines can be hard to judge as to when they are open for business.  This bottle was drinking beautifully.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with peach, wax, buttered popcorn and lemon.  Also a nice touch of minerality.  Full bodied.  Oily texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, dried peach, apples with underlying minerals and slight char.  Long finish.  This is complex and deep.  Probably not at peak but showing a nice maturity.  Drink over the next twenty years.  This would work well with Veal Chops.  

2004 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Les Mesnil, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$1200.00USD

This is my favorite Champagne.  Sadly, it has gotten so expensive, I don't know how often, if at all, I will get to drink it.  One hundred percent Chardonnay.  Deeper gold in color with a great mousse of tiny bubbles.  The nose is slightly oxidized (a friend called it caramelized) with yeast, brioche, lemon/citrus, and green apple.  Full bodied.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is so smooth.  Good acidity but this vintage is more "blowsy".  Complex and deep.  Flavors of preserved lemons, slight chalk and minerality.  Long, long finish.  This is probably a bit past peak, but still fantas

2002 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$500.00USD

Wowza.  What a great bottle.  Golden in color with lots of tiny bubbles.  Persistent.  The  nose is great with Meyer lemon, smoke, spice, slight dried peach and a bit of a floral quality.  Deep and complex.  Full bodied.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is very structured but all the stuffing you could ask for.  A bit of lemon peel, toast, and spice.  Mature but years left.  This is great on its own but will work well with just about any food.  Delicious. Drink over the next ten to twenty years.  This would be great with Chinese food.

2018 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Villa Gemma, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

This is Masciarelli's top bottling.  15% abv.   Inky indigo in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening but after about an hour, it opens nicely.  Notes of black cherries, clay, dried cherries, dark chocolate and black pepper.  A bit of sweet black raspberries come out with more air.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Polished texture.  Well balanced.  On the palate, black cherries with some char.  With air, chocolate notes come out.  Some black licorice on the finish.  Complex and deep if young.  This needs some time (or a long decant).  Ideally, cellar for five more years and dr

2019 Masciarelli Marina Cvetić Riserva, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

This is one of the "middle" offerings from Masciarelli.  It is made from 100% Montepulciano grapes from Abruzzo.  14.5% abv.  Deep garnet in color with a purple core, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, black licorice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with underlying char.  Delicious.  Long, smooth finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work nice with grilled meats such as Lamb Chops.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2022 Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a Rosé wine made from 100% Montepulciano grapes.  14% abv.  Pale garnet in color, clear and bright.  Very pretty in the glass.  Likewise, a very pretty nose with cherries, rhubarb, dry earth and the slightest celery seed note.  Nice texture.  Medium bodied.  Great acidity which keeps the wine lively and food friendly.  Light tannins.  The palate has cherry cough drop notes along with a slight touch of smoke.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is nice on its own but really begs for food.  it would work well with pasta but also it would be nice with slow cooked Chicken dishes (Paprikas

2022 Masciarelli Villa Gemma Abruzzo Bianco DOC, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

There seem to be a lot of references to this wine as coming from Colline Teatine IGT, but the bottle states Abruzzo Bianco DOC.  It is a blend of 50% Trebbiano, 30% Pecorino, and 20% Cococciola.  Golden in color with silver hues, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of minerality, some lemon notes and a hint of floral tones.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate apples, tart apples and minerality.  Deep.  Long finish.  This is an excellent white wine that would be double or triple the price if the label was from a more "prestigious" area.  

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