2017 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

One of my favorite chardonnays.  Golden in color.  There is some oak on the wine but it is well done and mostly integrated on release.  After a couple of years in the cellar, it drinks amazingly.  The oak presents itself as a vanilla note which works well with the lemon cream and slight citrus of the Chardonnay.  Almost seamless texture.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own and a great match with swordfish or salmon.

2017 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Always a great value in white wine.  These wines come in a variety of sweetness levels with the Sec being the driest.  It is a wine that should do at least ten years if well cellared.  Mineral driven with crushed shells and also a hint of orange peel.  Great on its own or with sea food or lighter meals.  Highly recommended.

2005 Girard Petite Sirah, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% other Rhone varietals.  It is in a great place right now and seems to be at peak.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The  nose has black raspberries, bramble, gravel and smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, great texture.  Plenty of ripe black raspberry fruit with some underlying char.  Nice finish.  Nice on its own, this will work well with grilled or roasted foods.  Drink over the next five years.

2019 Pax Syrah Sonoma Hillsides, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$42.00USD

The styles of Pax wines have changed over the years.  The newer ones, like this, use 100% stems, and are aged in concrete or neutral vessels and usually have lower levels of alcohol (under 14%abv for Syrahs).  Inky purple in color, opaque and shiny bright.  The nose has black raspberries with spice, and slight tobacco notes.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is tasty with black raspberry fruit.  While personally, I would like a bit more oomph, there is no denying this is a hell of a wine.  It is still young and will benefit from five years in a good cellar

2004 Villa Mongalli Montefalco Sagrantino Della Cima, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is a new producer for me, and it showed very well.  Purple in color, some browning, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with red and black cherries, slight dried cherry note, and smoke.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit.  Interesting as it seems a bit old and not quite fully open at the same time.  It does come together a bit with air.  Good finish.  I don't think the the tannins will ever resolve so best to east this with bigger or fatty foods.  A nice beef stew with an Italian bent should be perfect.  Drink over the next few yea

2004 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero, Spain, Ribera del Duero, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is drinking well and seems to be at or possibly just pack peak.  It is a pretty modern take on Tempranillo but with some bottle age it shows traditionally.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cedar and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries with spice and slight smoke.  Nice finish.  This is ageing gracefully and doesn't seem almost twenty years old.  That said, these should be drunk up at this point.  Nice on its own but better with food.  It would work well

2017 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, wine review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is from the Tuscan branch of Gaja, more widely known for their wines from Piedmont in northern Italy.  It is a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah,  and 10% Sangiovese.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, sandalwood, slight chocolate and spice.  Firm tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, black cherries, slight forest floor and chocolate.  Long finish.  This is tasty now but obviously young.  It could use a few more years of cellaring and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  Nice on its own, this would w

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

This is middle of the road inn terms of RRV Pinot Noir.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cola, slight forest floor and baking spices.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries with spice and a slight forest floor note.  Nice finish.  This is young but drinking well.  It should mature a bit as it ages.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and should work well with fowl.  It would also work well with Hunan/Chinese.  

2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay The Cutrer, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

My first time trying "The Cutrer".  It is a bit rounder than the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.  It just depends on style preferences as to which one you might prefer.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, some butter, baking spices and a touch of nuttiness.  Full bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, apples and baked apples with some baking spices.  Good finish.  This is very nice on its own but struggled a bit with a vegetarian lasagna.  That said, on its own it is very accessible and also has some depth.  Drink over the next five years.  

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