2019 Argyros Assyrtiko Cuvée Nykteri, Greece, Santornini, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$89.00USD

This is 100% Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece.  Wines from this grape are made in many different styles from crisp, light wines to very serious full bodied wines.  This is the later.  This is fermented in French oak and then aged 12 months in French oak barrels and another twelve months in stainless steel.  The vines are 150 to 200 years old and ungrafted.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big with citrus, sea air, wet stones and slight orange peel.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is concentrated with lemon-lime notes and underlying  minerality.  Long finish.  This drinks

2021 Riva Leone Piemonte Barbera, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

Barbera is an interesting grape and the wines produced from it cover a wide range of styles and price points.  This is at the lower end of the price range, but  the wine easily has the quality of wines three or four times as expensive.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and slight dust.  Medium bodied.  Strong acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with great acidity.  Nice finish.  This wine demands food.  All of the classic "Italian Night" foods such as pizza, spaghetti, other pastas, etc.

2021 Riva Leone Gavi, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a nice white wine from northern Italy.  It is made from 100% Cortese grapes and comes in around 12.5% abv.  It has a glass closure.  Pale yellow green in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of minerality with some pear.  Medium bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, the pears come out more but there is still that nice underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  This is a nice lighter white on its own, but will work well with lighter foods as well.  This would be great with a vegetable Risotto.  Drink over the next year or two.  Great value.

2010 Château Bellevue Gazin Cuvee Tradition, France, Bordeaux, Cote du Blaye, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Bordeaux is famous for its amazing wines that come with amazingly high prices.  There is also a sea of wine made for very affordable prices.  This is a lovely wine from a great vintage.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is spicy with cigar box, black cherries and cherries.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins (true to the vintage).  On the  palate, black cherries, cassis, anise and char.  Good finish.  Overall, a very nice showing.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Nice on its own and would be a great meatloaf/burger wine.  

2018 Sheldrake Point Gamay Noir, USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

Wow was this interesting.  11.6% abv.  Very pale ruby in color with some orange hues, clear and bright.  It looks like a rosé.  A lovely nose with cherries, sea air, kirsch, and cloves.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Soft texture.  On the palate, cherries, cranberries and a slight orange note.  Moderate finish.  It drinks well enough on its own but would be better with food.  Salmon would be classic but maybe some Cajun Gumbo would be really good too.  Drink over the next year or two (but it might go longer, I have no idea).  

2018 Pierre-Marie Chermette Fleurie Les Garants, France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

A personal favorite of mine, from an excellent vintage.  This wine still needs some time to come together, but I think it will.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight.  It does open to show black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of spice. Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit.  Lush texture.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Give this wine a nice decant or cellar for a few more years.  Drink over the next ten years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with food.  Roasted duck or other fowl would be a good choice.  

2020 Domaine Bousquet Ameri Malbec, Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Vallry, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

One of the better Malbec's I have tasted.  It is named for one of the owners of  Domaine Bousquet.  This is 100% Malbec from the Domaine Bousquet home (certified Organic) vineyard grown at 4,125 feet.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful with plums, black raspberries, slight coffee, and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has a velvety texture.  Dry but a perception of ripeness.  Flavors of plums, black raspberries and underlying char.  Long finish.  This is young but very tasty.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  This wo

2005 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Ruby in color, purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose brings the barnyard funk but also some black cherries and a bit of cigar box.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Much cleaner on the palate, but still some Brettanomyces.  Black cherries with some leathery notes.  Menthol on the finish.  This is very nice on its own but probably a bit better with food.  It would work well with Lamb Stew but also Roasted Vegetables.  At or past peak, this should be consumed over the next five years or so.  

2016 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

I used to drink a lot of this but somehow it fell off my radar.  Tasting this, I am reminded how good it is.  Made from Chenin Blanc grapes.  Pale, silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is expressive with flint, some chalk, some green apples and a bit or orange rind.  Full bodied.  Lovely texture.  Great acidity.  On the palate, the chalk and green apples come thru along with some herbal notes.  Clean.  Persistent finish with some heat.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  An interesting match would be chicken salad.  

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